healthy

Hu Kitchen Granola

Josie Girl 3 Comments

Recently, the Upper East Side has become more hip with good restaurants and stores (not that it makes the UES hip or cool… but it’s moving in the right direction….). My favorite addition is Hu Kitchen. Back in the day, I would take the subway downtown to Union Square, just to go to Hu Kitchen and get my hands on some cashew cream mash (think frozen yogurt, but not).  Now that there is a location close-by, I go there weekly to get my fix of granola, crack bars, raw brownies, and drinks. As a granola snob, I can safely attest that their granola is TO DIE FOR.  INCREDIBLE. And made with healthy, pure and raw ingredients!

 

Paleo Granola!

Paleo Granola! Say what??? SOLD SOLD SOLD.

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Sweet Potato Pudding

Josie Girl 5 Comments

Ever since January 6th, I have been trying to decrease my sugar intake. I must admit (pat on my back) that I have done a very good job for the most part, with only some small slips here and there. Recently, I developed a recipe for sweet potato pudding that I can’t stop making and eating. Warning: there is some maple syrup in it — so while  sugar-cane free, there is still some (a very small amount) of sugar.

 

Yam / sweet potato. (Tomato / Tomat-oh)

Yam / sweet potato. (Tomato / Tomat-oh)

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Raw Brownies

Josie Girl 3 Comments

Four years ago, I posted (yep, been writing this blog for over 4 years …. no major breakout new blogger award, but happy to still be posting, promoting Natori, and contributing to the world wide web) the recipe for Raw Brownies. Since many of you readers have not been reading since Day 1 (thank you to my parents and college girlfriends), I decided it was time to share this wonder of a recipe again! 4 ingredients, no refined sugar, super delicious, easy to make, no baking, holy ka-bomb done done done.

 

Rich, delicious, decadent and NO guilt!

Rich, delicious, decadent and NO guilt!

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Savory Zucchini Pancakes

Josie Girl 5 Comments

Happy New Years! Happy 2016! I am currently in the process of coming up with my New Year’s Resolutions, and will post those on Monday.  In between my deep thoughts; mad rush packing up west coast for east coast (sob!); savoring the last minutes, hugs, and kisses with my brother, his family, and my parents; and waking up at 3 am to catch a 5:15 am cross country flight (no joke), I have had little time to thoughtfully compose the resolutions. So stay tuned! Until then, here is a recipe for some zucchini savory pancakes — nutritious and delicious.

 

Ingredients:

 

Ingredients

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Dimes Restaurant

Josie Girl 4 Comments

Dimes has been on my list of places to eat for quite some time, not just because of its cool and hipster vibe, but also for its healthy (and colorful) menu. We recently ventured downtown (49 Canal Street) to this eclectic, health-concsious hippie dippy, hipster minimalist, holy cow delicious restaurant. I was in pig heaven  — so many healthy choices to choose from!

 

Dimes.

Dimes.

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Switchel – The New Hipster Drink

Josie Girl 2 Comments

In my search for the best New York Kombucha (because I miss every day, my Humm Kombucha from Oregon), I came across “Switchel.” Switchel, originated in the Caribbean and popular in America in the 17th century, is the new ‘wellness’ drink on the east coast.  I bought a case (very hopeful that it would work out).  Love.

 

Up Mountain Switchel

Up Mountain Switchel

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Gwyneth Paltrow Candy Bars

Josie Girl 2 Comments
Readers know that I love Gwyneth Paltrow as much as I love my kids (#joking #notjoking). So here is yet another recipe from her cookbook, “It’s All Good.”  Candy Bars! Hellooooooo healthy-ish Halloween treats! (way better than M&Ms). They are gluten-free and refined-sugar-free…  but heavy duty sweet.   But still healthier than a typical candy bar…..so go for it!
THICK GOOEY AWESOME

THICK GOOEY AWESOME

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Flap Jacked Muffins

Josie Girl 2 Comments

For someone who likes to push myself physically, I often get lazy with cooking breakfast. I have normal routines of smoothies, yogurt and granola, but I always crave more protein and less carbs. So, when I found the perfect protein packed muffin, I was instantly sold. Tastes like pure carbs (my favorite), but packed with protein (it makes you JACKED — get the name) and probiotics. CHA-CHING.

 

Mighty muffins!

Mighty muffins by Flap Jacked.

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Seaweed Sesame Seed Seasoning

Josie Girl 3 Comments

Seaweed Sesame Seed Seasoning (Sally sold seashells at the seashore?) is my favorite touch to any dish. My freshman year in college, I was randomly placed in an all Asian hall (maybe the reason I ended up marrying Ken?) and therefore quickly learned many Asian customs and preferences (rice cookers, chopsticks, bowls for food, etc…). One of the best take-aways from that experience (definitely not my crazy roommate) was a Seaweed topping for rice. It simply is a small canister with seaweed and spices. Currently, my favorite variety of this seasoning is Seaweed Gomasio. And man oh man, is it good!

 

All of Eden Organic products are healthy, original, and delicious. ESPECIALLY, this seasoning!

All of Eden Organic products are healthy, original, and delicious. ESPECIALLY, this seasoning!

