It's the perfect time of year to escape the gym and get some fresh air.  Inspired by Athleta's "chi-mail" featuring former Alpine skier and competitive mountain biker, Tina Vindum who talks about Environmental Integration and Sensory Awareness and how to incorporate 10 Base Moves into your outdoor fitness routine.  If you're not "in" to being at one with nature, at least check out the Base Moves, it's a nice refresher course on form and basic exercises you can do anywhere. 

Here's a brief explanation of Environmental Integration and Sensory Awareness: The Core of Your Core by Tina Vindum:

The practice of sensory awareness takes us to a place deep within ourselves. As you connect to everything that you see, hear, touch, smell, feel—even taste—you’ll go deeper and deeper into what I call the “core of your core.” You are so integrated with the environment that you become part of it, and it becomes part of you. It’s a place where your senses become so heightened that it feels almost surreal. It’s a mental and emotional high. It’s a place of hyper-consciousness. It’s very primal. And it’s very wonderful. When you get to the core of your core, you discover it’s a place where you feel deeply alive, deeply grateful and deeply connected to the world around you, and to your inner self.  For the rest of the article....

Reviewed by Sam Alton, Movie Nerd

Been awhile.  The movie scene has not impressed this movie nerd lately.  Need to see Kids are All Right or this interesting looking Catfish movie.  In the meantime go see The Town.  This movie is fantastic, intense and thoughtful.  Ben Affleck apparently has his cheesy side-  Pearl Harbor, Jersey Girl, J Lo- but as a director, writer and more mature actor, when he is in his Boston element, he is awesome.  One of my favorites of all time is Good Will Hunting, written with Affleck's buddy Matt Damon.  In that movie, he portrays a realistic and gritty side of Boston.  It does not compare to what Affleck shows us in The Town.  Charlestown is apparently the armed robbery capital of the world and Affleck's crew is effective at taking down the banks.  He wants out while his partners, including the excellent  Jeremy Renner, want it all, including the violence.  St. Louis boy Jon Hamm is great as the FBI agent close on Affleck's tail and Blake Lively, the future muse of Green Lantern, puts in a surprisingly strong performance.  I can't believe I'm saying this but with The Town, at least when he's able to work with his beloved Boston, Affleck the director and actor becomes one of the best out there.

Host your own BYO -Pumpkin (Carving) Party!!   It's a tradition that friends, family and neighbors will look forward to every year!  

If you enjoy listening to music then you should definitely get hooked on Pandora.  I don't know what took me so long to take advantage of creating my own radio station!  I mean really, it's 2010.  All you do is type in your favorite artist or song and, ta-da, your very own personalized radio station.  Google Pandora, agree to their terms and enjoy FREE music everywhere you and your iphone and laptop go.  

Recent Favorite Stations:

Norah Jones

Maroon 5

Superstition by: Stevie Wonder

(any Pandora users out there, if so, what are you listening to????)

Rarely do I ever read a magazine cover to cover but I just bought the September issue of Real Simple and it's REAL-ly good.  It features...

The most flattering styles for fall, the color of the season, trends worth trying, modern manners, FAST beauty tips, speed cleaning, and eight easy-to-copy ways to adorn your walls, just to name a few!  Grab a copy and enjoy!

Childhood migraines are more common than you think.  If your child has been complaining of headaches read this article from the New York Times to help determine how you can help your child make necessary changes in his daily routine like exercise, drinking more water, getting adequate sleep and not missing meals.

Dehydration is one of the number one causes for headaches. Most schools encourage children to keep a water bottle at their desk.  Not a bad idea.

-deborah

Ashley, our designated Book Work is our go-to source for great book picks, but who is hers?

"Indiebound is a great resource for book lovers.  Each month independent booksellers create a list of their "inspired recommendations"--this is called the "indie next list"--books you might not find on the front shelves of Borders or Barnes and Noble, you can also see the bestsellers from independent book stores.  I have never gotten a bad recommendation from here and many of my favorite books have come from this site."

Thanks Ashley!