In NYC the senses are maximally stimulated

It's been years since I accompanied a friend on a trip to NYC. My first time there was fabulous. Seeing some famous sites was exciting. The food was marvelous. People-watching was entertaining and and just being in NYC three days was thrilling and maximum sensory stimulating.

A horse drawn ride through Central Park

Photo credit: td2 from morguefile.com

 
Things to do in New York City.

I boarded the plane leaving NYC with a Stage Deli cheesecake in a carry-on box. One of the pilots volunteered to keep it up front with him. I should've told him, "not a problem as long as I could be in the cock pit with it for safe keeping." 

When I got home I ordered a cheesecake from Stage Deli to treat my staff to this
fabulous, and I'm not exaggerating, 6-inch thick melt-in-your mouth delicacy.

Pretzels from a street vendor was warm and scrumptious! There was food and smells and stands displaying the brightest flowers on just about every block. Small grocery stores were here and there. Everyone walked briskly on sidewalks and the streets were covered with taxi's. New York City is a swirling, metropolis holding millions of people and an immense array of things to see, places to visit, sounds to hear, aromas to smell, while pleasingly gratified with an abundance of drink and wonderful food consume.

NYC is alive with street vendors. 
 
Check out this virtual tourist site of NYC.   If auditory and aromatic senses could be included, that would be the best virtual experience to NYC.


View this video of a stroll along Fifth Avenue, NYC





Old street vendor pictures.

There are two observatory decks. I went to the open-air observation deck at the top of the Empire State Building, which sways a bit.

 I took an elevator which went up to a certain floor. Then I had to take another elevator which went up to the highest floor the elevator could go. It's windy out on the observation deck, but I sure took in quite a panoramic eye-full of the city and surroundings at a quarter-mile above ground.  

The ground floor lobby was impressive and full of people, and I couldn't help but notice one gigantic list of building tenants, some 15,000 make their business address at this famous skyscraper on Fifth Avenue.

Bonus-there's another deck and the building's undergone renovations since my visit in 1994.

The foyers of The Ritz, Trump Towers are impressive. 

Riding in a horse drawn carriage into Central Park on a chilly night was a joy. 

The clop, clop clop and the driver in his top hat and coat and the blanket across the lap are nice memories of that experience. 

There are lots of horses in NYC pulling carriages or being ridden by policemen.

Check his view of mounted policeman amongst taxis in Times Square.  (See other tourist views at this link).
 This women policeman on her police horse show it's definitely mandatory horses be accustomed to commotion of vehicles, people and sounds to not be spooked.

The air is filled with energy, aromas of food, and honking horns of taxis, mass transit double-decker buses and delivery trucks.

Shops and more shops and big, colorful, neon, flashy, can't-be-missed, over-the-top advertisements line the streets and certainly in Times Square.  

Macy's has wooden hand rails going up the escalator. 

I remember lots of make-up counters and displays just about on every floor,  mostly Clinique.  

I want into Neiman Marcus, the Toy store, and since it was November, there were some festive decorations in the store windows and people were wearing coats and boots.

The subway is accessed by taking steps going underground. At first I didn't see where, but you have to look for a square of thick fencing along a sidewalk and there will be the steps leading down to the subway. I'd never been underground (at least to my recollection) so taking steps down under the street was a new experience. I was surprised that everything was well-lit. Even the subway cars were clean and on time.

I looked around at the people on the subway car. I saw that it's all about getting to where you're going and ignoring all the other people also busy getting to where they were going. 

No one looked directly at another person so there were no pleasantries or 'how ya doing?' spoken by anyone. People on the subway were reading or being to themselves like it's their normal, everyday commute.

 Here's info about riding the subway which I didn't have at the time. My friend had been to NYC before so we didn't have any problems at all getting about. I was sort of hoping to see some graffiti, but everything was spotless. The uneventful subway rides got us to our destination and back. 

The ride on a double-decker bus was more fun.

I saw very little trash, graffiti or homeless people in Manhattan. I wondered where I might see some like on the movies and TV shows. My guess is Manhattan is kept pristine for the tourists. 

