Healthy Thoughts...

You can't change those around you, however you can change yourself.  If your not happy or satisfied with relationships in your life, including family, friends and loved ones...consider the following:

-  Determine the terms of your relationships, are they meaningful and are they reciprocal


-  Express yourself clearly to avoid miscommunication or misunderstandings


-  Do Not have expectations of others

-  Do something because you want to do it, because you enjoy it or it brings you a sense of pleasure


-  Don't expect others to treat you with the same respect, sincerity and honesty


-  Avoid setting yourself up for disappointment


-  JUST BE YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF!  Those who are sincere and genuine will appreciate YOU...

NO DINNER PLANS? NO PROBLEM...YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE

Not sure what to make for dinner because you haven't gone to the market?  Who feels like going food shopping after a long day at work...No worries, if you can answer YES to at least 1 of the following items in your pantry, then I can assure you DINNER IS POSSIBLE:


- pasta    - beans    - bread    
- any veggie (fresh, canned or frozen)           
- canned tomato    - any kind of meat/fish/poultry   
 - rice    - tuna      - eggs    - a working stove    
- fruit    - potato    - onion    - garlic    
- wine  - stock (chix/beef or veggie)


YOU ONLY NEED ANY 1 INGREDIENT TO PREPARE A QUICK DINNER....If you would like suggestions on what to make with what you have in your pantry or fridge, send me a message and i'll be happy to assist  :)

Homemade Ravioli made the easy way...

     

Oscar Cafe in Soho...A Hidden Gem!

OSCAR CAFE

50 MacDougal St, New York 10012    Nearest Transit: Spring St (A, C, E) Houston St (1, 2)

It's 95 degrees in New York City and I decide to go shopping.  Not a smart idea in the oppressive heat!  Ahhhh...then relief came when John finished his session in Brooklyn earlier then expected, and was able to meet up for lunch before hopping on the train back to Providence.  We were starving, walked by several places that didn't really appeal to us.

Until we came across a charming bistro, away from the hot, assiduous streets.  We were not in the mood for anything too swanky, and this cafe fit the bill.  Just a few tables outside, substantial bar space for the casual eating and several dining tables...it had a great cozy vibe .  Although always a gamble trying a new spot, the smells ruminating from the small kitchen, which was visible from where we were sitting at the end of the bar, was right on!  As we were deciding what to eat, I couldn't help but notice that the server greeted patron's by name and they all seemed to know each other, which I consider to be a good sign of a local neighborhood hangout, where there must be great food!

O.k. ( sigh ), now I'm happy.  We start off with an ice cold Stella Artois on draft to cool off, and even the beer couldn't escape the heat, as droplets continuously poured from the chilled glass.  Solution, drink'em and drink'em fast .  The menu was small, simple and the prices are reasonable.  The ambiance was quaint Frenchy/Italo and the decor a rustic plaster finish on the walls covered with European chachkies... and the food... well, its just all around goodness!  We both decided to order the same thing, mainly because I'm not the sharing type when I'm starved, and I couldn't resist one of my favorites.  A panini with bresaola, goat cheese, arugula and truffle oil....I mean, do I need to say anything further?  NO...but I must

Firstly, the texture and taste of the panini crust was perfectly golden brown, and not too thick, with an airy yellowish middle, a sign of great bread.  Secondly, the bresaola which is a air-cured beef originally from the Valtellina, a valley in the Lombardy region of Italy, which has only recently been approved by the U.S. agriculture along with another one of my favorite's mortadella.  The bresaola was sliced paper thin, moist, lean and very flavorful, as it should be. Finally, a spread of soft goat cheese and mildly spicy arugula precisely stacked... proportionately perfect,  finished off with a drizzle of truffle oil...What a marriage of flavors!  The side salad must not go un-noticed, crispy mixed greens garnished with red sweet onion, sweet corn kernels and white beans in a tangy vinaigrette that was not overly dressed.  The portions of lunch and dessert were more then satisfying... a few Stella's later, and we're on to the final course!

The most appropriate way to end the day, banana & chocolate crepes and an espresso...both were very impressive.  The dessert plate was gently blanketed with two crepes that were delicate and light golden, served warm with a side of fresh cream.  What better way to compliment dessert...an espresso with a perfect thin layer of crema atop, just as you would expect from a good espresso!

As we were sadly finishing up and raving about the meal to our server, he suggested that we try their famed burgers, made with lamb...I was ready to do it all over again!

Until next time...

Panini with bresaola, goat cheese, arugula and truffle oil

GREEK FOOD IN ASTORIA...AMAZING!

