That Time Louis Armstrong Invited me Over for Dinner!

Something amazing happened the last time we were in New York!

Louis Armstrong invited us over for dinner!!!!

No, I'm not delusional.

No, I'm not making it up.

It happened and I've got the photos to prove it!

You see, Louis Armstrong's home in Corona, Queens has been preserved as a museum- The Louis Armstrong House Museum. Which means, dinner with Satchmo can be a reality.

I'll explain...

The museum, Louis Armstrong's former home, has been left virtually untouched after the death of his wife Lucille.

A brilliant gem of history, the Louis Armstrong House Museum features artifacts from his life including his extensive collection of audio recordings which chronicle moments from his life.

On the ground floor, you have what feels like a traditional museum- pictures, instruments, memorabilia, a short film.

But once you round the corner and head upstairs an entirely different experience awaits you. Led by a tour guide, you're brought from room to room in the Armstrong's home.

In each room of the house, audio recordings are played and images are shown of the Armstrong's in that room.

The tour (no photos allowed) was so vivid. His clothes were still hung in the closet, the bed had the same duvet and pillows from when the couple was alive. Lucille's hairbrush remained as always on her vanity and Louis' liquor cabinet in the corner of his study remained half-full.

The recordings ranged from a practice session in Louis Armstrong's study to my favorite...

The recording in the kitchen during a dinner party the Armstrong's hosted. Here Louis himself, invited us to have a seat at the dinner table to try some of Lucille's famous baked beans.

It felt incredibly intimate.

You see, Louis Armstrong always had a vision of his home being a place where people gathered. When he and his wife were alive, they welcomed neighborhood children and expanded their backyard into something of a park-like oasis for entertaining.

In death, it was his wish for his home to continue to welcome folks, to be a place where people could gather, listen to good music and feel a sense of community.

After all, it was through being so open and in having a true desire to connect with people that he came up with the celebrated lyrics to "Wonderful World."

“Seems to me it ain’t the world that’s so bad but what we’re doing to it, and all I’m saying is: see what a wonderful world it would be if only we’d give it a chance. Love, baby- love. That’s the secret.”

— Louis Armstrong

The magic is still there!

One feels Louis' warmth and presence the moment they enter.

And when I walked away, I was grateful to have had the experience of being invited to Louis Armstrong's house for dinner. It was once in a lifetime!

Thanks Satch!

Louis Armstrong House Museum

34-56 107th Street

Corona (Queens), NY

718.478.8274

Roasted Curried Cauliflower

June is my birthday month and as a way to celebrate my life, health and vitality I have chosen to experiment with my diet. 

I consider this to be a good experiment. An experiment that stems from my desire to fuel my body in a cleaner manner that is rooted in simplicity. 

So...  for the entire month of June, I've decided to go vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free and clean! 

The first day was a bit rough. I was already mostly vegetarian and had vegan tendencies and tried my best to eat whole pure unprocessed foods but I wanted to see what it truly felt like to be a purist.  I got a massive headache and was grumpy because I didn't feel full. So I made some edits, incorporated more nuts and beans and I found my stride.

I must say I'm loving it so far! I've got more energy, my skin is glowing, my digestion is fantastic. 

Eating only whole, unprocessed, vegan foods has been a wonderful experience in mindfulness.

Finfing joy in simple foods I might have passed over for say...some bread and cheese has been invigorating. 

And the biggest surprise of all is the fact that I don't miss the sugar. Not at all!  (I have a notorious sweet tooth).

Experimenting with recipes has been fun as well. I love to eat and I don't agree that being healthy means giving up flavor.

Speaking of flavor, these roasted curried cauliflower wedges are absolutely spectacular! 

They're an awesome side dish for anyone and if you're going clean, green and vegan like I am, they make a hearty snack that you can prepare both in the oven and on the grill! 

And they're so easy to make. 

Here's what you'll need: 

A head of cauliflower  

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 teaspoon Apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon curry powder

sea salt to taste

Here's what you need to do:

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

Rinse your head of cauliflower, peeling off any leaves.

If the stem is long you may need to give it a slice at the base of the stalk.

Slice the cauliflower into steaks about 1 1/2" thick.​

Lay the slices flat on a cooking tray.​

In a small bowl combine the coconut oil, curry powder and apple cider vinegar.​

Using a spoon or spatula baste both sides of your cauliflower.​

Place your tray in the oven. You'll want about ten minutes per side.  (You may also use a grill, but cooking times vary so keep your eye on your cauliflower !)

You'll know the dish is ready when the edges turn a crispy brown. 

Immidiately sprinkle with sea salt and then set out to cool before serving. 

There you have it! A delicious vegan, clean, sugar and gluten free snack! 

A Perfect Day In Montreal- An Almost 24 hour Itinerary

This February, as most people were hunkering down, and bracing for the polar vortex that dumped snow along the East coast, sending temperatures plummeting below zero, we decided it was the perfect time for a trip to Montreal.

As we made our way by car through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Albany, Rochester, Ontario and finally Montreal, we watched the thermostat dip and bob.

15 degrees...

5 degrees...

