It began in the roaring twenties and this year will be the 86^th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Each year the Manhattan tradition floods the city with out-of-towners and keeps the actual locals far far away.

On Television the parade looks oh so adorable with his multicolored cartoon balloons floating atop Sixth Avenue, while cute kiddies straddle their mommies and daddies shoulders, hoping to get a front row view of Sponge Bob Square Pants or Dora the Explorer as they float past the clouds.  In person, the crowds are massive.  City streets are jammed for blocks, and it makes getting around problematic.

Still, there is something about the tradition that lends a bit of whimsy to the already magical Manhattan backdrop.   Hot chocolate in hands, frosty noses, people gather and hit the streets to watch the avenues spring to life with music, vibrant colors, cameras, and the usual holiday hoopla.

Real New Yorkers have another tradition that most out-of-towners aren’t privy to.  A much more low key one.  The Wednesday night before Thanksgiving savvy locals gather on the Upper West Side by the Museum of Natural History to see the gargantuan cartoon balloons come to life…well almost.

They watch as the animated balloons become inflated; the site is quite astounding, enough to make even the most jaded, cool-as-ice New Yorker feel twinges of childhood innocence rekindle in their hearts: after all, it’s hard to stay cool and collected with a 63 foot long Big Bird looming above your head.

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Trick or Treat

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Leonardo DaVinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”  What…do you think one of the world’s greatest artists and self-taught thinkers, truly meant by those words?

Eastern philosophy teaches us the value of clarity, and shows us how to gain focus through decluttering the mind.   While it’s true, many of us seek to live a more holistic environmentally conscious life, and daily we attempt to decrease our usage of plastic and paper.  We reuse our grocery bag when shopping, pack a lunch to work, and seek out foods that are chemical free and genetic modifications.  Still, even with an attitude of mindfulness toward our planet, how often do we choose to throw away, or donate old clothing instead of purchasing new ones?  Or adopt a homeless animal in a shelter instead of a designer puppy?

There is very subtle and active movement going on, one that leans back to a more uncomplicated style of life.   It’s a new kind of choice, where people of varied ages and economic brackets choose to grow their own foods, play records, and not only don’t text, some don’t don’t even possess cell phones.    Not all of them live in farms, communes, or have Brooklyn backyards, some may be your next door neighbors who have chosen to scale down their way of life.  If the idea of clearing our your mind and life sounds appealing, you may want to check out one such group of modern pioneers known as: the simplicity collective.  Here participants practice something called voluntary simplicity in order to lead a balanced and meaningful life.   http://simplicitycollective.com/start-here/what-is-voluntary-simplicity-2

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Witches and Essentia New York have one very important thing in common: we are both green.  And since it’s that spooky, haunted, pumpkin time of year again, we are celebrating the ghostly spirit in all of us with a HALLOWEEN MIXER on Thursday October 25th.

The uniquely artistic photography of Tildabeth Doscher will be on display for the event, and the artist herself will be in attendance.

Not only are you all invited, we suggest you bring a friend who, like you, appreciates the importance of leading a healthy sustainable lifestyle, in order to maintain personal wellness and the longevity of our planet.

So we suggest you put on your coolest costume & hop on the bus, hail a taxi, or leap on the subway, do whatever you have to and get off at Herald Square.  Come visit the showroom this THURSDAY OCTOBER 25^th from 5-8:00.

Say hello.  Have a snack.  Share what your passionate about.  We would love to see you.  And if you’re so inclined, you can even take a cushy nap on our incredible natural memory foam mattresses… Please note: be careful not to snore too loudly or you may frighten the guests.

Please find all the details below & make sure to RSVP with your name & how many are in your party, by OCTOBER 23rd to: heraldsquare@myessentia.com

We wish you a very green halloween…

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We at Essentia New York realize that the change of seasons can be hard to keep up with: do I wear the sweater or the layers, leave the scarf at home, or take the umbrella for those surprise showers?  One way to feel especially comforted in fall is to make a big ol’ cozy bowl of soup.  Since they are in season, loaded with antioxidants, and rather scrumptious, give sweet potatoes a try.  Here’s a recipe that won’t take much time, and will not only taste warm and creamy on your tongue, it will also strengthen your immunity, and look & smell delightful.  The pretty orange color will even tempt your local witches to stop and linger in your kitchen.  Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, it’s even Vegan friendly too!

What you’ll need:

2 large peeled sweet potatoes, cubed.

1 Granny Smith apple, diced into small cubes.

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

dash of clove

dash of sea salt

1/2 teaspoon dark brown sugar

2 cup unsweetened almond milk.

