Under the Weather

I have not been feeling well for the last few days with an irritable stomach. It felt like New Year's Eve fireworks were being shot off in my belly and sounded like a rock concert. Not fun. Initially, I thought maybe I ate something that did not agree with my super-healthy belly or ate too much sugar, or sugar, period, now that I am off my sugar-free routine. Could it be the delectable hot drinking chocolate or artisan truffles from my favorite local chocolate shop? Or could it be the Dunkin' Donuts hot chocolate that I tasted on Sunday, which I actually bought for someone else? Long story. I won't have any more of that DND hot chocolate for sure, but alas, I cannot make that promise about my favorite chocolate shop. Wish I could.

Anyway, it turns out I have a stomach bug, at least, according to my traditional medical doctor. As an aside, my GP does not know what kombucha is when I mentioned I am loading up on probiotics by drinking it and she recommended I drink Gatorade (yuck). Coconut water would've been a better suggestion since it is natural and has all the enzyme-replenishing benefits as Gatorade. But I digress, we all know there is a gap between traditional medicine and naturopathy.

What natural remedies do you use when you are under the weather or when you feel something coming on? Do you have a winter routine of taking Vitamin C , Airborne or drinking ginger tea? I would love to hear from you.

Inked Up...with henna

My lovely lotus flower henna tattoo (and glitter) on my inner forearm. The top picture was taken right after it was painted on and the bottom one is after it dried overnight and the paint was chipped off. The lotus flower is symbolic of new beginnings, rebirth and awakenings in Asian cultures. The lotus flower itself grows in the mud and muck at the bottom of a pond and grows up towards the light of the water's surface into a beautiful flower.

After darkness, always comes light.

Sugar Fast is OVER

Yes, that is breaking news. But, here is the thing, I don't plan to do much differently now that I've adapted my eating habits to a much healthier level. I didn't make a run for a chocolate bar or a sinful dessert, though I thought about it to be honest. I actually picked up and then put away the Seattle Chocolate bar that's been in my pantry for months now. Now that's progress.

Really, I will maintain my recent habits and indulge in moderation when I am dining out mainly, and only then, when it's truly worthwhile. I will continue to cook and bake with alternative sugars, like agave nectar, maple syrup, date sugar and more.

Although, with today's snowy, rainy weather, I could use a nice cup of hot chocolate. I am talking about the good stuff, not from a packet made with water but the high quality, thick drinking chocolate. Let's see what I can find in NYC...sweetened with agave or at the very least cane sugar.

Funny quote

I saw this quote on a doormat earlier and it made me chuckle out loud.

"Beware: Dog cannot hold his licker".

Reminds me of someone furry and extremely affectionate. :)

Vegan Thanksgiving 2009

Apple pie in a spelt pie shell (dessert pictured first, of course)
Butternut squash soup
Delicato squash risotto
Roasted sweet potatoes with orange zest and cinnamon (a little blurry)
Clockwise from the top left: 1. delicious, sweet cashew cream sauce to pour over the roasted sweet potatoes, 2. herbed stuffing made with sprouted grain bread and fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley and celery and carrots, 3. cranberry sauce sweetened with date sugar.
Close up of the cranberry sauce, which was ever-so-slightly tart. I love the brilliant red jewel color.
Close up of the stuffing.

My nutritious, vegan Thanksgiving dinner was a huge success. Some of the toughest, non-veggie loving critics paid me kudos for days afterwards and even took home doggie bags. I was in complete shock and of course, pleased to pieces! Eveything was made from scratch, from fresh, organic ingredients except the pie shell, which was store-bought from Wegman's but was organic, vegan and made from spelt (never fear). It's all about quality ingredients and loving preparation. The proof is in the pictures (and the fact that three of my smoke detectors went off while I was cooking)...

Inspiring Quote

"Live the life you love. Love the life you live."

I just love this quote and have heard it before, but was reminded of it today when I saw it printed on a yoga t-shirt (but of course).

Live fully. Always.

Inspirational Quote

"I am in the process of positive change. I am unfolding in fulfilling ways. Only good can come to me. I now express health, happiness, prosperity, and peace of mind." - Louise L. Hay

Pour Some Sugar On Me

Believe it or not, I am almost a month into a 90-day sugar detox. I never thought I would utter those words. Yes, me -- "Queen" of desserts and dark chocolate lover. Sigh. To clarify, I have not eaten any food made with refined white sugar or cane sugar (or derivative product, such as cane juice or Sucanat). I will soon post some research on the dangers of refined sugar in this space. Cane sugar? Definitely not as damaging but I am off that, too, for good measure.

In case you are wondering why I would embark on such an unpleasant and restictive diet, it was recommended (er, mandated?) by my holistic nutritionist, who I trust implicitly. Let's just say I was not a happy camper when I heard my mandate and had serious doubts over whether or not it was possible for me.

I admit, getting starting was extremely difficult because I had cravings for that sugar "high" for the first week straight, especially during stressful situations. But, once I got over that week of withdrawal (I assume that's what it was, considering all the sugary goodness I normally eat), the cravings and temptation magically fell away. It was amazing. Though, at times, it is still hard to refrain from ordering dessert when I am dining out but otherwise, I am under control. In particular, I wouldn't mind a taste of the chocolate burrito at Tula in New Brunswick, NJ. Just a bite.

Alas, this means I will miss the chocolate show in NYC, which I really was looking forward to. It's for the best, though.

Not only have I survived a sugar detox when I had serious doubts and lodged some very vocal complaints, I have actually thrived. My diet is now a paradigm of healthful goodness since I lost my vice. Now that's sticky sweet.

Michael Pollan's 12 Commandments of Food

I saw this list in the July 2009 issue of Natural Awakenings (Middlesex County) and since it echoes my eating habits and beliefs, I wanted to share.

1. Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.

