Energize Your Life With Me on Wed, June 12th!

When life starts to feel like this...



But you'd prefer it feel like this...



Join me for a workshop on Eating for Energy next Wednesday, June 12th from 7-8 pm at Freshmade NYC!

I will reveal ALL my energy secrets and when you leave, I promise you'll feel rejuvenated and alive.

Kinda like...



To register, click here:

Can't wait to see your beautiful faces!

Introducing.... My New Website and Blog Design!

Image via samburke.wordpress.com

I got a makeover, friends! Isn't it just a beauty?

But that's not all... there's more good news to share. I am now open for business! As you may know, I've been studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and starting today, I am available for personal health coaching.

You've never heard of health coaching?

Well, you're in for a treat. Health coaching is a fairly new field that's been gaining lots of attention recently in the media as the newest trend in healthcare. A health coach is a holistic wellness authority who actively helps clients achieve their health (and life) goals by providing coaching, support and resources.

Health coaching is for all types of people, whether you feel healthy or not. It provides a safe place for you to identify your health and life goals and work with someone to achieve those goals. Whether you are dealing with food concerns, weight loss issues, increased stress, lack of sleep, new food allergies, or anything else,  working with a health coach can give you a fresh perspective on your individual situation, as well as unlimited support and attention.

I am providing my services in two ways - either in person in the New York City area OR by phone or Skype. To learn more about health coaching, click here. And if you'd just like to get to know me better, you can read about my journey here!

Oh... and how could I forget? I will be doing a workshop on 'Eating for Energy' in New York City on Tuesday, June 4th from 7-8 pm at Freshmade NYC. If you feel like you are always burning the candle at both ends, this class is for you! I will be sharing simple recipes for increasing your energy, fueling your workouts and ensuring better sleep. To sign up, click here!

Now that we've covered all the bases, take a cruise around the new site! My health coaching site is located at www.strictlynutritious.com, while my blog has moved to www.strictlynutritious.blogspot.com.

And if you're really feeling generous, 'Like' me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter!

Many thanks to my exceptionally talented website designer Sharon over at Redbud Designs and my amazing photographer Linda Peters (@lpetersny). They were both a pleasure to work with and I HIGHLY recommend their services!

The Experts Weigh In: Surf's Up!

BY: ADAM RUST, CONTRIBUTOR

I'm sure some of you may have read Bennett's guest post last week and thought, "Sure, living abroad sounds wonderful and it would be nice to have the opportunity to meet people from different cultures, but I can't just up and move away from my life". Well, I'd like to share some good news with you about something that I stumbled upon a few years ago - something that changed my life in a positive way, made me see the world from a different perspective and allowed me to make some awesome new friends along the way.

About four years ago, Lauren and I discovered that we both had the desire to travel and it was time to do something about it. We wanted to travel around Europe and see all the wonders of the world. The only catch was... traveling costs money and there wasn't an abundance of that in either of our bank accounts. So we gave ourselves six months to raise some funds and to research the cheapest way possible to travel Europe without getting kidnapped or winding up with bed bugs. As I searched the internet, I came across a site called couchsurfing.org. Couchsurfing is a community of people all across the globe who have two things in common - they love meeting new people and they love travelling. The premise is this... while you are home, you offer up your couch/spare bedroom/floor space to travelers who are in need of a place to stay while they explore your town. In the same way, when you go travelling, you can expect similar hospitality.

Having deep cultural conversations on the subway with Noe.

At first I was skeptical, but the more I looked into the site, I found that they take great care to verify their members' identities. I also learned that hosts could reject a request if the person looked like a creeper. So basically, it's like internet dating, but with couches. So I decided to give it a shot. 

One month later I had four Frenchmen at my door, excited to stay on my floor for the weekend. I was nervous. Four strangers were about to enter my apartment, and I had no idea if they were going to butcher me alive or steal all my worldly possessions. But all those fears melted away as soon as I saw their faces. These guys just spent the last 6 hours flying across the Atlantic to come to New York City! They were on cloud nine. It dawned on me that they were just thankful to have a place to stay for free with someone who was kind enough to show them hospitality in a strange new land.

Lauren and I spent the better part of our weekend showing them around and navigating all the awkward conversations (since we didn't speak French and they hadn't spent much time in America). We learned so much about each other's cultures. We played 'tour guide' for them, while they gave us a unique perspective into their lives in France. 

Noe and his roommate picked us up from the train station in Avignon, drove us to some ruins on the top of a mountain
and popped open a bottle of wine with us while we watched the sunset. Hello, France!

