Wow, what a difference in just four weeks, my running speed has increased by four mins an hour, my muscle mass has increased, my body fat has decreased, my nails have gained strength, and my energy has gone through the roof. While I was as at the New Age Health Spa, I read Raw Food / Real World: 100 Recipes to Get the Glow by Matthew Kenney and Sarma Melngailis, cover to cover. What I read amazed me and left me thinking, is this raw hype for real? That is when I decided to see for myself and try it, I wanted to share my experience and daily routine to all interested in improving their lives.

I bought the best present for myself, a Breville juicer. After my morning workout, I start with juicing fresh carrots, beets, ginger, kale, apples, and celery. Yes, that’s my breakfast. I prepare my lunch and snacks for the day, consisting of great salads with nuts, lots of vegetables, and creative dressings I make. I also bring in fruits, delicious manabread which is considered raw (cooked at very low temperatures), with some of my favorite raw nut butters. Coconut water, coconut milk, and almond milk are key basics for creating the best smoothies. Initially the shopping is a bit overwhelming, I even recently found raw cheese! Yes, it tastes like the best cheese although it is made with cashews.

My next purchase was the vitamixer, and eventually, I will buy my own dehydrater, but for now I buy my own dehydrated products. If you are interested in learning more and trying raw food at a great take out place in New York City located on 17th St. and Irving called Pure Juice and Take-out, the same of owners of the famous Pure Food and Wine restaurant (http://purefoodandwine.com/purejuice.html), another great site for buying all these yummy miracle foods is Oneluckyduck.com.

-Rosalie Sauter

Coming soon in Volume 2…

Dining:

Red Hat

Halfmoon

Kumo

Spice

Leisure:

The Nyack Library’s Addition

Half-a-Mile up Hook Mountain

Life:

Westchester (Rivington and Tarrytown)

Palisades

Also new to Volume 2 is “Dining on a Dime,” an extensive look into Rockland’s late night diners, drive-ins, and dives.

-Damien Burroughs

-Gary Blankfort

Once I joined the road runners and began doing races I was totally hooked. I spent most of my 20′s waking up and running on sunday mornings in central park at a race, and other than getting A LOT of t-shirts I grew to love running. Now let me set the record straight I don’t compete. I like to run and I love to do races but I never think of winning, I do it to just do it. I do it for the spirit of the sport. I do it for those who can’t and of course for those who won’t (all my friends who say “oh I do the next one with you”).

Years ago when I was training I ran at 5AM when it was still dark and I got my miles in early in the day. The weekends, when I did my long runs, were really the only time I got to appreciate my surroundings. I would often do a few miles on the treadmill because it was just too cold out. But when I did road running I would run everywhere from 9W in Haverstraw/Stony Point to Tweed Blouevard to Broadway in Nyack. But I just did it to get it done, I wasn’t inspired by my surroundings.

When I would travel to other cities I would run to “get to know the place” so why did it take me so long to do that at home? In recent years, my life and my children have changed that. I can’t really run on the shoulders of main roads as I trek with my double stroller and my dog by my side. Which brings me to my most recent realization….this great hudson valley in which I reside is beautiful!!!!

Over the past coulple of years I have run everywhere that is “stroller friendly” from my own local roads (with sidewalks) to Tallman State park to the hills of Bear Mountain and the mostly flat Rockland Lake. Once you have partners that can talk (my dog never compalined about our courses) you realize that same boring routine can be mixed up and everyone gets more out of it.

I of course always appreciate new routes to run, so if you know of any please let me know.

-Suzanne Iovino

Seeing the construction of the Harbors at Haverstraw for the first time!

In the spring of 2006, friends of ours (who live in Rockland) knew of our search for a home.  They decided to take us for a ride to Haverstraw, and we fell in love with the riverfront location.  From that moment forward, our experience has been nothing but positive. 

The Harbors is a developing oasis, with many townhomes and condominiums yet to be built.  In the meantime it is, simply put, a wonderful new community.  There are friendly faces, waves of hello while walking your dog or strolling with the baby, and a peaceful riverfront promenade along the Hudson surrounding you at all times. 

In addition to the asthetics of the community, there are also many amenities to take advantage of including our pool, playground, gym and concierge.  We even have our own “Harbor Cafe” where you can sit and enjoy (or take home) breakfast, lunch or dinner!

I feel that the village of Haverstraw also has potential to evolve into the charming and quaint locale that it should be…..it’s on its way with its existing restaurants,  and development plans for the near future.  If you are looking into condominium living, especially riverfront living, don’t bypass the Harbors in your search!

-Karen Hopkins

A NEW DRINK TO TRY:

• Pastis, a French Pernod cocktail refresher  

MY FAVORITE APPETIZERS:

• Alsacian Pizza, the crust is perfection, the muenster cheese & bacon is a savory pairing
• “The perfect” Mussels, a classic and satisfying broth that is perfect for eating too much bread 

ENTREE POINTERS:

• The Cod dish is quite yummy & elegant
• If you prefer your salmon on the thin side, give that a try. 
• I would prefer a bit more fat in my Kobe beef burger to make it a bit more succulent