Getting My Protein On: Pistachio and Almond Oatmeal Breakfast

By: Finance Foodie

During the days at my new job, the work is so hectic that grabbing a snack in between meals is near impossible. By lunchtime, my famished and cranky body usually heads towards the fastest and greasiest item in site (I'm looking at you Five Guys...). Fearing artery blockage and weight gain, I decided I couldn't keep living like this. After examining the situation, I realized the root of the problem was my nutrient and protein light breakfast of Dunkin Donut's iced coffee and bagel. Delicious at initial consumption, but no wonder I was starving by lunch.  Feeling creative and inspired, I rummaged through my pantry one day for a healthy concoction, and BOOM! - born was the Savory Protein Packed Oatmeal!

Mumbles: A Neighborhood Fave That Puts A Fun Twist On The Classics!

By: Anne M. Raso

Mumbles is the type of local eatery that makes Manhattan great. They do a little of everything, the food is consistent and the portions are huge. Best of all, the prices are cheap and there are theme nights where you get out-of the ordinary items or you might get your fave menu item for less. Mumbles is such a place. Many years ago (20+) it was up in my ‘hood at 83rd and Second and was a place that was always packed with people from all walks of life, but mostly folks from the neighborhood who spent several nights per week there. Mumbles also offers large, high quality drinks—they have many flavors of margaritas for $11 (or even cheaper during Happy Hour). My dining partner loved her Mango Margarita made with Cuervo Gold tequila, Triple Sec, lemonade and mango juice.

Photo Courtesy of Mumbles NYC

Olio e Piu: Rustic Neapolitan Fare In The Heart Of The West Village!

By: Anne M. Raso

I fell in love with the rustic charm of Olio e Piu the minute I stepped in. It was a perfect 76 degree evening and the ceiling to floor front panels were opened to reveal colorful sidewalk tables that looked out on legendary West Village sites like the Jefferson Market Library and and CE Bigelow Pharmacy.

Interior

Buns Out: Time Out New York x Amstel Light's Battle of the Burger NYC

By: Finance Foodie

Everyone’s always looking for the best burger in the Big Apple, so Amstel Light and Time Out New York set out on a quest to find and crown that restaurant. Last night, hundreds of burger loving New Yorker's (including yours truly) came out to the Hudson Hotel and tasted 15 of Gotham’s standout burgers, voted for the night’s top-patty and, of course, had some Amstel Light to wash all that meaty goodness down.

So who were the winners? Read on my friends....

We on a Boat: Sunset Sailing on the Bateaux New York Dinner Cruise

By: Finance Foodie

As the end of summer nears, I've been trying to maximize all my weekends to the fullest (now that I'm no longer in grad school, unlimited free days are a thing of the past). This week's adventure had me on a boat. A mighty big boat in fact...

The Bateaux: Photo Courtesy Entertainment Cruises Co.

A Taste of Italy at Marcony Ristorante

By: Finance Foodie

It's been almost 5 years since my last trip to Italy, but I can still taste the savory goodness of the spaghetti and the sweetness of the tiramisu that was ever present in the endless sidewalk cafes. Now I try to indulge in carb-y Italian cuisine only sparingly, but when I got the invite for a "Taste of Italy" lunch at Marcony Ristorante, hosted by chef and owner Marco Pipolo, well I had to cash in my "splurge" meal day and check this place out.

Zucchini and Figs

The Guerlain Spa at The Waldorf Astoria: It Doesn’t Get Much More Luxurious Than This, Folks!

By: Anne M. Raso

I am sure many hard-working professionals who need a serious pampering break often wonder if it’s worth it to spend hundred of dollars for a massage (or other services) at world famous spas that many feel are just for the rich and famous, aka “the beautiful people”!

Turn Around for Eight Turn Crepe Soho

By: Finance Foodie

Eight Turn Crepe, a new fast-casual restaurant offering delicious, hand-crafted Japanese-inspired crepes, recently opened its doors to its first-ever U.S. location in SoHo, NYC. This new restaurant serves better-for-you crepes, made fresh-to-order and served in a traditional Japanese cone-style – and they’re delicious! Feeling guilty after a late night of partying, my dining companion and I decided this would be a much better lunch option than the usual hangover fair of greasy burgers and fries. So with our sunglasses on (to hide our bloodshot eyes), we meandered slowly downtown to test these new fanged creations out.

BlackBerry Z10: Could It Be The "Perfect 10" Of Smart Phones?

By: Anne M. Raso

I recently tested the BlackBerry Z10 with a three-week loaner device, and have to say that at first I was a little nervous about using it. I have always been a BlackBerry loyalist and it is the only brand of hand held I have used for the past eight years. I have had five different devices in those eight years and they all had the Qwerty keypad, which I worship and adore and will not give up even if someone offered me an iPhone for free. When I heard BlackBerry was launching the Z10, their first product with a touch screen, I had the urge to check it out. I wanted to see if the browser was faster than on the other models I have tried and to see if I could handle the virtual keypad in terms of how fast I could shoot out emails. I get more than 700 per day and I answer anything addressed to me by my first name, whether it is in my regular mail or spam folder! I am a journalist, but I am sure corporate clients are looking for an easy to use keypad as well.

Elvis' "Axe Man" James Burton: A Guitar Legend Bites The Big Apple!

By: Anne M. Raso

This is going to be a big weekend for fans of James Burton, Louisiana native who is most famous for being Elvis and Ricky Nelson's lead axe man and for inventing what has come to be known as the "chicken pickin' style." Burton never seems to play in New York and when I asked him about it, he joked that they don't offer him enough money up here (well, I am pretty sure he was joking, LOL)! The only times I can recall that Burton played here in recent times was when the TCB band--Elvis' backup group from the 70s who still tour together on occasion--played at Radio City as part of an Elvis tribute back in February 2011.

James Burton

Summertime Sailing: Schooner Sailing on NYC's Hudson River

By: Finance Foodie

Not too long ago, I was contacted by Xperience Days, the country's leading unique and adventure gifts company, offering thousands of one of a kind gift experiences nationwide for everyone - man, woman or (wo)manchild, to try out one of their many "experiences". I looked through the list of fun activities in NYC and decided on a Sunday sail aboard the Schooner Adirondack. I mean, what else is there to do on a nice, sunny but not too hot, 80 degree weather Sunday in New York City? Answer: A scenic two hour sail on the Hudson River in the New York Harbor  (assuming you aren't too hungover from the night before)!

Summertime Sweetness: Treats to Keep You Feelin' Electric Tonight

By: Finance Foodie

Summer might be almost done, but there's no need for sadness. The team here at Finance Foodie Media has been busy slaving away and trying a bunch of new drinks and food items for you guys (such tough lives we lead!). So put that red dress on tonight, do you hair up real big beauty queen style and check out these tasty morsels while going down the coast goin' 'bout 99.

Don't be sad Lana - enjoy summer! (Source: Idolator)

Taste Testing the New McDonald's Dulce de Leche Caramel Shake

By: Finance Foodie

Inspired by the traditional Latin American dessert, McDonald’s new Dulce de Leche Caramel Shake is made with reduced fat vanilla ice cream, caramel syrup and topped with whipped cream and a cherry. The newest member of the family, the shake joins the existing line that includes Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry. The Shake is a seasonal offering available for the first time nationwide beginning June through September.