I’m officially giving you permission to play with your food, because the prettier your plate looks the more likely you are to eat what’s on it. I can’t think of a better way to get back on the healthy eat wagon after the holiday. Can you?
photo credit: Tiny Fit and Toned; Healthy Ass Food; Oh She Glows via Tumblr
Filed under Diets, Eat & Workout With Me, Healthy Eats, Recipes
Did you know that 40 percent of all food produced in America goes to waste? No, I didn’t know either. But it’s true, according to “The Big Waste”, which aired on The Food Network a few weeks ago. Want some more scary stats?
- Per person, 200 pounds of edible food goes into the trash
- Our “trash” food is enough to fill a football stadium EVERY DAY!
Imagine this place filled with food.
Sorry, Apple. You just don’t make the cut.
Apparently Americans are as shallow about their food as they are about their notions of beauty. The food we discard is usually with a blemish, but still perfectly edible. Some are past shelf date, but that doesn’t always have something to do with its spoiling rate. Even the meat that get’s tossed can still be used. There is one shocking scene when a huge amount of seafood is tossed from a specialty store, after the party who ordered it canceled. Do you think all those little chickens of the sea went back into the fridge? Nope. They were put in the garbage. Sorry, Flounder.
Now you know this isn’t right, y’all. It just isn’t right. To appreciate how ridiculous this is you have to watch at least a clip or two from the special.
Did you watch? Seriously, go watch.
Now tell me, did you know these facts?
-1 in 4 U.S. children are living without “consistent access to nutritious food”.
-17.4 million are considered food insecure.
There are at least 200 hundred food banks, dedicated to helping Americans get food. But honestly, I don’t think that’s enough. Many people don’t know where to get help without the assistance of government aid. More importantly, why do we need government aid to walk to the back of a Stop and Shop and say, “Hey, those tomatoes you’re going to toss because they’re a little spotty…can I have them?” I mean, could it be that simple?
I want to further investigate this. It seems very wrong that all this food is being tossed out and there are so many who could benefit from it. What can we do to help?
Have anyone of you worked at a supermarket or restaurant? Tell me about the food tossed out and what you think about this whole dilemma. Is getting food to the hungry easier than we think? Let me know. Maybe we can come up with a solution together.
Filed under Brain Food, Healthy Eats
One of the best things about New York City is that it has tons of options for vegetarians, vegans, and raw foodist. One of my favorite stops is Pure Food and Wine. It’s this incredibly chic-and expensive-raw food restaurant in Gramercy.
Perhaps you remember when I posted about it in the summer.
I don’t know how you make a raw chocolatesque lava cake, but it can be done. SO.GOOD.
Sarma Melngailis, the founder of the restaurant, is also the creator of One Lucky Duck. A raw food takeout shop, One Lucky Duck is a great place to stop by if you’re in the city. You don’t need to make a reservation, something highly recommended for Pure Food and Wine. It also holds more breakfast and lunch inspired fair. Think salad and smoothies.
Sarma. One of my biggest health inspirations.
Recently, while trolling Twitter (are you following me?), I saw a treat from Pure Foods that One Lucky Duck is now offering two awesome cleanse programs that I totally want to try.
Shine Cleanse
Who’s It For: Those looking to drop pounds, while still giving body solid nutrition.
Details: You can take the cleanse up to 10 days. It includes juices, smoothies, and meals.
Sample Menu:
Photo Credit: One Lucky Duck
How good does this menu look? It’s incredible how many meal options can be created with just fruits,veggies and a little imagination.
Glow Cleanse
Who’s It For: Those looking to overhaul their diet; maintain weight; fitness buffs.
Details: This would probably be the cleanse I would try, just because I have pretty intense workouts. Like the Shine Cleanse, Glow is filled with delicious drinks and meals, and can be done up to 10 days.
