We’ll Cross That Bridge When We Get To It
January 27, 2010
Last night after a mindless day at work…rushing home to walk our new puppy…cleaning up the apartment and paying the bills (wow, is this my life now?!) the thought of a cold run outside was far from my mind. Thankfully, my running partner made sure to keep us on track (despite my best efforts to lure her with dinner and wine instead).
In lieu of our normal route on the West Side Highway and sometimes through Central Park, we decided to completely overhaul our workout and run down the Bowery to the Manhattan Bridge…across to Brooklyn and then run back through Chinatown – roundtrip: 4.6 miles. Aside from having to dodge tiny Asian women shuffling along on Canal Street, this was a great change in pace and routine. Crossing the bridge was the best part because we had a phenomenal view to look at in both directions, plus the pedestrian path is separate from the train and car traffic so you feel completely safe (other than the fear of falling into the DIRTY Hudson River). Most importantly, we switched up our routine to force our brain to work harder instead of passively predicting every next move.
Next up: run down the West Side Highway and cross all three bridges, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg with finish line on the FDR Drive. However, this will require a warm sunny morning and some serious post run brunch to keep me focused.
An Almond A Day (or a few) Keeps the Doctor Away
January 26, 2010
The first month working at our office is like a throwback to Freshman year of college…complete with the extra 15 or so pounds, too many late night drinks and long hours in front of a computer. With all of the extra snacks and leftover pizza in our communal kitchen, it’s impossible to not look like the corporate blimp by third quarter. Thankfully, we recently added containers of almonds to our cabinets (maybe this was HR’s doing to avoid the potential hike in health insurance?). I finally broke into this practically untouched stash as a cookie alternative for mid morning or late afternoon pick-me-ups (yes, I would eat cookies in the morning).
Full of vitamin E, magnesium and manganese, almonds are an excellent source of fiber, copper phosphorous and fiboflavin. Compared to all other nuts ounce for ounce, almonds have the most protein, fiber and calcium, among other nutrients and vitamins…basically, it’s the alpha nut. Whole Natural Blue Diamond Almonds have 160 calories in 1 oz (plus 14 grams of fat, 0 mg of sodium, 210 mg of potassium, 6 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fiber, 1 gram of sugar and 6 grams of protein).
Almonds and sunflower seeds are the top two whole food sources of naturally occurring vitamin E (an antioxidant that breaks down the destructive chains free radicals start). The vitamin E contained in almonds is two times as potent as the synthetic kind found in supplements, further helping your body to defend itself against unstable molecules that can cause disease and contribute to aging (i.e. free radicals).
I know at first glance almonds (and most nuts) scream fat but several researchers believe that they are an effective aid in controlling weight (this doesn’t mean go eat 5 cans of them). With 125 of its 160 calories from fat, almonds supposedly help to satiate hunger and discourage the intake of other high-fat food binges.
Have A Little Soul
January 22, 2010
It’s my policy to only post about things that I have personally tried/can’t live without – this blog isn’t meant to promote or push products nor is it designed to drive certain trends (although I do like to consider myself a bit of a trendsetter…that’s just my modest opinion). However, every brief once and a while (read as RARELY) I take a break from being so self-absorbed and consider other people’s interests – today being one of these rare occasions.
I don’t cycle/spin/bike etc. It hurts (and you know exactly where…) I have tried it exactly two times and wanted to hurl my bike seat…excuse me…my “saddle” at the instructor. However, for those of you that like to work work work but never move move move forward, then I DO suggest you try SoulCycle. I have never gone and am still pretty skeptical, but from the recent chatter, their innovative and holistic approach to cardio is refreshing…almost enough to peak my interest.
SoulCycle, about as celeb saturated as Monkey Bar, keeps New Yorkers in tip top shape at their various studios (Upper West, Upper East, Tribeca, Scarsdale and summer classes at Bridgehampton’s The Barns At Butter Lane). Unlike most standard spin classes, the candlelit studios house a more fluid practice in lieu of lots of hops/bouncing into jumps (i.e. the most obnoxious part of a cycle class). incorporating hand weights, seat crunches and maybe even a few resistance bands, instructors promise a full body workout to maximize time and energy.
The 45-60 minute classes cost $32/class (cycling shoes also available for $3 rental). SoulCycle etiquette restricts the use of cell phones, Blackberries (including typing or texting) and…wait for it…wearing DIRTY LAUNDRY (reason enough for me to attend class).
