These last two blocks are strictly property of Con Erison. On the left side of the street was the powerhouse; home to three of the city’s largest and oldest boilers. The boilers ran three turbines. One of which was almost totally responsible for generating the electricity for the New York Stock Market.
On the right side of the street is a transformer yard. The rows upon rows of transformers stood twenty-five feet above the ground. There was a constant hum of high voltage coming from this area.
Directly under the transformers are three, five million gallon oil tanks. These tanks store number-six fuel oil. This is an especially thick grade of oil and it has an extremely high burning temperature. The heavy, dark oil emit an offensive odor. Entire block from Ave. C to Ave. D along Fourteenth St. Held this foul petrolatum emanation.
Peter thought about what Bill had said. He was right. Both Peter and Bill, along with about three or four other guys had been trying to repair a worn out section of boiler tube in “Old #3”, the station’s biggest boiler and all thirteen stories of it was worn to shit. The smell of #6 oil attacked Peter’s nose bringing him out of his thoughts and back to his walk.
Peter strode up to the two large metal rolling doors of the stations main loading zone. The first of the two gates was rolled up about five feet. This was a definite breech of security and somebody was certain to get some shit because of it.
Vinnie Tee and Zoy, the two guys in charge of the receiving area, were sitting just inside of the open gate. They sat close together, backs leaned against a sixteen inch steam line that ran the length of the wall.
“What’s shakin’ kid ?” Zoy asked as he raised his blue and white paper coffee cup, giving Peter some sort of salute.
Peter turned and went inside the building. He knew that if he were seen entering from this gate he would get sent upstairs for a reprimand. Peter took off his glove and gave Zoy a firm handshake.
“How the fuck are ya Zoy ? “ Peter said as Zoy offered a sip of his piping hot coffee. “No thanks man. “You know sitting on that cold pipe is no good for your asshole Vince.” Peter said as he turned toward Vinnie Tee and put his glove back on.
Vinnie took a sip of his steaming coffee,” Fuck you Parker, what about Zoy’s asshole.”
“Roy’s been down here in receiving sittin’ on his fat ass for twenty years now. Ain’t no way the cold could get up to his asshole.” Peter laughed as he ducked back out under the door.
He was followed by a foot long piece of three-inch pipe that went skidding by his feet. He heard Vinnie Tee laughing and Zoy grumbling as he continued to the front entrance.

(All names and persons herein are fictitious.)

            Illume

            Give a gift that will fill the room with soothing, tasteful, and pleasant aromas. Candles make for perfect stocking stuffers, as a hostess gift, or simply a set of a few candles as a gift for the home.

            Prices vary depending on the type of candle. Check out the versatile collection of candles and scents at www.illumecandles.com.

Find this set and many other organic and yummy treats and holiday gift ideas for friends, family, and co-workers at www.badgerbalm.com.

Blossom Crown With Tassels

What woman doesn’t love being surprised with a stunning floral arrangement? If have ever felt that your vase, full of beautiful  flowers was missing something, you’re in great luck! Blossom Crown, invented by Anne Cork, is a simple yet beautiful wire grid flower arranger that goes above the top of a vase, and gives any room and home a tasteful feminine touch. Blossom Crown comes in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your vase, whether round or square.

Easy To Use Directions

Don’t let those precious floral stems go limp. With the Blossom Crown you can place the flowers where you please in each slot. Since the grid is reusable and bendable, you have authority on how the final look will be presented. The floral arranger itself is perfect to give to your girlfriends as a gift, your mom, sister, grandmother, and for anyone who loves flowers and is looking to add character to the bouquet in this vase. The holidays are coming up quickly, so don’t forget those women in your life that love flowers! You can even place a Blossom Crown floral arranger greeting card as a stocking stuffer for $8.00. Blossom Crown is sure to uplift and add class and grace to any party, as a present, and within a home.

Greeting Card Styles

All Blossom Crown products and gifts can be purchased at www.bellenoel.com. Find out more about Anne Cork, the woman behind Blossom Crown and about how you can start dazzling your guests and friends with the easy to use floral arranger at www.blossomcrown.com.

The concept of time and losing time began to float into Peter’s head. He shook it off. Peter now had thirty-eight minutes to get from Union Square to the East River (FDR) Drive, which was eight avenues out. Along the way he had to stop and pick up breakfast, as well as food and drink to last him throughout the day.

