New York City Thai Food

I’m in New York City for the Thanksgiving break, I can’t say I love the city, but damn I love the food.  Pam Real Thai Food is the best food I’ve experienced so far.  Its honestly the best Thai food I have EVER had, EVER.  My friend recommended it as a cheap, good eat for an early afternoon lunch.  I was pleased when my favorite dish of all time, Pad See Ew had $8, but I was shocked when I tasted it–heaven.  Because I’m an idiot, I didn’t notice that the Pad See Ew dish was acclaimed by the New York Times. After eating, I looked around the restaurant and I discovered that the woman chef had been featured in several newspapers and magazines acclaiming her food.

Pad See Ew, for those of you who are not familiar with Thai food, is a sweetish wide rice noodle dish usually served with broccoli and your choice of meat. I totally recommend it. Its my favorite Thai dish, its very mild and perfect for those new to Thai cuisine.

The Secrets of Double Cleansing

You may or may not have heard of double cleansing, I’ve been reading about it online recently and I’m hooked.  When you double cleanse you have two steps while washing your face.

1. Cleanse with natural, gentle, cleanser
2. Use scrub or cleanser with scrubbing beads

In the past, I’ve just used a scrub at night, but I never really thought about whether my make-up was actually removed and whether all goo in and on my skin was actually getting removed.

Since starting double cleansing, my skin looks so much better! I really feel like my skin is clean and my scrubbing cleanser is actually doing its job of making my skin brighter.

For double cleansing, I use the above.  I start with Neutrogena’s natural fresh cleansing and makeup remover and I finish with Olay’s Brightening Cream Cleanser with scrubbing beads.

Now go off and double cleanse!!

Cupcakes, Masks, and Selfies

My Philadelphia adventures keep haunting the blog.

I got to go to Lush (my favorite) and grab some new face masks. I got Cupcake (which needs to refrigerated) and Mask of Magnaminty (does not need to be refrigerated).

I use Mask of Magnaminty on a weekly basis just to clean up my skin and keep me on track.  Cupcake is also mild, but I only buy it and use it when my skin is starting to break out or I feel like dirt has been building up.  I also found out that Cupcake can be used as a spot treatment when certain parts of my skin start to break out.

I’m wearing Cupcake in the selfie above.

In general, I totally recommend masks.  They force you to relax and stay still for at least 15 minutes.  And, as an added bonus, your skin looks great!

Be careful not to overuse masks. I’ve made this mistake before and regretted it for at least two weeks.  You can dry your skin out and even cause breakouts by using masks too often.  Anymore than three times a week (depending on your skin type) is likely to irritate your skin.

Jonathan Strange and Nailpolish

When I was in Philadelphia, I hit up Ulta Cosmetics and went a little nuts.  While there I got this new nail polish from Essie, Demure Vix, and I absolutely love it.  Its a perfect combination of simple metallics and pretty purple.  Its a great fall color and I think it will continue to work even in Winter.

The book that my new nail polish is on is even more important.  “Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell” by Susanna Clarke came out about ten years ago.  Sadly, I only discovered it a couple of years ago.  It is a total “must read.” Clarke somehow combines magic, mystery, Jane Austen-like prose.  The book utilizes subtle wit that often makes me giggle out loud.  I totally and completely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story or good writing.

More Philly Foodie Adventures

Above is a picture of half seriously, dark chocolate and hald cranberry heirloom apple gelato from Capogira Gelato Artisans in Downtown Philly.

You have to go! No, really, you honestly do.  I’ve never been given so many samples without servers getting at least a little irritated with me.  But, the servers at Capogira’s were so nice and friendly!

I have to say that my gelato choice was unbelievably good.  I love cranberries and cranberry flavors, but straight cranberry gelato would probably have been too strong so the sweetness of the heirloom apple created a balanced and delicious gelato experience.  And when this was combined with dark, dark chocolate (my favorite) I could not have been happier.  I LOVE GELATO.

