Step 1

Step 1 ... 

Well kinda.  As you probably know from my previous post Vegetarian for 40 Days Josh and I have decided to go on a vegetarian adventure.  It has been going very well so far.  We have lost weight, gained energy, and feel over all healthier.  Since we have started this journey we have started reexamining our whole diet, not just the meat portion.  After watching documentaries such as Forks Over Knives and Food Inc. , along with doing online research we have decided to cut back on other things in our lives.  One of these things is processed sugars.  According to the FDA in 2000 the average American consumed 152 POUNDS of added sugar per year.  That's about 0.5 POUNDS per day.  Most of this added sugar comes from things like corn syrup or high fructose corn syrup (found in virtually every food you eat).  These man made sugars are hard for the body to break down and tend to be stored as fats.

So now for Step 1:  Try to eliminate the amount of added sugars as much as possible.

Stay tuned for Step 2...

Afters

Afters Cafe is this cute little place to sit with friends and enjoy a sweet treat in the Federal Hill area.  It's located on South Charles St. near Cross Street Market.

So yesterday, after my vegetarian dinner (home made Margarita Pizza -- nom nom nom) I was craving something sweet.  Josh and I decided to take a walk up to Federal Hill to get some pictures of the city after the (hopefully) last snow fall of the year.  After our walk we decided to stop by Afters.  I was craving something chocolaty, and didn't want you typical fro-yo.  Afters serves up everything from lattes, fro-yo, sorbet, macaroons, and cute little gourmet cakes.  I decided have their Passion - Chocolate Mouse Cake (one of their little gourmet cakes in their display case).

This was a BIG mistake.  I guess there was a reason everyone else who came to the cafe ordered coffee or  fro-yo.  While the cake looked like it would be amazing, it was anything but.  The cake itself was dry and hard.  The top layer was just gooey.  The fruit was squishy and old.  The only thing that was actually some what good was the chocolate moose inside the cake.

I really want to give this place another try, but I think next time I will try the fro-yo or the coffee.  After all, they do have these really cute spoons to choose from (kinda like you are picking your ball in mini-golf! -- What fun, right?!).

Vegetarian For 40 Days

So Josh and I have decided to give up meat for Lent.  We really didn't decided to do this for ethical reasons ... honestly, we both LOVE our burgers.  We thought this would be a fun, healthy challenge for us.  So far we are in day 6 of it, and it is going well.

Recently I had the chance to try Chipotle's Sofritas, and they did not disappoint!  For those of you who do not know what the Sofritas is (because they are not in all Chipotles yet -- Baltimore is one of the lucky few) it is organic tofu braised with chipotle chilis, roasted poblanos, and a blend of aromatic spices.  The result is something much like a spicy/sweet ground beef.  I could get use to this Sofritas thing!

Besides the Sofritas I have also tired Subway's Veggie Flatizza.  This wasn't half bad either.  Normally I wouldn't eat at Subway after that whole plastic bread thing, but it was between Subway and McDonald's and Subway wins that fight.  I wouldn't eat a Flatizza every day, but it's good in a pinch and it's cheap.

Besides eating out we have tried a few things at home like black bean tacos, veggie risotto, and black bean burgers.

I'm looking forward to experimenting with veggie recipes and going outside my comfort zone when it comes to food.  Who knows...maybe I will never eat meat again.  Or maybe I will keep that date with a burger I have for burger and a beer night on April 22nd.  Only time will tell.

I ♥ NYC

Oh New York!  I have to say, I really enjoyed my trip.  New York is a very unique city, with an amazing culture. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I went to New York, considering I already live in a city, Baltimore.  But Baltimore is nothing like New York.  

Everyone always says, "everything is bigger in New York", but they weren't kidding.

Each part of NYC is different from Time Square, to Brooklyn, to Manhattan.  And I know we only visited a small portion of it in our time there.  I honestly think the city is for people with ADD like me, who always needs something to do (because there is never a shortage).  The city is open 24/7.  There is never a shortage of 99 cent pizza or 75 cent bagels (all of which are awesome! - But you have to try the Artichoke Pizza).

And there is ALWAYS a chance for a photo opp where ever you go!

A walk in Central Park with our friends (amazing hosts).

The other half looking handsome in a candid.

Our friend's dog for a walk (Camden is a sweetheart).