2. Avoid products containing ingredients you can't pronounce.

3. Don't eat anything that won't eventually rot.

4. Avoid food products that carry health claims.

5. Shop the peripheries of the supermarket; stay out of the middle.

6. Better yet, buy food somewhere else: the farmers' market or community supported agriculture.

7. Pay more, eat less.

8. Eat a wide variety of species.

9. Eat food from animals that eat grass.

10. Cook, and if you can, grow some of your food.

11. Eat meals, and eat them only at tables.

12. Eat deliberately, with other people whenever possible, and always with pleasure.

Quirky Quote

"Do vegetarians eat animal crackers?" -Author unknown.

I thought that was cute and it made me smile so I thought I would share.

Medjool dates - recipes anyone?

I just started eating these sweet dessert-like treats, after tasting them at the Fancy Food Show. Amazing and impossibly delicious. I do have a date bar recipe in my vegan baking cookbook that I will have to check out. Who knows what else to do with these delectable treats, other than eat them as-is? Don't get me wrong, popping them into my mouth proves to be very satisfying after they have been de-pitted, but I am hoping to get some quick and easy recipe recommendations here, from you.

Homeopathic cold relief - Nature's Way Umcka ColdCare

Last week, the inevitable summer cold was upon me. I started feeling sick on Monday, you know that not quite right, heavy, blah feeling, which is very out of the ordinary for me as I am normally filled with energy. By Tuesday, I realized that I had a cold since I was sneezing non-stop, had a runny nose and teary eyes on top of that "blah" feeling. So, I went to seek out a homeopathic, natural remedy, rather than the traditional cold medicine that would simply make me tired with the drugs it contained, a solution I did not feel good about. I went to my local health food store in Metuchen and bought an herbal product called Nature's Way Umcka ColdCare. The package advertised that it "shortens duration and reduces severity" for coughs, sinus infections, congestion and more. Great! Sold.

I must report that it actually tasted pleasant, good actually; I was as surprised as you can imagine. The remedy is in liquid form that you squirt into your mouth several times a day (no more than five times despite its taste) via the eyedropper that is provided. I can attest to the claim that it did shorten the duration and severity of my

cold since I started taking it on Tuesday and felt much better by Friday morning - three short days, which is a way shorter time than my usual cold would last and I do not have a lingering cough from post-nasal drip, either.

Anyway, I know this is advice from just one person, but I will use this product in the future. Hopefully, I won't need it for awhile though. Here is looking forward to a healthy rest of the summer and beyond for myself and my readers!

55th Annual Fancy Food Show (Javit's Center, NY) June 27th-29th

This three day gourmet food extravaganza inspired me! Granted I only attended one day (today), but what an amazing event. Wow, the Javit's Center was full of incredible vendors, split into an international floor and a domestic floor, with a dizzying and overwhelming array of foods to sample. Everything from artisan chocolates, to cheeses, wines, teas, olive oils, gelato, sauces, lots of organic products and more were on display. I even brought home two gourmet treats (vegetarian and sweet potato flavored) for Snoozy, which he gobbled up. It took all day for me to taste my way through both floors and I was plenty full, bursting actually. That didn't stop me from being a food judge though. By the end of the day, my back was nearly breaking from my bag of samples that got progressively heavier throughout my food journey.

Once I sort out my goody bag, I will post select individual reviews in this space.

MIA

Yes, it has been a long time since I have posted, I know.  I am still alive, for those of you left wondering what happened.  I feel appropriately guilty for neglecting my blog duties. Rest assured, I have continued seeking out veggie dining establishments, which I have documented along the way. As soon as I have a free moment, I will write 'em up, one by one.  I promise...

Candle 79 (Upper East Side, NYC) VGN

Candle 79 is considered to be one of the best vegan restaurants in NYC and so it's been on my "must visit" list for some time now.   I finally dined here last Saturday with my friend Jessica and it did not disappoint my high expectations.   The ambience is elegant and formal where we dined upstairs, with red and plum accents and a velvet ceiling and a contemporary-look bar scene downstairs.   We had a nice window seat upstairs though on a lovely night, the prime tables in the house would be downstairs near the open double doors.   The restaurant was bustling at 6 p.m. on Saturday with a nice hum of comfortable energy, and not too loud. 

As I explored the menu, my mouth began to water.  It reminded my of when I dined at Candle 79's sister restaurant, Candle Cafe (see 9/25/08 post) because there were just so many interesting and tempting choices, making it difficult to decide.    The ingredients were healthful and unique with a creative flair.   This was a no-guilt dining experience, which even contained some raw food options.    

As I perused the menu, several of the salads piqued my interest, like the avocado salad for $16 and seaweed salad for $14, but we ultimately decided to skip that course to save room for dessert.  It's possible to add tofu or tempeh on to salads for $4.  Good to know for next time.  First, we were served complementary edamame with sea salt, which was a nice surprise.  Then, we shared an appetizer, the live avocado cucumber tartare for $15, which was impossibly creamy with delicious homemade flax chips for dipping.   For the entree, I had the Moroccan spiced chickpea cake for $19 and Jessica had Caribbean jerk grilled seitan with plantains and mango for $23.   We both absolutely loved our dishes to the very last bite.   For dessert, we each had our own Mexican chocolate cake with crystallized ginger ice cream for $12.   The ginger complemented the chocolate so perfectly; this dessert was positively dreamy.  We were still raving about it days later.  

As for the drink menu, the impressive wine list was mostly organic or biodynamic.  I had a glass of sangria made with both organic wine and fruit for $12.    Though I tried, I was unsuccessful in finishing my sangria because of the large size, which was fine.  I certainly had plenty and it was a bit strong for me, so better that I did not finish it all.

Really, the only unpleasant surprise, though it should not have been considering I knew the individual item's prices, was the bill.  As you can see from the prices above, it adds up quickly to a very large number and  my jaw did actually drop.   Quality ingredients and loving preparation come at a price, I suppose.  

Our waitress, also named Jessica, was wonderful and extremely pleasant and knowledgeable about the dishes.   Service was great, attentive from start to finish.  

Vegetarians, vegans and even carnivores alike can and will appreciate the inspired food and gourmet experience at Candle 79.  I recommend dining there on special occasions on and the occasional splurge.

Candle 79

154 E. 79th St. (between Lex and 3rd, near Lex)

212-537-7179

www.candlecafe.com

Costa Rica - the official Pura Vida food review

At last (took me awhile, I admit)...

