So I just realized that I like to tell you about my favorite goodies and treats (first the warm cookies in AZ, then the coffee and tea at Nike and now Magnolia..)

I must say that one of the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle is the ability to enjoy the occasional treats guilt free!

Anyway - here’s me and my honey Josh in front of Magnolia Bakery, the world famous West Village sweet shop around the corner from our home. This place gets so incredibly busy that they have a doorman and velvet rope on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (YES a velvet rope!) and a line of eagerly awaiting customers around the corner.

On your next visit to NYC, be sure to stop by. Of course, the cupcakes - which they are known for - rock. But here are two little known gems that they offer most other people don’t know about:

1. The Banana Pudding: Creamy, dreamy vanilla pudding is layered with cream, fresh bananas and nilla wafers. It’s stored in a fridge so the wafers get just the perfect amount of sog. They’ll serve it to you in a coffee cup with a big, plastic spoon. (FYI, I know how to make an AWESOME low fat, guilt free version with less than 1/2 the calories and virtually fat free!…if you want the recipe..let me know)

2. Homemade cookies: At $0.50 a cookie, how can you go wrong? They have a great assortment every day and are perfect for cookie lovers like me who like their cookies soft in the middle. My favorite are the ‘Cracked Sugar’ and ‘Chocolate Chip’. You can also order a glass of milk for the road.

Have fun and be sure to stop if you’re in the hood