Wishing you Health and Prosperity!

Some ladies like their drinks straight up, while others prefer mixed cocktails.  I can’t handle the flavor or strength of liquor, either shots or on the rocks, which is why I frequently order the “girly” drinks.  I don’t have “a usual”, and when the bartender asks me what I want, it usually takes a few minutes until I thoroughly read over the cocktail menu and the ingredients of each drink.  I try to choose the drinks that taste like fruits, because if it tastes like alcohol, I’ll be babysitting my glass all night long!

More and more bars are creating specialty cocktail menus, and if you’re looking to drink on the healthier tip, I suggest you take a peek to see what they have to offer.  Try these tips when you’re out for a drink- you might just come out with a new favorite:

• Keep it soda-free.  It’s still a soda-free summer, so that includes no soda in your cocktails!  If your usual uses sweetened soda, try it with juice or even soda water instead.
• Make sure it’s 100%.  Ask the bartender if the cran is actually 100% cranberry juice and not cranberry cocktail.  Drinks that have a splash of juice will give you a splash of vitamins and antioxidants.
• Go fruity.  My favorite kinds of drinks are those that have fresh fruit inside.  I don’t care if it’s muddled or infused, just having the fruit floating in my glass makes it prettier, healthier, and more interesting.  In fact, a 2007 study by Thai and US researchers discovered that alcohol actually increases the antioxidant properties of fruit.  An added bonus is that the fruits soak up alcohol well, so if you eat the fruit in the end, you’ll not only get a good dose of fiber and vitamins, but also a tasty shot of alcohol.   Oh, and the little red cherry in most cocktails doesn’t count!
• Try local, seasonal, and organic.  These bartenders nowadays are basically chefs, because their creative concoctions can contain any number of fresh ingredients from a farmer’s market.  These fruits, and even vegetables, will proudly be highlighted on the cocktail menu, and if it’s local, seasonal, or organic, it will definitely say so.  I tend to go for the seasonal flavors because they just taste so much better!  One of the best drinks I had used fresh organic cucumbers and cilantro.  Mmmmm!  If you like to stick with the typical, sangria is always a great option because it usually contains any number of seasonal fruits.
• Don’t go overboard.  Just because you’re drinking a healthier cocktail doesn’t give you a pass to overindulge.  It’s still recommended that you consume no more than one alcoholic beverage a day, so if you’re going to drink anyways, it’s better if it’s healthier.
• Make your own.  I made my own sparkling alcohol using the Spike Your Juice kit, or you can infuse your own liquor with fresh fruits or vegetables.  Just soak your desired ingredient in an alcohol, like vodka, and you’ll love the flavor of it after about a week.  A friend of mine used snap peas, and the unusual ingredient made the alcohol surprisingly sweet!  If you’re in the mood for something quick, mix your liquor with an unexpected juice, like beet juice or carrot juice.  For something more fancy, dice up your own fruits and throw them in your glass.

The next time you raise a glass for a toast, make sure it’s a healthier choice.  This is to your health….Cheers!

I Scream! You Scream!

Did you know that yesterday was Ice Cream Day?  Don’t think I was holding out on you, because if I really was anti-ice cream, I wouldn’t be devoting a whole post to it now, would I?  And, I wouldn’t be telling you that July is National Ice Cream MONTH.  Yes, a whole month is dedicated to one of life’s pleasures, and you have a little over a week left to indulge.  But whatever you do, don’t overindulge and try to enjoy your ice cream the healthier way.

Everyone loves ice cream.  Some of us love it too much.  You might hear the familiar sounds of jingling bells, or “Pop Goes the Weasel”, approaching your house and immediately jump and run to your door to chase down the ice cream truck.  You might even have a personal gallon, one that you turn to in times of need to feed your soul when you’re feeling down.  Ice cream cools us down on  a hot day, picks us up when we need it, and rewards us for a job well done.  I know I’ve told myself plenty of times, “I deserve this ice cream cone today!”

Ice cream should be more of a special treat and less of a daily eat.  But even if you’re treating yourself with ice cream, make sure to treat your body good by trying these healthy tips the next time you go for the ice cream scoop.