Philadelphia, Pizza, and Italian

Pietro’s in downtown Philly last night was a heavenly experience. I have zero cooking experience or talent, however, my obsession with Gordon Ramsay obviously makes me a legitimate judge of both food and restaurant experience.

Last night, I ordered Ceasar Salad, Bruschetta, and Veggie Pizza. AMAZING. I’ve rarely experienced a legitimately enjoyable Caesar Salad, usually it simply doesn’t do it for me.  But the large pieces of fresh, delicious Parmesan cheese as well as the amazing in house made dressing made it all it seriously enjoyable.

The Bruschetta was incredible as well.  Fresh tomatoes and basil on in house made bread was also amazing.

The veggie pizza was not my favorite, however.  It included seasonal vegetables included squash that I did not feel belonged on a pizza.  It was creative and seasonal, and I value both of those attempts, but it just didn’t totally work.

Overall, I’d say 7/10! As long as you don’t get the veggie pizza, I’d strongly recommend it.

Everything You Know About Sleep is Wrong

Ok, so maybe not everything you know about sleep is wrong. However, while at the ABCT I attended a talk titled “The Bidirectional Relationship Between Psychopathology and Sleep” and I learned that most of what I know about sleep is incorrect.

These are the following new facts I learned

1. Fitbits and Other Sleep Monitoring Devices are Lame

Fitbits, Garmond, and other devices keep track of sleep.  They provide users with detailed “analyses” of sleep.  But what do these analyses mean? What these experts on psychology told me is that they mean basically nothing.  These devices don’t tell you anything about sleep and the results cannot even be used by most experts to understand your sleep quality.

2. Sleep as a Disorder, not a Symptom

Traditionally, we think often think of sleep as a side effect of a disorder or a problem.  For instance, I am depressed so I don’t sleep well.  Psychologists are currently challenging this notion.  Perhaps, I am depressed because I don’t sleep well. Sleep quality can be a sign of your general function.  Pay attention to what your body is telling you.

3. Sleep Diaries are the Way to Go

There are some weaknesses to sleep monitoring devices as mentioned above.  Your perception of sleep quality is more important that the actual data reflecting your sleep.  What does this mean? It is more important if you feel rested than if algorithm on a device tells you that you are well rested.  To keep track and learn about your sleep, you should keep a sleep diary.  When you wake up in the morning record how you feel, how much you think you slept, and how rested you feel.  This information is better for you and your doctor to understand your sleep patterns.

Philly, Old Guys, and Some Cheesesteak

I’m in Philadelphia for the weekend at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.  Philadelphia is a completely new city and atmosphere to me, so I’ve been trying to explore some of the “authentic”aspects of the city.  Meaning, CHEESESTEAK! Despite my best efforts and different samples from several venders, I’ve found that I simply don’t like cheesesteak.  But that’s alright cuz cheesecake still remains a favorite of mine.

While at the Reading Market, I found an amateur jazz band serenading the lunch of psychologists and businessmen.  This guy playing the drums was just totally badass.  I had to take a picture of him.

My Secrets to Flying

1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Drink as much water as you can before, during, after the flight.  Flying can dehydrate you and your skin: protect it by drinking WATER.

2. Lavender Oil Spray

When I fly, I almost always have to change several flights. By the time I get home, I feel completely gross and my skin is totally angry.  To prevent angry, dehydrated skin I spray water with a drop or two of lavender oil on my face.  It helps me smell and feel better on those super long flights.

3. Shower ASAP!

Planes and airports are full of germs! Everything including your hair, hands, and legs have been touching surfaces thousands of other people have used.  I always feel so relaxed after traveling if I immediately shower.

4. Luggage Smells

I don’t know about you but I always feel like my clothes have a “smell” after traveling.  To prevent this, I spritz lavender oil and water onto my clothes.  I’m obsessed with lavender oil, I know.

Adventures in LA

Found some kickass graffitti before heading to Hollywood Cemetary to see Grizzly Bear. Christ, I wish I could still fit into those jeans…