Marissa Vicario

Recent Blog Posts

Five For Friday: Kate Northrup

I was first acquainted with Kate Northrup two years ago when I saw her speak on a panel. The discussion had turned to spirituality and I remember her confessing that she had decided that checking her email every morning immediately upon waking is a spiritual practice. I chuckled to myself because I, too, fight the urge every morning to go straight for my email. Sometimes the iPhone wins. In that … [Read more...]

Healthy Hot Spot: Smile To Go

A gem hidden on the fuzzy border between Tribeca and SoHo, Smile To Go isn't your average greasy spoon takeout spot. The unassuming storefront is nestled among the galleries and boutiques that line Howard Street, a tiny, less-traversed passage between Lafayette and Broadway just north of Canal. If it weren't for the lunchtime line that forms outside the tiny space (and a tip from a friend), I may … [Read more...]

Apple Snackers

Whether you're a kid or an adult, a snack is always better when it's fun. And as far as snacking goes, I don't think it gets any better than these apple snackers inspired by Whole Foods. They're crunchy, creamy, chocolate-y, sweet and savory all in one bite and they look cute too! Core your apple and slice it into 1-inch thick rounds. Spread with nut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon then … [Read more...]

Ignite Your Passion

I've been thinking a lot about what the word "passion" means to me lately and how my own definition of the word has evolved. Merriam-Webster defines passion as (1) : emotion <his ruling passion is greed> (2) plural : the emotions as distinguished from reason b : intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction c : an outbreak of anger a : ardent affection : love b : a strong liking … [Read more...]

Five for Friday, Alisa Vitti

After almost 10 years on birth control pills and a serious health scare, I knew the day I stopped taking them I was doing what was right for my body. Suddenly, synthetic hormones didn't feel like the right choice to me, so I researched more natural means of birth control and chose another method. While the female body is incredibly complex, it is also powerfully self-healing and self-regulating … [Read more...]

From Snowy Mountains to Sandy Beaches to Concrete Jungles

In the past two weeks I've gone from this: To this: To this: I'm taking a break from restaurant dining and Thursday Healthy Hot Spots will resume next week. In the meantime, I'll leave you with a quote from the introduction of Danielle LaPorte's new Fire Starter Sessions: "When being real is your priority, the various parts of your life start to groove. Your career will begin to reflect … [Read more...]

Spring Cleansing Tips

Spring represents new beginnings and as the season blossoms, it’s important to prepare the body, mind and spirit to remove the waste it has accumulated during the Winter months. You may have noticed cravings for lighter, greener foods, a sudden urge to re-organize your refrigerator or unexplained motivation to purge your closets. I’ve enlisted some expert guest bloggers to help me explore all of … [Read more...]

Get the Junk OUT!

Spring represents new beginnings and as the season blossoms, it’s important to prepare the body, mind and spirit to remove the waste it has accumulated during the Winter months. You may have noticed cravings for lighter, greener foods, a sudden urge to re-organize your refrigerator or unexplained motivation to purge your closets. I’ve enlisted some expert guest bloggers to help me explore all of … [Read more...]

Freshen Your Home in 4 Steps

Spring represents new beginnings and as the season blossoms, it's important to prepare the body, mind and spirit to remove the waste it has accumulated during the Winter months. You may have noticed cravings for lighter, greener foods, a sudden urge to re-organize your refrigerator or unexplained motivation to purge your closets. I've enlisted some expert guest bloggers to help me explore all of … [Read more...]