Danji

Last weekend I got to try Danji, a modern-meets-traditional, tapas-style Korean restaurant. The company, wine, and food were all wonderful in this small, 36-seater Hell's Kitchen Restaurant. Go before it gets too packed. We were talked into the "Tofu with Ginger Scallion Dressing"; after a 30-day vegan experiment last summer, I'm not one to talk up tofu, but if you're not a fermented soy fan, this dish WILL change your mind. The Gruner Veltliner was also a wonderful addition to the meal, and made a nice addition to my newly purchased wine journal! 

Tofu with Ginger Scallion Dressing(This picture does NOT do the dish justice!)

Salsa 3 Ways!

Salsa is a great party pairing to delicious cocktails. Skip the jarred stuff and impress guests with a fresh batch of your own--it's quick, easy, and better tasting especially with summer produce! Try any of the three variations below, or use the STARTER and get creative with your own add-ins!

START WITH:
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1-2 minced jalepeno peppers (depends on how spicy you like it!)
1 clove garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lime
Salt & Pepper

ADD-IN #1: Mango-Avocado

1 mango, diced
2 avocados, diced1 Tbs red wine vinegar1/4 cup chopped cilantro






ADD-IN #2: Peach and Heirloom Tomato
3 Peaches, diced
1 large heirloom tomato
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 Tbs chopped fresh mint
Juice of 1/2 lemon

ADD-IN #3: Blueberry!
1 cups fresh blueberries, chopped
1/2 cup whole fresh blueberries
1  bell pepper (red, yellow or orange)
1 Tbs fresh ginger, grated
2 Tbs fresh cilantro

Cleanse yourself of the juice cleanse trend

Juice cleanses are a trendy way to "lose weight" and "rid your body of toxins." In general, I am not a fan of going on a plan that you are going to go off. Healthy lifestyle is the key to success. And if you want to drop a few pounds or just feel energized, juice cleanses are not the magic bullet--do it with real food.

3 reasons why NOT to go on a juice cleanse:

1. COST--You are paying a high premium for nothing more than a bottle of juice that tells you to stop eating. 
2. ENERGY--at ~1000-1200 calories per day, these cleanses are too low in energy to keep your body running properly and won't allow for enough vitamins and minerals to keep you functioning your best. In fact, you may not have enough energy for your metabolism to go its strongest, which can be detrimental to the weight loss process. 
3. SANITY--Whole fruits and vegetables contain fiber that will make you feel fuller, and give you any health benefits (and more!) than the juices themselves. There is NO benefit of limiting yourself to liquids alone.

The solution:

• Calorie-limited diet of fresh, whole foods, especially fruits and vegetables. 
• Plenty of (but not exclusively!) water. 
• Sweat it out! Get some exercise to help burn calories and sweat out toxins. 

Maximizing Your Vegetarian Proteins

A plant-rich diet is a key component of good nutrition and health. When it comes to proteins though, a single plant rarely offers all the essential amino acids your body needs to build its muscles and maintain maximum functionality. The way this works is that if you consume a protein source with 100% of 19 out of 20 essential amino acids, and contains one at only 50%, you only get 50% benefit of those other 19 too.

The solution? Mix and match vegetarian protein sources (more than just beans!) in order to get maximum benefits. Choose two of any sources below:

• Beans/Legumes--personal favorite is black beans! 
• Whole grains--barley, oats, brown rice, quinoa (richest in protein!)
• Vegetables--low calorie and tons of variety. 

Or check out some of these recipes for complementary protein boost:

• Black bean burgers
• Easy PB lunch sandwich
• Boost a salad! 
• Breakfast: Oatmeal with walnuts and raisins
• Snack/Appetizer: favorite veggies with hummus

Black Bean Burgers

For the sworn uncompromised meat-lover, this simple solution is sure to satisfy! Try it paired with some sweet potato oven “fries” and corn on the cob on the side for a hearty meal.