On a low flame combine Almond milk & sweet potatoes in a saucepan and cook about 15-20 minutes until tender and the sweet potatoes can easily break apart.   Stir in clove, sugar and cinnamon.  Shut flame, and put in the blender on chop, until the mixture is combined but still chunky.  Then pour into a bowl and add add a some chopped apple for garnish.  Optional: serve with toasted French bread.  Yields 4 servings.

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It’s Sunday, and in exactly 3 weeks from today over 45,000 runners plus their friends, families and enthusiastic spectators will descend upon the 5 boroughs for the 42nd annual ING NYC Marathon. Just thinking about it chokes me up. Each year I head down to my local vantage point at 4th Ave. and 5th St. in my neighborhood of Park Slope, Brooklyn and each year it’s the same joyful and emotional experience. You simply can’t help but get caught up in it. I am teary eyed just writing about it.  In a way, it’s like our own version of the Olympics that we get to host each year. It’s the coming together of ALL folks of all ages, races, abilities, and nations (and all the boroughs) to cheer together and root for a single, common, positive cause….the pushing of oneself to achieve a personal goal, the pushing of oneself to extend beyond our comfort zone, take a risk, and go the distance. It’s no small feat and it’s palpable. We can all feel it and understand its value.  In addition, it’s not an everyday thing for thousands upon thousands of people to come together for a single worthy cause and that infectious energy sweeps through the air in the cold November breeze intoxicating, healing, and energizing us all. My brother has now joined the pack as a runner and last year was his first race. He made it to the finish line with exceptional time, grace and courage. Not surprising for me though as he is one of my true heroes in life, but for that one day, so are 45,000 other runners.

If you’ve never been here for the Marathon, it is definitely worth the visit. Just make sure you have somewhwere to stay worked out well in advance. Hotels are completly booked even a year ahead. Here’s all the info you’ll need including lots of good tips for fitting in like a local

ING NYC Marathon info

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Ok, I’ll admit it, I have a thing for Ben Affleck, hence this blog post, but there’s nothing wrong with a little shameless idolization blogging right?

Argo opens nationwide today and by most accounts thus far, the film, which my boy Ben directed and stars in (and I’m told  takes his shirt off in), is a winner!  Argo is based on the Canadian Caper that took place during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979 and 1980. It is a re-telling of Tony Mendez‘s account of the rescue of six US diplomats with help from the Canadian government.  The film stars Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin and John Goodman.

Popcorn anyone?

Argo preview

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We at Essentia New York are always very concerned about the details of how you sleep: all of it matters to us.  A huge part of that is the way your body organically moves and the how you feel most comfortable during your slumber.   Whether it’s extra cushion for your shoulders or more firmness for your lower back, when you choose a mattress it’s important you pick one that best suits your nightly pose.

Back, stomach, fetal position, it’s unique for each person; and to further complicate matters, many of us vary our movements throughout the sleep cycle, resulting in scattered time in each pose.  How we sleep affects the level of comfort we feel during the night and can also offer a glimpse into our personas.

According to a study done by the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service in London, 41% of the 1,000 people in the study were side sleepers and over twice as many women than men, according to Chris Idzikowski, PhD, a director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service.  Research also illustrated that if those who are sound sleepers on their backs tend to be social and easy to get along with although at times naïve.  Read this fascinating story on Wed MD, detailing various poses and medical research relating to the different ways we sleep.  http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/what-your-sleeping-style-says-about-you

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and we at Essentia New York are very pleased to be one of the contributors to a silent auction for a feature film fundraiser all about that very subject, “A Wake-up Call”.   Co-writer/producer Barbara Masry was inspired to write her screenplay after undergoing treatment for the disease and meeting a young woman who didn’t have health insurance.  Regardless of the fact that they were from vastly different socioeconomic backgrounds, each felt an immediate connection.  Two women.  One disease.  The woman who can afford treatment, lives.  The other woman, denied treatment, dies.  Enraged by the injustice, and healing, Ms. Masry chose to make her voice heard and chose to channel her rage into creativity…  And the screenplay, “A Wake-up Call” was born.

An impressive list of talented actors are all ready on board the project: the film will star Oscar Winner, Mira Sorvino; and Peter Jacobson (house); Dan Hedaya; Amanda Setton (Gossip Girl); and the acclaimed singer-songwriter Ashanti, whose grandmother suffered from breast cancer.

The fundraiser, which includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction will take place: 7 PM, Thursday, October 11^th, at the Swing 46 Jazz and Supper Club, 349 W. 46^th St. http://www.awakeupcallfilm.com/benefit.html

On hand to entertain the invitees will be legendary comedian, Robert Klein, comedian Susie Essman who co-stars in “CurbYour Enthusiasm,“ and Broadway’s Melissa Errico.

Ms. Masry was one of the founders of the Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition, 21 years ago.  A percentage of the film’s profits will be donated to an organization that helps young women with breast cancer.

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