I'm cleansing, I'm cleansing, I'm cleansing.

That's what I keep telling myself. It's funny, for the most part eating fruit and veggies is really pleasing... but about two hours after I eat, I'm really hungry. So I'm tired of eating peanut butter on crackers to get protein and tonight I've informed my very supportive and wonderful husband that we are having vegan burritos. Refried beans, black olives, orange and yellow bell pepper, salsa and avocado. I grabbed reduced fat sour cream at the deli and then thought, "No, no - that is not allowed!".

I just downed a bag of baby carrots and a bunch of hummus and feel much less panicky. I do think my body is happy with me. But man, I get hungry quickly.

My friend's wedding is coming up and I'm so excited! I've known her since I was about 3 years old. And I can't wait to go up to Maine and celebrate with her family. I'm close with her parents and love spending time with them which is rare.

We've been having a heatwave here on the East Coast which is supposed to let up tonight when it will go down to a cool 88F. Beats 100 tho.

And my birthday is coming up. I'm glad to say I'll be on the road for my birthday having a great time with friends. I could use it. It's been a long year and for the moment, we get a breather.

It's official. I stink.

It's 100 degrees F here today in the fair city of New York. And I ran around in the heat sweating like a pig (I'm not entirely sure how pigs sweat, but madames et monsieurs- i SWEAT), carrying bags from my local food coop (hippy) home to my air coniditioned apartment. I was dripping when I got home.

And I have recently switched to all natural deodorant instead of antiperspirant because supposedly it's the devil or something. I use this deodorant, to be specific. And usually it works pretty well considering that I am moist from May - October. But today... today I smell like a French peasant.

I am going to a wedding next week. In Maine. Outside. On a pond. What. the. fuck. Am I gonna do? Cave and wear antiperspirant? Or stand strong and own my body odor with tea tree oil on my side?

Only time will tell.

This is not me.

A guy threw up next to me today...

walking up the subway stairs at 34th street. Well dressed, young guy. Threw up suddenly with people all around... and kept walking. Like it never happened.

Like it never happened.

Vegan for a week.

So I have decided to go vegan for a week. My dear friend is getting married on a pond in Maine next weekend and I'm going to be there for the wedding, celebration, bbq etc. But before then I'd like to lose a few lbs and have my skin look refreshed... basically, I need to stop drinking and eating crap.

So I decided to go vegan for a week and see if I could do it. I have never identified myself as a non-meat-eater and drink milk like it's going out of style. I'm one of the few adults who actually drinks glasses of milk with relish. My husband is too.

I have read that consuming animal products may not be as healthy as we think it is. I'm sure for those of you who can eat fish and lean meats, whole grains, steamed veggies and all in moderation on a regular basis this drastic measure is not necessary. But for someone like me - i.e., a compulsive consumer on every level possible, it's hard to make myself stick to certain things. So I decided to "close the door" on a lot of the unhealthy possibilities and make it easier on myself.

So far I've had a lot of rice milk (which is higher in calories, sodium & fat than fat free cow's milk I discovered... hmph), oatmeal, fruit, salad and tempeh. And all of it was damn good.

I do also have to say that I feel... lighter. Not thinner, necessarily, but lighter. I don't feel bogged down in my system, at least not from what I've had to eat since Sunday.

I'll keep you posted. I may get four days into this, see a juicy burger and curse the very thought of vegan-ism. Until then, it's one glass of rice milk at a time.

Laura Mercier Lipstick in Peony - Love it

I am recommending that all fair-skinned ladies (and perhaps all different skinned ladies too) go to Sephora or somewhere they carry Laura Mercier's lipstick. I have a typical redhead's complexion (i.e., fair and freckly) and it is the first lipstick EVER to match my natural coloring, making it pop in a good way and not look too pronounced. It lasts well, is pretty and you can do two coats for more color or leave it looking more natural.

In short, LOVE IT.

Check it out for yourself!

Laura Mercier's Peony

Laura Mercier's Peony Gloss Stick on Amazon

A Popped Cherry.

I going to share with you the new cocktail my friend and I just made up. It's sooo good on a hot Summer day.

Vodka of your choice.
1 or 2 jiggers, depending on your tolerance/desires.
Organic cherry juice (I use Santa Cruz's Black Cherry), a few fingers' worth.
Seltzer.
1 tsp Chambord
Fresh chocolate mint**
(Frozen cherries as garnish, optional)
**There is such as plant as a Chocolate Mint plant. It smells and tastes like chocolate mint (more smell than taste). It is PERFECT in this drink. Go to your favorite nursery and ask for one.

This drink is what I will be having all Summer long. It's fresh and rich and feels like you're doing something good for your body instead of loading up on liquers and creams.
It is also good with vanilla vodka minus the chambord.

Happy sipping!

Hallo. Vacation, dreams & life.

I am sad that the World Cup is almost over. I'm not a huge soccer (football) fan, but I like the countries of the world coming together to compete and being represented. It's fun to see who roots for what team and why.

My husband and I just bought a condo. In NYC. It has been a long process of being in contract and ignoring it because it wasn't time to do anything, and then doing a lot a lot a lot of paperwork and dealing with different personalities to get things done. It is FINALLY over and we are home owners. It's a great feeling, but I will be more excited about it once I have a feeling as to what our monthly finances will be. It still makes me very nervous. Our new place, however, is really great. It's light and we have views of trees and the sky which, especially in NYC, is rare and luxurious and soothing.

Next week we are going to MA and ME to visit some friends and go to a good friend's wedding. I'm excited to take a trip and also reluctant to leave our new place. We still have crap in boxes and I want to get it clutter-free so when we come home at night it is organized and relaxing. Such are the pressing issues of my life.

I am going vegan for a week. Except I might eat some seafood in New England. But besides that, I'm going to try going vegan to see if I feel better. I would like to try a mostly plant-based diet... everything I read tells me it's great for you, and I have never ever ever thought of myself as a vegetarian, nevermind a vegan. But, if it makes my body feel good then I'm all for it for a short amount of time to see if it works.

I am exhausted today. I had drinks last night with two good friends who came over for the 4th. We had cocktails and went up to our roof to watch the fireworks over Manhattan which was fun. Earlier in the day some other friends came over with their two kids, 4 and 7 months, and their baby took a nap on our bed. While he was napping our cat, Mo, played kitty nanny and watched over him. It was very sweet. As soon as the little one woke up, Mo got up and went about his business. Animals always amaze me with their instincts and emotional awareness.



Now it is the beginning of the week before vacation. And there are a list of important things to do before we leave. I am greatly looking forward to getting away with my man - NYC can be taxing and draining and it's great to get out and see some nature, eat fresh food and just have a different pace of life. Plus we get to see some good friends and celebrate with one of my closest friends and her family at her wedding! That is super exciting.

Someday I would like a vacation bungalow near the ocean. I miss going to ocean (this is the first summer I haven't gone with my family in decades) and listening to it as I fall asleep. There is nothing that relaxes me more and I can come back to my life refreshed and ready to once again tackle the every day puzzles that constitute my daily existence.

Plus, it's fun.

I would like this place. Thank you.