It’s officially fall. But don’t let the first day of jacket-wearing freak you out. There’s still lots of healthiness going on to keep your bod moving and your taste buds happy. Here are 5 of my current foodie / fitness crushes: (Ya, you can have a crush on a food, don’t judge!)
#1. Chia!Did you know your chia pet wasn’t only giving Garfield a sweet afro? It was also growing edible sprouts. I’m nervous that I’m the only one this is news to… But anyway, chia seeds are all over the food-blogosphere and I’m addicted.
So here’s why they rock: Chia seeds have more omega 3′s by ounce than salmon, are full of protein, fiber and antioxidants, and they absorb water, so they’re hydrating, and they make you feel full. Throw them into smoothies like flax, use in recipes in place of up to 1/3 the fat, or try a chia fresca via No Meat Athlete: (pic of mine below)
- about 10 oz of water
- 1 Tbsp dry chia seeds
- a few teaspoons fresh lemon or lime juice
- a little agave/stevia if needed
Stir the chia seeds into the water; let them sit for about five minutes. Stir again, and let sit for as long as you like. The more it sits, the more gel-like the seeds and water become. Add citrus and sweetener to taste and mix.
Random fact in case you end up on Jeopardy: Chia means strength in Mayan.
#2. Pop-up workouts are the new pop-up restaurants.
Read about this on Well&Good and could not be more excited because, et’s be honest, I’m not such a fan of the gym. I feel like a depressed little hamster on a treadmill, and I find watching foodie-TV (or the other standard option: Real House Wives of Atlanta) to be completely torturous. And don’t even get me started on my fear/dislike of the weight room. I need motivation, a change of scenery, and great music. If you can relate to exercise-ADD, get excited for KiwiSweat:
“Think The MOMA, The Brooklyn Bridge, Warehouses, Galleries and Lofts. After all, a sweaty box is no place to spend an hour. NYC is home to the best instructors, incredible DJ’s, and amazing locations. Put them all together and you get KiwiSweat. “
Starting Oct 17th, they’re doing spin classes at Chelsea Market, and based on their “sweat duels” class descriptions, I have a feeling that all dud-teachers will be left in the dust…
Um, is it just me or is this a healthy version of Pat O’s dueling piano bar in NOLA? YES please. Post-class healthified hurricane drinks are not a bad idea... I bet the classes will book up soon, so get signed up.
#3. The new reusable water bottle: GLASS.
I hate buying plastic water bottles. First of all, water is one of the few things that is free, why pay for it? And then you have the leaching chemicals, which are no a joke. And the worst might be that crinkling-bottle noise. Ugh.
(My glass water bottle with ch.ch.ch.chia)
But I’m a chronic water bottle ‘misplacer’, which is a problem when a Kleen Kanteen is upwards of $18. So I was stoked when my BFF Suzanne (yoga teacher extraordinaire), told me about a simple (and maybe totally obvious) solution: Glass. Yes, glass Pellegrino bottles are reusable, but I like to see what’s in my water – and turns out that VOSS and SmartWater and other plastic brands make ~$3 glass versions – a much more manageable price tag for us slightly less responsible folk (we make up for it in charm, right?).
The only issue here is breakage… I was so happy when I found a glass SmartWater bottle… until it rolled off the counter and shattered into a million pieces on our kitchen floor. So, tip: don’t be a total klutz like me.
Look for them in drink aisles of grocery stores, not the fridge section.
#4. Green Juice.
Yes, I’m a total hypocrite… This goes against everything I have ever said about hating juice or juice cleanses. I have a lot of explaining to do, but the short version is I went on an awesome yoga retreat/chakra juice cleanse in Colorado… and I will write a full shabang as soon as I can.
Anyway, I’m now a green juice junky.
Green Juice= celery, kale, cucumber, lemon, ginger, parsley, dandelion greens, and a carrot & 1/2 pear or apple if needed for sweetness. You can switch it up with spinach or other greens, fennel, cilantro… the possibilities are endless.
The thing is it has to be fresh, as in with in a few hours of being pressed, so I’m not talking Odwalla. A lot of websites say it’s because of enzymes, blah blah blah… I’m not sure about the validity, but I can tell you from experience: It feels like a shot of energy to the cabeza. Besides that, it’s a phenomenal way to get in lots of veggies you wouldn’t normally eat. Like, dandelion greens? Trust me, you don’t want to nibble on them… they are bitter and awful. But if you throw a few stems into green juice, you get all the benefits of the anti-bloat veggie without the ew-factor. BTW, when it comes to fruit, I’m still a smoothie fan over juicing. You want to keep that fiber in there to slow down all the sugar absorption.
#5. Basis foods. New Yorkers, this “lazy CSA” is the best thing to happen to you since wine delivery.
Basis is essentially the best of the farmers market delivered to your doorstep. Besides getting in season, organic and locally grown produce, you can get pasture-raised eggs/chicken, and grass-fed meat, cheese, milk (and yes…bacon). Then there are the pre-made soups and lots more. Here’s my first delivery (I got a medium box of fruit and med box of veggies, + eggs .. + soups not pictured):
Best parts: Unlike a CSA, it doesn’t have to be weekly, you choose how often you want it delivered. And since you don’t know exactly what produce you’re getting, you’re forced to venture outside of your comfort zone with new foods and recipes. Like, just-picked pluots and plums, where have you been all my life?
The only down side: after you experience a local, organic, perfectly ripe and just picked this morning-apple, the grocery store ones will taste totally blah in comparison. I’m gonna go with: it’s worth it.
Have any foodie/fitness obsessions I need to know about? Have you tried any of the above? Leave a comment and let me know!
Oh my gosh Basis delivery looks incredible. I never want to do a CSA because it’s so much food and picking it up weekly is unrealistic, but this might be doable. Is it expensive? Do you need a doorman?
Love this. Jumping on board with the green juice but it gets pricey. Did you invest in a juicer? Not sure if it’s worth it…
I’m a glass bottle junkie, too. Check out LifeFactory bottles — http://www.lifefactory.com or they sell them at Ricky’s. Super-durable, dishwasher safe and they come with a silicone sleeve to minimize breakage. They make baby bottles, too, which my son threw and dropped for his full first year, and not a single crack, so I think the adult bottles are probably just as durable (though I haven’t dropped mine). Yes, not cheap ($15-20/bottle depending on whether 16 or 22 oz size), but heavy enough that you’ll know if you forgot it when you pick up your gym bag without it….
i’m all over this. outstanding post. thank you
there is a lot to learn about chia seeds
Normally I don’t read post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to try and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, quite nice post.
I am inspired
Hello dude! Great blog! I really liked reading it.
I like your blog, i have it in my rss reader and always like new things coming up from it – Sarah
This is great stuff i love reading about all this stuff. thanx
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lifemax.net/jenniferward
Thanks! Love your blog!