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Ready to Dig Inn?

April 24, 2018 jk38538n Leave a comment

I think if a restaurant makes you crave its delicious food, while you craft a blog post about it, then it has done its job. Sitting here now, I am fighting the urge to jump in my car and head down to Rye Brook, NY. In Rye Brook, is beautiful shopping center called Rye Ridge, where you can find everything and anything you desire. Back in high school, we would drive there because it was the home of the first Chipotle in our area. Now there is an endless amount of delicious and healthy food places in the shopping center.

This week, thanks to some great advice by fellow Westchester natives, I visited Dig Inn. Dig Inn is a chain restaurant, but it can be found at Rye Ridge. At Dig Inn, it is set up similarly to how you would order at Chipotle. You first choose your base, then three sides and then your protein.

As you know, I always get a little overwhelmed before ordering. I don’t know if it’s the pressure of making sure I choose the best options or if I am scared I am going to mess up and sound stupid. Does anyone else ever feel like that? Well if you do, I want to share with you what I ordered to make your trip that much easier. Here was my order: Classic Brown Rice, Jasper Hill Mac & Cheese, Spicy Peruvian Potatoes, Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Charred Chicken.

It was so delicious and probably not the healthiest of selections, but man did I eat it quickly. The food is always so filling, that I end up bringing some of it home. I definitely suggest trying Dig Inn out for yourself, and tell me what you like and didn’t like.

Also, a great reason why Dig Inn was so highly recommended to me was because of their mission to source their products locally and pay it forward to communities in need.

As always, make sure you are following me on all of my social media and let me know when you Dig Inn!

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It’s Nutritious and Delicious

April 17, 2018 jk38538n Leave a comment

Surprise! Here is another post about food, but this time I promise it won’t clog your arteries.

Last weekend, by the grace of God the sun finally decided to come out and we were all finally able to go outside without our winter coats on. A true miracle, if you ask me. When my friends and I heard that 70-degree weather was approaching, we immediately started planning for our day in the sun. We knew we wanted to grab a healthy bite to eat, so we started looking up healthy local food venues. After a lot of time spent online, finding the same smoothie places over and over, I decided to do what I knew worked best, send out a mass text to a wide variety of friends. “Looking for a yummy healthy quick bite for Saturday, any suggestions?” Some of my friends laughed in my face, but others sent me their favorite places along with what their favorite thing on the menu was.

After much deliberation, I chose SoBol in White Plains. Much to everyone’s surprise, I had never been there before nor had I ever had an acai bowl.

I’ll be honest at first I was definitely a little overwhelmed with their menu board, mainly because I had no idea what half the things on it were (like acai lol). But thanks to my friends and their suggestions I was able to make my order without panicking too much.

Here was my order *drum roll please*…… Regular sized Original Acai Bowl with Cookie Butter.

Now let me tell you, I was HUNGRY and the regular sized bowl was almost too much. I think in the future I would definitely go with the kid’s size. But the COOKIE BUTTER is to die for and all of it was as yummy as the Instagrams make it out to be!!!!!!

Also, their employees were so nice and super helpful as I picked out what I wanted, so thank you if you are reading this!

Well, that’s all for now! Be sure to follow my social media accounts and send me pictures of your acai bowls. Don’t forget to let me know where you want to see me next week.

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The Power of the “Hash Tag”

April 11, 2018 jk38538n Leave a comment

Hash Tag Specialty Sandwich from Rocky’s Millwood Deli

Many people when they hear the word “hashtag” think of Twitter or trending topics. But for us kids who grew up in Westchester, when we hear “hashtag” we think of THE HASH TAG from Rocky’s Millwood Deli. The Hash Tag, as pictured above, is one of Rocky’s signature specialty sandwiches. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Inside this specialty sandwich is chicken cutlet, bacon, egg, cheese, hashbrown, ketchup, salt, and pepper.

What makes Rocky’s Deli such a staple piece of Westchester is not only its delicious sandwiches, but the fact that this deli is open 24/7. Yes, you read that correctly. After a night out, sometimes you get those late night munchies, and there are no places open, but Rocky’s always is. I have been there after midnight and the line is crazy. People from all over Westchester flock to Rocky’s for its incredible, yet greasy, food.

