Keeping Fresh in NYC with Acai Bowls and Green Juice
I’m sure you can gather from my San Francisco posts that I did a lot of eating on my recent USA trip. Often this food was more ‘indulgent’ than my usual diet choices – you know, a few more pastries, bagels and fried food thrown in. And I was fine with this. My body, however, would often scream out for something a little less fancy. Once you get the hang of listening to your body, it really does know best. In New York City, when my body told me it wanted something fresh and full of nutrients I went to one place. It was a little street shack right near the 2nd Avenue Subway Station, on the corner of 1st Ave and Houston.
My girlfriends had been in New York for a few days before I arrived, and they were in love with the Acai bowls at this shop (Bhey, our friend who lives in New York, made sure to introduce the girls to this little gem of a place straight away). They also make a strong iced-coffee, a necessity to power you through a day of exploring the City!
In the humid New York City Summer, a bowl of frozen pureed Acai Berries was a brilliant heat remedy – almost a necessity, I would say. They should put that in travel brochures. Topped with sliced fresh banana (hello, where have you been all my life?), frozen berries and a scattering of granola, this was one refreshing, nutritious and invigorating breakfast.
I recommend eating your Acai bowl in First Park next to the subway station, sitting on a park bench with your girlfriends, planning your day and pinching yourself that you’re actually in New York City.
Another good way to keep fresh in New York City, when you’re body is craving vegetables, is with a Juicy Lucy’s Daily Green Juice (also found at the Acai Shack). This is a supremely efficient way to feel fresh. Every now and then I would down a bottle of Kale, Parsley, Celery, Cucumber and Ginger Juice and feel as fresh as a daisy.
You need to drink this baby fast. Just Get. It. Down. because it is gross. Seriously gross.
Note the concentration.
I was the only one who felt better after drinking the juice - my girlfriends did not partake in this activity. They thought it was foul. I’m certain others will find this Green Juice tip useful though. I honestly felt fantastic after drinking this Green Juice. Afterwards. Not during. After.
Here’s another tip, make sure you’re doing something fun while you’re drinking your Green Juice, just to make the experience a little more pleasant. I recommend catching the (free) Staten Island Ferry while you do so. It’s a great way to see the Statue of Liberty from afar.
It's also a great way to see the City from a different angle.
Sharing a pretzel with your friends is a lovely thing to do while on the ferry. Just note: it may lead to Green Juice cravings. I’m just saying. But boy, the pretzels and pastries are worth it.
