For the Habitually Chic Heather, inspiration and design are just two of the innumerable themes that can be found in abundance in both New York City as well as her blog.  Habitually Chic is the one-stop spot for the aspiring artist/interior designer or the curious New Yorker who is simply eager to seek out some new design tips for their ever-changing apartment and lifestyle.  Heather blogs about everything from fashion to photography and doesn’t stop there.  Anything that catches this trendsetter’s attention is worth writing about and spreading the word.  Whether you’re interested in broadening your artistic horizons or desperately needing to impress your high society friends with your knowledge of the latest in haute couture, this blog is certain to become your new go-to guide and addiction.

Tell us about your blog Habitually Chic and what you cover?

I am an interior designer and predominately cover inspiring decorating and designers on my blog (www.habituallychic.blogspot.com) but since I feel that all design is related, I also write about art, architecture, photography, fashion and books.  I am lucky to live in New York where I get to attend chic events and meet top designers and other influential stylemakers.  My readers love hearing about my adventures and appreciate my insider access, candor and humor.  Decorating is not always glamorous! 

Why did you start your blog? 

I was working for a top interior designer and would check out design blogs in my spare time.  I happened to read Style Court and The Peak of Chic who were both covering the soon to be opened Charlotte Moss Townhouse.  It got me thinking that if two bloggers in Atlanta were discussing something that I walked by everyday, then maybe I should start my own blog and write about the design world from the New York perspective.

What brought you to New York?

I had wanted to live in New York since I was little and was lucky to work for a company in Boston that had an office here which I transferred to August 2001.  Not exactly the best timing but it made me a real New Yorker right away!

What do you love about living in New York?

I love that you can get anything you want delivered at any time of the day!  I also love that magazines and movies come out earlier in New York than other cities so we get to see things first!  But what I love most are all the wonderful museums and galleries.  I could never live without art!

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Having a dream!  I don’t think anyone would move into a shoe box sized apartment unless they were working toward a larger goal!  The fun part is meeting people and finding out what that dream is…fashion designer, famous movie star, successful business mogul or top model.  Since there are so many people living here who have already achieved their dream, it definitely keeps you motivated to keep going!

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

That we really are nice and helpful! It may take a minute to get their attention but New Yorkers will gladly give a tourist directions or help someone in need.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The energy!  I miss the all the people and hustle and bustle even though that’s what sometimes annoys you when you live here!

What’s your favorite home store?

I have two favorite stores.  The first is Gracious Home.  It is the go to place for every interior designer in the city since they sell everything you could every possibly need including the kitchen sink!  And they deliver! My second favorite store is Pearl River.  They have great selection of Asian home accessories and tableware at a great price.  The rice bowls are perfect for displaying beaded necklaces or matches from all the New York restaurants.  The possibilities are endless! 

Best place to find a design bargain?

Talk to any designer and they will tell you how much they love the Housing Works Thrift Shops!  My best find was a matching set of gold rimmed champagne and wine glasses but you can find amazing furniture and art if you are lucky and get there at the right time.

Best place to find design inspiration?

I think that it’s important to visit the expensive antique shops even if you can’t afford anything so you can educate yourself and train your eye so you know what to look for when you go to the flea markets! 

Best place to get away from the tourists?

I love that just a few blocks over from Broadway in Soho, the streets are quiet and peaceful.  Elizabeth and Crosby Streets have wonderful little boutiques that are never crowded. 

What’s the last movie that you saw?

I just saw the Valentino documentary at the Film Forum and in the audience was one of the fashion reporters in the movie! 

Strangest/ coolest NY experience you have ever had?

I was walking to Bed Bath and Beyond when I looked over and saw a man in full cowboy regalia riding a horse down First Avenue!  And there was no camera crew following him.  It’s those crazy only in New York moments that make living here so much fun!

What are some of your favorite home decorating tips?

Post A Comment And Let Us Know!

