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.

Food Rules: Put A Fork In Me, I'm Done!

Image courtesy of killough.us

We've all been there. I'm talking about the point of no return - the moment at dinner when you find yourself slipping your hand underneath the table to release the top button of your pants. Phew. Much better. It happens to the best of us. Sometimes the food's just so good (and/or so expensive) that you find yourself in a competition with yourself to wipe that plate clean. Culinary domination complete!

The good news? The food was fantastic and you conquered it... all.
The bad news? You're uncomfortable and beelining for the nearest mattress store with your pants around your ankles.

Drastic times call for drastic measures. I think it's time for some good old fashioned waistline therapy. Let's dive into the next guideline from Michael Pollan's book Food Rules...

STOP EATING BEFORE YOU'RE FULL

It's not our fault that we don't innately know this. We grew up being told, 'clean your plate' or 'eat all your vegetables'. Our mothers and fathers meant well. They wanted us to get our fair share of nutrients AND they believed in the concept of avoiding waste. There are starving children in Africa, Lauren... finish your peas!

Image courtesy of thedailygreen.com

The only problem with this child-rearing technique is that it sets the tone for how we relate to food as adults. Unfortunately, as the portion sizes in restaurants grow larger by the day, so do our waistlines AND our stomachs. Overeating can stretch your stomach up to 20%, and it doesn't just snap right back to business as usual. The next time you sit down to eat, it will take more food to feel full. You can see how this pattern could easily get out of hand.

Image courtesy of wawaza.com

The purpose of food is to provide your body with energy. When you overeat, you feel the opposite of energized - you feel lethargic. You crave a nice long nap. Your brain feels fuzzy. It becomes hard to concentrate. You might even feel discomfort or pain. None of these things are natural or good.

The Japanese have a saying - hara hachi bu - which advises people to stop eating when they are 80% full. In India, there's a common belief that you should stop eating when you are 75% full. In China, they say 70%. Moral of the story? No matter what the percentage, you should be so aware of your body that you stop eating when you no longer feel the physical pangs of hunger. You'll know you've reached this point because you'll start to feel content, your food may start to taste less interesting than it did on the first few bites and you might even become distracted, thinking about the next thing on your to-do list. Some people even let out a 'sigh' of satisfaction when they've reached that 80% mark.



Here are a few tips to help you implement this concept...

1) Eat slower - Give your stomach the time it needs to send the message to your brain that you're satisfied. If you scarf down your food, then you will stretch your stomach long before you ever get the message.

2) Concentrate - Turn the TV off and put the computer away. When you take the time to fully focus on your meal, you will be able to savor every bite. When you're distracted by an outside stimulus, you forget to enjoy each bite, and you may end up going back for seconds just to get that feeling of satisfaction.

3) Drink water before a meal - Your mind often mistakes thirst for hunger. Before a meal, drink 1 glass of water to hydrate, then you'll be able to accurately identify when you've reached that 80% mark.

If you can follow these 3 simple steps, you just might be able to wear your skinny pants to dinner without despair, rid your closet of all the muumuu-style dresses and say goodbye to those awful stretchy waistbands!

Now wouldn't that feel therapeutic?

Food Rules: Food So Fast It Makes Your Head (and Stomach) Spin!

Image courtesy of www2.qsrmagazine.com

I studied abroad in Australia the summer after my junior year of college. While I saw lots of kangaroos and other exotic things typical of Australia, I also encountered a lot of chickens. Not the kind of chickens you would imagine - the cute little guys clucking around in the chicken coop. No, this was more of the Kentucky Fried variety. Not cool, Australia, not cool.

Kentucky Fried Chicken has laid it's claim on Australia. There are so many that it's actually frightening. The rate at which fast food restaurants have taken over our country (and now the world) is totally alarming to me. This unfortunate phenomenon brings me to the next food rule I'd like to discuss from Michael Pollan's book Food Rules...

IT'S NOT FOOD IF IT ARRIVED THROUGH THE WINDOW OF YOUR CAR

It's OK to laugh out loud. It may sound comical and obvious, but it's the truth! Let me tell you why... The whole point of food is to provide your body with the necessary nutrients to function. Fast food and processed food provide little to none of these things. 

Image courtesy of pic2fly.com

Our concept of 'food' began to change in the 1950's, with the advent of TV dinners and fast food restaurants. America had been through some rough patches in the previous decades and now it was time to sit back, relax and enjoy the convenience of a microwave dinner or a made-to-order meal from the drive-thru window. Life was good. Health stats... not so much.

