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After all the walking, biking and activities, you’re in dire need of calories at this point. So, what do you eat in NYC that is eco-friendly, healthy & sustainable? A lot actually, and they don’t have to cost your first-born either

If you live in NYC, you have heard of and seen the pictures, videos and social media posts of Manhattan’s new neighborhood: Hudson Yards in Manhattan West. The special zoning for Hudson Yards is an area roughly bound by 30th Street in the south, 41st Street in the north, 11th Avenue in the west, and 8th Avenue in the east, but the main shopping area, sights and High Line span West 30th through 34th Streets between 9th & 11th Avenues. Hudson Yards is all the way to the west next to the Hudson River and it is a bit of a hike from central midtown but like most places in Manhattan, if the MTA does not get you there, there are other routes to this new enclave. There are so many other spots to nosh in at the Shops at Hudson Yards, Manhattan’s new neighborhood, and these are just a small selection of a whole lot more.

As a New York City native, Philadelphia is one of my favorite cities in the Northeast because of its abundance of history and culture, vibrant food scene, grid system akin to Manhattan, diversity and proximity to NYC and other major Northeast cities. The first questions I ask locals during interaction are on the cost of rent; I want to see how Philadelphia real estate compares to that of New York City. Don’t get me wrong, Philadelphia has neighborhoods that rival the swanky parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan as well as luxury residences and historic brownstones steeped in colonial tales but Philadelphia real estate prices pale in comparison to the exorbitant expense of the Big Apple a mere hour away. There are certain neighborhoods where Philadelphia real estate is affordable depending on your preferences and believe me when I say that I have picked my favorite areas for when I either move out of NYC or purchase a lucrative investment property in Philadelphia.

Since Spain ruled Belgium, the Netherlands and countries in the region during this era, the Spaniards brought back the cacao bean from South America to the European countries it ruled hence Belgium benefited from the sweetness of this humble but illustrious bean. In addition, there is a Choco-Story Museum in the vicinity of Grand Place that tells Belgium’s chocolate history from discovery of the cacao bean by the Spaniards to current cacao bean production and chocolate consumption in Belgium and its neighbours. Do you know that as I was researching this sweet topic, I realize that Cote d’Or means Coast of Gold, or Gold Coast. Thankfully, scientists assure us that we are not losing our sweet addiction any time soon but the threat of climate change will reduce available land for cultivation resulting in diseases and pests targeting cacao beans in West Africa, where the bulk of cacao beans originate from for global processing.