• Get the scoop.  Notice how I didn’t say scoops.  One scoop should be plenty, and anything more than that is simply too much.  If you want more than one flavor, ask your friends if you can get a taste.
• Sharing is caring.  I recently went to Fenton’s, and I was almost sickened by how huge the specialty ice cream creations were.  Some people attacked a whole order to themselves, which was melting faster than they could even eat it.  Share an order with someone instead, so you won’t be pigging out by yourself.  Just make sure you both agree on a flavor.
• Choose a good flavor.  French Vanilla.  Butter Pecan.  Chocolate Deluxe.  There are so many flavors out there, it could be hard to make a choice.  Ask to get a sample of a few different flavors so you’ll get the one you really want.  Pick one flavor, not two, because remember, one scoop is plenty.
• Order the junior.  Go kid-size if you want your own sundae.  Don’t trick yourself into thinking that you need a lot to be satisfied, because a little bit of sweetness goes a long way.
• Go natural.  If you’re out shopping for ice cream, buy the gallon that use natural ingredients.  Breyer’s has great flavor and I can read every ingredient on the label!  Other ice cream brands include other ingredients that I can’t even pronounce.   If it has high fructose corn syrup in it, don’t get it!
• Make your own.  I remember making my own ice cream in elementary school with rock salt and ice.  After lots of shaking, I had ice cream!  I knew every ingredient that went into my ice cream, which made eating it so much more enjoyable.  You can skip the elementary method, and go for something more fancy by investing in your own ice cream maker.  Then you’ll be able to experiment with different, healthy, seasonal flavors.
• Flavor with fruits.  If you want variety, buy vanilla ice cream and flavor it with fresh fruits.  You’ll get a serving of fruits for the day, while enjoying a special treat.
• Go nuts!  Add some nuts for some crunch and a punch of protein.
• Sorbet is so good!  Skip the cream and try the sorbet.  It has less fat and will be just as satisfying as any other flavor.

What’s your flavor?

Don’t try to play me out!

When it comes to fro-yo, don’t mess with mine.  I have my own method to choosing my toppings and flavors, and it’s pretty much the same method as how I choose my fits.  I like a mixture of color, texture, and an element of mis-match.  The combinations I come up with may not sound right, but be assured it tastes right.  It’s got to look good and make you feel good too!  Which is why, of course, you’ll see me passing up the candy and sprinkles to pile on the nuts and the fruits.  Just knowing that you can get some vitamins and protein in with a frozen dessert makes going out for frozen yogurt that much more rewarding.

I’m with LiaDelFresco in craving this craze.  When it gets so hot, it’s only right that you cool down with a cup of some frozen delight.  We all know that ice cream is not so cool right now, and frozen yogurt is a healthier option…that’s unfortunately easy to make it bad for you.  The whole beauty of going to a frozen yogurt spot is having the satisfaction of being in control of what you consume.  But sometimes, I’ve seen people enter a yogurt joint with wide, bulging eyes and lose control with every spoonful of something.  Don’t be that person.  Instead, try these tips when topping your fro-yo:

• Don’t fill up your cup.  I don’t know if you noticed, but the cups at frozen yogurt spots are HUGE.  Since you pay by the ounce, of course the company wants you to get as much weight as you can.  But more weight in your cup could lead to more weight in your body, so don’t be tricked into thinking you can finish a full cup.  Really, who can finish all of that?  I usually just get a small swirl of yogurt, or if I’m mixing flavors, a large plop of each flavor.  For toppings, I never put more than one spoonful of what I want.  It all weighs up, and if you’re paying over $5 for your fro-yo, then you might have packed too much.
• Go for some crunch.  No, no, no, I’m not referring to the Captain, because I would never steer you in the sugary cereal direction.  I love me some crunch factor when I take a bite, so I’ll usually get a spoon of almonds, peanuts, and even pistachios.  Nuts and seeds provide protein for your muscles, hair, and nails, so pass on the crunchy cereals and opt for those instead.
• Flavor with fruits.  I love how frozen yogurt spots have fresh fruits all chopped up and ready to scoop.  Remember, fruits are packed with vitamins and nutrients, and even antioxidants, so why squirt sugary strawberry sauce on your fro-yo when you can have fresh strawberries?  If you’re lucky, kiwi and blueberries will be on the bar too, so make sure to scoop those up, too!
• Enough is enough.  My mama used to say, “Make sure your eyes are not bigger than your stomach,” and it’s pretty apparent that sometimes, you’ll get more than you can handle.  This might be the hardest tip because when you’ve got a shop full of options, and a cup full of flavor, you won’t want to toss any of it out.  But if you’re feeling full, don’t force yourself to stuff your fro-yo in your face.  When you’re going out for frozen yogurt, you’ve got the control, so you’ll have to control your overindulging and overeating impulses as well.  You’ve got the power!