New to New York City?  Unsure of how to start looking for an apartment? Curious about where you can start making friends?  For many of these answers, you can turn to New York City newbie, Mary Hilton’s blog.  She made the move to the city from Washington D.C. a few years ago.  Living in New York City had been a dream of hers for a while, and once she made the move she found that her friends and family were extremely eager to know how she was doing and how she managed to make all of the logistics of her move work.  In an effort to appease her friends and keep fellow “newbies” informed, Mary started a blog.  Newbienyc is an excellent source for NYC-centric How To’s, local events, and posts that remind you why this city is so great.  So whether you’re a native or a newcomer there’s something to learn from checking out this blog!   

Tell us about your blog and how you got started?

When I moved to NYC about two years ago, my friends back in DC kept asking about life here. So to avoid telling the same stories time and again, I started my blog. It really just grew from there. I started getting questions on specifically how to move here – find housing, make friends, etc. so I added some ‘how to’ info. And as my passion is arts, culture and theater, I also found myself an avid critic. The blog kept me sane while looking for work and having so much free time on my hands. 

What brought you to New York? 

I’d always wanted to live here, yearned for it. I had three major turning points in a short space of time – the death of my mom, the end of a relationship, and hitting 40. I realized that if I didn’t live my dream now, it would never happen. So I quit my job in DC, put my belongings on Craig’s List, and just became a New Yorker.  

What do you love about living in New York?

Certainly the excitement and the culture. This is a city that makes you feel alive every single day. The freedom to be truly, authentically yourself. But really, it is the people that make New York so extraordinary. 

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

The ‘f-you’ attitude of ‘this is who I am, take it or leave it.’ And an unabashed loyalty to and love of the city. 

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

That at its heart, this city of 8 million really is a small town. There is a thread of connection that runs through all New Yorkers that is really quite extraordinary.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The noise, excitement, and ability to get ice cream at three in the morning. 

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

Accept every invitation without fail. You never know what you are in for. Someone may casually ask you to a gallery opening, and you find yourself among celebrities and your favorite artists. Go to an off-broadway show and you may wind up sitting next to the playwright. Most importantly, don’t be a wallflower. Talk to people, hear their stories, and connect. The only way to survive in this city is to have a personal and social network. 

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

I get a thrill every time I see the Empire State Building lit up in the skyline.  

Best place to dine late night?

Any diner. 

Best live music venue?

Cornelia Street Cafe. Or anywhere in Central Park in the summer.  

What’s the last cultural thing that you did?

The Peruvian movie ‘Oblivion’ at Film Forum, my favorite cinema in the city, followed by a walk around the Village for springtime people watching.  

Strangest/coolest NY experience you have ever had?

Being casually asked last-minute to a ‘little gathering’ at a Chelsea art gallery, showing up to discover a red carpet charity event where I got to interview Claire Danes for my blog. Again, accept every invitation, no matter how tired you are! 

Best area or neighborhood for fun on a budget?

The Lower East Side reminds me of the New York I fell in love with years ago. Raw in spots, there is an unbridled energy that has not been suppressed by chain stores or incongruous architecture. 

Best way to spot a trend?

For fashion, you’ll learn everything you need to know about coming trends across the country by people watching. Don’t fall into a dream state when walking to and from the subway, easy as it is to do. Look around, take in the people, and you’ll see patterns that will predict the next must-haves. 

What is the best advice you could give to someone who has just moved to New York City?

Post A Comment And Let Us Know!

There is an old Irish saying that reads, “Men are like bagpipes – no sound comes from them until they are full.”  This might explain why there is never a quiet (or dull) moment at 11377’s famous burger joint – Donovan’s Pub!  This lively Irish tavern has been a favorite among the locals for the past forty years – providing Woodside, Queens with the #1 rated hamburger in New York, 365 days a year.  The local landmark also makes their own fries – reportedly selling over 300 lbs. of fresh potatoes a day, and luckily for you there’s no potato famine in sight!  If you happen to find yourself in Woodside, be sure to step inside Donovan’s Pub and order their highly acclaimed hamburger.  For now, sit back and watch Show Host Christopher as he bites into some of Queens’ local flavor!

Donovan’s Pub

57-24 Roosevelt Avenue/11377

What NYC spot do you think makes the best hamburger?

Post A Comment And Let Us Know!

