Sunny Outlook

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When I pulled back the curtains in our hotel room this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to see the sun was shining brightly.  My mom feels better, too.  She practically jumped out of bed screaming, “We’re in New York! We’re in New York!” I think she’s adjusted to city life. 🙂

 

Last night was great – we hit up happy hour and then headed to a dinner with the Thomas Bagel Thins PR folks.

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Tina, Ashley, and Theodora joined us for white wine.

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And then we grabbed Jen from Fit Bottomed Girls and headed to the welcome dinner at an amazing South American restaurant called Nuela.  \

 

I started with a cocktail that promised to bring out the “inner seductress” inside of me.  Rawr.

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My mom and I chose to split several vegetarian dishes because the portions were small and we wanted to try a bit of everything.

 

Started off with mini arepas, which were topped with mushrooms and filled with black bean paste.

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And we also split this hearts of palm salad, which was so light and refreshing.

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For our entree, we shared this green paella, which had an amazing bright green sauce.  I asked the server for deets and she revealed that it’s a combination of cilantro and parsley that been processed into a liquid.  Oh, I WILL be testing this out at home – I always get the best cooking ideas from dining out.

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Instead of seafood, the paella was filled with roasted veggies and a fried egg.

 

Everyone considered dessert, but we were all sleepy and satisfied. 

 

So, although yesterday my mom declared that she wanted to hide in a nail salon, now she has decided that we are going to hit up all the major tourist spots, including:

 

  • Central Park
  • Times Square
  • Empire State Building

 

And, oh yes, we have to make it to the race expo at some point…

{ 63 comments }

 

  • Errign April 2, 2011, 8:30 am

    Have a great day exploring NYC with your Momma! 🙂

  • jen @ taste life April 2, 2011, 8:34 am

    Aw, your mom is so cute. I am glad the weather is nice and I hope you have a great day!

  • Katherine: Unemployed April 2, 2011, 8:40 am

    what a great serving dish for the paella!

  • VeggieGirl April 2, 2011, 8:41 am

    Too bad we’re not in NYC at the same time – I’ll be there soon! But I’m glad you guys are having a great time there 🙂

  • Kelly April 2, 2011, 8:42 am

    That pink shirt you had on was a great color on you! Have fun in NYC today!

    • Caitlin April 2, 2011, 9:29 pm

      Thank you 🙂

    • Caitlin April 2, 2011, 9:30 pm

      Thank you so much!

  • erin April 2, 2011, 8:47 am

    have fun! your mom is too cute. one suggestion- top of the rock is way better than empire state building! (in my opinion, of course) it is my favorite thing to do there!

    • Jess April 2, 2011, 8:50 am

      I totally agree! I’ve been up both, and Top of the Rock had much smaller crowds, shorter lines, and grrreat views of the ESB itself. 🙂

      Have a terrific time!!

  • Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope April 2, 2011, 8:48 am

    Fabulous dinner! Have fun exploring the city… I really need to experience NYC for myself one of these days. Can’t wait to hear how the tourist-y day goes!

  • megan @ blackberries for jam April 2, 2011, 8:50 am

    Have so much fun! I’ve been in the city all week for a visit and it looks like the weather is finally improving. Although it was wet and messy, I still had an awesome long run in Central Park. It will be beautiful for your race tomorrow!

  • Jamie AKA "Sometimes Healthy Girl" April 2, 2011, 8:54 am

    GOOD LUCK TOMORROW! Just ran in a marathon; otherwise I’d be runnin with ya! However, I do live in NYC, so I think I’ll stop by that More/Fitness Mag Health Expo to see what’s there. I hope I see you there 🙂

    If you need any more songs for your half marathon playlist, check out my post today!

  • Shari April 2, 2011, 8:55 am

    So much fun! It seems like a beautiful day for exploring the city, especially Central Park. Have a wonderful time! 🙂

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) April 2, 2011, 8:56 am

    I love NY! Looks like you started this trip off just right! Enjoy it. Although, I have no doubt you will!

  • Dee April 2, 2011, 8:57 am

    Oh wow! That green paella looks amazing! I’ll need to hit up Nuella with some friends one day.

