A Jersey Fresh Experience at Alstede Farms

Though a few of my friends had told me about the opportunity to gather fresh fruit and vegetables at local New Jersey farms, only this summer did I get to try it out. Choosing from close to 100 farms, I picked out Alstede Farms for two reasons: it offered all produce I was interested in, and the farm's website was clear and informative, so I knew exactly what to expect when it came to assortment, activities and prices (some of the other websites I visited suggested to call them for prices and availability). As it turned out, I made the right choice. I went for a ride in a hay wagon, filled my containers with fresh fruit and vegetables, petted donkeys, goats and rabbits, saw other farm animals, babies and adults, shopped at the farm store, tried homemade farm food and even brought some recipes home! In other words, in addition to a car load of fresh produce, the trip also left me with great memories of an authentic farm experience.

As soon as I arrived at the farm, I paid the admission fee ($6.99 / per person on weekends) and had my containers weighed for picking. The website recommended to bring containers from home, and I did so, although they did sell quarts for 10 cents and boxes for $2 in case visitors didn't come prepared. After checking in, I was free to wander around the farm or get right to picking. The farm's staff was welcoming and helpful, answering any questions with a smile. There was also a table with homemade foods to taste for free near the entrance. All the samples I tried were delicious and came with recipes. Thus, not only did I have a good time, I also learned something new. 

Off the hay wagon!

Having snacked on the offerings, I lined up for the hay wagon ride. It was not just entertainment, as I had thought. The hay wagons took visitors around the farm, so they did not have to walk around the fields. Every stop had different crops the drivers announced beforehand. I cannot imagine getting around without the hay wagons. I would have gotten lost and most certainly felt tired, which would have spoiled my overall impression. Another great idea on the farmers' part was to leave metal carts around the farm. At first I thought they belonged to other pickers, but since they were often left unattended, I helped myself to one, especially that my containers were getting heavier with blueberries, raspberries, peaches and tomatoes I gathered on my way. 

Picking up raspberries, in particular, reminded me of my maternal grandfather. When I was little, he would often take me raspberry picking in his garden. He would always remind me to break up each berry to make sure no worms were hiding inside. Visiting Alstede Farms, I thought of my childhood and of all children who grow up in big cities and never experience nature, never know what raspberries are supposed to look and taste like. I also thought that even if one lives in a big city, he or she can always create opportunities. Nature is all around us, and, if we make the slightest effort, we can touch, feel, taste and smell it. 

Though picking was supposed to end at 6 pm, according to the farm's schedule, we were politely warned in advance that the last wagons are picking people up at 6:30 pm. With that said, the staff was pretty lenient about dropping visitors off at picking stops close to that time, so we did not feel pressured to leave. 

Having paid for all of my picked goods by pound (the prices for their stuff are pretty good, considering that one is buying organic, locally-grown produce), I still had time to walk around, take colorful pictures and buy a few more things in the farm store. In addition to fruit and vegetables, they also sold homemade jams, maple syrup, fresh eggs, milk, and even homemade wine from a nearby winery. Hence, I did all my grocery shopping for the following two weeks in one place and felt great about it, especially because I got to pick up most of it from the ground and the trees myself. 

To sum it all up, I'd recommend visiting Alstede Farms for a number of reasons. Eating organic, natural-sized foods would be the main one. Some of the peaches were thick-skinned, but they were the juiciest I've ever tasted. The flavor of raspberries reminded me of my childhood, the taste I had been looking for - in vain - in a box of Driscolls, even organic ones. In addition, whether you had been on a farm or not, you might still experience something new, like petting a rabbit, or sitting on a pile of hay. And, finally, it is always good to simply reconnect with nature and, through getting your hands dirty, feel liberated and more appreciative of the food you consume and the world you are living in. 

Holtzman Gallery: An Art Haven in the Heart of Atlantic City

Image Credit: http://claridge.com/atlantic-city-art-gallery/

If you're visiting Atlantic City and you have curiosity - if not passion - for art, you should definitely visit Holtzman Gallery, located inside the historic Claridge Hotel. Though it seems tiny from the outside, the gallery occupies three levels (all of them wheelchair accessible) and exhibits a great variety of art works, including, but not limited to paintings and sculptures. 

