As a trainer, I’m often asked which alcoholic beverages are best from a healthy lifestyle perspective. Red wine (and especially pinot noir) tops the list of healthy alcoholic beverages.

Here’s why:

Drinking red wine may preserve memory and protect the central nervous system. It also prevents clots and blood vessel inflammation—both of which are linked to heart disease and decline of cognitive function.

Overall, red wine drinkers have overall lower body mass indices (BMI’s).  And moderate wine drinkers tend to have narrower waists and less abdominal fat than people who drink hard liquor. (Higher BMI is associated with greater risk for disease).

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These are B and my favorite, road-tested recipes of 2009. I hope you agree. Now, dig in!!

Fiery Sweet Potatoes from the New York Times
Vegan Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies by Jinxiboo
Chili sin Carne al Mole from “Vegan with a Vengeance”
Turkey Meatloaf by Mike Hitt
Organic Almond Milk by my mom, Marcy Francis
Vegan Pot Pie by EarthVegan
Herbed Spaghetti Squash by Emeril Legasse (more…)

Throughout my Mom’s battle with cancer, I downed more comfort food and bottles of wine than I care to admit. Take my 35th birthday for example: dad grilled steaks and mom arranged for the most amazing cupcakes. Bronson and I went out later for margaritas. And boy, did I ever feel the full brunt of it: the acid reflux dragon reared its angry ANGRY head. I told mom about it the next day. “You’ve got to eat right, son.” she warned me matter-of-factly.

It would be one of her last admonishments.

It wasn’t the first time the reflux beast had gripped me. Five years ago, (on my 30th) we gathered at El Coyote Mexican Cafe with the same gruesome result. Back then, I didn’t know tacos and tequila were GERD’s best friend, but in the wake of Mom’s warning this year, I knew something had to change. (more…)

Tart cherry juice may treat pain and inflammation caused by exercise, say researchers at Oregon Health & Science University. These findings, while highly preliminary, concur with a U.K. study of British marathoners who drank tart cherry juice. Experts say it could even be useful for treating arthritis or reducing the amount of pain medication needed post-surgery.  Trader Joe’s carries a reconstituted concentrate version for $2.99/bottle.

Okay, Bronson and I (inspired by Rory Freedman) have started a 30-day exploration of vegetarian eating. The latest entry on our menu is this chili sin carne (no meat) with mole, a recipe from Vegan with a Vengeance. It’s a rich, decadent chili (you won’t even miss the meat). Takes about 20 minutes to throw together, ready in an hour. (more…)

A delicious end of summer drink that recalls lazy days in Ibiza and Sitges. (more…)

I ran across this article by Martha Beck (O Magazine, June ’09) while waiting in the hospital with my mom.

It’s by far the most helpful, accurate article on losing weight I’ve read in 5 years as a trainer.

I’ve personally seen clients do these things, so I know they work.

p.s.  Beck also has a book: The Four Day Win, which I’m ordering from Flashlight Worthy asap.

Cube a watermelon, crumble in some feta or Gorgonzola cheese, and add fresh basil. Bon Appétit!

I LOVE A MARGARITA, and this guilt-free recipe contains only 2 grams net carbs (if made with bottled lime juice) or 2.5 grams carbs (if using fresh lime juice). Cheers!

1.5 oz tequila — a jigger-full
1 oz lime juice
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon orange extract
1 TB liquid artificial sweetener
Handful ice
Kosher salt

Wet glass rim, dip into salt. Combine all ingredients and shake in a cocktail shaker, or mix in the glass. Serve over ice, strained into the glass (or blended).