Balls to the Walls

It is hard to believe 4th of July is less than 4 days away... that means most of you are road tripping somewhere come Friday for a weekend filled with family, friends and of course, flag cake. 

Bringing some fuel for those traffic filled car rides is a MUST. Enter: no bake energy balls. My younger (and wiser) sister brought these bad boys to my attention and I am now a strong ball-iever. The best part is that they take less than 15 minutes to make and are filled with protein. Try them for yourself!

No Bake (Gluten Free) Energy Balls
Ingredients (makes about 36 servings)
-1/2 cup of honey
-2 cups unsweeted coconut flakes
-1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
-1 cup smooth peanut butter or almond butter 
-2 cups gluten free rolled oats
-4 ounces minature chocolate chips
-1  cup flax seeds
-1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions
- Combine and stir all ingredients together in medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. 
- Cover bowl and let chill in refrigerator for about 15 minutes
- Once chilled, roll into balls of about 1" in diameter on to a baking sheet with parchment paper
-Get snacking!

CHEERS

We are just one week away from the official first day of summer which means outdoor happy hour season is finally HERE! Below are a few of my favorite spots broken down by occasion/vibe. Now get planning that #treatyoself Tuesday. Cheers.

I'm On a Boat // Island Vibe

1. Pier A Harbor House- both inside and out, views of the Statue of Liberty, great menu.
2. Frying Pan- perfect way to spend a sunny Saturday, anticipate long lines, average age of the crowd is 22.
3. Grand Banks- great for date night, order the oysters, go during off times can be long line.
4. Gilligan's at the Soho Grand- island oasis, order the watermelon margs, perfect way to spend a Sunday.

Swanky As F

1. Loopy Doopy in the Conrad Hotel- go for the Prosecco & Ice Pop cocktail, good views of the Hudson River, expensive. 
2. Soho House Rooftop- think Miami in NYC, large pool on the top of the roof with lounge chairs and couches surrounding it, good people watching.
3. PH-D Rooftop Lounge- throwback to an 80's penthouse, clubby feel, skyline views from Meatpacking, expensive drinks. 

Hipsters Only

1. Hotel Hugo Azul Rooftop- Cuban decor, order the frozen drinks and tacos, expensive. 
2. Mulberry Project Back Yard Patio- walls covered in street art, made to order cocktails, good for date night.
3. Wythe Hotel Ides Rooftop- Refurbished factory on the Brooklyn waterfront, amazing views of Manhattan, go during off times can be long lines.
4. Mr. Purple Roof at the Hotel Indigo- new hot spot with a trendy crowd, small pool, great views of city, inside/outside options.

Big Group Gatherings

1. Brass Monkey Rooftop- 90 draft and bottled beers to choose from, TV on the roof for watching games, views of the Hudson, not expensive.
2. Freehold- grassy outdoor space with ping pong and cornhole, good way to spend a Saturday, open space. 
3. The Jeffery- backyard beer garden, sports on TV, good place for day drinking.

Co-Worker Hang

1. Roof at Park South- good central location for after work drinks, overlooks the Empire State Building, good apps. 
2. Perfect Pint- Irish pub in the heart of Time Square, top floor rooftop is perfect for after work drinks. 
3. La Birreria Eataly- beer garden above Eataly, good for a Friday summer lunch, great apps. 

Where I'm Eating

Happy Friday and more importantly, happy (almost) summer! Summer in NYC means weekend trips away, but in the case that your stuck in the city, below are four restaurants I consider a city "escape". Check them out and get your zen on. Enjoy! 

1. Palma: 28 Cornelia St. New York, NY - 212-691-2223
Rustic 35-seat dining room. Serving Italian classics crafted from organic ingredients. Set in a beautiful a garden. Perfect for date night. Order the sea bass, cauliflower salad, or gluten free pasta. 

2. Maman: 211 West Broadway New York, NY - 646-882-8682
Chic bakery and cafe in the front and restaurant in the back. Feels like a country home in the South of France. Great for brunch with Mom. Order the chocolate chunk cookie, stuffed calamari with raisins, or roasted potatoes. 

3. Two Hands Restaurant & Bar: 251 Church St. New York, NY - No phone, email churchst@twohandsnyc.com
Light and bright Tribeca oasis. Filled with plants and beautiful, friendly Australians. Order the smashed-avocado toast, pickled-chili scrambled eggs, and cauliflower couscous. 

4. Pizza Beach: 167 Orchard St. New York, NY - 646-852-6478
Cali meets Montauk. Gluten free pizza. Good for big groups and kids. Order the heirloom carrots, sweet potatoes and avocado, bacon egg and cheese pizza.