I found NYC stimulated all my senses almost to overload and to my great surprise the bustling multi-cultural metropolis with it's millions of inhabitants was pretty clean and tidy.

Not enough greenery or trees, but tons of concrete and metal stretching skyward, fancy advertisements, lane upon lane of vehicles and people, people, people constantly moving. I guess they slowed down and rested when they were home. 

I almost felt NYC could be in a foreign country. I heard other languages being spoken more than I heard English. I saw people wearing turbans and Jewish head ware. 

Did I mention the food was absolutely heavenly and plenty of it served quickly. Sitting and letting your food digest while leisurely drinking a cup of coffee at your table isn't done in NYC. In NYC there isn't any idling around. Order, eat, and get up so the table can be readied for the next patrons waiting to be seated. 

Some 10 minutes or so North of the main sites of Manhattan is Harlem. 

I managed to get the taxi driver to drive a couple blocks into Harlem though he was very hesitant to do so. He looked puzzled that I wanted to go to Harlem. At least I can say I've seen Harlem, even if it was only 2 blocks.

If I ever get back to NYC, I definitely want to visit this establishment.  It's new as of 2013, and sure has made an big impression in many categories.
I think a week would be plenty of time to visit other places in NYC and get an adequate sensory experience and taste sampling and more memories in the city that doesn't rest, not even for one New York minute.

Take the Silver Comet Trail

Wow! I was excited to discover there's very nice bike path, called the Silver Comet Trail running from Smyrna, Georgia to the Alabama state line.  That's a distance of  61.5 miles.
That's pretty impressive to me. Why hadn't I heard of this before?  From there it connects with the 33 mile Chief Ladiga Trail.


Photo credit: Jusben from morguefile.com
 
For a vacation or weekend outing combining sight-seeing, exercise, fresh air, and fun, why not?


I used to have and old three speed Schwinn bicycle. When I was away to college and living in Davenport, Iowa, I had a morning routine of getting on my bike and tackling some pretty steep roads. That was good workout on the legs, arms, and heart. Then I'd change and get ready for morning classes.  Boy, I had lots of non-stop energy back in my school days.


Photo credit: singhajay from morguefile.com
 
Some cities have some very nice bike paths and make for great getting out to exercise for all ages.
Kids should have lots of adventures on a bicycle.  Once you graduate from training wheels, you're bound for many good times pumping those pedals which will always be good memories of childhood.

I haven't been on a bicycle in years. I should do this. Really.

The feats those daredevils must do

The tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon yesterday by Nik Wallenda, who wore a microphone, and from the famous funambulism family known as the " FlyingWallenda's", caused me to think of various other astonishing feats men a women perform requiring guts, unrelenting determination, nerves of solid steel with a gutsy desire to do some thing only a handful of people on Earth could even attempt to successfully do.  Then, to make the feat even more challenging and solidifying their name in history, add the element of possible death if there's a mistake or failure on their part in performing the feat.

Feats require great balance, precision, strength and training

Photo credit: rollingroscoe from morguefile.com

 
I'm sure the adrenaline rush is huge and one reason why some daredevils return to perform even
more challenging feats. It must be addictive. We won't mention the financial gain and notoriety-
those are a given to these daredevils.

Check out this impressive list of Niagara Falls daredevils.

These women she-daredevils were each quite astonishing with their feats of skill.

Is it possible to 'not sink' running over water?

Photo credit: kconnors from morguefile.com

 
My favorite is a guy running on water(I think it looks real). See for yourself along with other amazing physical feats-(click link for video)

 I have to include Harry Houdini's feats of escape so many people fell spellbound to. A daredevil, an entertainer, an escape artist and master illusionist.  He was quite an original.


In this vid, you see a man 'walking on mostly water '.  Kinda funny how he was able to.





And of course, remember the always fit-and-spry Jack LaLanne doing something more featful than the year before.  Maybe I should say, 'more feating, but his feats were not life-threateningly dangerous, but they still required great skill and physical strength which the majority of us regular folk could consider to be super-human,
so I consider them feats.


In this posting I've mentioned just a few daredevil feats. Each prove the potential of the mind and body can do much more than the limits we normally place upon our bodies is very possible.

