Eric Villency

Father's Day Gift Guide 2012

2012-06-16T16:19:40-04:00

Father's day is here and along with it comes the classic dilemma -- what to get the Dad in your life? While a tidal wave of advertising will beckon you to take the easy way out with nooks, kindles and iPads, or even more predictably, neck ties... Here are some things off the beaten path that have universal guy appeal... In short, the gifts Dads really want and why we love them...

Valentines Day Gift Guide for Him

2012-02-11T12:01:20-05:00

Valentines Day is something that guys think way more about what to give then what to receive. Heart shaped gifts and flowers aren't typically high on most guys list but there are lots of things that can show him you care. Here are the gifts that show you love him in a language guys can really understand -- the gifts he really want to get.

2011 Holiday Gift Guide by Men for Men

2011-12-16T15:46:02-05:00

Holiday time is here and along with it comes the classic dilemma -- what to get the men in your life? Guys gravitate toward the simple stuff that let Men be Men. Here are some gifts with universal guy-appeal, in short, the things we would love to get and why we love them.

Learn About These Healthy Trends: Ffactor and Physique 57

2011-08-25T11:49:12-04:00

Over the past few months, I have sat down with some of the most accomplished professional athletes and fitness gurus to learn about their approach to wellness. As I experienced firsthand, staying fit and healthy as an over-scheduled adult can be a daunting challenge. I asked experts and superstars to share their insight into the mental and physical aspects of wellness, including the routines that work, ways to avoid injuries and how to beat mental fatigue.

After hanging with some world-class athletes like Demarcus Ware and Chris McCormack this summer I stopped by Physique 57 to see first hand what all the buzz was about. What I didn't realize was that I was about to be served up some humble pie by Physique's director of training, Alicia Weihl, a former professional ballerina. With a clientele that is almost 95 percent female, I gamely went where few men have gone before -- bringing with me an open mind and a soon to be very sore "seat" (Alicia's much gentler euphemism for my rear than the one I remember my football coach using).

Wellness is something that involves a lot more then exercise -- you need to have a good diet and a sustainable lifestyle as well. Tanya Zuckerbrot is a best selling author and one of the most sought after authorities on nutrition. Her Ffactor program is not a fad diet that uses gimmicks, it's a lifestyle that has benefited cardiovascular patients and diabetics as well as people merely looking to shed some excess weight and live healthier. I caught up with Tanya to discuss wellness, nutrition and of course -- fiber.

Summer Wellness: Sean Avery

2011-08-05T17:52:56-04:00

As temperatures rise and summer kicks into full swing, people naturally start to think about exercise, health and of course, how they look in a bathing suit. I sat down with some of the most accomplished professional athletes and fitness gurus to learn about their approach to wellness. As I experienced firsthand, staying fit and healthy as an over-scheduled adult can be a daunting challenge. I asked experts and superstars to share their insight into the mental and physical aspects of wellness, including the routines that work, ways to avoid injuries and how to beat mental fatigue.

Sean Avery is one of the most outspoken players in the NHL and with all the attention he garners off the ice it sometimes easy to forget that he is entering his 10th year as a professional athlete in one of the world's most physically demanding sports. At the age of 31 he says he is burnt out from sitting in the gym and doing squats. True to form he varies his workout routine and stays busy with everything from Tennis, Indoor cycling and (not surprisingly) boxing to stay fit.

Sean says that the angles, movement and strategy of tennis have a lot in common with Hockey. With a smile Avery says "We take punches in our field of work" so it's good idea to learn how to give them and to take them" so he is a regular at the Trinity Boxing Club... Sean says that he deals with adversity by "Trying to get back at it as quick as you can" even after a tough loss.

Summer Wellness: Ironman Chris McCormack Talks Health and Fitness

2011-07-18T21:15:43-04:00

As temperatures rise and summer kicks into full swing, people naturally start to think about exercise, health and of course, how they look in a bathing suit. I sat down with some of the most accomplished professional athletes and fitness gurus to learn about their approach to wellness. As I experienced firsthand, staying fit and healthy as an over-scheduled adult can be a daunting challenge. I asked experts and superstars to share their insight into the mental and physical aspects of wellness, including the routines that work, ways to avoid injuries and how to beat mental fatigue.

Chris "Macca" McCormack is one of the most accomplished professional Ironman triathletes in the game. Known for his aggressiveness and willingness to talk trash in the press, he has enjoyed both spectacular success and crushing defeats. In 2010, at the age of 37, Macca beat the odds and won the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii for a second time in what many called the most dramatic finish in the race's history. He recently published a new book, I am Here to Win, that chronicles his life in the sport.

