Busy in the City

4 Family Dinners For $10 or Less | Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog

2011-09-07T17:50:00.000-04:00

4 Family Dinners For $10 or Less | Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

2011-08-15T07:00:00.005-04:00

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

If you have kids 5 and under or know someone who does, this is a great program for every child! The Imagination Library joins forces with local agencies to sponsor this literacy program that strives to get books into the lives of children under 5. A free book is sent out every month until your child reaches their 5th birthday.

Our son received his first book last month, The Little Engine That Could, and just loves it.

Thanks Dolly!
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle

Rainy Day

2011-08-14T14:24:00.000-04:00

It was great to have friends over last night to grill and play on the patio a gorgeous summer evening (Thanks again Monica!)...until the first signs of rain cut our outdoor fun a little short. It rained steadily here in New York all night, all day and is expected through tomorrow. Days like this make me sleepy...but not my toddler! He's raring to go as I'm reaching for another cup of joe!

I ain't gonna lie...there was some television viewing while I got my bearings. After that, a trip outside to the sand table in the rain was a nice change of pace, then a trip with Daddy to the Museum of Natural History to visit the dinosaurs filled the rest of the morning. TimeOutKids has more great rainy day ideas in NYC. Here are some great lists of Rainy Day Activities from Family Fitness and Rainy Days with Toddlers from Toddler Toddler.

Now {yawn} off to nap with the rest of the house.
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle

Back to School Shopping

2011-08-14T14:01:00.001-04:00

Oh Darn it - I missed the folders for a penny sale at Staples for a second year!! Grrrr...This is the time of year when I've finally slipped into summer mode, and now have to start thinking about school again already? *sigh*

Well, just because I missed some of it, doesn't mean you have to. Below are some of my favorite back to school coupons and sales so your little (and not so little) ones can start the year right and your wallet won't be completely wiped out in the process:

Back-to-School Shopping Tips - A good short video on why it will cost more this year
Staples - Missed the penny folders, but this week's composition notebooks for $0.10 and spiral notebooks for $1.00 not too bad a deal either.
Walmart - Has a good selection of sales and discounts for the season
Upromise - Save extra money for college while taking advantage of sales and deals. I cannot say enough good things about this program that has added thousands of dollars to my kids college funds just because we clicked through on these links
About.com's Back to School Guide is a great collection of their guide network's resources
Retail Me Not - Promotion codes for your favorite shopping sites. I check here nearly every time I'm making an online purchase

Now, off to the races!

It'sABusyLife,
Danielle

Nightmare Train in Crazytown

2011-08-09T10:54:00.001-04:00

My 2.5yr old's favorite movie right now is The Little Engine That Could (2011), affectionately called "I think I can," which is just adorable when he asks to watch it, "want I think I can on TV Mama!" In the story, adapted from the classic book The Little Engine That Could, There's a big train that appears to want to help the little blue engine, but turns into the big scary nightmare train. I feel like that's been the markets recently.

The downslide in global financial markets had been a teeth-grinding, wild and crazy ride to witness and difficult to navigate, even for those of us working in the financial sector. "Crazytown USA" said a wise observer I know.

For those of you considering changes to your personal accounts, 401k, IRAs and 529s, please be especially cautious of doing so at times like this. Market timing is difficult for professionals and non-professionals alike and moving out of risk assets (stocks) at the bottom = locking in losses while moving into safe havens (bonds, gold) at the top is no better.

Below are a few articles on the subject of personal finance:

Timing the Market Risky for the Average Joe *may require subscription
After the Downgrade: 10 Steps to Protect Your Retirement
Bargain Hunters Beware *may require subscription
Buy Stocks, Sell Bonds

**please note these are resources and do not constitute investment advice

Be careful out there!
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle

Thomas the Tank Engine Cake Tutorial

2011-07-28T13:58:00.000-04:00

Am I crazy for thinking I might want to attempt this for my son's 3rd birthday? Am I crazy for thinking of this five months out?