Sample Menu:
Photo Credit: One Lucky Duck
I just look at the menus and get excited about eating healthier. The only thing that stinks is that it’s only available for delivery in Manhattan. You either have to live in the city or be willing to travel to the shop every day. Another bummer is that the cleanses aren’t cheap. Depending on which you choose and how long you do it, you may spend anywhere between $210-$650 dollars. You will also be charged extra to have them delivered.
Let me know if you’ve ever heard of One Lucky Duck or think the cleanse amazing. Or just tell me about an amazing cleanse or healthy restaurant in your area.
Filed under Diets, Features, Healthy Eats, restaurant review
Junk food cravings frustrate dieters around the world. We blame our lack of self-control, but as it turns out, self-control might have little to do with it. According to experts, mineral deficiencies can lead to craving salt, sugar, or a combo of the two.
You know it’s bad, so why do you still want it?
Changing eating habits can be tricky, especially when we don’t have a solid sense of what good nutrition is. Skipping on fruits and vegetables (which are mineral rich) can lead you to reach for a Snickers bar before you even know how you got the thing. To learn more about your possibly deficiencies, see the breakdown of cravings below.
Salt
The king of salt lovers.
Possible Deficiencies: Potassium, iron, and calcium.
* Vegan’s in particular beware- when the body doesn’t get enough calcium, it tends to want salt because it temporarily increases calcium levels in the blood. Dark greens and fortified nut or soy milks can help fix this.
Sugar
Sugar, my arch nemesis.
Possible Deficiencies: Magnesium, Chromium, Manganese, and Zinc.
According to experts, those who ate foods with Magnesium had decreased sugar and chocolate cravings soon after the mineral was in the blood stream.
Sugar and Salt
Photo Credit: BettyCrocker.com
Possible Deficiencies: Sodium and glucose.
The body needs glucose and sodium for the cells to function. When you’re feeling tired-and reach for peanut M&Ms-it’s probably because your cells need the salt and sugar in the salty and sweet candy.
The best way I’ve found to combat food cravings-and deficiencies-is to work on eating a balanced diet. The more I eat fresh produce, clean protein (I like tofu, protein powders, unprocessed beans, nuts), and unrefined grains (millet, quinoa, brown rice) the better I feel. Junk food literally becomes vile to me.
Do have food cravings? Which ones and how do you fight them? Let me know in the comments.
(On a separate note: if you are from NYC or work or visit there and surrounding areas, please read this story and tweet and facebook it. There is a cabi in NYC who is sexaully assaulting women and needs to be stopped).
Filed under Diets, Healthy Eats, Medical Studies
If you have 10 minutes you can make this soup. Along with butternut squash, this hearty dish has rutabaga, a root or “tuber” veggie loaded with fiber and vitamin C. It taste similar to a turnip.
I used canned squash and rutabaga in this recipe, but if you have the time, feel free to use fresh ingredients.
Healthy, easy and comforting.
Ingredients:
1 can of chopped rutabaga
1 Can of Butternut Squash Soup
1 TBS of nutritional yeast
1 TBS of vegan sour cream
1 Cup of rice cheese
Turmeric
Red Pepper
Black Pepper
Salt
Directions:
1. Smash rutabaga in a small sauce pan and place to medium heat.
I like to leave some pieces whole, because it adds additional texture to the soup. It is very similar to potato soup, so it’s okay to have a few chunks of rutabaga.
2. Add butternut squash soup and mix.
3. As the liquid really heats up, add the vegan sour cream and half of the cheddar cheeses.
If you don’t know what type of rice cheese to buy, I recommend Daiya. It melts very well and seriously, in this dish you can not tell the difference between it and the cow version.
4.Add nutritional yeast, along with the other seasonings to taste. Continue to mix.
5. Add remaining cheese and additional season if necessary.
6. EAT
This is so delicious. I wish you all could try some.
Oh.My.Happy.Tummy! This soup is bananas! It’s creamy, cheesy and uber flavorful. I’m sitting with a bowl of it right now and I’m experiencing the same strange joy I use to get when my mom use to make Butternut Squash Soup for me in high school. Who doesn’t like comfort food during winter? But rest assured, this comfort meal is hearty and healthy! Seriously, it’s so good I may polish the whole thing off tonight.
