Exploring Brooklyn Bridge Park or Walking the Baby Out!

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It's official, I'm past my due date and am anxious for this little guy to swim on out!

Instead of lounging on the sofa in front of the AC with a pint of ice cream, Mark and I set off to explore the brand new Brooklyn Bridge Park.

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Brooklyn just keeps getting better and better! I rarely go to Manhattan anymore.

We began at Pier 5, walking our way past ice cream vendors and wooden benches pointed toward the glistening Manhattan sky line. A weekday afternoon is the perfect time to go. The park wasn't crowded and we even found a parking spot!

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This Brooklyn gathering space has everything you need for summer fun- a state of the art soccer field, a sandy beach volleyball court, picnic tables, public grills, a water fountain for kids to splash around in, swings, a small garden, and a gourmet food court featuring brick oven pizza, Blue Marble Ice Cream and Dough donuts (you must try these if you're visiting Brooklyn!).

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Dismissing my cravings, I continued my "out you go little baby" walk. We wandered along one of the wooden piers, in front of us, the brilliant Manhattan sky line, behind us, the Statue of Liberty. Yachts and sail boats dotted the water.

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"It's a beautiful world. Come on out baby, come on out!"

But despite my best efforts, he didn't stir an inch.

So we went home and plotted our next "baby come out" adventure. One more adventure to look forward to, before an even greater one begins...

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Summer Giveaway! Win a 4oz. Jar of Organic Mosquito Repel Whipped Butter!

UPDATE: Congrats to Dramamamafive! It's Friday, it's the end of June, Summer is officially here, it's giveaway time!

I haven't held a giveaway in a while, so I'll make this one light, seasonal and fun.

I'm giving away a luscious 4 oz. bottle of Organic Mosquito Repel Whipped Butter from my newly re-named line Sojourn. Herbal Apothecary.

Whether you're getting ready for a tropical summer vacation, preparing for your annual camping trip, or are trying to protect the kids without using heavy chemicals while they play in the back-yard, the Organic Mosquito Repel Whipped Butter is a light, organic, herbal alternative to chemical bug sprays. Safe for babies and people with sensitive skin, the whipped butter moisturizes skin, has a light citrus and lavender scent and will keep pesky mosquitoes at bay.

Here's how you can enter to win a free 4 oz. jar:

1. Visit my blog- Sojourner's Sojourns

2. Enter your email address to subscribe to weekly updates which include travel tips and inspiration, DIY herbal remedies, and valuable wellness tips.

3. Once you've subscribed, you'll automatically be entered to win! A winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, June 29th and will be notified via the email address provided.

That's all folks!

Let the summer giveaway fun begin :)

DIY Lavender Talc-Free Powder

So, I was sitting around the apartment on partial bed rest, wondering what to do with myself when it hit me- BABY POWDER!

I'd been researching various talc-free brands to buy for the little guy, when I was like, wait! What am I doing? I can make my own!

Out came my Ayurveda binder and this absolutely fabulous recipe was born!

Here's how to make a gentle talc-free lavender scented ultra silky baby powder-

You'll need: a jar (I used a 6 oz. mason jar but any size between 4-8 oz. will do well) corn starch french green clay lavender essential oil

Here's what to do (so easy!): In your jar combine 3/4 parts corn starch to 1/4 part french green clay.

Combine until uniformly blended (I screwed on the cap and gave the jar a good shake). Tap the lid to make sure that the powder has fallen into the jar, then unscrew and add ten drops of lavender essential oil.

Screw the top on again and give your powder a good shake. Tap the lid again to encourage your powder to fall into the jar, then open the lid.

Leave the lid off for an hour so that the powder can dry. Make sure the room is dry and not humid or you won't have great results.

While your top is off the jar. Take a hammer and nail and punch holes (a small circle in the center of the lid with holes close together is best) so your powder can flow freely when needed.

Ta da!

Note, this is not just for babies. In fact, I may need to make another batch for my little-one because I'm having so much fun using this silky lavender scented powder. This is perfect if you need to go outside on a humid sticky day.

Another note, never shake powder directly onto your baby. Yes, this powder is talc-free so you don't have to worry about your little one ingesting talc, but it is always best to sprinkle the powder on the diaper or onto your hand so that you can pat it onto your little person's parts as opposed to shaking the powder directly onto them where it will most certainly billow about and form a cloud for them to breathe in.

Enjoy :)

Make Your Own Mouthwash!

As simple as preparing tea and highly satisfying, making your own mouthwash is not only better for you, but will take you on an aromatic journey.

I have always been slightly suspicious of traditional store bought mouthwash. Why the need for bright unnatural electric green and neon blue colors? Why so much alcohol? Why the slew of unreadable ingredients? And what really happens if I accidentally swallow a cap full? Judging from the unnatural smell and burning/tingling sensation in my mouth, it wouldn't end well.

As a result, I make my own mouthwash. It is so easy and the anti- microbial, astringent, and anti-bacterial qualities of clove and tea-tree oil do a wonderful job cleaning my teeth and gums and freshening my breath - the good old fashioned natural way!

After all, if it ain't broke, what's there to fix?