Thomas the Tank Engine Cake Tutorial

Heat warning

2011-07-22T11:41:00.000-04:00

My office is in midtown Manhattan, with a view north right behind my desk. One of the prominent buildings in that view is the former New York Magazine building, now owned by Burberry whose name adorns the top prominently over the time and temperature. In the midst of our winter-like spring a few months back, my colleagues and I were amused by a fluke in the temperature gauge that sent the reading to 139 degrees amidst the fog and chilly rain of March.

Today's reading of 102 at 9:00am however, is no fluke. It's a heat wave, one I am happily escaping (somewhat) by leaving to visit family and friends in the cooler upstate New York.

With only 57 days of 100+ heat since 1870 in Central Park and none from 2002 through June 2010...I urge everyone to be cautious, courteous and judicious in these extremes.

Below are a few important reads that can help you and your family stay safe and cool:

Well, time to get the heck out of this hot, hot city!
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle

TAM method - getting it done

2011-07-21T13:26:00.000-04:00

As my husband's personal trainer pointed out, Tracy Andersonis not a certified trainer. However, her client list speaks volumes to me, as does the results I'm getting only partially following her plan. As an aside, look sweetie, I found a picture of her smiling! Didn't think I could get that done, did ya ;-).

We had brunch with some friends on Sunday (yes...I happily ate off-plan) which turned into a dinner invite and dinner party. I was already planning to cook TAM meals for the week, so tried them out feeding other people and everyone was happily surprised - so yummy!! We ate the Baked chicken and broccoli dish marinated in orange juice/agave syrup and the Chicken/tofu steamed over veggies and broth. Lots of compliments to the chef and I have lots of compliments to Tracy. Diet food never tasted so good and found we actually like kale.

At this point, I am only partially following the TAM 30-day plan. As most of you would agree, with the busy lives we lead, a strict 30-day-anything can be hard to follow. So there will be no stressing over the 30-day regime stretchning to 45 or 60 days. Expectations have been adjusted accordingly. Love, love, LOVE the meals! I have to call Tracy a bit of a control freak on the meals. I am NOT going to eat exactly what she wants when she wants everyday. Just not in my DNA. And without a juicer and no store selling it, the kale juice is just not going to happen, sorry TA.

The recipes are, however, not as difficult as some diet plans I've tried previously and I'm likely to stick with it. The Mango chicken has already been requested again by the family, that's high praise indeed!! HealthyFitFantastic blog has the recipe here.

I have been following the meals for at least 2/3 of what I eat. Even when I'm not getting that done, just understanding the principles (very little carbs, avoid most dairy, lots of fruits and vegetables) I think it's making a tremendous impact and I'm seeing results! So now, on to the results...

Days: 10
Mat workouts: 6 and up to 40 reps of each exercise
Dance cardio: 4 but still only 30 minutes due to injury/boredom/time
Meal plan: Ate approximately 2/3 of my meals on the plan but have been unwilling to completely give up the greatest gifts known to moms...coffee and wine

Results: lost 7 lbs and 2 inches!

With moderation built into Tracy Anderson's Method, I can sincerely recomment this as a a plan that is sustainable for a busy person's schedule. At this pace I'll finish the 30-day plan by Labor day, and can get her Metamorphosis DVDs to workout through New Year's!!!

It'sABusyLife,
Danielle

TAM menu

2011-07-18T00:03:00.000-04:00

So, weekend update...

Have now lost 6 lbs.! Woo hoo!! Made it through 1.5 hours working out Friday and Saturday. By Sunday my heel was bothering me again, so needed a day off cardio. And with surprise dinner guests, said goodbye to the mat workout too. However, I managed to make the Baked Chicken and Broccoli and Chicken and Veggie soup for dinner. The family and guests alike loved them and I have plenty leftover for lunch through Wednesday, hooray! So while the workouts didn't make it into today's schedule, at least the food did.

Sleepy time for Mama, on to another busy week.
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle

TAM update - day 5 of 30...er...more like day 3

2011-07-15T17:32:00.000-04:00

Today I reconnected with the phrase TGIF! A busy, stressful day to close a busy week. As a trader, I am accustomed to stress but today was beset with a doozy that was worse because it was of my own creation. {sigh} Lesson learned and move forward, right?!?

