Bon Voyage

January is an exceptionally busy business travel month for me - hence the recent lack of Printed Thoughts. While my company shall remain unnamed for anonymity sake, I will say that thus far in the new year, I have been in Florida for one week, and now I'm in Utah for another...well, with a couple personal ski days thrown into the mix to round everything out.

Don't get me wrong - I very much enjoy traveling to a destination, but there's no question that the traveling part in itself is just plain exhausting.

How does one make the hauling of the luggage, the cramped economy cabin, the long lines through security, and the flight itself more bearable? Via trial and error, I've singled out several absolutely essential carry-on items that make a flight of any duration infinitely more enjoyable. Sure, a book is nice to have, a laptop is too, a newspaper perhaps, an orange and a homemade sandwich, but the following select items are my TOP picks. Here they are, fresh out of my carry-on bag:



Pashmina Scarf/Shawl - Stylish AND practical! With airline blankets seemingly becoming more scarce, this helps keep you warm on a chilly plane.

Large Bottle of Water - Unfortunately, bottles must be purchased once past security, but in-flight hydration is key. I also find it reassuring to have water at my disposal in the event I sleep through beverage service.

iPod/Headphones - "Wailing Baby in the Seat in Front of You" scenario? Hellooo, peace and quiet.

Inflatable Neck Pillow - Ridiculous looking? Absolutely. But, I don't care because head-bobbing and neck-cramping can ruin what would have otherwise been a restful nap. I tote this along on longer flights where I'll be attempting to sleep a decent amount. This one is nice because it folds up into a small little bag. No lugging around an over-stuffed u-shaped donut, thank you very much. A little neck support can go a long way.

Lip Balm - Agh! Never travel without one!

Small Moisturizing Lotion (3 oz. or smaller) - Essential in-flight for both hands and face. That re-circulated cabin air is dry stuff.

Translucent Powder Compact with mirror - This one by Lorac is fantastic because it's so portable. A little sweep here and there, and viola! Unwanted oil and shine is concealed, leaving the skin natural-looking and matte.

Now, speaking of travel, I came across this amusing, yet slightly disconcerting sign, positioned at the beginning of the security line at LaGuardia airport. I suppose it was fitting for all those seasonal holiday travelers, but what has this world come to when snow globes of all things are considered prohibited items in carry-on bags? Regardless, I still have no complaints about extra security measures. Better to travel safe...and with a few strategic carry-on items, at least with a little more comfort and sanity.

What are your carry-on essentials?

Oh, Christmas Tree

It's a little depressing after the holiday season to walk past "evergreen carnage" piled up on the sidewalk.

You see, Christmas tree vendors pop up all over New York City immediately following Thanksgiving, so the public's purchase of trees is a gradual process that goes by fairly unnoticed. But then factor in approximately 1.7 million people living in Manhattan alone, and just imagine how many trees could have accumulated in all those apartments! January 1st is the day they all start coming out of the woodwork...or more like down the elevators and flights of stairs...only to be piled up with yesterday's trash.

It's a very sad sight to see a dried-up tree, stripped of all its holiday cheer. Why so soon? Only a couple weeks earlier, these magical trees were the center of attention; decked out in fancy lights, showcased in every family photo, their sweet organic aroma filling an entire apartment.

It made me wonder. What happens to all these trees anyway? What becomes their final resting place?

Well I am very happy to report that New York City's Department of Sanitation gets an A+, Gold Star in my book for its evergreen recycling efforts. According to their website, "Clean, non-bagged Christmas trees that are left at the curb between Monday, January 4th and Friday, January 15th will be collected, chipped, and made into compost. The compost will be processed and subsequently spread upon parks, ball fields, and community gardens throughout the city."

Two days left!

The site also reminds residents that in order for their tree to be properly mulched, all tree stands, tinsel, lights, and ornaments MUST be removed.

So, jump on the recycling bandwagon fellow tree-huggers. In January 2009, the Department collected 122,235 discarded Christmas trees. Check out NYC's Department of Sanitation's Website or the one in your area, to do your part in mulchin' that tree. Just please don't let it be taken away with the trash.

Return of the Thoughts!

Where did vacation go? I just can't comprehend how 12 days of relaxation and cookies and bubbly and hot chocolate and snow and adventures melted away with '09. Waaah. I diligently toted my MacBook along with me in my travels throughout the Northeast, but failed to actually remove it from its computer case, let alone take it out of my bag. Whoops. At least I meant well. Though I firmly believe that vacation is all about going off-the-grid for a little bit and disconnecting oneself, if ever so slightly, from technology.

HAPPY NEW YEAR by the way!