The food was served buffet style and was consistently good, though not gourmet.  The bar had been set quite high since, about a year ago, I spent a weekend at Kripalu (a well-known yoga and wellness retreat) in the Berkshires so my point of comparison was very high indeed because their food is nothing short of superb.  The food at Pura Vida was fresh, yes, but nothing too fancy, quite simple in fact. But, the fruit was incredible.  Ah, the fruit.  The pineapple and mangos tasted as though they were just picked.  Fruit was definitely the star at the table for all meals.  I devoured strawberries and papaya (and I am not even a papaya fan), enjoyed freshly-squeezed strawberry juice, which, surprisingly was not that sweet and had a luscious smoothie with banana, mango and pineapple.  

The runner up to the fruit in terms of my favorites  was the soup.  I sampled every single one of them at each and every meal.  The best of the best was the carrot ginger soup, which was rich and satisfying.  

In general, there was not a huge selection of foods on the buffet, which was mostly vegetarian except for one or two items, usually fish, at the end of the buffet.   I noticed that, at times, the small name cards displaying the names of the dishes were not always present for each dish, leaving us to guess or taste what the dish was.  Now, it's fairly easy to determine what is not vegetarian, however, this would pose a problem for someone who is vegan, because the ingredients were never listed for anything. Though, I must admit, everyone at the resort was extremely accommodating so if that were an issue for you, I am certain they would work with you.

Of course, the view from the dining area was amazing, with the capital city of San Jose in the distance. The people at the resort were also an amazing and interesting bunch of mostly vegetarian yoga lovers.  

The pictures above are from Thursday, March 26th's dinner, also my birthday, and Japanese night.   I started off with miso soup, which did not disappoint, then enjoyed a lovely mango and avocado spring roll (perfect ingredients), a salad medley and a light, sweet cupcake for dessert.  How fitting for my birthday!

Each night was a different theme and one night was locally-themed, with rice and beans and incredible guacamole as dishes.  The avocados were absolutely delicious.   I was in serious chocolate withdrawal mode by the end of the week having had no chocolate my entire trip, which must be a record for me.  Not to worry, I got my fix at the San Jose airport with a roasted almond dark chocolate bar.  

Natural dog shampoo?

Next product search...natural dog shampoo.  After I bathed my dog last night, I happened to check the ingredients of the Oatmeal & Aloe Vera shampoo and saw the dreaded "SLS" listed- sodium laurel sulfate AND sodium laureth sulfate duo among other ingredients I cannot pronounce.  Yikes!  Maybe that's why Snoozy hates bath time. He's also not a fan of getting wet so that could explain it, too. 

Check out the link below for an explanation of the dangers of SLS:

http://www.healthy-communications.com/slsmostdangerousirritant.html

If anyone has suggestions for a natural dog shampoo, I would like to hear about it.

*UPDATE* I bought Aubrey Organics dog shampoo from my local health food store.  I was planning to buy this very product online, after significant time spent researching and scrutinizing ingredients but when I saw it in my local store, it made more sense (and cents) to support my local businesses on Main Street.

Natural ant remedy

Another fruitless search.  I dug around online to find a natural, non-toxic remedy for getting rid of those pesky ants I noticed in my kitchen a few days ago.   I found one that consisted entirely of cornmeal, which I happened to have in my pantry and thought, great, let's try it.  All was fine for awhile and I only saw a few random ants with my mounds of cornmeal on the kitchen floor warding them away until my dog, Snoozy, discovered the delicious cornmeal "treats" sprinkled where he is normally fed.   Needless to say my dog loves cornmeal (who knew?) and lapped it up almost as quickly as I put it down, on the sly, usually after I left the room.  So much for that.  At least it was a natural remedy considering how much Snoozy consumed.

Suggestions?

Vegan Chocolate Truffles (take 2)

For those of you who follow this blog and remember my Valentine's Day truffle making experience (see 2/14/09 post), where my truffles resembled flat chocolate pancakes, rather than the usual three-dimensional truffle shape, you will be interested to see I am posting another recipe for vegan (and gluten-free) chocolate truffles, this one from Vegetarian Times magazine, February 2009 issue.  

I have yet to try the recipe so I can't tell you about the result just yet, but I couldn't resist sharing the recipe, with my notes in parenthetical.

Ingredients (list is short and sweet, just as I prefer):

1/2 cup chocolate soymilk (I plan to substitute unsweetened chocolate almond milk due to difficulties digesting soy)

1 12-oz. pkg vegan chocolate chips

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

1.  Warm milk until hot to touch, set aside.

2.  Melt chips in large metal bowl set over saucepan (or use a double boiler) of simmering water, stirring until smooth. Stir in warmed milk until smooth. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight (I think I will opt for caution and will refrigerate overnight as I think this was my downfall last time).

3.  Place cocoa on plate (or wax paper on counter top).  Shape chilled chocolate mixture into 1-inch balls, and roll in cocoa. 

Makes 40 1-inch truffles.  Enjoy (not all at once).

   

Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

I wanted to pass on some really interesting information to my blog readers.  I attended a truly inspiring lecture yesterday on Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs), given by Cliff Harwin.   As it turns out, Cliff informed me that many vegetarians are HSPs, which I thought was fascinating.  I encourage you to check out the website to learn more about this inherited trait and to take the assessment to determine whether or not you are a HSP (click the "self-test" link on Cliff's website, below).   In addition, Cliff published a book that is for sale via the website, and he offers a free monthly e-newsletter and free e-book.    Really interesting material that I can relate to.  You may, too.  Check it out!

http://www.thehighlysensitiveperson.com/

Natural nail polish remover - the search is over

I know this blog is typically about food, I do want to incorporate various "green", earth-friendly topics.  I have been searching for a non-toxic, formaldehyde-free, acetone/acetate-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, synthetic fragrance-free, vegan nail polish remover with very little success.  

