"this is your life"...

     It's been a few days (or couple weeks to be precise) since my last post because... drum roll please... Tribeca Film Festival is underway!!!  My days have been long and eventful, and did I mention,... FUN?!  We are halfway through, and I am having the time of my life.  I'm planning to share more about my days with the festival when it wraps up, and once I have time to collect my thoughts and put into words how amazing this experience has been.  But for today, I'd just like to share with you this fun song that has been in my head all day.  It's sure to put an extra pep in your step!  

"Called Out in the Dark" ~ Snow Patrol

     "This is your life, this is your time"!  So go, and make the most of it! 

"Something (or in my case, a few things) Borrowed"

     Since I was up writing so late last night, I made the not-so-tough decision to sleep in this Saturday morning.  But determined not to waste my entire day off, I set my clock for 9:00am, and as my alarm sounded, my sleepy eyes were welcomed by the brightest of sunlight streaming in my window.  My feet hit the floor, and I was off!  Down the stairs I went, straight to the kitchen for my morning ritual of oatmeal and yogurt.  I plopped down on the sofa and flipped on the TV, and 'what to my wandering eyes did appear', a favorite movie of mine happened to be there (on the TV)! 
      I first saw "Something Borrowed" at the movies with my mom on one of our girl's day outs.  After seeing it, I couldn't get to the bookstore quick enough to get my hands on the book!  And once I did, I zipped through the pages as if I were reading the finale of  "Harry Potter".  As guilty as I felt rooting for the character, Rachel, I couldn't help but fall in love with author Emily Giffin's, fictional love story.  (And just a side note, "Something Blue" is equally as wonderful, in case you haven't read it!)

      So back to this morning:  I watched the movie while eating my "hearty breakfast", and since it's filmed in New York City, the decision was made as to where I would head off to spend the rest of my day.  A few of the film's hot-spots include the popular "Shake Shack" at Madison Square Park, as well as vegan ice cream store, "Stogo", on 2nd Avenue. (which I might add, happened to be the perfect dessert spot for my new healthy eating method; see yesterday's post)  And since I had really been wanting to do some browsing at book-lover's paradise, "the Strand", I was up and ready and out the door in a jiffy!
      Now, I'd like to establish that I had not just recently eaten; I had my breakfast while watching the movie, then had to clean up and get ready, as well as walk a few blocks, and stand in line (which I'll get to in a second), so there had been several hours in between my two meals.  So since it was already nearing 1:00pm, I decided to have my lunch first.  I really could not have picked a more perfect day to have lunch in the park.  Although it was a cool 60 degrees out, the sun was shining bright and it was an incredibly beautiful day.

     Now to the line I mentioned...  If you've ever been to the Shake Shack on a weekend, you know that not only is it a local favorite, but it's a tourist hot-spot, too!  Which means => there's a lot of people.  So for those of you who have not been, I strongly encourage you to (a) have lunch here!, and (b) be patient, and don't come if you're pressed for time since you'll probably be here for a while (at least on the weekend).  As soon as I walked into the park, I made my way to the back of the "queue" which had around 50 or so people ahead of me. 

      The time really did pass by fast, and before I knew it I was placing my order for the vegetarian "Shroom Burger" which subs a large portabella mushroom in place of a beef patty! And man oh man, did I thoroughly enjoy every bite!  And OK, I admit-- the nerd in me couldn't help but search for the perfect seat that resembled the area of the park where Rachel and Ethan sit to enjoy their lunch in the movie!

        After my delicious little feast, I set out to walk off some of those calories and make my way down to the Strand bookstore at 12th and Broadway.  Although this awesome place is not in the movie, I decided to feed my obsession with new & used bookstores and check it out. 

      The Strand boasts that it houses 18 miles worth of books inside, and I believe that's 100% accurate!  Floor on top of floor, rows and rows of books of every genre fill this magnificent bookstore.  If you're a book-lover and visiting NYC, the Strand is a must!

       After a couple hours browsing and finding some really great reads, I set off once again, this time to do some shopping around Greenwich Village.  The last stop of my day was for dessert at Dex and Darcy's choice, Stogo. 

     As I mentioned before, this place serves all vegan scoops of sorbet, coconut or soy-based ice creams.  There was a variety of flavors, and I tried a few... and just so you know, the girls who work there are happy to let you try them all if you wish to! :)  I opted for coffee and chocolate sorbet, and let me tell you, I'll definitely be going back!  The stuff is so delicious, you don't even realize you're not eating "real" ice cream.

      Today was definitely one of my favorite days since I've been in the big City.  As I settled in to write this post, I turned on the TV to have something playing in the background, and guess what?!? "Something Borrowed" was just starting yet again!  It was the perfect background sound for my writing, which paired nicely with my perfect day.

