Have you ever wondered, “Can I cook a gourmet meal quickly and easily while traveling?” “YES!” says Chef Todd Mohr. Watch this video of Chef Todd on vacation in Hawaii. He cooks a quick, easy meal with all local ingredients. YUM! Burning Cooking Questions? Ask Chef Todd Mohr. He’s got a very unique approach to cooking, which includes burning the recipes from his cookbook. Why is he burning his recipes? Because it’s all about technique!

www.drshoshany.com

When I hobbled into Dr. Shoshany’s office I could barely walk, let alone stand up straight. I had to take a taxi to his office as there was no way I was going to be able to make it all the way to the subway, let alone up and down the stairs. This was the 4th time I had experienced this extreme, debilitating, pinching pain in my lower back, the first time I was only 18. It was extremely hard for me imagine that I could be incapacitated to a point of not being able to do something so simple as walking, as I had always been so active, athletic, and healthy. I had been to many chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists over the years and while the treatments had helped at the time, I always seemed to have a relapse every 1-3 years. In the beginning there was a longer time in between, but as the years went by, they became more frequent. After an adjustment and massage, I was actually able to stand upright and walk. After going in for a few adjustments I asked Dr. Shoshany why this kept happening. He said something none of the other chiropractors I had visited said, “Have you had an MRI of your back to see if you have a herniated disc?” “No”, I said. I had always had a suspicion that I may have had a herniated disc by my symptoms but had previously brushed the thought aside.

After going in for an MRI, both my and Dr. Shoshany’s suspicion had been confirmed, I had a herniated disc in my lower back and it was in bad shape. I asked Dr. Shoshany what my options were and he told me about spinal decompression therapy and gave me some information. I then went home and began an extensive search on the web. After reading many articles and watching videos, I decided to try the therapy. I will keep you all updated on my results! - Serena Walker

According to Dr. Shoshany one of the most frequently asked question about herniated discs is:

Q: I have a herniated disc in my lower back, is surgery the only option to fix it?

A: A herniated disc can be a scary diagnosis for anyone especially if you are active. If you are unfamiliar with what a herniation is, it’s when the jelly like substance in the discs between your vertebrae bulges out between your vertebrae. Many people are unaware they have a herniated disc as it often just feels like a pinching in their back or it feels like inflammation or a muscle spasm. A herniation is a major problem because if left untreated, it will worsen over time and will eventually cause your vertebrae to rub together and degenerate. The sooner you can determine if you have a herniation and the sooner you seek treatment, the better. The best way to do this is to go for an MRI, especially if you have continual back pain.

The traditional medical model involves medication to reduce inflammation and analgesics to reduce pain as well as physical therapy to strengthen core muscles, but this is just a short-term solution. While surgery was originally thought to be the only answer for severe herniation, fortunately, a fairly new treatment has been used that is non-surgical. This treatment not only decreases pain but also helps to restore the discs height and reduce the disc herniation. The therapy is called spinal decompression, which is a treatment that is a non-invasive and has been utilized worldwide with an impressive success rate close to 90%.  When this method is combined with chiropractic care and a physical therapy program designed to strengthen Core muscles, the results are impressive. Spinal decompression involves specialized equipment that gently lengthens the spine, which helps create a vacuum at the injured disc level. This vacuum allows the disc material to return to its normal position. If you are diagnosed with a herniated disc it is in your best interest to learn more about spinal decompression therapy and to speak to a qualified doctor to see if this treatment is right for you.

For more information visit – www.livingwellnewyork.com.

Ever wonder if you’re the only one out of NYC’s roughly 8.3 million people struggling to find a reason to smile?  Preferably a real reason that doesn’t require ingesting something that comes in a can, has its’ own rock and roll jingle, and has been outlawed by the FDC?  Well according to a study churned out by two economics professors, you’re really, really not alone.  New York has recently been bestowed with the grand honor of being the caboose to a list that rates happiness by state.  The study included all 50 of ‘em, plus it threw in the District of Colombia as though it were a state.

