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.)

During the workweek we are constricted by our workplace attire. Toss away the corporate noose, and fling off those blister-forming pumps! Style and comfort can most definitely be paired together. Let your body ease into a pair of SIAMS pants.

Carley Stenson, the founder of SIAMS is truly proud of her creation. SIAMS main goal is comfort, and that is exactly how you will feel when you get these on! These pants come in a multitude of vivid colors such as army green, pink, bright blue, orange, and many more! They range in value from $14.00 to $32.95.

 These pants are unique in every sense of the word, and even have a special way of being tied around your waist. Learn how to properly wrap your pants at the SIAMS webiste, www.abhdesign.com. You can wear these pants anywhere and absolutely everywhere! Take comfort everywhere you go. What we wear should make us feel good about ourselves. Whether you wear your SIAMS to the beach, strolling outside, to a yoga class, out with your friends, to lounge around at home in, out dancing, or wherever you please, you will feel relaxed.

  Get a pair for your honey and one for yourself, so the two of you can step out in style and feel liberated in your SIAMS!

Honeycat Fishnet Gift Basket

 Is your bath time in need of some sprucing up? Well, Honeycat has just the remedy! Get the bath water warm and steamy to your liking, and drop in a Frisky Kitty Bath Time Fizzy. These bath bombs come in scents of oatmeal, cocoa butter, lilac and honey, and rose and lemongrass. After the long grueling workweek, what could be better than treating your woman to a gentle and body soothing bath? ($10)

Frisky Kitty Bath Time Fizzy

 Scrub it all around! You’ll have her meowing in the shower, once she gets a whiff of this peach, brandy, and brown sugar shower gel. Shower time should be filled with peace and comfort. Get that washcloth all soapy, lather all around, and have her body smelling divine. ($16, 120z) 

Honeycat Shower Gel

Pristine Beauty Bag

Pamper that special lady in your life with a Pristine Beauty Bag this holiday! Let her indulge in a No Scary Hairy Repair, Hooray for Brallywood Butta, and Take A Whiff! deodorant, which are all natural and organic, and provide your body and hair with healthy ingredient and smell divine.

www.shoppristinebeauty.com, ($85). 

Temptress Tote

Is your hair in a desperate need of emergency care, everyday of the week? Or you can’t seem to fizzle down that frizz? Treat your precious mane to a 100% natural Temptress Tote. Included you’ll find a Locks of Fame Shampoo and Conditioner, as well as a No Scary Hairy Repair, Condition and Protect Hair Serum.  Feed each strand with delicious natural ingredients, that won’t strip away your oils, but will leave your hair screaming for joy!

www.shoppristinebeauty.com, ($60). 

With each Pristine Beauty purchase, a portion of the proceeds go to the Young Survival Coalition(www.youngsurvival.org) and the Cancer Prevention Coalition(www.preventcancer.com).

            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

Zumba Instructor Kara Doyle in Herald Square

Leave your business attire behind, stash away the unfinished paperwork, and throw on your comfy workout set. Exhaustion is unacceptable where you’ll be going. Put on your worn in sneakers and bring along your dance moves. Last week, I had the pleasure of taking part in a Zumba class taught by Kara Doyle, an instructor and individual who radiates charisma and is full of life, at a New York Sports Club (NYSC) in New York City. Doyle, started the class off pumped with energy and excitement and kept the enthusiasm rising through out the whole hour. With the lights dim in the exercise studio, it was as though we were all in a dance club moving to the beats in unison. As the ladies in the class were moving, each one added her own touch and flavor of movement to the instructor’s steps.

 Whether you come from a background of extensive dancing, love to dance, or want to try something extraordinary that will get your blood pumping and heart rate up-Zumba is worth every drop of sweat. Dancing is not only a beautiful form of expression, but it’s a way to unwind after a demanding week or day. Even Doyle was new to Zumba. “Honestly, before I went to the workshop, I had not been taking Zumba. I have been a fitness instructor now for about five years and have always loved to dance, so I figured I would check it out and see if it was something that I could teach,” says Doyle, AFAA Certified Personal Trainer, Kickboxing Instructor and Certified Turbo Kick & Zumba Instructor. Words cannot do enough justice to the pleasure one feels during and after a Zumba class. Doyle describes Zumba as an addiction; you just can’t get enough of it. You don’t have to wait for Friday night to get your hips moving and hands up in the air. You can Zumba everyday or any day you desire.

From left: Zumba Instructor Kara Doyle with guest instructors from Australia

 Interview with Instructor – Kara Doyle– Her bio and class schedule can be found at http://www.kickingwithkara.com/.

Jane: How is Zumba important in your life? 

Kara: Zumba is not only important in my life, but I can honestly say that it has changed my life.  I have always loved to dance and teach, and Zumba brought both passions together for me.  I cannot express in words how special Zumba is to me.  For one hour, I’m able to share my passion for music and fitness through dance.  I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to teach every day, and I can honestly say, it is my favorite and the most special part of my day.  To be able to lead a group in movement to amazing music and provide not just a wonderful workout, but a spiritual experience for one hour a day is beyond rewarding for me. 

Jane: What are the greatest benefits of Zumba? 

Kara: Zumba is a tremendous workout physically, mentally, and even spiritually.  From a physical perspective, it is essentially an hour of interval training without the orange cones and drills.  Interval training focuses on bringing your heart rate up high, then slowing it down, then bringing it back up etc… In Zumba, the songs are organized in a manner that create an interval training workout. For example, one song will be a fast merengue, with the next being a slower cumbia. 