I've come close in my internet search, though.  I almost succumbed to No Miss brand, which seemed to very closely match my preferences, even though it has some sort of so-called "natural" vanilla scent, which I normally stay away from because it never seems to really be natural.  It was the company's website that was the downfall, with a clunky checkout system that did not seem secure (no "https" in the URL) and linked to my IP address instead.  Scary.  Hmm, I will not give my credit card information in that shady scenario.

Okay, just now, and after spending way too much time searching and comparing, I settled on Suncoat Naturals for $9.99 and $3 shipping from Canada.    It is paraben-free, not tested on animals (is it vegan? can't confirm but hope so), non-toxic, biodegradable, non-GMO, contains no petroleum ingredients, and acetone/acetate-free.  That's as close as I can get to my dream nail polish remover.  

Check out this link for more info: 

http://bewellstaywell.com/nail_care.htm

And now, if only I could find a spa or nail salon that uses actual natural products (polish, polish remover, creams) for manicures and pedicures.  Now, that would be a find.   Until then, I am on my own.  That's okay.  It will save me some green, after all.

If you have any better product suggestions, I am all ears! 

*Update* I received my nail polish remover very promptly in just a few days after ordering.  While it did take more elbow grease to first saturate my toe nails in order remove my polish  (from an old pedicure with "traditional"nail polish) at a few minutes time per toe, it was worth it.  The product has a light, pleasant smell, and not the usual, acrid smell of traditional, chemical-laden remover.  Also, my nails are not dry from using the Suncoat remover, as they would be with the chemical stuff.   Win-win!

Cafe Blossom (Upper West Side, NYC) VEG

This will be more of a "mini review", as I have already fully reviewed this organic, vegan restaurant's other NYC location (see Sept. 25, 2008 post) plus I did not take copious notes as I usually do when reviewing.   I dined here for vegan Saturday bunch, a first among my Blossom experiences, with my friend, Jessica.  Prior to this, I've been to the Chelsea/9th Ave. location for lunch and dinner.   I do believe the prices are slightly cheaper in the uptown location, so that was a nice surprise.   

I was thrilled to have a vegan brunch experience because typically brunch fare is so filling and heavy on the butter.  I had the vegan french toast with fresh fruit (an add-on) and pure maple syrup, as opposed to the watered-down sugary syrup that I refuse to eat.   What a pleasure to eat this entire meal and not feel stuffed afterwards.   So delicious.  The ginseng iced tea with organic lemon was very refreshing, too on an unseasonably warm day.

Jessica had the soy philly sandwich, made with seitan, which was quite a hefty portion and came with fries, too.  

Check out the picture to see our meals before we devoured them!   Well, I devoured mine; to be fair, there were some leftovers on Jessica's sandwich platter.

The decor itself was not as chic as the 9th Ave. location but was rather cool in its own right, with interesting stone accents along the bar and under the glass counter on which your food would be placed, if seated at the bar.  

No matter which location, this is one of my favorite vegan spots in the city.

Cafe Blossom

466 Columbus Ave.

Between W. 82nd/W. 83rd)

New York, NY

(212) 875-2600

www.blossomnyc.com

Sahara Cafe (New Brunswick, NJ) VF

Ah, the lovely smell of aromatic Mediterranean spices, even from outside this BYOB restaurant, invites me inside for more.  I should note, there are tables outside on a stone patio for warm weather dining.  Once inside, the warm decor was welcoming -- beautiful painted landscapes, some floor-to-ceiling, and relaxing music easily transported me to another land.   As I surveyed the interior, I noticed all the decor details that have been carefully considered - the chandeliers were crafted from a brassy metal to look like hot air balloons.   Huge windows, with a view of bustling Easton Ave. (one of the main streets around the Rutgers University New Brunswick campus) and skylights add lots of natural light and there is additional seating upstairs.  It was nicely crowded when I dined with Emilio, a former co-worker of mine.   

I must admit, choosing what to order for dinner was a challenge in this Mediterranean mecca because there were so many options that tempted me.  Ultimately, in order to accommodate my indecisiveness, I ended up with several appetizers, some of which we shared, and a salad.     The appetizers included: hummus with spiced ezme for $5.75, sigara boregi -- a pan-fried phyllo roll stuffed with feta and dill for $4.95, feta and tomato toast (approximately $5.00) and tahini shepherd's salad for $6.95.   Among the other vegetarian choices were a roasted eggplant entree for $11.95 and a zucchini (carrot and feta) patty for $10.95. You can understand why I had a hard time deciding.   I did love the food; the feta and tomato toast was all melty goodness, the salad was swimming in tahini, maybe a tad too much though I appreciated the extra for leftovers the next day and the (slightly) spicy hummus, which came with pita, was a hit with both myself and Emilio.   

You can't beat the array of options, the reasonable prices and the lovely, inviting atmosphere.  I will be back for dinner.  Soon.

Sahara Cafe

165 Easton Avenue

New Brunswick, NJ

(732) 246-3020

www.saharacafenj.com

Veg Out in...Costa Rica!

With my Costa Rican vacation just around the corner, I look forward to enjoying the local cuisine specialties that are offered veggie-style.  Can't wait to explore the local flavors.   My mouth is already watering in anticipation!

Natural Gourmet Institute Friday Night Vegetarian Dinner (Chelsea, NYC)

This was absolute paradise...I know I am prone to superlatives but this is the real deal. It was like a culinary meditation.   

The Friday night dinners at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health  & Culinary Arts are apparently quite popular, for good reasons; there was a waiting list of 30 people early in the week.  I was lucky to be squeezed in.  If you do plan to attend a future dinner, I was advised it is best to reserve a spot weeks ahead of time, not days ahead as I did.

Anyway, the dinner is prepared by aspiring chefs attending the culinary program, which stresses natural, organic, and healthful foods. The menu changes weekly so unlike a traditional restaurant, you do not order specific foods or dishes as there are no choices so make sure you peak at the menu before reserving because that's what you are getting.  You can check out upcoming menus on the website (see below for link).    