As you walk inside, you're immediately captivated by portraits of famous people, recreated on canvas from photographs by the gallery's owner, David Holtzman. Bold colors the artist uses highlight the features of his subjects, among whom are Marylin Monroe, Muhammad Ali, Woody Allen and many others. There are two portraits of Marlon Brando, one in blue and one in pink. Though they're based on the same photograph, the use of different colors affects the impression each picture makes on the viewer. 

Having enjoyed these unusual portraits, keep walking - you're in for even more treats! The gallery's art collection includes giclées (digital prints of art works made on inkjet printers), abstract paintings by an 8-year-old boy from India, framed portraits of famous people done in pencil on matchboxes, paintings on Biblical themes, realistic landscapes, a couple of paintings in the style of French impressionists, some interesting sculptures and even works by John Lennon. In other words, there's something for every taste. Moreover, you're likely to discover at Holtzman Gallery at least one type of art you've never seen before, or, if you are an art collector, a fascinating piece you would like to hang in your house or apartment. 

For example, if you're into realism, you'll enjoy paintings by Marcos Monteiro. Among his pieces exhibited in the gallery are breathtaking seascapes and portraits of animals. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Monteiro gained first-hand knowledge of the ocean and its inhabitants through diving, fishing, snorkeling and studying marine biology. Bright colors, attention to detail and the portrayal of life precisely as we see it in real life attract the viewers to his paintings. 

Another painter of realism exhibited by Holtzman Gallery is John Dzedzy, who was a student of Holtzman's when he began studying art. His oil-on-canvas portraits of Native Americans are based on personal research. Portraying his subjects, the artist aspires to stay true to Native American culture and history he has studied for years. Dzedzy also designs a unique frame for each of his paintings. The frames are grandiose and antique-looking and make the paintings resemble family portraits of rich landowners. 

If, however, realism doesn't appeal to you, check out Jon Allen's works. By painting on metal, Allen takes abstractionism to another level. Described on the artist's bio page on the gallery's website as "a marriage of industrial technique and visual grace," his paintings look modern, colorful and mysterious at the same time. Allen's work has been exhibited in over 200 galleries all over the world and will definitely be one of the focal points of any personal collection. 

Featuring a great number of artists who cannot leave the viewers indifferent, Holtzman Gallery also has Francis Mesaros Panctures. A combination of painting and sculpture, Mesaros's works are impossible to pass by, due to both their large size - they will surely occupy a large chunk of your wall - and the artist's unique technique. His abstract seascapes seem to be constructed of hundreds of painted seashells. In consequence, not only do we admire the final product, we are also amazed by the effort put into creating it. 

In addition to paintings, the gallery also displays photographs, sculptures, and even guitars, lovingly painted with lacquer or shellac by Peter Cree. As we learn from this section of the exhibit, painting guitars is more difficult than it seems, since it can negatively affect the instrument's sound, and the process takes "an average of 100 hours per top." Thus, Cree's art also overlaps with science and brings together painting and music. 

As you can imagine, the list of unique art works Holtzman Gallery has to offer can go on and on. Unexpectedly found in the East Coast's gambling capital, it is truly a gem for art lovers. If you consider yourself one, you should definitely check it out next time you're around Atlantic City. Visiting the gallery might just be the jackpot you've always wanted to hit! In the meantime, look at the gallery's website for the list of exhibited artists and examples of their artwork. 

5 Reasons to Start Juicing

Image Credit:
http://www.supernutritionacademy.com/juicing-benefits-debatable/#.V55YOmUbZok

If you are, like me, not a vegetable lover and feel concerned with your diet, you should consider juicing as a path to a healthier you. Note: by juicing I mean adding fresh juice to your diet, not replacing all of your meals with it. Here are 5 reasons why you should be drinking fresh fruit or vegetable juice:

1. It's nutritious. Fresh-squeezed juices have all the same nutrients fresh fruit and vegetables contain, but your body absorbs them easier and quicker. Drinking one large glass of juice equals eating all of the fruit it was made of (for example, two grapefruits, a kiwi and an apple). What's even better, as opposed to cooking vegetables, juicing preserves all the nutrients, so you don't miss out on anything.

2. It tastes good. By means of mixing various fruit and vegetables, you will be able to consume products that you don't like. I can't even think of eating beets, but if I add some beet juice to my fruit and veggie drink, I don't taste it and don't mind it.