Four months later, Lauren and I traveled throughout France, staying on the couches of two of our newly found French friends, Ben and Noe. We even stayed one night at Ben's mother's house in Calais, the port town. Noe has since been back to New York twice and has stayed with me both times. Ben's cousins have also stayed with me after we met them in France.

Ben's cousins, Marlene and Vincent, showing us around a park in Paris.

This is just one of the great experiences that I've had through couchsurfing. I've met people from all over the globe - from two wild and crazy Finnish guys to a French family of 5 that stayed in my small one bedroom apartment with me (did I mention all three children were under the age of 5?).

Our tiniest couchsurfer yet, Ael.

I've also had great experiences staying on couches throughout my own travels. When my brother and I went to Germany earlier this year, our German host took us to a pub to watch the Euro Cup soccer tournament, even though we fully intended on rooting for the opposing team. On the same trip, we also met a young, ambitious Dutch college student who let us stay on his couch for 4 days. A few months later, he stayed on my couch in the city after he completed his cross country bike trip from Seattle to New York. In 50 years, THESE will be the memories I remember from my trips.

So as you can see, I'm a big advocate of couchsurfing.org. I've met a lot of great friends and I've had great experiences that I would've missed if I'd traveled in a more traditional way. I've learned that the more you put yourself out there, wanting to learn from others, the more you will see that they are human just like you...

...even if they call them 'chips' instead of 'fries'.

Adam Rust is (surprise!) my boyfriend; therefore, I find him pretty fascinating. He's originally from Indiana, though he's been living in New York City for the last 6 years, working as a commercial editor (that means he's good with technology - me, not so much). Opposites attract I guess. Adam has a big heart and big dreams - he loves going on adventures, whether it's a hiking trip upstate or a 3-month surf trip to Costa Rica. Adam gave me the courage to explore the world and take chances (even with a thin wallet). I owe a lot of my travel experiences to him. When he's not working, you can usually find him escorting me to restaurants and testing out the food for my Saturday Splurge posts or riding his bike all over Brooklyn. He has an affinity for classic music, like the Allman Brothers, Steve Miller Band and the Grateful Dead, and he shares my deep love and appreciate for good wine. On his last trip, he brought me back a few bottles from France. Good man!!!

New York City: Healthy Eatin' on the Run!

Image courtesy of amybarickman.com

Look, I'm as busy as the next person, and I'll be the first to admit that eating healthy is not always the easiest or most affordable option. Plus, temptation is everywhere (I mean... I can walk two blocks and get 2 slices of pizza and a Coke for $2.50). But here's the thing, eating healthy CAN be good. It can be really, REALLY good actually. So good that I get excited about grabbing a healthy lunch or dinner to go.

Today, I've compiled a list of some of my favorite healthy eats-on-the-run in New York City! If you're lucky enough to live here but have never tried these excellent establishments, it's time you got to work. So here we go! Grab a pen... you may want to take some serious notes!

Image courtesy of portfolio.darkigloo.com

Dig Inn Seasonal Market 

I give this place 5 stars, 2 thumbs up, a high-five and all that jazz! First of all, it smells delicious every time I walk by, and the food is fresh and hearty. Plus, I can get behind the philosophy on their website: "Bottom line - we believe that you don't have to be a health food martyr to eat well. Quality, healthful food is about abundance, freshness, and flavor - not deprivation!".

Here's why you can consider Dig Inn a solid meal-on-the-go choice:

*Their meat comes from animals that are raised humanely, without hormones and antibiotics.

*They source their produce from local, sustainable farms and actually visit these farms to see for themselves!

*All meals are prepared from scratch!

*They believe in full transparency and post all the nutrition information on their website!

So what's on the menu? You can create your own plate, choosing one meat (like rosemary turkey or wild salmon salad), one green or grain (like tomato brown rice, house greens or baby spinach), three market sides (like kale & apple salad, roasted local Brussels sprouts or organic whole wheat orzo & arugula salad), and one sauce or spread (like tzatziki spread, house hot sauce or guacamole). They also have an array of cold-pressed raw juices. The best part? It doesn't break the bank!

There are 5 locations in the city. Click here for more information.

Image courtesy of tastingmenu.com

Hummus Kitchen

When I lived on the Upper East Side, Hummus Kitchen was my go-to spot when I wanted a light and healthy meal for brunch, lunch or dinner! If you choose to dine-in, the atmosphere is warm and inviting. It almost transports you to another place and time. And if you order out, you can rest assured that what you're eating is of the best quality.

Here's why you should try Hummus Kitchen:

*Their menu is packed with simple, healthy Mediterranean dishes!

*They have a seasonal kitchen, using top end raw ingredients - lots of vegetables, whole grains and beans!