I recently spent a day with Chris in New York to talk fitness and hear about his race experience, after getting smoked on the treadmill (I gave Macca a proper New York welcome by secretly cranking up the resistance on his bike) which didn't seem to phase him in the least. With a grueling training schedule I had to ask Chris if he ever actually enjoyed working out and with trademark Australian cheeriness he replied "A lot of it is fun, I actually enjoy it. Training has just been a way of life for me since I was a kid, I have two brothers and a very active family so I only have ever known exercise and it has always been enjoyable for me and I think that was why it was an easy transition to sport and pro sport -- because I enjoy it"

Summer Wellness: Demarcus Ware Talks Health and Fitness

2011-07-05T12:25:31-04:00

As temperatures rise and summer kicks into full swing, people naturally start to think about exercise, health and of course, how they look in a bathing suit. I sat down with some of the most accomplished professional athletes and fitness gurus to learn about their approach to wellness. As I experienced firsthand, staying fit and healthy as an over-scheduled adult can be a daunting challenge. I asked experts and superstars to share their insight into the mental and physical aspects of wellness, including the routines that work, ways to avoid injuries and how to beat mental fatigue.

Demarcus Ware is one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL and while it may not seem that there are many parallels between playing professional football and the average person's workout, if there is one thing NFL players know about -- it's injury (most players repeat the adage that there is a 100 percent injury rate every year in the NFL). Although he is renowned for being one of the most athletic players in the game, Demarcus has had to learn how to change his approach to training as he has gotten older. Constantly looking for an edge, I caught up with Ware after a grueling workout as he learned about the cult fitness program Crossfit.

A big believer in stretching and maintaining a healthy diet, Demarcus credits strengthening his core with helping him eliminate the back pain that has troubled him for years. He encourages people who are just getting back into shape to start small advising that the "first step is to eat right." Demarcus says shedding those excess pounds will reduce wear and tear on the body and help avoid injury as you ramp up your training.

Conversations About My Father: Happy Father's Day From NY Rangers Brian Boyle and Brandon Dubinsky

2011-06-19T15:26:40-04:00

Growing up just outside of Boston, NY Ranger Brian Boyle was one of 13 kids. Brian says he isn't sure how his father Arthur Boyle, or "Artie," (spoken in a Boston accent it rhymes with Karate he jokingly says) managed it, but that his dad "did so much for each child individually and as a whole ... we were so well taken care for and we were given so many opportunities."

When Brian was in high school his father was diagnosed with a seemingly terminal case of kidney cancer. It was something that instilled a deep faith in the family and brought everyone closer together. Healthy now, he has 15 grandchildren that affectionately refer to him as "The Chief" since Arthur Boyle had no interest in being called "Grandpa."

Brandon Dubinsky fondly remembers growing up in Alaska, "It was a great ... especially being a hockey player -- it was the best place you could think about growing up." He is especially grateful his father built an ice rink in the backyard. Brandon says he admires his father's discipline and has leaned on him throughout his hockey career for support and advice. According to Brandon, the best advice his Father ever gave him was to "Be honest. Be true to yourself. Make sure you always give your best effort and work as hard as you can and whatever you want to do, you can do it if you put the time and the effort into it."

Conversations About My Father: Celebrity Chefs Share Father's Day Recipes

2011-06-17T17:20:27-04:00

The son of a diplomat Chef Marc Murphy spent time growing up in Milan, Paris, Villefranche, Washington DC, Rome and Genoa. His 20 year career in the restaurant industry has been similarly well-traveled having worked in highly esteemed kitchens such as Le Miraville in Paris, Alain Ducasses' Louis XV in Monte Carlo and Le Cirque in New York. Now the owner of hit restaurants Landmarc and Ditch Plains, the father of two shares a special recipe for Chimichurri steak .

Chimichurri Sauce

Makes about 1 cup
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 small red onion, diced fine
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup sherry vinegar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Mix all and set aside.

Chef Geoffrey Zakarian Speaks about his Father
Growing up, Geoffrey remembers his father having a tremendous work ethic and a man who was "never sick a day in his life." A music teacher who also played professionally, he was incredibly fastidious and was always in a suit -- "He would dress for breakfast" according to Zakarian. Geoffrey's father inspired his love of food and he remembers his father hand-selecting only the finest raw ingredients the family cooked. To this day, when he's in the kitchen and he smells the aromas of food cooking it reminds him of his childhood memories of his dad.

