Super Quick Green Smoothie

Now that I'm preggers and am hopping on the subway in the morning sans coffee (okay, I cheat every once in a while), I've found an energizing and delicious substitute.

I've got to admit, I always liked the idea of smoothies, but didn't like all of the prep-work and cleaning-up afterwords, so I pretty much avoided making them because it took too much effort.

This recipe, I'm proud to guarantee, will take no longer than brewing a cup of coffee.

Not only is this smoothie packed full of anti-oxidants, fiber, iron, calcium, potassium and Omega 3's, it's energizing (thanks to the chia) and delicious.

Here's what you'll need:

1 banana

1 cup spinach

1 tablespoon ground chia seed

1 tablespoon ground flax seed

1 teaspoon cod liver oil

cinnamon (just a sprinkle)

1 1/2 cups orange juice or orange juice blend (my favorite is orange, strawberry, banana)

Here's what to do:

1) Throw everything into your blender.

2) Blend. If you have a smoothie setting, now's the time to use it.

3) Pour and enjoy

* To clean up quickly, I immediately rinse my blender, add hot water and dish soap, press blend for a few seconds. Rub a sponge along the inside (after the blades have stopped spinning- of course), rinse and I'm ready for tomorrows smoothie!

So quick, so easy, so healthy and so very delicious!

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Modern Art Lives in the Bronx!

So, what is there to do in the Bronx? Good question.

The Bronx is one of those New York City boroughs that exists as a mystery to many. Barring Yankee Stadium, The Botanical Gardens and the Bronx Zoo...what is there to do? Art, good restaurants, charming neighborhoods, stunning landmarks- the Bronx just doesn't have a reputation for these things. Most tourists don't venture this far north, many New Yorkers don't either. So what's there?

I don't have an answer. The Bronx is an enigma. Despite commuting an hour and a half each way Monday through Friday to work, I know little about the area. I literally hop off the train, walk five blocks to work and then reverse.

So I've decided to challenge myself to step outside of my Brooklyn/Manhattan comfort zone. For the next few weeks, I'm going to take the time to explore the Bronx.

My first stop- The Bronx Museum of the Arts

Located on the gritty Grand Concourse, the Bronx Museum of the Arts is a small contemporary art museum rooted in the Bronx community where it is located. Founded in 1971, the museum attracts both international and local visitors and has a steady rotation of exhibits on display alongside the museums extensive (over 1,000 items) permanent collection.

The Bronx Museum of the Arts

1040 Grand Concourse

Bronx, New York 10456

FREE ADMISSION!

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Ring in Chinese New Year at Congee Villiage

It was an uncharacteristically warm afternoon for New York. Gliding effortlessly into Manhattan across the Brooklyn Bridge, the sun was high, illuminating the water in glimmering patches of silver. We were on our way to Chinatown to see the Chinese New Year parade in honor of 2014- the majestic Year of the Horse.

Along the narrow cobblestone streets of Chinatown, barricades had already been set up, a small crowd had taken its place, giving the drab, snow and ice coated streets a burst of color.

With twenty minutes until showtime, we would have just enough time to park and slip into a place along the parade route...only there were no parking spots- not a single one. For thirty minutes, we circled Chinatown and the Lower East Side. There wasn't a single available spot. Even the parking garages were full to capacity (what?!?).

In the distance we heard the drums signaling the beginning of the parade. We could make out a colorful red dragon undulating its way down the street. Our wheels spun over the icy street.

On the sidewalks, children skipped and yelled, popping cherry bombs against buildings and sidewalks. Shops were closed, gates down with signs in Mandarin or Cantonese and English announcing : Happy New Year- Closed!

"At least we can grab some food!" Mark, always in the mood for Chinese food suggested. It was clear the parade wasn't happening.

So, instead of making our way towards the music and colorful floats, we made our way down Bowery towards Congee Village.

Known for serving up authentic Cantonese food, Congee Village is an award winning restaurant that is heralded by foodies. Bizarre Food's Andrew Zimmerman himself isn't opposed to the occasional visit.

After miraculously securing a parking spot almost directly in front of the restaurant, we were ready to re-claim the day of the horse. If there wasn't going to be parading, then there would most certainly be eating- lots of it.

Though mainly written (I believe in Cantonese), there are some English subtitles to help you navigate the menu.

We settled on fried vegetarian dumplings, two chicken dishes and vegetable lo mein.

The food was delicious!

We didn't need so much as an ounce of sauce as everything was seasoned and flavorful. The lo mein noodles were light and flat, the vegetables fresh and sauteed to a vibrant glossy green crisp. The chicken was tender and arrived pretty much in tact.  It was such a far cry from your typical Chinese take-out experience where the vegetables are soggy and microwaved, the noodles gummy and heavy and the chicken gristly, gray, and covered in a thick starchy sauce.

It was a great meal!

Fully sated and invigorated by our taste journey to China, we accepted the fact that we missed the parade, because we had gotten much more than a quick glimpse of China, we had an authentic and delicious taste.

Congee Village

207 Bowery New York, NY 10002

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Blue Potato Garlic Stew with a Medicinal Twist

Last weekend I found myself hacking away, nursing a sore throat while trying to keep my head above the ever growing pile of tissues that began to surround me. I had a cold that would later turn into bronchitis, my third one this winter (I blame my nursery school attending two year old, the people with the hacking coughs that always somehow sit next to me on the subway, this extreme weather, and my pregnant immune system). Anyway, I was craving a creamy soup, something rich and buttery, something cheesy and satisfying, but with my sore throat, phlegm cough and runny nose, that would only deepen my misery. So I decided to have the next best thing and set to creating a recipe that would soothe my cravings.

What did I create....

Blue Potato Garlic Stew with a Medicinal Twist!

The recipe is thick and creamy, but has no dairy (which aggravates colds).

Here's what you need:

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

1 Teaspoon White Vinegar

3-5 Cloves of Garlic

1/2 Red Onion

2 Cups mini Blue potatoes (I personally love mini blue potatoes, but I must admit, any color will do)

2 Cups Vegetable Broth

1 Teaspoon Turmeric

1 Teaspoon Sea Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper

1/8 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper  

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 375. In a oven safe dish add your potato, onion and garlic. Place these ingredients in the oven for an hour to an hour and a half. You'll know everything is done when the potatoes are soft when you insert a fork.

*Note: If you're in a hurry, you can boil the ingredients, but you loose some of the nutrients when you boil.

2. Combine everything together in your blender. Potatoes, onion and garlic first, followed by the spices and the vegetable broth. Blend on a high setting until a thick stew-like texture has been created.

3. Pour into your bowl and enjoy!

This soup is great if you feel a cold coming on, if you're trying to fight a cold or if you just want to boost your winter immunity.

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