“Break from the Norm” Burgers: Del Frisco’s, Ruby’s, Great Jones Cafe

By The NYC Food Guy

In this “burger obssessed age“, where beef on a bun is the restaurant industry’s lone recession-proof dish, NYC Food Guy is here to shed some light on three burgers that are a break from the normal fare.  One’s both beauty and beast, one’s from Down Under and the last is just a heart-stopper.  Read on for three different takes on an American classic…

Beauty & The Beast

10 oz. Prime Burger ($15.95, served at lunch only) with cheddar, lettuce, tomato & onion

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House

1221 6th Avenue at 49th Street

New York, NY 10020

212-575-5129

If you’re looking to eat a beast of a burger in a beautiful atmosphere, Del Frisco’s burger is for you.  The burger arrived topped with sharp cheddar and complementary sugar-cured bacon which had been slow-cooked 4 hours.  The slightly-sweet bun was lightly toasted but remained airy and soft.

As a steak house burger, the sweet flavor of the beef shined through foremost, so much so that ketchup isn’t really necessary.   The fresh-tasting 10 ounce patty arrived a perfectly cooked to order medium rare but the slow-cooked bacon stole the show. It was incredibly savory and melted in your mouth, some of the finest bacon I’ve tasted.

The mildly sharp cheddar offered a flavor that didn’t meld with the clean-tasting burger.  The bun also had issues,  it was too flimsy to stand up to the juiciness of a burger this size.  As you can see below, the burger overtook the bun resulting in final bites that were all burger and no bread.

At $11.95 per order, the onion rings are sweet and crispy but unnecessary.  They failed to enhance the burger when placed on top and eaten in the sandwich and they stole valuable stomach space.  The homemade potato chips were similarly defeating, arriving room temperature and lacking any purpose of flavor.  Steer clear of both, in addition to the complementary bread offered at the beginning of the meal, if you want to get your moneys worth with the burger.

The Australian Burger

Whaleys ($12.50) Premium ground beef, tomato, lettuce, beet, pineapple, fried egg, ketchup

Bronte ($11) Premium ground beef, tomato, lettuce, sweet chili, mayo, cheese

Ruby’s Cafe & Bar

219 Mulberry Street b/t Spring St. & Prince St.

New York, NY 10012

212-925-5755

This easy-to-miss, 4-table Australian bar and cafe offers 5 types of burgers, two with chicken breast, in addition to some interesting pastas, paninis, salads and breakfast until 1pm.  No French fries or chips are offered.  The Whaleys, seen below, is the most unique burger on the menu but it’s diverse ingredients didn’t create any harmony around the meatloaf-like burger.

More aptly described as a massive meat sandwich, the Whaleys arrives on a crisp but untoasted ciabatta roll which hardly hugs the cumbersome ingredients.  It’s awkward texturally and poorly constructed, the entire sandwiched dominated by the sweetness of the pineapple and ketchup cut against the garlicky beef patty. The overcooked fried egg repelled from the burger and the cold beets, tomato and pineapple continued to detract from the overall unity.  Only the accompanying mixed greens salad dressed in a savory balsamic vinaigrette shined.

The Bronte burger (below), made famous at Kingswood, another Australian restaurant owned by Ruby’s proprietors, was more in tune overall.  Sweet chili sauce and mayo rest atop two slices of melted Swiss cheese which keeps the burger tied to the ciabatta.  I recommend this burger, which may be better as a chicken breast sandwich, over the Whaleys.

If I return to Ruby’s, it would be to pair a non-burger offering with one of their three Australian beers: James Boag, Coopers and Lucky.  Lucky ($7), which comes in a Buddha shaped bottle, was delicious, reminiscent of a lighter, more bubbly Red Stripe.

The Heart-Stopper

Chili Bacon Cheeseburger ($16)

Great Jones Cafe

54 Great Jones Street b/t Lafayette St. & Bowery

New York, NY 10012

(212) 674-9304

 My first impression: “Wow, I am a carnivore.”  This meat-lover’s burger, served in the cozy, dimly lit confines of this friendly bar and restaurant delivers 3 slices of well-crisped bacon and a light coating of “Mission” beef chili (beef, red beans, celery) crowned atop a massive, griddled beef patty.  It’s all sandwiched between an airy yet sturdy bun from Parisi bakery, the top half of which a healthy amount of cheddar is melted upon.