I have SO much to fill you in on. Like how I saw AVATAR (awesome - I want to be a Na'vi), cooked/ate lots of deliciousness, went skiing in -1 degree base temps (not awesome), celebrated New Year's Eve in Boston, spent quality time with family and friends, and oh-so-many more exciting adventures in CT, VT, NH, and MA. First, though, I shall vent via blogging and complain about my not-so-glamourous first two days back in the Big Apple because it's only inevitable that a relaxing vacay must give way to some frustrating back-to-reality moments. 1.) I tossed and turned all night last night because of the street lights glaring in through my window. 2.) Was rudely shoved not once, but twice on the subway this morning while stepping aside (like a good citizen) to let other passengers off. 3.) Stepped in dog poop. 4.) Could NOT obtain an open cardio machine at my gym despite my sketchy lingering near the ellipticals. 5.) Staples was sold out of the only essential computer item I specifically trekked in to find and 6.) Purchased an over-priced box of Museli from a Natural Foods market that I ate, then realized - after eating a bowl that tasted slightly off - was infested with squiggling green worms. *Sigh* I know, not the end of the world. But tomorrow is a new day and 2010 an exciting new year!

I shall now direct your attention to the darned most adorable product design there ever was for a Snuggie (as if saying the word "Snuggie" wasn't cute enough). I am convinced Snuggies will take over the world. I came across this in the checkout line at a Walmart in New Hampshire. Trust me - it was cold enough up there that miniature Dauschhunds and Bichon Frise's really do need their own fleece blankets with leg holes and cowl necks. Not that I own a little dog. But if I did for some reason unbeknownst to me, he or she would certainly be wearing one in blue.

"Brown Bag" Resolution

I decided yesterday, after purchasing yet another over-priced 1/2 sandwich baguette from my favorite little lunch spot, Pret a Manger, that one of my {many} new year's resolutions moving into 2010 will read as follows:

"Brown-bag healthy lunch to work at least 4 times per week."

My hopes are that this spirited endeavor, (soon to to be logged into my Filofax for safekeeping), will a.) Save me some pennies b.) Hone my Top Chef gourmet sandwich-building culinary skills and c.) Result in lunches I will still find appetizing by noon on the same day.

So let's get the ball rolling! Last night's prep and this early morning's whirlwind sandwich assembly involved a panini. I recently discovered panini bread at Whole Foods (they sell 4 loafs per bag) and it's just absolutely delicious. Let it be known, I'm no panini master. I also don't own a panini press. But, with a little bit of creativity, I devised a tasty little sandwich for lunch today that was super easy, quick, and deeeelish reheated in the communal office microwave. Coworker envy may have ensued. Just maybe.

Step 1. Cut up yellow squash, zucchini, red onion, and roasted red peppers.

Step 2. Saute veggies in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. (I'm embarrassed my skillet looks absolutely filthy in this picture. I promise it's clean...I just haven't taken the scrubber to it in a good, long while).

Step 3. Add in some Balsamic Vinegar and coat the veggies.

Step 4. Admire panini bread.

Step 5. Slice open panini bread, avoiding any bodily injury.

Step 6. Generously spread goat cheese on one side of the panini bread.

Step 7. Top goat cheese with some balsamic-sauteed veggies.

Step 8. Heat up grill pan, (mine is cast-iron and weighs about 20 lbs), and place panini on grill.

Step 9. Take a heavy pan, (here I use my cast iron skillet), and place on top of panini to press.

Step 10. No, it's not a grilled piece of chicken. It's a scrumptious panini! Wrap in tinfoil, stuff in bag, put in fridge at work, and heat up later in the day for a tasty, tasty homemade lunch.

Fast. Good. Cheap.

My Father has a framed print displayed on the wall of his office that reads:

Fast.

Good.

Cheap.

Pick Two.

The idea is, if you choose two words - let's take for example, "Fast" and "Good" - that leftover third word describes what those first two words put together will not be. Something that is "Fast" and "Good" probably won't be Cheap. Something "Cheap" and "Fast" probably won't be Good. More often than not, especially concerning food, travel, transportation, and shipping costs, this always seems to be the case.

Which is why when the stars align and you come across something Fast, Good, and Cheap, well - that's mighty worthy of a late-night blog post.

Introducing The Bolt Bus. I recently climbed aboard this past weekend on the route between NYC and D.C. We left Manhattan on Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. sharp, and arrived in Washington D.C. promptly at 10:00 p.m. There was no traffic on the return trip Sunday evening and I was magically door-to-door in 4 hours and 15 minutes. Elation! That may seem like a long time on the road, but the Bolt Bus has a power outlet available in each seat, functioning (and surprisingly decent) free onboard wireless, and of course - a bathroom. All that combined with a nap (and not driving), makes the time fly by. The bus was also very clean, the seats comfortable, (except next time I may tote along a neck pillow), and the service prompt and orderly. The drivers, most importantly, drove safely and were courteous and helpful to passengers.