I have found this week full of success balanced with 'lessons' and am trying to shake it off and smile into the weekend :).

On the fitness front, starting a new routine has been mezza mezza. I won't say I cheated on the Tracy Anderson Method (TAM)...let's say I have just NOT been completely faithful, shall we? On the positive side:
1) I completed 3 days of her mat workout and felt it! I love this workout!! Easy to follow, challenging but, if you follow the ramping up schedule in the book, doable enough to come back for more the next day.

2) I completed 2 days of cardio, though my nagging plantar faciitis (think heel spurs) made me feel less than graceful and it was annoying to have to restart the cardio segment on the DVD.

3) I ate 80% of my meals off Tracy's menu

Now for the less savory side:
1) I do NOT have time to workout 2 hours per day!!! I just don't! Working woman in finance, business meetings, kids, oh...and did I mention I actually like my husband and want to see him sometimes???

2) The cardio really appeals to the former dancer in me, but to modify it to step-touching for 40 minutes will drive me to drink!

3) Did I mention drink? After the week I've had...a few cups of coffee and wine made it onto the menu, oh yeah! Coffee to wake up after an evening filled with 2 hours of working out. Wine after the long day of work. One dinner out, because the husband and I needed to reconnect. And yes...I broke down and had some desserts (I'm a chocolate every day kinda girl, and ran out of that yummy choco chestnut pudding).

Overall though, very pleased with the results so far! Lost 1" off my waist, 1/2" off my hips and 4 lbs!! Will definitely keep you updated, I think I can perservere for the next month (or two at the rate I'm going).

Til next time,
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle

Getting a new routine

2011-07-12T13:45:00.001-04:00

After training for the NYC Marathon last year, and bowing out for a 2nd time due to injury I am on a running sabbatical. At first it was easy, coming off a few months of training I went the the gym here and there. A spin class here, weights there, yoga periodically. But lack of a real routine added up to 5 lbs and every attempt to run was squashed by inflamed tendons and my still bruised tibia! {sigh}

With that in mind, and a few inches in squishy tummy in sight - the amount I've been paying my gym for the privilege of NOT going did not add up. So I put my membership on hold and decided to take advantage of all the free fitness NYC has to offer in the summertime! NYC Parks has Free/Nearly Free events all summer long. My favorites are:
Tues: Pilates in Riverside Park
Wed: Yoga in Riverside Park
Thurs: Yoga in Bryant Park
Sat: Race Walking in Central Park
Sat: Kayaking on the Hudson
Sun: Tai Chi in Riverside Park

When those are not available or on a rainy day, there's cheap hot yoga from Yoga To The People for $5!!

I've been taking advantage of many of these wonderful events, but still didn't feel like I was getting any closer to happiness in a bikini. I even tried a few free sessions with a personal trainer at Serious Strength, but didn't feel like 30 mins 2x/wk was doing anything on its own.

I realize something drastic needs to be done, so I'm committing to 30-days on the Tracy Anderson Method (TAM). I picked up her book Tracy Anderson's 30-Day Method: The Weight-Loss Kick-Start that Makes Perfection Possible.
I figure Gwennyth Paltrow and Shakira's trainer must know something that can help! The Daily Julie was an inspiration for me, so I decided to just do it!!

There are 3 parts to her method:
1) Mat workout
Strength moves that take me back to dance class in Brooklyn 20 years ago with what feel like grueling leg lifts, crunches and arm moves to sculpt the small accessory muscles for a lean look rather than bulking up!
2) Cardio
40 minutes of a cardio dance routine that, admittedly, even I had trouble following without the typically annoying cheerleader-y instructions Tracy has conveniently left out. But after getting it down and adding my own music, it's lots of fun
3) Meal plan
The hard part for me will be the food. Even though we've become a much healthier household over the years, there are still cookies and cupcakes and pretzels in the line-up which are big no-nos for Tracy. Day 2 and I'm still surviving - even without my beloved lattes!!!! I am going off the reservation a bit. Tracy said we're supposed to eat exactly what she laid out for the first 30-days. I am, however, eating her recipes but not in the exact order. My reasoning is that I'm a busy mom and only have so much time.