According to Professor Andrew J. Oswald and Professor Stephen Wu, New York is the true champion of melancholy matters.  In a new study that can be read in entirety online at: http://sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/science.1180606, New York has taken the cake without a shadow of a doubt. You can also read more here – http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/22/nyregion/22nyc.html?partner=rss&emc=rss.  We are beyond just being unhappy; we have fallen into a much more ominous existence (and the official title) of the being the unhappiest.  We’re still waiting to hear if there’s any kind of prize for being dead last in a race based on remorse, but in the mean time us New Yorkers can take solace in the fact that, while we most definitely are dead-pan, absolutely, back-of-the-line last, misery seems to love company.  Number 49 and 50 on the list are the other two legs of the tri-state area: New Jersey and Connecticut, respectively.  Whether or not that’s something that should put a grin on our faces is debatable, but the irony of our neighbors being just like us, save maybe a prescription of Zoloft or two, is something to think about. 

Now beyond the fact that it’s incredibly alarming that we lost to a “District” where the US Congress lives, it’s also disheartening to be told that we’re not imagining things, that we may really be this bleak.  However, any New Yorker will be quick to support the idea that facts aren’t always everything.  That in and of itself is a testament to New York and New Yorkers; we all have the potential to accomplish more, to be more.  Our state, and state of mind, is in our hands and there are a couple of things we could all take into account next time we’re moping through our day in the most melancholy colony.

1.      Look Up

It’ll only take a second and chances are it’ll fill you with some serious child-like wonder you weren’t sure you had.  In between getting on and off the subway, in and out of the office, or to and from an apartment, we find time for everything from coffee at $4 a cup to writing e-mails on our phones.  Everyone has seen the enraged commuter, distracted student, or stressed out 20-something in their absent commute; most of us know men and women who can rearrange their schedule, buy a plane ticket, or put on mascara before they can get down one cross-town block.  But ask yourself, when is the last time you stood and stared and marveled at the awe-inspiring vertical beauties of our city?  It’s a quick fix to remind us all we’re capable of something bigger.  

2.      Be a Tourist

Taking the road less traveled, or (in this case) the one less preferred by HopStop, to ensure you arrive at your destination in the timeliest fashion will remind you there’s an added perk to living in New York besides your job and walk-up in the right neighborhood.  Abandon the pride of your encyclopedic subway knowledge for a day and you’ll be sure to stumble into a side of your home you’d left behind for your blackberry.  Wander through parks and gardens, go to a museum, “people watch” from the steps of the library on 5th Street, sit on a bench on the pier, or eat a hot dog!  Indulge in something the city is famous for while reaping the benefits of restoring your faith in your home.  A Saturday “get-lost” wander through any borough will repair any New Yorker’s faith crisis.  A day of relaxing amongst the vivid personality that is brimming through this place is all any of us need at times for that pick-me-up. 

3.  Break the Pattern

Humans, especially “I-wear-black-seven-days-a-week” New Yorkers, are creatures of habit.  So craft a new and eco-friendly habit for yourself to add a fresh spark to your rhythm.  Learn how to compost, go overboard with your recycling separation, or re-fit your apartment with energy saving bulbs.  Fight back against the solitude that can come along with the technology age, and instead make it work for you.  Step-by-step directions on all of these simple, economical, and productive ideas are just a Google click away.  Or take it more literally and really make the technology work for you by getting crafty with something like this, http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-a-usb-greenhouse.  Making a terrarium out of a plastic bottle and a USB cable is just one way we can reach out and use our resources, not only to extend the impact of a green lifestyle, but to help us to reach out and connect to each other.  Figure out how to make your MacBook foster a plant’s growth, then teach a friend, a neighbor, or anyone who will listen (Seriously, who doesn’t want a daisy to pop up because their USB is playing Mother Nature).   