The farther in advance you purchase your tickets, the cheaper they are. The website is clear and concise, and I had no issues with billing or obtaining my boarding pass. While I haven't yet encountered the seemingly elusive "$1.00 fare" they advertise, $38.00 round-trip still can't be beat. Less than a tank of gas one-way.

The Bolt Bolt travels between major cities on the East Coast. Be sure to check it out if you're looking for an easy, affordable, safe, and reliable means of transportation.

One satisfied, soon-to-be-returning traveler, signing off.

Please Proceed to Register

In Manhattan, you learn to reluctantly accept the fact that there will probably be a gargantuan line wherever and whenever you walk into a popular store to buy something specific. This coincidentally occurs precisely when you finally have the free time to go out and make said purchase. Which is when - surprise! - everyone else in the city has their free time too.

Every so often though, as you stand there in line waiting impatiently, you begin to absorb and understand the "fellow shoppers' bond." You see, there's no hurried New Yorker that particularly enjoys biding their time in line. BUT if the price is right, well, then everyone knows that everyone else realizes those extra ten minutes of wait-time are deemed a worthy and economical sacrifice.

Let's take a case in point: Trader Joe's Wine Shop in Union Square...(Friday night, post-work nonetheless).

This photo, via iPhone stealth-mode, depicts my exact position in the Wine Shop check-out line at time: 11 minutes, 42 seconds. Within sight of the registers people! This is a big deal considering my journey in the queue started only steps away from the main entrance. I kid you not: Trader Joe's employees were also stationed outside on the street regulating another line down the sidewalk. This one was just to set foot inside. Several minutes later, after touring the wine regions of Italy, France, Spain, and Napa, I had also taken a roundtrip scenic tour of the store's inner circumference and read through all labels on the Charles Shaw/Two Buck Chuck varietals.

Is this really worth the wait, you ask?

In a city where an 8.9 oz. box of Cheerios will cost you no less than $5.00, cheap GOOD wine is hard to come by. And since I thought blood-orange mimosas this weekend would be fantastic, I sprung at the chance while I was in the area to purchase two bottles of decent bubbly for $20.00.

I'll raise my glass to that. And, well, stand in line too.

Home on the Free-Range

After a relaxing Thanksgiving hiatus that turned into a lovely tour of the Northeast, (namely Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut), it's back to NYC and my cozy little apartment. I say cozy because my room only measures a mere 10' x 12' and the building's thermostat is currently set on "inferno."

Some R & R over the past few days was certainly a refresher for the mind, body (well, maybe too much pie on that front), and soul. Now, I'm all geared up to tackle the remainder of 2009 with fervor and embrace this joyous holiday season with open arms.

Which leads me into the completely unrelated topic of free-range chickens.

My Mother is a born-and-raised Vermonter. (Thanks to her; a love for Grade A, Dark Amber Maple Syrup). This Thanksgiving, per the norm tradition on major holidays, we traveled up North to visit family. As we pulled into the road that leads up to my Grandparents' house, we were thrilled to be greeted by the neighbor's newly acquired free-range/cage-free flock of 35 chickens and 2 roosters.

I've seen many a chicken, and well, tasted them too. But never before in my life have I seen chickens so healthy and happy. They were going about their own chicken business as chickens are meant to do: scuttling about in the woods, scratching the ground for insects to eat, running across the grass, flapping their wings, and in the evening - diligently returning to their clean, well-built and roomy shed together to roost. (A chicken, like any bird, naturally likes to perch while it sleeps). Every single fowl had unhindered access to fresh food to eat, clean water to drink, rocks to climb on, and plenty of room to stretch their legs. No hormones. No antibiotics. Just plain happy Green Mountain chickens.

We harvested twenty-four of their freshly-laid eggs and whipped up some omelets two days later for breakfast after refrigerating them overnight. They tasted absolutely delicious. Hearty, bright yellow yolks, and perfectly natural and nutritious the way nature intended.

Even if quality eggs and meat backwardly cost me slightly more in this industrialized food society of ours, and I ultimately end up eating less of them in my diet, I have vowed to try my very best never to eat a NON free-range/cage-free chicken or egg ever again. Because if the living conditions of the animal whose product I buy are anything but what I had the pleasure of experiencing, it's not worth the creature's suffering or inhumane treatment. A chicken with a life well-lived, with clean air to breathe and grassy patches to roam, is simply the more responsible and ethical choice on my plate.