My friends and I just embarked on a Whole30 for the month of February (plus a few days). For those who don't know, a Whole30 is 30 days of super clean eating: it emphasizes grass fed meats and organic veggies and fruit, and eliminates sugar, grains, alcohol, corn, legumes, soy, and sulfites from your diet. It is the invention of the Whole9 company, run by a married couple. The goal of the Whole 30 is not to lose weight per se, but to figure out any food sensitivities and repair your broken relationship with food. They encourage journaling to deal with your cravings and issues, so here we go...
Day 1: We went on a big Whole Foods Whole 30 shopping trip, and the big cheese stand made me miss cheese already
Day 2: At church, the pastor literally ate my favorite ice cream in front of the whole church. That was brutal. The Super Bowl was that Sunday too, but I wasn't too tempted at that because my friends that are doing it with me all made snacks. I was very tired toward the end of the day, which was to be expected at this point in the program. You're supposed to be detoxing from the sugar and carbs, so your body has to adjust to that.
Day 3: This was my first day back at work, which definitely was harder cravings-wise. It made me realize how much I snack on unhealthy choices, particularly when I put my hands in my coat pocket and found change in the pockets. Normal, until I started counting it to see what I could buy from the vending machine with it. My stomach also felt pretty icky (a technical term), which they said is normal at this stage.
Day 4: I didn't snack at all today, which is astounding to me. I felt a little bloated at the end of work though, not sure if that's the detoxing or something else.
Day 5: Today was fairly neutral. I had to fast until 10:30 for a blood test as part of the wellness program at work, so that made me pretty cranky, but had nothing to do with the Whole 30. I started craving chocolate toward the end of the day, but not so much so that I couldn't ignore it and go on. My stomach was a little icky, but sad to say, that's a pretty normal state to me. I realized I was probably eating an insane amount of olive oil each day, so when I made eggs for dinner (since I didn't eat any for breakfast), I used ghee in the pan instead of evoo. Such exciting developments.
Day 6: So. Sleepy.
Day 7: I had to stop listening to NPR's Planet Money because it was on cocoa production, and started describing the taste of good chocolate versus bad chocolate. Torture.
Recipe of the Week:
Bacon-wrapped pineapple
TL;DR: wrap bacon around pineapple and cook it. This is what I took to the Super Bowl party (with Scott's help), and we ate it again later, it was good, yet easy to make.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Friday, January 16, 2015
New Year's Habits
Welcome to 2015! I hope everyone's New Year has been treating them well so far. Let's talk about resolutions, no, habits. I have decided this year that instead of making all of my resolutions at once, I'm going to slowly build on good habits. I'm borrowing a bit from the Zen Habits Sea Change Program, where he adds a habit a month, with some adjustments. This doesn't mean I don't have major goals for the year though. Let's start with those:
1. Get married! I don't know if I can reasonably call this a goal, per se, but I'm counting it here. We've got the date set for August 8, and planning is in full swing.
2. Check off something from my fitness bucket list: I want to do something major that I haven't done before this year. I'm thinking a sprint triathlon, but right now I'm in search mode for the perfect event.
3. Transition at work: I'll be moving from the litigation pool to a specific department in the spring so most of my work habits this year will be either preparing for or adjusting to that transition.
Next: habits. This January, I've been working on doing some meditation every day in the morning. Just two minutes, focusing on my breathing, as recommended by the Sea Change program. It is difficult for me to focus, even for a small amount of time, but the key is to recognize the distracting thoughts and return focus back to breathing. I have succeeded in doing it at least five out of seven days the first two weeks of January.
Second, I bought an unlimited pass at a nearby yoga studio. I have really been enjoying the Hatha Yoga classes there. These are gentle, stretching classes, as opposed to the power or hot yoga classes I was taking previously. It is nice to have a workout but feel relaxed instead of in complete pain after.
Finally, I am searching for the perfect workout app. For some reason, I find it easier to remember to workout if the step by step instructions are on my phone, particularly if the app provides a timer and everything. I have been trying the app from the people that made the "You Are Your Own Gym" workout routine (YAYOG). It isn't perfect: I prefer a full body workout and they do arm/leg days, and I find the title a little misleading (two of the workouts on arm day require some equipment to pull on. They suggest a table and a door for those, but when I workout at my fiancee's apartment, there isn't either of those so I have to work around that). I am going to keep using it as much as I can to see if I am going to stick to that or find a new one.
Do you guys make resolutions, goals, or habits? What are they for 2015? Do you have any workout app suggestions? I'd love to hear it in the comments.
1. Get married! I don't know if I can reasonably call this a goal, per se, but I'm counting it here. We've got the date set for August 8, and planning is in full swing.
2. Check off something from my fitness bucket list: I want to do something major that I haven't done before this year. I'm thinking a sprint triathlon, but right now I'm in search mode for the perfect event.
3. Transition at work: I'll be moving from the litigation pool to a specific department in the spring so most of my work habits this year will be either preparing for or adjusting to that transition.
Next: habits. This January, I've been working on doing some meditation every day in the morning. Just two minutes, focusing on my breathing, as recommended by the Sea Change program. It is difficult for me to focus, even for a small amount of time, but the key is to recognize the distracting thoughts and return focus back to breathing. I have succeeded in doing it at least five out of seven days the first two weeks of January.
Second, I bought an unlimited pass at a nearby yoga studio. I have really been enjoying the Hatha Yoga classes there. These are gentle, stretching classes, as opposed to the power or hot yoga classes I was taking previously. It is nice to have a workout but feel relaxed instead of in complete pain after.
