Marathon Update

Although it has been over a month, I would like to share that I finished my first marathon:)

Photo Recap 1 of 4:

Chicago Marathon Expo goodies

Larabars!

Go runners!

Chi-town

Chicago Marathon Update

Training for a marathon takes a lot of motivation, strength, and time. Before I began my training back in June, I read a book by Haruki Murakami titled, "What I talk about when I talk about running." In the story, he discusses his journey of long-distance running, from running his first marathon, to re-creating the first historic run in Greece, to running his first ultramarathon. His journey has given me motivation throughout these last few months. My strength comes from hard work, dedication, and balanced nutrition. Eating delicious homemade vegan food has kept me on the right track! Lastly, with the help of a proper marathon training schedule(Hal Higdon's marathon training guide), I've been able to manage my time . I'm well on my way to reaching my goal of completing a marathon.

One more month until 10-10-10 !

Any suggestions for pre/post run meals? I definitely want to go here:

Homemade Blueberry Crumb Muffins

Acai Fruit Bowl

EastVillageVegan's Acai Fruit Bowl

While vacationing in Hawaii, I discovered this amazing frozen treat...an acai fruit bowl. As soon I returned to New York, I tried making it with my Vitamix. The all organic smoothie consisted of the following;

Acai smoothie (acai, bananas, blueberries and ricemilk), topped with frozen and fresh blueberries, raspberries, sliced bananas, shaved coconut, almond granola, and agave syrup. Delicious!

Acai Warrior Fruit Bowl from Down to Earth Honolulu, HI:

Acai Warrior Fruit Bowl

Daiya Cheese Pizza

A craving for pizza=homemade Daiya cheese pizza

Here are the before photos:

Half Daiya Cheese, half vegan ham, peppers, mushrooms, and onion

Vegan BBQ chicken Pizza

Last shot before the oven...

Here are the results...

Melted Vegan Cheese and a crispy crust!

Mmmm....Haven't had Vegan BBQ chicken pizza since Gianna's Grille in Philadelphia.

Recipes for Vegan Daiya Pizza:

One package of Trader Joe's whole wheat pizza dough

One jar of Trader Joe's pizza sauce

One package of mozzarella Daiya Cheese

1/4 chopped onion

1/8 cup chopped mushrooms

1/8 cup of chopped peppers (red or green)

2 to 3 slices of Vegan Ham (Yves)

4 to 5 pieces of Vegan Chicken (Golden Chicken Nuggets from May Wah)

2 tbs. BBQ sauce

extra virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to packaged dough directions.

Let dough sit at room temp. for 20 mins. Next, split the dough in half. On a floured surface shape each dough ball into two thin circles. Brush with extra virgin olive oil and garlic powder. Bake for 5-7 mins. or until slightly brown. Remove pizza crust and begin adding your toppings.

Pizza #1: Half Daiya Cheese, Half Vegan Supreme

Add just enough pizza sauce to lightly cover (*note too much sauce=soggy pizza). Then add Daiya cheese and toppings; peppers, onions, mushrooms, and vegan ham.

Pizza #2: Vegan BBQ chicken

Add BBQ sauce and then top off with Daiya Cheese and vegan chicken. Add additional sauce if desired.

Drizzle a little bit of extra virgin olive oil on top. Bake pizzas for additional 10-15 mins. or until Daiya Cheese has melted and you have a nice crust on your pizza. Bon Appetit!

MORE PIZZA PHOTOS:)

Vegan Daiya Cheese Tacos and Quesadillas...

Vegan Taco with smart ground, avocado, lettuce, onion, cilantro, tomatoes, Daiya cheese, tofu sour cream, and toppped with fresh lime. Vegan Quesadilla with Daiya cheese and a little Earth Balance.

Vegan Taco

The Spread!

Quesadillas!

Toppings plate

Adzuki bean tortilla chips with two kinds of salsa

I love taco night:)

Freshly picked fruit...

