My photo essay is about how my community is being seen currently from its outside and the changes that has been happening since the pandemic. I have taken different pictures from the streets such as a Madison square park, my neighbors in the Fairway supermarket, as well people who are living in the same building as me. Things have changed a lot before COVID-19. I was able to hear different opinions from people around my area on how they feel about the changes that have happened since the pandemic. .

 

 

This is Madison square park. This is our new way of enjoying the park scenery. All these circles are for social distancing. Covid-19 have changed our life in so many ways. These circles look like some sort of a game rule, where everyone has to be in the circle for their safety. I like it though.

I am always passing by here after work to relax and refresh my mind before I went back home.

 

 

 

 

“If you want to stay at the park make sure you keep this far apart for the safety of everyone”.

 

 

 

This water fountain has been dry since the pandemic disease began until today. So many people like it here especially this fountain was so attractive looking at it, watching water falling down and its sound was like a mind therapy. Now it is dry, but people are not stopping having a great time. As you can see there are people all the way to the end playing some good music’s.

 

 

 

 

“I just want for things to get back to normal. I miss those days when we used to sit at the park like this without covering our face with masks because of the viruses. I am really tired of the masks for sure, but I have no choice. I have to wear them to survive. Don’t mind me here, my mask is in my bag just for few minutes I will put it back on my face”.

 

 

“Walk or Ride” these bikes never used to be here before. This new location has been very helpful for the resident in our neighborhood for maintaining social distancing. Few people will just get into the bikes and explore around the city while maintaining the distance. Instead of getting into public transportation such as MTA Busses or trains. People preferred the bikes for for fun or to run their errands in the city.

 

 

Most of the streets are closed for cars not to pass by. Only the streets are open for people to enjoy their dinning and shopping while maintaining the social distancing. The whole block is covered with different street dining restaurants. We call it here #outdoordining #openstreetsrestaurants.

 

 

Instead of eating in the restaurants. I would still prefer maintaining social distancing and order takeaway for home.  This is me eating chicken Shawarma from my dell store downstairs. I know many small businesses are struggling everywhere and some are closing down. My motto is to support them in one way or another whenever I can. This is why instead of cooking at home, here I am with my takeaway sandwich.

 

 

 

 

“If you happen to be out early in the morning around 7am or evening around 6pm. You will find me out in our little park walking around stretching my legs for about half an hour. This is good for my health. I know many gyms are open right now, but I am still afraid. I want to keep maintain social distancing. I don’t know when I will get back to the gym. Probably when things get back to normal”.

 

 

“I really wanted to meet my friends at daycare or at the park, but I couldn’t because of the Pandemic disease. Here I am in the small park outside home with my only one friend Todd. He is always with me everywhere I go. I am pretty sure at that time my friends Charlie and Jennifer were playing in their home. We had to maintain social distancing”.

 

 

“7pm everyday was our traditional. Everyone will stand on their doorsteps, rooftops or open the window clapping and cheering as loud as they can for all the frontline workers such as Medical professionals and staff, care givers, food and medicine delivery drivers, shop workers and anyone else on the frontline risking their own lives to make ours better. Who knew this will happen in 2020? I bet no one”.

 

 

 

“I just love that our neighborhood fairway market had everything I needed during quarantine. I literally survived off of Kettle Salt, Vinegar chips and Mango Kombucha. No kidding”.

 

 

 

“I have never imagined that one day I would ever buy so much groceries just to stock them in my apartment. Do you want to know which was the most important thing I will get once I get into the groceries store? I bet you know what I am talking about”.

 

Even the dog couldn’t have enough patient to wait for the long line in the supermarket. This is Craig. He is out here waiting for his mother who is buying food in the fairway market to come out. “During quarantine the waiting line have been so long since as everyone wants to get some groceries. It can take almost an hour and half just to shop and standing on the line to pay. Perhaps I could have used Fairway Market delivery service”. Jennifer said.

Water is critical to keeping us hydrated all year round.  However the taste of water can leave you feeling bored and more interested in reaching for something like fruits juice or coffee. If you are looking for a great way to stay hydrated, here are healthy drinks besides water.