As soon as Americans began consuming foods that were highly processed, containing preservatives, artificial flavors and additives, the health of the general public began to take a turn for the worse. If you've ever seen the 2004 documentary Super Size Me, these health repercussions should be painfully obvious. In the film, Morgan Spurlock ate McDonald's 3 times a day for his experiment. Almost like clockwork, he started to experience major health problems. Granted, the average American doesn't eat fast food 3 times a day (I know, I know), but his experiment did make the point that fast food consumption only does bad things for your body.

Fast food and processed food have direct links to obesity, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, higher risk of heart attack, increased risk of developing allergies and possible sexual dysfunction. I don't know about you but this doesn't sound like a Sunday drive through the countryside to me. It sounds like a life spent in the doctor's office or waiting in the pharmacy line. It sounds expensive and it sounds debilitating.

Now if health risks aren't enough to keep you from that glorious Big Mac (believe me, I've savored a Big Mac or two in my time), then maybe the thought of its immortality will. You and I both know that real food goes bad, often quickly. It wilts, decomposes or grows mold. Studies have been done on the buns at fast food restaurants and in one study, the buns stayed good for up to two decades... that's 20 years, folks! Real food wouldn't come close to that. 

Image courtesy of photoree.com

But it doesn't stop at the buns... burgers contain excessive amounts of sodium, fries contain all the bad fats (like omega-6 oils) and even chicken nuggets have harmful additives that can affect your health. You can go for the salad option, but once you've added the dressing, you're still done for!

Listen, I grew up at McDonald's. I have vivid memories of eating Happy Meals and running around on the playground. I also grew up in the South, surrounded by Chick-fil-A's. I'm not going to deny that a chicken biscuit tastes like heaven, especially when you're on the run.

But the point is this... The choices you make today regarding what you feed your body directly affect the way your body will treat you later. If you give your body the love and respect it deserves, then it will serve you well AND you will reap the benefits of a happy and healthy life.

The good news is once you start eating real food, you'll probably be so disgusted by your former favorites that you won't even be tempted to hit up the drive-thru. Your food cravings will begin to change as you alter your diet for the better. I guarantee it.

Saturday Splurge: Chorizo (Asheville, North Carolina)

I'm a sucker for a good story. If it involves an underdog struggling to overcome adversity, I'm done for. Finished. Maybe that's why I enjoy eating at Chorizo whenever I'm in Asheville, North Carolina. Chorizo blossomed from adversity and is a testament to Chef Hector Diaz's resilient spirit.

Diaz, a native of Puerto Rico, moved to the United States when he was just eleven years old. He began working his way up the ranks in well known kitchens in New York City and Miami. Eventually Hector moved to Asheville, a city that reminded him of his mountainous home in Puerto Rico. He began working in a restaurant there but unexpectedly lost his job. He was wandering despondently through the city one day soon thereafter, wondering how he was going to feed his family without a job, when he met a man who gave him the opportunity to open his own place and be his own boss.

Hector opened Salsa's that same year (also in downtown Asheville). Salsa's was warmly welcomed into the community, and now 16 years later, Chorizo is only ONE of the many restaurants he owns. Talk about A for effort!

My hat's off to Hector...not only for his entrepreneurial spirit, but for his delicious Latin fare. This past weekend was only my second time at Chorizo, but I am quickly learning that it will be a regular stop on my future trips.

I started off with a fresh mojito, which didn't disappoint. Not too strong, not to weak and definitely full of flavor. 

For my entree, I ordered the chili relleno with a combination of manchego and goat cheese. Chorizo does this dish perfectly....it's lightly fried, the peppers are extremely fresh and the surprising mixture of cheese is delectable. Even my grandmother, who is a chili relleno snob (sorry, grandma!), had great things to say about this dish (she liked it so much that I had to keep giving her bites). The relleno came with an array of colorful sides... rice, beans, guacamole, pico and a salad. I rarely finish a plate that big, but I'm happy to report that I showed that relleno who's boss.

Not only is the food fabulous, but the restaurant itself is open to the outside and very airy. Even if you sit inside, you feel as if you're on the porch. Now that's what I call a win-win situation! The waiters also have that Southern charm that you learn to expect in Asheville.

If you find yourself in North Carolina, definitely give Chorizo a try. It's pretty fantastic. You have my word... cross my heart and hope to die.


Chorizo
One Page Avenue, Ste. 139
Asheville, NC 28801
828.350.1332

Saturday Splurge: Rosewater (Park Slope, Brooklyn)

Image courtesy of yelp.com

I should only have to say one thing to make you fully understand my love for this place - Rosewater makes me want to get up early on a Saturday morning. I'm the crazy woman who wakes up at 5 am every day during the workweek, so I clearly value my ZZZ's on the weekend. I don't roll out of bed for just your average restaurant. It takes much, much more.

