5 Items for $5 Dollars

Go to Lunch Box @ 257 W 34th Street between 7th & 8th Ave. You would not think to go in to this place, yet I am going to suggest you can go into this place when you are being frugal. During lunch hour, pay your $5 for 5 items. You can also pay $1 an item. You will need to get on the buffet line that moves very fast. I also like the bakery at this spot. If you are strapped you can get a hot dog or ham and cheese in a baked bun for $1.50. This is if you are strapped. In the same bakery they have inexpensive birthday cakes or give yourself a red velvet cupcake. http://www.yum34.com

...................................................................You can have your food to stay or to go. If you want to take your food out and weather permitting, walk south one block to the US Post Office on 33rd street and 7th Ave. The steps of this historical building is a nice spot to sit in easy pose, eat and people watch.

Ivan De Leon on the steps in front of the 34th Street Post Office Picture: JORDAN MATTER PHOTOGRAPHY www.jordanmatter.com

Broadway Rush, Lottery and Standing Room Only Policies - Playbill.com

I love the NY theater scene. Playbill posted a listing of some of the major Broadway shows that have discount and rush tickets. Check out their link for more information.

Broadway Rush, Lottery and Standing Room Only Policies - Playbill.com

How to Soothe Indigestion While Sleeping

I was tossing and turning late at night not knowing what was the matter until I considered taking into account my eating late at night. If you've had a late night meal it can trigger heartburn just before you are going to bed. What's the solution?

Difficulty:Moderately Easy
Instructions
things you'll need:
•red pepper powder
•teaspoon



1. The next time you go food shopping pick up some red pepper powder. Sprinkling red pepper on your plate can actually ward off indigestion. Use about ½ teaspoon of red pepper powder before your meals.

2. When you are ready for bed...lie on your left side. Because the esophagus is higher than the stomach it will make it difficult for your food and the digestive acid to reflux back into the throat.


3. Stay in this position for the rest of night. If you find yourself waking up on the other side of the bed turn back on your left side



4. This can help you sleep like a baby.

How to stop late Night Nibbling

Sometimes wanting to eat at night is only a reaction to an emotional discomfort. Pause before eating giving yourself enough time to consider what may be bubbling up inside you. To hold off a midnight snack attack, try this move.

Difficulty:Moderately Easy
Instructions
things you'll need:
•comfortable place to lay down
•bed

1
Sit up in your bed and extend your left leg. Bend your right knee.

2
Place your right hand at your side to balance and touch your left elbow to the outside of your right knee.

3
Hold for three breaths and switch sides. Continue to do this for at least a couple of minutes.

4
The twisting motion of this yoga posture is called Marichyasana. The movement functions as an internal abdominal massage that triggers the release of appetite-suppressing brain chemicals. Check out my other articles on more techniques.

5
You can also modify the position by doing it standing up and putting you right knee on a bench or high standing stool.

Tips & Warnings
•You don't have to completely touch your elbow or knee. The point is to twist the body to get the massage effect.

How to make a lasting Impression

Make a lasting Impression Going to a job interview, first date or a meeting. Make your first impression during introductions go your way. Try the following to help you make a win win situation every time.

Difficulty:Moderately Easy
Instructions
things you'll need:
•confidence or at least act as if

1
Stand up straight. I have even used a support device which is made for men and women to help maintain posture


2
If you are sitting down still be conscious to sit up straight

3
Clasp your hands loosely behind your back.

4
Make direct eye contact. This shows that you are not afraid of the other person and want to engage.

5
Tilt your head to one side while listening.

6
Maintain a pleasant happy Smile on your face. Nothing forced. Remember you are being of service just by listening to the other person. This could be a thought that makes you happy as well.

7
Body language experts say the combination of strength (puffed out chest) and a subtle (inclined head) conveys interest, making you appear calm and competent.

Tips & Warnings
•Some people may find this engaging and some people may be overwhelmed that you are really listening to them or at least seem to be.

How to set your rates as a Freelancer

Sometimes as freelancer working freelance jobs, we get stuck at setting our rate and when we do we seem to question the rate we set for ourselves. It is necessary for me as a freelancer to set my rates for my home business. Here are some tips of how I came up with my rate as a Virtual Assistant, writer, accountant, etc..

Difficulty:Moderately Easy
Instructions
things you'll need:
•Index Cards
•Pencil/Pen

1
Whatever your business is, if you don't already know the going rate for your line of work, research the going rates for your home business. Check out your competitors pricing. You can also check out several websites that will give you the average rate. Try www.Salary.com or www.Payscale.com. Try out their salary calculator to help you get a sense of the going rates for your field.
2
Take into account the many overhead costs of not only the work that you are doing but the cost to keep your business running.
Examples
-Insurance (health, dental, life, property, disability, unemployment)
-Continuing Education
-Taxes ( Federal/State/FICA - both employer and employee. About 35% - 40%)
-Retirement savings
-Overhead costs (rent, equipment, etc.)

