(Green) Eating NYC: Top Veggie-Friendly Picks Around the City!

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With the weekend coming up, what better time for a post to help tourists, newcomers, and lifelong New Yorkers alike eat their (veggie-friendly) way around NYC? While I only moved back to the city at the end of this past spring, after a brief stint in Boston, I've cumulatively spent about three years living in New York.

To follow along on my adventures in real-time, follow me on Instagram @danaikadzere

In that time, I've had a lot of fun trying many different vegetarian, vegan, and veggie-friendly places in the city. Here's a list of my favorite standout places over the years - they're the ones I go back to and highly recommend!

Pure Ktchn

Location: 352 W 46th St
Price: $10-15 per meal
Great for: Quick healthy bite, vegans, a casual midtown dinner that won't weigh you down
My favorites: Their pure caesar salad!

Peacefood

Location: 460 Amsterdam Ave (uptown west) or 41 East 11th Ave (downtown)
Price: $15-20 per meal
Great for: Plantbased brunch, vegans, newbies to plantbased eating, and comfort food that's good for you!
My favorites: Raw sushi and the assorted veggies!

Hibino

Location: 10-70 Jackson Ave, Long Island City (there's another location in Brooklyn that's actually the original location, but I've never been)

Price: $15-20 per meal

Great for: Sushi, Fish, Pescatarians and omnivore/herbivore groups, a cute date night that won't break the bank

My favorites: Tsukemono, seaweed salad, and the salmon sushi!

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Ch-ch-ch-changes!

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I'm moving! Again.

...for those of you who haven't been following my (very back-and-forth) adventures on the blog and/or my Instagram (@danaikadzere) I started off at school in Boston, graduated and moved to NYC for two year, spent two of those summers subleasing in Boston, and then moved full-time back to Cambridge this August. This February, I headed back to NYC for two months (subleasing again). And now I'm moving back to NYC full-time!

Phew. In total, I only lived in my Cambridge apartment for about six months. I'm hoping (and expecting) to spend more time in my next apartment. For starters, staying in NYC instead of subleasing in Boston.

It will be a relief to have just one home for a while and to not have to pack up everything I own and unpack it all again every few months. Plus, moving is expensive!

              

I love both Boston and NYC, however, so I'm glad that work will keep me connected with Boston even when I'm not there every day.

For those of you who also have a move coming up, here are a few of my (hard-earned) moving tips!

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My Top 10 Favorite Places to Eat in NYC

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NYC has so much good food and that seems to count doubly for plantbased food. From acai bowls to raw vegan lasagna and sushi that's all vegan and fish-free (Beyond Sushi, you're on my to-eat list!), there's anything and everything you could possibly want to eat!

...and some that you'd rather not. When there's so much good food, it's a pity to waste up precious stomach space on mediocre meals. Especially if you're only in NYC briefly, you should just eat the good stuff.

So here's my list of my top ten vegetarian- and vegan-friendly food places in NYC! Some are totally plantbased and others offer options for omnivores, but also plenty of vegetarian options.

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Juice Press comes to Boston!

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It's a new month and a new year. Happy 2017!

A lot of us like to take advantage of the new year to make positive changes. For many, that means making changes to improve our health!

Health affects everything - productivity, mood, energy, etc. It's so, so, so important. I can't stress it enough!

Health also encompasses a lot - mental, physical, emotional, and financial health all matter. There are so many great resolutions that can improve your health and they're not all about hitting the gym more.

You can eat more fruits and vegetables. You can get more sleep. You can take up meditation. You can work towards a healthier work-life balance. You can pay attention to your relationships. You can save. You can indulge in bubble baths and quiet cups of tea. There are so may options!

For those of us who resolve to eat healthier, it can be tough to stick to it when the realities of life get in the way. We get busy with work, school, and socialization and buying, preparing, and cooking fresh ingredients on a regular basics can get tough. Or, for those who aren't used to cooking healthy food, it can be tough to come up with ideas of what to make. Sometimes it just feels like too many decisions and that's when the temptation to throw in the towel rears its head.

When eating healthy doesn't feel super fun or I'm super busy, falling back on healthy meal delivery services or healthy cafes is really helpful for me. When I lived in NYC, there were great health food cafes everywhere. Boston has its fair share, too, but many of my favorites were missing.