0 degrees...

-2 degrees...

-13 degrees....

It was a sunny, and I mean, deceptively brilliant, afternoon at -13 degrees when we pulled into the underground parking garage at the Gouverneur Hotel at the Place Dupuis in the heart of downtown Montreal.

Unsure of how it would all work out, traveling with a four year old and a one and a half year old in the middle of a snowstorm on the Eastern coast of Canada, we simply took a deep breath and forged forth.

Yes, it would be cold.

Yes, we would have to layer and wear boots.

Yes, this trip would require several hot chocolate breaks.

Yes, there was snow, and ice everywhere.

Yes, we probably should have gone to the Caribbean, but we didn't and in the end, I'm glad we didn't.

If you should happen to find yourself in Montreal in winter, fear not. The city is well equipped to handle whatever amount of snow or ice mother nature should decide to throw its way.

With easy to navigate streets and authentically delicious French style hot chocolate and espresso drinks on every corner, get out and forge forth anyway. The city will reward you!

We had a perfect day out and about in Montreal. Here's our almost 24 hour itinerary:

Breakfast at Juliette & Chocolat on Rue Saint Catherine

Juliette & Chocolat is a local favorite featuring.....you guessed it, chocolate. To be specific, you'll find traditional French pastries, sandwiches and salads with a chocolaty twist. Intimate, modern and relaxed, Juliette & Chocolat is one of those cafes that is both child friendly (as long as your little one isn't prone to running and screaming), first-date romantic, Sunday brunch chic and a haven for location independent laptop clad hipsters.

Stroll down Rue Saint Catherine

A main thoroughfare, Rue Saint Catherine is hip and eclectic. Frequented by university students, this young, bohemian strip is home to every type of restaurant imaginable, quirky shops and lively bars. *Warning- just because it is snowy and icy, don't expect that streets will be fully plowed and salted as in the United States. We had an adventure making our way up and down the busy Rue Saint Catherine.

Explore the Bibliotheque et Archives Nationales du Quebec

This library is so much more than a library. A massive and super modern architectural gem, the Bibliotheque Nationales du Quebec is a literary and musical multiplex. The children's section is massive. The boys enjoyed the listening and viewing station where they were able to watch short animated films in French. It was a great way to expose them to the language. They also enjoyed the magnetic poetry wall and reading picture books in French. If you're a lover of music, the library has an extensive listening section.

Visit the Notre-Dame Basilica

In addition to being an active church with a large and tight knit community of worshipers, Montreal's Notre Dame basilica is a local historic gem and source of pride.

The site of many important events including Celine Dion's wedding, the historic basilica is open to visitors who wish to take a moment of quiet repose, admire the collection of religious art and take in the astounding architecture. Visitors are also welcome to attend mass.

Lunch at Olive et Gourmando

We met up with my friend Lynne for lunch and she suggested Olive et Gourmando. I'm so glad she did!

The cozy eclectic and artsy interior was charming. The delicious food disarming! And the smell of baking bread, chocolate and wine- it was out of this world.

The Kale Cesar made me so happy.

The wine list was extensive (most bottles hailed from France). Also extensive was the list of local apple ciders.

The fresh French pastries are worth a mention, so many types of croissants and cookies take up space in the shiny glass display case.

It was so cozy inside, I almost forgot about the sub zero temperatures outside... almost.

Spa Break at Bota, Bota, Spa-Sur-L'eau

Located quite literally on a boat at the old pier, the Bota Spa is a relaxing and warm oasis of rejuvenation in the heart of Old Montreal. One step onto the boat spa and you're transported to another world! A warm, eucalyptus scented world where dreams of Zen easily come true. You can spend a few hours or the entire day on this docked spa boat which boasts a wonderful restaurant, massage services, hot tubs, whirlpools, saunas and other forms of relaxing entertainment.

Hot Chocolate Break at Cacao 70 Atwater

Rumored to have the thickest most delectable hot chocolate in town, Cacao 70 Atwater is the perfect way to recharge in the middle of or end a busy day in Montreal.

At let's face it, you deserve some delicious fuel after all of that walking!

Regardless of the season you visit Montreal is an amazing city!

This was probably my 8th or 9th visit. For whatever reason, I have only experienced Montreal in the winter. The city is spectacular blanketed in snow, but I look forward to a summer visit as well sometime soon so I can take in the long, lazy, sidewalk cafe studded summer evenings.

A new take on an old favorite!

Have you had the pleasure of a visit to Montreal? Would you consider vacationing there?

Beets Blu Takes the Guesswork out of My Vinyasa Yoga Sessions!

I was contacted by and received a complimentary heart rate monitor from Beets Blu in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated below for the purpose of this review are mine.

Yoga can be so misunderstood!

You see, here's the thing about yoga, people somehow can't seem to get the image of a guru siting stark still, legs crossed, eyes closed out of their minds and write the physical expression of yoga (there are eight limbs) off as a second rate form of exercise.

Ugh... you'll hear some people say, I want a REAL workout.

Or, yoga's a nice stretch, but I need more...

I am of course generalizing, but as a yoga teacher I hear a broad range of reasons why people opt out of yoga.