When I attended, the menu was as follows:

*Assorted tapas: stewed mushrooms, minted eggplant and patatas bravas with aioli

*Roasted fennel and orange salad with herb citrus dressing

*Mixed vegetable paella with black bean sauce and red pepper coulis garnished with sweet potatoes and leeks

*Tres leches cake with rasberry coulis and spiced chocolate truffle

You can bring your own wine or drink the homemade sangria, which is included in the cost of the meal, which is $40/person for all this food and sangria.  I do recommend the sangria.

Start to finish, the meal was as delicious as it was artful.  Truly a delight to the senses.   In particular, I loved the paella and sweet potato entree, taste and presentation-wise (the sweet potato was in a "bird's nest" form - so cool, check the picture). For dessert, the spiced chocolate truffle was delicious and the spice was intensely flavorful and not subtle, as is sometimes, disappointingly, the case with spicy chocolate.   I normally am not a fan of tres leches cake but in this case, I was pleasantly surprised and loved every bite of it.  

As a note, do not expect your own private table, seating is communal style spread across several rooms, with long tables so multiple parties are sitting together.  This worked out great; everyone was so friendly and had so much in common that it felt like a large family.

Since the students are also serving the food, be mindful that the service may not be perfectly attentive but that's certainly okay given all the efforts they put into making the meal itself so special.

After such a lovely experience, the only question on my mind is when can I attend dinner next?

Natural Gourmet Institute

48 W. 21st St. (bet 5th/6th), 2nd floor

New York, NY

http://www.naturalgourmetschool.com/html/friday-night-dinner-c.html

(212) 645-5170

Institute of Integrative Nutrition (NYC)

I was invited to attend all-day classes at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN for short) in NYC on Saturday.   The school prepares students to be certified Health Counselors, offering a wealth of holistic health, dietary theory, nutrition and wellness information and hands on support for building a new business.  

What an incredible and dynamic experience, with approximately 1,500 students plus 500 or so guests!   Classes are held at Lincoln Center, in the lovely and cavernous Avery Fisher hall.    Despite the huge class size, students were very willing to participate and share topical personal anecdotes in front of the entire crowd with the aid of a microphone, which was really impressive to me.

Topics of the day ranged from the elements of an Ayurvedic diet, a mock health consultation, small group discussions on oppression and sexism, and more.  Guest speakers play a vital role in the education process; many of whom are renowned in their field, such as Deepak Chopra.   There was fun on the schedule in the way of Bollywood style dance instruction.  Yes, despite the tight seating, everyone was literally dancing in the aisles or in front of their seats, clapping and swaying to the catchy Indian music as instructed by the high energy teacher leading on stage.  That was indeed a sight to see and so much fun to participate in.

Check out the website for more information on this program:

www.integrativenutrition.com

Famous Vegetarians

This is so cool, I had to post this link.  You'll be surprised by some of the names.

http://www.happycow.net/famous_vegetarians.html#R

Crazy for coconuts

One of my latest foodie initiatives is to ensure I buy a variety of new or different foods when go food shopping on a weekly basis.  I do not want to get into a rut whereby I purchase the same exact foods by rote week after week.  That's not very exciting and food should be exciting and contribute to variety in my diet.  So, this past week, true to my goals, I purchased a whole coconut.  It's been literally decades since I have enjoyed a whole coconut.  Furthermore, I am proud of myself for thinking of an inventive way to pierce the soft hole (one of the set of three holes) to get to the liquid: by inserting a corkscrew.   I then poured the coconut water (not called "milk", btw) into a bowl and then filtered it before drinking to remove the coconut bits and shreds that ended up in the bowl, too.   I ended up with around 2 cups of yummy (and filling) water to enjoy - a toast to health.   

Next week, I plan to buy quince fruit (which is in the apple and pear family, I just learned; not sure how I will prepare it yet) and dandelion greens, both completely new foods to me.    I will let you know how it goes.

A few days later (note to self, do not wait this long next time as the coconut dries out)...

I decided it was time to crack open the coconut, but how?  After a Google search, I came upon a  few YouTube videos, touting different methods.  The first involved whacking the middle of the coconut with the back of a large knife.  Not only was this a scary experience, but it did not yield the desired result.   As a cautionary move, I placed a towel under the coconut in case my knife went astray.  Anyway, I do not recommend this method.  

The second method was indeed the winner.  If you have any pent up anger or frustration, this will even be fun for you!  I wrapped the coconut in a dishtowel, headed for the garage and went at it with a hammer on the garage floor.   This was very effective!  Then, I used a grapefruit knife to pare off the meat and that was time-consuming.  Once I had some clean pieces, I grated the coconut meat to make homemade granola with almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and coconut shreds.

Superfoods and chocolate for breakfast!

I am enthralled by the idea of "superfoods" and want to incorporate some or all (!) into my diet in some way for optimal nutrition.   I constantly mix up my food menu, as I've indicated in previous posts and recently I introduced millet, the ancient whole grain that resembles fluffy rice, into my breakfast bowl as a new cereal selection.  I decided to pair the millet, which, let's face it, is quite mild on its own, with pumpkin granola and the superfood,  cacao nibs (dark chocolate covered cacao nibs to be exact), and it is the perfect taste combination!  For more on superfoods, follow this link:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superfood

Quick, easy and healthy pizza

I want to share this quick, healthy meal tip because everyone is pressed for time these days.  I picked up a delicious whole wheat flatbread pizza crust earlier and topped it with olive oil, crushed tomatoes, baby portabella mushrooms and shredded rice "cheese".  Ten minutes later I had a hearty and healthy meal.  Simple and almost vegan (rice cheese contained casein).  Eat your heart out, literally!

Valentine's Day "Truffles"

In honor of Valentine's Day, I took it upon myself to make, from scratch, vegan truffles using an "easy" recipe from www.dairyfreecooking.com. The recipe follows for anyone bold enough to try it, with my notes in parenthetical. Let's just say they tasted amazing, were healthy (no butter, cream or sugar) but didn't resemble truffles I've ever seen. The batter was not gelled quite firm enough to form round balls so instead I ended up making chocolate pancakes; the dough was gooey and stretchy. If you try this, prepare to get chocolate all over yourself...I know I did. In retrospect, I could have left the batter in the fridge a little longer or perhaps left it out on the counter after the refrigeration step , but hey, I was anxious to finish up and eat. The finished product wasn't pretty, I must admit. I did dust my pancakes with cayenne pepper, sea salt and cinnamon, separately, of course, not all together and it tasted good, like high end chocolate without the high end, um, professionalism. This is why I didn't gift my confections, as planned. Instead I ate the lot of them, every last one. I had to, right?