4. Make the Choice

Our happiness as a whole is undeniably interwoven with all the people that make up this city.  That being said, our own choices as individuals set the tone and mood for that weave.  We all have the ability to make things better, to improve and progress in any field imaginable.  There’s a video someone compiled on YouTube that shows various interviews with the actor Will Smith, discussing his theories on access to greatness.  Check it out here if you have a minute, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLN2k0b3g70, because everything you do in your day-to-day routine can and should echo the enlightened respect for human potential put forth in this video.  If you want to change something, be it your route to work, your eco-hobbies, your career, or even your relationship with your landlord, it is as simple as believing it is all within reach.  Big changes or little decisions, we live in one of the largest, quickest, and most famous metropolises in the world; change starts and ends here daily.  If we all commit to believing it’s in our hands and up to us, we will start to see change, for the better, not only in our everyday life, but who knows, maybe we’ll bump ourselves up on the happy list too.

For the record, the #1 slot on the list belongs to Louisiana; the state with the hardship shadow following it’s every move since Hurricane Katrina.  The heart of the whole lesson is this: we don’t need to take to the streets begging for New York to be morphed into a commune made out of soy and sunshine, but a widening of what we are willing to embrace as “possible” could help.  We all live here because this city has something to offer us.  So let it be offered.  Slowing down our personal pace, going green in a way that makes us feel good, and remembering to (quite literally) stop and smell the roses simply because we can will encourage all kinds of mood-perking and day-brightening.  It’s our life in our city, so let’s believe in it enough to live it.

While shiny new bobbles can be fun and those new designer jeans do make your butt look hot, but let’s face it – the environment is more important than making your booty pop.  You might not be amped up about buying used at first, but once you find out all the benefits I am sure you will get into the thrill of the hunt.  Besides, is it more fun walking into a department store and randomly picking up one of the dozens of carbon-copy clothes hanging on the rack or finding that rare thrift store one-of-a-kind designer piece?  Don’t make me answer that!   You know.When you buy something used, it is already made.  Now, this sounds almost too simple to state, right?  Not so! What this means is you are buying a product that doesn’t require a manufacturer to start from scratch or to buy and use virgin materials to craft it from.  The manufacturer doesn’t have to make it in a factory, pollute the environment by shipping the materials there, use more raw materials to package it, and pollute the environment even more by shipping it to you.  Then, you don’t have packaging to throw away which would add to our landfills.  You are reusing something that has already been created, instead of letting it go to waste by being thrown away.  Can you feel your carbon footprint shrinking as you reach for that alluring armoire in your community thrift store, that adorable arts and crafts table at a garage sale, or that chic chest at the Flea Market?  I know you can!Buying used items, as well as donating items you no longer want, really helps out the environment and your community.  Two “Good Samaritan” stones with one swift move – so awesome.  When you donate clothes, furniture, or even odds and ends like kitchen wears and accessories to charities like Good Will, you are helping those who are less fortunate.  When you do this you are also keeping those gently worn clothes, those slightly scratched plates, or that side table that just doesn’t match your décor anymore from joining the millions of items buried in the earth as waste.  “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is as true as it is ancient.  You might not like that old jacket you wore all throughout college anymore, but someone else might pick it up and feel the love you once had for it.  You get rid of what you don’t want, and someone else gets a great addition to their wardrobe or a nifty new furnishing for their pad.  Many thrift store sales go to benefit churches or local charities, and by donating to them you are helping to keep your community going.  Living local – isn’t it grand?Lastly is, of course, the fact that buying used will keep your wallet nice and fat.  When you cut out all of the manufacturing, packaging, and transportation costs, (plus adding in the fact that, yes, someone used this before you) of course what you are buying is going to be cheaper!  A lot of the time though, products have only been used once or twice before they ever reached you standing there contemplating buying it because it has a “used” sticker on it.  Many items might as well be new but are being sold as used.  Save money and get something new?  What a steal!So, be “green” like Grandma and hit the streets in search of that fab find in your local thrift shop!  Or go on eBay to their new “Green” section and buy used and even items made from recycled material (sustainable products) from the convenience of your home.  Do some “spring cleaning” and make way for all your “new” stuff, then help out a charity by donating your unwanted items for them to sell.  Reuse, rejoice, and reinvent your consumer habits, and help make the world a “greener” place.  Happy shopping adventurers!

