Birthday Thoughts

Twenty-seven years and 45 minutes ago, I entered the earth, not knowing what my life would hold. And if someone had told me back then that it'd be this much of an adventure, I probably would have uttered a baby-talk version of, "You've gotta be kidding me."

But whether I like it or not, most often I do, this "beautiful chaos" of a life is what was written. Call it original, call it nutty, my life so far has exposed me to corners of the earth and corners of my heart that I only dreamed were possible.

My mom gave me a card this morning that said, "I love the spirit of you... and the childlike wonder that still colors your days." Moms always pick the best cards, don't they?

My days are colorful indeed. Shouldn't they be? A life created from black and white can only end in grey. And despite it being the latest color palate of my blog, grey is not the color I'd choose for my future.

At the risk of sounding annoyingly philosophical and contrived, I'll end my birthday thoughts right here. Besides, it's a beautiful 63 degrees outside and my 27-year-old childlike spirit wants to go out and play.

Maté Update

Seems many of my friends have gone out and bought Yerba Maté tea, per my recommendation. So many, in fact, that when I went to purchase more of the La Merced Organic, it was sold out! Ha! I guess my "weight-loss" endorsement is sounding pretty appealing during the holidays.

In case you're trying to purchase tea now and it's "out of stock" I found another reputable site, http://www.yerbamate.us/, with good prices, PayPal and lots in stock.

A faithful follower of my blog and dear friend, Lo, has been testing out her first few batches of Maté in the french press and her feedback was, "It tastes like hay. Is it supposed to taste like hay?"

To dilute the earthy, grassy flavor you can add soy, honey, lemon, milk, or splenda. Or just brew less leaves, more water.

Once my new shipment comes I'll do a Maté Vlog "How To" demonstration. Until then, feel free to post questions here and I'll be happy to answer.

Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving: A How To Guide

Big Snow in NYC

Yesterday some of the biggest snowflakes I've ever seen fell from the sky in New York. It only lasted about an hour but it was so pretty!

The Scoop on Yerba Mate

By popular demand (i.e. dozens of Facebook comments), I've decided to write about something unrelated to Italy or New York. It's called Yerba Mate, it hails from South America, and I've been unassumingly drinking it for the past couple of months, only to discover today that I've dropped 10lbs on the scale.

This is only the second time in my 26 years of existence that I can acknowledge losing weight WITHOUT a crash diet and hours at the gym. The first time was the summer of '07 when I first arrived in Italy and was active from morning till night.

But this time around I can largely attribute my success to this simple, earthy yet bitter tasting tea made from dried leaves and stems. It's so popular in Argentina that it's somewhat of a national beverage, and people are seen drinking it from traditional gourds all throughout the day . How Mate never made it into our weight-obsessed American culture is still a mystery...

I mean, when I think of our unofficial beverage, I sadly come up with Coca-Cola...and Italy's is obviously coffee. But neither of these pick-me-ups provide the jitter-less buzz I feel when I drink Mate. It gives me natural, prolonged energy, acute focus and CURBS MY APPETITE. Snacking doesn't even come to mind. I just eat three balanced meals and I'm set.

So now that I feel so fantastic, I want to give you even more fantastic news. MATE is dirt cheap. You can buy it on many Internet sites but GoYerbaMate is reliable and has good quality Mate. I prefer brewing the "La Merced"organic Mate in a french press, but if you're on the go you could try the Mate tea bags (I've never tried them but I can't imagine they'd be any different) or be traditional and use a gourd. Try to buy in bulk (it'll make a great holiday gift) to avoid wasting money on high shipping fees.

So that's the scoop on Mate. Let me know if you become as hooked as I am!

(This is not a paid endorsement)

[Photo: Boston.com]

An Ode to Unemployment

I am now unemployed
And not too overjoyed
But also must admit
In a cubicle I will not sit

A job for the body and mind
Is what I'm trying to find
But does it really exist
Amongst these skyscrapers and bricks?

The resumes I'm-a-sendin'
Though no companies are-a-spendin'
Who knew it'd be this tricky
When I left my beloved Italy!

With finances so sticky
Perhaps I should be less picky
Am I destined to revert
To the Courtney I tried to desert?

Kings of Leon: Then and Now

I first heard Kings of Leon at Roseland Ballroom during my "live show phase of 2005"; sparked by the low-key Cali guy I was dating at time. I remember the show well; the floor was sticky, I was dressed inappropriately (heels) and I couldn't figure out how to dance to the music. Needless to say, I wasn't a huge Kings of Leon fan, even if their sound was cutting edge.

Me in my "live show phase of 2005"

A few weeks ago I was out in the Hamptons with a group of about ten kiteboarders, one of whom was the adventure-loving outdoorsy guy I'm dating now. I was again dressed inappropriately (left my flannel shirt at home) and I just didn't seem as psyched as everyone else to be getting up at 5am to hit the frigid beach.

Well I did wake up at 5am, to the sound of music blaring in the house. And although my bones ached for a few more hours of sleep, I couldn't, because the song I heard was so good. It was Kings of Leon, "Use Somebody" off their latest album Only By the Night. I couldn't believe it was the same brothers I had heard live three years ago...so catchy, so polished. I have been playing it on repeat ever since... Kings of Leon - Use Somebody

Off The Brochure Travel Guide: The Amalfi Coast & Capri

Everyone's always asking me how I traveled around the Amalfi Coast for two and a half weeks in the height of summer without breaking the bank. Now you can find all my insider secrets to living like a local here, in a travel guide I wrote or PeterGreenberg.com.

Look for more of my travel articles on PeterGreenberg.com in the coming months.

NBOTB: New Brunch on the Block

Say goodbye to brunch as you knew it and lift your bloody mary to the newest trend in NYC, what I affectionately call "dance on the table" brunch.

The recipe is simple; take your typical light fare of eggs benedict, crepes, and sparse salads, heavy up sparklers and magnums of Veuve Clicquot, invite a well-known house DJ and dozens of pretty people and watch the debauchery unfold.

Last week Urban Daddy went inside Merkato 55's Moroccan lair where a tribal-themed Saturday bender was in full swing. And for the past few weeks Soho's sexy new Italian spot, Via dei Mille, has been blowing the roof off Sundays with a Mediterranean brunch free-for-all.

I stopped in yesterday at about 4pm to say hi to some friends and found people dancing on every square inch of elevated surface, including the beautiful marble bar and alcoves intended to showcase art. After downing a Bellini and a potent shot at the bar, I too boogied for a few minutes on a chair (when in Rome) before settling in for some incredible Italian cuisine.

The gigantic mussels come highly recommended as does any of VDM's signature pasta dishes (especially the paparadelle) and their infamous Nutella crepes.

Via dei Mille, Sunday Brunch 1pm-7pm
357 W Broadway (btwn Grande and Broome)
212-431-0080