The Sights, Sounds & Feelings in NYC

Every time I get the opportunity to visit NYC, I learn something new. This time around the city was in the midst of finishing up UN Council activities and hosting the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park. The diversity, heart, and overall vibe that circulate around this world famous destination were nothing less than motivational.

One of the reasons that I love traveling in general both nationally and internationally is my getting the chance to fully immerse myself in the locale. This involves finding ways to fully engage with the surroundings and millions who live in it. The culture and attractions that makes NYC unique is also a part of what brands it into my memory.

The Sights

This is truly a never sleeping city that is vibrant around the clock. From the time we ventured out in the morning until drifting off to sleep, there was nothing but activity going on. The bustle of the subway and 24/7 movement shows the constant examples of tradition. These sights attract tourists from around the world and provide exploration opportunities.

The Sounds

Voices, vehicles, vendors and more are a part of the never-ending productivity that defines this city. All of these come with sounds that are heard throughout the day and night. These are a harmonious melody that works together to express what New York is all about from location to borough. There are notes of music, sellers, restaurants, and staples everywhere.

The Feelings

The sheer life of the city corralled on this visit in Central Park which was the backdrop for the 2018 Global Citizen Festival. This annual event focuses on the importance of eliminating poverty on a global basis. This year’s crowd has been figured at 60+K attendees converging for an underlying purpose and goal. Here was a site to learn from and inspire citizens to work together to make life better in the future.

Vegan Tips – A New Lifestyle

Recent statistics have shown that veganism is on the rise. In fact, popular food delivery services have found that vegan options are some of the most popular. Different from vegetarian diets, vegans choose to only eat plant-based foods.


This means eliminating dairy, meat and things derived from animal products. There are a number of ways to achieve this sort of lifestyle change.Those who are heavy meat-eaters may have a challenge ahead of them.


It is possible to take a step-by-step approach to this new lifestyle. Find a few items in your diet to replace by vegan options and products. Consider this a fun and exciting journey to better health, fitness and the achieving of a set goal. Here are some easy tips:

1 – Swap veggie sticks and humus for potato chips and dip

2 – Create a go-to salad with your favorite veggies

3 – Experiment with vegan substitutions like Seitan and crumbles

4 – Explore your market for tasty alternatives

Spice Up Leftovers

Throwing away your leftovers is not the best way to get the most out of your money. Oftentimes people become bored with their meals. They simply don’t want to eat the same thing again. This is one reason to spice up your leftovers. With a little preparation, you can take one dish and completely transform it.

Spiced up leftovers can make new dinners or even intriguing lunches. This is a benefit for people who have families to feed. Children may not know that you’ve re-vamped last night’s meal. Adding a few key ingredients, sauces, and spices can help you to change the look and taste of leftovers. Let’s take a look at some delectable dishes created from other meals.

Tex-Mex Beef Stroganoff
You can take your leftover ground beef from tacos and kick up a stroganoff dish. Traditional stroganoff can be made quickly with cream of mushroom soup and egg noodles. Your taco meat will have that Tex-Mex seasoning and will spice your stroganoff meal. Add a few sweet peas or another vegetable here to bulk up the dish.

Chicken Pot Pie
Roasted chicken can hang around a while when your family is small. The leftover meat here can be incorporated into a luscious chicken pot pie. All you will need here is a prepared pie crust, meat, cream of celery, leftover veggies, and your favorite cheese. Mix everything together and pour it into your crust. Top with cheese and bake at 350 degrees until the crust browns and the cheese melts.

Open-Face Beef Sandwich
Leftover roast beef can be used in a number of creative ways. One example to consider is an open-face sandwich. Your favorite toasted bread, topped with beef and gravy makes a nice meal. A great cheese selection can also compliment this meal. Add a side salad or a veggie mix to enhance your dish.

Pets Change the Environment

Everyone that has a four-legged little buddy in their homes, know how important they are. Our pets actually change the whole environment of our homes. Yes, there are responsibilities associated with having a pet. In some instances, it’s just like having a child. There are also costs related to keeping your pet healthy and happy.

The cost and investment of time is more than worthwhile. What we receive back as pet owners, more than compensates us for the cost that we pay. Emotional issues, like stress, can be combated through the help of pets. Studies have shown that we need our pets just, as much as, they need us. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that pets affect our environment.

Something to look forward to
It doesn’t matter, whether you live alone or not. Coming home to a happy pet is one of the day’s highlights. Most people are very excited to reunite with their dogs and cats at the end of a long work day. Their excitement for us can be seen is their happy display once the door opens.

Provides companionship
Pets provide welcome companionship to many people. They are wonderful roommates for the elderly and for the handicap. Their love and affection makes pet owners feel needed. This is a great way to deal with emotional and physical ailments.

Encourages activity
The care of your pet will almost always require that you stay active. This is true whether you are walking your dog or changing litter. Keeping active is a healthy way to live. It will also help you to give the best care to your pet.

Snacking Options: Fresh Fruit

Oftentimes snacks are the culprits behind people putting on unwanted pounds. Most of the snacks that we eat have been long time favorites. If your goal is to eat healthy and lose weight, making better food selections is important. Processed snacks are not the best choices for nutritional eating. One of the great options for snacking is fresh fruit.

Organic produce has become more and more popular over recent years. These are fruits and vegetables that have been grown naturally, without pesticides. There are benefits to eating non-organic and organic fruits. Both of these are better for you than snacks with preservatives. Let’s take a look at some fruit ideas.

A simple fruit salad
Pick a few of your favorite fruits and make a simple salad. Pineapples, grapes, and peaches are delectable items for a fruit salad. These fruits will naturally make their own juice, but can be encourage with a little sugar.

