City of Brotherly Love and Food

I've left the laid-back, cool shores of Santa Barbara for the bustling history of the streets of Philadelphia.

Great things thus far:

• Stepping out my doorstep and being swept in to the tide of pedestrians.
• WALKING. Walking everywhere. 12 blocks? Super close!
• Food Trucks. Sizzling, wafting food trucks. I have yet to eat at one but I love knowing they are there. At any moment, I could have a greasy gyro in my hands.
• Lattes has around the corner!! I might have to go get me one right now.
  
• BYOB restaurants.

Not so super great things thus far:

• Not being able to open up windows. Open up a window and we are hit with the time-marinated stench of cooking grease, sweet and sour sauce and festering litter. Do I miss my ocean breezes?
• No wine at Trader Joe's. State laws prohibit the sale of booze at non-government stores. My grocery bill has been cut in half.
• Food.

Why is food not a super great thing? Um, because I want to eat it all. Talk to a local about can't-miss things in Philly and they will start on a food monologue. They will tell you about their favorite food trucks around the city... the crepe trucks, the pretzel trucks, the hot dog trucks, and, obviously, the cheesesteak trucks.

Next, the local will talk to you about the noodles in Chinatown, the trendy eateries in Rittenhouse, the gastro pubs in Old City, the fro-yo, the Amish pretzels, the merits of provolone vs. cheese whiz on Philly cheesesteaks.

Five minutes into the conversation and my mouth is watering. I want to EAT IT ALL. Forget the healthy eating plan. Forget the weight loss plan. Forget the ambitious budgeting. I want to eat buttery pretzels and gelatto until my arteries burst. Philly is not a city for the faint-hearted dieter.

This blog is primarily about healthy eating, nutritious and low-calorie recipes, weight-loss and fiscal responsibility. Am I already smelling challenges in this city? The sizzling falafels on the corner say yes.