BONUS:Nik Wallenda's 22 plus minute tighrope feat crossing a gorge spanning a quarter mile at the Grand Canyon was accompanied by continual prayer. See this photo of him.

(That's 22 minutes of death defying walking and balancing without a safety harness or net on a cable
across a gorge with wind blowing).

He's got my vote for having nerve to even attempt something
like that. I think I would like to read his memoir-I bet it would be interesting. Click to read the transcript of an interview he gave.



Daredevils have to be bold and have confidence in their abilities to perform their daredevil feats.
They keep us enthralled and mystified with their confidence to even attempt such challenges
that can bring fame, but also the possibility of losing their life should they fail. That's what I call
 do or die trying.

I applaud them for doing what they must do.

Barks and second chances behind bars

When someone incarcerated decides to make a positive change for him or herself and is a positive influence on another living creature, it makes for a happy ending for all involved.



This video shows inmates training greyhounds with love. Lots of good teaching advice.


Inmates train dogs to be rescue dogs, service dogs for the disabled, and prepare dogs for adoption.
In other words, people serving time behind bars who failed in society are training dogs to be of service in society.

These programs are very rewarding and good not only for the inmates but for all involved when the dog is later placed with a person in need of service or rescue dog.


I'm pleased to know there are many programs the incarcerated are training dogs.  This link will show many videos of such programs.


 In essence, inmates receive first-hand training themselves by training dogs to have acceptable social behavior greatly increases their own second chance success in society.

Every one deserves second changes for a better ending.

Congrats to all. Keep it up.

S P E L L I N G B E E

Have you wondered why it's called a 'spelling bee?' Why not 'spelling stand-off' or 'spelling derby'?  All in all, I think it's a grand thing that kids devote a huge part of their young lives studying words because what they gain will carry forward to everything they will do. Spend hours memorizing little nuances of different languages for the possibility of having to spell a word from a language different from their own will help them in every form of communication in every profession or field of study.

There's a lot of words to spell in the world

Photo credit: jdurham from morguefile.com

 
Here's info on the history of spelling bees.

Here is a list of past winning words. Make sure you check the 'Spellers' to read these kids are very intelligent and gifted in academics and music.


Contestants have to study world dictionaries to spell words I wouldn't even begin to use in a normal conversation. But they are amazing to even know how to dissect a word apart based upon it's origin, the put it all together.

Congratulations to this year's National Spelling Bee Champion.. This teen, Arvind Mahankli, has a sense of humor, and, a set goal for his future. His parents and sibling I'm sure are so proud of him.  I especially like that he's humble of spirit, taking his winning all in stride. He was a contestant in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Now that he's a winner and in more ways than one. What a role model for all of us to never give up until you succeed.


Video of the newest spelling bee champion and the German-derived word he nailed sealing his win.



 Congratulations to all who entered and spelled words I wouldn't even know how to begin spelling.

Performing on brain power, youthful winners win for all

I read about the top winners in this years Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
Just the top three winners alone have such inventions that could benefit the world- and I mean
the potential to affect and reach the vast majority of every single person on Earth.
The top winners of this fair are ages 18 and 17 and hale from Romania and the United States.

Exercising the brain is a wonderful thing

photo credit: Paul Mayne via photopin cc
 
I sure would like to know what other inventions were considered and even from past years what's become of the inventions of past winners.

I sure do like to hear about young minds putting forth effort and energy into thinking. Way too much emphasis and exposure is placed on athletic abilities and outward physical attraction.

The rewards sure have drastically increased compared to just last year.

In 6th grade I came up with an idea for a solar powered washer and dryer. I don't remember where I put that paper, but I had sketched and detailed how my invention would work for a class project.  It was fun designing something new that would help the earth and mankind.  About eight years ago I had submitted my idea design for a therapeutic pillow to help relax neck and upper back muscles and keep pressure off the ear. The company, which I will not mention by name,  I made my submission to to help me make my design presentable to potential industry buyers and market and sell it, wouldn't 'cha know, was hit with a class action lawsuit. I would've rather chosen my design get patented and marketed rather than the few hundred lawsuit dollars I received. The world of inventions can be a ruthless one if not careful.