On Sunday I made double batches of 2 recipes: sweet potato corn pudding and the AMAZING choco chestnut pudding. With that and some store bought carrot ginger soup and lowfat strawberry kefir, I'm good to go for a few days. I've been drining my weight in water and green tea and trying not to overeat but she did say if we're hungry, we can increase our portions until we're satisfied but not stuffed. It just has to be her food.

Today's Day 2 of TAM - wish me luck!

It'sABusyLife,
Danielle

Bug Bites

2011-07-12T12:27:00.000-04:00

My friend's wife has a fantastic blog called Yes Five, as she has yes...five children! She's a doctor of family medicine currently staying at home and has some great posts as well as being a regular contributor now to ABC's Good Morning America's Health segements.

See her segment on bug bites here!

It'sABusyLife - re-start

2011-07-12T11:42:00.000-04:00

Wouldn't ya know it...life got too busy to blog! Over the past year I've taken on more at work, taken to trying (and sometimes failing) to keep up with my very active toddler and trying to be more available to/on top of the teenager. But I found I was jack of all trades and master of none - isn't that the classic mom dilemma??

I need an outlet, like a blog, and a few more glasses of wine to help me keep it all together. Hoping my outlet gives you a few useful pieces of information to help you along in your busy life too :).

It'sABusyLife,
Danielle

Useful Links - Site Redesign!

2010-03-22T12:30:00.000-04:00

Between moving homes, pick up on the markets and some good old spring cleaning, the blog has been neglected. Would love to re-focus and add more value rather than blather on about me me me, so....this blog now enters phase II - Parent Scout

As a parent, I've found that there are a bazillion resources for information. Some are so vast it's impossible to find what you want. Some are so message board intensive it's all chatter with little content. And some have great content but are only focused on one small aspect of our lives.

I am hoping to start a new project with Parent Scout, which is to put together a place to find what parents are looking for that is broad enough to be a single resource you use while focused enough to provide answers to questions you have.

As a parent, it's not just about child development or just about where to go about town. You're a whole person who has little time to be combing the Internet looking for answers your family needs like ages & stages, managing work/life balance, quick recipes, how to travel with your kids, networking, crafts with your child that don't require hours of brain damage on your part, and more.

Over the years I have amassed a wealth of little tidbits, useful Internet links and great information from every corner of parenting and household management resources that I'd love to share with you!

Until I can pull something meaningful together, here are a few of my favorite things, in no particular order, that other parents have found helpful recently...

Hiding nutrition:
Toddlers are a peculiar bunch, with strange eating habits. My oldest loved mashed potatoes, so I hid all kinds of things in there (powdered milk for protein, shredded cheese, shredded carrots). Her younger brother won't eat mashed potatoes, but loves breads, pancakes and yogurt. Baking in the fruits and veggies helps. Think zucchini bread with part whole-wheat flower and a few tbsp ground flaxseeds for omega-3, hide some finely chopped spinach, add flaxseeds and bananas to pancakes. For more stealth nutrition, try peanut butter playdough!
Real Simple's Time-Saving Tips
Great NYC Mom resources from Big City Moms
5 Simple Ways to Make Your Toddler's Day from BabyCenter
Though your first though when you hear eating disorder is teenage girls, anyone can have an eating disorder, and most start early. Learn more from KidsHealth on Kids and Eating Disorders
Someone has finally brought manners back en vogue! Learn more about Etiquette Workshops for Kids from Socialskilz and NewYorkFamily.com
My favorite designer discounter for kids! The Mini Social
We bought a ton of stuff for our little one recently from KidSurplus, a discount website for all things kid

Til next time,
It's a BusyLife,
Danielle

New Year - update

2010-01-21T13:27:00.000-05:00

So, nearly a month has gone by - time to check on how the new year plans are going!