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Urban Remedy

Josie Girl 4 Comments

A couple of weeks ago when we got back to NYC after our summer out west, I knew that my schedule was going to be demanding and all-over-the-place (what’s new?). I knew that I didn’t want to eat cereal / protein bars / kids leftovers for my quick lunches, so as a solution, I ordered a kit from Urban Remedy, a new line of raw, ready-to-eat snacks, meals, cold-pressed juices and energy boosting tinctures. Not only were the meals fresh and healthy, but they were unbelievably tasty.  I’m ready to place my next order!

 

US open

Yes, part of my “crazy busy schedule” was me watching tennis with my father. But it is family bonding time, right? Urban Remedy turned out to be the perfect travel meals/snacks.

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Jar Bar NYC

Josie Girl 3 Comments

As someone who loves almond milk, berries, nut butters, and oatmeal, I am officially hooked on Jar Bar NYC. What is it? It’s a jar of a healthy parfait / overnight oats and chia seeds made with healthy ingredients (read: no dairy) — the perfect breakfast, snack, or dessert. This mom-and-pop-shop makes the goods at home and delivers them throughout NYC.

 

Box of goodies

Box of goodies — ordered a pack of 5, and within five days, they were gone. Every last stinking spoonful of heaven.

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Gazpacho

Josie Girl 4 Comments

In July this summer (tear as summer is officially over. SOB!), my mom and I both tore out this recipe for gazpacho from the NYTimes. It looked simple yet delicious. It wasn’t until we recently had an abundance of tomatoes from the CSA that we decided to make it. And not to #humblebrag but HOLY CRAP THIS IS AMAZING AND I AM A STAR CHEF. This would win every and any food competition ever. I am now a phenomenal chef — this rocked my socks off. (I actually know it’s all about the recipe and the fresh CSA vegetables… but I can dream I’m a great cook, can’t I?)

 

July 2015 New York Times.

A July New York Times.

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Healthy Carrot Pineapple Muffins

Josie Girl 2 Comments

Morning! Last night, my hubba hubba husband was on HSN (Home Shopping Network) again representing Natori and selling perfume. Check it out here. Bravo!!!! And now, to the post…..Gwyneth Paltrow wins again! Her recipe for carrot pineapple cake (or muffins) is a champion winner. Hot dog, she sure knows what she is doing. These refined sugar-free and gluten-free carrot pineapple muffins are incredible — perhaps my favorite dessert recipe to date! Do me a favor and make these tasty desserts (or breakfast) today!

 

Final product.

Final product.

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Typical Summer Meal

Josie Girl 5 Comments

Here is a sample meal from my mother. And yes, she is a creative genius in the kitchen — she rarely looks at recipes and constantly uses her imagination to combine the freshest ingredients she finds. The key is organic and fresh veggies!

 

Tomato, Cucumber, Parsley, Anchovy salad. Fresh veggies from the CSA. True perfection.

Tomato, Cucumber, Parsley, Anchovy salad. Fresh veggies from the CSA. True perfection.

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Humm Kombucha

Josie Girl 5 Comments

Now that I am back on my Kombucha addiction, I have discovered the best of the best. Humm Kombucha. This beverage is ridiculously tasty and refreshing. Plus, it tastes so good, that it doesn’t even really taste like kombucha (oxymoron — drink kombucha that doesn’t taste like kombucha?). Every flavor is delicious and it is hard to pick my favorite — they are all so good.

 

humm humm humm humm

humm humm humm humm

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5 Things That Should Be In Your Fridge

Josie Girl 6 Comments

READERS!  Sorry about the lack of post yesterday but I am having still unresolved major computer issues.  Lame.  Really lame. Hopefully everything will be back to normal next week! On to today’s post…

 

My mother, the master chef and creative cook, has a kitchen full of unique ingredients and products. Here are five items in my parents’ fridge that are most likely not in YOUR fridge, but SHOULD BE!!!!

 

Five obscure-but-must-have-items!

Five obscure-but-must-have-items!

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Healthy Banana Muffins

Josie Girl 6 Comments

A GP lover, I was on a mission to make the Jumbo Banana Muffins from Goop over the weekend, and boy, did they turn out amazing. GP knows what she is doing (or her staff does). Healthy — refined sugar free and gluten free — these muffins will be a huge hit in your office / home / belly. These moist, gooey muffins have an almond butter filling — an extra special yummy surprise in the middle.

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The Forest Feast Peanut Butter Coconut Balls

Josie Girl 6 Comments

yum

 

One of the things I love most about spending my summers in Oregon with my parents is my mother’s cooking *AND* her collection of cookbooks. She literally could open up a cookbook library.  This past week, I came across a cookbook, The Forest Feast, given last year to my mother by my bestie. This cookbook is not only beautiful, but the vegetarian recipes are healthy, easy, and simple.   Here is my first find: peanut butter – coconut – no bake balls!  SO DELICIOUS!

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Kelp Salad

Josie Girl 3 Comments

Recently, I have heard so many good things about kelp and its nutritional benefits. First and foremost, is kelp a noddle or a plant or a string? What is kelp??? Kelp noodles are a sea vegetable in the form of an easy to eat raw noodle. Made of only kelp (a sea vegetable), sodium alginate (sodium salt extracted from a brown seaweed), and water, Kelp Noodles are fat-free, gluten-free, and very low in carbohydrates and calories.

 

Kelp!

Kelp! (rhymes with help)

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