Here's info on invention fairs.

Wrapping this up, I do appreciate one's physical abilities to run fast, jump high, throw a ball through
a hoop from thirty feet away and looking at a perfectly symmetrical face, a body with little body fat and a thick head of hair, but in the scope of daily living, how do any of those things really benefit
you and me?

We, collectively, need to really consider top rewards to those who's inventions help mankind on a daily basis. I am really proud of all those who win but also each one who submits their entry to an invention fair.

Sprinkle on that golden, sunny spice

I felt this spice I've read about bears sharing with you. Consuming this spice is documented and studied to have very favorable benefits to you and I.  We all know of someone who has dementia or some inflammatory condition, or craves sugar or is needing protection against certain cancers The compound responsible is called curcumin, and it's in turmeric spice.  Yes, it's not some expensive pharmaceutic drug, but something natural you can pick up in your grocery store. And it's cheap.

Spices containing curcumin-the natural wonder compound

photo credit: nehasingh7 via photopin cc

 
What about that? Cheap in price but huge and effective head to toe for your health- for healing and preventative purposes.

Get the turmeric spice and sprinkle it on with black pepper. I knew there had to be a reason I like curry so much. Now I'm gonna use more yellow-colored Indian spices more than I have been.

An Indian meal flavored with spices rich in curcumin

photo credit: jACK TWO via photopin cc

 
Below is the article, complete with references,  about this helpful spice and how to maximize it's effect on your health.                                         

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TODAY'S ARTICLE

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Dear Katrina, 

Inside your kitchen cabinet there are probably dozens of spices and herbs you should be using more liberally... and more often.
In fact, these flavor-boosters don't just make your meals taste better... they can also dramatically increase the healing power of your foods.
Today I'm going to share one of most powerful superfood spices you should be shaking, blending and stirring into your meals to supercharge your health.

Turmeric: The Golden Spice for Head to Toe Protection  

Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its distinct yellow color. But the benefits of turmeric extend well beyond its ability to add a sunny hue and spicy kick to foods, thanks to a powerful compound called curcumin.
Curcumin is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Research shows that the effects of this phytonutrient are comparable to the steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like COX inhibitors) that people take for the pain and swelling associated with arthritis... but without  the serious side-effects.
In fact, recent research published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism found that injections of turmeric almost completely eliminated joint swelling in rats that were bred to develop rheumatoid arthritis. In another study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin produced comparable benefits to the prescription phenylbutazone, including shortened duration of morning stiffness, increased walking time, and reduced joint swelling.

Sprinkle On This Cellular Cancer Shield 

But curcumin doesn't just reduce inflammation and free radical damage in the joints. It guards cells throughout the body too by preventing the mutations that can lead to cancer as well as destroying existing cancer cells.
Dr. Bharat Aggarwal of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center says:
"Curcumin acts against transcription factors, which are like a master switch. Transcription factors regulate all the genes needed for tumors to form. When we turn them off, we shut down some genes that are involved in the growth and invasion of cancer cells."
And not only does curcumin turn OFF the genes that promote cancer, but it also turns ON the genes that boost your body's most powerful cancer-fighting agent - glutathione.
It's no wonder that curcumin has been found to be protective against many types of cancer cells, including those of the prostate, colon, breast, lung and skin.

Guard Your Memory with the Golden Spice

Arguably the most impressive of turmeric's capabilities lies in its unique ability to defend against dementia.
Scientists began investigating turmeric's effects on the brain because Alzheimer's rates are astoundingly low in India where curry is consumed frequently. Research published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry found that curcumin actually helps to break up beta-amyloid plaques that damage the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

Maximizing Turmeric's Power

Because oxidative damage and inflammation are two key factors in most chronic diseases - from arthritis to Alzheimer's - researchers believe curcumin is beneficial for a wide range of "age-related" conditions.

To get the most inflammation-fighting, cancer-preventive and neuron-protecting power out of turmeric, be sure to store it in a cool, dark place. And use or replace your supply every six months. When you do use turmeric, you can increase its power by doing these two things:

1. Combine with black pepper (Piper nigrum). A compound in pepper called piperine has been shown to boost turmeric's power by 2,000%!
   
