NYC Trip and Restaurant Review

For our birthdays, we splurged for tickets to a Broadway show! Hubby's never been to one and I haven't since high school. It was going to be a longer trip, but because of the baby on the way we decided to save money and make it a day trip. We drove ourselves and paid $80-$100 in tolls, ridiculous.

I did my research beforehand for vegan places to eat on other blogs. Unfortunately, they are all far from our theatre and we didn't want to take the metro. I was so excited to find Otarian restaurant  on Happy Cow.net! just a few blocks from the theatre and where we parked. 

Otarian is a small restaurant with locations in New York and London. All food is appropriate for lacto-vegetarians meaning the only animal derived ingredient you will find is dairy. However, most food is already vegan and if it comes with cheese you can get it made vegan. Most items are gluten free. All are free of nuts and some other allergens and if you order something Asian-y it is made with tamari instead of soy sauce which contains wheat.

Otarian hails itself as the only carbon-free restaurant. Everything is compostable and nothing is air-freighted to them. Best of all it is delicious and reasonably-priced! Most foods are lunch appropriate (wraps, burgers, salads) and some you can buy premade but the "hearties" could satisfy a dinner such as lasagna and Indian entrees.

No trashcans or recycling cans here!

Of course, we scarfed our meals before I thought to take pictures. I ate a Sweet Potato Falafel Wrap which is served cold. It was yummy but don't go in expecting a taste at all like falafel. The hummus was good but I did not care for the carrot chutney sauce. Hubby ate a Tex Mex burger which was not vegan and he loved it. We both had french fries with a delicious homemade barbeque sauce.

This is called "Choco Treat" Vegan but not gluten free. Mmmm!

Chocolate mouse! So rich and yummy with chocolate chunks. Gluten free but not vegan (contains dairy).

Combining both of the desserts was the BEST!

The Broadway Show was saw was Book of Mormon, a comedy by the writers of South Park and the musical Avenue Q which we already love. It was excellent!

In the lobby waiting for the show to start. You can't see my belly or dress :o(

Cast sign outside the theatre doors...yeah, we waited there for 2 hours for the air conditioning!

There's Baby Squiggles!

Pregnancy Typical Food-in-a-Day

Here is an overview of what I typically eat since I became aware that I am baby-making. I buy organic and local whenever possible.

Half of prenatal vitamins and Omega-3 pills

Breakfast: 

• Morning Smoothie- I have made some changes to this. I wrote about the sweetener in the last post. I also had to get rid of the maca powder and flax oil because they could be harmful to Baby Squiggles.
• Sometimes: a bowl of cereal or, if I don't feel well, crackers or pretzels

Snack

Lunch (some combination of):

• Hummus with spinach or carrots
• Apple or other fruit
• Pretzels, crackers and cheese, chips
• Thai noodle soup in a package
• Leftovers
• Mac and cheese or cheesy potatoes (I need to cut these habits)

Snack

Dinner (some combination of):

• Pasta (I never used to eat this but it is good for getting calories in. I try for whole grain)
• Gardein something
• Take-out
• Homemade pizza
• Soup
• Curry Chickpeas
• Homemade stir fry or fried rice or rice noodles
• French fries and Gardein 'chicken' tenders
• Steamed veggies like brocolli or green beans
• Garlic mashed potatoes (used to not eat potatoes but I am for the potassium) 
• Near East whole grain blend
• Lentils, quinoa, brown rice

Fruit or Smoothie for Dessert

Half of prenatal vitamins and Omega-3 pills

Snacks include but are not limited to: hummus, spinach, carrots, tortilla chips, hummus chips, potato chips, pretzels, Triscuits, cheese, pickles (major craving), fruit especially berries, homemade trail mix, sunflower seeds, almonds, bowl of cereal, granola bars (always in my purse), croutons

Restaurants: 

• Arby's- I've gotten curly fries twice :o(
• Indian- ohhh yesss
• Chinese- variety
• Chipotle- veggie burrito with rice, lettuce, and black beans
• Sandwich shop- whole wheat roll with cheese, spinach, and avocado (mmm)

Drinks:

• Always water
• Small glass of OJ 
• Nothing else!!!
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