Become Your Dream Part II

Ok! This is the third time I have seen this on the Upper East Side in the past month. I am curious to meet the person who goes around writing this on street corners and garbage. I think it's amazing and probably gets a lot of passer-byes to stop and take note - but why? Just wanted to share...and remind you all to "Become Your Dream".

Temple Shaaray Tefila

The years I spent doing my post-bacc for medical school were some of the most lonely, isolating, dark and terrifying times of my life. My favorite thing to do was walk the mile and a half back and forth from Hunter College to my apartment albeit at all hours of the day and night, struggling with 20lbs of books, clothes that hadn't been washed since the last exam period, and thoughts of cellular respiration and nucleophilic attacks running through my head. 

I always looked forward to my walk. I have learned that the extremely small things in life will get any pre-med/med student excited beyond belief. I was no exception. What got me through was that once a day I would walk past Temple Shaaray Tefila to see the inspirational words, quote or phrase that had posted on the wall of the shul and I knew I would be ok for the next few hours. I would find it to be so reassuring and therapeutic to whatever I was going through at the time. 

Last night I found myself walking home late at night realizing that I would be shortly passing the synagogue that I found such daily inspiration in. I was excited beyond belief to see what message was left for me to read and ponder for the rest of my walk home. And here is what I found...

"A LITTLE LIGHT WILL DISPEL MUCH DARKNESS"

Temple Shaaray Tefila

250 East 79th Street 

At Second Avenue

New York, N.Y. 10021 

Lavender: Health Benefits//

By: Mark’s Daily Apple

10. Scent

Crush fresh lavender between your fingers or rub lavender oil on your temples for a soothing dose of aromatherapy stress relief. Lavender relieves anxiety and tension naturally.

9. Tea

Did you know that steeping a small handful of lavender flowers in boiling water creates a healthful herbal tea? This is just as effective as chamomile for promoting sleep and helping to soothe frazzled nerves.

8. Perfume

Lavender oil makes a nice, chemical-free alternative to perfumes and colognes. Dab a little at the back of your neck or wrists to smell clean and light.

7. Bath

Adding either oil or fresh buds to a hot bath will promote relaxation and ease tired muscles.

6. Sleep accessories

Tie up fresh flowers in a satchel, small pillowcase, or reusable eye pillow. Lavender helps you to sleep better.

5. Skin relief

Is your skin burned, chafed or irritated? Add some lavender oil to your moisturizer or a spray water bottle and apply or mist your skin generously.

4. Sweet, fresh-scented laundry

Tie up a bundle of lavender blossoms in a cloth and add them to the dryer cycle when you do laundry. It beats those chemical sheets!

3. Cuts and scrapes

Lavender has natural antiseptic properties. Use lavender oil as a protective salve instead of rubbing alcohol (this is a nice alternative for children).

2. Dandruff
Between vinegar and lavender, who needs those harsh chemical shampoos? Steep lavender as you would to make tea; allow to cool and use as a rinse daily until dandruff is cleared up.

1. Recipes

Between vinegar and lavender, who needs those harsh chemical shampoos? Steep lavender as you would to make tea; allow to cool and use as a rinse daily until dandruff is. Lavender makes and unusual, floral accent in many dishes. Reader Sarah C grills peach halves wrapped in applewood smoked bacon and tops them with a sprinkling of lavender flowers and crushed black pepper.

Lavender Thoughts would like to suggest adding a scrumptious dose of lavender when making sweet treats like ice-cream, chocolate truffles or savory biscuits. Yummy!

Mini Green Hydrangea Inspiration //

I LOVE hydrangea and Spencer from Bloom Box has inspired me to pull together my favorite floral pics that encompass this gorgeous and bountiful flower. Warning... the below designs are obviously not budget conscious options, so keep that in mind. Enjoy!

My Favorite for Fall Brides or Maids From Stoneblossom

images: The Knot, Stoneblossom Floral 

Become Your Dream

After much back and forth trying to figure out my path in life and career it was inspiring to find this message in the street trash. Yes, I just took a picture with trash and I look slightly homeless with my head wrapped in my scarf – don’t judge....It was so darn cold that I had to wrap my head to keep from freezing. Enjoy and BECOME YOUR DREAM!

Who Do You Idolize?

My response - Donna Karan. She is such an inspiration! Not for the reason most people idolize her for being a creative/fashion genius. I adore her for the creation of Urban Zen. I learned about the Urban Zen Foundation in 2006 from my yoga instructor Lara Benusis. We frequently had lengthy discussions after class about life, career, and relationships. It was during one of these discussions that she recommended I take a look at the foundation. As soon as I got home I found a video detailing the organization. Within five minutes I was moved to tears. I had also been moved into a place of action. The images and stories have irreversibly changed my life! 

VIDEO: Voice of the Patient

Urban Zen Foundation

Urban Zen Store

Images: www.urbanzen.org