Filed under Diets, Healthy Eats, Recipes
Ahhh, the day after Thanksgiving. Did you follow my lead and fill your gut with mashed taters and gravy? Or did you practice temperance? The day before I enlisted my sister to help me make 2 huge pans of mac & cheese, 1 pan of vegan mac & cheese, green beans, and 2 chocolate pudding pies for the big day.
My plate!
Mac & Cheese gets a bad rap for being unhealthy and rightfully so. It’s loaded with so much cheese and butter that it’s clogged arteries on a plate. But I have a few tips to making it healthier.
Tip #1: Substitute milk or cream for a can of cheese soup.
This will add moisture to the noodles and minimize excessive calories.
Tip #2: Add smashed rutabaga, sweet potato or squash to the soup.
You’ll boost the fiber intake of the dish and get a serving of veggies.
Tip #3: Use Vegan butter in place of dairy butter.
You’ll get the same effect and taste without the detriments of butter.
Tip #4: Replace white pasta with whole grain pasta.
White pasta is the EVIL. Avoid it. Whole grain/whole wheat pasta gives fiber to the dish, helping you to eat less and move digestion along. With all the cheese, you will need it.
I am proud to say that I didn’t eat any of the regular Mac & Cheese at the meal. I had the vegan one. Try the recipe.
Vegan Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
-1 box of gluten-free rigatoni rice pasta (or whole wheat regular pasta).
- 1 can of cannelloni beans
- 1 can of rutabaga
- 2 packages of Daiya cheese (or another brand of rice cheese)
-3/4 cups of nutritional yeast
- 1 container of vegan sour cream
- 2 TBS of vegan butter
Directions
1. Add pasta into pot of boiling water. Make sure to add olive oil and salt to water first.
2. Blend beans, nutritional yeast, and rutabaga into blender and blend until smooth.
3. Add pureed content into a small pot and heat on a medium-high heat.
4. Add 3 TBS of vegan sour cream.
5. Add 2 handfulls of vegan cheese into mixture and stir until smooth. Feel free to add more if desired. Also, add salt and pepper.
6. When pasta is done, drain, and place in cooking dish. Preheat over to 350 degrees.
7. When pureed veggie cheese sauce is warm, add content to pasta and mix.
8. Add 2 Tbs of vegan butter and continue to mix.
9. Sprinkle with more vegan cheese
10. Pop into oven for 20 minutes.
11. SERVE!!
I must say, the dish was pretty decent. It did not taste-in my opinion-as good as regular mac & cheese, but it was still good. The most common mistake people make when creating vegan dishes is that they expect the meal to taste exactly like it’s animal based counterpart. It more than likely won’t. But this doesn’t mean it won’t taste good. Focus on that and duplicating a similar texture.
Now let’s move to a different topic. Hmm..fitness. So, the day after Thanksgiving is the perfect day to workout. Why? Because you have mega cals to burn off. Earlier in the week I was sent the latest challenge from Tribesports.com and I just signed up for it (for free-all challenges are free).
Exercise is important for health. We all know this. But an added perk is that it can make your body look good too. Nothing wrong with that. People who know me know I like my short skirts and dresses, so naturally I want my legs to look toned and sculpted. The Sexy Leg Workout Challenge is designed to help build strong and sleek legs. Trust, liposuction has nothing on squats and lunges. You’re thighs and buns may burn for a bit but it will be well worth it when you see these areas tighten up.
The challenge only takes 15 minutes. That’s less than a re-run of Friends! Obviously you have no reason not to do this.
Now it’s your turn. How was your Turkey Day? What did you have? Will you be doing the challenge with me? Let me know. I love hearing from you guys.
Filed under Diets, Eat & Workout With Me, Features, Healthy Eats, Recipes, Tribesports, workout
Big news, everyone. I passed my Nutrition and Wellness exam. It’s official, I am now a certified Nutrition and Wellness Coach.
My certification and card!
