I don’t know if it’s the diverse array of people, dizzying excitement from the streets or the overwhelming abundance of food choices, but New York City has always captivated my soul, from the first time I stepped on its soil. I recently visited one of my favorite cities and want to share with you my adventures and finds.

Ohhh, the Food!

I would say that I have come back from my trip twenty pounds bigger, but since I trekked all around Manhattan, maybe I walked it all off. (Let’s hope!)

Of course I had to find my fix of ethiopian food. First stop: Zoma Restaurant in Harlem. My friend and I dined with Sheena LaShay of Sociology of Sheena (Check out her dynamic writings). We had a lovely time connecting like old friends and savoring the magnificent meal.

I did save some room on my palate for an appetizing dish the next day at The Organic Grill, in the East Village. I stared at the menu for the longest trying to figure out what to get (too many choices!) I settled on the herbivore version of the Philly Cheese Steak: the Grilled Seitan Burger. Dee-lish! Afterwards, I sat by the dessert counter and ogled the coconut cream pie, apple berry crisp and lemon cheesecake (all vegan).  (You all KNOW I have a sweet tooth!) My friend delighted in the rich Chocolate Mocha Torte.

Later that evening, I stopped by Loving Hut. The veggie burger was pretty good, but I was most impressed by the carrot-ginger dressing on the house salad. Simple, yet appetizing…I am going to experiment with this recipe soon….

Beauty Extravaganza

While in the city, I wandered into Rain, a quaint shop in Rockefeller Plaza. Rain carries bath and body products with natural ingredients from Africa. It has an area where you can try each of the products: body cream, bath salts, handmade soaps. (You can even make your own custom scrubs and soaps.) The sales clerk was very knowledgeable and patient while I asked a billion questions about each of the products. I went home with a handful of samples and the Vanilla Rooibos Cream. I haven’t decided if I am actually going to use it or just marvel in the exquisite scent forever…

On my last day, I stopped by the Green Flea Market, I must say, I saved the best for last. In addition to a number of handmade jewelry finds, I discovered a trove of natural beauty treasures.

Inside the market, I encountered the nicest vendor from U.C.A.N. Enterprises, which sells natural skin care products.  All of the products are handmade (by her Mother, how sweet), and  you can tell a lot of thoughtfulness and care goes into them. The 3-in-1 (soap, shampoo and body wash) was extremely moisturizing. You can find this product (and others) here.

During my trek, I met the most adorable lady, Liz Santiago, founder of the eco-friendly skin care company, CeleBritAy.   Liz shared how her own health-conscious lifestyle influenced the ingredients she chose for her products.  I love her enthusiasm for the products, which was contagious. She even shared some samples with me, and I cannot wait to order my next batch. Check CeleBritAy out online or for you all that are lucky enough to be in the area, stop by the Brooklyn store.

I was certainly impressed.  I only wish I had more time to devote to explore the finds…and more room in my suitcase! What a glorious weekend!

Have you been to any of these places in NYC? What are your favorite healthy spots and vendors in the city?

“Other things” is an understatement. Maggie’s Pharm combines all of my passions: natural beauty, health…and food! You can easily get overwhelmed by its abundance of natural care products, including lotions, soaps, shampoos, scrubs, and creams. The best part? These concoctions are all handmade. In a recent shopping spree (I could stay there for hours), I picked up a sample of the eucalyptus soak and the honey almond scrub. I use this scrub on my face to exfoliate. I must tell you, my skin has never felt so soft. Ever. (They have other luscious scrubs too, Mint and Shea Butter & Honey, but the Honey Almond has me hooked.)

Maggie’s Pharm is without a doubt a one-stop shop. Everyone there is extremely knowledgeable and make you feel welcome as soon as you walk in the door. I learn so much when I visit (like infinite uses for the endless varieties of teas…)

I am convinced that Maggie’s Pharm has a product for every occasion. Do you have the sniffles? Pick up some Echinachea. Hosting a special dinner? Get the Jamaican Jerk Spice to add flavor to the dishes. What about a hot date? Dazzle your mate with the Lotus Perfume OIl. You can never leave here empty-handed.

Next time you are in Memphis, you definitely want to stop by this local treasure, but I warn you, you may not want to leave…

Have you ever been to Maggie’s Pharm?

Recently, some friends and I went to New York City for a girls’ trip. While they were planning shopping itineraries and Broadway excursions, I was researching restaurants. (As you can tell by now, I loooove food, and NYC has a plethora of healthy AND (satisfying) eateries.  I discovered a gem just a few blocks from our hotel, Peacefood Cafe. My mouth was already watering when I perused the items on the menu, but I was captivated when I saw Peacefood Cafe’s mission: Our cuisine is transformational, healthy and delicious; prepared and served with mindfulness, gratitude and the intention to nurture. Did I also mention that most of their ingredients are seasonal and locally grown? Yay!