Overall this massive burger lacked the flavor punch one would hope for.  The juicy yet slightly overcooked burger would have benefited from a nice charbroiling, the flavor of smoke and fire would have added some much needed depth.  The bacon was superfluous, hearty but standard.  The “Mission” beef chili, one of a rotating menu of chili, was mild and thin.  After failing to create the spice I desired by adding some El Yucateco habanero hot sauce, I requested some chopped green jalapenos to add onto the burger.  The flavor of the peppers was a nice touch, but the spicy bite I desired to complement the sweetness of the bun, was missing.

Opt for the sweet potato fries, some of the best I’ve had, over the hand-cut fries below.  The sweet potato fries cut through the saltiness of the chili cheese burger but the heavily-salted regular hand-cut fries, made from a darker potato than your standard Idaho, didn’t complement the burger quite as well.   They would, however, make a great base for chili cheese fries.

I’d just as soon return to Great Jones Cafe to drink as I would to sample some of their other reasonably priced home-cooked offerings such as the Barbque Ribs or the Garlic Shrimp Sautee. A new menu of daily specials accompanies the quality beer menu, which during Happy Hour (5-7PM Daily) allows you to enjoy a $3 pint while listening to Bluegrass on the old school jukebox.

What’s the worst burger you’ve ever had in New York City?

Post a Comment And Let Us Know!

A caravan is most commonly known as a large group of traders or travelers who strike out on a journey together through hostile territories. In the jungles of New York City, it’s important for consumers to band together and do the same. It’s a dangerous world out there for the uninformed shopper, so sharing as many resources and tricks as one can is a necessity for survival in this city! This is why Caravan founders, Brian and Claudine Gumbel, are able to take such pride in the achievement of their fashionably acclaimed mobile shopping center. In June of 2005, Brian and Claudine converted an RV into a portable clothing store – carrying some of the most exclusive fashions in the city. The Caravan has been known to drive to hotels, apartment buildings, offices – and even Staten Island – to bring fashion & convenience to the most spontaneous of shoppers. Since its creation The Caravan has seen great success, and the result has been more permanent roots on the Upper East Side at a spin-off store called Caravan91. The Caravan is a fabulous attraction worth checking out, for even the laziest of shoppers. It’s an experience unto itself. So if you happen to catch the Caravan rolling by, be sure to hail it down and jump right in – which is exactly what our Dress Code host Sasha did in the Boogie Down Bronx!

Caravan91
128 E 91st Street, 10128
www.shopcaravan.com

What are some of your favorite alternative shopping destinations?

Post a comment and let us know!

Do you feel as if your iTunes library is lacking? Is Pandora no longer exciting your aural senses? Are your musical preferences the butt of your hipster friends’ jokes? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, Burn the Bowery and it’s creator Steve are here to help. Steve’s indie music blog offers an extensive selection of independent and DIY artists to continually stimulate anyone’s musical tastes. This blog features up to date music news, concert listings, album reviews, and artist video interviews. Regardless of whether or not you are a wannabe or an already established music junkie, there is always something unknown and unheard of that is worth discovering on this site.

What brought you to New York?

One of those rare native New Yorkers, I guess. I was actually born and raised in the NY area. Have lived in Astoria for the past 7 years or so.

What do you love about living in New York?

Wow! There’s a lot of things, I love the accessibility of NY, just being able to get basically anything you want or need at any given time. Also there’s an endless amount to do or see & being a music fan it’s one of the best cities to see live music. Tons of great NY bands and everybody else usually comes thru the city when on tour.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Being resilient.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

Think we’re actually more patient then anyone gives us credit for. We put up with a lot throughout a day…

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The energy of the city. Have traveled a decent amount and haven’t been anywhere yet that can match NYC’s energy.

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

The Statue Of Liberty/Ellis Island, there may not be a better place that captures the history of the city. Plus all my grandparents went through there.

Best place to dine late night?

