Green Sunshine Smoothie

I'm really digging this living-with-your-significant-other-thing.  For one, I have someone to test recipe experiments on.  As I've mentioned in a previous post, our apartment is hot, so that means smoothies for breakfast in the dead of winter are totally appropriate.  While I'm permanently stuck on banana smoothies, the "other" likes his drinks more fruity (versus creamy), so I have been experimenting with different recipes incorporating citrus, berries, and other non-banana ingredients.  I made this combo this AM and had to admit that it was pretty darn delicious, almost delicious enough to convince me to cheat on my daily banana blend...almost.

Green Sunshine Smoothie - Vegan, Gluten Feee, Refind Sugar Free, Soy Free Option

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup soy milk (or any non dairy milk)

1 ripe banana

1 handful baby spinach

1 TBSP coconut butter (optional but I think it takes the smoothie to the next level)

1-2 pitted dates (optional depending on how sweet you want your smoothie)

Blend, sip, and feel like you are on a beach soaking up sunshine (sigh).  

(This is obviously not a picture of the smoothie, or a current picture.  But this drink will make you feel like you are in a tropical oasis, as pictured above.) 

Eats in the New Hood

Since we've moved to Brooklyn Heights, especially when we just moved and hadn't unpacked anything, we've been exploring the local food spots.  Here's a few words on my favorite local spots thus far:

Siggy's Good Food

The first night I was in NYC we came here to eat, and immediately I was in love: the funky atmosphere (there's a sign outside that says aliens eat free) and healthy, but innovative menu (vegan and gluten free lasagna made with vegetables instead of noodles), and, of corse, the juice bar (fresh wheatgrass!!).  While not super cheap, Siggy's is definitely affordable, especially considering the quality, organic ingredients they use.  I'm obsessed with the "Live Earth" salad - a giant helping of amazingly fresh and tasty greens topped with cucumber, sprouts, avocado, and roasted red pepper.  Seriously, I've ordered this salad 4 times I think.  The juices also rock and the staff are friendly.  If you come visit me, I will most likely take you here.

Tutt Heights 

Tutt Heights is a little place that so happens to be next door to our apartment (literally, like the UPS man leaves our packages with Tutt if we aren't home).  And it just so happens to have amazing pita and babaganoush and falafel, among other things. Oh, did I mention that it is cheap?  We've also been here multiple times.  If you come visit me, Ariel will insist on taking you here to try the babaganoush.

Dellarocco's 

On New Years Eve, we decided to go out to dinner.  This was a big deal, since we both had been sick and in bed for the entire past week.  We decided to try out Dellarocco's, which is located on Montague Street, which is the main drag in Brooklyn.  We ordered a salad, roasted vegetables as an appetizer, and two pizzas.  A lot of food for two people but I wanted to try their Marinara pizza, which has no cheese (yay!). And there is no such thing as too much leftover pizza, right?  We did end up having leftover pizza, not because it wasn't delicious - it was.  The sauce was really tasty and the crust was crisp and lightly charred by the wood fire grill.  The salad and veggies were great as well.  I'm sure we will be getting pizza from here again (they deliver!).

Iron Chef House

Until last week, I hadn't had sushi since moving to NYC, which for some one who loves her nori rolls, is kinda a big deal.  Enter: Iron Chef House.  Located just a short walk from our apartment, this place was a great Yelp! find.  I was so happy to see that they had more than just your typical cucumber avocado roll for vegetarians, and the option for brown rice! Not sure what else you could ask for.  I got a vegetable sushi assortment and Ariel got some variety plate with sushi, noodles, and a few other things.  We both agreed that everything was great, and the service was good as well.  I can see many sushi take-out dinners in my future. And that comforts me.

Hanco's

While I haven't been to the Brooklyn Heights location, I've eaten at Hancos twice and have no complaints. There's not much better than a huge bowl of steaming hot (vegetarian) pho on a cold day, so you can bet I will be back here again soon.