Our night of enchantment started with the cute, charming waiter who pulled a chair up to our table and answered all of our questions about the dishes. (Sorry, ladies he wasn’t on the menu! ) We were at Peacefood on Saturday night and the cafe was crowded. Our darling waiter offered us a complimentary dessert due to the wait.  He gave me a vanilla cupcake..so good I scraped the icing off my plate when done.  (Yes, I ate dessert before the main dish–I was hungry!!)

I wanted to try all the dishes, but finally settled with the fried seitan medallion panini made with pesto, tomatoes and cashew. (The sandwich also comes with arugula, but I’m not a fan of that “interesting-tasting” green, so I passed.)  When my entree finally arrived, it was worth the wait. The sandwich was huge, and although I was ravenous–I could only finish half. The dish was amazing, and I tried to savor every bait.

Here is the surprise, my dining friend is a regular meat & potatoes type of girl.  She is not really into trying new foods, but she came along for the company. I ordered the  vegetable tempura for her to try…and she loved it! Even though it was an appetizer– it was large enough for a dinner portion–and we both devoured it.

Peacefood gets two thumbs up from me for converting my carnivorous friend.  This cafe certainly lives up to its mission.  If you’re in Manhattan, Peacefood Cafe is a cozy spot to meet with friends–or make new ones. Alas, I only got to visit Peacefood Cafe once while I was in the city, but it gives me another reason to return.  In the meantime, to my NYC readers, I would be oh so grateful if you dropped a seitan panini in the mail for me…  Please and thanks! lol

Have you been to Peacefood Cafe? What was your experience?

When I walked into the Convention Center, I remarked to my friend that I had never been in the company of so many beautiful natural-haired people in one place. Breathtaking! I couldn’t wait to share some pics and stories of the mesmerizing people I encountered….

Tomoka’s Twists

This pretty lady makes hair accessories and jewelry. I recognized Mimi from her previous features on a myriad of natural hair blogs. What a joy to meet this talented woman! She brought so many dazzling creations to the Expo, making it a daunting task to decide which one to choose. (I finally choose the DNatural hair twist made from dark wood beads.) I love it!

Check out Tomoka’s Twists website here.

Pretty Natural Divas

I am a huge fan of these natural beauties’ website…and their awesome shirt collection! With such proclamations as, “Natural Beauty and Brains” and “Go Natural. Go You.”, these ladies represent the natural landscape with unabashed pride. (I am in the middle–the real divas are to my left and right–the ones with the dynamic tees!)

You can read more about them and peruse their shop here.

Koils by Nature

I am always excited about sampling natural products (and supporting small businesses), so I was thrilled to meet Pamela, Owner and Co-Creator of Koils By Nature, an all natural hair and skin care company. Pamela shared her philosophy for her product line, to create products with pure ingredients that were affordable. Natural hair care products that don’t break the bank? Yes, I’m an instant fan! Although all of the Koils By Nature products looked (and smelled!) enticing, I decided to try the Herbal Soothing Lavender & Eucalyptus Gel. (I will post a review for you all soon.)

You can see other offerings from Koils By Nature here.

Nyenzo Bath & Body

If you’re in the Triangle area, be sure to check out Dionne of Nyenzo Bath & Body Boutique. I enjoyed talking with Dionne, who was full of energy and a vast knowledge of natural products. I purchased some unrefined shea butter from Nyenzo, imported from Ghana. You can see her collection of soaps, lotions, and other goodies at her online store here.

All in all, I had a blast at the show. Thanks to Malaika and Martone for their extraordinary efforts. Can’t wait for the next show at a city near you!

Did you make it to the North Carolina Natural Hair Expo? What natural hair shows do you have in your area?

Washington, D.C. Home to politicians and lobbyists, cherry blossoms and the Smithsonian, and also home to one of the coolest restaurants I have visited, Java Green.

Java Green Organic Eco Cafe has a mission of creating “a better world by encouraging a socially-responsible conscious lifestyle”. It certainly lives up to its name.  Java Green serves its food on chinaware (classy!) and all of its carryout containers are biodegradable. Most importantly, all –yes, all,  of its menu items and ingredients are organic, including the fruits, vegetables, beans, rice, even the drinks and sauces. Java Green has been voted the most progressive restaurant in the nation and is consistently in the top ten of the country’s best vegetarian restaurants.

