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Healthy Mexican Shrimp Salad

grilled mexican salad

On Monday, my first day of healthy eating after a long stint of indulgent eating, which led to tight clothes and hating pictures,  I developed a mad craving for Mexican. As in I caught myself dreaming of guacamole, margaritas and chips at the early hour of 11 AM. Oops. Dreaming of high salt, calorie laden, yet delicious food is not the best way to start a week of healthy eating. Similar to what I did ten years ago when I initially lost 50 pounds, I am focused on eating healthy food Monday through Friday at lunch. Then Friday night through Sunday I can enjoy in moderation. This type of healthy eating has always helped me maintain or lose weight while also being moderate versus restrictive – a technique I try to avoid based on my history of disordered eating. Instead of pushing the cravings aside and ignoring them or restricting myself, I decided to do something better. Create a healthy alternative that would answer my craving and allow me a bit of Mexican flavor until I can sip a margarita this weekend.

Meet my new favorite salad – Grilled Mexican Shrimp Salad. This healthy Mexican salad packs the punch with flavorful tomatillos, tender charred shrimp and a tangy dressing. Thanks to the grill, it barely makes a mess in your kitchen and is quick and easy!

grilled mxican salad

 

Grilled Mexican Shrimp Salad

Makes two salads

Ingredients

  • Lettuce
  • 12-14 large shrimp – peeled and deveined
  • Thinly sliced white onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 1/2 avocado, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons Queso Fresco cheese crumbled
  • 4 Campari tomatoes (or your favorite type of tomatoes), quartered
  • 2 tomatillos, quartered
  • Half jalapeno seeded, fire-roasted and thinly sliced
  • One ear of corn, fire roasted and cut off the cob
  • 2 teaspoons Chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil for brushing shrimp
  • 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil for dressing
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • Juice of 1/2 orange
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  • Pre-heat grill to high heat
  • Dry shrimp and place them in a bowl
  • Season shrimp with salt and sprinkle with baking soda, let stand for 15 minutes
  • While waiting for the grill to pre-heat and baking soda to set into the shrimp, toss lettuce with tomatoes, tomatillos, white onion, cilantro, avocado and cheese
  • Pat dry shrimp and stick on skewers, tight together
  • Season with salt, pepper, chili powder and garlic powder
  • Brush shrimp with extra virgin olive oil
  • Cook shrimp and corn on high direct heat for 3-5 minutes per side, just until they pass the translucent stage
  • Quickly char jalapeno for 30 seconds to one minute
  • Remove all items from heat
  • Cut corn off the cob and sprinkle on top of salad
  • Top salad with charred, sliced jalapeno, to taste
  • In a separate bowl, whisk lime juice, orange juice, and 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Dress salads with dressing then top each with 6-7  grilled shrimp
  • Enjoy!

 

 

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Virtual Coffee Date May 2016

Ashley coffee

Have a seat friends and refill that cup of coffee, because it is time for a virtual date. A lot has transpired since our last date together. In fact, I feel as if the past few months have been a whirlwind and a blur, leaving us both a bit exhausted but very happy. After nine months in our Brooklyn apartment, it feels like home even though it is a bit messier than I’d like right now.  Our back yard has transformed thanks to a few days of hard work and we are now planning a Summer of barbecues in our refreshed backyard complete with new landscaping and new patio we recently built. I have a lot to share so here goes.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that after being injury free for almost 32 years, I’ve had some bad luck these past few weeks. I strained my left hamstring during the Cherry Blossom 10 miler which caused me to take a break from training and do far less running during much of April and May.  Then, last Sunday, while working in our yard I kicked a brick and have either bruised or injured the right arch of my foot. I have a doctors appointment scheduled for later this week but it’s beyond frustrating. It’s been nine days since I ran and I already miss it!