 

Lemon and Water!

Lemon water promotes hydration, source of vitamin C, supports weight loss, improve your skin quality, freshens breath, prevent kidney stones and aids digestion. You can infuse more flavor or add a health boost to lemon water by adding springs of mints, raw honey, fresh ginger, cinnamon or turmeric.

 

Kombucha!

This fermentation tea drink is a cross between a cup of your favorite herbal tea and a glass of seltzer. You can make a kombucha with sugar, water, tea and scoby, a yeast base that will transform the tea into a fizzy concoction.

 

Strawberries and mint with water!

Instead of drinking water flavored with chemicals, you can add fresh fruit to a glass of water. In addition, adding mint will give you an additional boost of nutrients and leave you with fresh breath. It doesn’t have to be strawberries and mint, you can experiment with a range of herbs like rosemary which pairs well with grapefruit or thyme which is a tasty companion for lemon.

 

Coconut Water!

Coconut water is an excellent source of hydration, providing an additional source of electrolytes, making it deal for when you are in the middle of a spin class. However, it has a very polarizing taste that isn’t for everyone. Add a twist of lemon or mashed up strawberries for a delicious addition.

 

Green Juice or Smoothie!

Juicing has become a phenomenon in the world of healthy eating. Fight the temptation of grabbing a bottle version in your local supermarket, as it will likely be loaded with sugar. Instead, throw in your favorite fruits with a handful of spinach or kale into a blender or juicer. A smoothie will keep you feeling fuller longer than a glass of soda and you will get some important vitamins and nutrients.

 

Fire Cider!

This fermented drink will be sure to wake you up in the morning. To make it, mix together ingredients like garlic, chili, ginger, turmeric and apple cider vinegar and let your final combo sit for six weeks. While it may taste a little unsavory, taking a tablespoon of it every few hours can help keep your sniffles at bay if you want to feel sick.

 

Drink Healthy!

Stay Hydrated!

Pasta with Creamy Walnut Sauce!

This is a very delicious meal with simple recipes. You will only need walnuts, cheese, cream, dried spaghetti or pasta of choice, salt and black pepper.

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a strong boil. Add salt followed by pasta and cook it. While pasta is cooking, finely chop walnuts and marjoram together in a food processor. In the pot that previous held pasta add cream, nut mixture and cheese. Mix in spaghetti and enough pasta cooking water to form a creamy sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm and enjoy!

 

Tagliatelle pasta with fresh peas and pancetta!

This tagliatelle pasta with fresh peas is super simple make. All you need for the sauce is fresh peas, pancetta, onions and vegetable stock. Some people use beef stock but I prefer vegetables. After frying the onion and pancetta, you simply add the peas and the stock and let the peas cook in the liquid. The result is really tasty.

Instructions

Shell and wash the peas. Cut the pancetta into small cubes, peel and finely chop the spring onion. Heat the olive oil in frying pan or skillet and add the onion, pancetta and parsley.  Cook over a low heat until the onion softens and the pancetta turns pink, add the peas and a cup of broth. Season with salt and black pepper and cook about 10 – 15 minutes. Meanwhile, boil some water in a saucepan for the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet. Drain the pasta. After getting cooked, mix everything together well and serve.

 

Sagne Torte with Tomato Sauce!

 

On this pasta you can use fresh tomatoes and passata. You can choose to include one or the other or both, depending on what you have available. Apart from the tomatoes this sauce has just some basil and garlic.

Instructions

Blanc the fresh tomatoes in hot water and then remove the peel and seeds. Peel the garlic cloves and wash the basil. To make the sauce put the extra virgin olive oil in a deep frying or skillet with the garlic and fry it for a couple of minutes. Then add the pieces of peeled fresh tomato. Cook until the tomatoes soften and then add the passata, basil leaves and little salt. Continue cooking the sauce for about 15 minutes over a low medium heat. Cook the pasta separately then mix everything together well and cook together for another minute.

 

Ricotta Gnocchi With Mushrooms!