Finally, I am searching for the perfect workout app. For some reason, I find it easier to remember to workout if the step by step instructions are on my phone, particularly if the app provides a timer and everything. I have been trying the app from the people that made the "You Are Your Own Gym" workout routine (YAYOG). It isn't perfect: I prefer a full body workout and they do arm/leg days, and I find the title a little misleading (two of the workouts on arm day require some equipment to pull on. They suggest a table and a door for those, but when I workout at my fiancee's apartment, there isn't either of those so I have to work around that). I am going to keep using it as much as I can to see if I am going to stick to that or find a new one.
Do you guys make resolutions, goals, or habits? What are they for 2015? Do you have any workout app suggestions? I'd love to hear it in the comments.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Quick hits: Baltimore, Chicago, and NaNoWriMo
I am in the middle of a lengthy doc review, so I do not have time to write much, but I went to both Baltimore and Chicago last week, and wanted to share a few things about the food there.
Baltimore
Java Joes: if you are in the inner harbor/downtown area for lunch, try Java Joes. I am pretty sure it is a chain location, but my work team went there two days in a row and enjoyed both. The tuna salad is more seasoned/tasty than most, and the Texas chili was very satisfying on a rainy day. The others had a variety of sandwiches and soups and no one had any complaints.
Sobo: a delicious place for dinner! This was more out of the way than some other options, but it was such good food. My friend and I split the grilled grape leaves for an appetizer, which was a nice twist on my favorite Greek appetizer. Then I had the scallops for my entree. I love scallops and this did not disappoint.
Embassy Suites Inner Harbor: I stayed here with two of my coworkers. They were not fans of the hotel, because it was a pretty old building. I did not care too much, though. I thought the staff was very friendly, the rooms were big, and there was both a complimentary breakfast and happy hour with drinks and snacks. The snacks weren't refreshed much, and there was definitely some improvements to be made, but the breakfast's made-to-order omelet bar really sold me on the place.
Chicago
Giordano's: The only meal I really ate outside out of our hotel was a disappointment in my mind. They advertise a gluten-free pizza, but take absolutely zero steps to prevent cross-contamination. I went with a gluten-free pasta instead, but I thought it was only good, not great. I did not expect to get a gluten-free deep dish in the city that is known for it, but I thought I might be able to find some gluten-free pizza. This was basically not gluten-free so that was a let down.
NaNoWriMo
I am considering participating in National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo). It's a challenge to write a "lengthy work of fiction" of 50,000 words, in 30 days. Since my job is lacking in creativity sometimes, I look for ways that I can fit it in outside of work. This would definitely be a challenge, but it might be worth it. If I do participate, then I definitely will not have time to write here, so I might be MIA for November. But first, I need to think of a novel premise....
Baltimore
Java Joes: if you are in the inner harbor/downtown area for lunch, try Java Joes. I am pretty sure it is a chain location, but my work team went there two days in a row and enjoyed both. The tuna salad is more seasoned/tasty than most, and the Texas chili was very satisfying on a rainy day. The others had a variety of sandwiches and soups and no one had any complaints.
Sobo: a delicious place for dinner! This was more out of the way than some other options, but it was such good food. My friend and I split the grilled grape leaves for an appetizer, which was a nice twist on my favorite Greek appetizer. Then I had the scallops for my entree. I love scallops and this did not disappoint.
Embassy Suites Inner Harbor: I stayed here with two of my coworkers. They were not fans of the hotel, because it was a pretty old building. I did not care too much, though. I thought the staff was very friendly, the rooms were big, and there was both a complimentary breakfast and happy hour with drinks and snacks. The snacks weren't refreshed much, and there was definitely some improvements to be made, but the breakfast's made-to-order omelet bar really sold me on the place.
Chicago
Giordano's: The only meal I really ate outside out of our hotel was a disappointment in my mind. They advertise a gluten-free pizza, but take absolutely zero steps to prevent cross-contamination. I went with a gluten-free pasta instead, but I thought it was only good, not great. I did not expect to get a gluten-free deep dish in the city that is known for it, but I thought I might be able to find some gluten-free pizza. This was basically not gluten-free so that was a let down.
NaNoWriMo
I am considering participating in National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo). It's a challenge to write a "lengthy work of fiction" of 50,000 words, in 30 days. Since my job is lacking in creativity sometimes, I look for ways that I can fit it in outside of work. This would definitely be a challenge, but it might be worth it. If I do participate, then I definitely will not have time to write here, so I might be MIA for November. But first, I need to think of a novel premise....
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Stitch Fix #3 and 4
After two hugely successful Stitch Fix boxes, #3 was not all that great. I did not love anything I got in this box, like I did in the others. Here's what was in it.
Blue Shirt: The top of this was really cute, and I sort of liked the shape of it....except that with low-rise pants (aka everything I wear), it would show a little hint of midrift. Even if you like that style, it was a weird amount, where it looked unintentional. Not a cute look:
Coral shirt: A similar shape as the blue shirt, and I really like the detail lace in the back, but the way it hung on me was not very flattering. Another no.
Maxi dress: I wanted to like this. I have one maxi dress now, and love how easy it is to throw on and look respectable. This one cut me weird at the waist though, and I did not like the black and white pattern enough to make that ok.
Cropped jeans: Another fit issue -- these were short enough that I couldn't pull them off as jeans and long enough where it didn't look intentional. I really did not need another pair of jeans, especially that looked like high waters
Finally, the one piece I did keep, a delicate necklace. I liked how simple it was:
All in all, not a great box, particularly in the fit department. For box four, I decided to be a little more proactive and ask for a few things. I said I needed some sheath dresses for work (a sheath dress and a blazer is basically my uniform for work) and some fall items. Notice I actually kept the price list this box so I could tell you where these are from and how much they cost. Another thing to note this box is that I am trying to keep to a budget now of $160 in clothing each month, so I am more price-sensitive than the last three shipments. Here's what I got in Box #4:
19 Cooper: Bethany Lace Bib Half-Button Blouse - $68. I could probably use a white blouse, but something about the bib shape was a little too weird for me. I liked the back of the shirt but I wish that the front had been a simpler.
Ecru: Christen Bootcut Trouser - $138. These were cute, but a little tight in the thighs, and I do not want to pay $138 for something that doesn't fit me perfectly.
Skies are Blue: Maura Mixed Stripe Crew Neck Sweater - $58. This is super comfortable. The second I put this on, I knew it was a winner. I need some sweaters for fall and this is perfect. I like that the sleeves are nice and long too, even though it's an extra small.
Finally, Donna Morgan: Jett Mixed Houndstooth Sheath Dress - $108. I wanted to like this dress! I love houndstooth and it fits really well. I just think the mixed patterns make it too busy, particularly for over a hundred dollars. I think I will send this one back.
As a reminder, if you want to sign up for stitch fix, you can go here (as a bonus, I get a referral credit!).
What do you think of these last two boxes? What have you loved in your shipments?
Blue Shirt: The top of this was really cute, and I sort of liked the shape of it....except that with low-rise pants (aka everything I wear), it would show a little hint of midrift. Even if you like that style, it was a weird amount, where it looked unintentional. Not a cute look:
Coral shirt: A similar shape as the blue shirt, and I really like the detail lace in the back, but the way it hung on me was not very flattering. Another no.
Cropped jeans: Another fit issue -- these were short enough that I couldn't pull them off as jeans and long enough where it didn't look intentional. I really did not need another pair of jeans, especially that looked like high waters
Finally, the one piece I did keep, a delicate necklace. I liked how simple it was:
19 Cooper: Bethany Lace Bib Half-Button Blouse - $68. I could probably use a white blouse, but something about the bib shape was a little too weird for me. I liked the back of the shirt but I wish that the front had been a simpler.
Ecru: Christen Bootcut Trouser - $138. These were cute, but a little tight in the thighs, and I do not want to pay $138 for something that doesn't fit me perfectly.
Skies are Blue: Maura Mixed Stripe Crew Neck Sweater - $58. This is super comfortable. The second I put this on, I knew it was a winner. I need some sweaters for fall and this is perfect. I like that the sleeves are nice and long too, even though it's an extra small.
41Hawthorn: Muriel Cowl Neck Sheath Dress -- $78. I was unsure about this dress at first because the cowl neck is pretty intense. But I like the color blocks and after a second, I got used to the neck. I think I will keep this one too.
Finally, Donna Morgan: Jett Mixed Houndstooth Sheath Dress - $108. I wanted to like this dress! I love houndstooth and it fits really well. I just think the mixed patterns make it too busy, particularly for over a hundred dollars. I think I will send this one back.
As a reminder, if you want to sign up for stitch fix, you can go here (as a bonus, I get a referral credit!).
What do you think of these last two boxes? What have you loved in your shipments?
Monday, September 29, 2014
Digital Detox
I have been thinking a lot about distractions. I realized that at work, even when I don't have a distraction in front of me, I feel the urge to check something else, do something else, multitask with something else. I used to be proud of my ability to multitask, but now I fear that it is ruining my productivity and messing with my brain. After a sermon on keeping a "margin" of free time in our schedules, I decided I had to do something about it. I've been reading about mobile or digital cleanses and decided to use the idea to scale back a bit. This was my starting step, but then I had to add my own schedule as well. Instead of a full on cleanse, I decided to make it a step-by-step detox, where each step builds on the last. Here's what I have planned and what I have accomplished so far:
Week 1: This is what the article suggested
Monday: Unfollow people who aren't your real friends, unsubscribe from unwanted email lists, and delete apps you don't use.
Tuesday: Turn off push notifications.
Wednesday: Resist the urge to look at your phone first thing in the morning.
Thursday: Set up a charging station outside of your bedroom, and don't look at your phone an hour before bed.
Friday: Go out to dinner, and leave your phone at home.
Saturday: Spend the day not looking at or posting to social media.
Sunday: Turn off your smartphone for the entire day.
This is not a plan that is meant to be followed each week, so I had to fix it a little bit in order to make it into building blocks. I unfollowed people on twitter and facebook that either annoy me or that I do not know and do not care to keep in touch with. I turned off the push notifications for almost everything on my phone, except the things that keep me in line like my "errands" app. On that note, I am using my new Kate Spade notebook as a master to do list, including the things I should not forget in the morning and at night.
I bought a watch so I do not have to check the time on my phone all the time and am using it as an alarm clock so I do not check my phone in the morning. I charge my phone away from my bed at night and I try to not look at it for an hour before bed. I do not look at my phone when I go out to dinner, and may have a day every so often when I do not look at my social media all day or cut it off if possible. It has been tough so far, which makes me realize how addicted I am.
I used week two as a transition period, where I tried to do better at these steps than I did in week one. Then I had to come up with my own steps to keep increasing on the toughness.
Week Three:
Monday: Do not look at my phone while I'm walking to/from work
Tuesday: Do not look at my phone until lunch
Wednesday: After lunch, do not check my phone until after work
Thursday: Limit online time wasters to ten minutes
Friday: Relax (Fridays are the hardest to focus!)
I am still not good at remembering all of these things. When I want to do something, it takes a ton of willpower to not pull out my phone again, or go to the time waster websites. I am currently on week four, which, like week two, is another transition time. Then, I plan on cutting my TV watching time down quite a bit. I definitely binge-watch, especially if I am doing stuff on my computer. It takes me twice as long to do anything though, so I need to cut back significantly. This, of course, will not apply to sports.
Week Five: On weekdays, watch only two TV shows a night (not counting Jeopardy if I make it home in time)
Week Six: On weekdays, watch only ONE TV show a night (again, not counting Jeopardy), unless S is watching with you, then the limit is two.
Week Seven: Keep Week Six's weekday goals and on weekends, only two TV shows a day.
After this, I will reassess and rededicate myself to the areas in which I'm struggling the most.
Have you done a digital detox/scale back? What is your hardest thing to give up?
Week 1: This is what the article suggested
Monday: Unfollow people who aren't your real friends, unsubscribe from unwanted email lists, and delete apps you don't use.
Tuesday: Turn off push notifications.
Wednesday: Resist the urge to look at your phone first thing in the morning.
Thursday: Set up a charging station outside of your bedroom, and don't look at your phone an hour before bed.
Friday: Go out to dinner, and leave your phone at home.
Saturday: Spend the day not looking at or posting to social media.
Sunday: Turn off your smartphone for the entire day.
This is not a plan that is meant to be followed each week, so I had to fix it a little bit in order to make it into building blocks. I unfollowed people on twitter and facebook that either annoy me or that I do not know and do not care to keep in touch with. I turned off the push notifications for almost everything on my phone, except the things that keep me in line like my "errands" app. On that note, I am using my new Kate Spade notebook as a master to do list, including the things I should not forget in the morning and at night.
I bought a watch so I do not have to check the time on my phone all the time and am using it as an alarm clock so I do not check my phone in the morning. I charge my phone away from my bed at night and I try to not look at it for an hour before bed. I do not look at my phone when I go out to dinner, and may have a day every so often when I do not look at my social media all day or cut it off if possible. It has been tough so far, which makes me realize how addicted I am.
I used week two as a transition period, where I tried to do better at these steps than I did in week one. Then I had to come up with my own steps to keep increasing on the toughness.
Week Three:
Monday: Do not look at my phone while I'm walking to/from work
Tuesday: Do not look at my phone until lunch
Wednesday: After lunch, do not check my phone until after work
Thursday: Limit online time wasters to ten minutes
Friday: Relax (Fridays are the hardest to focus!)
I am still not good at remembering all of these things. When I want to do something, it takes a ton of willpower to not pull out my phone again, or go to the time waster websites. I am currently on week four, which, like week two, is another transition time. Then, I plan on cutting my TV watching time down quite a bit. I definitely binge-watch, especially if I am doing stuff on my computer. It takes me twice as long to do anything though, so I need to cut back significantly. This, of course, will not apply to sports.
Week Five: On weekdays, watch only two TV shows a night (not counting Jeopardy if I make it home in time)
Week Six: On weekdays, watch only ONE TV show a night (again, not counting Jeopardy), unless S is watching with you, then the limit is two.
Week Seven: Keep Week Six's weekday goals and on weekends, only two TV shows a day.
After this, I will reassess and rededicate myself to the areas in which I'm struggling the most.
Have you done a digital detox/scale back? What is your hardest thing to give up?
Friday, September 12, 2014
New York City, You're So Pretty
I cannot visit this city enough to be satisfied. I just love New York, and it is even better now that I have such good friends living there! S and I went to NYC for Labor Day, not only because we were due for a visit, but also because one of my friends just finished her bar trip and wanted to see two of our other friends that lived there. We had an awesome college reunion and tried some new places in the process. Here are some reviews:
First of all, getting there and back: we took the combination of SEPTA and NJ transit to get to the city. The schedules are online at the NJ Transit website and we bought the tickets at 30th street station for both legs of the trip. It was super easy and not overly crowded. It cost about $24 each for one-way tickets. On the way back, we took MegaBus. I have had less-than-ideal experiences with them in the past, but that was mostly due to my own fault. This time, we got reserved seats at a table, which also means you stand in a smaller line. The outlets did not work and the wifi/air conditioning were iffy, but all in all it was an easy trip, and it cost $42 for both of us to have the reserved seats.
For dinner the first night, we ate at Bistango. My friends were good and did their research ahead of time to find me a great gluten-free restaurant, and this one fit the bill! Three of our meals were gluten-free even without them asking for that, so I tried all three of those. I got the spinach ravioli, one friend got the cheese and artichoke tortellini, and the third friend got the steak (it might have been called carne something). I enjoyed all three, but liked my order the best :) Then we split a red velvet cake and an apple tart for dessert, which were so good.
We went to some bars in the East Village after that, but I felt sort of ambivalent about all of those -- what made the night enjoyable was the company, not anything in particular that the bars did.
For lunch the next day, we stopped by Mozarellis to pick up something gluten-free for me, then got some cheese, fruit, and chips and made a picnic in Central Park. Mozarelli's only serves pizza on weekends, and did not open at the time they told us when we called (because it was not posted anywhere). I had been looking forward to getting a wrap, but the pizza selection was alright, for a gluten free place. It was a little soggier than I expected, being that it was just made, but it was certainly better than some places. I'd give it a B.
We went to watch the Carolina game at Slattery's midtown. This is the first game watch they had there. Carolina's General Alumni Association always does a good job organizing the game watches, so they had buttons and stickers for everyone, the blue cups from He's Not Here in Chapel Hill, and even a raffle at halftime. However, we only had the bottom floor of the bar, probably due to a low expected attendance, being the first football game. That made it hard for us to find a table for everyone though, even though my friend emailed ahead and asked to reserve one. They also had a DJ who really took away from the experience more than he added. I enjoyed that they played some of the Carolina marching band music, but he also played music way-too-loudly on the commercials, I could not hear the actual game commentary in the bar, and he awkwardly tried to start cheers when they should really just be started organically by the actual game watchers. As a small note, the song he played after touchdowns was Here Comes Carolina, not the real fight song. He redeemed himself with the victory song, the alma mater, and the fight song after the game, but overall I am glad that Philly does not have an equivalent person.
After Slattery's we went to Brother Jimmy's to watch some of the Wisconsin game. I have been here many times, obviously, and still enjoy going there. We got nachos and a the bucket of wings. They have a gf menu, so we just took the beans off of the nachos to make them gf and the wings were fine as is. I thought both were delicious. I went to bed fairly early that night after staying out too late the night before.
On Sunday, we started with a "boozy brunch" at the Crooked Knife. I liked the mimosas much more than the bloody marys here, after we tried both. I liked my omelette, but after going through this whole thing with the waitress about how I was gluten intolerant and asking about the sauce that the mushrooms were cooked in, she brought it out to me with toast on top! I had to send it back, even though I hate doing that, and in the process I clumsily spilled my drink on my friend's food, so she had to get a new plate too! After all the fuss, brunch turned out really well and I think everyone enjoyed their food. If you are gluten intolerant, make sure to specify that you do not want toast on the omelette, even though it isn't listed. I got the "cured" omelette, and the chef confirmed (in an Irish accent, I was told) that the brandied mushrooms were cooked in pure brandy).
We went to the Bohemian Beer Garden after that, which was fun, but really does not know gluten free at all. I had Magner's cider and did not eat the nachos that were ordered, because the chili is apparently not gluten-free. I would have ordered something else, but I got the sense that they did not know anything about gluten, and did not want to deal with cross-contamination.
Our final dinner was at Wave Thai. WOW, what amazing food! I had the peanut curry, which the waitress confirmed to be gf, and most others got pad thai. Everyone was blown away with how good it was. If you venture into Astoria, definitely check this place out!
Before leaving on Monday, we went to Big Daddy's. They have gluten-free pancakes so I had the bacon cakes, which I have had before there. They are a little dry, but it is nothing that cannot be fixed with a little more syrup :)
Another great trip to NYC in the books!
First of all, getting there and back: we took the combination of SEPTA and NJ transit to get to the city. The schedules are online at the NJ Transit website and we bought the tickets at 30th street station for both legs of the trip. It was super easy and not overly crowded. It cost about $24 each for one-way tickets. On the way back, we took MegaBus. I have had less-than-ideal experiences with them in the past, but that was mostly due to my own fault. This time, we got reserved seats at a table, which also means you stand in a smaller line. The outlets did not work and the wifi/air conditioning were iffy, but all in all it was an easy trip, and it cost $42 for both of us to have the reserved seats.
For dinner the first night, we ate at Bistango. My friends were good and did their research ahead of time to find me a great gluten-free restaurant, and this one fit the bill! Three of our meals were gluten-free even without them asking for that, so I tried all three of those. I got the spinach ravioli, one friend got the cheese and artichoke tortellini, and the third friend got the steak (it might have been called carne something). I enjoyed all three, but liked my order the best :) Then we split a red velvet cake and an apple tart for dessert, which were so good.
We went to some bars in the East Village after that, but I felt sort of ambivalent about all of those -- what made the night enjoyable was the company, not anything in particular that the bars did.
For lunch the next day, we stopped by Mozarellis to pick up something gluten-free for me, then got some cheese, fruit, and chips and made a picnic in Central Park. Mozarelli's only serves pizza on weekends, and did not open at the time they told us when we called (because it was not posted anywhere). I had been looking forward to getting a wrap, but the pizza selection was alright, for a gluten free place. It was a little soggier than I expected, being that it was just made, but it was certainly better than some places. I'd give it a B.
We went to watch the Carolina game at Slattery's midtown. This is the first game watch they had there. Carolina's General Alumni Association always does a good job organizing the game watches, so they had buttons and stickers for everyone, the blue cups from He's Not Here in Chapel Hill, and even a raffle at halftime. However, we only had the bottom floor of the bar, probably due to a low expected attendance, being the first football game. That made it hard for us to find a table for everyone though, even though my friend emailed ahead and asked to reserve one. They also had a DJ who really took away from the experience more than he added. I enjoyed that they played some of the Carolina marching band music, but he also played music way-too-loudly on the commercials, I could not hear the actual game commentary in the bar, and he awkwardly tried to start cheers when they should really just be started organically by the actual game watchers. As a small note, the song he played after touchdowns was Here Comes Carolina, not the real fight song. He redeemed himself with the victory song, the alma mater, and the fight song after the game, but overall I am glad that Philly does not have an equivalent person.
After Slattery's we went to Brother Jimmy's to watch some of the Wisconsin game. I have been here many times, obviously, and still enjoy going there. We got nachos and a the bucket of wings. They have a gf menu, so we just took the beans off of the nachos to make them gf and the wings were fine as is. I thought both were delicious. I went to bed fairly early that night after staying out too late the night before.
On Sunday, we started with a "boozy brunch" at the Crooked Knife. I liked the mimosas much more than the bloody marys here, after we tried both. I liked my omelette, but after going through this whole thing with the waitress about how I was gluten intolerant and asking about the sauce that the mushrooms were cooked in, she brought it out to me with toast on top! I had to send it back, even though I hate doing that, and in the process I clumsily spilled my drink on my friend's food, so she had to get a new plate too! After all the fuss, brunch turned out really well and I think everyone enjoyed their food. If you are gluten intolerant, make sure to specify that you do not want toast on the omelette, even though it isn't listed. I got the "cured" omelette, and the chef confirmed (in an Irish accent, I was told) that the brandied mushrooms were cooked in pure brandy).
