Things I Love Thursday: The Big Apple.

So it’s Thursday, and I’m still in New York City. I don’t know what it is about this city, but it’s always got me feeling introspective. Maybe because it was part of the first big transformative grand adventure I went on by myself, maybe it’s that fast paced life that I feel part of now, maybe it’s because I haven’t had enough pretzels, I don’t know.

A common theme for me every week (whether I post a TILT or not) is that I feel grateful for almost everything that has transpired over the last few years. If you had asked me 10 years ago, where I thought I would be, I don’t know if I would have had such a positive answer. Life hasn’t always been easy, but I think the harder parts of the past have made me appreciate all the good good things all that much more.

We’re staying in a beautiful condo in Manhattan overlooking the river (a view I love) and with a glimpse of Central Park. Officially we’re catsitting, but really, I have come to the conclusion that all vacations are better when I can borrow a cat (i.e., it’s not really cat sitting, it’s cat borrowing).
This is Gizmo (an action shot)

When we were in Las Vegas I especially missed our cats, and this time is no different, it’s just a bit easier with another cat around to annoy us. I miss Kes and Emmie, but I know they’re in good hands with cat sitter I connected with through the (unofficial) Toronto vegan network.

But on to the TILT…

Coffee

This is a week I like coffee, next week it could be different. I’ve tried a couple of the local roasters – Brooklyn Roasters (which seem to be everywhere) and Think Coffee, in Greenwich village, and all varieties have been pretty great. To really explore the coffee options in NY I’d have to spend another week here, and focus solely on coffee, and still only get through one or two neighbourhoods.

As an aside, most places (at least of the yuppie type places that I’ve been going to) have non-dairy milk available for coffee alongside the other coffee creamers, a trend that still hasn’t picked up in Toronto. Also, you want vegan snacks? They seem to be everywhere. I’ve stopped taking pictures of them. The novelty is gone.

Grow NYC

Grow NYC is a great organization that works to connect people with food and growing in New York City. One of my favourite initiatives they do is the Youthmarket.

“Youthmarket is a network of urban farm stands operated by neighborhood youth, supplied by local farmers, and designed to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to communities throughout New York City.”

They remind me a lot of the stuff that FoodShare Toronto is trying to do.

Dun-Well Doughnuts

Oh Dun-Well. What can I say? This place wins all donut contests. They bake fresh every day, are super nice, and have a nice selection of sweet delicious vegan baked goods and ice cream too.

I can’t wait to go back.

We’re still here for a few more days, and I’m still working on writing up Las Vegas stuff. Coming soon and thanks for reading.