Burning Cooking Questions? Ask Chef Chef Todd Mohr! He’s got a very unique approach to cooking, which includes burning the recipes from his cookbook in the video below! Why is he burning his recipes? Because it’s all about technique! Your new cooking adventure starts with a cooking question for Chef Todd Mohr. Ask questions below and he just may answer it in a personalized video!

There is no better way to beat the summer heat than a day in the pool. In New York City, you can take that idea to new heights with a dip in a rooftop pool. There are several to choose from in the city, some of which have unique amenities, so take your pick and stay cool!

There’s the “new” Hotel Gansevoort’s rooftop pool on Park Avenue, which opened last year. The Park Avenue Hotel Gansevoort has a stunning indoor/outdoor pool where you can take some laps, soak up the sun and enjoy a stunning view of Manhattan all at once. With a collapsible garage door above part of the pool, you can swim back and forth from the indoor and outdoor sections. There is no need to ease yourself into the water because this rooftop pool is heated. By night you can feast your ears on some music by notable DJ’s, and you can relax by an al fresco fireplace. You can also lounge poolside and order a cocktail and snack from the Plunge Bar and Lounge right next door. While drying off you can enjoy the city lights or admire the mosaic of a 1940’s pin up model in the pool. Hotel Gansevoort’s rooftop pool is open year-round, but is for Hotel guests only. So, make a date of it, check in, relax at the hotel, and enjoy yourself. As well as the new Park Avenue location, Hotel Gansevoort has another rooftop pool at its Ninth Avenue location. Similar to its newer counterpart, this pool is heated, open all year round, has a Plunge Bar and Lounge, and also has an underwater music system.

Contact Info: 18 9th Avenue, NY, NY 10014 – 212.206.6700

The Thompson LES (Lower East Side) is another option. Along with the very cool portrait of Andy Warhol at the bottom of the pool, there’s also a bar and music on the rooftop. Although, their definition of a “rooftop” bears explaining: it’s actually on the rooftop of the 3rd floor of the east side of the building. What does this mean to you? Well, later in the afternoon it’s tough to catch those rays of sun for tanning, if that’s what you’re looking for. Additionally, there are rave reviews about the attentive and cheery staff, which is always a bonus in this city!

Contact Info: 190 Allen Street, NY, NY 10002 – 877.460.8888 – www.ThompsonLES.com

Although technically not a rooftop pool either, Le Parker Meridien has a great atrium-like glass enclosure with awesome views of Central Park! If you’re interested in taking in the rays, they also have a sundeck above the glass-enclosed pool. A full day of relaxation at this luxury hotel’s pool-spa complex will cost you $50, but you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. Hotel guests, of course, have full access to the 17,000-square-foot fitness center and poolside food-and-beverage service.

Contact Info: 119 W. 56th Street, NY, NY 10019 - 212.708.7340 – www.ParkerMeridien.com

If $50 is too rich for your blood, then try the Asphalt Green Aqua Center. Similar to Le Parker Meridien, it’s a glass-enclosed pool and there’s a rooftop sun terrace with a river view. Unlike Le Parker Meridien, this visit won’t put a dent in your budget. They offer a number of different membership packages, as well as all sorts of aquatics, sports, and fitness classes.