Get Healthy
Sleep

Completed sleep re-training - hooray! Martin's still up at 5am for a bit, but 8pm-5am is a good start
Got the supplies for bedroom partition, now just have to install
Getting to bed by 11pm some nights, so slowly better

Nutrition

Jodi from Citrition came to visit this week and we're off to a great start! Week 1 of 4 goal: eat fruit with breakfast everyday for everybody (13yr old, 13 mo old, and parents - many months old!)
Have been cooking at least 4 days per week
Leftovers have not made it to work much. Gotta grab those on way out the door.
Need more variety, next shopping trip - i promise!
Taking vitamins at least every other day

Exercise

Met with trainer and got a good supplemental routine. That said, have not been to the gym as much as I want. Hopefully will be less crazy by next week
Teenager has been going to martial arts regularly - Go Maggie!
Baby loves visiting the Museum of Natural History on the weekends. Could care less about the exhibits...loves to run in the wide open halls!

Get Organized

Created the chore list, just need to actually print and put into action
Event list there, just need to fill/check it
Goals list - yeah....should make one of these

Get Happy

Yoga - making time for practice every other day...progress
Bath - haven't gotten to that yet (for relaxation that is...have bathed this year)
Walk - getting a bit more in :)
Read - lots more of this, might even get to bookclub meeting this month!
Visit - Noodles with Lynn yesterday, check!
ReConnect - date night Feb 7, check!

Overall, not bad progress. Will keep striving to strive and find reasons to smile through the chaos!
'Til next time,
It's a BusyLife,
Danielle

New Year

2009-12-29T10:42:00.000-05:00

The past 3 months have been the busiest of my life! Many many work dinners and events, social calls for me and the family, conducting a NYC high school search for our 13-yr old like it was college, rush to work, rush to daycare, rush home, rush rush rush!...all the while feeling overwhelmed and underperforming. Not a great place to be for an overachiever.

So - 2010 finds me and a bazillion other people on websites like facebook and 43Things starting off with resolutions and promises anew for a more peaceful and productive year!

Happiness for me starts with getting healthy, getting organized and getting happy!

Get Healthy

Sleep

Our little guy just turned one year this month and has started waking at night again, so we are on Day 4 of sleep re-training for baby so we can all sleep.

Complete sleep re-training - December
Buy supplies for bedroom partition - January
Set date for assistance with installation - January
Get to bed by 10:30pm at least three times per week

Nutrition

Healthy eating is the fuel needed to live a BusyLife, so it is no surprise that a malaise has settled over me at the same time as a decline in the healthy habits our family once enjoyed.
To kick the year into gear:

Appointment with family nutritionist - January
Resolve to cook 5-6 days per week – schedule created
Bring leftovers from said cooking nights for lunch (also saves $$!)
Expose the kids (and adults) to more varied and healthy foods
Take vitamins regularly

Exercise

Need more exercise in all our lives!

Appointment with trainer for new routine
Qualified for NYC marathon in November 2010
Schedule gym nights for both husband and me
Get teenager to attend martial arts classes twice a week
More playtime for baby outside of the apartment (Saturday classes, museums, playground)

Get Organized

I’m always happier when I feel like I’ve accomplished my goals. Whether those goals are big (career change, marathon, baby) or small (vacuum the rug, organize my purse, put away that pile of clothes in the corner), happiness for me begins with organization.

Chore list – no more guesswork or complaining, we all have a job to do and know when to do it
Event list – all our outside activities are in one place so conflicts are to a minimum
Goals list – posting a list of goals for the family in a prominent place (new apartment, healthy eating, more sleep)

Get Happy

Finally, a BusyLife is all about balance. Need a few little “me” moments to recharge and refresh so I am up for any challenge!

Yoga – make time for morning and evening practice everyday again
Bath – amazing what a quiet soak with a book can do for the psyche
Walk – make time to walk to work more
Read – at least one non-work related book per month
Visit – at least one get together with friends and family per month
ReConnect – at least one date night per month

My goodness…that’s a lot of lists! Well…that’s the plan for the coming year. Ambitious, but I think doable and ultimately will lead us to a very happy and relaxed place once complete.
‘Til next time,
It’s a BusyLife,
Danielle

Healthcare should be like car insurance

2009-12-18T14:30:00.000-05:00

Ok, I know I am way oversimplifying the matter, but I think healthcare reform has gotten so complex and so hotly debated, that some simplification might be in order.