Have a little soul and check it out…if you do, please report back so I know if it’s worth tackling attempt number 3 in the spin studio.
Not So Sweet After All…
January 21, 2010
Fellow health foodie/new mom/fashion model extraordinaire recently asked me if she should avoid products containing the ingredient maltitol. Not being completely certain as to the answer, I…I mean, The Fit Post…did some serious due diligence and found the following:
- Maltitol is a sugar alcohol, most commonly used in low carb or “sugar free” products
- Similar to regular sugar in look and taste, this ingredient is considered a carbohydrate with 2 to 3 calories per gram (vs. 4 calories per gram for regular sugar)
- Products that use maltitol can still be called “sugar free” – WARNING: maltitol syrup has a glycemic index of 52 (vs. table sugar which has a GI of 60) - not a drastic difference when you then compare the level of sweetness each provides (you’ll likely have to add more of the maltitol which translates into extra calories/carbs)
- In addition to maltitol (sometimes printed as Maltisorb® or Maltisweet®), other kinds of sugar alcohols include sorbitol, isomalt and xylitol
- WARNING: manufacturers can still write “sugar free” or “no sugar added” on packages even if any of the above ingredients, including maltitol, are included - the sugar alcohol count will be shown separately if either of these two labels are printed on the package
- If no sugar free claim is made on the product, the sugar alcohol will be included in the amount of carbohydrates on the label either in the total carbs or as a separate line item so read carefully!
- Don’t get too excited Betty Crocker because you won’t be able to use maltitol as a sugar substitute in home baking – it won’t react the same way as regular table sugar
- Many people claim that sugar alcohols are ok for diabetics due to the fact that they are not completely absorbed by the body – HOWEVER, the American Diabetes Association confirms that it is the total carbs consumed that make the largest difference to blood sugar levels and NOT the type consumed
- The biggest consumer complaint includes issues with intestinal gas, cramping and diarrhea (wow, can’t wait to try this stuff)
- Benefits include the fact that it does not promote tooth decay
In summary, from my limited knowledge of the ingredient, the driving benefit of maltitol is the fact that you can help prevent cavities…personally, I feel like if you invest in a toothbrush this isn’t too big of an issue so although you don’t need to necessarily avoid sugar alcohols, it’s probably not worth going out of your way to spend the premium it will likely cost you in finding these substitutes.
Fat Free (sort of) Fiesta
January 20, 2010
I LOVE Mexican food – beans, cheese, salsa…even a little sour cream - could there be a better combo?! However, you start to add in the margaritas and maybe a few bowls of fresh guacamole and it’s all downhill from there.
This past week I tried to channel my inner fiesta and make a healthy alternative by piling together a large bed of mixed greens in lieu of a flour tortilla shell (please bear with me and think with your creative hat on…) – tossed in cherry tomatoes, diced onions and a few black olives plus 85% lean 100% grass-fed beef (cooked using a low sodium taco seasoning packet). A side of Amy’s Organic Refried Beans and voila (or should I say, ole?), I made an easy recipe filled with fresh greens and protein…all in 15 minutes (Rachel Ray, eat your heart out).
Game Day Grub
January 19, 2010
Football season (RIP New England Patriots) brings out some of the worst (for you)/best (to taste) food known to humankind. Stuffed potato skins, pigs in a blanket and an XL bag of Ruffles dipped in creamy french onion dip oh my (…hello beer gut).
A solid alternative to the greasy bags of trans fatty chips is the aptly named line of snacks by Food Should Taste Good. Not that I would recommend making these the main event at your next Superbowl party (unless you like to suck the fun out of things), I think that a bowl of the Multigrain tortilla chips would be a great addition to the buffet of saturated fats. Made with flax, sunflower and sesame seeds, these are all natural and kosher, plus free of: gluten/lactose/sodium/preservatives/cholesterol/trans fat…the list goes on. Food Should Taste Good keeps things simple and nutritious with only 140 calories and 1 gram of sugar in their Multigrain variety – they also have Jalapeno, Olive, Chocolate (yum), Sweet Potato, Buffalo, Lime, Potato and Chive, Cinnamon, Yellow Corn or The Works. What I like best about these chips is that they have a great texture and strong nutty taste – hello game day touchdown.
Tomato…Tomahto
January 12, 2010
I used to have an extreme HATRED for tomatoes…honestly, like a “do not even make me hold the ketchup bottle” kind of dislike. For whatever reason they grew on me (the fresh buffalo mozzarella didn’t hurt to sweeten the deal). Now, I surprisingly add them to a lot of meals.