Taverna Kyclades
33-07 Ditmars Boulevard, Astoria NY

       At last, my quest for discovering authentic Greek cuisine has finally come to an end...

Greek Salad

I have been searching for the perfect Greek restaurant for months, tried a few spots but no winners.  Who better to inquire about Greek food then a Greek himself, and with a last name like Nikolas, I knew that I couldn't go wrong.  So I decided to meet up with a good friend for our weekly "coffee talk" at a local cafe on the upper east side.  For months, he has been raving about this Greek restaurant in Astoria that he frequents,  often sharing his food experiences, as I'm left drooling...  Nickolas offers me to tag along on his weekly trips over to Astoria, where he was born and raised.  I leaped at the invitation...literally!  I couldn't help myself, an opportunity to enjoy an afternoon off the "beaten path" without subways and foot traffic... Not only did i get to experience amazing Greek food, I even got a tour of a great part of Queens, rich in culture with a real neighborhood feel.  
       Now back to the meal...The menu is written in Greek and English, offering a wide selection of dishes from land and sea at reasonable prices and sizable portions. The starter included a mini loaf of warm bread dredged in olive oil, oregano and sesame seeds and a Greek salad with a colossal piece of perfectly moist and firm feta cheese, which would have satisfied me.  Maybe not!  Then the feast began...it was my first time eating whiting, served whole and fried to perfection.  A white fish, savory and rich in flavor...loved it!  The fried calamari was tender and crispy served with a side of lemon,  grilled shrimp that were flawlessly prepared, in texture and flavor... I would venture to say that the shrimp were the best I have EVER eaten...The smell of fresh fare from the sea, simply seasoned yet tasted exquisite.  But wait, there's more... sides included roasted lemon potato's that were the beyond delicious, I had to refrain from devouring every plate that passed by me...upon sides, of Horta, a heaping plate of steamed dandelions and a generous plate of rice.

 Whiting

I regret that we didn't order the octopus because I witnessed the lanky pink charred legs leave the kitchen every 2 minutes and they looked amazing!  The entire meal was beyond exceptional and worth waiting for.  The service was great and the ambiance was comfy authentic Greek flare, with walls and tables decorated in breathtaking images of Greece.  
       Worth mentioning, if you plan on having lunch or dinner there, be sure to arrive early.  We arrived at 12:15 and were seated promptly, however, By the time we were finished with our meal, there was a line around the corner.
       We ended our food excursion at Artopolis, a local Greek bakery, offering an impressive variety of Baklava beautifully displayed on a "self-serve" counter... I was tempted to just leave with the entire tray,  among other delicious deserts.  We had a petite cup of Turkish coffee and the perfect sweet treat. 

Ahhh, what a day... Can't wait to go back for the octopus!
THANK YOU NICK!

BROWN BAG LUNCH...

       As I was preparing one of my favorite dishes, which happens to be one of my father's recipes (o.k. mom's too...but i prefer my dad's), it brought back memories.  The dish has a couple of names in Italian, I've heard my parents refer to it as Ciambotta or Stufada. As many of you 1st generation Italians know, that asking your parent to translate a word or phrase in English is like asking to translate Sanskrit, historic scroll, or sacred glyphs... you can forget it if the word is in dialect!

       It's a roasted vegetable dish from southern Italy that is so simple and easy to make with tons of flavor (recipe below) served with a crusty loaf of bread.  It brought back great childhood memories of being sent to school with a brown bag lunch.  Of course, back then it had no significance, we just thought it was normal to eat  homemade sandwiches filled with whatever mom put in it...you didn't get a choice....you ate what you got!  Although we didn't have much growing up (Translation= abundance of "material things"/"not spoiled tyrants"), we did have great parents, a roof over our heads and healthy, nutritional meals.   Most days, the brown bag included  homemade roasted peppers with tons of raw garlic, pepper's roasted in the oven then placed in a brown bag to help steam off the skin, and a slice of cheese on bread, or broccoli rabe and cheese, typically day old crusty Italian bread or American white bread.  It's no wonder that my sister and I dislike roasted red peppers and rabe now as adults!  My favorite was and still is,  a mortadella and provalone cheese sandwich...YUM!  As I'm preparing dinner, chopping the vegetables and roasting them until perfectly done, I begin to realize how fortunate we were.  Mom would work all day, come home to prepare dinner and then made sure we had lunch for the next day.  I realize now, that all of this took time and lots of effort, when she could have easily sent us off without or even just a spread of pb & j on white toast everyday.  I feel so lucky to have had that as a child and hope to someday pass it along to my children.  If i could go back for just one day, I would want to say

"Thank you mom, for making my lunch".  