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I'm obsessed with Juice Press and, in particular, their Raw Falafel. After much waiting, Juice Press has finally come to Boston!

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My Favorite Things to do on a Cold Day!

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The polar vortex is returning!

I still remember the iconic day of polar vortex-dom for me last winter - we decided to go to brunch, completely failing to check the weather forecast and relying instead on the beautiful sun shining in on us from my window. We bundled up - it was winter in NYC, after all - and made ourselves on our way, only to be greeted by a blast of icy cold air the moment we stepped outside.

But this is brunch, guys, and we're not quitters.

Luckily, I lived really close to the subway station, so getting on the train wasn't a problem. On the other end, however, our brunch destination of choice - we had decided to try Siggy's Good Food at 292 Elizabeth Street in NoHo - was a bit of a walk from the subway. That, or I had terribly misdirected us, as would not be atypical of my navigation skills.

...I'm going to go with Siggy's just wasn't close to the subway.

It took us over thirty minutes to make it from the subway stop to Siggy's. We stopped in every third or fourth storefront to huddle for warmth, before sprinting a bit further down the sidewalk. Our longest stop was in a very heavily perfumed Hollister, where we tried to see if we could zip ourselves into one coat for more warmth. It turns out, two people trying to wear one coat do not have an easy time staying upright. That failed.

Anyway, finally we arrived at Siggy's, a hipsterish cafe well-suited to the neighborhood and run by alien-loving hippies, and had a delicious, and most importantly, warm, brunch. I drank so much tea.

Follow me on Instagram @danaikadzere for more photos of my eats and adventures! 

I chose the Splendid Raw Slaw Salad with Sesame Kale and Cabbage. I'm incredibly picky about dressings and if it isn't amazing, I don't want it. I really liked the dressing that came with this salad. Whoa!

I also quite enjoyed the alien smiling down on me from the wall and, most of all, thawing out near the roaring fireplace.

Still, going on a let's-find-the-new-brunch-spot adventure isn't what I'd recommend as a typical polar vortex day activity, especially when temperatures are so low that my roommate took a "cold day" (think: 'snow day') off from work last week, because he refused to leave the house. Here are some cozier alternatives!

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How to Survive a Cross-State Move Without Your Parents!

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The mark of adulthood is figuring out how to do more and more by yourself that you used to have your parents' help for. Most of us had parental help moving to college and many had help with their move from college to the city of their first job.

But as time passes after that first major move of complete adulthood, parental help with future moves becomes less and less likely. Your parents might leave the continent, like mine, or they might just decide that they're getting too old to play moving service for you and that you're getting old enough to learn how to do it on your own.

Moving is a useful skill to pick up, especially if you're someone who likes trying out new cities or doesn't get too attached to a specific place and prefers to follow opportunity. I'm moving back to Cambridge, MA from NYC for work and this is my first major move without any parental assistance and without the option of storing belongings at my parents' house (see above: they left the continent).

With the recurring millennial question of 'how can I do this grown up thing with minimal headache,' here are my tips for pulling off a snag-free major move by yourself!

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What to Consider For Your Apartment Search

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I feel like I am constantly moving or apartment hunting. Is it just me? I think it must be a millennial thing.

There are so many things to consider when choosing an apartment. Even if you enlist the help of a realtor, you have to make sure you're getting what you want and not what they're trying to get rid of.

As an all-too-well seasoned apartment hunter, read on for the top factors that I consider in my hunt!

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Style Post: Seeing Stars

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Do you remember that cute eShakti coat I posted about last year? eShakti doesn't just make custom fit and super chic outerwear. They also make really cute customized dresses!

I liked the original version of this dress when I saw it on their website, but it was still pretty chilly in NYC, so I swapped to long from short sleeves. 

I also swapped the scoop neck for a high neck, because I think they look so nice on mini dresses. 

I love that you can start with a design that you like and adjust it to get exactly the dress that you want!

The dresses can also be customized for skirt length, so you can go mini, midi, or maxi, depending on your preferences. 

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How To Find A Summer Sublease

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I cannot remember the last time that I have lived in the same city for a solid year. I live primarily in NYC these days, and have for almost two years now, but there's always a month here, two months there...

...you get the idea. As such, I now consider myself somewhat of an old hat at finding subleases, especially in busy cities like Boston and NYC.

The first time I looked for a sublease, no less in NYC, it felt like falling into an internet pit of inflated rents, stock photos, and poorly written descriptions.