Maybe I've stumbled on the next big trend - chocolate pancakes. Watch out Vosges! Wouldn't that be serendipitous?

Makes about 12-16 truffles (I halved the recipe, just FYI. You didn't think I ate 16 of these things, did you?)

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
1 ½ cup good quality cocoa powder, plus more for dusting
1 ¼ cup agave nectar
pinch of salt
Preparation:
1. In a small mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients, mixing until well combined. Place the bowl, uncovered, in the refrigerator for 30 minutes (maybe longer, unless you, too, want pancakes).

2. Line a small baking sheet with parchment. Remove the mixture from the refrigerator and, using your hands, roll the mixture into small balls, placing them on the sheet as you work. Place the sheet in the freezer for 1 hour (I froze them overnight).

3. Remove the sheet from the freezer and dredge each of the balls well in cocoa powder (cayenne pepper, sea salt, cinnamon). Place back in the freezer for an additional 10 minutes to overnight, and enjoy. Truffles will keep for one week in an airtight container (or a few hours, if you are like me)

Just for the record, I will be going on a chocolate walking tour in the Village tomorrow. Yes, more chocolate for me. I am sure that none of what I will taste will resemble my confections.

Nutrition Tip of the Week

The idea behind the Nutrition Tip of the Week is the tip will be something quick and easy to execute but the benefits will be great.  

Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist or a doctor.  I need to state this so there are no misconceptions about my friendly "advice".  I am passing on my own healthy eating tips; decide for yourself what you consume.   

2/14/09:  Getting caught up here, I have been slow to post tips as of late.  This one, a recipe, is from my Aunt Mona and her friend Sarah. 

Goji Berries Trail Mix

Pumpkin seeds (raw and then roasted at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes)

Goji Berries (it looks like a 4:1 ratio) 4 parts pumpkin seeds to 1 part Goji berries.

Sprinkling of dried coconut (to taste)

Currents (experiment with the amount--it looks like about 1/4 cup to 1.5 cups of pumpkin seeds).

For those not familiar with Goji Berries (also called Wolf Berries) the following is useful information:

Goji berries have been used for 6,000 years by herbalists in China, Tibet and India to:  protect the liver, help eyesight, improve fertility, strengthen the legs, boost the immune system, improve circulation, promote longevity.  Wow, they are in fact a "superfood".  They are also rich in antioxidants.

2/14/09:  I officially like kombucha, well, certain flavors or flavor: the mango madness is the best, in my opinion.   Guava is my least favorite.  I now buy one bottle and that lasts me a week or just about, drinking a little each day.  I must admit, I do feel more energized after having some. 

1/17/09:  Happy New Year!  I have been remiss in passing on my weekly tips so here are two to get me caught up.

1.  Kombucha tea:  I don't care if it tastes horrible (and it does, to me at least, like a combination of apple cider vinegar with champagne fizziness), the health benefits outweigh the taste, in my opinion. 

You can brew your own if you are really ambitious or you can buy some at a healthy grocer such as Whole Foods.  I first tried this drink in Seattle last week and then attended a brewing class a few days ago.  Kombucha is sometimes referred to as the tea of immortality and is basically a fermented tea, well, sort of.  It's actually a living organism, with probiotic cultures.  As for the http://www.essense-of-life.com/moreinfo/foodcharts.htm, they range from its alkalinity (more on that below), B vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, improved energy, relieving stress and depression, liver detox, and normalizing the digestive system

Alkaline diet  and much more.  Check out this website for more information and to do further research, if you are interested:  http://www.gokombucha.com/health_benefits.html

2.  Alkaline/acid diet (80/20%):   I just discovered recently that an alkaline body has lots of health benefits, including potentially anti-cancer properties, so I am starting to keep an eye on my alkaline-acid proportions to keep my body properly balanced and healthy.   The following link details which foods are alkaline vs. acidic:

http://www.essense-of-life.com/moreinfo/foodcharts.htm

12/26/08:

These days when I am at the supermarket, I tend to linger in the baking aisle and since it's the healthy area otherwise known as "Nature's Marketplace" at Wegman's, there are lots of (overwhelming) options, especially for a staple like flour.   I've started to experiment with wheat flour, spelt flour and rice flour.   Now, each type of flour has its place, I would assume.  I must admit, I haven't figured it out yet.  Readers - do you have preferences or comments on this topic?

12/16/08:

This week's tip is substituting agave nectar, a sweet liquid from the cactus, for sugar or honey, when baking.  Some people do not recommend substituting a liquid for a dry sugar, however.   I have tried it in my chocolate chip banana cake and it comes out delicious, so don't believe everything you read (this blog withstanding, of course).    Do not use a 1-1 ratio of sugar to agave; decrease the quantity of agave by 25% of the sugar called for because it is very sweet and decrease the other liquids in the recipe by 25%, too.  How sweet it is.

12/7/08:  I am a little late with this week's tip; for anyone who has been waiting, my apologies.  I will continue the egg replacement theme here with Ener G egg replacer.  I baked peanut butter chocolate chip cookies today and the empty plate speaks for itself. Excellent taste and texture in the finished product and importantly, you can lick the bowl without worrying about salmonella.  

11/26/08

Replace eggs with applesauce in recipes  for a vegan alternative.  1/4 cup applesauce = 1 egg.     I did this switch in a chocolate chip recipe and the texture was a little rubbery, I must admit, so it needs further refinement.  Maybe it's not suitable for cookies but I am sure I will try it again in some other foods.

11/18/08:

Grind your own whole flaxseeds in a coffee grinder and add the grinds to cereal, salad and other foods for a punch of omega fatty acids and a host of other health benefits too numerous to enumerate.  Check out this link for more information: 

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-flaxseed

Incorporate a few tablespoons into your daily routine and reap the benefits.

