"The grass is always greener"... when you choose to go "green".

      As you might guess from my title:  I'm hitting you with another of my "foody" posts!  Because I don't know about you, but the pleasures of eating delicious foods are part of what I believe, makes life so enjoyable!  Now for those of you who "eat to live", and don't find much pleasure in a delicious bruschetta topped with fresh tomato and basil, or in no way desires a scoop of creamy gelato after dinner, you probably won't appreciate what I have to say as much as those of us who thoroughly enjoy all sorts of foods the world has to offer.
      Here in New York City, there's no short supply of some of the world's most diverse eateries.  No matter what you're in the mood for, you don't have to travel to find it.  As for myself who normally opts for vegetarian dishes, this city has some of the best options to offer.  Fresh fruits and vegetables are sold on street corners in abundance, which is quite nice to be able to grab something on the go when walking to work in the mornings.
       Now I've always been one to try and live a healthy lifestyle: running and yoga, eating my fruits and veggies, whole grains and oats, yogurt and boiled eggs, black coffee and green tea, (with the occasional brownie or cookie from time to time).  I'm proud to say, it's been 6 years since my last soft drink and 5 years since my last hamburger (or other red meat food).  Now don't get me wrong; I am not perfect by any means. I like pizza, I love pasta, and the term "sweet tooth" is an understatement when it comes to myself, as I'm pretty sure I possess sweet teeth!  There are days when the only exercise I get is my walk to and from work, and picking up the phone is the extent of my heavy-lifting.  My body is far from perfect.  I do not, nor will never possess the famed "6-pack", my legs will never be like that of a chicken, and J-Lo got enough "back" for the both of us, which I've come to accept.  But, the one thing I do have is will-power, which is why I will never get lazy and to the point that I just don't care.  Because it's not only about what we look like-- it's about that one little word: health.  And that is something you can work on!
      I have to say, I really admire my roommate who is a dietary vegan.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with this way of eating, dietary vegans eat no animal products.  That means no milk, no cheese, no meat and no eggs.  They aim to eat as many natural or raw foods as possible, which relates somewhat to the movie my friend and co-worker, Carrie, told me about a couple weeks ago.  (see my post "Eat Your Veggies")  After watching this movie, Carrie decided to do some digging and in the process, she found a really great book she is now reading that focuses on healthy eating and living.  She told me about this book and brought it to work one day to see what I thought, and a few pages in, I was hooked!  What I love about Kathy Freston's book, "The Lean," is the simplicity of her advice.  "The Lean" is not a diet, but instead 30-days of healthful living tips.  Why things like, drinking eight, 8 ounce glasses of water a day and eating a hearty breakfast each morning are so crucial to living a healthy lifestyle.  Although I've only just started reading the book, I am already loving it!  I just feel like I'm doing something good for myself.

      (click to see where you can buy Kathy Freston's "The Lean")

      Although I haven't given up all my animal-product foods, (not so sure I can live without my Greek yogurt and feta cheese) I am proud to say I have drastically decreased the amount of animal-based items I use in my diet.  So far, I've swapped cow's milk for almond milk, am refraining from eating so many eggs (after nearly a year of eating an egg every morning-- yikes!) and have for the meantime said good-bye to the occasional grilled chicken breast.  Honestly, I believe it comes down to portion-control (doesn't it always), and I do plan to still enjoy grilled salmon on the occasional weekend dinner outing, as well as several scoops of my sister's delicious homemade ice cream this summer!  

      But just to show that if you decide to make a few swaps here and there, there are still so many wonderful recipes out there to enjoy!  For instance, take a look at these yummy ooey-gooey all-natural peanut butter cookies I made this evening.  

        I made these little beauties after reading what sounded like a delicious recipe from a blog I found on (where else) Pinterest!  Now I will say I tweaked the recipe a bit to make it work for me, so I'll write my own version below.  Keep in mind, these are more of an all-natural PB treat, so they are not your typical sweet PB cookie-- however, I found them deliciously yummy just the same.  And I hope you do too! 

All-Natural Peanut Butter Cookies

      2 cups wheat flour

       1 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp sea salt

    3/4 cup Agave amber syrup

1 cup creamy all-natural peanut butter (I love Smucker's Natural PB)

and in place of an egg: use 2 Tbsp corn starch mixed with 6 Tbsp water (or other egg substitute)

*mix dry ingredients

*add agave, then PB, then corn starch mixture

*roll into small balls and lay on cookie sheet

*mash slightly with a fork to give the signature PB cookie design on top

 *bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, and serve while warm

*and feel free to add a little so-called "cherry on top" to make one entirely your own!

     To end, I'd like to encourage each of you to keep striving to be the healthiest you yet!  You don't have to be in NYC to find amazing "green" food options.  As for myself, I can't wait to enjoy all the farmer's markets Tennessee will have to offer this summer!  No matter where you are, head for the fresh produce aisle of your nearest grocery store-- it's one easy step towards a healthier, happier you!