Speaking of Blossom... tonight we met Gena (Choosing Raw) for dinner there. My husband opted for green juice and the soy bacon cheeseburger with Cajun sweet potato fries. I had a green juice and then went for a more macrobiotic approach: organic tofu (plain), gently steamed kale, and a side of their "holy shit, this stuff is the bomb!" potato salad. (OK, that's not really the name of it, but it's what I call it.) For Gena's dinner choice, she took the ultimate high road and went Raw with an enormous salad and an order of their raw sweet potato rolls appetizer.
Well, my husband and I had been kind of holed up in the hotel room for the day making calls and working, without much food other than my container of organic prunes from Whole Foods (gotta poop when you travel and prunes do the job!) and a smooshed berry flavored Vega bar. Seriously, guys, the Vega bars are just not that great. I love the ingredients and pretty much eat them just so I can have a quick snack with nutrients. But, do people seriously taste test these recipes before mass producing them? Did they try it and say to themselves, "This is actually good and people will love it." I have my doubts. Don't get me wrong... I love Brendan Brazier. I love Vega's EFA oil. I love Sequel Naturals chlorella tablets. I cannot stand the vega meal shake. And, the bars? I tolerate the berry flavored bars. But the chocolate ones? Bleh... they sometimes taste like soap to me.
Anyway, I did not intend for the post to go on about Vega. Back to dinner. So, my husband and I basically only had prunes all day. We were famished by the time it came to dinner. I was in no mood for a salad because I didn't think it would satisfy me. But, damn. I tell ya... when Gena's plates came and all of the live raw food was in front of her, I was insanely envious. Her salad was huge and beautiful. The rolls, which I've had before, looked amazing. Yes, my food filled me up as hoped (and it was good), but I wish I would have gone Raw. Next time! Oh! And, Gena is such a sweetheart. She surprised me with roses for my birthday.

Funny story... so, it's been raining pretty much non-stop since

we arrived. It's the most bizarre weather for NY during this time of year. We literally have had about 2 days with some sun. And, all I brought for shoes are Crocs. You know, the shoes with holes in them that are basically made for wearing near water and are super comfy. Well, wearing shoes durable near water at the ocean or on a yacht is one thing. Wearing these through New York City with muddy puddles (while crossing Central Park) or disgusting dirty pools of water underground while walking from subway to subway is another thing. It's really nasty. I finally couldn't take it anymore and bought a pair of super cool rain boots. I was happy. I was proud. And, my tootsies were finally warm and toasty nestled inside my fancy new red rain boots. My attitude was GRRR! Bring On The Rain and my husband was calling me Wonder Woman (fitting now that I'm a brunette). I felt cool. It wasn't until many hours later, after walking around in them all day, that I realized I had the enormous tag hanging out of the back of them. I am such a dork.

20 comments:
I think Bonobo's closed (the E. 23rd location; I've never been to the Annex at 156 W. 20th St., so I don't know if it is open/closed). I walked past it on my way elsewhere two wks ago, and I didn't see it. What I did see where a few empty stores. I hope I'm wrong...
Bonobo's ph # is (212) 505-1200.
Some locals said it's open, but I'll double check on the location. Thanks for the heads up.
I love that you said that your a dork! Leaving the tag on the back of your boots all day? ...sounds like something I would do! lol.
As for the vega bars, I agree with you. I had been wanting to try them for a while and my local hfs only had it in 2 flavours. One was chocolate, and the other didnt say what it was, so I figured that you cant go wrong with chocolate. WRONG!! I dont know what to compare the taste to, but it certainly does not taste like chocolate.
Hope the weather will get nicer before your vacation ends!
Bonobos isn't closed! Promise. I'm meeting a client there today and went last week.
I had the BEST TIME at dinner! And can't wait for lunch next week. You and Greg are wonderful. I'll be posting a recap of dinner today.
Your boots were super cute, too :)
As for Vega: this is what I hear! I want to support Brendan, but they're not getting the best taste reviews :-(
The tag thing has totally happened to me MANY times! Haha! :) I love it!
Well, this weekend coming up I am going to the city with my mother in law and future sis in law for dinner at Pure. The following weekend is July 4th so we have a part to attend. THE NEXT weekend, is a surprise 80th bday party for my grandma! AHHH! I can't believe every weekend I am booked! Will you still be there on the 18th? If not, I am going to try to pull a Sunday probably the 12th, just gotta talk to hubs first.. Let me know! :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Made me laugh! I know, like what is up with peoples taste buds to think they should mass produce those bars. I agree, great ingredients but whack taste. Hope they try again.
Aww, now you're making me miss NYC! I love Bobonos, and of course Pure Food & Wine. I am really excited about the new raw restaurants that are popping up since I left the city.
I guess that's just another reason I'll have to go back. :)
i totally agree about the vega bars.. the ingredients are great but they taste like death
you're making me want to go back to ny so badly! so cool you've gotten to hang out with gena..she's amazing!
enjoy the rest of your trip- i love reading about it!
OMGoodness Kristen, that's hilarious!!!! Prunes are good for regularity that's for sure:)
Kristen, I agree about vega bars & powders. They're only partially raw too. Also many other raw snacks I've sampled are like this. I can't figure out how they sell and expensively too. It's crazy. Plus how can you screw up chocolate?? It's the simplest thing to make. I have a short list of products I will recommend to others. Because I know if I don't like them, others won't either especially people that aren't raw. Sounds like you're having an enjoyable trip. Would love to try all of those raw places. Happy B-day! :)
I live in NYC and glad I learn a few more raw places! Glad u had a great time!
Thanks for chiming in everyone! :) I'm happy you are all still liking my adventures in NY and not sick of hearing about them already. :)
Cheers,
Kristen
Lool :) that last bit very funny!
Cheers
Hi Kristen,
Thanks for commenting on my blog yesterday.
I'm usually so busy with the company, etc. that I don't get a change to look at other people's blogs, but I clicked on yours!
Wow, you have a lot of books- do you self publish them? I've been working with some big publishers on my first book, and it is quite an amazing process.
All my very best,
Kimberly
Happy birthday Kristen! Glad you are having fun.
Casey
If you read Brendan's book, one of his recipes that I really LOVE so far are his burgers. You can eat them raw or slightly cooked, but they taste amazing, and go well with typical burger condiments. I haven't tried that bars, and the Vega mix isn't so great, but it has grown on me some. The ingredients and his philosphy after reading his book are very convincing though and that's what keeps me coming back to the Vega mix...
I don't like the Vega bars either, and I had wondered the very same thing - who tested these??
I am so enjoying hearing of your fun adventures and happy belated birthday!! I have yet to try Vega's oil because the powders scared me with their less than delicious taste. I will have to try it! Do you like it plain with veggies or blend it into smoothies?
I hope you had a fun time with Liz!! I am looking forward to hearing about it, I know she was SO excited. Keep rocking the cute rain boots, tag and all!
Hi Coconut Gal,
Thanks for the feedback about my adventures. :)
Liz was sweet and cute. :) I was happy to finally meet her.
The Vega oil is lovely... very much like hemp oil. It does have a strong flavor though, so a little goes a long way. I enjoy it in salad dressings. Sometimes I also use it in a marinade for raw veggies like broccoli.
I love Gena. I wish I lived on the East Coast with all the lovely raw foodies out there!
And Wonder Woman is HUGE in our house!!!
Post a Comment