by Paula D.
on April 22, 2024 9:20 am in Animals / DIY
Can you hear the chirps? Can you smell the hint of spring? I can. The earth is stirring from its slumber.
Springtime in Rockaway and Jamaica Bay becomes a bustling hub for migrating birds, as these many species embark on their long journeys northward. Our coastal home offers a vital stopover point for birds traveling along the Atlantic Flyway, providing abundant food sources and habitats for resting and refueling. Birdwatchers flock to Rockaway to witness the spectacle of thousands of birds in transit, including the American oystercatcher, piping plover, and various species of terns and gulls. We are lucky to witness these beautiful birds foraging activities along our shorelines.
This activity is an excellent way to engage with your children while offering valuable learning opportunities about birds, recycling, and composting.
In the upcoming weeks, we’ll also be spotting smaller “backyard” friends such as songbirds like warblers, sparrows, finches and flycatchers, thrushes, even orioles! In my last column I suggested making a cute bagel bird feeder. Birds also enjoy snacking on berries and fruits, including oranges! This has sparked another idea for a feeder…
Orange Oasis Feeder
Supplies:
(Makes 2 bird feeders)
- 1 orange (any size works and a variety of sizes in one tree looks beautiful)
- Twine
- Bird seed (choose a mix specific for the types of birds you’d like to attract
- Knife and scissor
- Toothpick
Noe: Experiment with an avocado or other organic foods that have a sturdy vessel!
Directions: Cut the orange in half and carefully remove the pulp while keeping the rind intact. Cut the twine to your desired length. Use the toothpick to create a hole a quarter inch from the cut edge. Thread the twine through the hole using the toothpick. Loop or tie the string to secure it. Repeat this process three more times, ensuring equal spacing around the edge of the oranges.
Next… find a tree! Secure your feeder to a branch. Then, using a scooper, fill the orange cavity with bird feed and watch as the birds flock to the orange oasis you’ve created.
Not only beautiful and bright, this is an all-natural compostable bird feeder.
Near your feeder consider offering fresh water sources, such as a bird bath or shallow dish. This will help replenish birds’ energy reserves during their long journeys. By creating bird-friendly environments and practicing responsible bird feeding habits (no people food!) you will contribute to the conservation efforts aimed at supporting migratory bird populations and have fun doing so!
Follow my gardening escapades this season on IG – @theglorifiedtomato!
by Paula D.
on April 22, 2024 9:14 am in Art / DIY
I just returned from the Villa Roma. This is an old-school resort where mostly Italian people from Brooklyn and Lawng Islanders gather to eat mountains of food, gamble, generally indulge, and most importantly, spend time with la familia.
My Grandfather Ralph found the place and we had gone a few times when I was a tween. My sisters had the idea of going back, and we have reintroduced the tradition since my godson Jake was three years old. He’s turning 18 on March 23rd! My nieces, nephews, sisters, husbands, and parents adore the Villa Roma. What’s not to love….
Each day, the one and only Doc Holiday hands out the activity sheet, featuring jackpot bingo, bocce ball tournaments, and left-center-right dice. There’s also a gambling lounge with OTB, card tables, scratch-offs, and keno—it’s awesome! Our family’s favorite activity is the horse races, where the little kids move wooden horses on the forum stage while the adults (and kids) place bets. The pot can reach thousands of dollars. How does the VR get away with this? We all wonder, but no one asks (the code of silence).
You can learn pickleball with Doc, play cornhole, or win an indoor golf championship. I participated in the crafts, even though sometimes I was the only adult. We designed birdhouses, painted rocks, and made jellyfish.
Craft creatures from the odds and ends around your home.
The evening activity list is plentiful, making it hard to choose. There’s movie night, a visit to Marty’s Lounge to see the tricks of Magic Tom, the world’s best magician. Sing at karaoke or get hypnotized by Mr. Hypno and… dance the night away to fist-pumping techno at DJ Black Jack Dance Party.
Go rogue, off Doc Holiday’s itinerary and visit the other buildings on the grounds. There’s rock wall climbing (I made it to the top!), hanging out at the bowling alley, and of course, there’s the ski mountain with a very hip vintage 70’s lounge.
Yup, it’s pretty much a Dirty Dancing vibe, with more kids.
Give a plain ol’ rock the rock star treatment.
I could talk endlessly about this special place, but what I really want to emphasize is crafting. While we’re in the midst of winter and eagerly awaiting spring, the Villa Roma reminded me that crafting is the perfect indoor activity. So if you can’t make it there, here are three ideas to inspire your next craft night with friends or with the family.
Paint a Rock: We’ve all painted shells, but what about rocks? During my brisk beach walks, I’ve noticed smaller versions of the large jetty rocks on the sand. Grab a few and break out the acrylic paint. Give it as a gift. Use scrap paper and Mod Podge to decorate the rocks. Make garden markers for your herbs and veg, and write: basil, tomatoes, thyme, etc. with a paint pen… you’ll be all set for the gardening season.
Craft Jellyfish: I’m a big fan of using recycled materials. Let the kids gather materials only found in your home: a paper plate, ribbon, napkins, the newspaper (ahem). You’ll be surprised by what ordinary materials you can transform into a cool craft. Cut and glue your pieces together to make a jellyfish or other sea creature.
Bird feeder Bagel: This is one of my favs. Use a stale bagel, and loop a string through the center. Cover your bagel with peanut butter and then roll it in a dish of bird seed. Hang it from a tree near your home, and the beautiful winter birds (and an occasional squirrel) will enjoy your gift. Full instructions here.
