Murrey Hill

When a friend told me about Green Tea Spa, I thought “Is that an organic food store?” A little googling and citysearch led me to their website, where I discovered that Green Tea was not only a really popular name for a massage spas nationwide (who knew?), but also Murray Hill’s answer to the cheap Chinatown massages…but nicer.

Green Tea Spa is named after green tea, which they provide after every service. The green tea is said to speed post massage blood circulation while circulating toxins and uric acid in the joints, which will later elimate through sweat or urine. Basically, it cleanses you and gets out all your nastiness. Who couldn’t use that? Green Tea Spa provides back, foot and full body massages for men and women as well as foot reflexology, accupuncture and spa facials. The full body massages are their forte and for the mere price of $48, a true New York City bargain.

Unlike the cheap massages of Chinatown, they don’t bring you into a dark room with questionably sketchy sheets. The rooms are nice and smell like aromatherapy, and the staff are kind and soothing. The regular full body massage is the perfect amount of pressure on back, arms and legs and leaves you feeling peaceful and relaxed days after. Just specify your aches and pains and the therapists will customize your massage with a combo of Swedish, Shiatsu and Deep Tissue. (Word of caution, Deep Tissue really gets in there. It’s not for pain-phobes!) Make sure you note sports injuries/pains, headaches, sinus issues, etc. There masseuses specialize in tailoring each massage to your needs.

For $35 you can also get a hot stone facial. My friend splurged and indulged in one raving about how it helped her headaches and sinus issues. I’m not going to lie, I was jealous. Next time.

Green Tea Spa  240 East 28th Street between 2nd and 3rd 212.683.4048 Open daily 10:30-10 p.m.

and biking. . . walking. . . rollerblading. . .

Have you ever stood in the cross walk around rush hour, steps away from being smooshed by an angry cab driver, coughing from the fumes of exhaust pipes everywhere and wished for a moment in our lovely city without the honking, screetching headache that is the traffic of New York, just wide open streets to play and run amuck?

Wish granted m’dear! It’s true! The Department of Transportation has created Summer Streets. Three Saturdays in August where Park Ave and it’s surrounding streets from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park will be closed off to any traffic with more horsepower than a skateboard.

Feel free to walk, run, skip, bike, or attend the many fabulous events scheduled. You can learn to ride a bike with other grown ups who never have (don’t be scurred!), feel the burn at one of the many crunch gym fitness classes- right on the asphalt, or stroll along to the sounds of an improptu musical performance. The activities are quite unique, and very New York, reflecting the rich culture that we so often take for granted in our beloved city.

Better yet- get involved! The city still needs volunteers to help patrol, marshall and keep things running smoothly.

Click here to sign up! http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/summerstreets/html/involved/volunteer.shtml

See ya in the streets!

When a coworker suggested slipping out to grab a treat, I thought he meant a diet coke or some M&Ms. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to find a smorgasbord of decadent desserts parked outside our office door. The Treats Truck is pure heaven on wheels  and never fails to draw a huge crowd of cranky 9-5ers in need of a serious pick-me-up.

Personally I cannot resist something sweet- especially when I’m locked up in an office all the live long day. I know, i know- it’s bikini season, but I would rather stay on the treadmill for hours than skip a yummy snack. I just have to remind myself: it’s all about moderation. But a bite or two can’t really hurt. . . right?!

The menu has all your favorite baked delicacies and a few extra special concoctions in the mix too like Cookie Sandwiches and Mexican Brownies. All of the treats made our mouths water while keeping our wallets full since they run from $.50 to $3.00.

Even better, the truck runs on Compressed Natural Gas, the most fuel effecient gas available today!

To find out when and where you can get your treats, check out TreatsTruck.com.