2. Enjoy with some oil or healthy fat. Because the active constituent of curcumin is lipid-soluble, eating it with foods that include fat will enhance the body's absorption.

Here are some simple and delicious ways to get the benefits of turmeric in your everyday meals:

• Add to scrambled eggs and frittatas
• Mix into free-range chicken or egg salad
• Make a flavorful curry marinade for your grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, wild salmon or shrimp
• Make an Indian-spiced dressing (try avocado oil, turmeric, ginger, garlic and pepper) to drizzle over steamed veggies or use with stir-fries

Turmeric is one of the most healthful and bioactive foods known to man. Not only will it add flavor to your cooking, but, quite possibly, years to your life!
Stay tuned. In the coming weeks, I'll be sharing several more superfood spices and healing herbs you should be using to add fabulous flavor and powerful health benefits to your cooking.

To Staying Healthy... Deliciously! 

 

Kelley Herring 

CEO & Editor-in-Chief

Healing Gourmet 

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References

1. Antunes LMG, Araújo MCP, Darin JD`AC, Bianchi MdeLP. Effects of the antioxidants curcumin and vitamin C on cisplatin-induced clastogenesis in Wistar rat bone marrow cells. Mutat Res. 2000; 465:131-137.
2. Arbiser JL, Klauber N, Rohan R, et al. Curcumin is an in vivo inhibitor of angiogenesis. Mol Med. 1998; 4:376-383.Chan MM-Y. Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor by curcumin, a phytochemical. Biochem Pharmacol. 1995; 49:1551-1556.
3. Huang MT, Newmark HL, Fenkel K. Inhibitory effects of curcumin on tumorigenesis in mice. J Cell Biochem Suppl. 1997; 27:26-34.
4. Kang BY, Song YJ, Kim KM, et al. Curcumin inhibits Th1 cytokine profile in CD4+ T cells by suppressing interleukin-12 production in macrophages. BR J Pharmacol. 1999:128:380-384.
5. Kawamori T, Lubet R, Steele VE, et al. Chemopreventive effect of curcumin, a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agent, during the promotion/progression stages of colon cancer. Cancer Res. 1999; 59:597-601.
6. Ramiré z-Tortosa MC, Mesa MD, Aguilera MC, et al. Oral administration of a turmeric extract inhibits LDL oxidation and has hypocholesterolemic effects in rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis. 1999; 147:371-378.
7. Tze-Pin Ng, Peak-Chiang Chiam, Theresa Lee, Hong-Choon Chua2, Leslie Lim and Ee-Heok Kua. Curry Consumption and Cognitive Function in the Elderly. American Journal of Epidemiology 2006 164(9):898-906. Journal of Biological Chemistry, online Dec. 7, 2004.
8. Funk JL, Frye JB, Oyarzo JN, Kuscuoglu N, Wilson J, McCaffrey G, Stafford G, Chen G, Lantz RC, Jolad SD, Sólyom AM, Kiela PR, Timmermann BN. Efficacy and mechanism of action of turmeric supplements in the treatment of experimental arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Nov;54(11):3452-64.
9. Kakarala M, Brenner DE, Korkaya H, Cheng C, Tazi K, Ginestier C, Liu S, Dontu G, Wicha MS. Targeting breast stem cells with the cancer preventive compounds curcumin and piperine. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2010 Aug;122(3):777-85. Epub 2009 Nov 7.
10. Shoba G, Joy D, Joseph T, Majeed M, Rajendran R, Srinivas PS. Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Med. 1998 May;64(4):353-6.
11. Dickinson DA, Iles KE, Zhang H, Blank V, Forman HJ. Curcumin alters EpRE and AP-1 binding complexes and elevates glutamate-cysteine ligase gene expression. Faseb J. 2003;17(3):473-475.  (PubMed)
12. Zheng S, Yumei F, Chen A. De novo synthesis of glutathione is a prerequisite for curcumin to inhibit hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Free Radic Biol Med. 2007;43(3):444-453.  (PubMed)