This homemade ricotta gnocchi with mushroom is a divine vegetarian recipe. It is pretty easy to make and a fabulous dish for meatless Mondays and Vegetarians. You will need milk, flour, low fat cheese, eggs, mushrooms, garlic, black pepper, fresh parsley, olive oil.

Instructions

Mix and knead all the gnocchi ingredients together then put the dough in the fridge covered with plastic wrap for half an hour. Cook the mushrooms. Then chop the garlic and parsley. Heat the olive oil and half the butter in a frying pan. Add the garlic and cook until it starts to soften. Add the mushrooms and continue cooking until they start to brown slightly. Add more butter if they start to dry out, add black pepper to taste.

Put a pot of salted water on the boil. In the meantime, with the help of plain flour or semolina. Cut the pasta into gnocchi of about 2cm. then finish the dish by saute the gnocchi and mushrooms together for a couple of minutes. Then serve immediately with a little more chopped parsley and grated cheese.

 

Prosciutto Ragu with Dischi Volant Recipe!

This prosciutto ragu with dischi volanti pasta is very fabulous. Its faster and easier to make but just as flavourful with just three main ingredients. Use short pasta, low fat butter, tomato passata, salt, peeled shallots, black pepper.

Instructions

Cut the prosciutto into small pieces, saute the shallot in a heavy frying pan or skillet in the butter, cook over a medium heat for about 3-4 minutes, then add the tomato passata and continue cooking on a low heat for about 15 minutes. Every now and then add a little milk, add black pepper as required, boil the pasta and add salt cook it then mix well with the sauce. Serve immediately.

 

Enjoy!

Chickpea, Avocado and Feta Salad!

This healthy chickpea, avocado and feta salad only take 5 minutes to make. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, dinner or snack.

All you have to do is combine chickpeas, avocado, cilantro, green onion, feta cheese and a little lime juice. That’s it. Five minutes is all you need to make this healthy salad! It is perfect for a quick lunch, dinner or healthy snack! And it’s a good recipe to serve at parties because it is so easy.

 

Thai Chicken Salad!

This is the best Thai Chicken Salad recipe! Featuring papaya, cabbage, carrots, cucumber and a spicy peanut dressing, you can enjoy this amazing salad all on its own as a filling and healthy meal.

For the dressing; lime juice, olive oil, soy sauce, honey, peanut butter, fish sauce, red pepper flakes and garlic chili sauce. This salad isn’t going to leave you hungry. That’s for sure. It is packed with delicious ingredients and a hearty peanut butter dressings.

 

Orange, Avocado and feta!

To make this kind of salad. You will need  peeled oranges, ripe avocado, chopped cilantro, sesame seeds, zest juice and one lime, cup of water, olive oil, and salt.

Combine the avocado, lime, juice and water in a blender or food processor. Process until completely smooth. Pour in the olive oil and pulse just to combine as you don’t want to bruise the olive oil or it will taste bitter. Combine the clean greens in a bowl and toss enough dressing to coat. Add the orange segments, avocado, cilantro and feta. Finish with the sesame seeds.

 

Kale Caesar Salad!

Caesar Salad is so quick and easy to make. It always hits all the right notes, with its crisp greens, crunchy croutons, shards of shaved parmesan and a smooth, peppery dressing.   You only need green kale and romaine lettuce hearts, small garlic cloves, salt and freshly ground black pepper, virgin oil, lemon juice for more taste.

Place the kale in a large bowl. Using your hands, massage the leaves until they feel less stiff and smell fresh and grassy. Add the dressing and taste  it.

 

Super Green Quinoa Salad with Basil and Pistachios!

This is a simple green quinoa salad. Which is basically massaged kale and cooked quinoa with some aromatics. Dresses in a vegan, light and creamy basil dressing that’s powered by silk.  You will need fresh basil leaves, virgin olive oil, unsweetened plant based milk, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, black pepper, cups of kale.

Combine together the basil, olive oil, almond milk, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper blend until smooth. Pour the dressing over the kale in a large bowl. With your hands mix together gently. Then toss in the quinoa and scallions. Mix and season once more with more salt if need.

