You know we are fans of this wonderful North End gem of a restaurant. We have covered it before, usually to remind other fans about the restaurant's traditional July vacation. We have shared it with friends who are amazed at the quality and the value.
We are also fans of North End Waterfront because the team there led by Matt Conti keeps us informed on the past, present, and future of this neighborhood. This great interview with lots of background information is one example of why we visit the site and follow their updates on Twitter and Facebook.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
You know we are fans of this wonderful North End gem of a restaurant. We have covered it before, usually to remind other fans about the restaurant's traditional July vacation. We have shared it with friends who are amazed at the quality and the value.
We are also fans of North End Waterfront because the team there led by Matt Conti keeps us informed on the past, present, and future of this neighborhood. This great interview with lots of background information is one example of why we visit the site and follow their updates on Twitter and Facebook.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
This summer I've been taking tai chi training at MGH's Benson-Henry Institute. It is one more move forward in my healthy living program. Friends will tell you that I'm recommending Tai Chi, and especially this particular program, for anyone who has thought about exploring ways to reduce stress, improve balance, and strengthen their bodies.
Why Tai Chi?
My fascination with this form of mind/body exercise began years ago when I would walk in the Boston Public Garden and watch Asian men and women, young and old, practice this ancient art.
In September I added a morning walk to my daily routine. Most days the highlight of that walk is the time I spend in the Public Garden.
Each morning, in the warmer weather, this group of women gather at the Swan Boat landing and work out together.
Why the Benson-Henry Institute?
I've been a long, longtime follower of Herbert Benson, MD, and his research into mind body medicine. I took a Relaxation Response class with him many years ago and have kept up with his work at Harvard and MGH and read a number of his books and audio books.
When I decided to take tai chi training, I felt assured the staff there would be of the highest caliber and the training would be focused on goals that would fit my needs.
The next set of classes will not be scheduled until fall, but there are resources available online for meditation and to learn more about the other programs they offer.
I recommend that you contact them now by email and tell them what program you would like to join. I did and they let me know when registration opened for the classes.
This summer I've been taking tai chi training at MGH's Benson-Henry Institute. It is one more move forward in my healthy living program. Friends will tell you that I'm recommending Tai Chi, and especially this particular program, for anyone who has thought about exploring ways to reduce stress, improve balance, and strengthen their bodies.
Why Tai Chi?
My fascination with this form of mind/body exercise began years ago when I would walk in the Boston Public Garden and watch Asian men and women, young and old, practice this ancient art.
In September I added a morning walk to my daily routine. Most days the highlight of that walk is the time I spend in the Public Garden.
Each morning, in the warmer weather, this group of women gather at the Swan Boat landing and work out together.
Why the Benson-Henry Institute?
I've been a long, longtime follower of Herbert Benson, MD, and his research into mind body medicine. I took a Relaxation Response class with him many years ago and have kept up with his work at Harvard and MGH and read a number of his books and audio books.
When I decided to take tai chi training, I felt assured the staff there would be of the highest caliber and the training would be focused on goals that would fit my needs.
The next set of classes will not be scheduled until fall, but there are resources available online for meditation and to learn more about the other programs they offer.
I recommend that you contact them now by email and tell them what program you would like to join. I did and they let me know when registration opened for the classes.
Last October we linked to WBUR and its inspiring podcast, The Magic PilI, which also marked a long distance reconnection with one of my favorite doctors, Eddie Phillips, MD.
Since that report (here's a link to it), I have only missed my morning walk on one day, when I had a nasty cold and felt it would be better to stay in and rest so I would miss fewer days.
I also added an Apple Watch to my motivational tools and that has helped me keep excellent records on my progress. I have continued a steady, healthy weight loss trend; dropped another medication I was taking; and increased my fitness levels.
In case some of you don't go back to the original story or decide to pass it on to someone you know who might need help in improving their overall health, I'll repeat this important message now.
Here is a link to the Podcast Pilot. It's a great introduction and I hope it will lead you to take one episode daily (your daily dose of get-up-and-go) for the next twenty-one days and see if you, like me, find yourself still on the move nine months from now.
I hope WBUR will add more episodes of this inspiring program. Anytime I feel that I'm about to slip off my training routine, I'll go back and listen to the 21 existing episodes again. But I would love to have this team offer some sort of Magic Pill continuing education and inspiration.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Please read our disclosure policy. Since we have mentioned the Apple Watch and linked to it on Amazon, we want readers to know that we do have funds invested in both Apple and Amazon stock.
Last October we linked to WBUR and its inspiring podcast, The Magic PilI, which also marked a long distance reconnection with one of my favorite doctors, Eddie Phillips, MD.
Since that report (here's a link to it), I have only missed my morning walk on one day, when I had a nasty cold and felt it would be better to stay in and rest so I would miss fewer days.
I also added an Apple Watch to my motivational tools and that has helped me keep excellent records on my progress. I have continued a steady, healthy weight loss trend; dropped another medication I was taking; and increased my fitness levels.
In case some of you don't go back to the original story or decide to pass it on to someone you know who might need help in improving their overall health, I'll repeat this important message now.