As food was of great importance in my life as a child, it remains even greater today as an adult.  I believe that it's food that brings people together.  For instance, in our family, as loud and dysfunctional as it can be at times, we yell, scream and fight with each other,  but then five minutes later it's, "what do you want to eat"?  By the time we were done eating, we wouldn't even remember what the argument was about.  Even my boyfriend jokes and teases me because he says that regardless if you've just murdered or maimed someone, mom would still ask "but did you eat"?  Not only do I enjoy eating and making it an important part of everyday, I also enjoy cooking traditional family recipes and creating my own.


Recipe "Ciambotta or Stufada"
- 2 small or 1 medium eggplant
- 2 zucchini
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic (or more)
- 1 package of portobello or wild mushrooms
- 3 Italian sweet peppers (or any other pepper)
- fresh cherry tomato's or a jar of homemade preserve
- olive oil
- salt & pepper to taste, crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- loaf of Italian ciabatta bread
* You can use just about any veggies that are seasonal, including red peppers, celery roots and hot peppers.


Preparation: 10 min. Cook time: approx. 20 min.
Roughly chop/cube the veggies
Saute onions a few minutes, then add garlic and cook another few minutes
Add eggplant first and cook for 5 min., then add the remaining veggies.
Add all the veggies to skillet and continue to cook until tender
Drizzle a good quality extra virgin olive oil before serving. A side of your favorite cheese, glass of vino and you have a fantastic meal!

No Ordinary Mexican... "It's Sophisticated Mexican Street Food"!!!

Best inexpensive Mexican in town!!! 

Cascabel Taqueria  (2nd & 80th)

What it is not...  Your ordinary Mexican restaurant serving the usual staple burritos, tacos, chunky style salsa, triangular shaped tortilla chips, guacamole and a laboring menu with too many choices. 


What it is...  Perfectly executed authentic Mexican "Street Food", and what that means is quite simple...  
Seated and served quickly in casual hip decor...  A straight forward menu offering dishes like, 2 soft tortilla taco's (lunch menu offers 3) filled with your choice of seasonal veggies, roasted wild shrimp or carne asada among others.  I have tried all three and they were great, especially with fresh lime juice and a drizzle of salsa to enhance the flavors.  Although the portions are substantial, I recommend tasting a variety.  The large tortilla chips, precisely crispy and served in a brown paper bag are a great way to sample the variety of hot sauces and salsas.  Best of all, the salsas are brilliantly served in mini squeeze bottles offered as a condiment on every table, which means they're generous.  Their spicy guacamole is amazing and the perfect accompaniment to the big chips.  They also offer great main dishes like home-made chorizo, sides of roasted corn and desserts, but it's the tacos that got me!  Oh, and can't forget an ice cold Negra Modelo...  you can go Mexican or enjoy a micro brew, wine or margarita.

I was most impressed with the presentation 
of the food, served on 
mini stainless steel oven pans, with the concept of "made to share", where the food is presented in the center of the table, or you can opt to eat at the counter, either way, it's a great way to sample authentic food.  A funky and unique way of eating Mexican! 
We've been there several times, and it has been consistently delishhhh!!!  


Just a side note: I suggest that you refrain from asking your server to alter the ingredients or any item on the menu "it is what it is"...  
I think that's why I love this place so much.  

My motto "Keep it simple"! 

I have never been impressed with restaurants that try to complicate simple or delicate dishes with too many layers or flavors.

Dinner in NYC...not so easy!

Ahhh...New York City in the Spring !  Let's go out for dinner and explore what the city has to offer. Well, not so easy for 2 foodies (a.k.a. "food snobs").  It is gorgeous weather for dining Al Fresco, so we decide to start walking up 2nd to see what piqued our interest. Just a side note:  this eating "journey" occurs a few times a week and can last up to several hours, and at times only to end up at some mediocre pizza joint because most places stop serving by this point. It's Friday, the streets and sidewalks are mobbed with people and the restaurants are jam packed.  As I'm enjoying the sights, I cant help but notice how busy all the restaurants are, wondering if it's possible that they all have great food? Uhhhh, so hard to decide, especially since I am not one of those people who is easily persuaded to "try something new" when it comes to food. There is nothing worse then the risk of having a lousy meal...can't do it !
O.k....First stop...here begins our dialogue:

ME:  Ooo babe, lets try this cute little dumpling place. It looks good, no?

