The Fit Post

I know I know, I have been MIA for the past few days.  Really, it’s not you…it’s me.  My life has been going in twenty different directions with new changes (apartment. job. puppy. birthday.) but it doesn’t mean that I haven’t been focused on staying healthy and lean…after all, the stores are already selling bathing suits so its time to lose this extra winter layer that has managed to camp out in all of the wrong places (read as “back fat”).

I recently discovered the newly opened Meze Grill for a lunch time quick fix.  Using Mediterranean inspired ingredients, this spot is super casual and made for either eating in or ordering out – either way you’ll have you’re food in a New York minute.  Meze Grill hand prepares all of their meats, falafels, pita sandwiches, rice platters and salads.  I love the falafels which are cooked in refined oil that’s cholesterol and trans-fat free, plus the well balanced portions (don’t even think about supersizing it here).

I went for a rice platter but swapped out the rice for bulgur wheat and added slow cooked braised lamb (don’t judge) with fresh veggie toppings.  They give you a choice of two sauces, which I got on the side for dipping – highly recommend the Tzatzki (yogurt and diced cucumbers) or the Garlic sauce (pureed garlic with lemon juice and olive oil). 

Best part is, I became a Facebook Fan (again, don’t judge) and received a coupon for a free sandwich (limited to the first 1,000 fans).

Back to back Holiday parties coupled with cold winter weather is a triple threat to my body: 1) overload of appetizer induced calories; 2) no time to exercise away the bloated feeling; 3) low immune system.  I’m left  sitting at work wishing…I take that back…PRAYING…for a pair of sweatpants with a nice stretched out elastic waistband.

Since I highly doubt my office would appreciate me wearing a plush pair of Champion sweats at the desk, I have to find my comfort and warmth in the form of food.  Today, I ventured into a deli slash market slash corner Bodega that happened to have a pop up soup stand (only in New York) – think ultra cheap ($5.50/4 cup container) for huge portions of miso broth with veggies (you can also add chicken or shrimp) and either udon or buckwheat soba noodles.  Almost all Asian restaurants or to-go stands carry the soup, although likely not in bucket size quantities.  Great comfort food plus added nutrients from the veggies and broth to hike back up my immune system…just in time for Holiday party number 6 of the week.

I love sushi – thankfully for my mercury levels, its expensive enough where I don’t eat it every single day.  Momoya is one of my favorite places to go for top grade sushi, not to mention it’s my go-to spot for pre-race day meals.  Most athletes wouldn’t even consider fish before a long run, but my best morning miles are the ones following a large sushi dinner (hope you’re taking notes Paula Radcliffe). 

At Momoya, I usually start with a bowl of steamed edamame ($5)  and a fresh Seaweed Salad ($6) – their Warm Mushroom Salad ($10) is also great, and I don’t normally like mushrooms.  As for the sushi, Momoya’s Fresh Spring Roll (shrimp, snow crab, avocado, tomato, red onion & cilantro $11) is a really nice clean finish.  All of their rolls can be wrapped in soybean paper (mamenori) instead of the traditional seaweed (nori) – considering that neither have major health pros/cons it’s mostly personal preference as to how you like it ‘wrapped.’  One substitution that is worth the swap is brown rice in place of white for additional fiber and nutrients.

A few more salmon and avocado rolls and they’ll be calling me to run in the 2012 Olympics…

Would anyone like to start the meal with a salad or appetizer?

I’m like a deer in the headlights with this question, especially when I’m the first person to order.  Internally I weigh my odds as to who else, if anyone, will want a pre-meal dish… what is the risk that the rest of table will have to sit and watch while I shovel food into my mouth?  Alternatively, if I don’t order then I’m the one having to play with my napkin and avoid awkward food envy.  When i’m hungry, my go-to decision is to order a salad. 

I love any combination of food with my bed of mixed greens, however, I never understood the fascination with the chicken caesar salad.  Of course, this is a better choice than the fried calamari or loaded potato skins, but when stacked against other green options it’s actually one of the worst salads to pick.  According to the authors of ‘Eat This Not That’, an average dinner portion of the classic chicken caesar has 900 calories and 60 grams of fat.  This isn’t a surprise considering it’s made up of layers of shaved parmesan cheese and dressed (usually “drenched” is the right word) with creamy dressing…not to mention stacks of croutons.  The same portion of grilled chicken over mixed greens is 400 calories and 20 grams of fat.

However, if you’re like a few people I know and can’t let go of the Caesar, ask for the dressing on the side and skip the croutons.  I lightly dip (don’t think of this as a dunk contest) every few fork fulls, ending up with about 3/4 of the dressing leftover at the end in the side dish…and not hanging off as arm fat 3 months down the road.

Hi, my name is Maggie…and I’m a chocoholic.

I love chocolate  – could most likely give up anything and everything BUT chocolate (well, except for my perfect copy of the Hermes Birkin bag).  Thankfully, Pure Dark doesn’t believe in over processing and only offers rich natural artisanal dark chocolate flush with antioxidants  (naturally found in cocoa powder).  A Willy Wonka dream come true, this neighborhood spot stocks the shelves with a variety of products – including my favorite, the Woodland Bark – pure dark slabs studded with cranberries, blueberries, roasted walnuts and bitter nibs ($19 per 7 oz bag).  Each piece is so rich that you really only need a small bite to get your sugar fix…well, in my case a few bites.