Lobster Roll Recipe (serves 4)

Ingredients:

4 lobsters, 1 ½ # each
4 brioche hot dog buns
salted butter, as needed to toast the buns
1 recipe Lobster Butter (see below)
1 recipe Mayo Mustard (see below)
1 bunch chives, chopped
2 lemons, quartered

Procedure:

1) Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
2) Prepare a bath of icy water.
3) Prepare the Lobster Butter and hold it warm in a saucepan until the lobster meat is ready.
4) Kill the lobsters by placing them on their backs on a cutting board and inserting a knife tip into their heads between the antennae.
5) Drop the lobsters in the boiling water for 20 seconds and immediately shock them in the ice bath to stop the cooking.
6) Extract the tail, claw, and knuckle meat from the lobsters. The meat will still be translucent and raw. Remove the mud line from the tails and dice the tail meat into bite-size chunks.
7) Put the saucepan with the Lobster Butter over very low heat. Add the lobster meat to the Lobster Butter. Very slowly warm the meat until it is just barely cooked through. Be sure to agitate the pan frequently to prevent the Lobster Butter from breaking. If it does start to break, sprinkle it with a few drops of cold water and take it off the heat for a moment.
8) In a sauté pan, toast the sides of the bun with butter until crispy and golden.
9) Spoon the cooked lobster meat into the prepared buns. Add as much Lobster Butter as desired.
10) Drizzle the lobster rolls with Mayo Mustard and sprinkle liberally with chives.
11) Serve with lemon wedges.

Mayo Mustard Recipe

Ingredients:

1 T Coleman's Mustard Powder
2 T water
1 T lemon juice
¼ cup Dijon mustard
1 cup mayo
salt, to taste

Procedure:

1) Combine the Coleman's with the water and lemon juice.
2) Whisk in the Dijon, mayo, and salt.

Chef John DeLucie Speaks About his Father
In his formative years, while other kids were learning how to throw baseballs or hit foul shots John remembers his father teaching him about "John Coltrane and major seventh cords." While he didn't appreciate it at the time John says he is "eternally grateful for the tremendous gift of culture and music" his dad gave him. John was inspired to follow his passions in life from his father who was a professional musician. According to John, "My dad never had a boss ... He did the thing he loved the most and sent both my brother and myself to college playing music ... and that was an incredible lesson."

His recipe for Father's Day?

Keep it simple: Prosciutto di Parma with fresh Mozzarella and arugula on sesame Italian bread. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.

Conversations About My Father: Bill Weir

2011-06-17T13:31:29-04:00

Conversations About My Father: Ami James And Allan Houston

2011-06-16T15:51:44-04:00

A few weeks ago I set out to engage people in a conversation about their fathers. Through the experience the depth of emotions provoked in talking about "dad" struck me and the powerful sentiments stirred by distant memories seemed to surprise even those who were sharing their stories. The discussions were often deeply personal and I am grateful to all of those who shared glimpses of their fathers.

In Celebrating Father's day it is also important to acknowledge the issue of fatherlessness. I caught up with former pro basketball player Allan Houston and TLC star Ami James who shared their unique perspectives on the subject.

Ami James, star of TLC's New York Ink sat down with me to discuss fatherhood. James was born in Israel and spent much of his childhood without his father who left the family when James was four years old. Speaking candidly James says, "To me the most important thing in the world is to be there for my daughter ... I learned the importance of having a father around ... she's the love of my life and it is the greatest gift in the world having a kid ... I cherish it because I never had it."

Former Knick sharpshooter Allan Houston, the father of six children, sat down with me to talk about his dad and fatherhood. Allan remembers growing up in "a total family environment," and says his dad never raised his voice to his mother. He enjoys an especially close relationship with his father Wade who coached him at the University of Tennessee and says that selflessness and a commitment to putting other people first is the most valuable lesson he ever learned from his dad.

It's something Allan has taken to heart dedicating his foundation to fighting Fatherlessness in communities across the country. According to Allan "our social environment is lacking the training for young men to be fathers" and his clinics are dedicated to building parenting skills and fostering a nurturing family dynamic. Exhibiting the same passion that helped him excel on the court Allan states, "When a man takes on the role of Fatherhood it is the most important role they will ever have in their life."

Conversations About My Father: Geraldo Rivera

2011-06-16T10:45:28-04:00

Conversations About My Father: Tough Guys With A Soft Spot For Dad

2011-06-15T15:55:59-04:00

A few weeks ago I set out to engage people in a conversation about their fathers. Through the experience the depth of emotions provoked in talking about "dad" struck me, and the powerful sentiments stirred by distant memories seemed to surprise even those who were sharing their stories. The discussions were often deeply personal and I am grateful to all of those who shared glimpses of their fathers. I hope you enjoy the collection of stories and that you share your own Father's day story in the comments thread.

Former NYPD Detective Bo Dietl sat down with me for a captivating interview about his childhood and his late father. Growing up in a tough neighborhood in Ozone Park Queens, Bo Dietl's German immigrant father ran a strict household. In a community that had strong ties to organized crime and would later serve as John Gotti's home base, Bo credits his father's disciplinarian ways from keeping him away from a life of crime. Saying candidly "He used to beat me into the ground. My father always kept me in line and even when I started working at 17 I had to be home at 9 p.m.."