    Sounds like you and your Mom are having a blast! Good luck in your race tomorrow and enjoy! 🙂

    • Dee April 2, 2011, 8:58 am

      I mean Nuela. Oops!

  • Nicole @ Yuppie Yogini April 2, 2011, 9:04 am

    So jealous. That hearts of palm salad looks yummy, I love hearts of palm. Glad you and your mom are having fun!

  • Baking 'n' Books April 2, 2011, 9:08 am

    Wow the paella looks awesome!

    Has your Mom always been veg as well? I haven’t checked your about section to see – but have you been vegetarian most of your life?

    Have fun exploring! I’d LOVE to be there now :)…what expo? 😉

    • Caitlin April 2, 2011, 9:31 pm

      I went veg two years ago and convinced MomHTP to veg about a year ago!

  • gabriella @ embracement April 2, 2011, 9:11 am

    So glad the sun came out for your guys! Well, I’m glad for all of us but I live here, your mom needed a good welcome!

  • Laurel April 2, 2011, 9:34 am

    If you find yourself near one, I’d highly recommend stopping in Alice’s Tea Cup, a cute little tearoom that’s based off of Alice in Wonderland. I went to one this summer and it was darling– and the Alice’s Tea is fantastic!

    http://alicesteacup.com/

  • Kacy April 2, 2011, 9:42 am

    I’m glad your mom is feeling better about being in the city. Have a fun day exploring!

  • Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews April 2, 2011, 9:55 am

    Green paella sounds delicious! Have a great weekend.

  • Jenny April 2, 2011, 10:11 am

    It’s so great you get to do a trip with your mom at the same time. Have a wonderful time together! 🙂

  • AJ @ Flowing to Fifty April 2, 2011, 10:25 am

    I LOVE NYC!!! Enjoy your exploring and your girls’ time together. Sounds like fun. The food looks amazing too.

  • Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out April 2, 2011, 10:25 am

    Mmmm, Paella. You guys looked like you had fun. And there’s nothing wrong with hiding in a nail salon. 😀

  • Kelsey April 2, 2011, 10:38 am

    skip the empire state building and go to the top of the rock (rockafeller center). unobstructed views and so much shorter lines!

    • Caitlin April 2, 2011, 9:31 pm

      Wish I had seen this sooner!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat April 2, 2011, 10:43 am

    Yummmmm looks like a great dinner! I hope you ladies have fun touring about today!

  • Little Miss Runshine April 2, 2011, 10:44 am

    That sounds like so much fun!
    The food looks beautiful!

  • stace April 2, 2011, 10:50 am

    What a great view from your room! Have an amazing time in NYC, you and your Mom!

  • Ashley @ Feeding Ashley April 2, 2011, 10:54 am

    Sounds like a fun night out. Have a great day exploring!

  • Lisa M April 2, 2011, 10:56 am

    I Love New York!! It looks like you are having fun!!
    Oh ya – I love your bangs!!!!

  • jassy April 2, 2011, 10:58 am

    i love the view from your room! it makes me happy 🙂

    enjoy ny with your mom…looking at your pics with tina motivated me to start taking care of myself again 🙂

  • Michelle (The Runner's Plate) April 2, 2011, 11:21 am

    I always steal ideas for new food combinations from restaurants!

  • Stacie @ Imperfectly Healthy April 2, 2011, 11:26 am

    I hope your able to enjoy the beautiful weather in NYC today! 🙂 After so much rain and cold, I’ll take sunny and 50!

  • Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing April 2, 2011, 11:46 am

    I just have to say — I am still lovin’ your haircut so much! 😀

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 2, 2011, 12:14 pm

    You are making me miss NY so much!!! I am going back in about 3 weeks for a week long vacation and can’t wait!

  • Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn April 2, 2011, 12:14 pm

    IF you have time I highly, highly, recommend trying to get out of midtown. You’ll truly fall in love with New York if you get to the East or West Village or Soho (for Soho, just hop a cab to Prince St and Spring St, and you’ll be right in the heart of it–cute shopping central!). There is also a fantastic vegetarian restaurant on 6th St and 1st Ave called Counter (get the kale salad), and a really really fun Cuban place in the west village called, well, Cuba. ALSO, there’s a restaurant dedicated to ONLY pb&j! It’s called Peanut Butter & Co, and it’s by NYU also in the west village: http://www.yelp.com/biz/peanut-butter-and-co-new-york (so cute, so simple).