Last year I enrolled in the program at AFPA (American Fitness Professionals & Associates). It was a correspondence program, but don’t think it was easy. I have to read huge books on nutrition, legal matters, nutrition counseling, as well as listen to numerous health CDs. The exam was massive! I got an A, by the way.
I think this blog proves I’m serious about fitness and health. I’ve wanted to build Fit is the New Black into a real site for ages, but I felt like I needed more education first. Even now, in order to renew my certification in a few years, I’ll have to continue taking classes.
Now I can really take this site to the level I want it to be. Expect lots of changes in the new year.
Onto the review:
Restaurant: Veggie Castle II
Where: Queens, New York
Cuisine: Vegan Caribbean
Price: $
Last week I went down to Jamaica, Queens, for a presentation with the Board of aN agency I may be doing some work for. The President was kind enough to order dinner from everyone; being a vegan he chose a vegan takeout place called Veggie Castle II. According to several sources, the original Veggie Castle (located in Brooklyn) was closed, due to development in the area.
If you eat vegan food you know that it’s often a matter of hit or miss. For Veggie Castle is was a hit! We ordered veggie drumsticks, veggie chicken and potatoes in a curry gravy, rice and peas, spinach, plantains, and salad.
Delicious and healthy? Bet your fit butt it is!
The most impressive thing about the food was the presentation. The drumstick actually looked and felt like a drumstick. A skewer in the middle gave it it the feeling that there was a real bone inside.
This faux drumstick had wonderful texture and really looked like chicken, inside and out.
The majority of veggie meat is made from gluten based products. I’m gluten sensitive and don’t eat it often. However, I made an exception this time around. The veggie meat had great texture, similar to real chicken. Even better, the flavor was savory with just enough kick.
My mother-among other things-is Jamaican and Cuban. I grew up knowing the taste of ox tail and curry goat. She makes her rice and peas with coconut milk! I know my Caribbean food. And while Veggie Castle didn’t hold a candle to my mom’s food-does anything?-I enjoyed the meal. If you find yourself in Queens, check them out.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, so I’ll be busy cooking. I’ll be attempting vegan mac and cheese!! Wish me luck and expect a recipe, along with a Tribesports workout, on Friday.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours:)
xoxo
Filed under Features, Healthy Eats, restaurant review
As I write this post I’m listening to the sound of sirens. I’m in New York, folks, and Hurricane Sandy is at large. Some people have lost power already. It’s okay by me, but it’s only a little after 8 p.m.
But on with the post. It’s been awhile, I know.
So…mmmkay. Some call it happy weight or nesting. Lauren Conrad called it ‘the boyfriend layer’. I guess the 5-to-10 pound fat pocket covering your abs has many names. It seems to appear out of nowhere, but if you think about it, I bet you can trace the pudge to sneaking fries off your boyfriend’s plate.
The boyfriend layer can strike any time in a relationship. I’ve been with my guy for YEARS and still experience it now and then. Snacking with him late at night, stealing bites off his plate-it all adds up. Doing daily activities together is a way humans bond. I love the feeling of sharing a bowl of popcorn with my schmoopy after midnight.
But as I said before, it has a price. That’s why I had to come up with a way to eat with my boyfriend and keep my abs in check. It’s easier than you think. Just follow these tips below and you’ll be able to keep the bonding with your man high while ensuring your body fat stays low.
1. Use Separate Shopping List
It’s easier to stay away from your boy’s Doritos if you have healthier options available. When you go shopping, make sure that you pick items not just for him but for YOU. My boyfriend loves snack foods. So do I. To combat this little snag, I buy healthy, low calorie snacks like Cheddar Kale chips, raw nuts, and coconut milk vanilla ice cream. Another option is finding good-for-you treats that you both enjoy. My boyfriend and I both like having hot chocolate as dessert. Popsicles are another staple of our freezer.