(Click here to see other "Something Borrowed" hotspots for when you visit NYC!)

"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! 

"Living in a Fantasy World"

     I've always been, I guess what you'd call, a "big dreamer".  From the time I was old enough to realize there were magical places to visit (London, England), majestic things to see (the Grand Canyon), and heartfelt acts of love to share (mission trip to "World Changers" in Alabama), I have been dreaming big, setting goals and making lists. From grammar school to high school and throughout college, living and working in New York City has been my heart's desire.  Then there are my other life dreams, such as those on my "leap list":  to travel cross-country and see the Grand Canyon, as well as those on my "bucket list":  to hike the Grand Canyon.  So as you can pretty well tell, (and for those of you that know me, you already know) I am a BIG dreamer.  
     On this journey called life, I am learning that things may not always go the way we plan them to.  We run into set-backs and hit a few potholes along the way to our goals (which is why we have a great BIG God to catch us when we fall), but that doesn't mean we should give up on our dreams!

     A friend of mine, and follower of my blog, sent me an email this past week with this quote.  It's from C.S. Lewis' "The Weight of Glory", and it inspired me greatly as it did my friend.  I am so thankful he shared it with me (thank you, Matt).                     

      

     "If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and to earnestly hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I suggest that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

     

     I couldn't help but smile after reading this quote.  At once, it brought back a memory that had (for a very short time) stuck to me like glue.  I had someone say to me not so long ago, "Casey, you try to live in a fantasy world."  Now, I'm not sure what they meant by that exactly; maybe that I need a reality check? :) But as I write this, I can't help but laugh... because this person was so right-- I do live in a fantasy world... my fantasy!  My dreams, my goals, my desires-- this is my reality!  

     I thought it was so fitting that the sermon today at Hillsong NYC touched on this topic.  God works in amazing ways!  Brother John Gray from Dallas, Texas shared a wonderful message, from which I took away this special point:  "those crazy, out-there dreams you have inside your head were put there by the God of wonders!  No dream is too big for Him.  He is omnipotent!"  Amen for that, Amen. 

    So friends, don't give up on your dreams, whatever they may be. Take them to the Lord, and pray.  Seek Him, and He will give you the desires of your heart.  For we know, "as it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him." (I Corinthians 2:9)  

    Hallelujah! I hope this inspires you also. 

My NYC view, tonight.

    

..."eat your veggies!"

     Six years:  that's how long it's been since I've had a hamburger, or hotdog, or steak, or any other red-meat food.  I decided to give up the "red stuff" after reading an article my cousin, Renee, posted online about how eating too much of the stuff may not be the best for your health.  Now I know what many of you are thinking... "too much of anything is bad for you, Casey," and I'm sure you're right.  But for me, I decided it was something I could live without.

 My Quick-n-Easy Vegetarian Taco Soup (tomatoes, corn, kidney beans, taco seasoning)

      Now before I get to harping too much here, let me just say that I'm not one of these people who looks at it as a moral issue.  My young-adult pastor and mentor, Tony, would tell me "that the Lord made every animal clean and put them here for man to eat."  (By the way, I love you very much Pappy Tony) And I would have to agree with him. But I do think we, as a society, have in some instances gone too far.  As a lover of animals, the horrible treatment some of them face is heart-breaking.  I remember seeing a story on the news one night, about the horrific treatment of cows at one slaughter house.  It truly broke my heart.  Some argue that these animals do not have souls, but friends, they hurt just as we hurt.  Many of you have pets, and I know you can't deny that they know everything about you.  My little dog, Tucker, sure knows everything about me.  When I cry, he knows I'm hurting and is there to lick the tears away.  And when I'm excited, he runs frantically like a chicken with its' head cut off (...bad analogy there...) and gets excited, too.  So yeah, for me, it did become something with a little more meaning. But ANYWAYS, enough of that.........>>>>>
      You're probably wondering where on earth this is going, so I will tell you.  I was talking with my friend and co-worker, Carrie, about my determination to eat healthier and make smarter decisions.  I mentioned that I didn't eat red-meat, but on occasion would opt for grilled chicken and seafood for protein sake.  Carrie shared with me that she had recently watched an interesting movie called "Forks Over Knives" (click to go to the movie's website) that examines the health benefits of not eating animal-based and processed foods. I've yet to see the movie, but definitely plan to watch it soon.  But it was our little conversation that put me to thinking, and more importantly, established this will within me to strive to make healthier food choices.
      What's great, is there's so many wonderful recipes out there that are good for you!  Veggie-based "pastas" and sweet potato "burgers"... recipes for which I've found a la' Pinterest! (click on link under the picture to see recipes for each)

Zucchini Pasta 

 Sweet Potato Burgers with Avacado 

    

     Lastly, I'd like to add that I'm not saying everyone should give up "real-deal" hamburgers or pork loin or good ole' fashion fried chicken, but I would like to encourage you to make overall healthier decisions, too!  Like reaching for fresh veggies and fruits (it's the perfect time since the gardens will soon be plentiful) instead of a potato chip bag, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or playing outside with your kids instead of falling down in front of the computer screen as soon as you walk in the door.  Because every little bit counts!
      As for me, I've picked one day of the week (Saturday) to indulge and enjoy an occasional cupcake or croissant.  Because really now, what's life without a little indulging, right?!        

