Life in OM

Life in OM: London and Paris Hotels

Whenever I go away on a trip and my hotel was fab for a great price I have to share.

Since I stayed about 10 days in London I'll start there first. This is the second time I have stayed at the Millennium Gloucester and this hotel continues to be just what I need when I am visiting my favorite city.

The hotel is 4 stars and located in the heart of Kensington. You have everything you need just footsteps away. The tube, the bus to Harrods and Piccadilly Circus, Earl Street with numerous restaurants, and Kensington Gardens up the street.

The hotel lobby has a warm earthy feel and the rooms are modern, clean, and spacious with an asian flair. 

If you book early you can get a room for as low as £80 a night- which is excellent for 4 stars in London.

 

In Paris,  Hotel Beauchamps was quite different as it was a small boutique hotel but it had tons of charm.

It was located about a block from the Champs Elysees so at $250 a night it was well worth the price. Paris is very expensive and I had a very hard time fining anything under $200 that wasn't a bit scary.

This hotel was under renovation but they completed the lobby and one tower of rooms. We were lucky enough to get one of the new rooms. They were artsy, modern and very chic - especially the loos!

 
 

The staff in both hotels were friendly and extremely helpful. I will definitely be staying at both again!

Life in OM: Recipe

 

It's October 16 and it's 41 degrees.

I am still fighting off a cold that I have had for at least two weeks.

It's time for some heavy duty healthy food to boost my immune system - Escarole and Bean Soup.

This is a dish that is at least three or four times as old as I am. My grandfather's mother used to make it for him all the time and we refer to it as an Italian "first dish".

It's warm, hearty, and healthy. It’s also vegetarian or vegan.

Escarole is a slightly bitter leafy green that is high in folic acid, fiber, and vitamins A and K.  The white beans are a creamy low fat, high fiber, source of protein. The two together create a tasty contrast that warms you from the inside out.

And most importantly it's so easy to make.

 

courtesy of www.foodnetwork.com

You will need:

one large pot

one head of escarole (cut in strips across starting at the head. leave about 2-3 inches of stalk)

two cans white or cannelloni or great northern beans (rinsed until there water runs clear)

5 cloves of garlic (chopped up small)

one small onion (chopped up small)

4-5 cups of water

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup parmesan cheese (optional for vegans)

Add oil to the pot and let it get hot.

Add garlic and onion and sauté until onion translucent.

Add escarole and cook 3-4 minutes till it wilts.

Add beans and gently stir.

Add water then parmesan.

Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer for about 45 minutes.

You can cook this for less or for more, it depends on the consistency. I like less broth so I tend to make this dish early in the day and just keep it on a low simmer for a few hours. If it gets too thick add a bit more water.

You can garnish with more parmesan if you choose and serve with a piece of crusty Italian bread.

Tons of nutrients, great for you and so perfect on a very cold fall evening. Enjoy!

Life in OM: Relationships

 

Original artwork "Love in Paris" by perfectpostage http://bit.ly/1BcIdb

 

During my hiatus, my amazing partner asked me to marry him in Paris, at the top of the Eiffel Tower at twilight. It was romantic and wonderful and I consider myself a very lucky woman.

At this point in my life, I've had some failed relationships (to put it mildly) and I've had tons of time to work on my relationship with myself.

All of that combined gives me a great feeling of confidence and satisfaction with the relationship I am in now. I by no means know it all but I know what works for me.

Finding "your" significant other can be difficult but in my opinion, making it last is where the real effort comes in.  So I took some time to think about all of the things I believe make a relationship work for the long haul:

 

Smile at each other.

Don't nag -ask.

Take a breath and think before you speak.

Listen with care.

Pay attention to the little things.

Say please and thank you.

Let some things go.

Give each other space.

Support each others endeavors.

If you can't trust completely - rethink the relationship.

See things from the other's point of view.

Appreciate what you have and stop dwelling on what you don't.

Be realistic (No Cinderella's here!) but don't take crap either.

Be patient.

Hug daily (if not more!).

Talk, don't yell.

Honesty, honesty, honesty.

You can never have enough relationship wisdom so if you have anything to share, comment below!