Yoga: how to be less of a nut

I picked up the January issue of Vogue (found it at the office. I don't have the money or the time for high fashion magazines.) And this issue actually had some text in in - not just dramatic ads of wafer thin models with shocked looks on their faces in high winds on expensive grass.) The article was called "Balancing Act: As a new mom chasing perfection, Claire Dederer turned to yoga to quiet her neurotic tendencies. Here in an excerpt from her book "Poser: My Life in 23 Poses" she finds freedom in imperfection." I immediately related but given that my time spent reading these days adds up to about 2.4 minutes per month, I only glanced on the next page at one paragraph. It was this one below and I can't wait to get the entire book. Maybe I can finish it by the time my toddler hits highschool. 

"Mine was a generation of hollow-eyed women, chasing virtue. We, the mothers of North Seattle, were consumed with trying to do everything right. Breast-feeding was simply the first item in a long, abstruse to-do list: Cook organic baby food, buy expensive wooden toys, create an enriching home environment, sleep with your child in your bed, ensure that your house was toxin free, use cloth diapers, carry your child in a sling, dress your child in organic fibers, join a baby group so your child could develop peer attachments. And don't quit your job. But be sure to agonize over it. Also, don't forget to recycle. I looked around and saw eye bags everywhere. When I got together with my girlfriends, fun seemed not to come into the picture. Forget about going out drinking or dancing; we seldom met for coffee anymore - nothing for the baby to do."

I did a search on Claire Dederer and found that she wrote regularly for, among other publications, The New York Times, Real Simple and Gaiam's Stream of Consciousness blog.  She wrote a post about her book and I found yet another nugget of inspiration from her. Read: another moment of relief that explained my current state of mind.   So here's an excerpt from that blog entry which you can read in it's entirety on Gaiam's blog:

"I was, frankly, a nervous wreck. And then I started doing yoga. Yoga was, to be honest, part of my plan to be an even more perfect mother. I would be serene! And have that famous yoga glow! But the longer I did it, the more it made me feel that maybe I could, you know, relax a bit. Yoga was something I enjoyed, right down to my toes, and yet the notion of mastering it was absurd. I was never going to perfect my Monkey, or be able to transition from Scorpion into Chaturanga. I was faced, inexorably, with my imperfections. It took a while, but eventually yoga’s lesson — the idea that you are fine the way you are — began to take hold.

And, consequently, I started to be less of a nut at home. I began to loosen my standards. I stopped watching my husband with an eagle eye, trying to figure out how he was going to fail me next. Lo and behold, he slowly emerged from his depression. I’m not saying I was responsible for his depression, or for its fading away, but I believe it was a dynamic, and that I contributed to it."

Celebrating Valentine's Day with your little one: Where to go in NYC

I'm so excited to introduce my first guest blogger - Carla Sullivan, founder and Mommy Muncher at MiniMunchers.com.
I told her that she changed my life and it's true, because, here I was avoiding going to restaurants with my toddler.  Sure, I went out quite often back when I had one small, neatly organized diaper bag and one small, neatly organized child. Ah, I was delightful and breezed in anywhere without a care. Now that she's mobile and defiant, I dread meals in public places that don't have sufficient padding and earplugs and most of all, a sense of acceptance.  However, Carla made me realize that it wasn't the 'going out' that was the problem, it was the places I was trying to go.  MiniMunchers lists all the best places around NYC to eat - that the whole family can enjoy. No Chuck E. Cheese pizza here.  And the best part is, I'm prepared before I go. I can look up (among other things) stroller access, crayon availability, menu items and bathroom amenities.  I am so happy about this. Enjoy!
 
Carla Sullivan – Founder & Mommy Muncher

Some people think Valentine’s Day is just for couples, but we all know that having kids changes everything…If you can’t get a sitter for the BIG DAY or just want to celebrate with the kids the weekend before (hey we love our kids too!), here are some spots in NYC that will be a fun and enjoyable experience for both the adults and minis in your family.

Max Brenner –  If chocolate is what you want to eat, then get ready for a treat! Max Brenner in Union Square has everything from Chocolate Pizza to chocolate fondue and of course hot chocolate. Yes, there can be a wait (particularly at peak dining hours) but your little ones will be entertained by the huge vats of chocolate in the waiting area/chocolate store and one seated – it will be hard to keep them contained with all the chocolate delicacies waiting to be sampled!
 
