Wednesday, July 29, 2009

NYC Runners Wanted






Half-Marathon

Would you like to run this year's New York City Half-Marathon on August 16th while also helping Fresh Air Fund children? Join our Fresh Air Fund-Racers team today! If you would like to register, please visit http://freshair.kintera.org/ or just click here! If you have additional questions or are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Kate at runners@freshair.org or call (800) 367-0003 ext. 8890.
Last summer's NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE was a huge success for The Fresh Air Fund, and we couldn't have done it without all of our Fund-Racers! Thank you to the dedicated runners who participated through our team and to everyone who came out to support us! We raised more than $125,000 which will go directly to our free programs for NYC children.












For more Info:
Call us at 1-800-367-0003

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

31 days of Summer


31 days of summer
There's still plenty of sunshine left! To help you squeeze every last bit of joy out of each delightful day, actress and singer Zooey Deschanel, star of 500 Days of Summer, shares her secrets for finding summer fun.

By Zooey Deschanel
From the August 2009 Issue

Zooey Deschanel considers herself a summer person. She fell under the spell of the season as a kid at camp in upstate New York. "It was classic," says the 29-year-old. "Swimming and sailing and ice cream and sing-alongs!"
Life got a little more complicated once she became a bona fide movie star with Almost Famous in 2000, but she's still happiest doing simple things that bring back the joy she felt during those carefree camp days or at home running through sprinklers with her sister, Emily (star of the TV show Bones). "I like the feeling of summer—it's lighter somehow," she says.
Although Deschanel is busy this month promoting her latest film, 500 Days of Summer (nice coincidence, right?); working on the second album by her band, She & Him; and planning her wedding to Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, she's eager to make the most of the season. "You can't force fun," she says, "but you can set up situations where fun will happen to you."
Need some ideas? Exclusively for SELF, Deschanel made a list of her favorite summertime activities. Try one every day and your days in the sun will be sweeter than ever. —Erin Bried
1. Sprawl in the grass for a little bit.(Make sure you've applied sunblock. See #2.) Grass can be hazardous to light-colored clothing. My suggestion is to put on an all-green outfit and roll down a hill.

2. Use baby sunscreen instead of adult; it smells like summer.My mother always made my sister, Emily, and me wear Coppertone Water Babies sunscreen—my whole family is really fair-skinned—and I still love the smell.
3. Read a mystery novel in a hammock.I really wish I had a hammock. I am on a five-year hammock plan, so hopefully as I enter my 30s I can finally achieve this goal. Until then, I will read and reread Raymond Chandler's The Lady in the Lake on my sofa, wishing I were hanging in a rope cradle attached precariously to a tree branch.
4. Get one of those tiny fans from the drugstore.
5. Whip up some summer soup.Here's a recipe for Green Summer Soup. It's the easiest thing ever.
6. Run around in the sprinklers.If you don't have a yard to do that in, find a friend who does. My sister and I used to do this as kids, usually with a Slip 'n Slide involved. I like the idea of doing it again, but it's probably going to remain a sweet memory. I think the last time I did it, my sister hit me with the garden hose and knocked me clean out.
7. Wear a bonnet or a straw hat.This makes me think of my mother, who wears hats.
8. Have a picnic with friends.Nothing's better than a picnic. Next time you have one, try a quinoa salad. Mix cooked quinoa with slivered almonds, chopped dried apricots and currants and a raspberry vinaigrette.


