From 34th Street to the BK Bridge (My Personal Protest)

by Karlos October 3rd, 2011 - No Comments »

Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past couple of weeks, you know that there is an ongoing demonstration not that far from the Essentia showroom in New York. Occupy Wall Street is a series of protests and demonstrations against the corporate greed and social structure of our society today…AND I’M 100% BEHIND IT!

For years, I have been frustrated with how our government allocates OUR hard earned money and failing to address issues here in OUR country. The educational system is flawed, the financial system is broken and the everyday nicer people are the ones paying for it. In order to get a better education, you have to submit to the will of loans after loans if you don’t qualify for financial aid (which at this point, it feels like no one does). Capitalism is seriously not the american dream…it’s a nightmare. This is my best guess but I’d say 75% of the money in the U.S. is held by 10% of the population, and that’s me pulling figures out of the air.

My opinions and frustration led me to sympathize with the Occupy Wall Street movement. I’m realistic though, it’s going to take more then a bunch of people sitting in a park to change how things are done but I think it’s a good start. If this doesn’t happen, we go unheard.

I was a late addition to the march from Zuccotti Park to the Brooklyn bridge. I work and because of my responsibilities, I wasn’t able to join the Occupy Wall Street march on time but I was determined to at least show up. I had friends meet me at Herald Square and we made our way to the Brooklyn bridge to join stragglers of the protest march. Sure enough, people were still out there in full force. We chanted, we sang and laughed…it was a great time…until police almost arrested me for arguing with them because they arrested my friend. I got lucky because I was carrying my (expired) military ID (which is another thing wrong with the U.S.)

I know I’m just one person and my contribution was probably insignificant but to finally put a voice to my troubles has allowed me some small measure of peace. Even though I’m not out there in the street, Wall Street friends, I’m there in spirit. Good luck to us all!

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Red River Flowin’…?

by Karlos September 12th, 2011 - 1 Comment »

A few days ago, I was walking along the Hudson River and I saw the strangest thing. The river was flowing and it looked red…

Before I go on, I just wanted to say a disclaimer. I’m not from New York originally and mob and crime movies don’t help the city’s reputation (LOL) so I thought “eeewww”.

Well apparently I wasn’t the only one to notice. There were a few twitter blasts and facebook posts that commented on the color of the water too. It’s not like the whole hudson river was blood red, just parts of it but nonetheless it was kinda strange to see.

Well the actual reason is Irene…yes her…the storm. It looks like some clay sediments from the mountains upstate washed into the river and flowed downstream. That would explain the odd hue of the water. So much for a Carlito’s Way remake -_- …

Hudson River

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Organic Rug Cleaning NYC

by Jason August 23rd, 2011 - No Comments »

Ok, so friends cat pees on her $1500 organic rug that’s just 3 months ago. ouch!

Not sure if you know but feline pee is very different from dog or human urine. It’s stinks and it’s very difficult to eliminate that atrocious smell. I tied all the home remedies possible from baking soda, vinegar and lime mixes etc and even some natural cleaning products but to no avail.

So i did some digging online and found a company in New York that provide organic carpet cleaning services!

1) FREE Estimate
2) FREE Pick up & Delivery
3) Non-Toxic Materials Used
4) We use Green & Organic Solutions
5) Complete Satisfaction Guaranteed

Quick and painless they stopped by, picked up the rug and dropped it off a few days later. My friend was relieved and needless to say so was I.

Here’s their snazzy little video. You can also check out their blog.

 

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A Natural Traveler

by Karlos August 20th, 2011 - No Comments »

If you travel like I do (a lot) then you will be going nuts over…TA DA!

How cool is Essentia? Answer: Very cool. Travel pillows are here and ready for purchase. These happy guys feature our great 100% natural memory foam that will keep you comfortable on your trips.

As always, stop by around Herald Square to check them out and visit us!

 

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I Drink Almonds

by angelina August 16th, 2011 - No Comments »

The last time I drank milk was in June when I made a brief trip over to England to visit a friend. They are huge fans of tea and milk. My fourth day partaking in PG Tips and milk, after not drinking it for quite a few years, I knew I was in trouble. I must’ve sounded like a spoiled brat when I couldn’t find my almond milk and refused to drink tea anymore.

I started drinking Almond Milk after I gave up on Soy Milk after college. I made the change without ever knowing the benefits. So here they are…

Almond Milk:

  • has Zero trans fats, cholesterol, and saturated fats
  • 1 cup is only 60 calories
  • 50% of its calories come from Fats (monounsaturated or polyunsaturated-good for cholesterol levels)
  • 8 grams of Carbohydrates per cup (7 of the 8 are from low glycemic sugars–the remaining gram is Fiber)
  • also contains beneficial amounts of sodium, vitamin D, Calcium, Vitamin E and Riboflavin (B2)
  • Great for skin, hair and nails

 

So would I say I made an amazingly healthy decision without even knowing it? “Yes!”