Orange slice and cottage cheese
A great way to get Vitamin C and Calcium is to combine two snacks. Orange slices and cottage cheese together make a delicious snack or dessert. This is also an offering to increase your protein intake.

Apples
There are so many different types of apples, which it’s easy to find one you’ll like. In fact, purchasing a variety of apples each week provides you with a choice. Some apples are sweet, while others are distinctly tart. The health benefits of this fruit are beneficial. They are easy snacks to store and to transport.

Change Your Hair & Your Outlook

Whoever said that your appearance doesn’t affect your mood? The style of your hair could absolutely improve your outlook. There are times when you simply want a new look. Some people choose hairstyles to commemorate milestones in their lives. Others simply want to enjoy a fresh, trendy display.

You will find that there are many different ways that you can change your hair. Drastic changes aren’t required to alter your appearance. A modern haircut or a new color selection could work to accentuate your face. Seeing the impact your new style has on friends and family is one benefit. At the same time, you can experience a transformation. Here are some benefits that changing your hairstyle can produce:

Enjoy the confidence
Many people have experienced a level of confidence from merely changing their hair. A sleek cut can not only modernize your look. It could also inspire you to try new things professionally and personally.

Take years off
Highlights, cuts, straightening are options for changing your hair. These can be as simple or as complex as you’d like. It is possible to take some years off your face with the right hairstyle. Depending on the shape of your face, you should consider styles that compliment you.

Look to the future
A great hairstyle can provide you with encouragement for the future. This is especially true for people who are searching for work. Shedding old appearances is a great way to look ahead.

No More Boring Lunches!

We all know that there's an economic benefit to eating modestly. Watching your budget doesn't mean that you have to be bored every day. There are a variety of different ways to spice up your lunch selections without breaking the bank. In fact, you don't even have to step foot into a restaurant in order to have a special meal.

Your shopping habits will play a role in this process. This means purchasing food for more than 1 or 2 days at a time. Considering the meals that you want to prepare ahead of time is wise. As you compose a menu for dinner, you can also put together ideas for lunch. Bag lunches of the past, don't need to haunt you. Following a few quick steps can help you have more intriguing lunches.

1 - Purchase 2-3 snack items

The snack portion of your lunch is just as important as the meal itself. If you purchase the right selection, you will have a more filling lunch. Fruit, granola, baked chips, and other ideas are figure friendly and delicious.

2 - Choose easy to prepare options

Chicken salad and tuna salad are two great options that are easy to prepare. You don't have to keep it safe in these areas. Curry, grapes, celery, and other additives can help you to prepare a terrific lunch.

3 - Create segments

Two or three small segments to your lunch is much better than one big boring one. You can treat yourself to bread, salad, and fruit as one option. The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating a lunch you can look forward to.

Get Up & Get Moving!

The beauty and heat of the summer, sometimes causes people to procrastinate when it comes to exercise. When the cool wind of fall knocks at the door, we usually wish that we'd done more with the nice weather. If weather is your usual excuse, get rid of it. There are many different ways to stay fit and to keep active. All of these are going to require you to simply get up and get moving.

The Speed of Life often causes people to allow their health to slip. This includes not only fitness programs, but the food that they eat. It is important to note, that a really healthy life doesn't occur accidentally. You have to find reasonable ways to maintain your health. Let's take a look at some of the tips that you can apply.

1 - Find a simple routine

Walking everyday could be the challenge that you need. Most neighborhoods these days are designed for walkers. If this is not an option for you, consider the local park. It doesn't matter, whether your routine is walking or jogging. Keeping your routine is a good way to commit to your health and staying active.

2 - Read the labels

Shopping healthy isn't just about the money that you spend. It is about knowing what your eating, and how that food affects your body. Make a habit of reading package labels. This will help you to monitor calories, fat, and additives.

3 - Choose a great location

Sometimes your workouts will have to be done at home. A nice outdoor setting from time-to-time could change your morale. This is a way to not only treat your body, but to treat your mind as well.

Can Travel Revive You?

Many people are going to vacation this year despite the challenges with the economy. Some will travel far distances, while others will look for quiet spots near home. Let's face it. Most of us need to get away from it all. We need to spend some time away from the Speed of Life and to simply just relax. This is true whether we are married with kids or are completely single.

I think that a good vacation can revive you both physically and spiritually. Shedding your worldly responsibilities for just a weekend could make the difference in your overall attitude. The right destination choice can provide you with great points of interests and attractions. Finding things to do that interest you will allow you to expand your mind in other ways.

Instead of being stuck at a desk or in a cubicle, you can let your toes dig into soft white sand. Hiking through a national park, could be just what you need to experience revival. There are many great things to do aside from the activities that a vacation offers. You could finally read that book you've allow to attract dust. Sampling the cuisine of a destination is another terrific way to truly experience it.

Put a little extra thought into your vacation this year. Make your choice count! Select a place that provides you with time and opportunity to think and contemplate. Exciting excursions wouldn't hurt either.

It's Your Job to Stay Fit

The one thing that I learned a little over 2 months ago, is that age is simply a number. This was when my family and I embarked on Insanity. True, this is not a workout for the light-hearted exercise person. It's challenging, effective, and beneficial.

Too many of us have grown accustomed to slowing down with age. It doesn't matter where you live or what resources you have. You can stay active and fit. The blame is often passed around as to why people aren't as fit as they should be. Parents. Lifestyle. Habits. Hobbies. It is your job to make sure your body is healthy and fit.

Changes are necessary for this process. You may find that learning the connection between food and fitness is critical. Making healthier food choices is definitely important in this process. It is also important that you find a fitness program or exercise routine that works for you and your schedule. Fit time into your week to do something completely selfish . . . Exercise.