Vegan day 31: Peacefood Cafe

Day 31- one month! 
But how many times did I go out to eat?
I just counted… 7 times this month! That’s actually not bad at all for a typical New Yorker… and kind of.. well.. not great for the “healthatarian” that I strive to be. It’s just simply too much food and/ or too much temptation!


I sit here stuffed to the max- I feel like I ate a million calories today! Do you see what happens when someone tells me that calories don’t matter lol (the marketing rep for some delicious raw food treats in Organic Avenue- the 2nd stop of the day).


The reason I am stuffed is because sugar begets sugar! 
When one eats sugar, the blood sugar levels go up, insulin is released to move the sugar out of the blood and into the cells. Sometimes when our sugar goes up and down drastically and rapidly, it can cause a sugar low or crash, thereby setting off cravings for more sugar and another cycle. The cycle got me today! For me, one sweet may not be enough so it must be monitored. Once you see my dessert you will know why I couldn’t resist. 


I am going to share with you one of my favorite NYC vegan restaurants. 
PEACEFOOD Cafe



There are so many options here from juices and special drinks to appetizers, entrees and yes.. desserts! I am in love with the “peace bowl” though. I almost always get it and share it with my friends so that we can try other items as well. It is your choice of 3 daily roasted vegetables served over brown rice with ginger scallion oil.

Today, however, I was in a raw vegan mood (and all through the night as you will see.)


We ordered the raw sushi roll, the raw lasagna which came with a quinoa salad, and then a side dish of two steamed vegetables- my favorites here, the Japanese pumpkin and the bok choy! 

The raw sushi was as outstanding as it looks! The lasagna was interesting, but good! The vegetables- out of this world! Honestly, I was full! 




I was going to order dessert to go but I was curious to see a raw key lime pie (key lime being one of my favorite all time desserts- right after cheesecake.) The key lime was insane!


As we were leaving this uptown neighborhood that any good hearted village girl only ventures to for a vegan destination, we noticed a huge Organic Avenue store across the street. I say huge because the only Organic Avenue that I have been in is a tiny shop on 8th Avenue. Well, I just practically dove in while being double parked in the city that likes to give out tickets or tow you while you are still in the car! I took the risk! This Organic Avenue just opened- it was filled with shelves of bright colored yummy packages! Can this be too good to be true?  They say, “It’s all raw, vegan and organic!” Just bouncing off my sugar high, I go in for the tasting they have going on. I left with vegan dark chocolate covered bananas, macaroons which I had never had before, a small lime tart (you see- back to the lime) and alkaline water (that’s another blog.) 
I asked “how many calories in this?” One of my favorite lines and with reason! The rep said, “that’s the good thing about eating raw, you don’t have to worry about calories because the body burns the energy differently.” I believed her- and I still do but it’s taken out of context. One snack or two a day is probably fine– in proportion to the serving size. 


Anyway, it’s later in the evening now and I feel like quite the vegan sucker of the day! I ate a big lunch, many of those snacks and not to mention dinner and more snacks- I fell for the packaging and for the calorie line— both of which I SHOULD KNOW BETTER! I refuse to get on the scale to weigh in for my one month being vegan! It’s going to have to wait a day or so! 


Honestly, I loved the whole experience but I did feel like I was in a Willy Wonka Vegan Wonderland! 


The key to eating healthy, in my opinion, and from someone who made a dedicated 50lb change, is: what you eat, how often you eat and how you eat.

• Eat simple meals– the fewer food combinations the better. Choice of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouts, legumes, whole grains and lean proteins. 
• Smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day are great for stabilizing blood sugar levels and pacing the body for proper digestion. This pattern of eating is also known to boost metabolism. 
• Eat consciously– on the inside and on the outside. Being mindful of our meals and grateful assists in feelings of satiety. Choosing food that is local or organic is good for us in so many ways and good for the local farms and environment. How often do you chew 35 times? If you think about it even once a day, you may be doing the body good!

Disclaimer: The information given here is for eductional purposes only. You should not use this to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider.