BODY

Everyone knows that if you are seriously trying to lose weight, it’s about lifestyle changes not restricting certain foods for a small period of time. Choosing healthy snacks all the time, getting to the gym, giving up your Wednesday night show in lieu of yoga class and walking to a different neighborhood when you go to dinner. But if you need a kick start, here are the fasts that I think most people can actually do.

My nutritionist recently suggested the best way to kick off my weight loss goal for Hamptons’ season is with a fast. For me to survive a fast, it better be a fast fast. Three days max! Then I’ll move into my lifestyle changes. Here are her suggestions:

Blueprint Cleanse. The BluePrint Cleanse Renovation is the beginner cleanse and great for someone who needs a mini cleanse or needs a push to kick off their spring healthy eating. The 3 day cleanse comes complete with six juices – a mixture of fruits and veggies with emphasis on the fruits. To safely go on and off eat just fruits and vegetables a day before and a day after. (Note: BluePrint also has a cleanse with food option, for those less inclined.)

Three Day Juice Cleanse. This is less regimented than the BluePrint Cleanse as you get to choose your own juices. Juices that are acidic, like tomato and orange, are banned from the list. Veggie juices shouldn’t be often combined with fruit juices. Only apples can be added to fruit juices. Juices should be homemade or FDA approved organic.

Fruits and Veggies. If you hate veggies, get over it. Eating just fruits and veggies for a few days is great for you and will shrink your stomach enough to get you off to a good start with your weight loss. Choose seasonal veggies and veggies you don’t normally eat, etc. It is a great way to kick off your food lifestyle makeover.

And finally, use the quiet time during your cleanse to examine what keeps you from changing your habits. Does your social life revolve around going out to eat? If so, choose a yoga class, a concert, an art exhibit or something else to go and do. This is New York after all. For more info on changing your food lifestyle visit livstrong.com.

Emma Dinzebach

This week, in honor of Earth Day, we get to expand our eco-friendly palate with some other city favorites. We’re huge fans of Quantum Leap and the East Village’s Organic Grill. We love the sustainability idea behind Rogue Tomate and the local flavors at Cookshop. For time-tested and tasted healthiness, we rely on veteran Souen in Union Square and Soho. And for Earth week, we eat Italian.

Il Buco, the old world Italian restaurant on Bond Street, is honoring Earth Day with their 3rd annual rainforrest fundraiser. Il Buco offers 15% off lunch tabs from noon to 4 p.m. through Saturday, and donates the savings to save the rain forest. (If you haven’t eaten at Il Buco, take advantage of this offer and get the bruschetta with mussels, gambas, pollo and pasta special of the day or risotto.)

Jonesing for a more crowded Earth Day celebration? Join everyone and their mother at Grand Central, the annual Earth Fair highlights organic food, preparation and nearby restaurants.

Emma Dinzebach

New Yorker’s know the wave of relief they feel when they see their favorite bodega scored a B+ in Sanitary Inspection. Most of the time we don’t consider the letters as most nice restaurants and over 30% of all city restaurants score “A” averages. But what about that little sushi place you order from on Wednesday nights or the quesedilla you rely on to cure your hangover. What does that B+ mean?

The inspection procedure, according to nyc.gov is an unannounced visit to restaurants, retail bakeries and “take outs” conducted by Public Health Sanitarians who have college degrees in health sciences. Sanitarians spend most of their time observing the food workers practices including (via their website) “the manner in which they receive and store foods, how they process foods, and the temperatures at which they cook, hold, and reheat foods.” Then they get out their red pens and grade – A,B,C. Inspection frequency increases depending on grade, and establishments receiving a B or C have one chance to improve food safety procedures before they are required to post their grade. (Some violations are as small as dented cans or leaking faucet.) B and C restaurants do not pose health threats to their patrons. Those restaurants are shut down. “A” students receive their letters to post on the spot. 

By July, all restaurants – yes, even Per Se – will be required to display cards upon entrance. By requiring the grades to be posted, New York anticipates a marked increase in restaurants following near-impeccable food safety and sanitation rules. When L.A. implemented grade posting, the number of restaurants meeting the highest food safety standards rose from 40% to 80%. So it’s only slightly gross to eat at 20% of L.A. restaurants. From one New Yorker to another, we aren’t there yet, but we are on our way.

Emma Dinzebach

Today you sit around stuffing your face with more than you normally eat in a week, lie down and complain that your stomach hurts, then eat pie, pie and more pie. And tomorrow you’ll feel like shit. What to do?

Here are our two recommendations for a post Turkey Day Detox. Because honestly, Thanksgiving is a bit a gross, and come tomorrow, you’ll be in desperate need for something a bit lighter.

In BK: Urban Rustic strives to bring Brooklynites grocery items grown locally. They know where their food comes from. Fruits and veggies are never frozen, pesticide free and make your insides say “gracias.” Don’t be tempted by the burritos, although they are delicious. This weekend go for the smoothie and juice bar. Breakfast with a paradox smoothie (banana, vanilla, wheat germ and honey) and lunch with a protein-based sandie on multi-grain or vegan friendly spelt. Don’t be scared of the veggie juices. The Urban Rustic V-8 uses seasonal veggies and can be customized to your liking.

If you are one of the lucky who didn’t cook on Thanksgiving, then Urban Rustic’s grocery store offers deliciouso options to prepare your own healthy dinner and detox through the weekend. Feeling lazy? For the health-conscious couch potato, they deliver!

Urban Rustic 236 N. 12th Street, Brooklyn, 718.

In Manhattan: Liquiteria is a bit more commercial than the cozy BK grocer, but you will learn to love the efficiency. And so will your body. The pressed juices come complete with immunity defenses and kidney and liver detox. The Mr. Green is outta this world; and it might be your answer to post-Turkey sludgery. Think shopping fuel. Smoothies and fresh squeezed juices are made to order, but if stuffing has rendered you indecisive, go for the Power Pina Colada or Berry Powerful. Liquiteria is better for, er, liquids, so skip the sandie. If you aim to try on clothes, you don’t need it anyway.

Liquiteria 170 2nd Ave @ 11th Street  212.358.0300

Emma Dinzebach