JOHN:  Oh, yeah no it looks good. Check out the menu. (as we are standing in the doorway checking out the menu, no one greets us...not a good sign)

ME:   what, you don't think so... (I know the "yeah, no it looks good" sign.........IT REALLY MEANS LETS GO)

ME:   It got an "A"  (I still have no clue what the grading in the window means...cleanliness? if so, that's crazy because I've seen busy places with a "C", who in there right mind would eat in a place that has a poor rating for cleanliness!!!)

JOHN:   Babe, how about this place...love the old world Italian decor, it looks cute.

ME:   Let me see the menu (strange, but I think the menu and the ingredients say it all)....yeah, not feeling it.

As we continue our ascent, I'm not detecting a"WOW" factor on any of the patron's  faces as I observe them eating.  It seems like they're just going through the motions. I'm just really passionate about food and eating great food.  I am certain that my eating gestures elicit some curiosity to passerby's...
We stopped at several more places...20 blocks later...and nothing was doing it for me. By this point I'm hungry and almost desperate....but not quit!
Just as we're about to give up and turn around, I notice a small pizza place across the street. So, our final attempt to cross over (dodging cantankerous delivery bicycles ) to check it out.  It was on a corner, kinda remote from the "scene".  We checked out the menu offering Italian brick oven pizza (but they all say that!).
AHHH, but I begin to notice a unique difference on this menu, the ingredients, smells and "who is making the pizza" gave it away. I peaked in to see if there was any seating available, only a few table's and they were all taken.  I just had a really good feeling about this place, then I heard the cook speaking Italian to a staff member (it does help)...so we opted to sit at the bar.
YAYYYYYYYY.......We did it....discovered the Mecca of all PIZZA'S !
When it comes to food (and only food), my senses NEVER steer me wrong.
With combinations of Speck and porcini mushrooms to Truffle pate and smoked scamorza or house made mozzarella and fresh ricotta.... the perfect dough for the perfect crust...Best of all.... dessert, NUTELLA CALZONE....how can you go wrong !!!
A glass of proseco and great authentic food = The perfect ending !
SO WORTH THE 20 BLOCKS
We ate there again the next night !

3 WEEKS...AND NO SMOKING !!!

WOW...it has been 3 weeks since I last smoked a cigarette....I'm happy to report that I'm no longer counting the days. Which can only mean one thing, it's not the only thing on my mind as it once was...every second, minute and day !  I feel great and have not gained one pound...walking 20 miles a day helps too.   I still have moments when I crave one, but it passes much quicker compared to when I initially quit.  Plus, I'm loving the benefits...my skin looks healthier, my hair smells great and I no longer need to chew gum or a mint !!! YAYYYY
The eating has increased, however, eating healthy snacks and meals and constant exercise helps maintain my weight. 
I RECENTLY MADE A GREAT HEALTHY LUNCH REPLACING MAYO WITH HUMMUS IN MY TUNA SANDWICH ON A PITA...IT WAS DELISH !!!  MY NEW FAVORITE...

DAY 12 & St. Patty's Day !!!!!

     In one sense, it feels like yesterday that I quit smoking...and yet, 12 days really isn't that long ago, and to most, it is considered yesterday...then again, 12 days for a smoker, feels like a lifetime !  So, although I want to give myself kudos, praise and a high-five, I'm feeling a bit undeserving. Here's why.....I STILL WANT ONE !  

      Tonight was a big test. I met up with the girls for a St.Patty's day drink, and while they consider themselves as "social smokers", meaning that they only smoke when they're drinking...they were enjoying their drink with a cigarette (the 2 go hand-and-hand), and tomorrow would come and go without an issue or desire for another....meanwhile, I was fixated at every puff, inhale, exhale and then a sip....I thought of just having one,... c'mon, it's St. Patty's Day, have a drink, a smoke and have fun....But I couldn't...I knew what it would do to me tomorrow, emotionally. The feeling of defeat and disappointment doesn't sit well with me.  I had a great time catching up with the girls, but I had to cut the evening short because the desire and temptation was overwhelming, which made me feel a bit defeated... Perhaps it was too soon!  Luckily, my friends are so supportive and encouraging.........Thanks Ally, Alex & Erin...love you girls !
     Once I arrived back home, I prepared the perfect holiday snack (green of course) I cut up an avocado and mixed some salt & olive oil pressed from my family's olive trees back in Italy....and suddenly, it all went away !!!

A perfect ending to a great night !!!

QUIT SMOKING DAY 8 !