*Their menu highlights the health benefits of certain dishes and provides tasty vegan options!

*Their staple - hummus - is made with organic chickpeas and believe me, it's delicious!

So what are my favorites? The Mediterranean chopped salad is excellent for a light meal - the ingredients are finely chopped and super fresh. Their Moroccan chicken wrap is my favorite dinner option - roasted chicken, hummus, mild Harisa sauce, cucumbers and parsley. And if you're in the mood for brunch, you can't go wrong with the green shakshuka!

There are 4 locations in the city. Click here for more information.

Image courtesy of nycgreennews.com

Energy Kitchen

Energy Kitchen is going to take over the world. Yes, it's true. I've met one of the owners personally, and his vision is exceptional. The company's slogan says it all: fast food, not fat food. I love the idea behind their company, which they explain on their website, "Energy Kitchen was created with the belief that you shouldn't have to compromise health or taste when it comes to fast food".

When you need your food fast, here's why you should stop by Energy Kitchen:

*Everything on the menu is under 500 calories!

*The food is always grilled, baked or steamed... never fried!

*Their beef is grass-fed, free range, 90% lean and all natural!

*Their buns and wraps are made with whole grains!

*Calorie content is listed on the menu!

*All their food is cooked to order so you know it's fresh!

So what's on the menu? I love the kitchen chopped salad, a tasty mix of romaine, grilled chicken, scallions, tomatoes, blue cheese and turkey bacon. Then there's the delectable thai chicken wrap filled with grilled chicken breast, carrots, baked Chinese noodles, cucumbers and spicy peanut sauce on a whole wheat wrap. Even their sides are guilt-free! Try the asparagus salad, corn & edamame salad or the baked fries!

There are 7 locations in the city, but they are also open in Florida and New Jersey (with more states coming soon)! Click here for more information.

Image courtesy of livingmaxwell.com

Organic Avenue

I'm having a love affair with Organic Avenue, and it's a downright disservice to humanity that there's not one in my neighborhood yet. What's a girl supposed to do?!? Organic Avenue is known for their juice cleanses, but they also have a solid array of smoothies, salads, wraps, snacks and sweet treats! 

Organic Avenue should be on your list of spots to try (as soon as today) because:

*All the menu offerings are Certified Organic! You can rest assured that what you are eating is of the highest quality!

*Most of the menu items are raw, which means that you take in the most nutrition possible! Nothing is destroyed or lost by cooking!

*The company's founder Denise Mari practices what she preaches! She has been a vegan for the last 13 years, and her excellent health and glowing skin are proof of what the diet can do for you!

So what are my favorites? My lunch of choice is the big kale salad, a lip-smacking combination of shredded kale, arugula, red onion, carrots, hemp seeds, raisins and sun dried olives topped with possibly my favorite dressing in the whole wide world (I think that recipe might be top-secret). I also like to round out my lunch with the turmeric tonic - alkaline water, lemon, ginger and turmeric. This juice aids in digestion and relieves menstrual discomforts, among other things.

As of now, there are 8 locations in the city. Click here for more information.

Come in. Take a load off. Have a look around.

'THE FUN GIRLS' - From the left: My mother Sharon, 'yours truly' and my aunt Lenor (circa 1984).

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Isn't that the truth? I come from a long line of health-obsessed people, including my mother Sharon, a personal trainer and whole foods supplement sales rep, my brother Cale, a now retired professional mixed martial arts fighter and state-ranked swimmer and my father Johnny, always and ever the coach of baseball teams, basketball teams and any other teams that needed his expert insight (which was usually something along the lines of 'Be aggressive!!!'). As a young child, I was 'forced' outside every single day after school by my mother. Being the nerdy kid that I was, I was happy as a bumblebee to just stay indoors... drawing, painting OR EVEN working on my homework as soon as I got home, but mom held to the conviction that children need lots of fresh air and exercise. I'm pretty sure she played a big part in instilling in me the desire to exercise, eat healthy and care for my mental and spiritual well-being. 


I've created this page because I love nutrition, health and fitness. I'm a runner, biker, swimmer, hiker, surfer, skydiver... you name it! I want to help YOU feed your body, mind and spirit. I'll be posting helpful and surprising information on food, exercise, stress-relief techniques and all those other important things you should know to live a long, healthy and happy life!

But I don't want to be the only teacher! I want this page to be a forum where we can all learn from each other. So 'comment' away OR if you'd like to be a guest writer, let me know!

...and remember to forgive me when I post the occasional splurge. Because it's all about balance and this girl can't turn down good food and wine! I live in New York City, after all.