8AM – Out of bed and dressed ready for a day of running around Manhattan. Brought with me lots of water and a big glass container of Green Juice I made yesterday. Pretty good concoction of kale, broccoli, bok choy, celery, cucumber, cilantro and apple. Sounds like it would be nasty, but I find it super yummy. When I began drinking green juices, I found them bitter and repulsive. My palate has begun to adjust to the taste and now they seem almost sweet and succulent. I did get a few comments trekking around with my green drink and my Vibrams Five Fingers. I have the TrekSport model and absolutely adore them. I run, hike, swim… basically do everything in them.
10AM – Spa appointment at Vada Spa on Avenue of the Americas right by Washington Square Park. I have a weird relationship with this place. I started coming because my friend recommended it, but I continued because they not only did a good job, but are super, super cheap especially when booked through Lifebooker. Today was great, but I’ve been there before where you sit and wait even if you have an appointment and the women at the front desk usually have a tendency to be a bit rude and ignore you. This didn’t happen today. They were very attentive, maybe because it was first thing in the morning. Regardless, I don’t always fully enjoy my experience, but I keep coming back, probably because its so cheap and its familiar at this point.
I always go to the same woman. Liza. She is from Georgia, the country not the state, super friendly and knows a lot about the weirdest things. She used to be a midwife in her country and she actually gave me a breast exam midway through my wax today. Kind of strange, but I found it awesome. Just an overall great person, plus she knows how to wax.
I finished up around 11 and had about 45 minutes before meeting up with Caitlin, my favorite little kitten, at Columbus Circle. It took me about twenty seconds to contemplate hopping on the subway, about a 15 minute ride up and waiting for them, OR to enjoy the bright sunny day and cool breeze flowing through the streets by walking the 55 blocks uptown.
I went with walking.
Full of green juice and in comfy shoes I power walked up 6th Avenue moving at a ridiculously fast pace. I stumbled onto the fair on 6th Ave (14th to 23st) which I completely forgot about. It occurs every October and basically has the same things on every block, pashminas, zeppoles, gyros, random bits of clothes, makeup and knick knacks. There is probably only one unique tent on every block, whereas the rest is just a lot of cheap Chinatown type things. The air was filled with the smells of onions being friend and meat sizzling on the open flames. So tempting for a recently converted vegan who STILL can’t seem to randomly stop cheating every few days.
- islandwoo.com
Along the way, I ducked into a Sephora. My eyebrows were one of the many body parts waxed this morning. They tend to react horribly to being waxed and get super red and angry. Being silly me, I neglected to bring a concealer. I always feel guilty for using stores like this, but I popped into the Sephora simply to touch up my makeup so I didn’t look like someone smacked a ruler across my brows. This gorgeous sales associate with super hot, bright purple lipstick approached me to ask if I needed assistance then again to ask if I would like a foundation skin matching consultation. Any other time I would have been so appreciative for the assistance, but I was just using them. I hustled out of there so fast. It’s the same concept as Starbucks being NYC’s public restroom. I went in merely to use the bathroom and didn’t bother even getting a tea because the line was out the door. I feel a little guilty, but I’ve put enough of my money into these places to be granted the luxury.
12PM – Finally arrived at Columbus Circle, legs a bit tired from the speed walking, but otherwise feeling on top of the world! My little kitten was waiting for me next to the elephant with two of her friends in from Boston. One of which is about to embark on an epic adventure down the coast and across the country to San Francisco and back. Ryana and I planned a similar trip, but due to work and money it was unfortunately postponed. I will be insisting on doing it summer 2012 regardless of finances or time. I’ll make it work.
We ate at the Flame Diner on Columbus and 59th. I managed to stick to my veganism and enjoyed an eggplant and tomato napoleon with pesto and balsamic vinegar. So yummy! After some lovely conversation we parted ways, her and her friends headed towards the Central Park Zoo and myself off running errands.
I won’t go into graphic detail on the errands, but I did stop and this cool place I learned about through The Renegade Health Show, Organic Avenue. I don’t know how I never noticed them before, but they sell freshly made juices, chocolate treats, granola, and bars, as well as some prepared meals. Everything is organic as well as primarily vegan and raw. This place was really cool. Not cheap, about $10 for my green juice (tasty, but mine was better). Next time I’d like to try one of their fresh fruit juices. I was going to get this small thing of chocolate and goji berry truffles, but they were $16 so I passed. I’ll splurge on a treat when I control my cheating.
This concluded my day. Ended up home around 4pm and in desperate need of a nap and a massage. I’ve yet to have either. Regardless, fun day with lots of studying to look forward to tonight.
Have a lovely evening.
Avventura 