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that due to these injuries I have decided not to run the Brooklyn Half Marathon. Even though I could probably push through and walk/jog the course it would be pure stupidity and miserable. The last thing I want to do is injure myself further.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you how thankful I am that Bo and I are both very happy in where our careers are today. There have been some twists and turns over the past few years and we are both now in very different roles than we were in a few years ago but we are so happy. He started a new career path a few months ago and while it wasn’t something we’d planned for, the effects have been wonderful as he is so fulfilled and happy in this new role.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that these injuries have made me realize that my health has to be a priority more than ever. The past two months I let life get the better of me and wasn’t training properly nor taking good care of myself. My body doesn’t recover the way it used to from anything – a race, hangover or even constant travel.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that I have a renewed love of reading. I have read five books (The Nightingale, Girl on the Train, Unleashing Mr Darcy, The 5 Love Languages, and All the Light We Cannot See) in the past month and love the time each evening that I spend reading in bed before I go to sleep. I also find that twenty to thirty minutes of relaxation before bed is helping me sleep better.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that I still can’t decide whether I prefer my hair shorter or longer. It’s been three months since I cut it and I still miss my long hair yet love the ease of this shorter style.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that this reading time occurs at the time I used to blog each night.  I have read multiple articles about the benefits of decreasing screen time before bed so while it’s been an adjustment to find time to blog in my current role, I don’t regret this change. Instead, my plan is to blog on weekends and early mornings before workouts.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that I’m so thankful that Bo and I both call Savannah, Georgia our hometown. It is such a blessing that each of our parents still live in Savannah as it is a wonderful location to visit multiple times a year. While Bo and I love living in Brooklyn and working in New York, it is our goal to make it down to Savannah more often. Even during the wedding craziness this weekend, we were able to enjoy a few relaxing hours in downtown Savannah wandering through the park and taking in the beauty of the squares, majestic oak trees and warm sunshine.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that Bo and I have made a conscious choice to reduce travel and commitments over the next few months. Last year we were so busy with our move back to the US and Brooklyn that we didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy Summer in New York City. Whether it’s dining outside, sipping wine on a rooftop, going to an outdoor workout event or taking in a special event New York City offers so many great opportunities in the Summer.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that this morning I faced the scale after a few weeks away. Unfortunately, as I broke out my Summer dresses this weekend in Savannah, I was made very aware that I’ve indulged too much over the past two months. Indulging in alcohol and food while also cutting back on workouts due to injury has lead to a ten pound weight gain. While I know that some of this could easily be water weight, for the first time in ages, I cringed at the pictures taken of me this weekend.  Even a health and wellness blogger can lose sight of just how quickly those indulgences can add up. During Bar Method yesterday, I didn’t recognize the person I saw in the mirror. The good news is that as of yesterday, I am focused on my health and getting back on track by scheduling low impact workouts, making sleep and water a priority and stocking our house with plenty of healthy food.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that as part of this health focus I have decided to start tracking my meals and keeping myself accountable through pictures. I am not counting calories but instead trying to just be conscious of what I eat while also following intuitive eating principles and focusing on whole, natural foods. If you guys are interested, I can share these pictures and a recap of what I eat in future posts.

Your turn, what would you share? 

 

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CLASSPASS MONTH IN REVIEW: FEBRUARY AND MARCH

classpass feb mar

It’s time for another installment of the ClassPass Month in Review.  There has been a lot of change with ClassPass recently, especially in New York City.  Instead of having a one size fits all membership, they now have three membership tiers in most cities.

  • Unlimited  – $200 per month – unlimited classes – Can visit a studio up to 3 times per month. Available in all cities.  (Click the link to save $30 on your first month)
  • Core – $135 per month – 10 total classes – Can visit a studio up to 3 times per month. Available in all cities except London.  (Click the link to save $25 on your first month)
  • Base $75 per month – 5 total classes – Can visit a studio up to 2 times per month. Available in NYC, Boston, Atlanta, Dallas and Toronto. (Click the link to save $20 on your first month)

You can read more about the plans offered in each individual city by following this link.

As an ambassador, I’ve received lots of questions from readers and friends alike.

Yes, I’m still a ClassPass ambassador.

Personally, I am going to try the CORE membership during the June billing cycle as I tend to spend more time sweating outdoors than in classes during the Summer months so I think 10 classes will be perfect. 

At the same time that all these changes were announced, I took my 100th class. It seemed only appropriate to take my 100th class at the same studio as my 1st class – Tangerine Hot Power Yoga.  My goal for the next 100 classes is to try at least two new studios per month and continue scheduling workouts with friends a few times per month as these are often my favorite workouts!

100 classes

But, before I recap my 100th class which I took in April, I have to bring you guys up to speed on my February and March workouts. As promised, each month I will provide a brief recap of our experience including the number of classes taken, average cost per class and a brief recap of the studios where we sweat that month. In addition, if you’re on CLASSPASS feel free to follow my fitness schedule here. I love meeting readers so if you see me in a class, please say hello! If you want to check out my previous monthly recaps, click here, here,  here , here and here.

Month 5: February 21st – March 20th

Number of classes taken: 11

Number of studios visited: 5

Number of classes missed or late cancelled: 0

Number of cities: 1 (NYC)

Average cost per workout based on NYC rate of $125 per month: $11.36

Last Month’s Classes

High 45 at Mile High Run Club (2)

I’ve professed my love of Mile High multiple times (full review here). Their High 45 class is a great class for runners of all abilities. As you can guess from the class name, the workout includes 45-minutes of running. The running includes a five minute warm-up and five minute cool down. In between that you’ll sweat through 35 minutes of tempo work. A typical class includes half hills and half speed with most intervals ranging from three to six minutes! My favorite teachers are Jes Woods and Deborah Woods!