Here's what you need to make a batch of my all natural (organic if you want it to be) clove and tea-tree oil mouthwash-

Directions:

You'll need- 1 heaping teaspoon of ground cloves,  1/4 teaspoon of sea salt, 5 Drops Tea Tree Essential oil Bring a cup of water to a boil. Add the cloves and sea salt and reduce to a simmer for five minutes. Allow the pot of water to cool until lukewarm.

Pour into a mason jar using a coffee filter to strain the cloves. Add the Tea Tree essential oil to the strained mixture in your mason jar and shake vigorously. Gargle twice daily as you would with regular mouthwash. One batch should last about a week.

A Paste and a Preparation to Reduce Even the Most Gruesome Shiner!

A Paste and a Preparation to Reduce Even the Most Gruesome Shiner!

Saturday morning, my husband came home with a gruesome shiner. For the last two years, he's trained seriously in Krav Maga (an Israeli martial art). In the beginning, he'd come home with a bruise here and a sore spot there, but as he's moved up in belt rank, so have his injuries. This was by far the worst.

Nonchalantly, he strolled into the living room, looking like a victim in a slasher film. I was completely horrified. The left side of his face looked disfigured; but once I got past my shock, I sprang into Herbalist Florence Nightingale mode.

Not only did he have a black eye (well purple and maroon at that point to be accurate), but his entire eye was swollen shut and there was a bleeding scrape on the top of his eyelid.

He refused to let me photograph his misery for the purposes of my blog, but you get the picture.

As he settled onto our sofa and tuned into ESPN, I worked to devise a plan. My first objective was to cool the area and try to reduce the inflammation and swelling. He'd already iced the area to no avail, so I decided to pull out my cooling summertime face mist and a roll of cotton rounds. I sprayed the rounds with the cooling mixture and placed the sodden pads over his entire eye. I repeated this for about five minutes. The witch hazel and aloe cooled the area, while the lavender and witch hazel worked to clean the scrape on his eyelid.

Next, I wanted to stimulate the blood flow to reduce the discoloration and inflammation.

I made a paste using 1 tablespoon shea butter, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon turmeric. After mixing the paste, I applied it liberally to the swollen puffy area beneath his eye (being very careful not to get any inside his eye). After five minutes, I rinsed the paste off and repeated my summer skin cooling mist application.

We began a cycle:

1. cooling summertime face mist
2. paste application
3. cooling summertime face mist
4. ice
5. repeat

Two hours later, the swelling went down tremendously and he was able to open the eye 90% and his skin color began to return to normal.

It looks like Mr. Musician will be able to return to the stage again in no time.  As for the gym, that's a completely different story.

This regimen works well for bruises and swelling of all types as long as you don't have broken skin (if you've got a scrape or cut, don't get the paste in it! It will burn).

Cooling Summertime Face Mist

Boy oh boy, the heat is rising!

Don't get me wrong, after the crazy winter that hit basically every corner of the US, heat is a very good thing.

But, as a city dweller and resident of the swampy North East, the increased heat and humidity can be irritating to the skin.

Recently, I came home after an afternoon in the sun, wiped a tissue  across my face to find a smudge of sooty debris- gotta love NYC!

Even if you're not in the city, sweat and humidity can leave your skin itchy, blotchy and inflamed.

My cooling summertime face mist is one of my favorite ways to soothe and quickly revitalize sticky, hot skin.  Not only does the mist calm inflammation and clean out your pores, but it's hydrating and cooling.

This Cooling Summertime Face Mist is a keeper!

I keep a batch in a spray bottle in my refrigerator and help my face to a squirt or two every time I come in from the heat. My two year old swears by this spray as well. He hovers by the refrigerator door once we enter the apartment chanting "spray, spray, spray!"

So here's how to make my cooling summertime face mist. It is extremely easy to put together and will last all summer long.

Steps:

In a sterilized spray bottle combine 1/4 portion of witch hazel with 1/4 portion of aloe juice. Gently shake the aloe juice and witch hazel together until combined. Add 1/2 portion of rosewater along with ten drops of vitamin E oil and five-ish drops of lavender essential oil. Shake your concoction gently and place in the refrigerator.

Step outside, go for a run, take a walk, go to work then when you come back home, go straight to your refrigerator (don't forget and let it disappear behind the leftovers), shake your spray bottle and mist away!

Spritz on your face and neck to combat a steamy summer day. The aromatherapy will calm frayed nerves and encourage relaxation.

*Note: If you have a sunburn, this spray works wonders to soothe the burning sensation!

Happy misting!

The Original Little Italy- Arthur Avenue in the Bronx

 

In the congested Belmont section of the Bronx, lies a hidden gem. A singular strip with some twists and turns, Aurthur Avenue also known as the original Little Italy sparkles red, white and green in the afternoon sun.

From old fashioned Italian butcher shops to the ubiquitous pizzerias and bakeries, Aurthur Avenue is one of the best places in the city to go to sample Italian food and culture.

Whether you're into espresso, fresh baked bread, pasta, pizza, wine or baked goods, Arthur Avenue will leave you satisfied and craving your next visit.

The original Little Italy on Arthur Avenue, like many things in the Bronx, is a hidden gem in an unsung borough. On Arthur Avenue,  you will not find crowds. You will not have to contend with tourists and long waits. You will get an authentic and delicious taste of New York Italian culture and food at a relaxed pace, reminiscent of life in the old country.

If you love Italian food, Arthur Avenue is a must!

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