"Nolita Fairytale"

     This past weekend, I spent my time wandering the fascinating neighborhoods of SoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown and... Nolita!  I had been talking with some of the girls at Tribeca about doing some browsing and they were adamant about me visiting this section of Manhattan. 

     Of course, I was super-excited to embark on my little journey (especially since there was shopping to be done), so I got up early and headed out the door first thing Saturday morning. I was bound and determined to find the perfect little coffee shop (not a Starbucks or other everyday coffee chain), a unique little place with a certain quaintness to it. After taking the subway to Spring Street, I'm happy to say, I didn't have far to go before I found the perfect place! The scent of espresso drifted out onto the NoHo sidewalk, and one wiff and I practically ran inside.  It was the cutest little coffee shop; magazines and newspapers strewn across the bar, fresh-baked muffins and croissants staring up at me from glass containers, and one mean-looking espresso machine working overtime behind the barista.  I had already made the decision to indulge this day, so I happily ordered a beautiful brown croissant and warm mocha latte.  And let me tell you, it was absolutely delicious!     

     After catching up on all the latest happenings in the New York Times, I stashed my newspaper and hit the streets again, this time on a mission to find the best boutiques and vintage shops in all of SoHo.  If you know anything about SoHo, you know the area is known for its shops and street vendors-- and for good reason!  Every street corner I turned, I found beautiful handmade jewelry and boutiques out the wahzoo!  It was my own little paradise. I journeyed in to many of the stores, only to browse and gawk over the most intricate (and yes, expensive) blouses, dresses and coats.  There were, every now and then, pieces that were somewhat more in my price-range, but even still, I denied myself the pleasure in fear there may have to be some repenting done if I gave in.
      Instead, I opted for an awesome little arts and crafts market I found while wondering the cobble-stoned streets of SoHo.  And that's where I found this little beauty....

 ..............................a handmade, vintage-glass ring with the Eiffel Tower in the background.  And as you can imagine, I was pretty happy with my purchase!
     Lastly, I decided to head to Nolita for a visit to a "sweet" little local hot-spot.  Sex and the City may have made the "Magnolia Bakery" famous, but let me tell you, the "Little Cupcake Bakeshop" shouldn't be forgotten!  Upon walking in the place, I felt like a kid in a candy store, hardly able to contain myself for excitement.  There were all sorts of desserts, specifically cupcakes of all flavors and every shade of color.  Red Velvet, Blue Velvet, Peanut Butter and Jelly (yeah buddy!), and my personal favorite:  "Mott's Street", a.k.a. Tiramisu, complete with marscapone cheese frosting, an espresso-infused cake center and cocoa dust. This little cupcake seriously changed my life.  I didn't know cupcakes could taste that scrumptious!

      Finally I, of course, posted pictures of my weekend outing on Facebook, and a sweet friend (hi Amy!) commented that my cupcake extravaganza reminded her of Vanessa Carlton's song, "Nolita Fairytale".  So I thought, what a perfect title for this post of mine... because this day was definitely a fairytale in my book!

Cornerstone.

     Out of all the fancy words that could be used to describe our Savior, I love how the Bible chooses to use something as simple, yet solid, as a rock.  "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." (Eph. 2:19-20)   

     Today I went to my second worship service at Hillsong NYC.  We sang a song that moved my heart so, I'm pretty sure the ground may have even moved under my feet.  The lyrics went like this: 

"Christ alone, Cornerstone

the weak made strong, in the Savior's love

through the storm, He is Lord

Lord of all."

     Isn't it beautiful (and so refreshing), the realization that even through the stormy times in our lives, if we trust and lean on Him, we cannot fail.  He is our Cornerstone; the rock that holds us together. 

    Now in this life, we will face sorrows and hardships.  And there will be times during our journey that we ask "why", and may not understand what purpose a certain negative event may have in our life. But I promise-- more importantly HE promises, when we build our life on Jesus, we cannot be moved... because He is immoveable!  

    Praise Jesus!  For there is no other like Him.  He is our Cornerstone.