Rosewater is a seasonal American restaurant in Park Slope that serves up local, regional, organic and sustainably raised food. The menu is constantly changing so it's almost impossible to get the 'same old thing' everytime, which is GREAT NEWS for creatures of habit like myself who need to branch out and try new dishes! They also have a $15 pre-fixe brunch which includes a non-alcoholic beverage (see? we don't always have to drink at brunch) and an entree.

I started off with a hot Sencha tea, which is a fancy sounding name for a Japanese green tea. Adam chose an iced Darjeeling tea, a refreshing black tea from India. They sat us on the front porch, which has the feel of a beautiful garden - lots of hanging plants, potted plants and flowers. Minus the girls sitting next to us going on and on about Channing Tatum's body in 'Magic Mike', it was the perfect spot to people watch and enjoy a leisurely brunch.

For my entree, I ordered the baked polenta and goat cheese with poached eggs, broccoli raab and a cherry tomato vinaigrette. When I took a bite, I was glad I was sitting down because I got a little weak in the knees. It was deliciously light and flavorful.

Adam was a little more adventurous and ordered the smoked yellowfin tuna cake with poached eggs, chipotle aioli and a leafy green salad. I don't know about you, but I'm not aching to wake up and eat sea creatures first thing in the morning. I was a bit weary of the fish dish, but I have to say, it was deceptively non-fishy and the chipotle aioli was to die for! Poor Adam... I kept dipping my toast in his sauce, leaving him with three bites of tuna cake and nothing to drench them in. I'm a horrible girlfriend.

If you can identify a good restaurant by the number of people idly standing around outside, then Rosewater's got it going on. Prepare to wait, but I promise it's worth it!


Rosewater
787 Union Street (at 6th Avenue)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718.783.3800

Saturday Splurge: Benchmark (Park Slope, Brooklyn)

I went a few weekends without going to brunch... in essence, committing social suicide. Brunch is the name of the game on weekends in New York City. It's what we do. It's just as certain as the only certainty in life -- death.

...Well, maybe NOT QUITE that serious. But still, very serious indeed.

To get back on the horse, I decided to try one of Park Slope's newer restaurants, Benchmark. Benchmark 'features a New American menu focused on pasture-raised animals and locally-grown produce' (from their website). I had heard good things and wanted to see what the fuss was about.

Let me tell you, the fuss was all because of the atmosphere. This place is beautiful. It's off a side street, so you don't normally pass it unless you're headed down 2nd Street specifically. The entrance is flanked with potted flowers, which lead you through an outdoor alley (not the creepy kind) full of tables. The alley opens up into a smaller outdoor space bordering a garden.

Yes, we haven't even gotten to the actual building yet! Quite amazing by space standards in NYC! The actual indoor space was small but sun-filled, as the doors and windows open towards the garden. It was love. I felt like I stepped into a friend's backyard... and I totally planned to be the guest that overstayed my welcome, make no mistake.

We sat outside and started the morning off with the Bloody Benchmark, a twist on the traditional bloody mary, using bourbon instead of vodka and garnishing with a piece of beef jerky. For $6, it was a steal compared to other places in the neighborhood!


Next up was the brunch pre-fixe for $14. For the first course, we both chose the Organic Seasonal Lettuces with yuca, black pepper roasted strawberries, goat cheese and truffle vinaigrette. It was definitely fresh and innovative, but a bit lacking on the dressing. Maybe I should've asked for more...

For our entrees, I chose the Benchmark Dry-Aged Burger with Gruyere Cheese and Handcut Fries, and Adam chose the Short Ribs Benedict with Hollandaise and Breakfast Potatoes. They were both good, but I have to say, I wasn't WOWED. Again, that could have been because of our choices. 

Benchmark's food was on par with upscale bar food, but I wouldn't expect anything more (hey, a girl can't give glowing reviews every time!).

With that said, I would most definitely recommend it for brunch, IF for the atmosphere alone. It would be a great place to sit outside and enjoy some drinks or a light bite with friends.


Benchmark
339 2nd Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718.965.7040

Saturday Splurge: Buttermilk Channel (Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn)

Image courtesy of idsgn.org

It's not very often that I have absolutely NOTHING to say. I can strike up a lively conversation with a rock if I have to, but I'll tell you what...

...not here. The food is so sinfully good that I keep the conversation to a minimum.


If you haven't been to Buttermilk Channel, you have to go. Maybe find a discount plane ticket (no joke). Jay Z and Beyonce frequent this place, and I'm pretty sure they'd agree with my review. 