He had the option of taking the L train, which would carry him six blocks in the direction that he wanted to travel, walking, or taking a bus. Without hesitation, Peter flew out of the now stopped train and ran up the up escalator to the street level.

The L train was out of the question- it only came once every half hour on the half hour and that would mean standing around for eight minutes waiting and God knows that that eight minutes would seem like an eternity.

Once out of the subterranean environment, Peter felt the cold again. The hairs in his nose tingled as he drew in his first deep breath of the cold air. He saw the M bus approaching out of the corner of his right eye, he also noticed there were no cars in front of it. Peter bolted out into the street.

The blare of an air horn and the screeching of tires hit his ears. He spun instantly around to see a New York Post delivery truck skidding to a stop a foot in what was now the space  in front of him.

He actually watched the truck come to a complete stop then thought about what Fiona had said about instinct. He froze, didn’t move a muscle. Was that natural? They say deer freeze in front of cars or maybe that was headlights? Without deciding Peter gave the driver of the truck the finger and shot across the street for the original target.

He had successfully crossed to the other side of Fourteenth Street and boarded the now stopped M bus. He swiped his metro card in the slot provided.

(This trip would be free. The city allowed mass transit riders the luxury of a free transfer to a bus from a train with-in the designated half hour time limit. This was an effort by the city to encourage more people to ride the city’s busses.)

Peter walked directly to the rear of the bus, inhaled the warm air saturated with the malodorous aroma of urine and funk. He sat in his usual bus expedition seat, direct center of the last row of seats right over the engine. This was the warmest seat on the bus and from this vantage point he could see all the activity on it.

Peter took the ride for five blocks and got off just before the bus made it’s mandatory turn onto avenue b. Peter got up and grabbed the pressure sensitive handles of the back doors, heard the mechanism engage, the pneumatic action kicked in and the doors opened releasing him back into the ever brightening morning.

Peter had to pick up his food, basically consisting of dairy products. Peter had to his great surprise, stopped eating meat. He didn’t like to call himself a vegetarian as Fiona did. She had not been eating red meat and now stopped all consumption of animal flesh.

One morning back in August, Peter was making his lunch before work. He was skillfully erecting a beautiful chicken salad sandwich.

“Fiona, do you want me to make you a sandwich?” Peter called out to her.

She was just getting done with her second morning mask. The first helped to remove all the skin that died while she slept. The second was supposed to hydrate and refresh.

All Peter knew was that Fiona’s skin always looked super. She had the world’s most beautiful complexion, Peter liked to think.

“What exactly is the “chef of the future” preparing this fine morning?” Fiona’s words hit Peter’s ears with a smile.

Man- I love this girl, Peter thought to himself. “ I’m making perfect chicken salad sandwiches.” Peter yelled over the now steaming espresso machine.

“I can’t. I have parrots today.” Was the response Peter received.

He turned off the coffee machine and took off his “kiss the chef” apron and went to find out what the hell that was supposed to mean.

As Peter crossed the length of the apartment the scent of flowers grew stronger. He reached the bathroom door and was sure he recognized the aroma. Peter pushed on the door.

“Its gardenia, don’t you just love it.”  Fiona had a new thing. Every day she was to smell like a different flower. Be a different flower, she said it was supposed to help her modeling, or posing or something.

Peter didn’t care, “What do you mean– you got parrots today?”

Fiona turned and gave Peter a wet kiss and answered, “well today at the clinic, I know that I’ve got to work with a couple of sick parrots and well, how do you think they would feel if they saw me eating a chicken salad sandwich?”

Peter was amazed! “So you don’t want the birds to see you eat– a bird.” He held onto the dramatic pause and then continued—“So let’s say, one day you have a tuna salad sandwich and a little girl comes in, in the afternoon with her sick goldfish and that little sick goldfish looks up at you through his little bowl and smells tuna on your breath! “

“Oh my god Peter, what am I doing  “ Fiona shrieked as she burst into tears.

She threw herself on Peter, wrapped her sweet, gardenia-smelling arms around him and sobbed. She cried and cried some more. Peter felt sorry for her– she was really sensitive.

