A Snowy Weekend in Brooklyn

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Greetings from snowy Brooklyn!

Unlike many of my friends, I spent the entire weekend smiling. Snow makes me feel like a child again.  I absolutely love the peace and tranquility that a fresh snow brings to the streets of New York in addition to the child like antics that come out during the aftermath.  We so often finds ourselves going constantly, with very little relaxation and down time so it is a welcome blessing to have snowy conditions force us to rest and relax. My in-laws, Bob and Mimi, happened to be in town this weekend which made things even more special. I can’t tell you the last time we all spent so much time together.

Friday evening Mimi (my mother-in-law) and I started the weekend with a donation based community yoga class at Brooklyn Yoga Project before dinner at the adorable Locanda Vini e Olii. Their house made olive oils stole the show but everything we tried was delicious.

Saturday morning, I woke up and ran to the window, like a kid on Christmas morning. I managed my expectations, after years of disappointment, expecting to see a few inches and nothing more. Instead, I saw that our back yard was a blustery, winter wonderland!

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Like crazies, we bundled up and headed to another wonderful hot, power yoga class at Tangerine Yoga. Considering the conditions, we were tempted to stay in our pajamas and bake an elaborate, warm breakfast but we wanted to share this yoga studio with both Meg and Mimi after weeks of raving about their classes and hands-on instructors. By the time we left the studio at 10:30 the wind gusts were reaching 30 miles per hour and Brooklyn looked like the inside of a snow globe.

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The rest of our snow day accomplishments included making homemade pizza dough, baking a chocolate cake from scratch, perfecting the art of creating snow angels, working on our snowball aim and warming up with a beer at our favorite neighborhood bar, Buschenschank.

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Your turn: What did you do this weekend? Were you in a snow globe or in one of the few areas that didn’t see cold weather and flurries? 

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Virtual Coffee Date

Have a seat friends and refill that glass of wine or coffee, depending the hour of day you’re reading this, because it is time for a virtual date. A lot has transpired since our last date together. Winter has arrived in New York City and we’ve quickly realized that our old house has more than a few drafty spots. But, regardless of the draft, we’re still thrilled with the apartment we chose and the home we’ve created. We’ve hosted a number of dinner parties over the past month and love having a kitchen large enough to accommodate a large group of friends while we cook, drink and talk together.

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If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that I think I’m the only crazy person who is hoping that New York City gets more than just a few inches of snow this weekend. It’s been six years since Bo and I went sledding in Central Park and I would love nothing more than to sled down the hills of Prospect Park this weekend. There is something so inviting about a winter snowstorm. Movies on the couch, wine, time together and the cozy warmth of your home. Yes, I realize all of this goes out the window if you lose power during such snowstorm, but let me romanticize it in my head.

If we were sitting together today, I’d rave about my office. Even though I spend way too much time in it, I’m head over heels in love with the space. Maybe it’s the small space heater I use when I’m working in the office each day or the cozy slippers I wear while sitting at my desk. When designing this room, we knew that we wanted a soothing color pallet since I’d spend at least eight hours a day in here and luckily, that desire has translated.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you how unbelievably thankful I am for our parents. We are so lucky to have parents who support us and love us unconditionally. After living abroad for two years, it is so nice to have the space to host them for multiple weekends a year. This weekend my in-laws are visiting and in two weeks my parents will be here.

If we were sitting together today, I would rave about the movie Spotlight. Bo and I saw it together on Monday and immediately called our parents, insisting that they see it. The cast is stellar and the storyline is straightforward yet perfectly crafted. I think Spotlight deserves even more recognition than it has received.

If we were sitting together today, due to two days of subway issues, I read over 100 pages in When Breath Becomes Air during yesterday evening and this morning’s commute. I was so thankful to have a book at my fingertips to pass the time. I am also very glad I didn’t apply mascara this morning as the author’s prose brought me to tears during this morning’s commute.

If we were sitting together today, I’d tell you that I signed up for NYRR coached run club on a total whim but am so glad I did. The eight-week outdoor group training has already helped me after just two sessions. Both sessions start with a five minute warm-up of butt kicks, high knees and strides which even though coaches have recommended in years past, is something I rarely do. I’ve felt the difference in both of these runs and therefore built it into my solo runs over the past week. It is also helping me fill the void that I have since my running buddies don’t live down the block anymore.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you how amazed I am that months later, I’m still wearing my Shine activity tracker. I never expected to wear it longer than the month partnership but now I’m in love with tracking my sleep.

If we were sitting together today, I’d tell you that I wish I could fly my girlfriends who live across the United States, to one warm location for a beach weekend. While we’ve had the opportunity to spend time with our families recently, I would like to have more time for friends in the coming months.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that I am more tempted than ever to cut my hair short. I keep seeing women with adorable lobs (long bobs) and think they look so chic and cute. But then, I remember how easy my long hair is and decide to keep things simple.

Your turn, what would you share? 

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My Favorite Healthy Breakfast Recipes

Last week during a work happy hour, a co-worker who is getting married in six weeks asked me how she can lose 10 pounds before the big day. While I am neither a dietitian nor a personal trainer, I spent the next thirty minutes sharing with her a few of the tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years.

Since she and the other co-workers continued to ask me questions for the duration of our happy hour, I thought it was only kind of me to share the discussion with you guys.

Over the next few weeks, I am creating posts inspired by the questions asked during the conversation. Some of them may be more basic and less relevant for readers who are already practicing a healthy, balanced lifestyle. But, for others, I hope that these tips, tricks, workouts and recipes will serve as inspiration to improve even just one aspect of your day.

As you know, my goal is to inspire each one of you to lead healthier, happier lives regardless of your stress levels, commitments or daily life demands.

Today’s focus is BREAKFAST.

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Now, I’ve never been one of those girls who can survive on water and coffee alone until taking a lunch break. While I know many people who just “aren’t breakfast people” I am not one of them. Growing up, my parents never let us leave the house without eating breakfast. Over the years this meal evolved from milk and cereal to toaster strudels and Jimmy Dean sandwiches until finally circling back to the balanced, healthy meal of oatmeal or eggs. In fact, eating a healthy breakfast makes me feel like SuperWoman the rest of the day.

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Not on team breakfast yet? Maybe these facts will convince you.

  • Breakfast eaters tend to have better diets overall, consuming more fruit, vegetables, milk, and whole grains than non-breakfast eaters. (Consumer Reports)
  • Studies show that breakfast can be important in maintaining a healthy body weight. (Johns Hopkins)
  • Breakfast needs healthy protein and fat in order to satiate you and stabilize your mood and cravings. (AnnetheRD)

A creature of habit, over the past ten years, since taking charge of my health, I rotate through the same four breakfasts depending on the season, my workout schedule or mood. Similar to my workout habits, my breakfasts have evolved for the better over the past year. I’ve spiced up each of the breakfasts to have a bit more staying power, nutritional punch and flavor by adding protein sources, fruit and spices. Gone are the packs of Quaker Oats Weight Control oatmeal, of which the banana nut flavor was a favorite during my Weight Watcher weight loss era from 2005-2007. Friends and resources like Anne have helped me understand the importance of being able to pronounce each ingredient. I don’t need to buy prepackaged oatmeal with many unknown ingredients. Instead, I can save money and eat healthier by making my own oatmeal concoction, inspired by seasonal flavors.

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Below, you’ll find a round-up of my favorite healthy breakfast recipes for each of my four breakfast rotations.

Healthy Breakfast Round-Up

Oatmeal/Quinoa/Chia

Smoothie

Eggs

Yogurt Bowl

How about you? What is your favorite breakfast? 

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