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

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!

Gluten Free Heaven

Now I could tell you about my experience going to Buffalo Exchange resale store and finding a brand new dress with the original price tag at $158. In the resale shop it was selling for $8. Sold!!!...To me!! That's not what was so exciting. What was sooo exciting was what was next door... Gluten Free Bakery, Tu-Lu Bakery.

Finally!!! Something I can eat. Tully the owner is also Gluten Intolerant and after graduating culinary school came to New York and opened this shop in the East Village. I've been here twice in one week. The first time I went she had red velvet mini cup cakes for $1. A regular gluten free cup cake is $2.50. It is such a breath of fresh air to come into this place and finally be able to eat what's in here.

Another favorite of mine are the homemade breads. Honey Oat Bread $10.00 ($5 /half loaf) and the Wholegrain Sunflower bread $10.00 ($5 for half). Now I get the half loaf which lasts all week. The rest you can freeze and use when you want it. I can have a sandwich again!

They make birthday cakes which I have already starting planting the seeds so I can get one for my birthday. I also love that it is open late for a bakery. Enjoy...it is something to sing about for fellow Gluten Intolerant peeps. :))

Tu-Lu's Gluten-Free Bakery
338 East 11th Street
between 1st and 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10003

Hours
Monday - Thursday 10:30AM - 10:00PM
Friday & Saturday 10:30AM - 10:30PM
Sunday: 10:30AM - 9:00PM

Oh Cantu ...I love you!

When you have curly hair you have to struggle with trying out different products that will work with your hair. A great place to check out what kind of curl you have is at Naturallycurly.com

I have a major curly head. My hair type is 4a - Kinky. I have been to the salons that specialize only with curly hair. I have tried their products and I can tell you that some of them cost $30 for a 16 oz bottle yet my tried and true life saver is Cantu Shea Butter Leave in conditioner. Um $4.99. Oh yeah!

Good Will now has a rewards points card. What's the world coming too? :)

OK this one blew me away. The Good Will thrift shops in New York/ New Jersey now have a rewards points card. One of the places I get my chotskies :)

CUSTOMER REWARDS CARD: Goodwill’s customer rewards card program launched. Get $10 off your next purchase when you spend $100. To enroll, fill out the form at HERE http://www.goodwillny.org/downloads/Goodwill_Rewards_Fillable_Form.pdf

Use the zip code locator on the “Find Goodwill” page of their website to discover the store nearest you.

They seem to be cleaning up their act. Some folks didn't like it too much because of their outrageous pricing and it seems they took note. Recently they have had roll backs.

PRICE ROLLBACKS: We’ve heard your concerns and have rolled back unit prices on clothing you need:

o Jogging pants & jackets - $5.99 each

o Women’s blouses, skirts, sweaters & pants - $4.99

o Men’s shorts, pants & sweaters - $4.99

o Men’s tee-shirts - $1.99

o Children’s suits - $7.99

o Children’s coats - $5.99

o Children’s dresses $4.99

o Children’s tops & bottoms - $2.99 each

o Infant’s clothing - $1.99

I'll go to Mooncakes by myself or with others. Either way it's always fun.

Mooncakes is home-cooked Asian comfort food...one of my favorite spots for lunch and dinner in the Chelsea and Soho area. I think they are extremely reasonable. Most items on the menu are under $10. The Chelsea space itself is the most utilititarian I've seen in the area. I like a clean and crisp kind of place. Talking about clean and crisp let me share their menu.

My favorite is the seared Tuna and Arugla salad. I don't like to be overloaded with ingredients and I definitely don't do processed food. They let you know that they use "no woks, no unhealthy fryers, no processed meat entrees, and no heavy heart-clogging sauces. What you’ll find on our menu is innovatively grilled, steamed, or roasted plates, salads, and sandwiches."


It's exciting to go somewhere that serves fresh organic food that also gives you a lot for your money...there is some presentation involved...and the music is snappy. You won't fall asleep in here. Get there about 5 minutes to 12 noon for a spot anywhere in the joint because after 12:10pm you may have to wait. Not long though...it's fun people watching until you get seated.

http://www.mooncakefoods.com/

SOHO
28 Watts St, New York, NY 10013
212.219.8888
Subway: Take C, E to Spring St
or 1 train to Canal St

CHELSEA
263 West 30th St, New York, NY 10001
212.268.2888
Subway: Take A, C, E to 34 St Penn Station or 1 train to 28 St

Mystic Corner Inc.

Mystic Corner is a tiny little shop that exudes peace and serenity... I was drawn in to get some.