Get your girls to go soda-free this summer!

Summer used to be all about the lounging by the pool and the wearing those cute sandals, but now, you can add one more summer love to the list: staying soda-free.  Last year, we challenged readers to stay soda-free ALL SUMMER LONG, so let’s see who’s up for the challenge again this year.

It’s quite difficult to go through this kind of challenge during the hot summer days, especially if you head over to a BBQ and ice-cold soda is all there is to drink.  But with the right planning and persistence, this can be a challenge that you’ll not only want to continue each summer, but hopefully all year long!

We’ve got you covered with tips and suggestions on what else you can consume when you want to quench your thirst.

• Water is what you need.  You’ll need at least 8 glasses a day, so don’t waste any time drinking soda.  Carry around a reusable water container (like this one from Lifefactory), and you’ll always have water  within your reach.  Or, you can try water packaged in a Tetra Pak, like from O.N.E., and you won’t feel guilty about buying so much plastic.
• Drink 100% juice. None of this juice cocktail business, but real juice.  This will satisfy your sweet tooth and give you some good vitamins.  If you’re missing the bubbly feeling of soda, add some sparkling mineral water and all you’ll be missing is the aluminum can!
• Make your drinks fancy.  You can add fruity ice to your water, or chug on some sweet aguas frescas to keep you feeling refreshed.

More tips will be coming up all summer, so keep posted on healthy alternatives to soda.

Now, for the important part…who’s taking the soda-free summer challenge?  If you’re down for it, leave a comment to let the world know.  If you’re already living soda-free, share some tips with us, because we all could use the support.

Have a soda-free summer!

Keep cool as a cucumber this summer!

Last weekend, for Memorial Day, I did what every person should do during a summery long weekend: chill by the lake and enjoy the sun.  Unfortunately, allergies, sunscreen, and all-day sunshine don’t quite make a mix that’s good for my eyes, so I took a much needed relaxation break on a hammock.  Even though my eyes were closed, the burning sensation just made my eyes water even more.  Luckily, I had some sliced up cucumbers ready in the cooler.  Ahhhhhh….I cannot explain how good that made me feel.

My niece then approached me and asked if she can have some cucumbers too.  Thinking she was going to copy me and put them on her eyes, I gave her two slices.  Once I took the cucumbers off of my eyes, hers were already gone!  Turns out she ate them…and I don’t blame her.  How amazing is it that a cucumber doubles as tasty fruit and an eye refresher?!

I’ve experienced the same dilemma as my niece.  Do I eat the cucumber slices, or put them on my eyes?  Once, during a spa-day at Burke Williams, I couldn’t get over the plush robes, fresh lemonade, juicy apples, and cucumber slices next to the chilled towels.  I understood that the apples and lemonade were for consumption, but what about the cucumbers?  I immediately wanted to munch on a few slices, throw some in my water, and use a few slices on my eyes while I relaxed in the jacuzzi…so I did all of it.  Cucumbers are cool like that.

As you can see, cucumbers are versatile.  They can give any lunch a healthy crunch, as well as help to keep you cool, whether you eat it or not.  Cucumbers are packed with water, making it just as refreshing as a slice of watermelon.  Plus, cucumbers are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps the immune system and helps keep skin looking good.  Silica is also found in cucumbers, giving it another reason why it’s good for your skin.  This is the best time of year to enjoy cucumbers, not only because the weather is hot, but because it’s the now the peak of the season.

Try these tips to keep cool with cucumbers this summer:

• Keep them handy.  Use a mandolin to precut a cucumber in nice thin layers and store it in the fridge for up to two days.  You’ll have cucumbers ready at any time for you, whether you want a quick and crunchy snack or some skin relief.
• Take the prep steps.  Some cucumbers are coated with a wax to help preserve it during shipment.  You can take a vegetable peeler and peel it, or instead, search for local and organic cucumbers that have no wax coating.
• Try different recipes.  Cucumber go great in so many recipes.  Try adding a few slices to a garden salad or pickle some for a sweet and tangy Thai salad.  Roll up a few simple cucumber sushi rolls, or even make some tea sandwiches with cucumber and cream cheese.  All so easy yet so tasty!
• Cheers!  Cucumbers make water taste even better.  Soak some slices in ice cold water for a light infused taste, or go for full flavor with aguas frescas.  To make any summer drink even cooler, add cucumbers to an ice tray and freeze.