2. Sneak Healthy Items into Old Favorites
Last week I made my boyfriend Mac & Cheese. The comfort classic calls for white pasta, a ton of cheese and butter, and sometimes eggs. In short, it’s a heart attack on your plate. I can’t serve that shit to my man! So I switched the white pasta with whole wheat, lowering calories and providing a fiber boost to the dish. I also mashed some rutabaga into the cheese sauce to add a serving of vegetables. My boyfriend was never the wiser, and I could steal a bite without feeling like I was eating total garbage.
3. Stock Your Bar With Low Cal Beverages
If boozing with the boy is where you’re getting in trouble, try making skinny cocktails. Bethanny Frankel has a great line of drinks, a part of the Skinny Girl brand. You can also make your own. Lemon flavored vodka mixed with lemonade Crystal Light, anyone? Get creative by mixing alcohol with lower calorie liquids. You’ll still get the taste, while mega calories.
4. Remember, Bonding is Spending Time, not Eating
This rule can be applied to all social situations involving food. Humans are social. We like to be together. And we can be together, we just don’t need to eat every time we see each other. Just because you don’t eat pretzel rods every time your boo does doesn’t mean you can’t still bond. Watch movies on the couch, play cards, do whatever you normally do, just leave the snacking to him. Before you know it, that boyfriend layer will be gone. And who knows? Watching all your healthy habits may inspire your man to follow your lead.
5. Take Responsibility for Your Plate
You can avoid over snacking by keeping tabs on your daily calorie intake. Eating healthy throughout the day will help you avoid overindulging later. The better your habits are, the less likely you’re going to want to ruin them by eating things you know you don’t need.
Filed under Diets, Features, Healthy Eats
Pancakes were one of my favorite breakfasts growing up. But I stopped eating them when I made the connection between eating them and feeling bloated and sluggish. Many people don’t fare well with simple carbs. They spike the blood sugar, making us feel hungry sooner than we’d like.
I created Pumpkin and Oat Hot Cakes out of the need to have something delicious to pour butter (Smart Balance, of course) and syrup on. Pumpkin is loaded with fiber, potassium, and contains alpha and beta-carotene. That means pumpkin has anti-inflammatory properties (alpha-carotene) and is immune boosting (beta-carotene). Oats are complex, keeping blood sugar levels stabilized while providing energy. A banana brings additional sweetness and nutrients.
Unlike regular pancake batter, this mixture looks more like oatmeal cookie dough. I use an ice cream scooper to make the cakes. Once in the pan, I pat the oat ball into a patty with a spoon or fork. The inside will be soft, sort of like oatmeal. The outside will be like a pancake-cookie.
Recipe
- 1 small banana
- 1 3.5 serving can of pumpkin
- 1.5 cups of uncooked oats
- Cinnamon
- 2 tsp of salt
- Honey or agave
Directions
1. Heat non-stick pan on medium-high heat
2. In separate bowl, smash banana in a bowl, and then add in pumpkin and oats.
3. Add salt, 4 shakes of cinnamon, and honey or agave to taste (probably a tablespoon).
4. Mix together until mixture looks similar to oatmeal cookie dough.
5. Spray a non-stick pan with cooking spray and add ball size scoops of mixture. With a spoon or fork pat down into patties.
6. Fry on each side for 4 minutes or until cake has a baked cookie-like side.
7. Serve with whatever toppings you desire!
Filed under Eat & Workout With Me, Healthy Eats, Recipes
Hi everyone. I’m sorry I’m a little behind in posting. I’m sick and sitting in front of the computer screen isn’t making me feel much better. That’s why today’s blog is going to be really short. I had planned on posting some new fall-inspired smoothie and protein drink recipes, but my appetite doesn’t exist right now. But for y’all who are feeling dandy, check out these vegan cooking videos I just discovered.
The chef goes by the name of The Vegan Zombie-very appropriate for Halloween season. He’s sort of whacky, but he’s all tatted up, which automatically makes him cool in my book. I love boyz with ink! Let me know what you think of him.
Pumpkin Puree
Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Vegan Mac and Cheese
Filed under Diets, Healthy Eats, Recipes