From that day on Fiona would not consume the flesh of any animal, she went as far as not allowing it in her home.

Peter had discovered this one night when he showed up with chicken burritos and Fiona started crying and demanded that Peter take, “those disgusting things” outside.

Peter kind of just followed along and out of some sort of weird respect for that day in the bathroom, he too no longer eats meat.

            October is Breast Cancer awareness month and it is almost around the corner. Have you made your appointment for a mammogram, performed a self-breast exam, made an appointment to see you doctor, and cleared your schedule for a Yoga class? Prevention is greatly important when it comes to reducing your risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Being conscious of what food we consume, what products we put on our bodies, incorporating daily exercise, and making our health a number one priority is deeply important. Sometimes genetics is against us, and we must fight against it with routine check-ups and changing our lifestyle.

According to Breastcancer.org, “In 2010, an estimated 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed, along with 54,010 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer. About 39,840 women are expected to die in 2010 from breast cancer, though there has been a decrease in death rates since 1991.” Everyday we have on this earth is precious, and thus we must do everything in our power to protect one another and ourselves. A recent study conducted by University of Alberta research fellow Amy-Speed Andrews concentrated on a specific type of yoga, Iyengar Yoga program, and how it is beneficial and therapeutic for breast cancer survivors. “Speed-Andrews analyzed the data that was collected over a two-year period and found that after the yoga, 94% said they had improvements in their quality of life; 88% felt better physically; 87% reported being happier and 80% were less tired. Other improvements were reported in body image and in decreased levels of stress, anxiety and depression,” (ExpressNews). Each woman and man is affected mentally, physically, and emotionally differently by breast cancer. Finding ways to make it easier on breast cancer survivors is vital.

Susan Rosen, a breast cancer survivor and Yoga Instructor in Del Mar, CA and creator of the video: Yoga and the Gentle Art of Healing, A Journey of Recovery After Breast Cancer was kind enough to participate in an interview with me about the benefits yoga has for breast cancer survivors. You can find out more about Susan Rosen and her classes at: www.yogajoyofdelmar.com.

Jane: How can yoga reduce one’s risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer?    

Susan Rosen: I don’t know of any scientific studies that say yoga can reduce the risk of getting breast cancer.  I do know that with consistent practice it gives you the best chance for optimum health and yoga will keep you internally young as you gracefully move into your senior years. 

Jane: How is Yoga beneficial to men and women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer?

Susan Rosen: Restorative Yoga is what I teach my students after breast surgery because it passively creates space by gently opening muscles that have been injured from surgery and radiation. Each pose brings fresh blood into the area that needs healing. The poses cleanse the lymph system and the organs by stretching the muscles using twists, backbends, forward bends and inversions. On the level of consciousness Yoga gives us control over our own healing, it releases stress by quieting the negative chatter in the brain, which helps to eliminate fear.  Internally, we become relaxed and energized.

Jane: Is there a certain type of yoga, which is recommended for breast cancer patients?

Susan Rosen: I’ve been trained in the Yoga tradition of B.K.S. Iyengar. He developed a system of yoga therapy support tools (blocks, blankets, chairs and ropes) that are used to stimulate certain parts of the body, which clear the way for the body’s natural healing process to function effectively. 

Jane: In what way does yoga bring ease and peace to someone as opposed to other forms of exercise and fitness?

Susan Rosen: Endurance exercises like jogging and weight training tend to fatigue the body.  Yoga is more of an inner experience – the room is quiet, there may be soft music and each asana (pose) becomes a meditation. Yoga includes meditation and pranayama (breath exercises) that energize and strengthen the physical body and at the same time calm the nervous system – relaxing the body and the mind. We are left with a feeling of peace, which permeates every cell of our body and we can take this feeling into our everyday life. Yoga teaches us how to live in the present moment.

 Jane: What role does Yoga play in self-esteem and confidence in patients who have had to undergo a mastectomy?

Susan Rosen: As we practice Yoga we feel empowered because we can experience the benefits after our first session. It enables us to get a good nights sleep, improves our posture through body awareness. It awakens our mind and body and uplifts our spirit. As our consciousness is awakened, we feel mentally alert, energized and alive.

Jane: What is the best part of being a Yoga Instructor and working with breast cancer survivors?

