ashleyd /

Hibiscus Margaritas and Chocolate (mole) Duck

Given our adventurous nature and love of food, returning to the same restaurant for dinner can only mean two things: its great and we’re starting to become NYC residents. Our first experience returning to a spot for dinner was on Thursday night when we frequented Papatzul for the second time in one month! Located in SoHo, this gem is a great value for any person or group who desires an evening with great atmosphere, drinks (the margaritas made with hibiscus and the sangria come highly recommended), and authentic mexican food without breaking the bank. This week we decided to share two appetizers and one entree which was the perfect amount when you also indulge in their amazing chips and guacamole. Our two favorite entrees are the duck enchiladas with mole sauce and the seafood enchiladas (see photo). The only negative thing we can say about this restaurant is that we feel for the poor soul each night who has the task of being the ONLY waiter/waitress in the establishment. Yes, you heard us right! There is one waiter and one bus boy working the whole restaurant which results in some drink orders taking longer than one would desire. That just means you should order a pitcher! 🙂

Our Review: Definitely a bear
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Lunch and some awesome treats and giveaways!

Okay, so far i’m loving this meal plan. While I wasn’t hungry at 10:30 I followed their guidance and had my apple anyway. Then at 1pm I enjoyed a WONDERFUL lunch. It’s amazing how tasty a diversion is sometimes. I wasn’t feeling content lately after my lunchtime salads. This lunch left me satiated, quite full, and happy. 🙂 My plan is to eat my afternoon snack around 4:30 so it will hold me over through Physique at 6pm.

For now, i’ve figured out how to upload pics from my dingy camera phone. I PROMISE that i’ll buy a new charger soon. No one out there has an extra charger for a Cannon SD-540 do they? 🙂

GIVEAWAY ALERTS:

Danica’s Daily: WIN ANNIES & GET YOUR BAKE SALE GOODS NOW!!

Meghann’s Bake Sale: http://www.graduatemeghann.com/
Personally I think the macroons and mock Tagalongs and Samoas look amazing! But, don’t take my word for it, bid on some yourself!!

Fitness NYC’s Upgrade Your Chew Contest: ENDS TODAY! Hop on over here to submit your food that you’d like Melissa to upgrade so you can enjoy it more often. My request was a chicken parm/italian recipe that tastes delicious but is also better for me than the typical recipe. http://fitnessnyc.wordpress.com/2009/03/27/upgrade-your-chew-contest/

The awesome and ever inspiring runner, Run to the Finish, is having another awesome giveaway! This time it’s compression items from McDavid USA! http://runtothefinish.blogspot.com/2008/04/mcdavid-compression-wear-get-yours.html

Love Fage? Tell the Healthy Yogini all about your favorite Fage product and get entered to win! http://www.hungryyogini.com/2009/04/06/fage-yogurt-reviews-and-a-giveaway/#respond

Phew, I think that is it for now but i’m sure there will be more giveaways by the end of the day! 🙂

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ashleyd /

21 days of cleaner eating

Good morning!

After a great weekend with my best friend and her girlfriends down in Charleston, I am in definite need of some clean eating. This weekend was filled with alchohol, laying out, and dancing into the wee hours of the night. While it was a blast it was also quite exhausting! Yesterday, as I sat in the Charleston airport flipping through magazines, I found exactly what I was looking for: a 21 day clean eating and workout plan. This plan is in the Spring 2009 issue of Oxygen magazine. While I sometimes feel this magazine is geared too much towards the female body builder, which i’m not, it does have some great tips, articles, and information! After Melissa’s inspirational “Get Rippad” post late last week (fitnessnyc.wordpress.com) I was ready for a challenge. This plan admits that it’s pretty strict, especially the first week, but after the past few months of eating i’ve had I could use some rigidity. So, for your enjoyment, I have posted Week 1 of the plan below. Yesterday afternoon the fiance was amazing and went to Whole Foods for me and purchased everything while I was flying back. Then last night, we prepped our meals for the week together. He is doing the plan with me which makes it even better!!

Week 1:
Meal 1: 3/4 c oatmeal, not instant and 1 orange or banana
Meal 2: 1 apple
Meal 3: 1/2 c rice, 4 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast w/seasonings, 1 c summer squash chopped
Meal 4: 2 c celery, 1 tbsp natural almond butter
Meal 5: 6 oz fish grilled, 1 c zucchini, 1 c asparagus, 3 c salad
Meal 6: 1 c mixed berries
Plus 1 snack: 12 raw almonds, 1 medium size fruit, 1/2 c unsweetened applesauce w/ 1/3 c wheatabix, or 1 tbs almond butter

Week 1 TIP: Aim to increase your water intake to 1 oz per every pould of body weight which will help your body move along nutrients and rid the body of toxins while also processing fiber, etc.

In addition, my workout plan for Week 1 looks like this:
Monday: Oxygen’s sexy body plan: arms (tricep pressdown/biceps ez curl), legs (plie squats, walking lunges, dead lifts), abs (ball crunch, bicycle, advanced crunch w/ball), Physique 57 (6-7pm Spring Street location), 2 mile run home.
Tuesday: 5 mile run, abs, arms
Wednesday: 10 miler outside
Thursday: REST DAY
Friday: Physique 57 5-6pm at Spring Street Location
Saturday: NYRR Scotland 10k in Central Park, deep stretching
Sunday: Physique 57 1:45 at 57th Street Location

If you want to learn more about Physique 57 check back later today for my review. But, until then here is a great article http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/features/25523/short-circuit

I know, personally, that the first few days of this plan will be the hardest for me, but hopefully you all can help me stay accountable! 🙂

Happy Monday!

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