This past Sunday, on my latest trip to Rocky’s, I went with my younger brother. I love how a place I used to frequently go to in high school, is now a place where he and his friends like to go. I hadn’t been to Rocky’s in a couple of years, but the menu has not changed. (As a side note, it is important to keep in mind that Rocky’s is cash only for anyone who plans on taking the trip.) The two of us walked in and ordered our sandwiches. I got the Hash Tag of course, and he ordered a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese with macaroni bites. He claims it is the best sandwich, but I feel like I must stay loyal to the Hash Tag. The sandwiches cost a pretty penny though. We ordered the two sandwiches and an Arizona Iced Tea and it came out to $18. My mind was blown.

I think Rocky’s is a great treat once every few months or years. I definitely wouldn’t recommend this to be a daily or even weekly spot for a person to attend. Because as I was taught, “a minute on your lips, is forever on your hips”.

Check it out and be sure to send me pictures of your orders! Also, be sure to let me know where you would like to see me go next week!

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Yogolicious Is Delicious

April 4, 2018 jk38538n Leave a comment

Looking for a sweet treat? Well, look no further because I have the place just for you. Yogolicious in Pleasantville, New York is one of the best frozen yogurt shops in all of Westchester. With a friendly staff, there is no way you can go wrong picking out your tasty treat.

Pleasantville is one of my favorite towns. There are so many great boutiques, family-owned businesses, delicious restaurants and fun places to hang out with my friends. In Pleasantville, everything is within walking distance from each other. I spend countless days in the summer walking from Starbucks to the clothing boutiques to lunch spots and then to the bars for a little happy hour treat.

But my favorite of all (in Pleasantville) is Yogolicious. First off, they have so many delicious frozen yogurt flavors to choose from. To name a few, there are sea salt caramel pretzel, pistachio, peanut butter, eggnog, coconut, original tart and so many more. As a self-proclaimed “frozen yogurt extraordinaire” myself, I thought it would be fun to give you a step by step recap of my Yogolicious experience.

First, I start off with a swirl of Pistachio, Chocolate, or Peanut butter. If you are feeling daring, don’t be afraid to layer your cup. Sometimes I will even put all three of those in my cup, no shame in my dessert game.
Next, you have to really think about what toppings you are in the mood for? Sweet or Salty? Chocolate Explosion? Fruit or candy?
After I weigh all of my topping options, I do this by usually scanning all of the topping at least two or three times (I swear I am not crazy), I go for it. My “usual” toppings are mochi, cookie dough, brownie bites and hot fudge.
Once I am all finished and satisfied with my choices, I go up and weigh my frozen yogurt. It usually costs me around $7-$10. My advice when you spend a pretty penny on a really huge cup of frozen yogurt is to be confident with your decision. It’s never cool to be that person who is embarrassed by their full cup of yogurt. OWN IT.

Well, that does it for this week on Living Local. I am hoping that the weather starts to become nicer soon, so I can explore more of the outdoor experiences in Westchester, NY. Don’t forget to comment below, where you would like me to go next week.

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Sushi And Thai, Oh My!

March 28, 2018 jk38538n Leave a comment

Crispy Pan Fried Noodle
Vegetable at Sushi Thai Asian Fusion in Tarrytown, NY

Sorry guys, this week I avoided sunsets and outdoor strolls and kept my eyes on the prize … FOOD! My best friend and I were long overdue for a good hang out, so I insisted on trying out Sushi Thai Asian Fusion in Tarrytown, NY. Being a sushi addict myself, when I checked out the restaurant’s menu I was drooling over all of the delicious options. I knew I picked a good one before I even arrived.

When we arrived at Sushi Thai Asian Fusion, I was quickly impressed with the decor of the restaurant. It almost looked like a nightclub. As soon as we sat down, we looked over the drinks menu and picked out some fun cocktails for the night. I ordered the Starburst which had a mix of fruity juices and vodka. If you are a person who likes sweet sugary drinks, I would definitely recommend it.