We went to the Bohemian Beer Garden after that, which was fun, but really does not know gluten free at all. I had Magner's cider and did not eat the nachos that were ordered, because the chili is apparently not gluten-free. I would have ordered something else, but I got the sense that they did not know anything about gluten, and did not want to deal with cross-contamination.
Our final dinner was at Wave Thai. WOW, what amazing food! I had the peanut curry, which the waitress confirmed to be gf, and most others got pad thai. Everyone was blown away with how good it was. If you venture into Astoria, definitely check this place out!
Before leaving on Monday, we went to Big Daddy's. They have gluten-free pancakes so I had the bacon cakes, which I have had before there. They are a little dry, but it is nothing that cannot be fixed with a little more syrup :)
Another great trip to NYC in the books!
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Travel tips for the constantly busy (with celiac suggestions)
I am writing this blog from an Indianapolis hotel lobby. A work opportunity arose yesterday afternoon that I would have to pack fast, and be flexible if I wanted to take advantage of it. I have traveled so much recently, I felt confident that I could do so. I have made many mistakes in the past while traveling, but I think I have also learned much from these mistakes, so I am a much more efficient traveler now. Since I have been thinking about the best ways to travel, I thought I would take this opportunity to share some tips with you!
Leave essential items packed
I always end up forgetting something at home. I've learned to buy travel versions of the very essentials so I know that I have those packed and ready to go, when I leave packing until the very last minute. I would suggest at the very least a toothbrush, hairbrush, and some travel medicine (advil, alka seltzer, etc). I have a whole separate set of makeup that I keep in a bag at all times. I will pull the eyeshadow out every now and then if I want that specific color, but make sure to put it back in my bag so it's there. I also have a travel razor, because that is one of my most-forgotten items. I have separate bags for medicine and liquids as well. I bought a clear plastic bag from target that fits airline standards and keep my travel shower stuff, lotion, and mascara in. Then I'm always airplane ready and do not have to scramble at the security gate or deal with ziplock bags falling apart after too much use. This also helps for non-airplane travel because if something spills, it is separated from the rest of my stuff. For medicines, I keep an extra baggie or bottle of all my OTC medicines in a bag as well, and just add my prescriptions the day of travel. One extra trip, check all the nooks and crannies of the hotel room before you leave, so you do not forget these little items. I have lost too many razors to count, because I left them in the shower and forgot to re-pack them!
Label everything
If you have things pre-packed, it might become more difficult to remember what it is exactly that you have packed if it's not already labeled. Some people like to buy reusable travel bottles and fill them with their shampoo/conditioner/body wash of choice, so make sure to label which one is which. I also try to separate my OTC meds if they are not in a small bottle, and label the bag.
Make a list for trip-specific packing
I love lists in general, but a few days before a trip, I especially like to get a list started. I will remember things here and there that I need to remember, so as I think of it, I will write it down. I prefer lists on my phone, since I always have it with me. Then, when I am scrambling to pack, I do not have to think of every thing I might possibly need, because I have already written it down.
Find the perfect bag
First, find a bag with many parts/containers. This is not something that I do well, actually. I love my Kate Spade, but its big pocket and small opening make my cell phone and wallet almost impossible to find. But when packing, try to keep in mind that you will not want to unpack and repack your entire bag to find one thing, and pick the bag that has easy access to the stuff you will want the soonest: your id, money, reading material, snacks, and tech stuff. My favorite carry on has a side pocket in which I can fit my computer and many smaller pockets up front, one of which I dedicate to my liquids so I can easily pull them out at security.
Second, look up airline regulations to find an appropriate-sized bag. Most airlines allow you one bag and one "personal item" like a purse or briefcase. Both have to fit within certain size requirements. I have a matching set of polka-dot (of course) luggage that I know which two will be appropriate as carry-ons, then I will pick a purse that will fit some reading material and/or my laptop or iPad. The small rolling bag I have will only fit in the overhead bin, and only on bigger flights. This means I can put my purse underneath the seat in front of me and quickly access my reading material. On smaller flights, to avoid embarrassment, I preemptively ask to gate-check my bag (which gate officials are usually happy to do) so it goes underneath the plane and I can retrieve it right after the flight near the plane. In short, know thy bag, particularly its size.
Third, make sure your bags are durable. There are few things worse than a bag breaking in the gate or when the airline officials are handling it. I had one of my bags break while I was flying home from my semester in Germany, and I had to buy another (very expensive) suitcase in the airport to make it home. As a final note: I always try to scale down my packing so I can fit all of my stuff into my carry-ons. That way, I do not risk the airline losing my bag and I can take all necessary precautions myself to prevent it breaking.
Dress appropriately for travel
I like to wear plenty of layers, because the temperature of airports/airplanes can vary drastically. I also try to pick long dresses or pants without much metal to get through the security more easily. If I am not wearing something with pockets, there is no chance I will forget to take something out of my pockets and have to go back through security. Finally, try to pick easily slipped-off shoes because you will have to take them off for security. It is difficult to balance clothes that are stylish enough to go somewhere when you land, comfortable enough for long travel, and security-friendly, but with practice, you will find a few go-to pieces that fit all three criteria. Also remember that if you are taking your normal purse/briefcase with you, rummage through it before you go to make sure that there are not any contraband items in it already. I have had numerous nail clippers and wine openers confiscated because I forgot they were in my bag. I even lost a monogrammed Swiss army knife one time!