This weekend my friends and I got together to cook a group dinner (hey, it’s the recession…) The meal included Jamie Oliver’s Evolution Tomato Salad. Slice cherry tomatoes into quarters, add 3/4 of a can of cannelloni beans, pieces of fresh basil, 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons of red wine vingar. Mix with sea salt/black pepper to taste and voila! Jamie also adds black olives but we included fresh squeezes of lime to bring out more of a citrus taste.
Later Gaiter
January 10, 2010
This Saturday I ran a 5 mile race in Central Park in sub 20 degree weather (at the time it sounded like a good idea). I couldn’t add enough layers of spandex to stop the wind from cutting through to my skin. Even more ground breaking than the freezing cold was watching New Yorkers pack together (picture March of The Penguins style) before the start of the race to share warmth…wait, let me clarify – New Yorkers VOLUNTARILY exposed their VULNERABILITY and huddled up against complete STRANGERS – we were about ten seconds away from holding hands and singing Kumbaya.
Aside from the shared heat of my neighbors, I was grateful to have my neck gaiter to pull up over my face for extra warmth. SUGOI’s MidZero Thermal Tube ($18) worked perfectly to wick the sweat away from my skin while I ran plus was light and stretchy enough to stay in place. Considering that running brings its fair share of chafing problems (and all in the wrong places I might add), it was nice to have a soft fleece lining in the tube for extra comfort. Some people were wearing more aggressive face masks (Ninja-esque) but I thought that having a neck gaiter was perfect for keeping warm but also not feeling too restricted or claustrophobic (there was one person wearing a SARS mask but that’s a whole other story…)
Book It
January 7, 2010
Thanks to the internet and Food Network we barely look at cookbooks anymore. However, sometimes I eat with my eyes so to speak and become inspired via large glossy pictures.
I wrote about my love for the ultra healthy but amazingly delicious Babycakes Bakery in my October 5 post (scroll down and look for a picture with large fluffy donuts). Since trekking down to Broome street isn’t a realistic option for most, Babycakes thankfully offers a great cookbook for in home healthy-ness. Already on my list of favorite presents to give, this book is filled with bold pictures that honestly make you smile when you flip through (although who wouldn’t when looking at cupcakes page after page) plus short bursts of information to intro readers to the natural, vegan and gluten free ingredients used.
Get the book and bake it…don’t fake it.
Kick The Couch
January 5, 2010
So many people tell me that they “can’t” run. Even people who don’t have legs find a way to log the distance (seriously, Google: Flex Foot Cheetah) so there must be a way to make it work for everyone. One guy even voluntarily cut off his own foot to stop the pain that was getting in the way of his running (seriously, Google: Tom White Life & Limb). Basically my point is, if the biggest obstacle keeping you from running is a bag of potato chips and a plush leather couch…seriously, then find another excuse.
There are lots of basic intro training guides online but the ‘Couch-to-5K’ plan at http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml is a great manageable start, not to mention the name says it all. This is more of a walking/jogging program to introduce people how to endure a 3 mile or 5K distance. Focus on a gradual start to avoid injury and stick to this 20-30 min plan three times a week.
…besides, sitting on the couch was SO 2009.
Keep It Local
January 4, 2010
When the boyfriend is sick what does any nice girl do…? Make him soup. When the boyfriend is sick what does any nice girl (that doesn’t like to cook) do…? Buy him soup, obvi (short for ‘obviously’ for any of you Baby Boomers out there).
Yesterday I stopped by Local, an organic fair trade and shade grown coffee shop. With four small tables, it’s more of a take out spot or place to go solo with a book (or Kindle) for the afternoon. The menu is pretty well stocked for a mere coffee joint – their ‘early all day’ list includes a Farmers Market Egg White Sandwich on organic 7 grain or sourdough bread ($5.50), Local Made Granola with farmers market fruit/yogurt ($6.00) and Pukkolla rolled oats, ground bran, dried apricots and dates, apples, walnuts and almonds soaked in milk ($5.00). All of their baked items are made fresh each morning using organic cane sugar, organic flour and farmer’s market eggs. If you’re feeling ambitious, they have an extensive sandwich and salad list as well.
On a mission, I picked up a cup of the tomato and basil soup ($6.50) and a fresh baked corn muffin ($2.75). Little did I know that I’d also be taking home an XL order of his cold…as I write this I’m home sick from work…waiting for someone to bring ME soup.