Everyone who owns a car in this country, needs some form of insurance. It is regulated and varies from state to state, but is still a legal requirement to owning a car. People with more money pay up for better insurance with greater coverage. People with less money generally choose the bare minimum and if you are caught driving without insurance, you pay fines.

Why can't this model work for healthcare? It's not perfect, by any means, but it's comprehensive. It's not an entitlement, but it's comprehensive. Those with more money can afford better, those with less buy what they are able, and those without are fined because if they get into an accident without it they will be a burden on the system and that is discouraged.

Why couldn't this work for healthcare? Why is one side of the aisle trying to institutionalize healthcare while the other side wants the wild West? Let's just get this done people, because my premiums from my employer sponsored plan are up nearly 500% in the past decade and if I recall correctly, we haven't seen that kind of inflation in the general economy.

Til next time,
It's a BusyLife,
Danielle

Some days...update

2009-10-26T10:01:00.000-04:00

After my much needed rant session yesterday, the day improved moment by moment, and many of you helped remind me that perspective is important, and, as my sister reminded me, "life ebbs and flows."
The progression from bad day, to ok day, to great evening:
- 11:15am baby up, at doctor's moved appointment, and no ear infection (yeah!)
- 12:30pm still upset in general, argued with husband, realized mid-argument not to argue with person trying to help you
- 12:50pm at Apple store genius appointment wonderful husband made and found running chip fix (buy new one...love/hate Apple!)
- 2pm great stroll home on bright sunny fall day through park with happy baby
- 3pm naptime for everyone
- 4pm finally get out for that 5-mile run, best time in three years!
- 6pm daughter returns home from weekend away, dinner, family time
- 9pm Yankees game on, quality time with husband
- midnight Yankees win game and in world series!
- 12:05am off to bed with smile, great end to the day

'til next time,
It's a BusyLife.
- Danielle

Some days just don't go your way

2009-10-25T10:25:00.000-04:00

Ah, the beauty of a blog - someplace to vent! It's been one of those days, and it's only 10:26am, sigh. I'd like to think of myself as a positive individual, but I'm going to lay it all out there, if for no other reason, to feel like it took alot to get to me today!

- it's dreary

- woke up with a headache

- baby refused to nurse, started pulling at ear (maybe ear infection?)

- went back to sleep after some tylenol (thank you wonderful husband!), still woke with headache

- missed 8:30am race, but planned on 'virtual race' with nike+ ipod chip

- chip not working, blogs contradict each other and still not working!

- spent 1/2 hour searching for ipod armband to no avail (still no breakfast)

- baby would not go down for nap for 1/2 hour (I hope he's sleeping in there)

- now headache, hungry, grumpy, and no run to count toward marathon entry requirements

- baby sleeping through doctor's appt to see if he has ear infection (10:30)

- found out friends who came to visit got parking tix (sorry guys!)

Ugh, just one of those days and it's not even noon. Did get an email from a friend that is helping snap me out of it (thx Lynn!). It had this picture:

Uh...sorry, I know this was supposed to be cute, but just disturbing, no?

Anywhooo time to scrap it and find time for that book about how to find time :)....serenity now - ommmmmmmmm.

'til next time,

It's a BusyLife.

Danielle

H1N1 Update teleconferences Oct 8 and 9

2009-10-08T10:25:00.000-04:00

In an effort to give you the most up to date information about the H1N1virus, the White House Office of Public Engagement, in coordination withthe Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Controland Prevention, will hold informational conference calls on this subject.Below is a list of conference call information pertaining to differentcommunities. Please feel free to join any number of these calls. Topicswill include prevention, the importance of vaccination, vaccine safety andavailability.

