I was away most of the week at a conference in New Orleans. It was my first visit to the Big Easy. I was a bit alarmed that my hotel was on Bourbon Street. The smell in the morning there brought back memories of college bars (they bleach the street and it still reeks!) That said, I was pleasantly surprised with the rest of the city that I saw and want to go back to see more another time. Why am I telling you this? Well, I have not had much time to focus on my blog this week – damn work!
The good news is that I can share with you some great “Friends’ Finds” that I have received as suggestions for my blog posts over the last few weeks. I am so lucky to have interesting – and interested – friends! Yay for friends! Another thing to be grateful for – right?
Debbie, one of my college roommates who is a pediatrician and mother of 3 in Atlanta, sent this link and suggested that she’d like to take one of these trips some day. The article was about the travel bloggers at Go Eat Give.
The Go Eat Give movement is “about exploring the world and learning about different cultures through food and community service. It encourages people to travel (just as they would do for a vacation) to a different part of the world, experience the local culture (not just as a tourist) by working alongside the locals in the community.” It has evolved into an international nonprofit hosting monthly dining events, cooking classes and volunteer vacation trips, and it recently garnered its founder international acclaim.
Check it out! You can also follow them on Twitter or Facebook.
Maureen, my friend who is also my fave pilates instructor, wellness coach and former teacher, sent me two great finds.
> Two of her former colleagues started a new company with a product called My Chummies. “My Chummies” is a new take on friendship bracelets by offering fun combinations that celebrate “what makes us different.” They are spreading the message for inclusion and celebrating what makes us unique. It is a positive approach to deal with bullying. These bracelets fit together and can be mixed, matched, traded and shared. They are $5 each and a portion of the profits go to the Born This Way Foundation and the PACER Center. Maureen also likes the idea that they’re looking for feedback from kids and that they can suggest their own idea for future bracelet and create videos for the site. Nice!
> She also saw an interview with the directors of a documentary called, “A Place at the Table” on the Daily Show and was really impressed.
Here is a synopsis from the website: “50 million people in the U.S.-one in four children-don’t know where their next meal is coming from, despite our having the means to provide nutritious, affordable food for all Americans. Directors Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush examine this issue through the lens of three people who are struggling with food insecurity: Barbie, a single Philadelphia mother who grew up in poverty and is trying to provide a better life for her two kids; Rosie, a Colorado fifth-grader who often has to depend on friends and neighbors to feed her and has trouble concentrating in school; and Tremonica, a Mississippi second-grader whose asthma and health issues are exacerbated by the largely empty calories her hardworking mother can afford.”
“Ultimately, A Place at the Table shows us how hunger poses serious economic, social and cultural implications for our nation, and that it could be solved once and for all, if the American public decides-as they have in the past-that making healthy food available and affordable is in the best interest of us all.”
I can’t wait to check it out! Thanks, Maureen!
Molly, my friend, fellow runner, blogger, photographer and all around funny gal (among many other things), had a great post this week. She kept me smiling while I was stranded on the plane waiting for the jet bridge at O’Hare at almost midnight on my return trip! The recipe is great and looks delish (as always), but her send up of the site goop is hilarious! Check it out. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did!
My friend Don (who found the links for this post) is one of my best finders (among his other talents – engineer, speedy runner, etc.)!
He sent me a bunch of great TED talks including:
– Amanda Palmer discussing her success at crowdfunding to support and share her music with “The Art of Asking”
– Upon learning about my interest in meditation, he sent me mindfulness expert Andy Puddicombe’s talk. He wants to make meditation accessible to everybody: for a happier, healthier you. [A total aside from me – check out this free 21 day meditation challenge from Deepak Chopra and Oprah, too! Starts Monday. Love Deepak – not sure what Oprah brings to this but I am game to find out and it’s FREE!]
– He also sent me one of my favorite talks – Cameron Russell: Looks aren’t everything. Believe me, I’m a model.
Do you like TED Talks? What is your favorite?
Don also sent me an article from iNudgeYou. iNudgeYou is non-profit and dedicated to improving decision making about wealth, health and happiness without limiting choice or changing incentives. That is a cool find in and of itself! The article is about how rearranging foods on a buffet table can “nudge” people to make better food choices! How cool is that? Google tried it, too, and it worked!
And finally, from “the husband”, “the most compelling essay [he] has read in a long time” from Mother Jones: America’s Real Criminal Element: Lead by Kevin Drum. New research finds Pb is the hidden villain behind violent crime, lower IQs, and even the ADHD epidemic. And fixing the problem is a lot cheaper than doing nothing. There are a bunch of great articles on the topic in the January/February issue of Mother Jones.
Well, since all of my friends did the work on this post, I had some time to find some good deals for you to check out!
> Have you tried cocoavia? CocoaVia® is a powdered, daily cocoa extract supplement designed to help support cardiovascular health by helping support healthy circulation and blood flow. Click here to get a sample of all 4 flavors for free ($2.95 for shipping). If you like it (which I think you will) take 20% off of your next purchase with coupon code SamplePack20. I bought a box of the unsweetened chocolate. If you want to try one, leave a comment and I will send you one!
> Where did I find Cocoavia? KlutchClub of course! KlutchClub is a curated health and wellness box for women or men. Want to try it? Get 30% off of a 3 month membership with code SAVEBIG30 or 40% off of a 12 month membership with the code SAVEHUGE40. Each box has ~$50 worth of products and discounts so it is about 70% savings with these codes!
> As usual, Gilt City has some great deals:
– Check out great deals at Craftsy for online classes – over 50% off on one, three, six or twelve online classes!
– And 24 flash frozen gluten free meals – $125 includes shipping – 55% off!
In Chicago:
– Check out great deals on warm workout classes at the Mercury Method in Bucktown.
– Try the brunch or dinner at Sunda in River North for 35% off or more! (Brunch is SO GOOD!)
In NYC:
– Get great deals at Yelo Spa – 40% off on spa services.
– Try a tasting menu or six course meal for 2 for 40% off at the Dalloway in Soho.
– and there are many more great NYC and Chicago deals – and other cities, too!
> Get $5 off of Living Social Home deals in cities across the country with the code PREP until 3/13. There are deals for cleaning, painting and even custom canvases.
> Check out this great giveaway for Chicago families, kids (and even a few cool things for DINCs like me and Neal) from Red Tricycle!
> Hey Runners!
– Gearbuzz has 50% off of Aspaeris compression shorts for ladies and 50% off on Lock Laces.
– Not to be outdone,Active GearUp has $10 for an annual subscription to Runner’s World and over 50% off on compression socks from SL3S
Sheesh – that is more than enough for now – no? Send me your finds and you can see your name in print, too! 😉 Have a great weekend all!