Recalling the last time his father was physical with him, Bo says without a hint of bitterness "I came home and he started slugging me ... I never hit him back. Finally, the next night I came home and he came after me again and I grabbed his arm in mid air and I said Dad ... its over ... that's enough." Bo has four children himself now and "has never picked up a hand to any of them." It is his father's lessons and love he reveres while choosing not to dwell on his methods -- "He kept me straight in so many ways and it's the respect that my father put in my head growing up that made me who I am ... he taught me the ethics of working hard, about integrity, and about honesty." Recounting his most poignant memory, a time when his father was near the end of his life, paralyzed and in the hospital. Bo came to see him with a photo he had taken in the oval office with President Reagan in 1986. Choking back tears he recalls "I was so proud ... I was so proud ... that I was finally able to say to him 'I guess I did alright ...'"

Legendary Detective Joe Coffey and I chatted about his mild mannered dad and the effect he had on raising one of New York's greatest cops. Joe Sr. led a "rough and tumble life" starting out as a beer truck driver for Irish gangster Owney "The Killer" Madden during prohibition. Later he applied his driving skills to a more legitimate, but as it turned out, no less dangerous business of package delivery for a recently started United Parcel Service. As a charter member of Local 804 of the Teamsters, Joe Sr. also served on the executive board and it was his resistance to Mafia infiltration of his union that lead to his son becoming a New York City Police Officer.

After Joe Sr. had rebuffed advances from Mafia thugs intent on getting their hands on the lucrative pension funds of the union, a contract was put on his life. In October of 1946, Joe and his father were returning from a trip to the grocery store with Joe's mother when two shots blasted through the window of their tenement foyer. Joe's dad jumped on him to shield him from any other gunshots and his mother climbed the stairs to call for help. This terrifying moment led the 8-year-old to read "every book ever written about the Mob" and ultimately resulted in him joining the NYPD, where he went on to lead the investigation to catch the Son of Sam and locked up some of the most notorious gangsters of the 20th Century including John Gotti, Paul Castellano and the Irish Westies. Joe's dad passed in 1988, but he says he thinks of him every day and adds with a chuckle, "How can I not? United Parcel trucks are all over the streets."

Andrew Greene graduated from the Naval Academy in 1988 and reported for duty on the USS Tortuga (LSD-46) serving on board for 4 years. In January of 1992, he left the ship and reported for Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL training with Class 183 in Coronado, California. Following training he reported to SEAL Team TWO in Little Creek, Virginia, and completed one and one-half deployments before leaving active duty as a Lieutenant in January of 1995. He continued in the Naval Reserves with Naval Reserve SEAL Team FOUR until May of 1997, leaving the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander.

Andrew was born in 1966 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and spent his formative years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania the oldest of four brothers. His father, David Lockwood Greene was in the Navy, and Andrew remembers the family moving around a lot when he was growing up. As all military families experience, Andrew's mother looked after the family while his was on deployment. Andrew says "we missed him when he was gone, but he always came back. He was (and still is) a very, very important part of my life and I consider him to be one of my greatest influences. He inspired me to serve in the Navy. I think of him every day, hoping that my children will look up to me one day the same way that I look up to him now."

What are the three words that best describe your dad?

Andrew: Patient, honest, committed.

What's one thing you never got a chance to say to him -- or still haven't told him?

Andrew: How much I appreciate all of the sacrifices he made to give me and my brothers everything we needed.

What's one key lesson your father taught you?

Andrew: Be patient with your children -- give them enough room to grow and make mistakes on their own, but be close enough to give guidance and help when they need it.

So many cues we take from our fathers are non-verbal -- how did your father carry himself and how did that influence you?

Andrew: He spoke softly and always carried himself with an air of confidence.

What was your favorite thing to do together?

Andrew: I always liked to help my Dad fix things around the house. He was -- and still is -- very 'handy' with repairs of all types. I can remember when he used to work on our 1972 Nova in the driveway. I would get to hand him spark plugs or oil filters or the timing gun when he was working on the car -- and I was so impressed that he knew so much about the car and the engine, and that he could fix it with his own hands...

What is one quality he has that you wish you had more of?

Andrew: I wish I had more of his patience as I raise my own three children.

What's one of your favorite memories of your father?

Andrew: One of my favorite things to do as a boy was to go onto the ship with my Dad and one of my brothers early on Saturday morning when we were young. We would have breakfast with him in the wardroom and read or watch cartoons while he finished up a small bit of work, and then he would take us home to enjoy the rest of the weekend. To be a kid and spend a few hours on a Navy warship as a guest of your Dad was such a great experience...

Conversations About My Father: Iron Man Chris McCormack

2011-06-14T17:06:11-04:00

Conversations About My Father: Henrik Lundqvist

2011-06-14T14:51:02-04:00