a life beyond running shoes.

i have always heard (and read) that anti-perspirant is bad for you. after reading the no impact book, i decide to change a few hygiene things.... one being my deodorant. i am using this brand. lavender scent. roll-on. i don't like it. i feel like i stink. any recommendations? i am game to try something new. again.... no anti-perspirant. no animal testing. not bad for environment. let's hear it......

i signed up for the reading program at the local library. i mean i signed the kids up as well.....we will all read 15 minutes a day..... we usually take sweet pea's morning nap as reading time....and then there is the beloved room time that will still be a part of summer routine....but 15 minutes at the least. so far...... day after night . anita diamant. i wanted to like this more than i did. it was slow to start...... it picked up in the middle. i was engrossed by the end. but it didn't really make up for the beginning. okay, maybe a little bit. story based on actual facts of post-holocaust survivors seeking refuge in palestine but find themselves in an internment camp. the story of their rescue is told through four women in the camp.... all with very different stories of the war, the life before the war, and survival through the war. food rule s: an eater's manual . of course.....i love him. how can i not.... he reminds me what food really is.... real! quick, easy rea...

did you know that we graduate from pre-k to kindergarten? it seems a bit over-the-top..... but it was sweet.....of course, we still have three days of school left. (yes we get out at the very end of june) thanks you to our wonderful teachers: ms. balaban and, seen here, ms. black. as seen here - thumbs up, elbows back, knees together, feet apart, butt up, tongue out. the dance to follow directions.....peanut had a blast.... his favorite part - the dancing! brothers..... little bit kept saying.... "i get to do this next year." sweet pea just wanted the donuts holes.....

but caught enough of the blooms that the rose gardens was still spectacular. i this is a funny picture. tied-dyed kid..... and we totally missed the bluebells. in case you have not figured it out..... we live at the botanic gardens because it is free on tuesdays. we have been going after the school pick-up and spending the afternoons there. it makes the dinner routine a bit hectic but on nights daddy is not coming home due to night meetings, it makes it totally worth it. and seriously, this kid is cute.

for whatever reason.... we had a day off of school today. we also had kindergarten orientation. found out about keyboard once a week, the cafeteria, saw classrooms, and got free bagels & coffee. then we went to the beach. yes, we have them in new york city. riis beach. with a very good friend who is getting older and will be gone for the summer. thanks, robbie! no.....sweet pea did not like being buried.....in case you were wondering. we didn't touch the water, but enjoyed our sandwiches & the playground. it is amazing how you can still bring home the smell of the beach. just figured out how to survive part of the heat this summer.... it was wonderful.

cutting for stone. abraham verghese. i actually finished our book club book before our discussion. that hasn't happened since sweet pea was born. i also think this is the first book in awhile that everyone really enjoyed..... if not loved. i am not the only consistent culprit on not finishing the books.... but this time everyone finished. we had a lively discussion.....from flat characters to plot devices to controversial characters to beautiful descriptions. we even discussed the hippocratic oath in regards to the title and themes. the backdrop of ethiopia was part of the captivating aspects of the novel and the surgical component was engaging. this one was a winner! thank you mary for the injera, cheryl for hosting, and marquetta for the delicious vegan brown rice salad.

our family joined some of our neighbors in a graffiti clean-up day. 88 degrees in the direct sun standing on concrete. our kids did great! we were team green #1. we painted over graffiti on the green mail boxes. we also picked up trash and recycling along the way. what a fun day to spend as a family! next year we might be able to stay for the bbq they hosted after..... this year, naps were necessary.

i know that no matter where you live, everyone loves outdoor space. everyone wants a nice backyard..... but here in new york it is especially desirable. when we lived in a 625 square foot apartment, it was close to doubling our space. we ate meals, played, relaxed, entertained, lived out there. in this house, we did not use our backyard until a month ago. it was concrete rumble. it was a mud pit. it was a failed vegetable garden. it was a mosquito haven. now, it is usable. we are living out there. we had two dinner engagements this week marking summer. our final community group for the summer.... pork burgers (thank you mark bittman), orzo, three philospophers beer, and apple crisp plus good conversation, laughing, and the first firefly..... then we had a nigerian, anglican pastor over for dinner. we got to hear about his nigerian tribal princess wife, his grandfather who was friends with winston churchill, and about his experience of living here in brooklyn for the past two months. ...

no impact man . by colin beavan i have been trying to figure out how to post about this book for over a week. that is right, i have been writing this post in my head for a week...... here is why: i want you to read it. and i know that most of you (my brother, my mother....okay, all my family) will dismiss it because it confirms what you really believe: that i am really that crunchy. there is has been said. i want you to read this book..... what can i write to compel you to read it? how can i spin it? how can i sell it? i can't. i will only tell you what i thought.... the decision is yours but so far this is the best book i have read this year..... he and his family (wife -prada wearing, cappuccino drinking, take-out ordering - plus toddler) try and go off the grid for a year....in new york city. no trash. no waste. no impact. want to read it yet? of course not..... that is merely strange and crazy but a slightly fascinating prospect. he is a good writer. he is honest. he is no...