A late Thursday night with one too many martinis induced a very mellow Friday afternoon and evening here in NYC. I just don't bounce back like I used to. I now find myself strategically planning my evenings out so that I make sure I don't have to do anything too taxing the next day. Getting older is sad. It's also wonderful. But sad. I spent most of Friday indoors organizing a very messy life after months of travel. Papers had piled up, receipts everywhere, W-9's to be sent to the accountant (Yes, I punted on last week's frightening deadline. The IRS will just have to wait to suck me dry.) and DVD orders to be sent out. Basically my only trip outside all day was to the post office. I made a go of it at the gym, but after five minutes on the treadmill, decided to punt on that, too. It just wasn't happening. I decided that I would later go to NY Hot Yoga to sweat out any remnants of whatever caused the previous night's damage. Mission accomplished. That room was so damn hot and delicious. I dare say it was the most I've sweat in any hot yoga class including Bikram. And it felt oh-so-yummy. Needless to say, I wasn't going anywhere that evening except my couch. I had made some brown rice earlier and decided to check my cabinets to see what I could drum up. Although, as you've probably surmised, I'm not a huge fan of food in a box, I did buy some Indian fare a while back. It was as good as night as any. I was too exhausted to even dial the phone for take out. So I whipped out a little Spinach Dal from Tasty Bites Indian Food and popped that puppy in the microwave. (Yes, I DO use a microwave.) Two minutes later I was thoroughly enjoying it over some brown rice and have to admit . . . it was pretty damn good! And they've got a bunch of vegetarian options with very little processed and unrecognizable ingredients. Score! What I also discovered quite recently is that I can rent movies on iTunes for under $5! Genius. Basically, iTunes will keep the movie in your list for 30 days. But once you start the movie, you have to watch it within 24 hours. Given I don't have a television, it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I chose "Up In the Air" with my meal. Sadly, I was more impressed with the Spinach Dal than the movie. Early to bed meant early to rise on Saturday. I love quiet mornings with my lattes. I got some work done, and then it was off to the gym for a little workout. When I came home I whipped up one of my favorite smoothies and instead of using my normal coconut water or almond milk as a base, I tried some Berryblossom White Iced tea from TAZO which gave my berry smoothie a nice kick! Here's my recipe:

1/2 cup TAZO Berryblossom White Iced Tea     
1/2 cup goji berries
1/2 cup frozen berries of choice (I used mixed)
2 tbsps. almond butter
2-3 heaping tbsps. hemp seed protein powder (or powder of choice)
2 tbsps. flaxseed or ground flaxseed
1 large scoop Green Superfood (I'm using Macrogreens brand now)
Pinch of sea salt
Drop of vanilla
1 dash Steevia
Agave to taste

Combine all ingredients in blend and blend away til smooth! Add more liquid or ice if necessary! Green tea would probably be equally yummy in any fruit smoothie for a great energy boost and burst of anti-oxidants. 
After the smoothie I was charged for a late afternoon date at MOMA for the Tim Burton exhibit. I had been dying to see it and had yet to go to MOMA so it was a win-win choice all around. It was crazy packed and a little annoying as I am not a big crowd kind of girl, but it didn't detract from a lovely first 'date'. Ugh. I hate that word. Anyway, after sitting in the garden, and taking a load off (I wanted to look cute so I certainly didn't have the appropriate foot attire for standing around a museum for two hours), a drink was in order at the Modern. (One of my favorite spots in the city) Score two seats at the bar and the bartender places . . . what's this???? TRUFFLE OIL popcorn??? Oh heaven. If you are unfamiliar with the most fantastic variety of mushroom there is, please. Treat yourself to anything with truffles in them. They can be pricey, but it's just one of those amazing delicacies you have to have at least once in your lifetime. The day continued into the evening with good food, good wine and a spontaneous visit to the theater to see RACE, David Mamet's latest piece. Again, I had been wanting to see this for a long time. What a treat! It was neat to see Hollywood power houses such as James Spader (man, he was great in "Pretty In Pink"!), Kerry Washington, and Richard Thomas (John Boy!) on the stage doing theater. Another discovery? I was really beginning to like this guy. Especially after we stopped for post theater wine at yet another place I had never been, the Royalton hotel. Apparently, they had recently re-done the lobby and it was beautiful. A fireplace (which, oddly enough was much needed in the end of April in NYC . . . will it please get and STAY warm already?) set the warm, cozy and just a tad romantic atmosphere of the lobby lounge. We sat and chatted and . . . ok, enough about my date. 
The weekend was not over before I discovered one more thing. That dance is the most powerful tool I own for emotional release and cathartic expression. Actually, I already knew this, but I was reminded just how healing dance is for me. It was a rough Sunday morning. Dawn came too soon after my enchanted evening and I was awaking to get ready to go to a dear friend's mother's funeral. I don't need to tell most of you that one of the saddest most painful things you can witness is someone you love going through such a devastating experience. Carie's eulogy was both poignant and humorous. Under the circumstances, she did lovely and remained a rock for her family and loved ones. I am so proud of and inspired by her strength, but as funerals often do, this occurence threw into question all that was important in my life. I returned to the city, emotionally confused and decided to go to dance. Although I was going to take the day off from any physical activity, I came to the conclusion that this had nothing to do with 'working out'. I was going to dance because my soul needed it. Not my body. And I was right. I danced the shit out of what was, for me, an emotional lyrical piece to Michael Jackson's "What About Us" (thank you James), thrusting any anger I had at Carie's mother's cancer and any sadness I felt, into my feet and my body. Bloody feet and all. And it was the best discovery I made all weekend.