     O.K....here it is, day 8 and I'm feeling much better. The past couple of days were torture, ohhh the cravings.....but I discovered something else, it's not so much the chemical that i crave, rather, it is more the "companionship" that I am missing. I know, it sounds sick....and it is, by all accounts ! Again, the evil friend that you love to hate and terribly miss. The mind games are the worst experience of all.  Quitting cold turkey is not for everyone (why and who coined it "cold turkey"...it's weird and what's the correlation !!!!.........anyway).
     My body was also going through periods of fatigue, light headed, dizziness and my voice changed for a day.  Needless to say, my body was not happy with me, begging for some relief...chewing gum, patch, electric thing that blows out vapor, something, anything........
......................................but i refuse.............................................
YIKES and OUCH !  So how does one overcome the cravings and physical torture. I have been trying a few things that really help with the symptoms and prevent weight gain;

• For cravings - a small cup of coffee instantly helps, the caffeine works great. 
• For the oral satisfaction - I keep healthy dips and spreads around to pick on with pita chips, like hummus, spinach, avocado, eggplant  or a shake with protein powder, fruit or yogurt.
• For the anxiety - much much walking, or exercise.
• For the fatigue - drink tons of water, nap if you can and plenty of rest.

Recipes: 

         dips & spreads - you can use any vegetable that you like and make it simple, no need to get fancy...your under plenty of stress, so make it easy !  these recipes don't require exact measurements....make it to your liking, use 1 garlic clove or 5. 

For myself, I prefer plenty of olive oil.

- hummus - puree a can of chick peas, garlic clove (s), tbsp. of tahini or peanut butter, olive oil, 1/2 lemon and salt. (you can also add sun-dried tomato's, olive's, roasted peppers or whatever else you like)

- spinach -  puree a bag of fresh baby spinach, olive oil, salt, grated cheese and some leftover hummus.

- avocado -  puree or cut up 1 or several avocado's , salt, olive oil and feta if you have it.

                   

- eggplant -  same as any one of the recipe's above. 

- Italian vegetable medley -  chop 1 onion, a few garlic cloves, a couple of potato's, 1 can of chick peas, 1 head of cabbage, can of whole tomato's, oilve oil, salt and crushed red pepper. throw in a large pot covered and let cook until tender.  ONE OF MY FAVORITE'S ! 

STAY TUNED.................

     

QUITTING SMOKING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just celebrated my birthday last weekend, and decided to give myself the biggest birthday gift ever...QUIT SMOKING !!! ...Hopefully for the last time.  I have been down this road before, and unfortunately began smoking again. Of course I can tell you a million reasons why I began to smoke, if your a smoker, you get this..."I was stressed out", "Started gradute school", "Changed jobs" and blah...blah...blah it goes on and on!   This time is different, I have "experience" now...I have a better understanding of my addiction and what works and doesn't work...so that's why I'm hopeful that this time around will be a success. I have tried everything and finally discovered that nothing works...the only thing that works, which is the most powerful tool,...is... "YOUR BRAIN" !!!! ...And WOW how it can MESS (for lack of a better word) with your brain.
The first few days are the most difficult...It's like having an "evil friend" who tries every which way, angle, word, phrase possible to convince you that you need smoke again..."Oh, C'mon...one quick puff and the anxiety will pass"..."Maybe you should quit next week"..." Just cut down to a few a day"....This evil friend tries to change my thoughts, sentences and perceptions of reality...."Oh, you didn't even smoke that much, it wasn't harmful"...It is a constant battle, and I'm convinced that it doesnt matter what smoking cessation you try....the bottom line is, it's your brain and your thoughts that determine if your gonna smoke or not !

It has been 6 days since I last picked up a cigarette....and, a few celebratory birthday drinks and several coffee's later....."AND NO CIGARETTE YET".....WOW....CRAZY, I KNOW !

STAY TUNED... AS I CHRONICLE MY JOURNEY...IN HOPES OF HELPING OTHER'S KICK THE HABIT !!!

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."  A.E.

STRESS

Feeling "stressed out" is normal...it's actually the perfect time for an individual to change their behavior associated with the cause. I always feel "stressed", but I am learning how to use that energy by turning it into something positive. I noticed that I feel more productive when I have this stressful energy. The key is to recognize what your feeling and prevent it from a downward spiral of loathing, anger, misfortune and any other negative thoughts. Run with it...you'd be surprised at what you can do with all that energy !!!
Just always remind yourself that... "It could be worse"

There is no "right or wrong" way in life...rather, it's choosing the "best" path...

The Menssana is ready to "blog"

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein

Yes, I have finally confirmed that my constant thoughts of "whimsy" is more genius then daffy or flaky!  Thanks to my piscean friend A.E.