Remember that the company or individual that hires you to do freelance work does not have to pay for all of the above when they hire you on a freelance basis. It is a way to justify your rate
3
Take the total $ amount for your going hourly rate that you found during your internet research and add 5% - 15% to cover your overhead expenses. I'm advising that you add the overhead charge because if you start negotiating down it is my hope that you do not accept less then the industry rate because if you do, then you would be under earning.
4
Use index cards to create a cheat sheet of the various rates you have for the various things you do in your business. Having this near the phone or your computer helps you stick to your rates and have confidence when quoting over the phone. Remember though if there are many things involved, write down what the client needs then let them know you will get back to them so you can add up everything you will be doing for them. This way you can take time to think about how long it will really take for you to do the job and allot in enough time and how many hours to charge.
Tips & Warnings
•Evenutally I came up with $25 hour - $35 hour rate for my Assistant work. I also focused on finding my niche in the an industry that would pay at that rate. Usually at the top Executive level who does a lot of traveling and could use my services remotely.

•Use time management when taking on freelance jobs. You need to allot enough time to work for various employers, have some down time in between.

•Remember the rates may vary for each freelance job.

Resources
•Salary.com

How to Find a Higher Power

How to Find a Higher Power | eHow.com

Moderately Challenging in the begining if you don't have a sense of a higher power. Some call God, Source, Spirit, Monkey.
What ever it may be for you it does not have to have a book written about it.

Difficulty:Challenging
Instructions
things you'll need:
•Quiet time
•Pen and paper


1. The first time I tried looking for a higher power I tested a great big old oak tree. I just wanted to place my fear and ambitions on to something that would not talk back to me. I would think of things I needed and wanted in my life and then leave them with the tree. I like to believe because I let my thoughts go somewhere and not occupy my mind it allowed movement in my life to allow what I needed to come in.

One day I found a piece of bark while I was thinking about my mother and how she was no longer alive. I looked at the bark and it had a smiling face with the rings of the bark. That happy face took away all the sadness when I remember my mom is not alive. I thought that was something greater than myself.

2. I started looking at people being messengers and angels. They probably don't even know it. Not to make people, places and things my higher power to speak through people, places and things . Example. I needed to earn a set amount of money consistently, my thoughts stayed on that concept most of my days. I would met people that eventually lead me to the person that understood and could offer me the salary I needed.

3. Another way I found a higher power was when I stopped trying to play God. I had so many different areas in my life that needed improvement, definitely serenity yet my controlled plans kept getting in the way. When I had a problem, a difficult personality... I forgave that person . I told myself that I am powerless over the situation with this person. I believed something greater than myself could restore me to sanity and I was willing to give what ever that was over to something greater than myself, not knowing what that might even look like.

I let it go. I let go of thoughts that the person was trying to hurt me. I let go of thoughts that that person wanted to attack me. I dropped all fear and negativity and let the air take it. Within days I felt a relief and freedom from thinking about this person. I don't know how it got removed. I don't' even need to know yet I do know because I was willing to let something else take over. I was freed up to let something good come in.

4. It seems to me to be a calming essence that graces me during difficult situations and during serene times it is my commitment to pause and turn over anything I think is good or bad to something greater than me and then watch to see what that something greater than me comes up with. It's always something bigger and better than what I could have ever imagined.

Kundalini Class by donation with Jamila Ram Rattan

I orginally found out about Jamila Ram Rattan's Kundalini class on a flier at Cafe Orwell coffee shop in Bushwick, Brooklyn. I was so excited to find a place to practice within my hood. Jamila has been creating a community of like minded folks that want to heal within themselves. Her loving guidance of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation as taught by Yogi Bhajan is a blessing to all who participate.

Kundalini yoga is a highly developed spiritual science using meditation, mantra, physical exercise, and often greatly focused on breathing techniques to enable us to unify with our Universal self. This practice is an affective way to create immense self awareness and to get in touch with your Higher self. With strong intention and regular practice, we can awaken our full potential of human awareness and create transformation.

Jamila has created Rhythm & Breath where she provides donation based Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, spiritual and therapeutic counseling. This week will be her first live virtual class where you have the opportunity to create your own scared space within your home or where ever you may be in the world.

A heart donation of $5 minimum will be greatly appreciated and can be made through the BEGGARS BOWL at the bottom of their blog page

For more information:
http://www.rhythmandbreath.org/

That's me on the far right getting my meditation on


Jamila's first virtual class will be in celebration of the Spring Equinox. As posted on the website it states....

We will be doing a set WORKING ON THE METABOLISM. For this, you will need a "P" fruit (pear, peach, papaya, pineapple, plum). P fruits have special healing enzymes and store pranic energy. In this set we will be blessing our fruit and healing our physical and pranic bodies.

The meditation we will be doing is for healing. You will be able to send healing energy to a loved one, or you can send healing to the people of Japan. Your energy and love count!

To close, I will be taking you through a guided imagery, very similar to hypnosis. This will leave you rejuvenated and prepared to bloom into Spring!

CLASS IS SUNDAY March 20th @ 6pm Eastern Standard Time
Here is the link to LIVE STREAM channel:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/rhythm-breath

A heart donation of $5 minimum will be greatly appreciated and can be made through the BEGGARS BOWL or at the bottom of their blog page
SAT NAM!

Organic Avocados ....3 for $2

The King of Plants and Foliage, the original exotic plant grower serving NYC since 1969

Chris King of Foliage
151 West 28th Street
New York, NY 10001
212-564-8316

Has barrels of organic avocados for sale outside the store weekdays. Closed on weekends. Most of them are from the Big Island in Hawaii, the avocados are named R2 or T26.



I found some food recipes and skin care recipes to make with all those avocados you manage to get home;)


How to Use Avocado | eHow.com




The website What's Cooking America also has really great ideas for your avocados.