It probably seems weird that I’d want to write more posts while I’m on vacation. But actually, this is easier! These recap posts come together much quicker than my recipe posts, because I’m not doing photoshoots or trying to think up a story to go with the posts; I’m just recapping what happened in my day.
Fast as a Rabbit
Today’s game of Pass or be Passed proved more challenging than yesterday’s. I wanted to keep my unbeaten record but met another runner who was playing the same game. I spent about 5 minutes getting up the speed to pass him… and then another 20 or so trying to make sure he didn’t re-pass me. (I’m a really competitive runner and hate being passed.)
At one point, after he got close and then I sped away, he yelled out “D*mn it!” That’s when I knew I was in trouble because he was racing me. But in the end, we became friends. He thanked me for pushing his pace and told me I have a really good stride. It made my day!
For breakfast, I made Jess and myself Banana Bread in a Bowl.
(Yes, I am the crazy girl who brings her Magic Bullet on vacation. I had room in my suitcase, so I figured, “Why not?”) We quickly dressed and caught the subway to Greenwich Village, first stopping at Washington Square Park and the dog park, with its cute cute doggies! We also checked out the chess shops. (Did you know they make a fruit-and-vegetable chess set?!) Soon enough, it was time for lunch.
We walked over to Lifethyme Cafe for Pumpkin Lasagna.
Or, rather, I got pumpkin lasagna. Jessica bought the eggplant parmesan, which doesn’t really have any kind of cheese—dairy or vegan. It’s just eggplant, carrots, zucchini, tomato sauce, and other such veggies and spices layered in a lasagna:
With lunch done, we headed to 30th street and found The High Line, a public park built on an elevated rail structure that goes over NYC.
Isn’t it gorgeous?? Admiring the beauty made me hungry. And this peaceful retreat was the perfect spot for a snack. Luckily, I’d picked up a little something before we left Lifethyme:
A cookie the size of my head!
Over the years, I’ve not been too impressed with the taste of Lifethyme’s beautiful-looking desserts. However, there were free samples of the Chocolate-Raspberry Tollbooth Cookies sitting on the counter, and as soon as I heard “chocolate raspberry” my greedy hands reached for a taste. (Oh, let’s be serious: as soon as I heard the word “chocolate” I wanted a taste!)
The point-and-shoot photo doesn’t do these cookies justice at all. They were delicious! I was very stingy and didn’t offer Jessica a single crumb of my giant cookie. (It’s okay, though. She’d picked up a Crumbs Bake Shop cupcake on our walk.)
This reminded me of my Healthy Chocolate-Chip Cookies.
If you’ve tried that recipe of mine, you know I appreciate a little baking-soda kick in my chocolate chip cookies. Lifethyme’s cookies have this kick as well. They also are 100% whole-grain and include walnuts and raspberries. I’m definitely adding raspberries to my cookies next time I make them!
That’s so cute that you found another runner essentially playing Pass or Be Passed! The lasagna looks phenomenal, I wish I had some to eat right now
I really want to try Lifethyme this weekend even though its supposed to be super hot! I wish I had room in my suitcase for my MB!
that eggplant and pumpkin might be good for me to try, considering i don’t really like most cheeses, especially sharp cheese. it’s too hot for me to run outside, even early, so i’m impressed too, and that’s kinda funny.
Wow Katie, looks like you’re having a blast! That cookie looks amazing… I love the Chocolate-Raspberry Combo.
That park is gorgeous!! I’ll have to go there next time! I’m so glad you’re having fun on your vacation 🙂
And I don’t think you’re crazy for bring the MB to NYC 😀
Sounds like so much fun! Haha I love that you played that game!
And pumpkin lasagna sounds amazing! Gotta try and get some of that! ASAP!
I’m glad you are having such a good time – and I love that the runner said thank you — I love when strangers are kind!
Competition makes exercising so much more fun! I love a challenge. I compete with myself most of the time. “Beat yesterday’s speed, Jen!” Haha! Glad you’re having fun and eating lots of scrumptious vegan food. By the way, I never knew the taste of baking soda could even be detected in a recipe. I always thought it was purely for texture and consistency purposes. Hmmm…
WOW!! All of your food in the city has been looking amazing!! You look like you are having so much fun! Next tiem eat another one of those cookies for me lol…yummy 🙂
Lunch looks delish!