9. Check out a book from your local library.I once borrowed a book from the library in high school and forgot to return it, but when I finally did, the fee was still a bargain. Libraries are cheaper than bookstores and better organized. I enjoy the environment, even if I don't like being shushed.
10. Eat some heirloom tomatoesI like all the varieties. With salt.
11. Do an everyday task in double the time it normally takes.To tell the truth, I usually take twice as long as everyone else to do things like clean out my closet or write my story for SELF, and I want company!
12. Make jam out of a summer fruit, like strawberries.Recipe: My Mother's Strawberry Jam
13. Go to a state or county fair.They're usually cheesy and weird and have terrible rides that lack safety precautions. And the food is terrifying. But other than that, fairs are fantastic and kind of hilarious.
14. Encourage the men around you to wear a boater hat.Not everyone's a hat person, but it can't hurt to try!
15. Play a board game.My favorites are Balderdash, Cranium and Monopoly, all of which require a little creativity.
16. See an outdoor concert or performance.I love Brian Wilson, so seeing him last summer at the Hollywood Bowl, which is such a classic venue, is a great memory for me.
17. Hit the bleachers for a nighttime baseball game.I'm a big Dodgers fan. I go to games all the time—I like to pack dinner, usually something salady that's healthier than ballpark food.
18. Get overheated and then cool your forehead with a cold soda pop can.This is a trick I learned living in an apartment in L.A. with no air-conditioning. It's not really a trick. Actually the best trick is to get air-conditioning. Next best? You can cool yourself off a bit by standing in front of an open freezer door.
19. Play a game of tag.What do you mean, Do I win? Of course I win.
20. Have a sing-along.In a large group, your choices are limited because the more people you get in a room, the fewer songs everyone knows. Unless you are all members of a particular fan club, stick with classics. You can never go wrong with The Beatles or Motown—most people know quite a few of those hits.
21. Set out in a sailboat.My dad and I rented boats a lot when I was a kid. It was fun—well, it was more my dad's idea of fun!
22. Head to a revival movie theater for a classic you've never seen.If you don't like it, nap.
23. Dine alfresco.My parents have a patio at their house that's just right for outdoor dining. They have a lot of meals outside, so it's nice to go there to eat. Also, they cook meals together, which I think is really cute.

24. Watch an old-school musicalLike The Band Wagon or Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
25. Brunch.Since this is a meal that is essentially an excuse to get up late and eat whatever you want, eat whatever you want.
26. Spice chickpeas and roast them in the oven until they are crunchy.Recipe: Spicy Chickpeas
27. Let your hair air-dry.I always let my hair dry pretty naturally. It's really long, so I wouldn't be out of the house until noon if I blew it dry.
28. Ride a Ferris wheel.
29. Play a casual game of kickball.I was unaware that kickball was having "a moment." I like it because it's easy to set up (pillows and a ball) for a day at the park with your friends. If you happen to have any aggression you want to get out, you can channel it into your game.
30. Mix up a vegan chocolate treat.Recipe: Vegan Chocolate Mix
31. Make a playlist of summer songs.Certain types of music just make me so happy. Here's my personal top-five summer-fun list:"My Baby Just Cares for Me," Nina Simone"Summer Dreaming," Harmony Grass"Wouldn't It Be Nice?" Beach Boys"Everybody Loves a Lover," The Shirelles "Tell Her No," The Zombies

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Top 10 Vacation loving celebs-

Summer is in full swing, and the celebs are making the most of the warm weather by packing in plenty of trips to exotic locations.
As usual, there are a handful of stars who seem to enjoy vacationing in the lap of luxury more than others.
Take a look at our list of the top 10 vacation-loving celebrities


1. Cameron Diaz


Cameron Diaz loves to sneak away to exotic spots like Hawaii and soak up the sun. She often chills at the beach with boyfriends or a great pal, occasionally even playing in the surf by herself.
Source: Pacific Coast News









2.Jennifer Aniston


Jennifer Aniston loves to unwind when she's not on the set of one of her movies, and she seems especially to love the sun on her bikini body in Hawaii and Cabo. Whether she's on a romantic getaway with a boyfriend or catching up with David and Courteney, Jen is always down for some fun in the sun.
Source: Flynet






3. Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp recently opened up about his private Caribbean island, Little Hall's Pond Cay, though his love for vacationing predates his real estate purchase. He also enjoys spending time on the Vajoliroja, a boat he named after each member of his family.
Source: Bauer-Griffin Online








4. Beyonce and Jay-Z

Beyonce and Jay-Z always seem to have their hands full with their latest projects, but the married couple also makes sure to sneak in plenty of relaxation time. They've become regulars in tropical locations like St. Bart's and have a particular love for cruising the waves on boats.
Source: Flynet








5. Eva Longoria and
Tony Parker

Eva Longoria and Tony Parker may be occupied during the year with basketball and Desperate Housewives, but Summer is their time to shine. The PDA-loving couple always makes sure to include a trip to Tony's stomping grounds in France, stopping to check out a few other sites and sneaking plenty of kisses along the way.
Source: Bauer-Griffin Online