Don't worry, it's not really so scary! I just found my summer sublease in Boston 1.5 weeks ago and I'll be moving back up for the season in just 2 weeks. Yay!

Read on for the best places to look for subleases, whether you're budget-minded or more concerned with amenities.

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How to Make the Most of A Long Weekend!

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It's MLK Day weekend and, while the holiday doesn't generate the same enthusiasm in most as the recent holiday season did, it's still a nice three day weekend and a great break after readjusting to the 5+ day work week that makes most of our lives. Getting back into the swing of things after a long vacation can be tough!

It's easy for a weekend (or even a long weekend) to fly by before we even really realized that it arrived. Here are some fun ways to make the most of this long weekend and really enjoy it!

Have at least one cozy evening in with a book and a movie.

This can be lovely with a loved one or a good friend, or all by yourself. We all need some tranquility and it's important not to skip unwinding over the weekend. That way, we're all rested for the new week!

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5 Fun Fall Dates in NYC

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Winter has always been a favorite season of mine, largely because I'm absolutely and completely obsessed with Christmas. Fall is a favorite of many, however, and it has grown on me as I've gotten older, too!

Have you heard of 'cuffing season'? It's a ridiculous term that I recently learned of to explain the spike in new relationships in the fall and winter seasons. Apparently, people avoid the higher electricity costs associated with cold weather and heating by finding significant others to...keep them warm.

That cat GIF may be slightly gratuitous, but when do we not love adorable animals being adorable? I always do.

Anyway, I think it's much more likely that any such 'cuffing season' seasonal correlation, if there is one, would be due more to people being more settled in the fall and winter (since many people travel in summer) and thus more willing to see where something new could go.

Whatever the reason, lots of people are looking for fun date ideas in the fall. And there are so many! Read on for five fun fall date ideas in NYC!

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goodness Guide to NYC and $100 giveaway!

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Are you visiting NYC soon? Or perhaps making a more permanent move to the Big City?

First of all, yay for you! I've been living here for over a year and I love it more and more every day. There's so much to do, so much to see, so much to taste, and so much to try! I love New York.

Here's my goodness guide to the best of NYC!

Place for Vegetarians and Meat-eaters to Dine Together: Dimes NYC

There are amazing salads, great vegetarian entrees, and incredible acai bowls (at brunch) for the vegetarians, but also a variety of great meat and fish options. I'm dating a meat eater, so it's the perfect Sunday brunch or Saturday lunch spot!

It's also a wonderful place to catch up with the girls over a chic and delicious meal.

Museum for Adults: Metropolitan Museum of Art

The art is amazing. But you already know that! There's something that's probably equally amazing at the Met that you might not know about! Read on to find out.

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Things to Do On NYC's UES

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NYC is an incredibly colorful, vibrant city and I've been lucky to call it home for going on a year and a half now! The city is split into a number of different neighborhoods and, while the city isn't particularly geographically large, it feels enormous because of how many different cultures and subcultures it houses within its different neighborhoods!

I live in lower Manhattan and there is a huge difference between lower Manhattan and upper Manhattan. For the first year+ that I've lived here, I've stuck mostly to lower Manhattan. My favorite bits of the city are Union Square and below (though the Upper West Side is quite nice), so it just made sense. I've recently decided to branch out a bit, however, and took the time to hop on the 4/5 train to the Upper East Side.

Upper East Side

Surprise! It wasn't the stiff and boring home of elderly WASPs that I thought it might be. The UES is as charming as any other bit of NYC! Read on for some of my favorite things to do on NYC's Upper East Side.

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Loving Lately: New Finds

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Can you believe it's already mid September? For those who are school-aged, or have a school-aged child, it's either back to school time or school is already in full swing! 2015 is flying!

I've been fortunate enough to be out of NYC for most of the summer, spending June in Boston and July in NYC, so I escaped the bulk of NYC's summer heat. I've definitely been feeling it this month though! Flying from Germany to NYC was an instant 20 degrees Celsius increase in temperature (that's over 60 degrees Fahrenheit) and the first few days were absolutely brutal!



I eventually adjusted a bit, but I never really fully adjust to heat. I'm definitely more of a cold weather girl, so I'm ready for late September to bring the much needed relief of a cooler fall.