Now, on to my favorite part of the Java Green experience…the food! Java Green has a fusion menu with an Asian influence. The cafe is popular among the locals at lunchtime, and I understand why–it has menu items for everyone: vegan, vegetarian, raw, and gluten-free.

I had the Bi-Bim Bob, a traditional Korean dish made with rice, vegetables, and a succulent Hot Pepper sauce.  I also “sampled” some of my husband’s Kelp Noodle dish.  (Okay, I really ate most of it.  It was too good!) To top it all off, I had a delicious chocolate shake made with coconut milk. (Confession: The shake was so tasty that, I came back later in the day to get another one.  Coconut milkshakes are my weakness!)  Sorry, no photos-the food didn’t stay on the plate long enough for me to take a picture!

Next time, I visit our Nation’s capital, Java Green will be my first destination.

Have you ever eaten at Java Green in D.C.? What was your experience?

Quick, let’s play a word association game. What’s the first thing you think of when you hear of “Arkansas”? Wal-Mart? The Clintons? Hot Springs? I’ll be the first to admit that “green living” doesn’t come to mind, but all that changed after my visit to The Green Corner Store.

I happened to find this store while passing through Little Rock on a road trip—what a pleasant discovery! The Green Corner Store brands itself as “Arkansas First Eco-Lifestyle Store”. It sells apparel, home decor, food and personal care items, with an emphasis on local wares and natural products.

While there, the owner took the time to show me around the store and share her motivations for opening the store. I looking longingly at the mineral makeup options and the array of organic foods.  I purchased a natural mud facial mask (made by a local  artisan), hemp towels for the home, and even a natural dog biscuits for my family’s pup!

The Green Corner Store serves as a reminder that we vote with our pocketbooks. We can choose to patronize places that support the local economy. We can choose to purchase products that promote health and sustainability. The Green Corner Store is the perfect one stop shop for all of your natural health, beauty and home needs. If you don’t have one in your area, this corner store may be worth the drive.

Spring is almost here, and summer is just around the corner. (Can you tell I’m ready for warm weather?) What does that mean..traveling season!

I would love to hear from you! I will have an ongoing series on the best healthy spots in each city, including spas, stores, restaurants, etc.

If you would like to highlight your favorite healthy hangout, please send an e-mail to misslycia@alldaynatural.com with the name of the place and a few reasons why it’s the place to be. (As much as you might love your local barbeque rib shack, that doesn’t count–we’re looking for places that promote life, not cause you to reach for a bottle of Pepto Bismol, lol.)

Please spread the word about this. I hope to have a directory with all of your suggestions in the future, so we can all be naturally fabulous and healthy, whatever city we may be in….and have a good excuse for a road trip!

“We believe the only way that food should be processed, is by the human body.”  This  is the philosophy behind Live Organic Food Bar, a sustainable, organic restaurant in Toronto, Canada.  I had the pleasure of dining there during a trip to Canada last year and will forever treasure this blissful experience.

Upon entering the restaurant,  my eyes were captivated by the restaurant’s mantra, painted on the walls, “Live It Up.” Looking around, I saw the words, “Energy. Happiness. Beauty.” which created a positive aura in the restaurant.

The menu at Live has an international influence and thus consists of an wide range of options–there is something for everyone.  As an appetizer, I ordered the Nacho Fiesta, with homemade corn chips, fresh salsa and guacamole, cashew sour cream and ground walnut “meat”. (Yes, walnuts! It is delicious. Don’t knock it ’till you’ve tried it. )

For the entree, I enjoyed the Pecan “Tempura” Sushi. This dish was both aesthetically pleasing and nourishing.  (I visited this restaurant three times during my stay in Toronto and always ordered this sushi!)

I also tried the Veggie Pizza, made with macadamia cheese, red pepper marinara, kalamata olives and marinated baby greens. My advice for this appetizing dish: Order two! Or you and your dining mate will rumble over the last slice. I’m speaking from experience…

In addition to creative entrees, Live’s menu also includes a range of  freshly made juices, smoothies, and teas. Last but not least, Live is well-known for their “Sinless Desserts”: Chocolate Mint Avocado Cake, Black Forest Cake, and Strawberry Cheesecake..all made from local, organic ingredients.  How can something that tastes sooooo good be so good for you?

Dining at Live Organic Food Bar was certainly one of the highlights of my trip to Toronto. I was thrilled to discover this local treasure that supports healthy eating and sustainable practices. Now, if I could only convince them to open a location stateside….

Have you ever been to Live Organic Food Bar? What are your favorite “healthy” places in Toronto?