Blue Smoke Jazz Brunch – For your music lover, Blue Smoke in Murray Hill’s Sunday Kids Jazz brunch is a real find! Live Jazz music, presented by the Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra, will get your minis feet tapping (dancing is encouraged) while they are waiting for their BBQ! It can get loud (so I wouldn’t bring a sleeping baby, but a screaming baby is just fine) but the food is great and the entertainment can’t be beat!

Sweetie Pie -  A favorite of Gwyneth Paltrow, this West Village spot is an adorable upscale family (and hipster) restaurant. Not only is the menu varied (for both children and adults) but if you get there early – or reserve in advance – your Minis can sit in the coveted gilded bird cage located in the front of the restaurant. The hot pink banquettes are a great second choice for your Valentine’s Day visit.

Moomah - Moomah is truly a unique spot to bring your tot in TriBeCa for the holiday. Not only is the extensive menu local, seasonal AND organic (with dairy-free and gluten-free choices) but kids are encouraged to play while they eat with incredibly beautiful and engrossing art projects specially themed for Valentine’s Day! What’s more, if you visit on Friday or Saturday the back room, usually reserved for private classes, is transformed into the “Funky Forest” for children to explore and use their imaginations. Oh – they just got their liquor license so relax and ENJOY!

HAPPY MUNCHING!
Visit www.MiniMunchers.com for the complete children’s menus of these and over 225 other great restaurants in NYC! MiniMunchers also offers weekly discounts on children’s products and classes in our “Goodie Bag” as well as advice from experts on making your eating experiences with kids enjoyable – from celebrities to restaurateurs to Moms-in- the-know!

Fashionable coffee

Coffee, on a normal day, is generally a source of great happiness for me. The deep, rich aroma of a fresh brewed french roast can, far too often, be the only motivation for getting out of bed in the morning. However, today's dose gave forth a happy discovery that put me in orbit while enjoying the mystical confluence of Nantucket Blend, Seattle and "Pedal to the metal." Can you see it!? My nailpolish matches the picture on my most favorite mug sent by my sister who works at Starbucks. See? Coffee + family + fashion = unbridled delirium.

Hide and Seek

 

Great song by Imogen Heap. 

One big beautiful cocktail ring

I've always been a sucker for jewelry.  My tastes developed pretty much from Madonna, circa 1985. Since I wore glasses and a uniform in gradeschool and highschool, that made for some pretty hilarious 'statements' on my part. How my mother didn't laugh me right out the door is beyond me. I'm sure she shook her head and chalked it up to 'expressing myself.'   Now that I've been living in New York for 14 years, I managed to absorb a few tips such as 'less is more' and 'quality over quantity' (however if we're talking those rubber neon bracelets then it will always be quantity.)  Also, the quiet streamlined sophistication of the incredibly rich in this city can be quite perplexing: is it her hair? Wait, no, it must be the handbag. Or the shoes?? I am exhausted trying to figure it out. But one thing I do know is that it's really about quality.  If you can afford it, it's one of the best accessories.  I still have a ridiculous amount of jewelry but I'd say maybe 5 or 6 pieces are really made well with quality materials. I recently attended a Twitter party put on by MomsTrends.com and the topic was accessories so the sponsors were offering 4 prizes. I considered myself duly qualified to discuss accessories what with my many years of experimentation, so it was the perfect kind of evening for me: baby was asleep,  I got to chat with people, drink wine without worrying about anyone noticing my teeth turn purple and I could wear a bathrobe.  Obviously I was plenty happy with that, being a working Mom, so my expectations didn't go any further. However, a strange thing happened. It seems that the random universe conspired to pull my name out of all the attendees and bestow upon me a most coveted, handmade cocktail ring!  This is the Bitsy cocktail ring by Laura James Jewelry. Unfortunately since I slacked on posting this, I fear the ring is no longer for sale on her site (hanging head) but the new collections are amazing - with beautiful bright spring corals and turquoises, pearly ivories and pretty pale yellows.  The best part about this ring is that the band is adjustable. It's made of a firm but flexible brass so it fits perfectly and doesn't slide around my finger like some other cocktail rings I have.  So check out Laura's site - this is the quality, the sophistication and the unique sparkle that will be your best accessory.