zip it up!

This past November through January, I did not have a car. No car in Atlanta? That's unheard of. How did I get around? Mostly, on my bicycle. No snow here, so I just threw on a few layers and my backpack and pedaled to teach yoga classes. For errands and grocery shopping, I joined zipcar. You may have seen zipcars parked around downtown and midtown. There a zipcar parked a few blocks from my house. After I signed on for a yearly membership, I just reserved a car online for the day and time I needed the car. I received a membership car that I waved above the windshield to open the locks, and with the key inside, off I went. There was always a car nearby when I needed one, and they were new and clean. Occasionally I drove a Prius, a BMW Mini, or the super-efficient Honda Civic. There are also a few small trucks around town that would be good to borrow if you needed to haul furniture or move.

It's a great option for visitors or travel (your zipcar membership is good in tons of cities) or if your car is in the shop. I highly recommend signing on with zipcar, and exploring other options for transportation, like walking/biking, and using marta.

Driving less gives your life a new vantage point. Instead of being enclosed in your car, you're interacting with the environment. When I lived in Chicago, I didn't have a car for two years. I walked or rode public transportation everywhere. I loved it. I read a lot of books on the train. Walking the mile to the El in the morning got my brain and body moving before work, walking home was meditative and calming after a long day, and especially lovely in the warm months. I also super toned legs from all the walking, a positive side benefit. Also, no car insurance, maintenance, and parking fees. So I'm trying to find that same balance here in Atlanta. I have a car now, but my personal code is never to drive when I could walk. So I stroll down to the post office when I'm shipping boxes for my business teddylux. I ride my bike to teach yoga classes. Occansionally DC and I walk or ride bikes to nearby restaurants. Once we rode our bikes to Daddy D'zs, loaded up on barbeque, beer, and fried okra, and the pedal home was torture. :)

seriously, if you are interested in giving zipcar a try, click on the zipcar above and get $25 in free driving credit. Not just in Atlanta, but nationwide.

fresh + organic

A Saturday morning highlight for DC and I has been the Morningside Farmer's Market. We had a few ambitious mornings when we biked over (approx. 3 miles?), or we carpool. There are maybe a dozen farmers/vendors that have the most delicious organic produce. Heirloom tomatoes have been AMAZING, along with bell peppers of all colors and sizes. Last week I canned some habeneros and scotch bonnets, a fiery mix to await on a dark shelf until December.

It's amazing how dynamically different and alive the organic farmer's veggies taste compared to what you buy at the store, including Whole Foods. I've also found the costs to be the same if not a bit less. Last week DC bought a whole free-range chicken that he's fixing to grill beer-can style. He's psyched for the taste test (he's tried organic chickens from Kroger, Publix, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's - I don't eat chicken) to see how this chicken compares. I've also been growing sweet bibb lettuce in containers in our back alley, and its almost ready to be eaten.

In August, we visited my family cottage in the Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan. My family has had a place up there since the 1930s. As you wind away from the lakeshore, you'll find rolling hills of working farms, orchards, and wineries. My parents bought a share in an organic farm this year and we went crazy with just-picked organic tomatillos, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, fresh eggs, cucumbers, potatos, everything just so delicious, every week a new haul. We also went into Traverse City on a Saturday for their Farmer's Market, and it was huge. Seriously, there were probably 100 vendors, including several Amish farms, and everything from flowers, honey, cherries, (Cherry Capital of the World) corn, veggies of every variety. I guess these experiences really reignited our passion for finding outstanding veggies in our urban existence.

We've made the choice that in this current freaky and scary economic climate, that we are going to take pleasure in simple things. No matter what, we are going to eat healthy, good foods that nurture body and soul. Clearly, I'm all about de-stressing with yoga...come join me anytime.

visit the Morningside Market
go early!

sage naturalceuticals, organic body+beauty boutique in atlanta

This Saturday I was walking around my neighborhood, Castleberry Hill, and I stopped into a little store I've been meaning to visit: sage naturalceuticals. Cindy, the owner, has made a bright, welcoming shop full of organic products: haircare, skincare, bodycare, perfumes, and soy candles. I bought a John Masters Organic detangler, citrus and neroli (smells aaamazing). Next I'm going to try a Pacifica solid soy perfume. And if I need a gift soon, I'm definitely buying a Skeem candle, blended soy in gorgeous silkscreened glasses that can be reused. Stop by the store- there's lots of testers to try - or shop online - I highly recommend it!

Sage Naturalceuticals

nuture yourself

in times of uncertainty, rather than stressing about what you can't control, find peace in simple things: nature, laughter, family and friends. It's also especially important to take some time to nuture your body and spirit.

i took my own advice the other night and booked a massage with Atlanta's best masseuse, Jeanetta Lambkin of Spa Flow. She has a massage room on Moreland on the outskirts of Little Five Points, or- for a very worthy indulgence, she will come to your home or work. She also will do spa parties. I can't recommend her enough. Every month or so I see her to get all the knots in my shoulders worked out, she's super professional, and has the magic touch. I also love the massage lotion she uses, it isn't greasy so you don't leave oily -just super loose, mellow, well-moisturized. The perfect attitude adjustment!
check out Spa Flow's website