The Distance at Mile High Run Club 

I’ve professed my love of Mile High multiple times (full review here) but only recently did I begin taking their distance classes. The distance class is 60 minutes of running, and is therefore designed specifically for the advanced runner or athlete who is looking for a challenge. The 60 minute class isn’t for the feign of heart as it includes 50 minutes of non-stop running including hills and speed work. During the three classes I covered an average of 5.5 miles per class, which included race simulations, sprints and hill work. I highly recommend class with Luke or Michael who each teach a handful of distance classes per week. If you are new to Mile High or running, the Dash 28 class with Andia Wilson is also a great option!

Row House Full Body 45 at Row House Chelsea 

Rowing is a wonderful, low-impact workout which can supplement any workout plan. While I’ve taken classes at CityRow, Row House is the first rowing workout in NYC that truly reminded me of the rowing practices Bo and I sweat through in high school. The Full Body 45 class is a 45-minute class which includes a 5 minutes of rowing drills to warm-up, 15 minutes of rowing intervals and sprints, 5-10 minutes of strength work, another 15 minutes of rowing intervals and sprints, followed by a short cooldown. The class is perfect for people of all abilities as each person controls the speed or intensity at which they row. Scott and Hector are our favorite instructors as they are both great motivators while also kicking our butts! For those who need to sweat and then dash to work, the Row House Chelsea location includes a small, but nice locker room featuring two showers, blow dryers and toiletries where you can get ready for work or date night.

 

 

45 Minute Metrics at Peloton

We love when our schedules allow us to squeeze in a ride at Peloton before work as their classes are always challenging and they feature one of the nicest locker rooms for post workout showers! This month’s 6 AM class did not disappoint as the music was an awesome mix of throwback tunes and the class was packed! The Peloton classes are all streamed live so Peloton bike owners can follow along at home. This creates a different dynamic as the instructor is at times motivating and coaching the class while other times she’s giving props to the riders at home. Regardless, we both agreed that we’d return to this studio because the bikes were the best we’ve ridden on – smooth, easy to read computers and easily adjusted. The studio greets clients with complimentary spin shoes, water and towels which make things easy!

Prana Power Yoga in Brooklyn 

While I really like hot yoga and any studio that is walking distance from our apartment gets extra points, I just don’t love Prana Power Yoga. I’ve taken six classes here and have yet to have a teacher that I adore. In fact, two of the teachers never provided adjustments or walk around the class.  For me, Prana is the studio that I go to when I decide last minute that I want to squeeze in a yoga class. I took this class on a whim, one morning when I woke up early and couldn’t go back to sleep. Since the studio is less than 10 minutes from our apartment, I was able to roll out of bed at 5:45 and get there in time for the 6 AM class. Unfortunately, it didn’t start my day in the best way and I think I’ve all but broken up with Prana at this point. There are too many options within a mile of our apartment to keep going back there. The studio is clean, and doesn’t have that “hot, steamy, sweaty smell” that you get at some hot or Bikram yoga studios. There aren’t showers but they have two bathrooms which are large enough to do a quick wet wipe bath and change. They offer five to six classes per day so regardless the hour, there is probably a class that meets your schedule.

Barre3 West Village (2)

Rachel convinced me to join her for her favorite workout twice this month. This 60-minute barre workout promises to give you the length of a dancer and the strength of an athlete. After two classes with the studio manager and teacher extraordinaire, Dino Malvone, I have to say that I am a convert. The class consists of a yoga inspired warm-up, barre section then floor section.  I leave each class sweating and shaking as they do a great job of challenging my muscles more than the average class due to the extended time spent on the lower body and the time that each pose is held – especially those killer squats!

Gym Time at David Barton

I love that ClassPass provides you access to gyms as this is a great option for showers after outdoor runs. Theodora and I ran along the West Side Highway before work and the Limelight David Barton location is within blocks of her apartment. Talk about convenient! This full-service gym is located in a restored church which means there are multiple levels of weights, cardio and studios amidst windy staircases and stained glass windows. Their locker room, the feature I used this month, is huge and provides ample space to shower and get ready even during peak hours. They even supply flat irons, blow dryers, towels, shampoo and conditioner!

Fly 45 at Flywheel 

Historically, I’ve had a love hate relationship with Flywheel. I love that the studio provides water, spin shoes, towels and healthy snacks with the cost of every class. But, I have had one too many sub-par teachers who don’t inspire or push me during class. Luckily, last month, Bo discovered two teachers (Josh Arden and Johnny De Triquet) who merged challenging classes with awesome, upbeat playlists. Now that we’ve discovered these teachers, we’ll more than likely use our 3 classes per month allowance since they have 5:30 or  6 AM classes daily.

Your turn: If you’re a NYC local, what are your favorite studios? Where should I sweat next? 

This post is not compensated nor requested of me via CLASSPASS. While it does contain affiliate links, as a CLASSPASS affiliate, I only receive a small compensation if you choose to purchase a CLASSPASS membership.

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