They specialize in handmade items of silver jewelry, bags, scarfs, candles, singing bowl, incense, essential oils, gift items, and Frugal Buddha's reason to always stop in for pendants, statues and Thanka-paintings at reasonable prices.

I picked up a mini statue of Ganesha for $5. Hello!

Ganesha is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.

When I take my afternoon walks in the neighborhood I always like stopping in to Mystic Corner. Keep this shop in your index file or take note on your iPhone, blackberry, etc.





Please Join them for their 1st year anniversary on November 27th, 2010 (Saturday)
from 10am to 9pm

There will be Refreshments
All items 20% off
Selected Items 50% off

Mystic Corner
225 W 23 ST.
NEW YORK, NY, 10011
646-360-4810

(1,C,E Train) Between 7th & 8th Ave.
Check "Mystic Corner" on Facebook

Ganesha Mantra - Destroyer of Obstacles

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.

Sabon & The Rubin Museum of Art

After a long work week I’m usually looking for the right balance of chill lounge and buzz.

SABON
To start it off I listen to my body and walk over to Sabon for a free three minute hand scrub. The staff are genuinely friendly lovely people. They will suggest some samples to try at the huge communal sink made out of beautiful stone. Get the hand scrub and then the lotion. Heavenly!

Take note this is a great place to get a quick gift for the sensual people in your life. You know those people that like to smell everything, even the books in book stores.

This place has a huge selection of organic products. Liquid soaps, lotions, essential oils, scented candles, handmade soap, men’s grooming and bath products…everything to make you smell good naturally.
http://sabonnyc.com/

• 78 Seventh Ave (corner of West 15th street)• NY, NY 10011

Jan-April: Mon-Sat 10-9 & Sun 11-8
May-Dec: Mon-Sat 10-10 & Sun 11-8:30


Their Mission as stated on their website...
“Our mission is to consistently create and offer an unparalleled range of exceptional bath and body products, using time-honored remedies based on the finest natural ingredients. We strive to encourage an appreciation of the daily ritual of bath by creating an environment that inspires and captures the imagination, through the visual and sensory experience. We intend to consistently exceed customer expectations by anticipating their needs, desires and dreams, and by offering unrivalled levels of service. Our mission is to bring luxury to the everyday, for everyone.”

After washing my hands clean, I walk up a couple of blocks to


RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART
150 West 17th Street (between 7th and 6th Ave)
New York, NY 10011
http://www.rmanyc.org/

I love this place on Fridays!!!
Gallery admission is free to all every Friday from 6 – 10 p.m.



RMA's website sums up what they are about…
“The Rubin Museum of Art (RMA) is home to a comprehensive collection of art from the Himalayas and surrounding regions. The artistic heritage of this vast and culturally varied area of the world remains relatively obscure. Through changing exhibitions and an array of engaging public programs, RMA offers opportunities to explore the artistic legacy of the Himalayan region and to appreciate its place in the context of world cultures.”

I like to walk through the exhibit to relax my nerves…then find my way to the K2 lounge. Every Friday night the café becomes the K2 Lounge, offering a special Pan Asian Tapas menu along with a Martini and Wine Bar to accompany the evenings DJ and unique thematic gallery tours and programs


At 9:30pm (unless otherwise noted) you can continue on to Cabaret Cinema
These screenings of classic films from around the world explore themes featured in the museum's galleries. Each film is introduced by a notable guest to provide context. Past presenters have included Liv Ullmann, Brian Cox, Vito Acconci, and Alan Cumming.

Free with a $7 bar minimum

First Frugal Buddha Post

I thought I'd share a typical Frugal Buddha day. It's not orthodox in any way.
If you happen to have the day off or on a Sunday is the best time to be on the corner of East 23rd street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. Here is an array of thrift shops to pour through. 5 to be exact in a 2 block radius. Housing Works, Good Will, Salvation Army, Opera Thrift Shop and Vintage Thift Shop.


Click on this google map route

If you are driving it is easy to park in the area on Sundays.
You can try on clothes in all of the shops except the Salvation Army
You can find furniture in all of the shops except the Good Will.
My favorite store to find buddhas and jewelry would be at the Good Will location.

So what I thought I'd do was tell you also about the Buddha Lounge Pizza Shop at 284East 3rd Ave, where they have a Slice of pizza and pint of beer for $5. Cool music. Bar and bathroom. Come here after doing your thift shop jaunt to relax.










While I was having a very nice time hanging out here resting my feet and chillin to the buddha lounge music...I pulled out my finds to share with you. I found the statue for $10 and the elephant necklace for $7. It was a good time. :)