 

 

Eat green!

Stay Green!

 

If you’re quarantined at home, it is important to eat healthy foods. You can get creative if you’re feeling well. Keep it simple if you are not. Stock up on easy ways to soak up the nutrients.

 

Gather your favorite fruits and veggies!

Fruits and vegetables get your immune system in fighting shape. Chop and store fresh vegetables now or buy pre-cut packages to save prep time. It is a good idea to buy frozen fruits and vegetables too. They are nutritious, you won’t have to worry about them spoiling.

• Add spinach and berries or other fruits to smoothies.
• Top oatmeal or Greek yogurt with fresh berries.

 

Power up with protein!

Keep up your strength and fight fatigue by eating lean protein. Not only for dinner, add protein to breakfast and snacks too.

• Grill fresh fish, chicken or veggie.
• Heat up frozen grilled chicken.
• Avoid fatty cuts of meat, battered fish or chicken and sugary nut butters.

 

Stock up on Soup and Beans!

You can make a pot of smoothing soup or beans then freeze in several smaller containers. Or try healthy, convenient boxed and canned options.

• Avoid packaged soups or beans loaded with sodium.

 

Pack in the Probiotics!

Probiotics are good bacteria that offer several health benefits. Probiotics occur naturally in fermented foods such as:

• Greek yogurt: plain and low fat
• Top with fruits or add to smoothies.
• Use as a base for dips or creamed spinach.
• Avoid added sugar.

 

Stay hydrated!

Fluids help thin mucus, flush out germs and keep your digestion and immune ststem running smoothly. Aim for half of your body weight in ounces of fluid.

• It is easier than you might think to reach your goal.
• Broths, smoothies and Greek yogurt count toward your fluid total.
• Squeeze a little lemon, lime or orange into your water or tea flavor and vitamin C.

 

Call for backup!

No matter how well you prepare, you are bound to forget or run out of something. Stay home, use grocery delivery or ask a friend for a favor. Either way you can shop and pay online, then have items dropped off on your doorsteps.

 

 

Stay Safe!

Stay Hydrated!

 

 

We are all living in a difficult and confusing time. It can also feel scary, with so much uncertainty. Many of us want to know what to do to be in the best state of health possible. The coronavirus (COVID-19) is now spreading like wildfire, so we are all learning fast at a huge cost. Staying at home , washing hands, sanitizing anything that come in your house and social distancing are the good ways to stay safe during this time.

 

Well! I have good news for you today, as I am going to share different fruits and vegetable recommendations which contain Vitamin C to help you stay healthy and keep your immune system strong to fight these viruses.

 

The body cannot produce vitamin C on its own, so we must get it through a clean, healthy diet. The best food source are fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. Some foods with high in vitamin C are citrus like orange and grapefruit, pomegranates, tropical fruits like mango, papaya and pineapple, and brassica vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts.

 

Many people believe that increasing vitamin C after you notice symptoms of a cold or flu will clear up the cold faster. However, most research shows that it is consistent use of vitamin C that keeps the immune system strong, which can prevent illness or shorten  the duration of a cold.

 

I hope all these tips and recommendations will be very helpful for you and your family on keeping your immune system strong.

 

 

 

Stay strong!

Wash your hands!

Drink/Eat Vitamin C!

Banana Ice Cream

This incredibly easy recipe gives you the look and texture of ice v=cream without all the added sugar. You will only need a banana, slice it and layer on cookie sheet to freeze. Remove from freezer and blend in food processor until creamy.

 

Baby Cucumbers

These crisp, refreshing bites contain just 15 calories per serving and are great for digestion.

 

Pear

Try this to give your midday snack an eastern flair. It contains Vitamin C and K and carbs for energy.

 

Apple

This low calorie snack is packed with fiber to keep you full, carbs to keep you energized and tons of nutrients.

 

Baked Apple Chips

Reach for low calories baked apple chips instead of greasy potato chips. They have heart friendly fiber and potassium. You will only need three large red delicious apples, cored, I tsp cinnamon and 2 tbsp sugar.

