Wick Fowler's

I am a big fan of spices, rubs and seasoning mixes. It's the easiest way to add flavor with out extra fat and calories. Last week I went on a hunt for a Mexican type seasoning mix that wasn't full of all kinds of weird hard to pronounce ingredients. There aren't many out there but luckily I did end up stumbling upon this one and it wasn't at a specialty food store either.
I think they have made some recent changes to the design on their package because the one I just bought didn't look like this.

Ingredients: Ground Chili Peppers, Salt, Onion, Comino, Garlic, Oregano

Wondering what comino is? It's just a fancy way of saying cumin in Spanish.

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Chocolate Almond Coconut Bites

I love Let's Do Organic reduced fat shredded unsweetened coconut.

I add it to my oatmeal in the morning, use it when cooking Indian inspired soups, and of course in macaroons. It's 40% less fat than regular unsweetened shredded coconut. They reduce the fat though a process of steam evaporation. For cooking purposes you can always use this as a substitute. In doing so you'll cut a few calories and fat with out sacrificing the flavor. But, when it come to a fresh piece of coconut meat that's eaten bite by bite all on it's lonesome, well there's just no replacing that.

When I am feeling lazy and want something sweet after dinner I make chocolate almond coconut bites. They literally take less than five minutes from start to finish. There's no measuring going on here just eye ball it. For all intents and purposes the chocolate is the "glue" in this recipe so make sure there is enough chocolate to coat everything.

Here's what you'll need...

Chocolate Almond Coconut Bites

chocolate chips, dark or milk whatever you like

shredded unsweetened coconut

sliced natural almonds, roughly crushed up

piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper

Throw some dark baking chocolate in a bowl and put it into the microwave for about a minute or two. You don't want it completely melted, just about half melted. Give it a stir and the heat will melt the rest of the chocolate pieces. Once it's all smooth and melted stir in a handful of crushed up sliced almonds and pour in a good amount of shredded coconut. Stir all of this together until thoroughly mixed. Place a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper onto a dinner plate and use a spoon to portion out the chocolate mixture into blobs on the plate. Place in the fridge or freezer for a couple of minutes so that it has a chance to harden up. Eat and enjoy!

You can always stir in other things too like raisins, dried cranberries, etc..

Shake Shack

These shakes are not exactly the nutritional path I long to follow but every now and then you just have to say what the heck. I have not been to shake shack before today but have only ever heard great things from those who have. I happened to be in the neighborhood with my boyfriend this afternoon so we decided to hit it up. Though it was insanely cold here in New York City today we decided to go for the frozen treats. He ordered a vanilla malt shake and I opted for the "healthy" shake called the vitamin creamsicle. Danny Meyer, the owner of this joint, is one of the city's greatest restaurateurs. He is also a devotee of well-known celebrity fitness trainer David Kirsch. This shake combines frozen vanilla custard with David Kirsch vitamin-mineral orange super juice. It tasted just like an orange creamsicle should but as an added benefit was in some way good for me too. The shake shack is a green operation. They also have a well edited wine selection including half bottles of stags leap, frogs leap and opus one to name a few. I plan on returning when the weather gets a bit warmer.

Ike & Sam

These two little guys make my favorite popcorn. I am generally not a fan of pre-bagged popcorn because it usually has a sorta stale taste. Maybe it's because they are based in Brooklyn that it's so fresh? They make a few different flavors but original sweet and salty is my personal fave. It's not too sweet not too salty, it's light and well it's just perfection! I like that there are a few ingredients. If ever you see this at the store (and I am seeing it all over the place lately) buy some and give it a try.
Most people think that kettlecorn means that the popcorn will be that sweet and salt flavor. In the case of Ike & Sam kettlecorn actually refers to how they cook the popcorn, similar to kettle potato chips. Each bag of Ike and Sam's says kettlecorn followed by the specific flavor.
To my knowledge they have only four flavors.
Light and fluffy = naked popcorn with a touch of salt
Sweet and salty = "kettle corn"
Crunchy caramel = exactly what it sounds like, yum
Kickin' cayenne = I haven't tried it yet, if anyone has please let me know your thoughts

A case of the Monday's

I am going to put this out there with the hopes that having done so will give me even more reason to stay on track. As of Monday I am making a greater effort to cut out the crap. I have to be honest, I have been on a bit of bender since around thanksgiving. Don't worry I am not going full fledged macrobiotic or anything. I will still be eating poultry, eggs, yogurt, goats cheese and the occasional steak along with the obvious staples; grains, beans, fruits and vegetables. I am doing this not only for myself but also hopefully with my boyfriend. I am figuring that if I make more effort to cook and eat this way on a regular basis maybe he will too? He knows it would be a good idea since fried and fatty foods aren't exactly playing nice with his gallbladder these days. Either way, I have had my fill and am I ready to get off the sugar train, with or without him. Wish me luck and of course I will be posting any tasty new recipes I come across. All of that said.... I am very much looking forward to lunch at Blue Hill tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited that it's not Monday yet!

Current favorite sandwich in NYC

Alidoro
105 Sullivan St.
Monday-Saturday
11:30am-5:30pm (though by that time of day they usually don't have any bread left)

Home of Italian specialty sandwiches. Don't bother to ask for anything else, anything extra or any modifications. What you see is what you get and boy is it good! They are usually swamped during lunch hours so I suggest getting there around 3pm-ish. All the ingredients are really fresh and while your sandwich might be a little bit more expensive they are quite large and can easily be for two people.

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NOT Just Veggies

Do you ever find that a whole day goes by and not a single fruit or vegetable has passed your lips? And when you were a kid didn't you always want to be an astronaut?
Just Tomatoes, Etc.! solves the first question and temporarily satiates the second. This company dehydrates, packages and sells pretty much any fruit or vegetable you can think of . My favorite is HOT JUST VEGGIES, it's the same veggie mix as above but with jalapeno added. Keep a tub in your drawer at work and save your quarters for laundry, not for the vending machine.

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