Also, taste is a matter of habit. Even though you might not like the taste of fresh juice at first, you'll love it once you get used to it.

3. It is easy to prepare. Once you have your first juicer and you learn how to take care of it (cleaning etc.), you don't even need recipes to prepare your juices. Choose your fruit and veggies according to your taste.

Don't forget, however, that fruit contain lots of sugar, so make sure to mix them with some vegetables for even better nutrition.

4. It charges you with energy. Even if you decide to eat nothing and only drink juice all day, you will not feel hungry. Remember that drinking the juice equals eating all of its ingredients, so don't feel like you're depriving yourself of food. Quite the contrary, you're giving your body what it needs, instead of processed food and fats. Fresh juice is all natural, and it serves you better than a five-hour energy shot. After a while, you will see your nails become stronger and your skin glow, and you will feel less tired in the end of the day.

5. It speeds up your metabolism. When I was first introduced to juicing, I drank fresh juice for dinner and ate whatever I wanted for breakfast and lunch. As a result, I felt hungry every 3 hours. I felt that my body was processing food quicker. I'm sure that was the consequence of juicing. In combination with exercise, I was able to lose weight quickly and without giving up food I liked.

With all these aforementioned benefits, the only downside is that you need to buy a juicer, suitable for both fruit and vegetables. If you feel that it's too much of an investment (the one I have costs around $150), try buying fresh juice by glass first, but make sure they're squeezing it in front of you. Ideally, you need to drink the juice no later than 15 minutes after it is squeezed; otherwise, you will lose out on some nutrients. Buying fresh juice is also expensive, approximately $5-6 for a 16 oz. glass. Still, it's a good start if you're not sure you enjoy juicing as much as I do. 

Water Tubing? Thanks, But No, Thanks.

Image Credit:
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/06/73/e4/a8/delaware-river-tubing.jpg

Have you ever thought of trying water tubing? Perhaps, you should try it to find out you won't like it much. Having enjoyed it on the lazy river at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, I thought that water tubing on Delaware River would be even more fun. However, it turned out to be a long, exhausting journey and quite a bore as well. 

What I expected when I booked this "adventure" at Kittatinny Campground's Adventure Center was a relaxing trip down the river. I even though 3 miles was too short of a journey, though the description did say it would take 2-3 hours. Well, it took me much longer than that. Overall, the current was pretty slow, and I often felt that the tube was not moving at all. In addition, since the river was quite shallow, my tube got stuck on the pile of stones every once in a while. 

But, perhaps, the most frustrating part of this "activity" was that I had little control over the tube. I could easily make a 360 degree turn, but I struggled with directing the tube wherever I needed to go. Using my hands and arms as paddles, I battled with the current, which brought me to one bank and then the other, while I wanted to stay in the middle and relax. In the meantime, people were passing me by in kayaks, and I felt like I chose the wrong transportation mode.

Clearly, part of my misery was that I didn't know what to do with the tube. In my defense, the adventure staff did not help, either. We were dropped off on the river bank and given our tubes without any instructions, except for, "In case of emergency, the best way to get help is to walk towards the road and find someone there." By emergency, they probably meant that, if we got bored and decided to quit, the road was over there. 

As I was leisurely brought forward by the slow current, I kept wondering if I got unlucky. Maybe on other days the current was faster, and the trip really took 2 hours only. Maybe I needed more practice, and I would learn to control my tube eventually (though even Google does not have any good tips on how to maneuver a water tube). Maybe the trip should have been shorter, in terms of distance. There were, indeed, a lot of pleasant moments on the way. At some point, the current sped up, and I was moving faster towards my destination. I also got to sunbathe on the water and enjoy some beautiful views.

Hence, if you do decide on going water tubing (which I probably never will), make sure the distance you go is no longer than a mile and a half, especially if it's your first time. An hour on the water is enjoyable no matter what. You get to see if you like this kind of activity and if you'd like to go for a longer trip. Additionally, ask if the company that provides the tubes can give you a paddle. That will make your trip faster and give you more control over the tube. Also, do not forget to wear sunscreen. They say you get tanned faster when you're in the water, and you won't be able to reapply your sun protection until you arrive at the finish point. And finally, if you like to be active and are not used to lying down for hours, you should go kayaking or canoeing instead. 

