Live Healthy NYC: Pack a Snack!

Live Healthy NYC: Pack a Snack!: Whether you are hiking in the mountains, skiing on the slopes out west, or biking through the wine country, you will need some ...

Pack a Snack!

Whether you are hiking in the mountains, skiing on the slopes out west, or biking through the wine country, you will need some instant energy to get you through! I am talking about an instant snack that you can carry in your pocket or in your pack.

Try these healthy options:

Dark chocolate peanut granola bar (TLC or Luna Bars) instead of a Snickers candy bar.

Beef Jerky (look for all natural such as Samak Smoke House brand) instead of a Slim Jim.

Make your own trail mix in a small easy zip lock bag.

Dried strawberries or raisins and string cheese instead of fruit roll ups.

Small packs of nut butter (Justin’s makes an easy portable pack) and you can eat on the go!

Fig bars (Barbara’s Bakery makes a good one). Or you can make your own and add in different all natural jams instead of fig newtons.

Happy Trails and enjoy the fresh outdoors!

Live Healthy NYC: Delicious Dessert!

Live Healthy NYC: Delicious Dessert!: Whether you are a meat eater or a vegetarian, I have found the recipe for the most delicious brownie ever!  Today was a spectacular spring d...

Delicious Dessert!

Whether you are a meat eater or a vegetarian, I have found the recipe for the most delicious brownie ever! 

Today was a spectacular spring day and as I was walking around Chelsea in NYC a woman was passing out “brownie bites” in front of a new bakery that had just opened. Blossom Bakery! Across the street is the café and there are several locations around NYC. It was by far the yummiest brownie ever! And it’s vegan! For those of you who don’t know what “vegan” means it is: a person who does not eat or use animal products.

Sadly, I didn’t ask for the recipe but searched my laptop for one of my own. I found one and it’s a winner! Try it yourself!

You will need:

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 cups  raw sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• !/2 cup vegan chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Pour in water, vegetable oil and vanilla; mix until well blended. Mix in chocolate chips. Spread evenly in a 9x13 inch baking pan.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top is no longer shiny. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into squares.

Enjoy!

Live Healthy NYC: St. Patrick's Day is coming! Drink up!!! Feel Fres...

Live Healthy NYC: St. Patrick's Day is coming! Drink up!!! Feel Fres...: In efforts to eat and drink healthy on the holiday that's filled with lots of food and drink, I have found a recipe for a cleansing d...

St. Patrick's Day is coming! Drink up!!! Feel Fresh!!!

In efforts to eat and drink healthy on the holiday that's filled with lots of food and drink, I have found a recipe for a cleansing drink (you can juice this anytime of year!). It's fresh and clean and loaded with vitamins that will make you glow!

Along with this, I am also sharing a recipe for a Do It Yourself Facial! It's green too! You start with a kiwi (you can buy extra and snack on this super food!).

SKINNY GREEN SMOOTHIE:

You will need:

1 head romaine lettuce
1 large cucumber
4 leaves kale
1 whole grapefruit, peeled
16-20 oz. pure water

Blend in your high speed blender.

Simplicity rules with this one!! 

(You could add the following: banana for sweetness, and celery or parsley would be nice too).

Kiwi Mask:

You need: 2 kiwis, pureed + 3 tablespoons plain yogurt + 1 tablespoon orange juice + 1 tablespoon almond or olive oil.

A homemade mask to brighten skin: Mix together pureed kiwis with yogurt, orange juice, and oil until well blended. Using your fingertips, apply to the entire face (avoiding the eyes). Leave on until dry, then rinse well. The tiny seeds of the kiwi gently exfoliate the skin.

Live Healthy NYC: Meatless Monday Meal!

Live Healthy NYC: Meatless Monday Meal!: Adults and kids alike will enjoy this tasty meal (even your meat and potatoes crew!). Can be served over brown rice or smashed sweet...

Meatless Monday Meal!

Adults and kids alike will enjoy this tasty meal (even your meat and potatoes crew!). Can be served over brown rice or smashed sweet potatoes.