Susan Rosen: Because of my own experience with breast cancer I find it extremely rewarding to pass on what was given to me by my teachers – the benefits of Yoga – each pose becomes a gift that creates space and light in the body. That’s why we keep coming back to Yoga – the poses awaken our life force. I guess that’s the best part of teaching for me – to see that awakening in a student’s face. 

References:

1. BreastCancer.org

2. ExpressNews

Last Wednesday, September 8^th, Herald Square in NYC hosted the event, Huddle To Fight Hunger by Kraft Foods’. Herald Square was set up like a football field, with various stations for individuals to participate to end to hunger and donate meals. One section allowed individuals to be featured on camera and tell their story, take three shots at throwing a football and scoring meals to be donated, as well as signing up to win a trip to San Francisco, CA on January 9, 2011 for the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. By participating in these activities meals would be donated. At the end of the event, 50,000 meals were reached according to Caroline Guth, Account Supervisor at Weber Shandwick, who was also present at the event.  

Huddle to Fight Hunger Participant

Participating in the event gave me a sense of belonging and the urge to stand up and take action. Although I am no football pro, I was able to score 15 meals to be donated, which made me extremely proud. Before January 9^th, 2010, everyone can participate and donate to the program. According to the Huddle to Fight Hunger website, anyone can donate by “coupon redemption in newspaper inserts, online, and in-store on September 26^th, a Maxwell House Coupon Booklet, specified retailer coupons on Kraftfoods.com and Huddle to Fight Hunger specified retailer coupons, through “liking” Kraft Foods on Facebook, uploading photos and “tweets” as well as through texting and mobile programs and brand specific initiatives.” 

“Hunger is a very serious issue. It’s no longer only the chronically poor and impoverished who seek emergency food assistance. It can happen to almost anyone: working families, people you might even know. In fact, for more than 49 million Americans, or 1 in 6 of our neighbors, hunger is a reality. More Americans are struggling to make ends meet. And that means many are choosing between paying bills and buying food. As the nation’s largest food company, Kraft Foods feels that it is their responsibility to give back to the community and those in need,” said Guth. 

Huddle to Fight Hunger Field of Activities

Interview with Caroline Guth, Account Supervisor at Weber Shandwick 

Jane: Will the Huddle to Fight Hunger program be distributing meals throughout the months leading to January 9, 2011, or at the end of the program? 

Caroline: The goal of the Kraft Foods Huddle to Fight Hunger program is to reach the 20 million meal donation. Feeding America is able to secure seven meals to local food banks for every dollar they receive. Feeding America will be responsible for seeing that our contributions to hunger are evenly distributed to those in need throughout the country over the duration of the campaign, and beyond. 

Jane: Is there a specific person or people you have met that drive you to bring awareness to others and show them how they can help fight hunger? 

Caroline: No one in particular. Hunger is an issue that affects millions of people. There are also many great organizations and awareness campaigns out there all working to fight hunger. Kraft Foods is just proud to be in the same fight with them. 

Jane: If you could send out a message to readers about putting an end to hunger in the United States, what would you say to them? 

Caroline: Kraft Foods would just like to continue to encourage everyone to join our huddle at http://www.huddletofighthunger.com/, where they can learn more about the program and ways to help us give as many as 20 million meals or more to Feeding America.  Just for joining the virtual huddle, Kraft Foods will donate one meal to Feeding America. Kraft Foods also plans to give a meal to Feeding America for every Huddle to Fight Hunger coupon that is redeemed during the football season.  The special coupons will be available in newspapers nationwide, as well as online on September 26. 

Hunger in America is a major problem that affects way too many men, women, and children. No individual should go hungry and without food, or have to worry about where his or her next meal will come from. For a country that is constantly producing mass-market products, we need to take a step back and truly think about what is important in America.  When people go hungry, whether it is because they can’t afford to buy food, were let go from their job, or are homeless, we should all be ashamed of ourselves. Kraft doesn’t play on the sidelines, but is a major player in bringing awareness and participation in ending hunger. “Fighting hunger is not new for Kraft Foods. Although August 22^nd marked the official launch of our Huddle to Fight Hunger campaign, it is the biggest opportunity to give back to the community. As the nation’s largest food company, Kraft Foods has partnered with Feeding America for decades to do just that. Kraft Foods has been a proud partner of Feeding America for more than 25 years,” said Guth. 