Contact Info: 555 E. 90th Street, NY, NY 10128 – 212.369.8890 – www.AsphaltGreen.org

Ever look around at the gym while you were on the treadmill and thought, Wow! I really am a hamster on a wheel!  Stop staring at those same four walls, checking out the same spandex clad gym rats, and get out into the world.  Just think of all the places you can see, and all the people you can meet.  Plus, there are a TON of health benefits associated with exercising outside!  So break out of your indoor-exercising-rut, and get on out there, for all these reasons, and more:

Starting off with some of the obvious… sunlight!  Fresh-air!  You know, all of the reasons your mom told you to go outside as a kid.  Well guess what?  She was right for once!  Just ten minutes of sun exposure can help prevent Vitamin D deficiencies which have been linked to such disorders as Depression, Alzheimer’s, Rickets (results in skeletal deformities), and Osteomalacia (causes muscle and bone weakness), to name a few.  Lack of UVR (ultra violet rays i.e. sunlight) exposure has been linked to Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as breast, ovarian, colon, pancreatic, prostate, and other cancers.  Fresh-air helps to decrease stress-levels, and improve all around general health.  So get out there and run around like you’re five again; you will do a lot more than just relive some awesome childhood memories (though that alone is worth getting out of the house)!

Now to some sweet specifics!  When you exercise outside, the terrain under your feet is naturally varied, which means you work more muscles (and you don’t even need to think about it!).  Plus, when you play or workout outside, you tend to do more natural and fluid movements, as opposed to rigid movements like lifting weights.  This means that not only do you incorporate more muscle groups in each workout, but also are building muscles that you would naturally use everyday, and might miss when you workout in the gym.  After working out in the great outdoors, you just might notice simple activities like going up the stairs, lifting items (or children), and cleaning might feel even easier!

Working-out outside has some other truly amazing benefits.  For one, it saves you money!  Yes!  Ditch that gym membership that has been weighing on your wallet and exercise in nature, for free!  Also, when you workout outside, there are fewer germs for your body to encounter, and fewer people that could possibly be harboring illnesses to have to avoid.  Plus, by “un-plugging” your workout you will reduce your carbon footprint; just think of all the electricity you will save by running out on the open road and not on a treadmill!  You will be all around healthier and happier if you get in your exercise in the great outdoors.  All you have to do to start is, put on your favorite workout outfit (no matter how silly it may be), tie on some good sneakers, open your front door, and go!

Enjoy your outdoor adventure fellow life traveler, but always remember, be safe, be smart, and be healthy!

Think about how many natural resources and how much money collectively go into your kitchen, between keeping your refrigerator stocked and functioning, heating your oven, washing your dishes, and wiping up spills. Yikes, right?! We’re all about helping you do your part to protect the environment, as well as finding ways to save you money while you’re doing it. Here are some useful tips that will make another room in your house a ‘greener’ space.

Green Tips:

• Switch Out Your Paper Towels – Use cloth or microfiber towels. Sure, they’re a bit pricier, but it is a great investment, as you will save trees by skipping the the paper ones, and you can just throw the reusable ones in the laundry. After a run through the wash, they’ll be as good as new!

• Bring Your Own Bag – When they ask you “paper or plastic?” at the grocery, answer “neither” because you’ve brought your own bag! Keep a stash in your office, car, and at home so you’ll have some on hand whenever you’re ready to hit the store. Whole Foods deducts $.05 – $0.10 per reusable bag used and some Trader Joe’s locations will enter you in a raffle to win $25 worth of food if you bring your own bag.

• Shop Around – Browse thrift stores and stoop sales for pots & pans, dishes, glasses, etc. Just like buying gently used clothing, this decreases the demand for new products to be made, and you can use the money you save to fill your fridge with fresh organic produce!

• Save Power – Invest in a power strip and plug all of your kitchen electronics into it. When they’re not in use, just flip the off switch and you’ll be saving energy and money, as appliances still use electricity if they are plugged in, even if they are not turned on.

• Keep Your Fridge And Freezer Full – They will be more energy efficient this way. Make sure the seals that keep them closed are nice and tight and set your fridge temperature between 35 and 38 degrees, and your freezer at around 0 degrees. Clean the coils below the unit on a regular basis and keep them free of dust so it can dissipate heat and function properly.