THURSDAY, October 8
11:00a EDT H1N1, Pregnant Women and Maternal Health
Participant: (800) 553-0327
Title: Maternal Health H1N1 Call *Provide in lieu of passcode*

1:00p EDT General H1N1 Outreach Call with Organizations of AnyBackground
Participant: (800) 230-1085
Title: H1N1 Briefing *Provide in lieu of passcode*

1:45p EDT H1N1 and Children Under 5 and Children with High-RiskConditions
Participant: (800) 288-8961
Title: Children H1N1 *Provide in lieu of passcode*

2:00p EDT H1N1 and Persons with Cancer and non-HIVImmunosuppressive Conditions
Participant: (800) 230-1096
Title: Cancer H1N1 Call *Provide in lieu of passcode*

2:00p EDT H1N1 and African Americans
Participant: (800) 288-8960
Title: African American H1N1 Call *Provide in lieu of passcode*

7:00p EDT H1N1 and Pacific Islanders
Participant: (800) 230-1059
Title: Pacific Islanders H1N1 Call *Provide in lieu of passcode*

FRIDAY, October 9
11:00a EDT H1N1 and Persons with HIV/AIDS
Participant: (800) 288-8961
Title: HIV\AIDS H1N1 Call *Provide in lieu of passcode*

12:00p EDT H1N1 and Persons with Cardiovascular Disease
Participant: (800) 230-1951
Title: Cardiovascular H1N1 Call*Provide in lieu of passcode*

1:00p EDT H1N1 and Persons with Diabetes
Participant: (800) 230-1085
Title: Diabetes H1N1 *Provide in lieu of passcode*

1:00p EDT H1N1 and Persons with Asthma
Participant: (800) 230-1074
Title: Asthma H1N1 Call *Provide in lieu of passcode*

2:00p EDT H1N1 and Persons with Disabilities
Participant: (800) 230-1951
Title: Disabilities H1N1 Call *Provide in lieu of passcode*

2:00p EDT H1N1, Immigrants and non-English speakers (andincluding Latino and Asian organizations)
Participant: (800) 230-1096
Title: Immigrants\Non English Speaking H1N1 *Provide in lieu of passcode*

Fast and easy dinner - Crabmeat Rolls

2009-10-05T12:52:00.000-04:00

For a fancy looking sandwich night, we created a budget-friendly version of our favorite lobster roll from The Mermaid Inn which has quickly become a family favorite. Admittedly, I'm a terrible cooking instructor, as I am constantly experimenting and changing recipes with my "add a little curry to the marinara" here (which is FABU) and "I'm out of this ingredient, how would this be" there attitude. My flexible attitude in the kitchen makes for some great meals, but becomes very hard to nail down on paper or pass along a recipe...but here goes!

We've become fans of one of my childhood favorites for budget cooking - imitation crabmeat. While it's definitely not up to par with Alaskan King crabmeat, it's an affordable, family-friendly alternative that still gets seafood on the table and breaks up the "what chicken dish is for dinner" monotony. Besides, it's ready-to-eat, so you don't have to cook it or deal with raw meat juice to clean up after. We've sauteed in olive oil with pasta, made a budget version of paella, and our new favorite - sandwiches!

This recipe is super fast (talking 5 mins!) unless you have to thaw the crabmeat, but even then, I only spent 15 mins in the kitchen last night, and just finished the leftovers for lunch...mmmm! I thought thawing the imitation crabmeat would be alot of brain damage, but it's either an overnight in the refrigerator (had NO time for that), or under warm/cool running water. Solution: I put the package in the sink under running water, and finished the dishes from lunch (yes, they'd been sitting in the sink most of the day. I'm happy for you if this never happens if your house) and by the time I was done the meat was thawed!

Imitation Crabmeat Salad Sandwiches
Serves: 4
ingredients:

4 brioche rolls
1 lb package imitation crabmeat, thawed
1/2 cup mayonaise (we use light mayo)
salt, pepper, basil flakes, paprika, or whatever else you like to taste!

Toast brioche rolls, I put them in my oven straight on the rack for 5 mins on 350 degrees, but only because I don't have a toaster oven handy. While toasting rolls, throw some frozen corn in the microwave or whatever side you are having with dinner. In a large bowl, break up the crabmeat by hand to smaller pieces, but not too small, large chunks are good. Add mayo and seasonings and mix. Add heaping scoops to rolls and serve.

'til next time,
It's a BusyLife
-Danielle

I did a half marathon!!