I encourage you to take a break from reality and relax with some fresh cucumbers on your eyes and a glass of cucumber water in your hand.  That’s the coolest you can get, no matter what you’re wearing.

Get creative for National Salad Month!

Salads are far from the typical iceberg lettuce with ranch.  For National Salad Month, explore the world of salads and you’ll be able to satisfy your senses while getting fruits and vegetables in your system.  With an endless array of recipes, every salad experience can be something new-tritious and refreshing.

Ready to Run!

I love San Francisco for so many reasons, and now I can add one more to the list.  It’s only here, of course, where you can combine a 99-year-old footrace with crazy costumes (or lack of) and turn it into a 7.5 mile long party.  It may sound contradictory to include a race in the same sentence as a party, but that’s just how it gets down in the City by the Bay.  Every year, thousands trek out to SF to participate in the ING Bay to Breakers footrace, and this year, I was one of them.

I didn’t quite know what to expect since this was my first time running in a race since track meets in middle school.  But not only that, I’m not the total party girl either.  I wanted to get my run on, since it is Physical Fitness Month. but I also wanted to enjoy the sights and sounds and dress for the occasion.  I geared myself up in some Nike running shorts with Betsey Johnson lace tights, 80’s legwarmers, some new Nikes, a North Face fanny pack, and an Adidas track jacket- all topped off with a homemade skunk hood and tail.  Yes, I ran around looking like a skunk.

Ok, to say that I ran the whole race would be a complete lie, but I did try to run any fast break I could.  The most I ran at one point was the last mile and a half.  Normally, I would never think to even walk across the whole city, let alone run, but I had ambitions to go from the bayside to the ocean for the sake of the race.  However, at some points it was just impossible to run.  Why?  For one, towards the beginning of the course, the crowd was just too crazy to maneuver through.  Imagine, endless drunkards in matching costumes, dancing from float to float.  It’s obvious that some people aren’t there to stay healthy.  While I found it quite amusing to browse through all of the costumes, I really wanted to break a sweat.

About the time you get to Golden Gate Park, the party vibe dies down, and although you see the occasional birthday suit and costume, you start to feel like it’s really a race.  I could have kept it running for the rest of the 4 miles, but that was also quite impossible.  Why?  I didn’t properly train and prepare myself for the race.  I didn’t even stretch, and I had a few glasses of wine the night before.  Oh, and I barely ate breakfast!  If I were serious about racing, then I would have been there right when it started, before the debauchery began.  So during my quick sprints when the traffic was low, I thought about how I can better prepare myself for next year.  It’s the 100th year and I’m trying to make it count.

Try these tips for preparing yourself for a good run:

Have a high-protein breakfast!

• Eat a high-protein breakfast.  You can try some bacon and eggs to pump those muscles up.  Just make sure you eat at least a few hours before your run.

Save the super burrito for after the race.

• Don’t pig out.  You may think you’ll need to eat a super burrito to give you the energy to run the distance.  Eat just enough to keep you satisfied, but not overly full, and after the race you can replenish your body with a good hearty meal.

Eat a bunch of fruits!

• Have some fruits as well.  You’re going to need to go to the bathroom before your run, because you don’t want that extra weight weighing you down.  Fruits are high in fiber to help cleanse your digestive system, and you’ll get a good dose of natural sugars to keep you energized.

Drink plenty of water…or you can eat watermelon too!

• Drink plenty of water and avoid the alcohol.  Beer will be everywhere, from kegs on boat floats to shopping carts with six-packs.  If you can barely walk when you drink, imagine trying to run through a city terrain!  Run straight passed the liquor and go for the water.  Plenty will be provided after every mile or so.

You may be sore after the run, and let me tell you, I’m feeling the pain right now!  Try these tips for the post-run:

• Eat a banana.  Bananas have potassium that can help soothe sore muscles.

Bananas can help soothe muscles.

• Throw on your swimsuit.  Swimming can be quite relaxing for your body, and it can be so fun you don’t even know you’re working out!  Invite your friends too, the more, the merrier.

Swimming is great for sore muscles.

If you think these costumes are crazy, just think of what I didn’t take photos of!

I highly encourage anyone to make it out to San Francisco for next year’s Bay to Breakers.  Combine fun, funky fashion, fitness all in a footrace and you’ll have one of the best times out in Frisco.