Well I don’t know if you’d consider it “dining,” but one of my favorites after a good night being out on the town is Rosario’s Pizza on Orchard & Stanton. Could be the best slice in the 5 boroughs! Say hi to Sal if you’re there, the man is a NYC legend.

Best live music venue?

It’s a shame a lot of good one’s have closed down over the years, but Bowery Ballroom is still a great place to see live music.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)?

Museum of the Moving Image

Strangest NY experience you have ever had?

It might be getting stuck in the middle of a fight between a pimp and a Kennedy Chicken worker armed with an electric knife.

Best area or neighborhood for people watching?

You really can’t go wrong anywhere in New York people watching, but Alphabet City has always been an old favorite.

Strangest NYC moment?

You mean besides the pimp fight?? Maybe watching a guy fall through a glass table and still managing to keep his cigarette lit.

burnthebowery.blogspot.com

Who’s your favorite band or musician this month?

Post A Comment And Let Us Know!

What started as an innovative way for a public relations company to utilize the internet, has become an all encompassing source for arts and entertainment events in NYC. Termeh Mazhari not only uses New York Buzz to promote and endorse her PR clients, but also posts reviews of new shows, interviews with trendsetters, and info for all sorts of art exhibits. And Mazhari wants to hear from you. If you went to the Francisca Bastos Jewelry Show or caught a performance of Celebrity Autobiography at the Triad, tell her about it. If you want to spread the word about an event of your own, shoot her an email. Log on to see what all the buzz is about!

Tell us about your blog: New York Buzz is a perso-professional blog that reaches out to New Yorkers who want to hear about cool new happenings in their city (and occasionally beyond). I first launched the blog in April, 2008, soon after AMP3 Public Relations (an A&E-focused PR firm in NYC) hired me as their social media publicist.

The initial purpose of the blog was to offer an up-close-and-personal portrait of our clients (most of whom are in the entertainment industry), but it also featured their latest news and events. In September 2008, I decided to open up my blog to non-clients. So now, anyone who has an interesting New York event they want to promote can just shoot me an email and I might feature it on my blog.

What brought you to New York?

I work in the city, but actually live in Great Neck, Long Island, which is only a 22 minute express train ride away from Penn Station. I came to New York from Philadelphia in search of better work opportunities and a more exciting, multicultural environment. Does moving to New York ever really need a reason though?

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Well, the obvious answer would be ATTITUDE – and, although that’s certainly true, I’d also add that it’s their open-mindedness and willingness to think outside the box.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The late-night store hours! It truly is the city that never sleeps.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

I like to browse New York Magazine’s Sales & Bargain section for info on upcoming sample sales at clothing stores. I’m also surprised that more people aren’t aware that most NYC museums have “pay what you wish” days – check out here for details.

And lately, I’ve been loving Restaurant.com. They have hundreds of Manhattan restaurants in their database and you can get discounted coupons for dirt cheap! (another secret: there’s almost always a discount code to make the coupons even cheaper!). I just bought a 25 dollar coupon for only 4 dollars!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

The Flatiron building! I walk by it every single day on my way to work and it never ceases to take my breath away! It’s simply stunning.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

I went to see Celebrity Autobiography at the Triad theater! Abso-friggin-hilarious! Kristen Johnston’s spot-on reading of Zsa Zsa Gabor’s autobiography almost made me wet my pants!

Best area or neighborhood for fashion steals?

SoHo! On Broadway, between Canal and Houston – lots of small boutiques with great, fun finds that won’t break your wallet!

www.newyorkbuzz.org

What is Your New York Buzz?

Tell us all about it!

Scott Lipps has dedicated himself to making you almost as cool as he is. He has created a blog to bring you what he calls “Fast Forward Pop Culture.” It is a one-stop reference guide for everything new and cool in pop culture. Scott spends hours researching everything from what you should buy to where you should eat and what you should watch. And, of course, only the newest Macbook, newest fashion line at H&M, newest play to hit Broadway, newest art book, and newest food event make thenewblog.