Lantern Thai Kitchen

Having visited Thailand this past summer, Thai food has a special place in my heart.  Not only is it delicious, and generally somewhat healthy, it brings back good memories.  For those reasons, I'm glad to have found a neighborhood spot that serves good Thai.  Try the red curry with vegetables, it's the bomb.

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I've found good sushi, falafel, and wheatgrass - what else is there to look for in this world we call Brooklyn Heights? Well not much, except a yoga studio... But that is for another day and another post.  Until next time - peace and good eats!

DATES

Dates are nature's candy.  And no, I don't mean the dinner-and-a-movie type, although those are sweet too.  Seriously, who can argue that a dense, gooey medjool date isn't just as good, if not better than any candy?  For those of you who don't taste the similarity, try this simple recipe.  I promise when you try these chocolate covered bites of heaven, you will swear you are eating a Snickers (with no guilt, sugar rush, or sugar crash).

 

Nature's Candy (Chocolate Covered Stuffed Dates)

1 TBSP coconut oil

3 TBSP natural peanut butter **Sub any seed or nut butter if you have allergies/intolerances/aversions

1 cup vegan dark chocolate (chips, bar broken into pieces, whatever you want)

10-15 medjool dates, pitted (will depend how big your dates are and how full you stuff them)

1. In a small bowl, combine the coconut oil and peanut butter. 

2. In the center of each date (where the pit used to be), spoon a small amount of the peanut butter mixture, about 1/2-1 tsp depending on the size of the date. You don't want the date overflowing with PB, but try to get as much as you can.

3. Place stuffed dates on a tray lined with parchment paper and stick in your freezer to firm up.

4. While dates are in the freezer, melt your chocolate using a double boiler (or microwave). Once chocolate is melted, remove from heat and let cool for 5-10 minutes.

5.  Remove dates from freezer.  Coat with melted chocolate and return to tray.  Once you've covered all your dates, stick the tray back in the freezer for about 30 minutes.  Then transfer your treats to a container and store in the freezer until ready to enjoy.  

These come together quickly, which is good because they will disappear quickly too!  I'm already getting ready to make my third batch... 

Shhh... Don't tell anyone I'm eating the last one!

What's your favorite healthy indulgence?

Thoughts on the New Year + Orange Immunity Booster Juice

Hello and happy first weekend of 2014!  Over the past week, I've done some reflection on the past year - accomplishments, big events, life changes- and a lot of thinking about the year to come.  I'm happy that, for the most part, I have posted on the blog fairly  regularly, and I intend to keep this up in 2014.  I do, however, have a few things I would like to work on (with the blog in particular).  I tend to post a lot of dessert recipes, because I love creating sweet treats to share, but I know many people are trying to reset after an indulgence holiday season, so I am going to try to post a more diverse set of recipes (think juices, salads, snacks, and more raw desserts - I make these all the time, I just don't write about them as much).  Also, I'm going to try to put in a bit more information about the ingredients I use and (what I know about) their health benefits, because I think it's super interesting and useful, again especially considering many peoples renewed commitment to health in the new year.  Finally, I'm going to continue to post about restaurants, events, travel, etc, since I think exploration of the world outside my kitchen is an important part of urban backpacking life.

Here's the first juice I made this year - inspired by this.  I bought fresh turmeric earlier this week and am so glad I finally tried juicing it; it really adds an interesting flavor to this juice, not to mention a load of health benefits.  Turmeric is an acquired taste, so start small and increase as you wish.  If you don't like turmeric, or can't find it fresh, feel free to substitute ginger - I'm sure it will turn out fabulous.

Orange Immunity Booster Juice:

1 orange
4 carrots
1/2 small apple
1/2 small beet
1 inch fresh turmeric

Wash, juice, and enjoy!  Makes enough for two small glasses, or one large glass. 

 

Why does this juice rock? 