Here is a link to the Podcast Pilot. It's a great introduction and I hope it will lead you to take one episode daily (your daily dose of get-up-and-go) for the next twenty-one days and see if you, like me, find yourself still on the move nine months from now.
I hope WBUR will add more episodes of this inspiring program. Anytime I feel that I'm about to slip off my training routine, I'll go back and listen to the 21 existing episodes again. But I would love to have this team offer some sort of Magic Pill continuing education and inspiration.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Please read our disclosure policy. Since we have mentioned the Apple Watch and linked to it on Amazon, we want readers to know that we do have funds invested in both Apple and Amazon stock.
On Fridays we link our readers to a resource that deserves applause. Today we are using the Pecorino Caggiano we bought this week at Formaggio Kitchen South End as an example of how and why you should use the Formaggio cheese shops as a resource.
Often our approach to buying cheese at Formaggio is to ask the cheesemonger, "What is great today?" In the right hands, cheese is a living organism that evolves from day-to-day. At any given moment, the Formaggio staff knows of something in that case that is extraordinary.
This time Penny had a few moments to read some of the descriptions before she chatted with the staff. The sign for Pecorino Caggiano intrigued her and she asked for a taste.
At first it seemed like a good but rather ordinary pecorino. But, as we have learned over the years, you have to let it warm in your mouth or hold a slice on a wrapper in your hand until it warms to get the full flavor. In this case, if you give it a moment, you experience an explosion of sheepy tang.
We had it for supper with a bit of fennel salami and a Clear Flour baguette.
Formaggio Kitchen, as a resource, is more than a store, they are also food educators. Above you see their page on this cheese. It tells you the story behind the product and suggests pairings. If you are in the shop, your cheesemonger will do the same.
On Fridays we link our readers to a resource that deserves applause. Today we are using the Pecorino Caggiano we bought this week at Formaggio Kitchen South End as an example of how and why you should use the Formaggio cheese shops as a resource.
Often our approach to buying cheese at Formaggio is to ask the cheesemonger, "What is great today?" In the right hands, cheese is a living organism that evolves from day-to-day. At any given moment, the Formaggio staff knows of something in that case that is extraordinary.
This time Penny had a few moments to read some of the descriptions before she chatted with the staff. The sign for Pecorino Caggiano intrigued her and she asked for a taste.
At first it seemed like a good but rather ordinary pecorino. But, as we have learned over the years, you have to let it warm in your mouth or hold a slice on a wrapper in your hand until it warms to get the full flavor. In this case, if you give it a moment, you experience an explosion of sheepy tang.
We had it for supper with a bit of fennel salami and a Clear Flour baguette.
Formaggio Kitchen, as a resource, is more than a store, they are also food educators. Above you see their page on this cheese. It tells you the story behind the product and suggests pairings. If you are in the shop, your cheesemonger will do the same.
Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Patriots' Day and the MBTA schedules for – Monday, April 15, 2019. Plus tips and information on getting around Boston, parking, marathon issues, trash pickup, and other aspects of this day in the city.
We will update this post as more of the 2019 information becomes available. Follow us on Twitter where we'll announce updates.
Financial Services: Banks may open if they wish. All markets are open.
Federal Offices and Facilities are open: This includes the Postal Service.
Closed: Massachusetts City, Town, State Operations: This includes Schools, Libraries. Only emergency services are available.
Boston Parking
One of the most common questions we get is about street sweeping on Patriots' Day. Here's the page from the city website with the answer. It says:
"On City holidays, we suspend street sweeping during the day, but we still sweep streets at night. On the weekends, we sweep some streets at night. Please always check posted street sweeping signs for information. If you still have questions, please contact 311."
You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. Many more streets than in the past will be cleared of parked cars to accommodate the Boston Marathon and Patriots' Day activities.
Be sure to check your car in the days leading up to the marathon to be certain it is not in a tow-away zone for the event.
Street Closures and Parking Restrictions for Marathon Weekend
The City of Boston a very helpful page detailing all the things you need to know about street closures and parking restrictions for this weekend. Here's a link to all that information.
Boston Trash Collection
The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to thecity site and look up your specific addressin order to get information.
Blue, Orange, Red, and Silver Lines "will operate a regular weekday schedule with rush-hour levels of service before and after the race…" (See the MBTA page for special service notes on the Green Line.)
Commuter Rail trains "… will operate a regular weekday schedule with additional trains on the Framingham/Worcester Line to support additional crowds."
"Buses and trackless trolleys will operate a regular weekday schedule on April 15th …"
"… Some bus routes will be detoured to accommodate the Marathon and other festivities. (See the MBTA website for more info.)
"All Commuter Boat and Ferry Service … will operate a regular weekday schedule."
"THE RIDE service will operate a regular weekday schedule."
MBTA PARKING
"Customers planning to park in an MBTA garage or lot should allow additional travel time and note that some garages and lots may fill very quickly due to heavy parking demand. "
from here to support this site!
class with him many years ago and have kept up with his work at Harvard and MGH and read a number of 
to my motivational tools and that has helped me keep excellent records on my progress. I have continued a steady, healthy weight loss trend; dropped another medication I was taking; and increased my fitness levels.
and linked to it on Amazon, we want readers to know that we do have funds invested in both Apple and Amazon stock. 
.