Tell us about your blog and how you got started? I used to read countless things looking and seeking out all the hot new things in pop culture and tearing things out of every kind of publication I could get my hands on. Thus, I saw a necessity to have all this info under one roof, hence the newblog.

What brought you to New York?

I was a rock n roll drummer playing in a very popular LA band called Black Cherry… we featured Paul Black, the singer of LA Guns. I had an injury and started working in management and next thing you know, a few years later, came to NY to partner in a modeling agency. Now One Management is becoming a great entertainment company with branches in fashion, film and music.

What do you love about living in New York?

I love the urgency and excitement of NY. It’s like no other city. But I have to be honest, it can also wear you out if you go out as much as I do… lol.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Honesty and integrity, that’s all about NY. NYers are a breed unto themselves.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

You can pass the same street 5 times and see something new all the time. There is so much to see and do here culturally that you never feel like you’ve exhausted all your options.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

I miss hopping in a cab and jumping from place to place, and the energy in the streets. Love the west side, Battery Park too. It feels like I’m in another city, not to mention the amazing food and culture.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

The best tips? Read thenewblog.net!!!!! I spend hours on researching what’s hot, new and happening in cities like NY and it all comes to you free of charge!!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

Never done one in NY, but I’d have to say those cheesy tourist buses. I took one in London and I was able to see things I probably would have missed on other trips. Cheesy, but fun.

Best place to dine late night?

Love Sushi Seki. Although I haven’t hit it too many late nights, apparently it’s open real late.

Best live music venue?

Still like Irving Plaza or the Fillmore, but I feel like the time is right for a new music venue! Stay tuned for details…

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

Probably the Chappelle show at the Shifrazi gallery!

Best people watching?

Bar Pitti, always a good scene.

What is the newest, hottest thing in New York we should know about?

Where do we start? So many… I have to refer back to my blog. You’ll hear about lots of the NEW best stuff around.

Best place to throw a party?

Have to go with my home away from home at the Gramercy Park Hotel Rose Bar, always family night for me.

www.thenewblog.net

What’s Your Newest and Hottest NY Discovery?
Tell us all about it!

If you think you have to be part of a couple to get the most out of life, think again. Our Code Word contributor, Sherri Langburt, is full of expert advice on life beyond dating. Whether it’s travel ideas, beauty tips, financial guidance, or recipes for entertaining, the founder of lifestyle blog Single Edition has something to say. Log on to find new ways to enjoy your freedom and get the most out of single life!

Slim Solutions for Singles
How to Treat the 3 Common Weight Loss Dilemmas

There are few hot eligible bachelors in the city where I live and my dentist is one of them.
Not that he needed it but at my last check-up he appeared looking leaner than ever in his dusted blue medical uniform. “A lifestyle change now that I hit 40, thanks to Weight Watchers,” he confessed.

A subterranean room filled with POINT pinching women was hardly the weight loss approach you would expect from such a man. Having worked for the company myself for more than four years I was hardly surprised.

You see, for the single man or woman, Weight Watchers meetings and Weight Watchers online offer flexibility and support that is essential for sustainable healthy weight loss. And now that they recently launched a program specifically for men, Weight Watcher’s has officially resurrected itself from the image it had in the 1970’s.

Let’s face it. When it comes to eating right, there is a unique set of challenges we as singles face on a daily basis. A hectic, on-the-go lifestyle and schedule can mean dining out more frequently and a need for faster, friendlier foods. It may also require behavior modification techniques and healthy cooking skills for home alone evenings. With this in mind, Single Edition captured the diet challenges of three real-life singles and how they overcame their dilemmas.

Scenario One: Andrew, a recently divorced father of three teenagers, is tired of eating tuna fish sandwiches for dinner on nights when he does not have the kids. He enjoys cooking but does not know how to begin preparing healthy meals on his own.

Diet Rx: Healthy recipes and cooking tips are right at your fingertips online, at diet companies like WeightWatchers.com and SparkPeople.com. Other good sources are magazine publishers such as Self and Shape Magazines, as well as food manufacturers such as Dole Foods, Splenda, etc. Andrew, a big grilling and Chinese food fan, started off by making Tex-Mex Burgers with Charred Onion, Salsa and Avocado and has since added Cashew Chicken and Orange Beef Stir Fry to his repertoire of healthy recipes.