• The “Full” Rule Applies To Your Oven Too – If what you’re cooking isn’t enough to fill up every rack in the oven, think about what you’re going to have for lunch or dinner the next day and get a head start on that meal as well. Not only will you save energy, you’ll save time too!

• Save Water – Wash your dishes in a separate tub of warm soapy water and rinse them together in the sink all at once.

• Use Natural Cleaning Products – You can find a list of several types in previous posts, and a simple solution of vinegar and baking soda will also do the trick!

Happy greening!!!

The popularity of eco-tours is on the rise, and we’ve found a location that is definitely worth looking in to! When planning your next vacation itinerary, why not consider visiting the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, where your experience is sure to

be enlightening and educational, as well as relaxing.

TOP PHOTO
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve in
Tulum is in the state of Quintana Roo,
on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

For a truly unique experience that showcases everything from the tropical beauty of the flora, fauna, and the diverse ecosystems, to the ancient Mayan history that makes the area so appealing to visitors and locals alike, sign up for a guided canal tour of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. During the canal tour, your guide will take you through the turquoise waters of lagoons brimming with coral reefs in an open air boat, carefully navigating through shallow canals once used as Mayan trade routes. You’ll be presented with the opportunity to explore the ruins of an ancient Mayan temple, and slip into the cool water and lazily float downstream while you’re surrounded on either side by mangrove forests and savannas.

Sian Ka’an, Mayan for “where the sky is born,” is the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean, spanning approximately 1.3 million acres. A designated part of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/) Man and the Biosphere program, and a World Heritage Site, it is an important nesting site for two species of endangered sea turtles, over three hundred species of birds, and a hundred species of other mammals. It is also known to have 23 archeological sites where relics over 2,000 years old have been discovered.

There are a handful of different types of tours provided by companies that will educate visitors on how to simultaneously enjoy the beauty of these delicate and endangered eco-systems while helping to protect them. You can do a search on a site like Trip Advisor for more recommendations!

Enjoy this little piece of heaven as it’s truly a unique and magical place!

Shopping for new clothes is at some point a crucial part of life for all of us, whether we love it or loathe it. You are probably aware by now that the production and distribution of clothing has a major negative impact on the environment, from the fossil fuels used to make and ship them, to the materials and packaging used in manufacturing. But that doesn’t mean you have to contribute to the negative impact. Fortunately, there are other options, and you can make a difference in your personal carbon footprint by using these tips to compliment your wardrobe.

Green Tips:

• Buy Clothing Made in America - Support designers and companies based in America who practice ethical treatment of their workers, use  ’green’ energy and aren’t shipping their merchandise from overseas.

• Look for Organic Tags - More and more clothing companies are starting to use organic cotton, hemp and vegetable-based dyes to manufacture their products. Look for tags stating that what you’re buying was made organically.

• Buy Vintage and Gently-Used - Shopping at the Salvation Army or Goodwill and other “thrift” or vintage stores can be easier on your wallet as well as the environment, and it’s always fun when you score a “like new” cashmere sweater or perfectly broken in pair of jeans from your favorite designer. Another option is to have a clothing swap with your friends, neighbors or co-workers. By doing these things, you’re not supporting the demand for new clothing to be made, and are instead participating in what’s essentially clothing recycling.

• Choose High-Quality Goods - Even if it means paying more at the time, purchasing clothing from high-quality designers and manufacturers will prevent you from having to replace poorly made clothing again and again, and instead shop for durability and longevity.

• Make Your Own Clothing - If you’re the crafty type, pick up some patterns from your local fabric store and grab some items out of your closet that you are bored with and repurpose them into a whole new outfit. You’ll save money and won’t be supporting unnecessary consumerism. If you found yourself asleep on your desk during Home Economics 101, hundreds of designers offer home-made clothing on sites like Etsy.

Going “eco-chic” doesn’t mean sacrificing your personal style and taste or ditching the newest fashion trends – it’s a combination of trendiness and environmentalism. So, get out there and enjoy doing your part to help the environment!