And, dessert lovers take note, ground flaxseed can also be an egg substitute in vegan baked goods.

Credit for this great idea goes to my Aunt Mona, who introduced to me the world of flaxseed grinding.

Korean Restaurant inside Olympus Spa (Lynnwood, WA) VF

Well, this is definitely a first --a dining experience wearing nothing but a bathrobe. I could get used to this!  Allow me to explain.  This restaurant is inside the Olympus Spa located in Lynnwood, Washington -- an amazingly relaxing place.  This is a little off topic, but I can't contain myself and it's my blog so I make the rules, right?  The spa is incredible -- there are four hydrotherapy whirlpools, each at different temperatures (my favorite was a toasty 95 degrees), two saunas (one was herbal) and an array of heated rooms, most of which contained a natural element (such as charcoal, jade, sand, salt) that had health benefits listed on the door of each room. They also offered the usual spa treatments like massages, facials and the like.  

Now, on to the Korean restaurant review. Does it even matter?  I don't even know if it had a name.  The restaurant was nothing really to look at, oh wait, I didn't have my glasses on, so that could explain it.  (I certainly could not wear glasses into the 170 degree mud and jade room, could I?) 

The food was Korean (quite appropriate given the Korean-style spa) and my aunt and I shared the vegetable and tofu bibimbap. It was quite tasty and hearty with the raw egg in the middle and bottle of sauce on the table that was labeled "spicy" - I was able to see that fine, yes.  It wasn't too spicy as I recall, though.   They did serve the traditional small plates before the entrees, too and some odd things, like Snickers bars and big cookies were available at the counter, which I felt were out of place. That's just me.

Service was a bit too prompt and efficient for a spa where relaxation was the theme.  I hope the staff gets free spa passes or discounts at the very least.   As for the bill, I was so relaxed, I can't remember exactly how much it was!  (It was definitely not outrageous though -- I would remember that for sure!)  

Check out the website at www.olympusspa.net. 

There are two locations, both in Washington state.

Olympus Spa (the location I visited)

3815 196th Street S.W. Suite 160

Lynnwood, WA 

(425) 697-3000

Hours:

Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Fri. and Sat. 9 a.m. - midnight

Closed Sundays, Thanksgiving and X-mas

Pan Africa Market (Seattle, WA) VF

What a great location, just around the block from the famous Pike Market, an amazing culinary delight in itself.   This African restaurant has an eclectic look with a hipster meets industrial vibe, exposed piping in the high ceilings and Bob Marley playing in the background.  I was here with my aunt, who lives in the Seattle area, whom I was visiting last week. 

There is an entire section of the menu for vegetarian food, which of course, I appreciated. We decided to share two vegetarian entrees.  The first was the foul (rhymes with "bowl" not "fowl" like the bird) which included fava beans, peppers, tomatoes, onions and the option of adding feta cheese, which we wanted to add too late, apparently because we could not flag down the waiter to ask him to bring some over before finishing our delicious meal.  He was the only waiter on duty and the place filled up, so he had his hands full.  The second entree was even better than the first -- that was the veggie groundnut, a West African groundnut stew with yams (my favorite), carrots, bell peppers, seasonal veggies and rice.  Both entrees came with tasty little salads on the entree plate, too.   The spiced tea was a nice treat on a cold day, too.  It was so fragrant but the recipe, apparently was top secret, because when we asked the waiter what was in the tea, he informed us that if he told us, he would have to kill us.  A little humor to warm us up on a chilly Seattle afternoon.  

The lunch bill warmed us, too at a very reasonable $22 total (about $8.50 per entree) for the two entrees and teas.  Be sure to also check out the breakfast menu on the website or better yet, in person.  I wish I saw that before now.  Yum...

Pan Africa Market

1521 1st Ave

Seattle, Washington

www.panafricamarket.com

206-652-2461

Sunlight Cafe (Seattle, WA) VEG

It turns out this is an original vegetarian restaurant in Seattle and opened in 1975, way before vegetarian food became more mainstream as it is today.   Pretty cool to be so ahead of the crowd.  

The restaurant itself is nothing to look at. It has high ceilings and a homey, hole-in-the-wall 60's diner sort of feel.  They did display a huge Pez collection, which was sort of quirky.  

The menu was extensive with lots of salads, soups, and lots of other goodies, including a nut burger, sweet potato cakes with tofu, and black bean burrito.  I ended up ordering the brown rice salad for $8.50 (cheap!) that included lettuce, vegetables, avocado, broccoli, cauliflower, organic brown rice, seeds and a side of tofu (for $2.50 extra).  The broccoli and cauliflower were raw, which is not my style; I would have much preferred them to be steamed, but that was the only complaint about the dish. The side of tofu was excellent, really flavorful.   My aunt, who I was visiting, had the veggie cheese enchilada with beans and rice and enjoyed it.  Portions were abundant.  

We did not order dessert but some options were cookies (kitchen sink cookie), pies and tofu cheesecake, which were modestly priced at $3.95 and less.  

Definitely an enjoyable meal in one of my favorite cities.

Sunlight Cafe

6403 Roosevelt Way NE

Seattle, Washington

Can't find a website or online menu

(206) 522-9060

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily

Su's Restaurant (Edgewater, NJ) VEG

To begin with, let me explain the larger surroundings of this restaurant.  Edgewater, NJ is a beautiful, waterfront town across from the NYC skyline and though this restaurant is in a strip mall, don't let that sway you because it is in good company, along with Trader Joe's and is down the street from Whole Foods, some good eating neighbors!  

Inside the restaurant, the setting is minimalist and zenlike with brown and beige neutral-toned walls with pops of red lighting accents.    The menu, physically is very cool; it's a heavy wooden menu totally in harmony with the surroundings.   Throughout the all vegetarian, Pan-Asian inspired menu, dairy, vegan and nut dishes are noted with abbreviations, though they are not defined anywhere, so we asked the waitress.  