Get to the gate on time
This seems like a no-brainer but it is worth repeating. Try to check the traffic a few hours before you leave for the airport so you can leave earlier if you need to, or pick a different route. For most trips, you need to be at the airport an hour before you are set to leave in order to get through security, but if it is a busy travel day (or you are traveling internationally), give yourself some more time. If you are leaving in the morning, set multiple alarms so you do not oversleep. Check in as early as possible (24 hours on U.S. Air) and print the ticket or download it to your phone so you do not have to wait for a kiosk or an airline employee to help you. When you get to the airport, double-check from which gate the flight is leaving. In Philly, the airline frequently changes the gate, so I have walked all the way down to the end of one corridor just to find out that the new one is at the very end of the other corridor. If you are early enough, this will not set you back, but check the monitors before you walk too far just to make sure.
Maximize your entertainment options
I have experienced many trips where I had to buy magazines or books at the airport, or have been bored on the plane, because the entertainment I had planned did not work for some reason. I now have to hedge my bets by bringing multiple analog or offline options. Many airlines offer wifi and some have plugs to charge your devices, but these are imperfect and not offered everywhere. It is best to make sure you have something to do for the whole trip, even if your phone/computer/tablet did not work the entire time. If I do not have specific work to do, I will bring lawyer magazines and then leave them in the plane seat back when I am done so my load gets progressively lighter. Usually I will tear out the articles that interest me and tear off my name and address before I totally ditch the magazine. If your best options are digital, make sure that you charge at every opportunity. Start the trip fully charged, then at every gate, seek out the closest outlet. This may seem excessive, but there will be times when you will not be able to find an outlet, or a delayed flight leaves you no time in between connections to charge. I have found it to be necessary to be diligent about charging if I want to enjoy whatever it is that I have on my technology.
Figure out what to do with long layovers
Just a quick (unpaid) plug for the U.S. Air club here. I have some day passes that I have been hoarding and if I have a couple-hour layover, it is definitely worth it to get out from the crowds and get some free coffee/wifi/snacks.
Tips for celiacs
As someone who has much fewer eating options, traveling is just that much harder for me. I've figured out a few things to help: 1. I pack extra drink mixes and things that make me feel better, then I can just find a cup and some water to make a little pick me up. I currently have packed accelerade for post-workouts, magnesium for easier sleep, and l-glutamine for gut repair. I also pack my probiotics to take every day, and gas relief pills and alka seltzer for slip ups. Figure out what your go-to is when you get glutened, and make sure you have extra of that packed at all times. 2. Research ahead of time what might be celiac safe. If you are meeting up with friends, they might appreciate the suggestion of what you can eat, or you might want to know where you can go in the airport to pick something up. Knowledge is power, and the internet has lots of reviews by your fellow celiacs (even some by me!). 3. Pack more snacks than you think you'll need. I like to bring a bunch of protein bars (I eat think thin, because they are heavy on the protein and certified gf) and some kind of snack food, like almonds. Even though I usually end up buying something at the airport more substantial, it is nice to know I have a fallback for the whole trip. 4. Hit up the smoothie joint (but research beforehand): if I am feeling really blah and unhealthy, I will try to find any version of a smoothie chain to get some quick fruit and vegetable sustenance. Many places have vitamin or other nutrient "boosts" that they can add to the smoothie. Be wary though, on one trip, I went to three different smoothie places and none of the employees at any of them knew which boosts were gluten-free so it is best to research before you get there to avoid a frustrating Q and A.
What are your favorite travel tips?
Leave essential items packed
I always end up forgetting something at home. I've learned to buy travel versions of the very essentials so I know that I have those packed and ready to go, when I leave packing until the very last minute. I would suggest at the very least a toothbrush, hairbrush, and some travel medicine (advil, alka seltzer, etc). I have a whole separate set of makeup that I keep in a bag at all times. I will pull the eyeshadow out every now and then if I want that specific color, but make sure to put it back in my bag so it's there. I also have a travel razor, because that is one of my most-forgotten items. I have separate bags for medicine and liquids as well. I bought a clear plastic bag from target that fits airline standards and keep my travel shower stuff, lotion, and mascara in. Then I'm always airplane ready and do not have to scramble at the security gate or deal with ziplock bags falling apart after too much use. This also helps for non-airplane travel because if something spills, it is separated from the rest of my stuff. For medicines, I keep an extra baggie or bottle of all my OTC medicines in a bag as well, and just add my prescriptions the day of travel. One extra trip, check all the nooks and crannies of the hotel room before you leave, so you do not forget these little items. I have lost too many razors to count, because I left them in the shower and forgot to re-pack them!
Label everything
If you have things pre-packed, it might become more difficult to remember what it is exactly that you have packed if it's not already labeled. Some people like to buy reusable travel bottles and fill them with their shampoo/conditioner/body wash of choice, so make sure to label which one is which. I also try to separate my OTC meds if they are not in a small bottle, and label the bag.
Make a list for trip-specific packing
I love lists in general, but a few days before a trip, I especially like to get a list started. I will remember things here and there that I need to remember, so as I think of it, I will write it down. I prefer lists on my phone, since I always have it with me. Then, when I am scrambling to pack, I do not have to think of every thing I might possibly need, because I have already written it down.
Find the perfect bag
First, find a bag with many parts/containers. This is not something that I do well, actually. I love my Kate Spade, but its big pocket and small opening make my cell phone and wallet almost impossible to find. But when packing, try to keep in mind that you will not want to unpack and repack your entire bag to find one thing, and pick the bag that has easy access to the stuff you will want the soonest: your id, money, reading material, snacks, and tech stuff. My favorite carry on has a side pocket in which I can fit my computer and many smaller pockets up front, one of which I dedicate to my liquids so I can easily pull them out at security.