Scenario Two: Mark, an avid cyclist at 36, never had a problem managing his weight. Ordering late night take-out alone at his desk is finally catching up with him at the gym. He wants to shave fifteen pounds and is searching for a portable and convenient weight-loss program that will get his body back where it needs to be for peak performance training.

Diet Rx: A pre-prepared meal plan is the perfect solution for newbie desk dieters like Mark. While companies like Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig cater to the on-the-go crowd with single-serve portable meals, the food tends to be less-than-fresh, TV-dinner quality. Instead, many single professionals are signing up for gourmet alternatives which offer fresh chef-inspired meals that have far less preservatives. Mark found success with New York based NuKitchen Food, which offers a corporate solution program for professionals on-the-job. Similar services are available in cities across North America, including MagicCook, BistroMD and Chefs Diet.

Scenario Three: At 37, Karen made a decision to have a child on her own. Now more than two years later she is having a hard time shedding the baby weight. Given the pressures of her new role as a Mom, Karen is struggling with out of control emotional eating for the first time in her adult life and is in need of support.

Diet Rx: Stress, loneliness and boredom are symptoms that more often than not trigger over-eating. The good news is that in addition to Weight Watchers and Overeaters Anonymous, which offer support in a real-life group setting, many individuals are finding the help they need on the Internet. Karen found mom-mom support she needed on ClubMom’s diet and fitness message board. Now instead of turning to food to placate her feelings she is able to connect with like-minded women for advice and help.

In this rushed, overscheduled and often stressful age, there are a variety of healthy eating, diet and lifestyle options available to help keep us in optimum shape. Talk to friends, scour the internet and empower yourself with these available tools that can connect you with others similarly situated or help you on your own in your quest to shed weight, improve your health and live a more comfortable and fit life. There are options galore; just make up your mind to do it and then find the method that is best for you.

For more of Sherri’s single insights click here.

Like this entry? Check out more from our Code Words contributors here.

What Are Your Healthy Lifestyle Efforts? Share Us Your Tips and Recipes!

Chris Boggiano is a hero, a conservationist, and a local historian. After graduating from West Point, Chris was deployed to Iraq and served in the US Army for five years. Upon returning home, he decided to do his part to help fix the country’s energy dependence problems and started Everblue Energy. Sharing philosophies on efficiency and sustainability, Everblue Energy shows you all the little things you can do to make a big difference in preserving our natural resources.

Tell us about your blog: My friends always make fun of me because I’m the guy who has to write letters to anyone who writes a book or newspaper article to give them my two cents. A blog is kind of the same thing, only I don’t actually have to bother someone to give my opinion.

Also, it’s safe to say that I’m addicted to reading random articles buried deep in the newspaper that most folks don’t get to. Occasionally, I’ll email out those articles to friends, and I’m always amazed at how much people enjoy getting them from me. Sometimes I think they’re just being polite and really send those emails straight to their spam folder, but in case they’re not, I like the idea of having a blog so that I can share more of that kind of stuff without getting annoying.

What brought you to New York?

I’m actually from just across the river in Jersey City. I was born and raised there. From the street corner of my highschool downtown you could look one direction to see the twin towers and another to see the Statue of Liberty.

What do you love about living in New York?

The food. I was in the Army for five years and got to live in places like Germany, Kosovo, Iraq, Korea and Kentucky. Each place has its own local specialties that are awesome, but everything else is garbage (try eating pizza in the south). New York has all of the good stuff from everywhere else all in one spot.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

The never quit spirit. I’ve worked with people from everywhere around the world, and hands down, pretty much every New Yorker that I know will never take “no” for an answer. I can’t say the same for everyone else.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

It’s a small world. There’s millions of people in a very small area, but we’re all on top of each other, so it’s inevitable that we cross paths so often.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The traffic! Ok, not really. When I leave I miss my family the most because they played such a large role in my life growing up. I’m something like 24th generation Italian-American. If there was an Italian on the Mayflower, he was probably a relative of mine. So, I’ve got a million cousins that live all over the NY area. It killed me not seeing them all of the time while I was living overseas with the Army.