 

Baked Pear with Walnut and Honey

Deceptively easy to prepare, these baked delights contain carbs, protein and fiber, perfect for when you need a burst of energy to get through the day. You will only need two large ripe pears, tablespoon ground cinnamon, teaspoon of honey, crushed walnuts and yogurt or frozen yogurt which is optional.

 

Baked Sweet Potato Chips

It’s a superfood for a reason – sweet potatoes are choc full of potassium, protein and fiber. Bake them for a light, crispy treat. You will only need one or two pounds sweet potatoes, cup of olive oil and salt.

 

Baked Sweet Potato Topped with Greek Yogurt, Chopped Walnuts

Tart Greek yogurt sets off the baked sweet potato’s natural dulcitude and provide additional protein, while walnuts provide a satisfying crunch. You will need few sweet potato, half cup of plain Greek yogurt, and chopped walnuts.

 

 

Thank You! 

Stay Tuned for More.

Zucchini Spaghetti

 

This zucchini noodle spaghetti is a delicious, gluten-free alternative to pasta. It has a great flavor and textures and topped with a simple tomato sauce. It makes a satisfying meal especially if you include a little meat in the sauce. Use four medium zucchinis, one tbs olive oil, one clove garlic minced, twenty-eight-ounce can whole tomato or fresh tomatoes if you have, one or two tsp honey, one tbs red wine vinegar, salt and pepper to taste and two tbs chopped basil.

 

Chicken Soup

This is an easy dinner, simple to make and very flavorful. It has a combination of chicken, corn, red pepper and black beans in a salsa-based chicken broth. This soup is a one pot meal. You only need to chop the onion and red pepper and cutting the corn off the cob, cooked chicken, a little bit of salt   there is no much work to do. The only thing you have to do, in a large pot  put the onion, red pepper in the olive oil medium heat until the vegetables begin to soften for about 5 minutes. Add the chickens, the corn, black beans, salsa, salt. Cover the pot and simmer over medium low heat for 10 minutes. It should be ready to eat.

 

Crustless Taco Pie

This crustless taco pie is a delicious gluten free casserole full of flavor. It is a quickly, hearty lower carb dinner full of pantry staples. aside from chopping an onion, there isn’t much prep work involved in this recipe. You may simply sauce the onion, brown the ground beef, and layer the ingredients in a pie pan for baking. The result is an irresistible gluten-free meal. For a dairy free version, simply leave out the cheese or use your favorite vegan cheese. Use a mild non-dairy milk such as almond milk or oat milk.

 

Vegetarian Cassoulet

The vegetarian cassoulet is such a hearty vegan dinner recipe. It’s flavorful and healthy. this is made with whatever meat and beans if available. You can cook this with a dried beans, the bay leaf and sprigs of fresh thyme to give this recipe a nice flavor. I recommend using fresh thyme rather than dried thyme in the recipe. You will need carrots, celery stalks, cloves garlic minced, salt and water. Cook it for about 25 minutes.

 

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

This cranberry walnut chicken salad is an irresistible combination of savory and sweet flavors. It features tender chicken, dried cranberries, walnuts and celery in a creamy dressing. It is easy to make and very delicious for lunch or dinner. You can cook the chicken breast quickly in the instant pot. The chicken can be chopped or shredded to make this cranberry walnut chicken salad. Feel free to substitute almond or pecans for the walnuts if you’d prefer.

 

 

Instant Pot Chicken Stew

 

This instant pot chicken stew is comfort food at its best. It’s such an easy, healthy recipe for a chilly night. Chicken stew is one of those dinner that makes a cold winter night feel a little better. Stir together the thyme, sage, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set the instant pot to sauce and pour olive oil into the pot, add onion, garlic, chicken broth, potatoes, carrots, green beans and half the seasoning mixture. Let it cook for about 10 minutes.

 

 

 

Thank you!

Stay tuned for more.

 

 

When you are trying to lose weight, breakfast can set the tone for the rest of your day. Consuming the wrong foods can lead to a failure of appetite and craving before the day began.