6. George Clooney

Ever the man of leisure, George Clooney spends his Summers soaking up the sun at his villa in Lake Como. He's also been spotted showing off those abs with his buddies on trips to Mexico, Cannes, and beyond.
Source: Fame










7. The Damons

Matt Damon and his girls already live in the vacation-friendly city of Miami, but they make time to get out of Florida and explore other beaches around the world. Their trips are twice as adorable when they let the Garner-Afflecks join in on the fun, like on their big Fourth of July trip to Hawaii back in 2007.
Source: Mavrix Online







8. Drew Barrymore

Drew's a California girl who loves to hit the beach, whether it's in her home state or farther away. She'll gather her girlfriends or bring along a guy for a trip where she can slip into a bikini and go for a swim.
Source: Splash News Online










9. Kate Moss

Kate Moss is renowned for playing as hard she works, and her vacations are often indulgent. From her yachts rides in the South of France to her annual holiday trek to Thailand, Kate places a high priority on her relaxation time.










10. 10. It's Your Call!

We've counted down our favorites, but there are so many other celebs who love a good getaway — from outdoorsy types like Gisele Bundchen and Orlando Bloom to yacht enthusiasts such as Jennifer Lopez and Salma Hayek. Who do you think should have made the list?
Source: Splash News Online, Bauer-Griffin Online and INFDaily.com

SOURCE: http://www.popsugar.com/3450236?page=0,0,9

Thursday, July 9, 2009

beach + walking = slim and sexy bikini body


Want a slim, sexy bikini body? Walk this way!
Use simple beach-strolling strategies to scorch calories and sculpt sleek curves.
By Jessica Levine
From the July 2009 Issue Self Magazine



Factor in footwear.Moseying for less than a mile? Stride shoeless on soft, dry sand. "Your foot will sink ensuring that your feet, ankles and legs all get a great workout," says Walking Strong DVD pro Tracey Staehle. Forging farther? Slip on a pair of sneaks to go the distance—without them, you risk shin splints.
Hit the hard stuff.Zap megacalories in the packed, damp sand near the water. "Each step will give less rebound than you'd get on a sidewalk, so you have to use added energy to keep moving," says Tommy Boone, Ph.D., an exercise physiologist at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota.
Assume the position.Good form can make your trek a total-body workout: With shoulders relaxed and abs engaged, swing arms front to back, elbows bent. For maximum tush toning, squeeze those glutes as you push off your rear foot and take longer strides to recruit inner and outer thigh muscles.
Plot your path.Most beaches slope toward the water, which means one leg will always be slightly uphill as you march. This imbalance forces your downward thigh and butt to work overtime to steady you. Challenge both legs equally by staying on the same course as you speed up and down the shore.
Ensure shape-up success.Jot your beach-body goal in a journal. Inking your aim can motivate you to move, research shows. Plus, charting your progress helps you identify what works and what doesn't. "It's a way to be aware of what you're doing, rather than merely going through the motions," says Diane E. Whaley, Ph.D., professor of sport and exercise psychology at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Note activities (reps, weights, miles strolled), review weekly and soon you'll be writing, Dear Diary, I've never felt better in a bikini!

Bubble Boy Cats



Henry (orange) & Mom0 (black) have just discovered the mystical beings called bubbles. I'm not sure if they were scared of these floating soapy planets, or intrigued. However I do know that it made for a wonderful photo-op that I just had to share with you all. Aren't these cats the cutest pair? They're not related and are almost a year apart in age but get along so well.
If I had to be an animal I would want to be a cat, only problem is I don't like fish!










Sunday, July 5, 2009

ROXY-The epitome of my Summer Youth

As a young girl ( Jr. high mostly) I wanted to be just like the Roxy Surf riders. I even went to Surf Camp in San Diego with my Church Youth Group. For my 13Th birthday party I took a few friends to Hawaii via the backyard. And the next year for 8Th grade graduation it was a beach theme, and of course I had to have my Roxy wetsuit inspired dress. So that is why Roxy has a special place in my Summer youth.