For an appetizer, I was pleased with my Vietnamese summer rolls ($6) served with some tangy, sweet clear dipping sauce.   The rolls were served cold and raw, which was a surprise.  Next time, I may ask for them to be pan-fried.  My dining companion, Kerri, had the orange-infused guacamole appetizer ($5), which was also a pleasure to eat.   Both appetizers were served on geometric-shaped plates making for good presentation.  This is a great place for tapas or small plates for sharing.

My entree was delectable;  I continued to rave about it long after the meal ended. I had mushrooms prepared crispy, tempura style with sweet potatoes and cashews (a substitution for raisins) for $12, a dish I normally would not eat because it is fried but I made an exception and I am glad I did.  I should note that the menu did not mention the tempura preparation, actually, I think it said it was grilled but I am not positive.  I scraped the plate clean.  It was a delicious combination of flavors, plain and simple.   Kerri had the risotto with mushrooms and onions, ($9) which I thought was fine, but had too many onions for her liking and not enough flavor for her taste.    

The only slight con I have to report was the service was so-so.  I was basically dying of thirst and the waitress took a long time to bring me another iced tea, which I asked for twice. That's really it.

I wish I had room for dessert, but I didn't.  One of the reasons to go back.

Su's Restaurant

725 River Road

Edgewater,NJ

www.surestaurant.com  (currently under construction, but was not a few weeks ago when I dined there)

Menu can be found at:

http://www.edgewatermenus.com

(201) 840-7988

Seattle, WA here I come!

I will be traveling to Seattle, Washington this coming week, home of lots of organic, healthy and vegetarian friendly restaurants.  Surely, I will have reviews ready to post soon after my return.   Stay tuned!

Counter NY (Lower East Side, NYC) VEG

Stop #3 of my Lower East Side eating extravaganza

Truth be told, I really wasn’t that hungry by this point, but I was on a mission. 

What a cool, organic wine and martini bar and vegetarian restaurant combo.   Interesting techno music vibe that turned decidedly more mellow, with cool, rustic atmosphere with wood floors and neat low slung  chairs, and retro diner bar stools. 

The menu was really a unique combination of flavors and it, as usual, took some time for me to figure out what I wanted.  The waitress was patient and explained all the dishes I inquired about.   I started off with a very nice glass of Chilean pinot noir for $12/glass (so nice that I opted for two, by the end of the meal).   The cocktails menu was really, interesting, you need to check it out on the website…very descriptive and inventive, some of which could make you blush.  Note the world’s most expensive organic martini for $665.  There is no decimal point missing and they donate the proceeds.   They offered lots of organic wines and beers and homemade red and white sangria, too.

I really could not decide what to get for an appetizer since I wasn’t that hungry due to my prior stops and a few of the selections were deep fried in their preparation, such as the mushroom medley and the winter squash wontons, and I tend to shy away from deep fried foods.  I only discovered this by asking questions, it wasn’t clear from the menu.     I ended up ordering the vegetable tasting mosaic ($19), which included braised fennel, brussel sprouts, chard, whipped maple sweet potatoes, sauteedcarrots, portabella mushroom roulade, escarole and more.  It was a healthful, tasty and satisfying concoction.  It came with a side of steamed, spiced quinoa, which was not very spicy.  Unfortunately for me, I had no room for dessert, even though I had my eye on a few, it was a toss-up between the chocolate fondue ($14) and chocolate tart ($8).  Yes, I will be back and I plan to come hungry next time around.

Counter NY

105 First Ave (bet. 6^th and 7^th)

www.counternyc.com

212-982-5870

Babycakes NYC (Lower East Side, NYC) VGN

Stop #2 of my Lower East Side eating extravaganza

A vegan, gluten-free bakery (and also wheat-, soy-, casein- and refined sugar-free) –it was vegan heaven!   They sold frosting shots (yes, little mini cups of frosting – what a novel idea) for $1.50 , cupcake tops, regular sized cupcakes, some of which were made with spelt flour, sweet breads, brownie cupcakes, cookies and the list goes on…

The place is adorable, tiny with a little kitchen in the back of the store and a few stools for those of us who can’t wait to indulge, like myself. 

The chocolate cupcake was good with tasty chocolate frosting (they did not have a spelt chocolate-chocolate cupcake that day), the brownie cupcake made with agave was disappointing, just so-so and the chocolate chip cookie was just the right crispiness.   Those three items came to about $7.  Next time I will buy a frosting shot and hope to try a spelt cupcake, either a regular cupcake or maybe just a top.

248 Broome St

New York, NY 10002

www.babycakesnyc.com

212-677-5047

il Laboratorio del Gelato (Lower East Side, NYC) VF

Stop #1 of my Lower East Side eating extravaganza (all three places are in close proximity, especially the first two which are only one or two short blocks apart, and it’s about a ten-fifteen minute walk to the third stop). 

Holy flavors of gelato and sorbet!  Flavors change every day as they make the flavors fresh daily inside and when I went, they offered olive oil, chocolate mint, which was white rather than green for purists with hunks of chocolate, chocolate kahlua, espresso, toasted almond, toasted coconut, egg nog (it was Christmas Eve, after all), and dark chocolate to name a few.   I didn’t really notice the sorbet flavors, I was fixated on the gelato I must admit.  I tasted the toasted almond, which was excellent and unlike any other flavor I’ve had before.  I was unable to purchase a scoop of it, however, because it was almost all gone. So, I ended up buying a small cup with two scoops, one scoop of chocolate kahlua and the other scoop of espresso, both great choices.  The chocolate kahlua was rich and creamy and the espresso popped with intense coffee flavor.  

The shop is really just a window displaying all the flavors ready to be scooped, customers are not allowed inside the store so be ready to eat outside in the cold, like I did.  But, I did not mind, even though it was a chilly 30-something degrees outside – that’s how good this place is.   Oh, and there was a line when I arrived there – yes, in the middle of winter, there was a line at the gelato place.  That says it all.  People are passionate about good gelato and sorbet and this shop does not disappoint. 

The gelato is not vegan unfortunately, but vegetarians will most definitely enjoy.

il Laboratorio del Gelato

95 Orchard St.

(between Broome & Delancey Sts)

New York, New York

www.laboratoriodelgelato.com/

212-343-9922