Now, I officially have 1 year to train…and figure out my costume.

I love riding my bike by the bay!

It’s time to stop those engines and hop on a bike!  May brings sunnier days which are perfect for bike rides, and since it’s National Bike Month, take that bike out for a spin.  Whether you ride on the daily or only for fun, cycling is a great cardio workout that strengthens muscles and even your core.

I first hopped on a bike when I was 5 years old.  I spent a few years riding in circles around the driveway, and then, around the age of 10, my banana seat bike and I were inseparable.  I’d spend whole afternoons just cruising around the block.  It was so fun, I didn’t even think it was exercise.

Now, I don’t quite ride my bike as often as I should.  I’m lucky if I take a ride once a week.  But believe me, once I’m on and cruising along the coastline, I’m loving every minute of it.  My heart’s pumping, the breeze is blowing through my hair, and I’m just feeling so free, like a kid again.

This month, I encourage you to go for a ride or two.  Some cities even host a Bike to Work day, making it easier to hop on your bicycle.  With energizer stations and free giveaways, you’ll want to skip the train and roll into work instead.  For the cities that aren’t on that level, set the example and show everyone that bicycling is not only a form of transportation, but also a means to a healthy lifestyle.

Luckily, I live in an area where bikes advocates exist.  We have bike trails, bike parties, bike bands, and even ride-in movie nights.  We’ve got everything from fixed gears, to cruisers, to lowriders, to scraper bikes.  One day, I’ll trick my Tiffany-blue bike out with a basket, but for now, I’m enjoying what I’ve got.

Perhaps you haven’t rode a bike in awhile.  Don’t worry, because it’s true that you never forget.  You might take a few tries to ride smoothly, but if you already learned before, you’ll always know.  If you don’t have a bike, and have no intentions of purchasing one, you can always rent one, borrow one, or even hit the gym.  Cycling classes use stationary bikes and you go on a “ride” with everyone else in the room.  It helps that the instructors usually play music to match your pace.  Although it’s not the same as riding in the open air, but you’ll probably be sweating more than you would if you were to casually cruise the streets.

Always remember, pack plenty of water when going on a ride, and it could also be helpful to have a healthy snack in your backpack.  I love bringing trail mix and fruits that come in their own packages, like oranges, apples, and bananas.  You’re going to be hungry while you’re riding along, and it’s best to energize yourself with something that’s good for your body.

And, just a warning: once you start riding, you might not want to stop.

Treat yourself to a bowl of pozole.

One of the many blessings of living in the Bay is the abundance of Mexican food.  I’m talking taquerías, panaderías, tamales at the pot luck, late night taco trucks, and even the elote man.  How fresh is that that I can get corn off the street?  Yes it is fresh, literally, like roasted earlier that day, but even though it’s some good, wholesome corn on a stick, there are ways to make food so good not so good for you.  Mr. elote man, I will skip the mayo and just go for some limón. Y chili tambien.  Gracias.

With Cinco de Mayo coming up, enjoy yourself a healthy Mexican meal.  It might be difficult to stray away from some traditional ways, but when you go the healthier route, you’ll realize the food was meant to be so fulfilling all along.  Try the following tips to celebrate the occasion.  These healthy options apply to any Mexican fare, whether it be from Chipotle, Chevy’s, la taquería, la famila, and even Taco Bell.

• Don’t forget your veggies.  You can’t eat Mexican food without vegetables around.  Chomp on a picked carrot with that burrito, throw some lettuce on top of a taco, or add grilled bell peppers to a fajita.
• Go for the whole.  Use whole wheat or corn tortillas to get more fiber.  If you’re really lucky, you’ll have some blue corn products on hand.
• Rethink refried.  Refried beans are so good yet so bad.  Be careful of refried beans with lard.  Instead go for whole beans that have been simmered in spices.  Cumin, oregano, and chili powder would taste great!
• Forget about fried.  Choose foods that have not been fried.  That means no chips, hard-shelled tacos, taquitos, chile relleno, sopes, you get it.  I need to especially remember this, since I have a weakness for chips and salsa.  Instead, go for fajitas, burritos, or enchiladas.
• Select a soup.  My friend swears by the soup hangover cure, pozole or menudo.  Hangover or not, these spicy soups can make any day better.  Squeeze lots of lime for more Vitamin C.

Remember, there are so many colors in Mexican food, it’s hard to not eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.  ¡Buen apetito!