It's a Challenge

This past Saturday I took a detox workshop with Jessica Micheletti at Zuda Roseville. She kicked my ass. Not just physically, but mentally as well. I found myself getting incredibly irritated, frustrated, and outright angry...with myself, with the woman in the class that wouldn't shut the fuck up (because obviously this whole workshop was all about me), frustrated with how difficult it was for me. I had moments of seeing myself as weak, but also moments of seeing my true strength and ability to stay, to feel, and to be.

Later that afternoon I was trying to suppress on Pinterest and saw an enticing picture about a food challenge. As a yogi, I am no stranger to the juice cleanses (that I have never done), or a fruit and veggie cleanse (which I have done...for the most part). But because of the antibiotics I'm on for my PLEVA skin condition, I've been weary of a cleanse.

This Buzzfeed challenge is all about whole foods-nothing processed, no gluten, no coffee (EEK), no alcohol. One day down. Thirteen to go.



Here's what I've learned so far:
1. I do not like fennel
2. Not all green smoothies are shit (see day 1 smoothie recipe)
3. Although it's far more time consuming than stopping by Whole Foods or my mother's for a meal, I felt a great sense of gratitude for the food that I had prepared

xxo

I'll Be Back

Today is this beautiful woman's birthday. I love you so much, mom. What an awesome adventure to go on with you, and to watch you fall in love with a city that I love. Happy Birthday!!


We started today on the High Line in Chelsea






Drink Up!





Then headed over towards Washington Square Park


















One last red door
Until next time, New York...

xxo

Bright Lights in the Big City



Incredible dinner at Vezzo Thin Crust Pizza.




Day Three: Coffe and breakfast at Irving Farm, dropped off mom at The Met, then had an AMAZING spa experience at The Carlyle Sense Spa (with Natalia. Highly recommend her), Macarons & other goodies from Laduree,  & a hearty lunch from Dean & Deluca.














In love with the red doors I'm seeing around the city












Tonight we're going to see a Broadway show, Matilda, then a late night dinner at Nizza (which is the first restaurant I ate at here in New York on my very first trip).

xxo





New York: A Love Letter

This is my fourth time in NYC within the last two years. My best friend moved out here two years ago, and three of those four trips were to visit her and explore her new home. This time, I took my mama.

First thing after we dropped off our bags at our Airbnb apartment was a restaurant up the street called Bareibo Enoteca


Full disclosure, this picture is from my second visit on the same night...


AND THEN I SAW SARA BAREILLES LIVE. If you know one thing about me, it should be that Sara is one of my favorite human beings of all time. (You might still be able to watch the previously live streamed show here)


Literally grinned ear-to-ear the WHOLE show

Day two started with waiting in line to get standby tickets for Jimmy Fallon. Unfortunately, we didn't make the final cut later in the afternoon. We found a Blue Bottle Coffee, one of my favorites coast to coast. Much to my mother's (and my) surprise and enjoyment, they were playing Jack's Mannequin while we were waiting in line. 







Went back to the apartment for a nap and refresher. Then it was off to Brooklyn to visit Cat Bird, and an amazing lunch from Pates & Traditions. 
















I've found lots of these stencil pieces around New York


Now off to dinner (pizza, obviously, with a nice glass of red). Three more days in this beautiful city...

xxo