Filling up on the right foods can increase your cravings or keep you feeling full until lunchtime to minimize snacking and ease weight loss.

Therefore; here are the top 10 healthy breakfast food that can help you stay fit, health and lose weight.

 

1. Green Tea

Green tea tend to increase fat burning and number of burnt calories which could aid weight loss. If you take a look at the ingredients in almost any diet pill or fat-burning supplements there is a good chance you’ll spot green tea. Green tea is known for its metabolism and fart-burning capacities.

There are so many ways to enjoy green tea in the morning. Try adding a squeeze of lemon, a bit of honey or brewing tea with ginger or mint to bring a tasty twist to your cup.

 

2. Banana 

Banana are a great alternative to sugary breakfast cereals to satisfy your sweet tooth first thing in the morning.  Banana are hight in fiber, which can keep you feeling fuller longer. It contain resistant starch, which may help decrease food intake and belly fat. One medium banana fiber will help to slow the emptying of your stomach and keep you feeling fuller longer. They are a good source of resistant starch, a type of starch that stomachs and small intestine don’t digest. This may help reduce tfood intake and decrease belly fat.

Banana can be enjoyed alone or with a sliced as a topping for yogurt or oatmeal. You can  have it as a morning smoothie for a hearty dose of resistant starch.

 

3.   Yogurt

Creamy, delicious and satisfying yogurt makes an excellent addition to a weight loss diet. Eating high-protein yogurt as a snack or breakfast can help decrease the level of hunger and reduce food intake alter in the day.

Try combine one cup of greek yogurt with some mixed fruit, chia seeds or wheat germ for an especially nutritious breakfast.

 

4. Oatmeal 

Oatmeal is a healthy and delicious breakfast option, especially if you are looking to lose weight. Oatmeal is low in calories but hight in fiber and protein, which help in increasing weight loss. It contains also beta-glucan which can decrease both blood sugar and appetite.

When making your oatmeal, try to combine one cup of 235 grams of cooked oatmeal with a one half cup of berries, 7 gram of ground flaxseed and a handful of almonds for a power- packed, high-fiber morning meal.

 

5. Nuts

Nuts provides the perfect balance of fibers, protein and heart-healthy fats. Adding nuts to your diet may increase weight loss. You have to keep in mind that nuts are also very calorie-dense, so I strongly recommend to limit your intake to about approximately one ounce or 28 grams at a time to keep the calories from stacking up.

Mix a serving of nuts into yogurt, cottage cheese or homemade granola to bring your breakfast to the next level in terms  of nutrition.

 

Sliced kiwis make a great breakfast boost. You can also add them to yogurt, smoothies or cereals.

 

 

 

Thank You

Stay Tuned for More!

 

Monday

Super Eggy Vegan Tofu Scramble w/ avocados and tomatoes

High protein and super  eggy vegan tofu scramble! this hearty and satisfying vegan breakfast is super close to scrambled eggs in taste without actually being scrambled eggs, which is super cool! Perfect for vegans who miss eggs and those who just want a hearty healthy breakfast.

Tuesday

Tuscan white bean soup

This a big pot of soup made with simple garden vegetables like onions, carrots, celery, kale, tomatoes and white beans in a flavorful broth, thickened with bread, then reheated and eaten several days in row, getting better and better each day.

Wednesday 

Mushroom Ragu and Polenta Egg Bake

Ingredients; olive oil, shallots, coarse-grind cornmeal, mixed mushrooms, cloves garlic, diced tomatoes, eggs, grated parmesan, chopped parsley.

Thursday 

Pepperoni-Pizza Baked Potatoes

Four large baking potatoes, washed, patted dry, pierced all over with a sharp knife, tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper, medium chopped onion, cup of sliced mushroom, cup sliced pepperoni rounds, can of tomatoes, teaspoon Italian seasoning, cup shredded mozzarella.

Friday 

Greek Salad

A simple salad loaded with lots of fresh veggies, olives and feta and tossed with a tangy lemon- herb. Ingredients; Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, bell pepper, kalamata or black olives, avocado and feta cheese.

 

 

 

Eat Clean

Stay Clean