Transitions

It’s been a hectic stretch. I recently moved my life to New York City after calling Boston home for the past 19 years. I also co-authored a cookbook called Real Fit Kitchen that hit bookstores in the beginning of October. None of this was part of my plan about a year ago. When it rains, it really pours and often it’s not predictable. You have no choice but to go with it. Get wet. Right now, I’m soaked.

Transition is equal parts exhilarating and challenging. You forget how much you take for granted at times like these. Simple things such as knowing how to get around town without glancing at a map every 3 minutes or asking a surly-looking stranger for help.

Transition begs for mindfulness. I notice the things that I probably won’t notice after a few more months. The colorful subway tiles. The hustle of fashion-forward energetic teenagers and well-heeled business people as they rush off to school and work. The independence and resolve of elderly as they navigate the NYC streets with confidence at their own pace. The security guards at the new office. The bounty of fruits, figs, kebabs, fried chicken feet (yes), handbags, pipes and old books at the hands of street vendors. I have a set of fresh eyes. (more…)

Playoff Eating

Playoff baseball is in full swing here in Boston. The Red Sox are filling the city with hope, fear, excitement, sleepless nights and thankfully, a few deep exhales. Our beloved team is one big hard fought win away from winning a World Series title.

The stress of being a playoff fan can take a toll on the body and mind but in this case, the good outweighs the bad. Normal life is right around the corner. Enjoy the chaos while it lasts!

I decided to take an informal poll of my friends, family and co-workers about the influence of playoff baseball on their eating habits.

Here are the various types of playoff eaters. Can you relate? Feel free to add yours to the list.

Comfort food only: The game isn’t delivering fast enough relief. Bring on the chips, nuts, mac & cheese, nachos and beer. Your instant gratification comes in the form of food and drink.

Cereal for dinner: There’s no time to make a proper dinner and get in game-ready position on the couch. Your dinner preparation goes out the window. Cereal is foolproof.

Stress overeater: Your food-filled hand reaches your mouth over and over and the eyes stay firmly on the TV.

Steady stream of caffeine: You’re double-fisting Dunkin’ Donuts. All. Day. Long.

Too stressed-out to eat: Food, what food? The energy of the game provides you with ample nourishment.

Baseball food cravings: Your food choice is limited to hotdogs, popcorn, Cracker Jacks, pretzels, ice cream, beer and other highly nutritious food items found at ballparks.

Dial a dinner: Everything you eat is prepared and delivered by somebody else. Pizza is on speed dial.

Superstitious eater: The heck with variety. Stick with the food that you ate the night of the very first playoff win and DO NOT vary it. You might just be the reason why the team is winning. Oh, and your special socks. And your special chair. You’re clearly a big part of the reason for the winning season.

Status quo: You don’t do anything different from your normal routine. You’re asking how long this baseball stuff will go on. You could care less about sports and pretty much live under a rock to not understand what’s going on in Boston right now.

Go ahead; eat what you want and when you want. This is playoff baseball and it doesn’t happen all the time.

One more win. LET’S DO THIS!

Stressful times call for healthful eating

In this crazy westernized world we live in, stress abounds us at every corner. Some handle it better than others. Some handle it by using food as a way to cope. If those foods are unhealthy, our bodies end up taking the grunt. Eventually stress catches up on us, many times in the form of chronic disease brought about from years of slow accumulation of damage. As I write this post I am faced with an impending stressful situation myself – cramming for an upcoming exam, the single exam that cumulates my entire education. No pressure, right?

I’m learning to deal with the life’s pressures by focusing my energy towards health and wellness. I try to fuel my body and mind with the best foods possible. While studying, I directly feel the power of a wholesome meal in terms of longer attention span and focused concentration. I love food and cooking, so it is natural for me to use it to deal with stress. For example, instead of gobbling down packaged snacks (which adds guilt-stress) I choose to prepare a fresh meal, taking time and letting my mind wonder as I chop, stir, and mix up the ingredients. I use everyday cooking as therapy to release and reflect.

Because everyone is different, here are some other ways to reduce the stress in your life:

• exercise
• journaling
• meditation
• praying
• deep breathing
• healthy cooking
• music
• art

Foods to soothe the mind, packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals!

• whole grains
• fresh fruit like oranges or berries
• dark leafy greens
• fatty fish like salmon
• nuts and seeds
• chamomile tea
• spices like turmeric
• dark chocolate

So the next time you feel out of control, take a deep breath and grab a wholesome snack.

By Liz Schneider, guest blogger.