Celebrating Memorial Day and Fleet Week in NYC on the Intrepid!

Memorial Day weekend  is a big deal in New York City!

Not only is it a time to celebrate those who we've lost who have served, but it's also a time to give thanks to those currently serving. 

This year the boys and I celebrated aboard New York City's Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum! 

It was awesome!

The USS Intrepid, a famed aircraft carrier is docked along Manhattan's west side and is a National Historic Landmark and museum/event space.

The intrepid was the perfect place for a Memorial Day event, especially since it was also Fleet Week!

There was live music, dancing, food and games in honor of our servicemen.

Being Fleet Week, their were uniformed sailors, Air Force men and Marines all over the streets of New York.

So grateful for everyone who has served!

Aurthur Avenue in the Bronx is the Best Place to Find Authentic Italian Food!

So, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. It just so happens that on our last visit to New York we rediscovered Arthur Ave.  

What's so great about that you say? 

Well, I'll tell you! 

Arthur Avenue in the Bronx is the best place to find authentic Italian Food in New York! 

I kid you not! 

Hidden deep in the insane hustle and bustle of the Bronx lies the original Little Italy! Although many of those original inhabitants have moved away, an entire network of restaurants and shops remain. 

Aurthur Avenue in the Fordham section of the Bronx is an Italian food lovers dream! 

And our very favorite place to dine is none other than the neighborhood staple- Marios. 

Historic, Zagat rated and full of charm, Marios will not disappoint. 

 The service is fast and attentive. 

 The atmosphere, spacious, old world and family friendly. 

 The food is simply amazing! 

Everything is good! 

From the warm crispy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside bread and olive oil to the wine (and they've got quite a selection) Marios is sure to satisfy. 

 The pasta dishes are light and bursting with richness. 

 The dessert- I recommend the cannoli cream cake ( take a moment and imagine that).  I assure you that whatever you imagined was nothing close to the moist, creamy, richness of Marios cannoli cream cake!

Even the coffee that goes with the dessert is bold and flavorful. Every detail is expertly tended to.

Perhaps that's why people  come from all over the tri-state region to enjoy Marios. 

Marios ( 2342 Arthur Ave. Bronx)

So now you know!  

3 Natural and Organic Ways to Keep Spiders and Centipedes OUT of Your Home!

I have a serious problem! 

Anyone who knows me, understands that I'm not exaggerating one bit when I say that I have a HUGE phobia of bugs- in particular spiders and (blech) centipedes. 

I probably need an intervention!

I've gotten into a minor traffic scrape because a bug flew in my car (it was HUGE! Downright Paleolithic, in my defense...) 

I've embarrassed myself countless times in public when caught off guard by a creepy crawly. 

And no horror has ever been more traumatic than my giant huntsman spider encounter in Mozambique!  

After living virtually bug free in New York City for the last 14-ish years, my bug phobia has returned full force since moving to the Maryland countryside earlier this year. 

I literally live in the middle of the woods. It's beautiful, it's serene, but creepy crawlers abound everywhere.  

A naturalista through and through, I refuse to resort to toxic chemical sprays. Instead, I've decided to fight back naturally and organically. I am on their turf after all. I don't want the creatures to die, I simply want to keep them OUTSIDE!!!!!!

If you also suffer from the occasional (or not so occasional) creepy crawler then here are three natural and organic ways to rid your home of spiders and centipedes and all of their little friends! 

1. Peppermint Essential Oil

Spiders and centipedes HATE the smell of peppermint! 

Not only is the smell enough to keep them away from your home, but coming into contact with the oil burns them. They will retreat immediately!

To apply, I use a dropper and apply peppermint essential oil directly to cracks in the floorboard, underneath the radiator and around windows. 

For soft surfaces, like the perimeter of my bed and the sofa (I take no chances) I mix a few drops of peppermint essential oil with water in a spray bottle and spritz the mixture where I need it. 

This works like a charm!

The peppermint leaves my house smelling cool and fresh and keeps spiders and centipedes OUT! When guests visit, they're always commenting on how good my house smells (if they only knew why....)

2. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Similar to peppermint essential oil, spiders and centipedes can't stand the smell of eucalyptus (neither can mosquitoes or flies for that matter!) essential oil. 

I burn this oil in an essential oil steam diffuser. Eucalyptus smells so good and compliments the peppermint aroma coming from my floorboards. 

Eucalyptus makes me feel like I live in a spa. Not only is the fragrance calming but it has medicinal properties. Eucalyptus is antimicrobial, antibacterial, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic,  and decongestant, which means it is a natural air purifier, kills airborne germs and is also beneficial to individuals with chronic bronchitis, asthma and allergies.  

In a nutshell, you can't go wrong with eucalyptus! EVER!

3. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is extremely irritating to insects. Heck, it's irritating to humans if it gets in our eyes and mouth. 

Spiders and centipedes will go out of their way to avoid cayenne pepper which is why it is so effective when sprinkled outside around the periphery of a house and along exterior window ledges.  

IT REALLY WORKS!!!!

Let the bugs play outdoors so you can enjoy the indoors with this winning combination of natural and organic pest control.  

All of the above mentioned remedies are safe for humans, kids and pets (cats and dogs). 

Note: If you have pet rodents stay away from the peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils because the smell will upset them. Peppermint essential oil is actually effective in driving mice out of homes as well. 

For more tips and tricks for naturally repelling pests using essential oils see my post: 3 Ways to Use Essential Oils to Get Rid of Moths

For more DIY ideas, check out my latest book Natural Beauty from the Outside In, where you’ll find 70 Ayurveda inspired hair and skin care recipes.