Summer is officially in full swing (as of Friday, in fact!), and I for one am here for making the most of it in NYC and beyond. I worked my way through all but one of my spring bucket list to-do’s (found a place to rock climb outside, just haven’t actually gone yet), and in the word’s of Ariana Grande, I’m saying “thank u, next”. It’s time for summer. I’m focusing on checking out spots that have a sustainability bent, take me outside, and bring me back to the kitchen to test out healthier takes on some of my favorite flavor profiles. Feel free to join me in working your way through this list – our deadline is 9/23, the first day of fall! I’ll report back in my restaurant round-ups along the way, post the recipes if they turn out to be stellar hits, and you can always check my Instagram stories for realtime updates on all of my activities. Happy summer, all!

1. Bake gluten-free honey tahini cookies
2. Visit Socrates Sculpture Park in LIC
3. Go to Upside Pizza (supposed to be the best new slice in NYC!)
4. Bake seeded bread at home via this recipe 
5. Make a day out of Mana Contemporary and Razza in Jersey City
6. Do yoga in Elizabeth Street Garden during the Active Spaces summer series
7. Check out the Package Free Shop in Brooklyn
8. Visit the new Ample Hills Creamery in Chelsea
9. Support Smith Canteen (they’re aiming to become the greenest coffee shop in Brooklyn)
10. Stop chewing gum… forever