MindBodyGreen
MindBodyGreen is an online resource for wellness tips, interviews, and the latest news on better, greener living (like what ever happened to the Kambucha in your local Whole Foods?MBG has the answer). Jason Wachob, one of the founders of MBG, got his start on Wall Street. Falling suit to the trend of following your bliss instead of your pocketbook, Jason put his efforts into being healthier and helping others do it as well. With a weekly email newsletter, online interviews, and blog MBG covers all the topics you want to know about. From yoga to nutrition and Feng Shui to Ayurvedic medicin, they've got you covered. I subscribe to their newsletter and have read so many fantastic articles and have even linked many of their stories on my Facebook page. Maybe soon you'll see be guest blogging for their site.....shameless self promotion, I know. Subscribe yourself here:
Eataly
I have NEVER been accused of eating too little, so when my friend Brianna was in town and suggested that we meet up at Mario Battaili's new Italian mega-supermarket/Eatery, I was hungry for this culinary adventure. Mario Batali, who has already opened 5 other branches in Italy and one in Japan, brings this 50,000 sq ft mecca of all things Italian to NYC. Eataly New York is at home in NYC Flatiron district. In conjunction with Slow Food they offers the freshest, finest quality ingredients with attention to origin and sustainability. This is the place for responsible food pleasure. Eatly is a retail dream offering everything from authentic Italian housewares to prosciutto. There's also mulitiple restaurants, one for vegetables, one for fish, one for one for pizza and pasta, one featuring salumi and fromagggio (that's Italian for meats and cheeses) and even a fine dining full service restaurant called Manzo. Bri and I had plans to eat at as many of their small cafes as possible, but with the crowds and all the delicious food we were stuffing our faces with (even the bread they give you at your table is divine!), our eyes were litterally bigger than our stomachs. You can order your vino, or pizza (and a real Italian said it was just like the pizza in Italy) and walk around with it while you shop, and THEN if you still have room for desert (I always do) there's a Gelato station as well as an espresso bar that puts american espresso bars to shame. I've been dying to go back since I discovered they will be opening a roof-top beer garden in November (brrr) and just opened a to-go pizza and pasta window on 24th and 5th Ave. Ciao Eatalia!
http://www.newyork.eataly.it/index.php
Tennis
Almost 4 years ago now when my boyfriend and I first started dating, he insisted we go to the US Open, his favorite sporting event. Now I have never been into sports, too much time spent in ballet classes, but I was in love, and game for anything. After much explanation of the game and it's scoring (it's oddly complicated) I started to really get into it. We saw James Blake and Venus Williams play that first time, and I was amazed. Their athleticism was met by acuity, and strategies were formed at a moments notice. I also love that there are so many different cultures and countries represented. You can see Serbia play Belgium or root for Spain even though you've never been there (I confess Rafael Nadal is my boyfriend's only competition). The Open itself is a completely civilized event, not like crazy basketball and football games with drunkards screaming obscenities at the field. The food and libations at the Open doesn't disappoint this foodie. There's lots of choices from hotdogs to 5 star dining, and the clothing, especially the women's, is so cute I want to learn to play just so I can wear a tennis skirt. My boyfriend's obsession with the game has infected my reading list now and I've read both Blake and Agassi's books. Both are extremely compelling and good reading. They offer so many insights into this solitary and individual game, check them out. So, we've continued to go every year and it's a fantastic time. Start planning now and join us next September.
http://www.usopen.org/en_US/index.html
KCRW
Originally a Los Angeles native, I spent a ton of time in my car and listening to the radio. I don't know about you, but traditional stations are pretty irritating with their morning banter and
their vapid DJ's. Thankfully there was an answer to my prayers, KCRW. KCRW is a community service of Santa Monica College and a affiliate with National Public Radio. This station has the most contemporary mix of eclectic music as well as news including Ariana Huffington's Left, Right, and Center and all of my favorite talk shows including Evan Kleiman's Good Food (for which the SNL skit The Delicious Dish was inspired by). KCRW is also where I first encountered This American Life, which has a theme to each episode, and a variety of stories on each theme. Sadly, now that I'm living in NYC I can jump in my car and tune in, but lucky for me KCRW is streaming live on the web including a 24hr Eclectic Station. I can get all my favorite talk shows via podcast and listen anytime I want. This way I can have a little piece of California sunshine even in the dark subway, waiting for my train.
DEHA
With the sudden change to fall-ish temperatures I've had to pull out my longer workout pants and sweatshirts. I forget all the things I have as it's been months since I've even thought about wearing anything that warm. Finding my DEHA pieces is like running into an old friend. DEHA is an Italian company, with a sanskrit name that means "body and soul". Their designs cater to dancers and those who enjoying wearing comfy clothes. The garments are super soft and flattering and perfect to go from workout to errands. You can view the collection and order directly through their website but I get mine at Daffy's. They always have a HUGE selection and at super-low, super-sweet Daffy's prices. I might just have to stop by and stock up on a couple new luxurious pieces at bargain basement prices.