2009-10-03T13:25:00.000-04:00

Entry fee...$17.50
Number of foot massage breaks...3
Miles walked...2.5
Miles completed this morning...13.2
Finishing a half marathon before my son's first birthday...priceless!!

I'm going to go collapse now
'til next time,
It's a BusyLife
- Danielle

Heard on the street

2009-09-30T21:56:00.001-04:00

One of the interesting things about living in NYC (sometimes a guilty pleasure) is people watching/eavesdropping on the streets of the city. Sometimes it's the new parents strolling with their newborn that brings a smile to your face. Or the foreign tourists enjoying a sight you take for granted every day, reminding you why you love your neighborhood. Or the crazy person shouting to no one in particular about nothing specific or discernable.

Tonight I took a quick stroll to the market for some milk (oh, and bananas, and maybe yogurt...and why can I never walk out of the market with only what I came for??) when I was reminded how alive with activity the streets can be, even in our quiet family neighborhood on the Upper West Side. My neighborhood is a friendly one, where people will just strike up a conversation out of the blue as you share the sidewalk. Like the guy bemusing about a strikingly bright yellow sports car as we crossed the street together. Or the conversation I stumbled past, as a woman explained to her companion:

"...so we were friendly, and he said to me 'let's catch some breakfast or lunch sometime' {hands flourishing in the air}"

"then I responded nicely enough, but it was not nice, there were words or phrases hanging in the nastiness of the air, just lingering above telling me this was not"

Well, it sounded more interesting walking by :)

Apparently, I'm not the only one who enjoys listening in on street talk because there's a blog dedicated to what can be

Overheard In New York.

Til next time,

It's a BusyLife

- Danielle

Concept of space

2009-09-21T12:03:00.001-04:00

A few weekends ago we re-organized our home (with help, thanks to a deal on personal assistance at Lambent Services), and the concept of space is quite interesting. Living in Manhattan I think my concept of space is skewed to appreciate smaller quarters to begin with. My father once marvelled how I could tolerate shared walls with neighbors and how he much preferred a private home with yard. But as our little guy comes closer to mastering walking, we realized the layout of our tiny apartment just felt tinier and with cold weather approaching, we needed some space for him to spread out on the floor with toys, toddle across the room, and otherwise not worry about bumping his head on every obstacle.

Our living room was arrange so that upon entry, the dining area was directly on on the right, TV and bookcases on the far left wall, sofa facing the entry, and behind it the far wall covered with alternative bookcases and his and hers desks. This layout worked great for 4 years with two adults and a budding teen, but was very cramped once we added a new baby and all his stuff (and they do have lots of stuff!).

So...we ditched a few shelves, shifted the sofa back to the wall, moved the dining room to the left and voila!! The room opened right up!

I would highly recommend to anyone to occasionally take a hard look at your space with fresh perspective.

'til next time,
It's a BusyLife
- Danielle

Facebook down...now what?

2009-09-21T10:56:00.001-04:00

Amazing how some aspects of modern life, non-existent until recently, can become integral to our daily routines. Obviously the internet is one (the vehicle to which I am communicating with you), mobile phones (I cannot even image being off the grid for more than a day anymore...more about this in a future post), and, of late, I am re-evaluating my connection to facebook.

Facebook is a phenomenal social networking tool. As previously posted, I LOVE being connected to far-flung family and friends. I make plans with those near and far, share video and pics of the kids and enjoy quips with all the people who enrich my world. So...it's down today - uh, now what?

can't get back to Mike & Cathy to find out when they're in town for dinner

can't shut down Sorority Life while I still have the conviction

can't post this note to most of my people, because I haven't yet created an alternate distribution

In summary...it's become one of my favorite communication tools that's becoming increasingly less reliable.

I've started to blog more to lure myself away from the pretty and distracting aspects of facebook, get back to more meaningful exchanges that involve more than 140 characters, and hopefully instill more discipline into my thoughts that have been very scattered and lack the depth and clarity they previously had.

Certainly not to be mistaken with quitting Facebook or going off the grid...but definitely food for thought as facebook works through their technical difficulties on the Monday am.

Til next time,
It's a BusyLife
- Danielle