Buttermilk Channel is one of those restaurants that is warm and welcoming from the start. I almost felt like I was back South! It's modestly decorated, but the lighting gives it a warm glow, making it perfect for a date or any special night really. Hell, you should just go alone if the mood strikes!


I went with the girls this time and we all dove head first into the sweet ambrosia they laid before us... light fluffy popovers with a glazing of sweet honey. It was almost too good to be a starter! And did I mention it was free?!?


Next up were the BBQ Oysters. For the record, I don't like oysters. But let me tell you, I may have been converted! Hallelujah! Preach, Buttermilk!

Following the oysters, we shared the Summer Market Salad, a refreshing blend of cucumbers, nectarines, radishes, red onion, lively run goat feta (hehe...whatever that is) and lime vinaigrette. I just love it when healthy things are tasty things!

Now for the entrees... make sure you sit down for this.

I had the Buttermilk Fried Chicken over cheddar waffles with savoy cabbage slaw and a maple syrup/balsamic reduction to drizzle over the top. Obviously, chicken and waffles are a staple in the South, but it's not very often you find that sort of thing in these parts! The cheddar thrown into the waffle was so yummy that I let my friends do all the talking while I sat there silently savoring every bite.

The beautiful Marissa Roy went with the Parsley-Crusted New England Hake over a warm bean salad with basil, pickled peppers and a green olive vinaigrette. Very healthy and flavorful choice! Maybe SHE should be writing the nutrition page.

Out-of-towner #1 Claire Kelly went for Caputo's Fresh Linguine, which was a glorious combination of sweet peas, pea leaves, spring onions, green garlic, fried egg and chili oil. Kudos to Claire for sharing!     ... At the end of the day, I would have stolen some bites either way.

Out-of-towner #2 and soon-to-be NYC resident Kristen Schloegel asked for a vegetarian menu, which they actually produced! Shocking! She went with the Roasted Market Vegetables, which was a beautiful combination of fresh summer vegetables, topped with a heaping pile of grilled asparagus drizzled in lemon oil and balsamic vinegar. Good call, girl!

After dinner, we were coerced into a dessert (only because every review of the restaurant mentioned it AND I am a sucker for pecans). We shared Doug's Pecan Pie Sundae. I can't even do this dessert justice by describing it, so I'm not even going to try.


If you aren't making a reservation right now, we just can't be friends. It's as simple as that.


Buttermilk Channel
524 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
718.852.8490

Two very happy girls post-dinner.

P.S. Our shoddy iPhone pictures will never do this food justice. Forgive me, Buttermilk!

Saturday Splurge: Traif (Williamsburg Brooklyn)

Image courtesy of nomsnotbombs.com

This week's 'Saturday Splurge' is quite controversial indeed! Traif is the brainchild of Jason Marcus (former chef at Eleven Madison Park and La Bernardine) and his girlfriend Heather Heuser. They named their new venture Traif  - which comes from the Hebrew term 'trefa', meaning non-kosher food. The restaurant proclaims it's message loud and clear on the website... 'Celebrating pork, shellfish, and globally inspired soul food.'

Was I inspired? YES!
If you keep a kosher kitchen should you go? NO! 

The menu is meant for sharing, and although the dishes are small, they pack a huge flavor punch. We started with a complimentary tasting of their watermelon gazpacho, which was incredibly light and refreshing. Then we really got down to business.

First up was the strawberry-cinnamon glazed baby back pork ribs. Thankfully, we were smart enough to order this dish. Unfortunately for us though, it was the BEST dish of the night, making it an extremely tough act to follow. The sweetness of the strawberries gave the rib sauce a perfect hint of flavor without being overpowering. Perfection!

Next up was the moulard duck confit atop a sweet corn and shiitake mushroom saute. The duck was definitely good, but the saute stole the show. The combination was so mouth watering that once again, I forgot to take a picture.

After the duck, we enjoyed a salad with Georgia peaches, peanuts, cherries and blue cheese. The blue cheese was actually grated on top, giving the leaves a slight coating of cheesy, snowy goodness. I'd like to personally thank the person who decided to grate that cheese on top. Amen. Hallelujah!

Last, we enjoyed crispy soft shell crabs on a bed of crushed avocado with pineapple sambal. The seafood and avocado blended perfectly for a light and delicious summer dish.

Let me tell you, the bacon doughnuts (yes, you heard me correctly) were definitely tempting when it came to the dessert menu, but I just didn't think I could respect myself in the morning (I have a nutrition blog, ok?).

If you've been good all week and need a place to reward yourself, make a reservation at Traif. I promise you'll enjoy it.

TRAIF
229 S. 4th St.

Brooklyn, NY 11211

347*844*9578