Second, look up airline regulations to find an appropriate-sized bag. Most airlines allow you one bag and one "personal item" like a purse or briefcase. Both have to fit within certain size requirements. I have a matching set of polka-dot (of course) luggage that I know which two will be appropriate as carry-ons, then I will pick a purse that will fit some reading material and/or my laptop or iPad. The small rolling bag I have will only fit in the overhead bin, and only on bigger flights. This means I can put my purse underneath the seat in front of me and quickly access my reading material. On smaller flights, to avoid embarrassment, I preemptively ask to gate-check my bag (which gate officials are usually happy to do) so it goes underneath the plane and I can retrieve it right after the flight near the plane. In short, know thy bag, particularly its size.
Third, make sure your bags are durable. There are few things worse than a bag breaking in the gate or when the airline officials are handling it. I had one of my bags break while I was flying home from my semester in Germany, and I had to buy another (very expensive) suitcase in the airport to make it home. As a final note: I always try to scale down my packing so I can fit all of my stuff into my carry-ons. That way, I do not risk the airline losing my bag and I can take all necessary precautions myself to prevent it breaking.
Dress appropriately for travel
I like to wear plenty of layers, because the temperature of airports/airplanes can vary drastically. I also try to pick long dresses or pants without much metal to get through the security more easily. If I am not wearing something with pockets, there is no chance I will forget to take something out of my pockets and have to go back through security. Finally, try to pick easily slipped-off shoes because you will have to take them off for security. It is difficult to balance clothes that are stylish enough to go somewhere when you land, comfortable enough for long travel, and security-friendly, but with practice, you will find a few go-to pieces that fit all three criteria. Also remember that if you are taking your normal purse/briefcase with you, rummage through it before you go to make sure that there are not any contraband items in it already. I have had numerous nail clippers and wine openers confiscated because I forgot they were in my bag. I even lost a monogrammed Swiss army knife one time!
Get to the gate on time
This seems like a no-brainer but it is worth repeating. Try to check the traffic a few hours before you leave for the airport so you can leave earlier if you need to, or pick a different route. For most trips, you need to be at the airport an hour before you are set to leave in order to get through security, but if it is a busy travel day (or you are traveling internationally), give yourself some more time. If you are leaving in the morning, set multiple alarms so you do not oversleep. Check in as early as possible (24 hours on U.S. Air) and print the ticket or download it to your phone so you do not have to wait for a kiosk or an airline employee to help you. When you get to the airport, double-check from which gate the flight is leaving. In Philly, the airline frequently changes the gate, so I have walked all the way down to the end of one corridor just to find out that the new one is at the very end of the other corridor. If you are early enough, this will not set you back, but check the monitors before you walk too far just to make sure.
Maximize your entertainment options
I have experienced many trips where I had to buy magazines or books at the airport, or have been bored on the plane, because the entertainment I had planned did not work for some reason. I now have to hedge my bets by bringing multiple analog or offline options. Many airlines offer wifi and some have plugs to charge your devices, but these are imperfect and not offered everywhere. It is best to make sure you have something to do for the whole trip, even if your phone/computer/tablet did not work the entire time. If I do not have specific work to do, I will bring lawyer magazines and then leave them in the plane seat back when I am done so my load gets progressively lighter. Usually I will tear out the articles that interest me and tear off my name and address before I totally ditch the magazine. If your best options are digital, make sure that you charge at every opportunity. Start the trip fully charged, then at every gate, seek out the closest outlet. This may seem excessive, but there will be times when you will not be able to find an outlet, or a delayed flight leaves you no time in between connections to charge. I have found it to be necessary to be diligent about charging if I want to enjoy whatever it is that I have on my technology.
Figure out what to do with long layovers
Just a quick (unpaid) plug for the U.S. Air club here. I have some day passes that I have been hoarding and if I have a couple-hour layover, it is definitely worth it to get out from the crowds and get some free coffee/wifi/snacks.
Tips for celiacs
As someone who has much fewer eating options, traveling is just that much harder for me. I've figured out a few things to help: 1. I pack extra drink mixes and things that make me feel better, then I can just find a cup and some water to make a little pick me up. I currently have packed accelerade for post-workouts, magnesium for easier sleep, and l-glutamine for gut repair. I also pack my probiotics to take every day, and gas relief pills and alka seltzer for slip ups. Figure out what your go-to is when you get glutened, and make sure you have extra of that packed at all times. 2. Research ahead of time what might be celiac safe. If you are meeting up with friends, they might appreciate the suggestion of what you can eat, or you might want to know where you can go in the airport to pick something up. Knowledge is power, and the internet has lots of reviews by your fellow celiacs (even some by me!). 3. Pack more snacks than you think you'll need. I like to bring a bunch of protein bars (I eat think thin, because they are heavy on the protein and certified gf) and some kind of snack food, like almonds. Even though I usually end up buying something at the airport more substantial, it is nice to know I have a fallback for the whole trip. 4. Hit up the smoothie joint (but research beforehand): if I am feeling really blah and unhealthy, I will try to find any version of a smoothie chain to get some quick fruit and vegetable sustenance. Many places have vitamin or other nutrient "boosts" that they can add to the smoothie. Be wary though, on one trip, I went to three different smoothie places and none of the employees at any of them knew which boosts were gluten-free so it is best to research before you get there to avoid a frustrating Q and A.
What are your favorite travel tips?
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