I've been enjoying fresh fruit on a daily basis. Handpicked from my friend's backyard. The different kinds of fruit include mangoes, filipino lemons, and guava.

Pure Food and WIne

Dinner at Pure Food and Wine is not to be missed. This was my first time at PF & W and I thought it was spectacular! I skipped appetizers and went straight for the entrees. See photos below:

Zucchini, Local Hothouse and Heirloom Tomato Lasagna

(Basil Pistachio Pesto, Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce, Macadamia Pumpkin Seed Ricotta)

Sweet Corn and Cashew Tamales with Chili Spiced Portabella

(Salsa Verde, Cashew Coconut Sour Cream, Avocado, Raw Cacao Mole)

Pure Food and Wine

54 Irving Place

New York, NY. 10003

212-477-1010

Website: http://www.oneluckyduck.com/purefoodandwine/

Raw Dinner...

Going to Pure Food and Wine tonight! Full recap coming soon:)

Tofurky Sandwich and Fresh Berries

Yesterday's lunch consisted of a toasted tofurky sandwich. Next, for dessert, I had a bowl of fresh organic berries.

Whole wheat toast, vegannaise, dill tofu spread, oven roasted Tofurky, red onion and organic lettuce

Fresh Berries-Strawberries, Blueberries, and Raspberries

Go Japanese Restaurant-East Village

Kanpyo and Avocado Roll (Each Veggie Roll here is $2!)

Green Salad with Ginger Dressing

Kabocha Squash with Watercress

St. Mark's Place is a great street for affordable dining here in NY. There are may authentic Japanese restaurants as well as other types of cuisine including Thai-Klong, Vietnamese-Baoguette-Pho, Middle Eastern-Mamouns and much more. Last week, I stumbled upon Go Japanese Restaurant. On a recent visit, I ordered two veggie rolls, a salad, and a side of squash (see photos above). If you're looking for something cheap and quick, go to Go:) (*Restaurant is veggie friendly~Note* they serve meat and fish, but if you're looking for the best vegan sushi try Soy and Sake in the West Village)

Caravan of Dreams

I love the fact that there are so many vegetarian/vegan friendly restaurants in the neighborhood. Just to name a few, here is a short list; Quantum Leap, Curly's Vegetarian, Angelica Kitchen, Organic Grill, Counter, Pukk, Lan Cafe, and Caravan of Dreams. After a long week of making meals at home, dining out seemed like a great idea.

Dinner took place at Caravan of Dreams, which is located on 6th St. between 1st Ave and Ave A here in the East Village. I ordered the small unchicken caesar deluxe salad for my main dish and could not pass on the berry almond live chocolate cake for dessert. What a nice treat to end the week!

Unchicken Caesar Deluxe-black beans, seitan, croutons, tomatoes, olives, caesar dressing

Berry Almond Live Chocolate Strawberry Cake

Caravan of Dreams

Organic Vegan Cuisine

405 East 6th St.

New York, NY. 10009

212-254-1613

Website: http://www.caravanofdreams.net/#/Home

Raw Food Monday

Raw Food Monday from last week:

Before: Raw Blueberry Date Cashew Smoothie

After

Romaine, avocado, mushroom and carrot salad with fresh fruit

Go Raw Spicy Seed Mix

Fresh Organic Fruit (Strawberries, pineapple, grapes and raspberries)

Raw Flax Rye Bread

Love the Chicks Pate with Raw Flax Bread

Pate served over organic spinach and carrot strips

Passionberry Kombucha and a fuji apple

A little bit of Raw Kim Chee

Today:

Breakfast-Organic Banana

Lunch: Fresh blueberries, Go Raw Banana Bread Bar, spicy seed mix, and a Kombucha

Snack-Handful of Raw Cashews, organic pear

Dinner-Take out from Caravan of Dreams

Live-Avocado Soup

Live Flax Crackers

Live-Meatballs