9 Most Common Sleep Enemies

Image credit: http://m.huffpost.com/uk/entry/3827606.html?edition=uk

If tossing and turning becomes your everyday routine, don't run to a doctor thinking there is something wrong with you. There are a few "sleep enemies," eliminating which can help you fall asleep quickly and stay asleep:

1. Caffeine. While drinking coffee or soda in the morning helps you get a shot of energy for the day, it may keep you awake late at night.

2. Alcohol. A common belief that a beer or a shot puts you to sleep is a myth. Like caffeine, alcohol is a strong stimulant, and it is more likely to keep you awake than make you sleep.

3. Heavy dinner. Despite feeling sleepy right after a meal, you will not sleep well if you eat a lot right before bedtime. You need to give your body at least 2-3 hours to digest food before going to bed. Otherwise, it won't be fully relaxed and ready for wholesome sleep. Same applies to the consumption of liquids. If you drink a lot of water before bed, you will have to take bathroom breaks in the middle of the night.   

4. Hunger. This is another extremity. I don't like eating a lot late at night. At the same time, it is annoying to wake up hungry. Therefore, I try to eat something light, like yogurt or fruit if my stomach growls before bedtime. That usually ensures that I sleep better.

5. Irregular schedule. When you wake up and go to bed around the same time, your body gets used to this routine. You feel sleepy during the same hours. For this reason, having an irregular schedule is bad for your sleep because your body will not be able to quickly adjust to your ever-changing hours. Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule, and you will sleep better and deeper overall.

6. Uncomfortable temperatures. If your room is too cold or too hot, or your blanket is too thin or too thick, you have to make adjustments. There are even special blankets for couples that allow them to set temperatures on each side to help people who have different heat/cold tolerance from their partners sleep better. 

7. Worries. These are the hardest to get rid of. They often keep us tossing and turning. Try meditation or any other relaxation technique to put your worries aside. Tell yourself that you will take care of your problems when you get up. 

8. A snoring partner, or any other type of noise. If you're sensitive to noise and cannot stand hearing your neighbors' pillow talk, use earplugs. I prefer silicon ones, those that swimmers use. They cover your ears completely and isolate most noises. 

9. Lights. This might be a problem if you sleep during the day, or have a street light right by your window. If that's the case, try getting blackout blinds or an eye mask to keep the light out.   Keep in mind that you might not be sensitive to all of these sleep-disrupting variables. Therefore, you should listen to your body, take a note of what bothers you the most and work on eliminating it. Only you know what is the most comfortable environment for you, and it is up to you to set it up for better sleep. 

The Wondrous Power of Thank You

Image Credit:
http://www.awards4u.com/blog/difference-between-appreciation-and-recognition

Why is it that while we are growing up, we are consistently reminded to say "please" and "thank you," and when we become adults, we are so quick to forget these important words? A thank-you letter in response to one of my reviews (the first one I've ever got) made my day. It expressed gratitude for the time I invested into seeing the play and writing about it and touched upon a few things that worked well in my review. Consequently, it reminded me that I'm good at what I do and that what I do matters. Why are those pleasant moments of appreciation so rare?

If you ask me, I think it is because we tend to perceive criticism as a guide for improvement. Hence, we criticize freely. In many instances, we mean nothing bad. We just want the other person to look better, to achieve more, to polish his or her skills, and so on. When someone does something well, there is no need for improvement, and we feel that we have nothing to say. Except "thank you." Sometimes. Have you ever wondered why there are many more negative Yelp reviews than positive ones? Liking a restaurant encourages the customer to come back, while disliking it leaves no other option but complaining.

It is a shame, however, that we do not take advantage of the wondrous power of "thank you" and other words of appreciation. They do magic. They inspire people and bring them closer. They bring meaning into people's actions and put smiles on their faces. An employee who feels appreciated at his or her job will put in more effort and be more productive. Neglect and fear of failure often disable a person's talent, for he or she will be afraid or reluctant to go the extra mile, to make suggestions or put their soul into work. It damages both the employee and the employer.

Therefore, do not hold back the words of appreciation. Say "thank you" for good deeds and words that come your way. Elaborate on what it is that you find especially useful, well-done, or efficient. It is so easy and so harmful for everyone involved to make someone feel taken for granted. Do not hold back the power that will unleash the magic - and wait to see how much good comes out of it.