Now if yoga is just not your thing in the same regard that running (unless I'm being chased by something very, very frightening) is not mine, I totally get it. We must all follow our exercise bliss.

But for those people who would commit to a yoga practice if they could, say...track their heart rate in the same manner they are able to on the treadmill or for those people who need quantifiable proof that they are burning calories whenever they exercise, then Beets Blu has come to the rescue!

Yoga is a form of exercise, but it's so much more than a form of exercise and because of this many people are confused about what it is.

Yoga emerged out of meditation. Yoga asanas or postures were developed as a way for yogis to engage their physical bodies and cultivate discipline in order to concentrate while deep in meditation. The physical practice of yoga traditionally, is secondary to the practice of meditation and breath work (pranayama).

To delve a bit deeper, there are 8 Limbs of Yoga- eight branches if you will emerging from the tree of yoga. The physical expression of yoga (asana) is merely one.

Yoga's 8 Limbs:

1. Yama (Proper conduct and personal integrity- think behaving in accordance to the Golden Rule)

2. Niyama (Self-discipline in relation to spirituality ex) meditating, saying grace, attending religious services, etc.)

3. Asana (The physical postures of yoga)

4. Pranayama (Breath control. There are many breathing practices associated with yoga that help us connect with our breath)

5. Pratyahara (Withdrawal from the outside world, focusing inwards and detaching from our senses)

6. Dharana (Cultivating deep concentration through practicing the many limbs of yoga)

7.  Dhyana (Meditation as a way of quieting the mind)

8. Samadhi (Pure bliss and transcendence, the ultimate merge with the divine)

So you see, yoga is so much more than an hour of sweating it out on the mat. 

But for many, it is just that.

In the West the physical practice of yoga has risen to the forefront and with good reason, the physical practice of yoga, the asanas are so healing and provide an ideal holistic workout. In pretty much every gym or fitness club you can find a yoga class these days.

Yoga provides a complete workout, particularly Vinyasa Flow classes where movements are linked together and between many of the standing poses one is asked to move through a flow sequence (hello cardio, core, strength training and stamina!!!!)

This physical practice of yoga is surprisingly demanding. One works on flexibility, stamina, strength training, core engagement and cardio simultaneously.

But unlike running on the treadmill or on the elliptical machine; unlike the exercise bike or circuit training where you can target certain body parts and measure your results- yoga comes without any fancy machinery or ways to concretely quantify your results.

Until now that is...

Thank you Beets Blu for making it so easy to track my heart rate!

I love my Beets Blu Heart Rate Monitor! It is so easy to use and I'm able to get a complete assessment of my yoga workouts when I'm finished.

The Beets Blu Heart Rate Monitor uses cutting edge EKG technology to collect accurate information and Bluetooth to send this heart rate information directly to your smartphone where your results are ready for you in the Health app.

How does it work?

1. Download the BB Utility App

2. Strap the Heart Rate Monitor on. It fits snugly against your skin around your chest area. I pulled mine right below my bra strap. The monitor is small, light weight and snug, I almost didn't notice it.

3. Connect your device to Bluetooth

4. Rock out on your yoga mat!!!!!!

5. When you're finished, remove the device and take a look at the Health App (this app is automatic with most phones) on your smartphone. Go to vitals, and heart rate and there you will find your data.

From your heart rate you can get an idea of whether or not you're working too hard or not hard enough when you exercise. It's a great way to set and measure fitness goals. You can also calculate the number of calories burned during a workout. Here's how:

C = (o.4472xH-0.05741xW+0.074xA-20.4022)xT/4.184

say what?!?

H= average heart rate (that number provided by the Beets Blu monitor)

W= your weight

A= your age

T= the length (time in duration) of your session in minutes

C= calories

Now everyone is different, and every yoga session is different, but I learned that on average I burn between 450-500 calories per hour when practicing Vinyasa Yoga for an hour.

That's a lot of calories! And I had no idea until I began to use the monitor.

Now I have clear estimates to provide those potential students who would like to try yoga, but are afraid they won't burn enough calories during their practice.

As I said before, yoga isn't about burning calories. It's about being present and going inwards and expanding your boundaries. But for those who are skeptical about its merit as a full body workout, the information collected by the Beets Blu heart rate monitor is priceless.

I can't wait to strap my Beets Blu on and hit the mat!

The Beets Blu Heart Rate Monitor is compatible with any smart phone and with the following apps:

RunKeeper

Moves Tracker

Endomondo

Runtastic Pro

MapMyFitness

MapMyWalk

3,2,1 run

Walktastic pro

Walmeter

iSmoothRun

MapMyRide

Cyclemeter

Runtastic wintersport

Heartrate monitor

iCardio

BB Utility (this is the app I use- the results go directly to your Health app)

nRFready Utility

Seconds Pro

MotionX GPS

MapMyDogWalk

RoadBike

Cyctastic

CycleLog Pro

Map My Run

Runtastic

Runmeter

MapMyHike

iRunner

Strava Running and Cycling

Have you ever used a heart rate monitor to track your workouts?