    Okay, endrant. Just had to say it. Mid town can be a lot of fun though, so enjoy :)!!

    • Jen April 2, 2011, 12:49 pm

      I second everything this person says!

      • Caitlin April 2, 2011, 9:32 pm

        Thanks for all these recs! I wish we had more time in NYC!

        • Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn April 4, 2011, 5:49 pm

          np 🙂 Friend of a Farmer is a great spot! I would say SUCCESS on all levels

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin April 2, 2011, 12:18 pm

    I’ve never seen a South American restaurant before! NYC definitely seems like the place to go for a variety of different cuisines. Your meal looks awesome!

  • Laughter-Loving Stacy April 2, 2011, 12:23 pm

    Yum to everything! New York seems super cool, have a wonderful time! 🙂

  • Lesley April 2, 2011, 12:25 pm

    I love NYC, and I have a good friend who lives there that just got engaged! I wish I was there celebrating with her. Have fun and good luck with your race!

    You and Tina really look like sisters in that picture.

  • Amber K April 2, 2011, 12:34 pm

    I love finding out new recipe ideas from bloggers going out to eat. I can get new ideas without spending any money 😉

  • Jen April 2, 2011, 12:49 pm

    Oh, my hometown. I miss it!
    Some restaurants to try, if you have time:
    Candle Cafe
    Josephina
    Hampton Chutney
    ‘inoteca
    Go walking/running along the Hudson river (all the way west) in Riverside Park

  • Natalia - a side of simple April 2, 2011, 1:06 pm

    That paella dish sounds delicious!! I mean, you seriously can’t go wrong with a fried egg on anything 🙂

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing April 2, 2011, 1:22 pm

    Have fun! There’s no place like NYC… especially for the first time!

  • Khushboo April 2, 2011, 1:26 pm

    Fun trip! New York has got to be one of the coolest cities- has something for everyone!

  • sarah (sarah learns) April 2, 2011, 1:41 pm

    i think it is so awesome that you get to be with your mom to experience new york! i would LOVE to be able to take my mom on a trip to ny someday!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey April 2, 2011, 1:59 pm

    That sauce sounds to die for!!

  • Ellie@fitforthesoul April 2, 2011, 2:43 pm

    Mmmmm the arepa sounds delicious!! haha your mom is so cute, “we’re in NY!!” and I just saw the wealthytippingpoint and that was so hilarious!! loved ppl’s reactions. 😛

  • kerry April 2, 2011, 2:49 pm

    i’ve just re-discovered your blog Caitlin and fell in love with it again! 🙂 i’ve always wanted to go to new york! your hair looks great like that by the way!

    • Caitlin April 2, 2011, 9:32 pm

      Hi again, Kerry!

  • Lori April 2, 2011, 2:57 pm

    That paella looks amazing! I’ve never been to NYC but your post just reaffirmed for me how much I NEED to go.

  • Emma (Namaste Everyday) April 2, 2011, 3:21 pm

    so glad your mom is warming up to the place–she would totally regret her trip if she didn’t see and do as much as she can! was the restaurant affordable? Also, do you know what district it was in?

    • Caitlin April 2, 2011, 9:33 pm

      Its near the Theatre District and the prices for the vegetarian stuff seemed pretty reasonable!

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) April 2, 2011, 4:12 pm

    Your mom is SO cute! I’m glad that she’s in the mood to explore today- there’s a lot to see! Enjoy your day 🙂

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss April 2, 2011, 6:36 pm

    Have fun exploring NYC!! 😀

  • Sarah (Running To Slow Things Down) April 2, 2011, 6:45 pm

    I absolutely love hearing about all of your travels. I hope to go there with my sister sometime soon. 😀

  • Allison @ Happy Tales April 2, 2011, 8:25 pm

    I have never been to NYC before… I can’t wait to hear about what all you guys get into!! HAVE SO MUCH FUN!

  • Kristen April 2, 2011, 8:49 pm

    I absolutely love new york! And central park is amazing! Have fun!

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