And I actually happen to love the taste.

I am only really familiar with Almond Breeze but if anyone has any other amazing suggestions feel free to share the knowledge. Almond recipes are fun too.

By the way UK, I love PG Tips now and its silly mascot. Even more than the mascot of love the Certified Sustainability. My friend is coming to visit in September from England and he is bringing me PG Tips YAY!

 

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NYC and Art: can’t get any better!

by angelina August 13th, 2011 - 1 Comment »

August 12, 2011 at 7pm (EST) Nina Dee Irizarry took over the NYC Essentia Showroom with her exhibition: An Aesthetic Exploration of Struggle and Agency. It was no longer just a mattress showroom but a showroom that fully purveyed the full concept of whole body wellness and the world around. Lush, organic photography and a 3 minute dance number by Michael Lasalle made this a night of firsts for the new emerging artist and the NYC Essentia showroom.

The importance of supporting the arts was clear yesterday when people from all different professions and backgrounds came out to Experience: being feeling or affecting.

Michael Amore was our raffle winner of the night. Nina pulled his name from the magic bag. Congrats Michael!

Complimenting the photography Michael Lasalle showed his body empowerment with a sheet of latex.

Looking forward to more events like this one.

Keep you Posted!!

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MTA, Get On Board

by Karlos August 8th, 2011 - 1 Comment »

I, like many New Yorkers living in the city, must deal with commuting via mass transit (i.e. MTA subway and/or bus). I usually have a morning ritual while coming to work. I order my orange juice and bagel with cream cheese before going underground into the train station. Needless to say, the trains run whenever they feel like it so i usually have plenty of time to finish my breakfast before the train comes roaring down the path. I roll up my waste and toss my plastic bottle in the trash can as I jump on the F.

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Today was a little different because I forgot my iPod…which leaves me to ride with just my thoughts…and that “basketball coach” who asks for change or a smile. So as I tossed another plastic bottle into the bin, I sit back and enjoyed the sounds of my morning commute. Of course there is nothing to enjoy so it hits me. Where does my bottle go? There aren’t any recycling bins in the station…

Actually there aren’t any in ANY station. So if the rider can’t sort out recyclable materials before disposing of them, are they just wasted? Well after some digging around I found that the MTA has a program in place…they sort out recyclables after collecting trash.

Now here is where I vent…what if these plastic bottles or newspapers or anything useful becomes soiled with coffee, food or whatever evils lie in wait in that trash can? Then these reusable items aren’t so reusable anymore. I might as well have just put my orange juice bottle in the landfill myself and save you the trouble.

MTA, you keep raising the fare so why don’t I get my monies worth? Put a freaking recycle bin in the stations so my kids have a little less to clean up after we pass this planet to them.

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South Street Gets Solar Powered Fun

by angelina August 5th, 2011 - No Comments »

Who ever said that happy little memory of riding a carousel couldn’t be done green?

I didn’t!

With all my big dreams for Wind Power, Ethanol fuel, Zero Carbon emissions–South Street Seaport is hosting a tiny little carousel with large ambition. Like Superman recharging himself with the rays of our Sun, this GE (General Electirc) Carousel runs on that same energy; 100% SOLAR!

Bring Your Kiddies and Check out some good ol’ CLEAN Fun.

Will be there through September 7th 10am to 10pm.

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Old School New House

by Karlos August 1st, 2011 - No Comments »

A modern straw bale home before plaster is applied

You see that house? It’s made out of straw bale. Really…straw…you know how throwback that is?

A woman from upstate NY just made her house out of straw bale and plaster. Her name is Mary Ellen Blakey and lives in Oneida County (central New York). Her house is made with a green sense of mind and is worth about $140,000.

How does she get her energy? The house is heated up by sunlight through special windows and her electricity comes from 3 solar panels. That’s far out…yes, that is an old school slang. Her utility bill is around $500 a year? I spend more then that on rent…A MONTH.

My straw hat goes off to you Mary.

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“Talk about Portable AC?!”

by angelina July 26th, 2011 - No Comments »

In the wake of the Fukushima power plant disaster, earth quake, and Tsunami the demand for electricity had to be reduced to avoid complete blackouts. How were those resourceful and tech-savvy Japanese going to stay cool?

Well, here comes AIR to the rescue!

The Company KUCHOFUKU, which literally means AIR specializes in Air conditioning. From beds to clothing their self contained portable AC’s have become all the rage when trying to beat the heat and save on energy consumption.

Wanna Know More?

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I found a site where you can purchase.

 

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