We each can make a significant difference, or we can stand to the side and do nothing. “A study by the University of Arizona Garbage Project shows a per-person food scrap rate of 1.3 pounds per day or 474.5 pounds per year,” according to Waste Age magazine, 2009. Food gives each of us the energy and fuel to make it through the day, as well as contribute to society. To see the statistic of Americans who are going hungry rising, should be fact enough to band people together to help feed one another. Huddle to Fight Hunger, has set a goal to reach 20 million meals by January 9^th, 2011 and will give the meals to Feeding America. Everyone can be an active participate in the Huddle to Fight Hunger. Every meal and donation counts and can change someone’s life forever. Guth says, “Kraft Foods is committed to fighting hunger for the long term and they’re always looking for ways to raise awareness of the issue and get consumers involved. And programs like Huddle to Fight Hunger are a great way to do it.”

Shopping’s not the only activity that takes place inside of Macy’s in Herald Square. New York City is full of hidden treasures-you just have to have an investigative eye! If you are a fan of flavor rich food, cooking, learning a few new dishes, or happen to be taking a stroll in the vicinity of Herald Square on a September Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday at 1 p.m. you are in luck. On the lower level of Macy’s, you’ll find The Cellar Kitchen, where you can watch a chef slice and dice food right before your eyes!

Throughout the month of September, Macy’s celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, which means you get to be exposed to a variety of talented chef’s, a free demonstration of the preparation of the meal, recipes to take home with you, a taste of the chef’s cuisine, as well as a chance to speak to a chef if you’d like. In order to get your free sample of the chef’s food, be sure to arrive 15-20 minutes early, so you can get a seat. Only those sitting down will get a free sample.

Today, Chef Manny Cunha of Sangria Tapas Bar & Restaurant gave viewers a small taste of Portuguese cuisine. Two samples were served to the patient crowd. A Pantaniscas de Bacalhau (Codfish Cakes) and Carne de Porco a Alentejana (marinated pork loin sautéed with clams & potatoes in a herb sauce) were distributed to all guests. The former looks like a pancake, but is perfectly filled with codfish, parsley, onions, red pepper, garlic, salt, pepper, oil, eggs, and white wine. What a perfect mix! The second dish is a mixture of meat and seafood and the clams compliment the pork loin in a sauce that brings the whole meal together. Dipping the fried potatoes into the sauce, tastes delicious as well.

The demonstration lasts about an hour and the aroma and fresh ingredients lingers throughout the whole time you watch and eat. Menus from Chef Cunha as well as business cards are offered to guests too.

Check out Chef Manny Cunha at:

Sangria Tapas Bar & Restaurant

95-41 Sutphin Blvd.

Jamaica, NY 11435

If you missed Chef Manny, take a seat this Thursday, September 9 and learn from Chef Christopher Burgos, Culinary Chairman of STAR Career Academy of New York.

Other demonstrations coming up are:

Tuesday, September 14: Chef Michael Siry

Thursday, September 16: Chef Shawn Edelman

Saturday, September 18: Chef Marc Spooner

The celebration goes until Thursday, September 30th 2010. Remember, the cooking starts promtly at 1 p.m. at Macy’s Herald Square, on the lower level at The Cellar Kitchen. Come and see what the fiesta is about!

Although females too produce androgens, it is when too much is produced within the ovaries, that ovulation is disrupted. PCOSupport.org lists symptoms as being, “irregular or no menstrual periods, acne, depression, infertility, excess or abnormal hair growth and distribution, and more.” Although there is no cure for PCOS, there are treatments to help ease the pain and prevent “progression of PCOS to frank diabetes, endometrial cancer, or other threatening illnesses” (PCOSupport.org). Bringing about awareness, educating ourselves, young daughters, and supporting one another is vital.

Sasha Ottey, a former microbiologist, was diagnosed with PCOS in 2008. Instead of being down on herself, she was proactive and did something about it. In 2009, she started PCOS Challenge,Inc., a non profit organization that acts as a community for women living with PCOS. In order to trump more awareness and support on a larger scale, PCOS Challenge will be airing a thirteen-episode tv series, showing the day in the life of ten women living with PCOS. Find out more about the organization and about the show that will be airing this fall. Giving up is not an option, fighting to get your life back and live a full, long and healthy life is the goal.