Serves 4 (8 burgers total)

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

¼ cup oats

8.5 oz can black beans (no salt added)

1 jalapeno pepper, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 egg

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

½ tsp chili powder

2 Tbs olive oil

Optional serving suggestions:

Salsa

Caramelized onions

Avocado slices

Whole wheat English muffins or hamburger rolls

1. In food processor, pulse oats until finely ground. Remove from food processor and set aside.
2. Pulse beans in food processor with jalapeño and garlic until well mixed. Mix spices in bowl with oats. Add in along with egg and pulse until well mixed.
3. Refrigerate mixture for 30 minutes.  (This is a great time to start making some sweet potato fries and/or corn  to accompany)
4. Remove mixture from refrigerator and form patties using about ½ cup mixture per patty.
5. Heat 1 Tbs olive oil in large skillet and cook patties until 1 side is browned, then flip. Once both sides are browned and mixture is warmed through, transfer patties to a plate. Repeat this step using remaining tablespoon of olive oil and rest of patties.
6. Serve with optional toppings. 

Don't get too high

You may have heard of "runner's high." It refers to the release of endorphins in the brain when your body's reached a certain level of physical exertion. And, it's awesome! Interestingly though, this high comes at around the same time that your body's glycogen stores are depleted, putting you at increased risk for injury.

Glycogen is the way your liver and muscles store glucose to use for energy. During intense exercise, like running, you use it all up in under 2 hours, which will cause your body to begin breaking down muscle and fat to restore blood glucose levels. Repeatedly putting your body in this state may increase your risk for sport-related injury. So if you're undergoing a serious training regimen, consider looking into carbohydrate loading. And, like anything, remember to treat your body well, eat right, take days off, and don't get caught being a junkie!

Be a Vegetable Sensei

I love vegetables. LOVE them. But some people think they don't. I'm certain that if everyone could have them prepared well, they would find them delicious...but that's another blog, entitled "stop overcooking your vegetables, lying to yourself, and grow up." I recently had a friend over for dinner to make sure she left loving beets. I'll end the suspense--she did. Here are some suggestions for introducing new veggies to yourself or your friends:

• Serve them as a side dish--in case they're really hesitant, they won't starve. You're not the cafeteria lady, so don't push it. 
• Combine with foods they love (I did spinach salad with roasted beets,  toasted walnuts, and homemade balsamic vinaigrette). 
• Ask them if they've ever had them before...you'd be shocked how many adults still "hate" foods we've never tried!

3 X 3-Ingredient Party Apps

Throw these together in a breeze at your next get-together.

1. Dates + pecans + Parm: Split dates and take out pit. Stick pecan and shard of Parmesan cheese inside. Pair it with a glass of Cab.

2. Endive + Goat Cheese + Toasted Pine nuts: Spread goat cheese in endive leaves and sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top. Pair it with some Cava Brut. 

3. Whole wheat pita + Avocado + Lime juice: Toast pita and cut into triangles. Top each triangle with a slice of avocado, squeeze of lime juice (and sprinkle of sea salt if you want!) Pair it with a Skinny Tom Collins. 

Skinny Cocktails

Bethenny Frenkel may have coined the "Skinny Girl Margarita," but you can blend your own lower-sugar concoctions. Try these tips/recipes for some summer bevs that will help you cut the calories and hangover!

• Tip: Use club soda with a splash of fruit juice or citrus as a mixer instead of a regular soda like sprite. Try a GREYHOUND REMIX: 1 part gin + 3 parts club soda + 1 part grapefruit juice
• Tip: Add a little Splenda, Agave nectar, or honey instead of loading a drink with simple syrup. Try a TOM COLLINS REMIX: 1 part gin + 1 part club soda + 1 part fresh squeezed lemon juice + tsp agave, honey, or splenda. 
• Tip: Avoid sugar-loaded "specialty" martinis served at restaurants. Order a COSMO REMIX: ask for a "vodka and soda with a splash of cran and lime wedge." Or make it yourself at home: 1 part vodka + 3 parts soda + 1 part cranberry juice + squeezed limed wedge. 

Weekend at Gurney's

A girls' weekend in Montauk.

Start: put GPS in English.
Middle: mani/pedi/facial and delicious food at Harvest (below)

End: drive through Flatbush for an hour trying to make it back to Manhattan.

Verdict? Successful relaxtion...well, at least until the Flatbush adventure.