 There are tremendous benefits from interval training:

a. Slower resting heart rate over the long term, which means that your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to support the body’s needs.

b. Endorphin highs are maximized – Endorphins are the feel good natural opiates that are produced in the brain during intense exercise.  This is a big reason why you see everyone smiling during Zumba – It makes us feel GREAT!

c. Overall cardiovascular fitness levels improve, which results in decreased risk of high blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels (LDL), and increased stroke volume (amount of blood your heart pumps per pump).

 Zumba is also mentally challenging. Your brain must work during class to put all the moves together. Arms mixed with legs, directional changes, and overall moves will stimulate your brain to work during class! You will find over time that your hand eye coordination improves as well.  Your movements will become sharper and you will be able to combine moves more easily as many of the steps are repetitive in Zumba.

 Lastly, Zumba can be a spiritual/emotional experience. I find it hard to explain, but after teaching, I feel a tremendous release and an overall euphoric feeling. Perhaps it’s the endorphins, but it’s not the same feeling that I get after a kickboxing/other workout. There is something magical about it.  Beto Perez is the founder of Zumba, and his vision was to unite people all over the world through music and dance. Zumba does just that. It provides an outlet for anyone to just let go and dance for an hour. The stresses of their day and the worries on their minds are released for that one-hour to focus on the wonderful music and movements to free themselves. In that hour they experience not only a phenomenal workout, but a feeling of peace and happiness. This is why a tag line in Zumba is Peace, Love, & Zumba!

 Jane: How is a Zumba class set up? In terms of, is it a continuous flow of dance moves?

Kara: Yes – Zumba is a non-stop dance party! We move from one great song to another.  Additionally, the moves while mostly Latin, are also international, which give students the opportunity to experience other cultures through movement and music.

Jane: What types of dancing are incorporated into a class?

Kara: Because Zumba is international, you can experience so many different types of movement.  Since it was founded by Beto Perez, who is from Colombia, there are many Latin rhythms as a base, along with other types of dance incorporated. For example, one might experience salsa, merengue, cumbia, reggaeton, hip-hop, samba, flamenco, belly dance, African, and Bhangra, just to name a few!

Instructor Doyle and Zumba Participants Dancing in Herald Square

 You may not be aware at the time, but when you’re shaking up the dance floor at a nightclub with your significant other, girlfriends, or with your guy pals, you’re working out. Avoid the cramped indoor dance club, full of perspiring people rubbing up next to you and overpriced beverages. Instead try a free demo Zumba class in Manhattan. NYSC is sponsoring FREE ZUMBA demos at the front entrance of Macy’s in Herald Square every Thursday from 6-7 pm through September 30^th!  For more information about the demo and NYSC Zumba class offerings, please visit http://www.mysportsclubs.com/. Bring along your dancing partner and enjoy the outdoors as you learn new Latin dance moves and drip off those calories! Doyle says, “When I went to the workshop, I have to say that I was so inspired and motivated by my ZES (Zumba Educational Specialist), Tanya Beardsley, that I couldn’t wait to start teaching! I prepared tirelessly for my first class (probably put in close to 40 hours). I wanted my students to have the same feeling of energy and spirit that I had felt when I took the workshop with Tanya.” A great instructor can make all the difference when it comes to the level of energy of a class as well as the level of enjoyment.

If you’re not a fan of the gym, but have an interest in music and dancing, Zumba will get your whole body into action. Don’t despair if you’re not a professional. “The brilliance of Zumba is that it is a beginner, intermediate, and advanced class baked into one! A good instructor will present the moves at a basic level, and then build on them to provide advanced variations. For example, movement may start with a basic salsa (side to side), and then arms can be added.  For someone who is brand new and rhythmically challenged, he/she can stick to the basic footwork and leave out the arms until comfortable with the footwork. And the brilliant part?  Even with just the basics, one can still have an amazing workout! I have had many in my classes who struggled initially, but kept coming back. They started in the back row, and moved their way up to the front,” says Doyle. Everyone in the class is there to learn, let loose, and get a full body workout. Most importantly, you are there to enjoy yourself and have fun! Exercising and being fit shouldn’t be a chore, but a way to maintain and stay healthy, in a way that makes you feel most comfortable.

If dancing makes you feel intimidated or the thought of dancing makes you nervous, listen up. Everyone in a Zumba class is learning together and the instructor is there to keep you on track and guide you. This isn’t America’s Best Dance Crew, you’re not in a competition, and no one is giving you a score. “From consistent participation, one can take away physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.  Self-esteem and confidence are also built as students shed weight and feel great!” says Doyle. This is a way for you to put aside the mayhem of your day, listen to uplifting Latin beats, dance your heart out, and even merengue away from your stress. 

Find a Zumba class near you, by going onto the website: http://www.zumba.com/us/, click on find a class, enter your city, state or zip code, and there will be a listing of places where Zumba is offered in your town and area! Get off that chair that has you tied down at work and unleash excitement into your life with Zumba!

“The best reward is getting to share Zumba with others. Watching others enjoy the choreography that I put together is so gratifying.  Now factor in that you are providing a wonderful outlet that will help them physically to achieve fitness for life, and possible spiritually/emotionally, to afford a release from life’s worries – What else could be more gratifying? I am blessed and so grateful to have the opportunity to teach Zumba,” adds Doyle. Loose yourself in the music, clear your mind, and let your body and mind hear the music. You just may surprise yourself and find you’ve been suppressing some sexy moves.