- Turmeric - Mainly known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, this orange root is loaded with vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K.  Turmeric also contains a substance which helps stimulate the immune system.  Additionally, it helps improve digestion and is a natural liver detoxifier (increases the production of vital enzymes).  
- Beet - One of richest dietary sources of antioxidants, beets also contain nitrates which improve blood flow throughout the body and a hefty dose of vitamin C.
- Orange - In addition to vitamin C, oranges are full of potassium, a mineral responsible for helping the heart function.  And although most people think of citrus fruits as acidic, they actually have an alkalizing effect on the body, which means they help the blood take in more oxygen.  Without proper oxygen in the blood, we get real sick (think cancer, heart disease, diabetes). 

Cheers to health and happiness in 2014!

4 medium organic carrots
1 small golden beet ( 2- 3 inches in diameter) scrubbed and cut in half (optional)
1 apple - cored
1 orange (peeled)
1 Tablespoon sliced fresh turmeric root ( peels are OK) more to taste. - See more at: http://www.feastingathome.com/2014/01/a-new-year-fresh-turmeric-tonic.html#sthash.RTRmb0Im.dpuf

4 medium organic carrots
1 small golden beet ( 2- 3 inches in diameter) scrubbed and cut in half (optional)
1 apple - cored
1 orange (peeled)
1 Tablespoon sliced fresh turmeric root ( peels are OK) more to taste. - See more at: http://www.feastingathome.com/2014/01/a-new-year-fresh-turmeric-tonic.html#sthash.RTRmb0Im.dpuf

Vegan Shop Up

When I visited New York City in July, I heard of a vegan pop up sho in Bushwick that was going to be happening the weekend I was in town.  It sounded really cool - vegan food, plus other vendors selling unique, crafty goods.  I was dissapppined that I didn't get to make it to the "shop up" that weekend.  Or the following two weekends that I visited NYC this past fall (the shop up only happend once a month so it was pretty coincidental that I happened to visit those exact weekends).  Once I moved, I was determined to check on the shop up... and the boyfriend and I did just that two weeks ago.
 

We spent most of the afternoon furniture shopping, so we were tired, frustrated, and hungry by the time we got to Pine Box Rock Shop (a vegan bar, what?!), where the shop up was held.  After a quick scan of the goods and goodies, Ariel hopped right in line for a vegan hot dog.  This was no ordinary dog - made from veggies and sunflower seeds instead of meat, or wheat, soy, etc, it was one large, yet completely wholesome dog.   It was served with all the fixins - slaw, pickles, coconut bacon - and a kale salad.  I don't know if it was because we were really hungry, but it was good, and I appreciated that it was made with sketch-free ingredients.
 

After we had refueled, we revisited the vendors and shopped for a bit.  There were all sorts of tasty things to try, and a few we liked enough to buy:

- We Vegans Chipotle Vranch - Ariel is obsessed with this spicy vegan ranch dressing.  I used to love ranch as a kid, but stopped eating it around the age of 12 - this version is definitely an improvement on the standard ranch, healthier (it's made with soymilk) and tastier (it's got a zesty kick of spices).  We've been eating with carrots, but I'm sure it's going to be amazing on sandwiches and salads.

- Right Tasty Ramp Vinaigrette - I've always been intrigued by ramps... they are all over the farmer's markets in the spring, but I have yet to buy them (fear of the unknown...).  Hopefully this tasty dressing will convince me to face my fear and try cooking with ramps myself...maybe.

- Fine and Raw Lucuma Vanilla Chocolate- We discovered Fine and Raw chocolate a few weeks ago on a different Bushwick adventure.  Their chocolate is out of this world.  I had the chance to sample a few of their flavors at the shop up (coconut, sea salt, espresso), but the Lucuma Vanilla is still my favorite.  The bar is wrapped in gold... and like gold I savor every bite of this chocolatey goodness.

I also got some vegan bourbon balls to round out my lunch (I only had a bite of Ariel's dog plus some kale salad).  These were just being sold by one of the vendors on the side, so I don't know if you can find them elsewhere, but boy were they tasty! I will need to figure out how to recreate them.

I'm so happy that I finally got to check out this event, and I hope it will continue in the future.  It's awesome to see all these vendors prospering.  Who knows, maybe someday I could be one of them!