As soon as we got back home from our travels, I hit the kitchen. The first recipe recreation I'd like to share is the Spinach and Chickpea Cazuela we had at Barcelona Wine Bar. With fall just around the corner, this is the PERFECT side to serve as a snack, appetizer, or side dish. It is warm, filling, and the cumin adds a smokey flavor. The roasted garlic and shallot contributes a sweet flavor that definitely plays well with the savory taste of cumin. There are only about nine ingredients involved (not including, water, salt, and pepper!). Most of them are pantry staples, so you probably have them all in your house right now! Except for the cumin seeds, maybe!
NYC Day 2 - A 13 mile walk
We came. We saw. We conquered. In total, we walked 13 miles on the hottest day of September in NYC for years. From Little Italy, to Nolita, through Chinatown, to Brooklyn, back to Grand Central Station, by Gramercy Park, through Chelsea, and back to The High Line! Plus - a map of all of my favorite spots in New York City, including destinations for our next visits!
NYC - Day 1: Carrots Wellington, Shake Shack, Irish Countryside, and Cool bathrooms
Like true wannabe local New Yorkers, we hopped on the the right subway, only after three visits to the wrong entrance. Heh heh heh. We walked through the Hudson River Park, saw the Irish Hunger Memorial, saw what the fuss over Shake Shack was all about, and finally; CARROTS WELLINGTON. I love NYC.
BOSTON - Day 2: Savory doughnuts, Blue Hills Reservation, Boston Harbor, and Barcelona Wine Bar
Our second day in Boston involved savory doughnuts, a trip to Blue Hills Reservation with the loveliest hiking trails I've ever seen in my life, Boston Harbor, Boston's North End, and Barcelona Wine Bar!
BOSTON - Day 1: Pastries, Cookies, Cobblestone Streets, and Swan Boats
Boston - Day 1: Tatte Bakery & Cafe, Beacon Hill, Acorn Street, Boston Common, Flour, Myers & Chang
Our first day in Boston was so lovely! We ate terrifically, lots of pastries and cookies. After dessert, I mean breakfast, we walked over to the cozy area that is Beacon Hill. The gas-lit lamps, beautiful row houses, brick sidewalks, and cobblestone streets will bring you back into time. I almost expected to see a Christmas roast in a store window and carolers on the corner.
BOSTON - Our Arrival + Theatrics of Clover
Our friend and host, Salah, took us to a 24 hour vegetarian restaurant called Clover. Everything except for the ketchup and mayonnaise is home made and locally sourced. They purchase ingredients from farmers who cultivate the soil with a goal of producing delicious vegetables. Their motto is to keep things simple and to stand on the foundation of fantastic ingredients. Clover boasts of their turn around times at an average of 3.5 minutes per order, slower than McDonalds, they say, but they still consider themselves 'fast-food'. My kind of place! It is also open 24 hours, I believe, and sits in a college heavy area, making it a great late night stop post-bar. Which also means crazy antics are highly probable...
TACO TUESDAY - Homemade Healthier Tortillas
A couple of years ago, I did an internship with a health club in Minneapolis. I assisted with a twelve week program that provided a group of clients (about 25 - 30) with nutrition advice and 6:00 am workouts six days a week. I left my house by 5:00 am to get there on time, which means I woke up between 4:00 - 4:30 am every day. The quickest, most filling breakfast I could make, was a tortilla with egg whites, and maybe beans if I had enough time to open a can. My mouth is drier than the sahara desert just thinking about them. I cannot eat store bought tortillas. I hate the way they smell, taste, and last for years in the fridge. Even when they're slathered with peanut butter, I just can't do it.
I knew the solution was to make my own, but I was deterred for about 3 years by the fact that every single recipe I looked at involved lard or shortening. It took a couple months, but I finally developed a recipe and cooking method that works perfectly!
Girls on the Run Nashville - Week #1
The first week of Girls on the Run Nashville was a major success! I have 15 lovely third and fourth graders on my team this season! I always forget how young the girls are in the Fall! I have two girls from past seasons, and a younger sister from a past GOTR!
Every single GOTR ran at least a mile on our first day! One of the girls ran 2.25 miles! In my experience, one of the most valuable things the girls learn during Girls on the Run is about running. This is where many of them start to build a positive foundation for lifelong activity and develop an appreciation for running!
Spicy Bees Knees Cocktail - Cheers to running buddies
Today, I was hoping to get in 15 - 17 miles. I think I might be training for another marathon. I haven't been able to find a training group for a December marathon, so I am all about finding running buddies to spend my Saturday mornings with!
Unfortunately, my awesome running buddy was sick today, so I decided I would do my run indoors. On the treadmill. I did 10.5 miles intertwined with 10 X 800s. It was more difficult than my 15 mile run through Percy Warner (aka: land of mountainesque hills) last weekend. Not physically, but cognitively. Cognitively, I was so freaking bored. Which made me thankful for the my running buddies!
I sure do love my running buddies! I love that they hold me accountable, whether its showing up at a group run or making sure I did some rehab exercises! I had no idea that running would lead to so many great friendships and support systems! I wanted to take the time to say; running buddies, you are THE BEES KNEES!!!! Cheers to you with a Spicy Bees Knees Cocktail!!
Easy Vegan Cheesecake (No bake)
I oscillate between feeling on the cusp of being real life adult, and therefore being ready for the responsibility of a human life, and still feeling like a tween. Read on for evidence...
One thing I have improved on over the last few years is making healthy versions of my favorite desserts! I am lactose intolerant, and even though I love cheesecake, I usually end up feeling awful after eating it. The 'cheesecake' filling is thick and velvety. It is smooth and cooling to the tongue, with a slight nutty taste. It is custardy and the level of sweetness from maple syrup is perfect. The touch of lemon lends a certain tang, reminiscent of cream cheese. You will be shocked that this is dairy-free (minus the chocolate if you'd decide to use it!)!