View a sneak peak of the show here.

Click below to continue reading…

Peter swung around to the edge of the bed and put his bare feet on the wooden floor. “ What the fu@k! “ The floor was freezing. He wrapped himself in the sheet and blanket from the bed and walked toward the bathroom where he heard the shower running.

As Peter opened the door to the bathroom steam poured out around his wild bed-head hairdo.
“How’s my little macadamia nut this morning?” Peter tried to sound as awake and fresh as possible despite the fact that he actually had a slight headache and his mouth felt like it was coated with wallpaper glue.

He quickly gargled with the blue mouthwash, the generic brand, Fiona said it was just as good as the other one, at one third the price. At this point it could have been Aqua-Velva, his mouth tasted like shit.

Peter pulled open the shower curtain slightly and slipped inside behind Fiona. Shampoo in her hair and now rinsing it off, Peter entered at the perfect time. Just as Fiona finished her rinse and reached for the conditioner, Peter grabbed her from behind.

In a flash, Peter had Fiona’s elbow lodged in his solar plexus. The wind gone from his lungs, he squatted down and tried to regain his breath.

“Oh my god! Honey, I am so sorry, I didn’t know you were there.” She bent down and wiped Peter’s hair from his face.

He looked up at her and gave her a big goofy smile. “I guess those kickboxing classes are really helping.” He said as he stood. The air flowed freely again. “Maybe next time I’ll bang pots and pans together for a while before I get in the shower with you.” Peter rubbed his now sore spot.

“Awe, let me make it better for you sweetie.” Fiona began to kiss Peter’s strong solid chest.
His body was sculpted so well, she imagined him, her statue. Something only an artist could create, for all of god’s creatures had flaws.

“Hey, why was the window open? It’s fu@king freezing in the apartment.”

Fiona stopped kissing Peter long enough to give him an answer. “Well, last night you were complaining how I always keep the place so hot and I just figured…”

Peter got her meaning and gave her a sly knowing look then proceeded to guide Fiona’s head toward his now thick, pulsating member.

Peter got dressed in record time. He closed the window, after he got out of the shower. So the room was still really cold.

He had turned on the radio while making his morning espresso, his morning libation, and had heard that a cold front had blown in from Canada and it was going to be cold for the rest of the week.

“No shit, it’s late November; it’s probably going to be cold for the next three months. What a racket those weather guys got.” He thought and listened to the rest of the report. ‘The current temperature was now twenty-two degrees and it was supposed to get colder before it got warmer.”

Peter pulled his double-knit sweatshirt over the sweatshirt he was already wearing. Downed the remaining espresso, took a hit on a roach he had in his pocket from the night before. Slipped into his black steel-toed combat boots, threw on his black biker leather and zipped up tight.

He checked in on Fiona before he split. She was in the middle of masking or toning, or something when Peter stuck his head in. “Bundle up today Sweetie, it’s cold as a bitch out there.”

Fiona never understood Peter’s aggression about the cold, he grew up here. As for herself she loved the cold, never experiencing it as a child, she found it exhilarating, plus it helped to keep the pores tight.

“Okay honey.” She turned with a smile, still naked, standing in front of the full-length mirror in the steamy room. Peter got a big wet kiss and helped himself to a handful of backside before slipping back out. He wiped the sweet smelling cream left from Fiona’s kiss from his face. He checked, nope not cocoa butter.

He put on his black wool cap, pulled it down over his ears, slipped on his sleek black sunglasses, checked his reflection once, adjusted his hat, grabbed his backpack and left for work.

It was now five minutes to six. Peter had to be at check-in at seven. He worked at the fourteenth street generating station for Con Erickson; the city’s producer of electricity.

Although he only lived on the third floor, he waited the three or four minutes for the elevator. Peter enjoyed all the luxuries that came along with living in a luxury building. The sun deck on the roof, the doorman service, and especially the elevator. Most of Peter’s other girlfriends had lived in basements or in walk-ups.

Peter also enjoyed the synchronicity of the city. He would see the same people at the same time in the same place almost every day.