Anyway, with the start of fall here and the new seasons meaning lots of big changes for a lot of us (myself included - I'm not going back to school, but I'm taking a new step in my writing career and starting a new job as a children's entertainment writer for an animated television series in just a week!).

Before all the next new things begin, here are some of the latest new things that I have been enjoying!

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Weeknight Convenience with Marley Spoon!

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Those of you who follow me on Instagram know that I love to bake and cook.

My Irresistible Irish Soda Bread

If you follow me, you also know that I recently left my flexible, but also all over the place, schedule as a freelance writer and print model behind to join the 9-5(ish) world as a children's entertainment writer. I love my job!

But that doesn't mean that adjusting to the new, structured schedule didn't require a little work. While I no longer have to be up at 5am on shoot or writing until 2am to meet a deadline, I also don't have time to pop out in the afternoon for a grocery run or precook part of an elaborate dinner when the mood strikes me.

But home cooked dinners are not only fun to make, they're also generally more nutritious than eating out and that's important to stay healthy and happy!

Luckily, there's a middle ground between the time-effective but less nutritious option of eating out and the healthy but time-consuming process of grocery shopping, recipe finding, prepping, and cooking your own dinner. It's called Marley Spoon!

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Summer Style: Manhattan Parks, Shades of Pink, and Lace

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Before we bid a final adieu to summer, let us enjoy the last beautiful days of summer. 

Even in NYC, a daytime getaway to a downtown Manhattan park can be a romantic daydream. Without more discussion, I hope you enjoy this final taste of summer style!

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The Farmer's Market, Delivered: Eating Local with Peapod

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I've long been a fan of Peapod for grocery delivery when life gets crazy. The service allows you to order all of your normal groceries at normal grocery store prices and have them delivered straight to your front door, so that a busy schedule doesn't mean you have to turn to fast food and eating out every night!

Peapod has recently debuted something incredible - the Peapod Local Farm Box! While Peapod brought the grocery store to you (and still does), the Peapod Local Farm Box brings the farmer's market home to you! 

The Peapod Local Farm Box is available in New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Midwest. It includes an assortment of local farm-fresh produce that changes weekly to feature whatever is seasonal and fresh! That means you get the freshest, most nutrient-rich produce delivered straight to you every week, and you have built-in variety of vegetables and nutrients.                                                                                                 

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Healthy Habits with Farmivore

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I love smoothies! They're delicious, packed with healthy fruits (and potentially veggies), convenient if you need a snack or light meal on the go, great at any time of the day, easy to digest, and a perfect way to cool off on a hot day or hydrate on a day where you've been less diligent with water consumption than ideal. 

I love adding spinach to a fruity, banana-based smoothie for a delicious, easy way to get in my daily greens!

Smoothies can also be a component of one of my favorite new 'trendy' foods:

Smoothie bowls! I love them, especially acai and pitaya bowls. I had my first bowl in Hawaii and while the ones I make at home (see above) are nowhere near as amazing as those were, they're still delicious! I'm working on it.

One of the biggest challenges I face in smoothie making is the same as I do in cooking and baking in general. As a single girl, it can be hard to buy produce in amounts that you'll use before they go off if you want a lot of variety. I don't like wasting food, so I'm more likely to sacrifice variety in order to buy just what I can use, than to buy a big range of fruits and veggies at once so that i can experiment with smoothie flavors. 

Fortunately, I don't have to decide anymore! I recently discovered Farmivore, a delivery service that provides you with fresh smoothie ingredients straight to your front door in portions that are practical!

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Recipe Roundup: My Summer Breakfast To-Try List

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Breakfast foods are my favorite kind of foods. Seriously, I eat breakfast foods for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. All day long.

But other people eat breakfast for breakfast! And, on the weekends at least, sometimes friends have the time to come join you for breakfast/brunch!

How getting to make breakfast for people makes me feel!

Here is a roundup of some recipes that I can't wait to test out on weekend breakfast/brunch guests.

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NYC Summer Giveaway - $100 Gift Card to Peapod.com for Grocery Delivery!

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Who's ready for summer?

I am! And that bird.

With the beautiful weather we've been having a lately, it's already prime picnic and rooftop party time in NYC. To celebrate that, and (more to the point) the recent expansion of Peapod's delivery area to include grocery delivery to all five boroughs of NYC, we're giving away a $100 gift card to Peapod.com!

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