Almost immediately, as the thin needles entered my body I felt a tingling that guided me into a state of calm. A wave of relaxation washed over the tight muscles of my body. I became the petals of a flower opening up in the spring sunshine. Moments passed and the medicine women reentered the room to place two more needles beneath my eyes. With each slow minute that passed, I sank deeper into a state of relief. The room was warm. Then a sensation passed through me. I was rising up, floating to the left. I kept the medicine woman’s chant in my mind while taking deep, rhythmic breaths.
She said I was yin depleted. I later learned this was a gentle way of saying, “Too much yang.” In my life naively, I’ve been turned off by the symbol – those ugly, bright tie-dye shirts with it or the gift shops in Woodstock, NY with a weed leaf. But now… I get it.
The yin-yang symbol embodies the philosophy of balance and harmony within Eastern medicine, depicting the interplay between complementary forces – yin (passive, feminine) and yang (active, masculine), essential for maintaining well-being.
The Mexican sorceress put her fingers on my wrists. She closed her eyes and felt the blood moving through my veins. She looked at my tongue. She said it was oily and to stay away from fried fish. She said my toes needed to bleed and I let her. She asked if I was Jewish (no), and she asked if I had night sweats (yes). She said my fascia should be loosened. Initially, due to fear and seeing those girls on the beach with crop circles on their backs, I was apprehensive. But I chose to be open and proceeded with cupping. I was astounded by the feeling! She looked into my eyes and asked about my spiritual nourishment. For my physical sustenance, she suggested water with goji to replenish my body.
I was in Saladita Mexico a few weeks back, on an amazing surf trip. I met the mystical women on my board in the Pacific Ocean. She was missing one finger. Irene approached my friend Lauren after overhearing a conversation about Lauren’s surf incident (four stitches). Irene told us her finger was severed by her leash when she was 12 years old surfing in Taiwan. Irene gently mentioned she’s an acupuncturist and can help with trauma among other healings. Then she paddled away catching a soft wave.
My neck and back have been stiff. I’ve always had trouble. I work at a desk for many hours as a graphic designer. With surfing and a weak core, it has become almost chronic. Many friends have spoken highly of the eastern acupuncture treatment. Why did I wait so long?
Irene the medicine woman is also a M.D. She is a beautiful force and my brief time with her has made a lasting impact on my thinking towards physical and mental health. Dr. Irene Sanches-Celis works with individuals seeking healing therapies – acupuncture, women’s health, psychedelic therapy and she hosts transformation courses remotely. To learn more find Irene on Instagram – @irene.sanchezcelis. Website: irenesanchezcelis.com
And we have our very own healing sorcerer here in Rockaway. Her name is Rebecca Parker, L.Ac. MSOM. She is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist practicing her craft since 2008. Rebecca’s natural health treatments reduce pain and relieve stress. Her tailored care, hones in on each of her patients’ individual needs. The community holds her in high regard. I’m eager to experience her therapeutic magic. Visit Rebecca’s IG account to learn more: @rockawayacupuncture. Website: rockawayacupuncture.com.
For those who are new to this, I encourage you to keep an open mind. By doing so, you may just embark on a transformative journey of physical and spiritual healing.
by Paula D.
on April 16, 2024 10:57 am in Food / Recipes
For the majority of my life, I associated beets as the giggly mass with ringed lines that only appeared once a year on the Thanksgiving table. And the taste of the gelatinous red form wasn’t appealing – sweetness doesn’t always equate to palatability.
As I evolved as a home cook, I felt compelled to explore foods that challenged me. Ahem, beets. I’ve tried incorporating the root vegetable in many meals over the years learning the flavor of fresh-cooked beets is quite good. In contrast to their canned counterpart, fresh beets offer a subtle sweetness, and their tanginess and earthy origin is unmistakable.
At this point, I was no longer a beet-hater. However, there’s the issue of mess. Cooked and boiled beets release a natural staining dye, making them a whole thing. So I tended to steer clear.
There are certain foods that are worth purchasing in their pre-prepared state, and beets rank at the top of that list for me. Nowadays, I opt for pickled beets. Whenever I’m on the mainland, at Whole Foods or specialty markets, I look for the fanciest brands. The pickled variety tends to have more acidity and that tanginess is just perfect for salads.
Beets are highly nutritious, and packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like folate, potassium, vitamin C, and betalains, which have anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties. They are low in calories and high in fiber, making them a healthy choice for supporting digestive health.
Lastly, I need to mention that beets are sexy. They know how to turn up the heat in the kitchen with their seductive crimson hue. Beets bleed the color of love and passion! Their texture can be rough or sultry to the tongue. And the many health benefits mentioned above, no doubt contribute to improving blood flow and stamina (Yup, I said it).
Consider adding a side of beets to your romantic at-home dinner this weekend or for Valentine’s Day on Tuesday. Watch the romance root with this simple, seductive salad.
Sexy Beet Salad
Ingredients:
(Serves two lovers or haters)
1 bunch fresh spinach
4-6 whole, pickled beets
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon Romano cheese
High quality EVOO
Fresh ground pepper and salt to taste
Directions: Combine the ricotta cheese, Romano cheese, and salt. Plate the spinach, then neatly center the ricotta mixture and top with beets. You may keep the beets whole or slice them in half. Carefully drizzle on some beet juice and then the extra virgin olive oil. Generously top with fresh ground pepper and a hint more of salt. Prepare just before serving for the best presentation.
You can’t deny the beauty and charm of this dish. Deep reds to sweet soft pinks flow over a rich land of lovely green.