Make some extra and brown-bag it for the next day's lunch.

This meatless take of the French classic Coq au Vin slowly simmers tofu with pearl onions, mushroom, red wine and vegetable broth. The veggie version cuts hours off the cooking time so you’ll be sitting down to dinner just a half hour after you’ve started cooking. Serves 6

• 3 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 2 cups frozen pearl onions, thawed
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 cups red wine*
• 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 14 ounce package extra firm tofu, cut into ½ inch cubes
• 4 tablespoons corn starch, divided
• 12 ounces mushrooms, chopped
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup Italian parsley, diced as a garnish

*3 cups vegetable broth mixed with 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar can be substituted for the red wine.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the canola oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the onions, carrots and garlic. Saute for 3-5 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Add in bay leaves, wine, broth and soy sauce to the pan. Reduce heat so that liquid is slowly simmering. Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until carrots and onions are soft and liquid has reduced by half.

Once sauce is reduced season with salt and pepper to taste. Add 2 tablespoons of the cornstarch into 1/2 cup of water and mix until combined. Stir in the cornstarch mixture to the pan to thicken the sauce.

Toss tofu cubes in the remaining 2 tablespoons cornstarch and a little salt and pepper until they are all evenly coated.

Heat the 2 remaining tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté coated tofu cubes, turning them occasionally with a spatula, for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until they are crispy browned on all the sides. Remove and set aside in a serving bowl.

Add mushrooms to pan and sauté them 5-7 minutes, or until mushrooms are browned and softened.

Add red wine sauce and mushrooms to tofu in the serving bowl. Sprinkle with parsley and enjoy!

Live Healthy NYC: All in the Name of LOVE

Live Healthy NYC: All in the Name of LOVE: Love yourself, love your friends, love your partner, love your kids, love your body, mind and soul and while your at it- have great sex! W...

All in the Name of LOVE

Love yourself, love your friends, love your partner, love your kids, love your body, mind and soul and while your at it- have great sex!

We all know that there are certain foods that look erotic (bananas, cucumbers, asparagus, and carrots speak for themselves!). As well as certain fruits (avocados, pomegranates, and figs) that were thought to produce certain sex hormones necessary for sexual arousal and pleasure.

I just heard where the term “honeymoon” came from. Many centuries ago, newlyweds in Europe drank honey wine during the first month of marriage. This was thought to improve their sexual stamina! So, as a bonus, from the honey, these lovebirds also got small amounts of good vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants!

Who doesn’t love chocolate? I think I only know of one poor soul! Did you know that the Aztec emperor Montezuma’s chocolate consumption is legendary! In the name of virility, rumor has it that he drank 50 glasses of honey-sweetened chocolate a day! Chocolate is valued for it’s feel-good qualities. Cocoa beans contain phenylethamine, a compound that triggers the release of endorphins, compounds which are associated with pleasure!

Oysters are another pleasurable food! They are dripping with dopamine, a compound that stirs feelings of sexual desire, and pleasure. These mollusks are also bursting with zinc, a mineral that fosters the production of testosterone, necessary for arousal and pleasure in men and women.

Salmon is another feel good food! Eating salmon can help brighten your disposition! Salmon harbors an abundance of Omega-3 fats which is a natural mood booster. Salmon also supplies large amounts of vitamin D. Researchers at the University of Toronto have found that vitamin D appears to work in the brain like many antidepressants do: by raising levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that induces feelings of calm and banishes bad moods.

Nothing says seduction like popping the cork on the best bubbly (if that’s what you enjoy!). A drink a day may help reduce the risk of heart disease in healthy people. But, be aware- more than that may turn your tryst into a snooze fest! Alcohol is a central nervous system downer, so that can put a damper on lovemaking.

Research has shown the couples who cook together and dine together share more intimate moments. But, good health is the ultimate aphrodisiac.

A balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and other lean protein foods helps to control your blood pressure, blood cholesterol levels, and your weight. This along with exercise may help to ignite your love life by improving circulation, managing blood pressure, increasing energy levels, and helping you to look better, which can have a positive effect on your sex life.