Next, we ordered an appetizer of the Kani Salad. Kani Salad is a delicious crab and lettuce salad, it usually has a kick to it. This one sadly was nothing to brag about. I only had a few bites because it tasted very bland to me.

For dinner, my friend and I both ordered the Crispy Pan Fried Noodle with Shrimp. Now, this was the meal I had been dreaming about and it definitely lived up to the hype. I barely even made a dent in my plate because there was so much. The vegetables were cooked and flavored perfectly, and the crispy noodles were a great contrasting texture. I had never had noodles cooked this way, but I definitely will be ordering crispy noodles again soon.

For all of my readers, Sushi Thai Asian Fusion is not only a delicious spot, but it is a great atmosphere to catch up with friends and have a couple of much-needed drinks at the end of the week. Let’s just say we got to the restaurant at 6:30PM, and we didn’t leave until 11PM. I highly recommend this spot for you and your friends!

Leave me comments below on your thoughts of Sushi Thai Asian Fusion and if you have a recommendation for where in Westchester, NY I should go next week!

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Admiring the Kensico Dam Plaza

March 11, 2018 jk38538n 1 Comment

The Kensico Dam Plaza. A place I grew up five minutes away from, but a place I truly didn’t start appreciating until recently. There is nothing quite as jaw-dropping as the Kensico Dam and its architecture. I remember as a child we would go to the playground at the plaza and spend countless running around and playing on our bikes. But in our 20’s, my friends and I have found a new reason to visit the plaza, and we call it the “Sunday Recap”.

In our 20’s, it’s no secret on Saturday nights we like to go out and have a great time. We call it “living our best lives”. But as soon as Sunday rolls around, we are either regretting the decisions we made or are so proud of ourselves that we want to shout it from the rooftop. That is why my friends and I like to take a trip to the Kensico Dam on Sundays to do a bit of a recap of the night before.

By going to the plaza, we feel it allows us to get some much needed fresh air and exercise. We will do laps around the green field for hours, or until we run out of stories.

The dam is one of those places that no matter when you go, you will undoubtedly run into someone you know. Whether you want to or not. But my friends and I never let that stop us from going and having a great time in the sun.

Also, if you have children or younger siblings, I highly suggest visiting the Winter Wonderland Festival at the plaza during the holiday season. There is ice skating, a circus, children’s rides, a hayride and great local food vendors. Every year I take the children I used to babysit, as a fun night for everyone. They absolutely love it and I do too.

Be sure to check out the Kensico Dam Plaza, and maybe I’ll see you there. Here is a quick video I made on my visit! Enjoy 🙂

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Exploring A Chilly Stone Barns

March 6, 2018 jk38538n Leave a comment

JK at Stone Barns Center For Food & Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, NY.

During my years as an undergraduate student, I would babysit regularly for a family who lived right down the street from Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. For those of you who don’t know, Stone Barns is a beautiful farm in Pocantico Hills, full of lush green grass and gorgeous animals. I drove past this farm multiple times per week and every time I would be in awe. In the 45 seconds, I would spend driving along it, I would feel myself just relax and be inspired. It was unlike anything else I had seen in Westchester County, and each time I would see it, I couldn’t believe it was just a short ten minutes away from my house.

Now fast forward to this past weekend, I started to really think of where I wanted to kick off my blog. I thought about different restaurants and cafes, but it wasn’t until I remembered Stone Barns, that I felt confident in starting “Living Local”. What I didn’t take into consideration was … the snow. I dragged my friend to visit the walking trails at Stone Barns, so I could get a better sense of what it was all about. We walked through the snow and the mud and happened to pass a lot of other people exercising. Sadly, most of the animals were in their different huts to keeps warm. But even in the snow, Stone Barns was as spectacular as I remembered. The way the sun was setting right over the farm was breathtaking. I already can’t wait to revisit the farm, come spring.

After visiting Stone Barns, I checked out the center’s website and learned about all of the different events, resources and opportunities at the farm. In addition, Stone Barns offers an extraordinary array of educational programs to teach people how to create a “healthy, sustainable food system”.

Well, that’s it for this week, be sure to check out Stone Barns and please comment below where you would like me to visit next!

Exploring Westchester, New York One Adventure At A Time