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!
O.C. says
I love your recap posts and I love that you’re doing two a day 🙂 your lunch looks so yummy!
Lorin says
Do you keep track of how fast your run? Or do you just always run for fun and not keep track? Just curious 🙂 I’m competetive too but I’m not a fast enough runner to pass a guy and stay ahead…good job!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I don’t :(. I don’t have a garmin or anything like that. I do know that I pass some pretty big guys, so I must be fast lol! I did cross-country for a short time in high school, but that was a looong time ago!
Lorin says
I don’t have a Garmin either. I just run and listen to my ipod sometimes not. I try to run for a certain amount of time instead of miles. Lately though it’s just been run/walk for like 45 minutes, I enjoy it more that way and my knees don’t get sore after that.
Kaitlyn@TheTieDyeFIles says
Soooo yummy…all of it! I totally made a chocolate raspberry version of your blueberry pie pancakes the other day!
Katherine says
Monster cookie lol 🙂
Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free says
So great to hear abut the other runner-it’s way more fun to race someone than to just run aimlessly.
And don’t worry, I’m the weirdo that brings the magic bullet, too!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Katie I am LOVING the life and the travel and the real-time element that is being infused into your blog. These posts rock!
The cookies, the outdoor shots, what you’re doing…like eating pumpkin lasagna and wonderful cookies and being outside and seeing great things on your trip…THIS is awesome to read about 🙂
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Chocolate and Raspberry is one of the best combos! why not put them in a cookie 🙂 glad your having a blast!!
Pure2raw Twins says
That is one large cookie! Looks like you are having a fun time 😉 Jealous haha
Kat @ Cupcake Kat says
I love that you unitentionally got another runner involved in your game. You’re having so much fun!
Ashley C says
O.M.G pumpkin lasagna, eggplant parmesan, Bento Box (from your other post for today), and cookies as big as you head!!! All of this looks sooo good!! Not to mention a HUGE Park to run around in? I have got to move to New York 🙂
Ali says
After seeing your Lifethyme Cafe picture, I checked my pics from my last NYC trip. Sure enough, I had been there, too! Thanks so much for posting this. I never knew the name of the cafe, but I absolutely loved it… now I’ll be able to find it again 🙂
Emilia says
I’ve been to the High line– beautiful place, no? Makes me want to go back to NY. So jealous of all your amazing vegan dining. have a great time, girl!
paul li says
Your lunch is new and the cookies looks amazing.
Tanner says
Haha, I made a cookie the size of my head. I used your healthy chocolate chip cookie recipe and turned it into one cookie. Then I ate the whole thing! It was FaNtAsTiC!
P.S. that pumpkin lasagna looks delicious!!!