Best tips, tricks or insider info. for Green living?

I think it’s safe to say that 99% of the population isn’t willing to give up their creature comforts to save the planet. I can’t really blame them. Beyond trying to tell people to at least do little things that will cumulatively make a big difference we are working to change the system and encourage people to think differently. When looking for an apartment, a house, or a building always tell your realtor that you would like more green options. That will get the message out to the building industry to build greener.

Chicago’s Take Five Pledge is something everyone can do to make a difference.

1. Change four of the most commonly used lights in a house to compact fluorescent lightbulbs.
2. Turn off the water while you’re brushing your teeth.
3. Replace one car trip a month with biking or public transit.
4. Plant ONE tree.
5. Stop using plastic shopping bags.

None of these things require much effort, but if everyone did them it would add up. If everyone in NYC did just the first thing on the list it would be the equivalent of taking something like 160,000 cars off the road.

Best piece of local history that you secretly love?

The Dutch first visited the Hudson River in the early 1600’s. In the 1970’s, my father was a motorcycle cop in Jersey City. There was a bad storm and it washed away part of the Palisades to reveal an old Dutch catacomb that they had tunneled into the cliffs. Some kids discovered it, went inside, and found a bunch of Dutch bodies that had been buried in there that were encased in lead to prevent the spread of disease. The kids took one of the entombed bodies and carried it outside and broke it open (boys will be boys). Inside was a perfectly preserved, blond hair, blue eyed little girl.

Since it happened in Jersey City, no one really cared about it. The city dug a hole by some nearby railroad tracks and buried the body. They then filled in the entrance to the catacomb with cement. It’s still there, you just can’t get inside.

I love to walk from my house to that spot and hope that someday the powers that be will knock down the cement wall and go back inside and preserve what’s left in there. You can’t find history much older than that in the US. It’s been sitting there for 400 years, so at least it’s not going anywhere.

Best place to dine late night?

I’ve always loved Mike’s Papaya in Manhattan. They have $.25 hotdogs and my friends and I always find our way over there at the end of the night. After drinking, I’d happily pay $10 for the same thing and not care.

Best live music venue?

Liberty State Park in Jersey City. It’s right on the water overlooking Manhattan, Hudson Bay, and the Statue of Liberty. It really doesn’t get better than that.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

I can’t even remember. I’m terrible with “culture” although I wish that I wasn’t. If I visit another city, I’ll go see all of their cultural attractions because I know that I might not be back for a while. In NY, I manage to tell myself “I’ll do that next weekend,” but never get around to it. I went to a Yankee game in the spring if that counts.

Best people watching?

Anywhere near the water. Folks like to go walking there so you can see lots of people that way.

Best ways to make old NYC apt. buildings energy efficient?

The average house and apartment building in the NY area is very old compared to the rest of the country. The good news is that old places there are generally smaller than modern places, which means they have less space to heat in the winter or cool in the summer.

However, old places are also terribly inefficient. Air sealing is the most cost effective way to fix the problem. By that, I mean filling in all of the little gaps and cracks around a house (around windows, doors, etc.) that let air leak to the outside. It’s cheap to do because it usually doesn’t require much more than a caulk gun, and just about anyone can do it. The best part is it’ll make a place way more comfortable because it’ll reduce drafts in the winter.

In a world of “enviro friendly” products, what is worth the money and what is clever marketing? How do we spot the difference?

I actually named our company Everblue because I was sick of seeing so much green marketing and wanted to try out a new color. Nowadays, they’re practically advertising gasoline as green, so it can be confusing to know what’s good and what’s garbage.
Generally, any gizmo that claims to cut your energy bill by 80% is a bunch of crap. The same holds true for any other product – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. A good way to determine if something is legit is to ask whether it’s backed by an authority in the field such as Energy Star, which is a government sponsored energy efficiency program. Usually products have to undergo independent testing to get those certifications, so it’s more than someone just re-branding the same old stuff and calling it “green.”

www.everblueenergy.com

What are you doing to “green” up your world?

Tell us all about it!