Fitness: Paddleboarding/Kayaking

I'm sorry for the lack of posting. I've been a bit busy(: and the internet keeps going in and out. 

As our vacation has been coming to a close, we have quite a few activities thrown our way. Yesterday, we went on a scenic (but small, lol) boat ride to go to a beach (near Lover's Beach) in Cabo to snorkel, paddleboard, and kayak. This was a great opportunity to tour, try new things, and stay active (a big thing I have been emphasizing in my latest posts). 

I tried all three things. You basically ride in this small and fast boat with the other patrons, see the sights, and stop by the beach in the middle of the ocean. Then, you jump in the water as the employee on the boat that followed supplies you with what you needed for these things. 

I wanted to paddleboard very badly because I've never tried it before (as I have already snorkeled and kayaked), and I LOVED it. My surfing lessons made it a very easy transition in terms of getting up and standing on the board. That's my theory, at least. This is a great cross-train. I worked my legs, glutes, core, and arms. I didn't get to do arms in my workout that morning but that definitely covered it!

Snorkeling wasn't too much of a workout. Normally, the swimming does the trick, but this type of snorkeling included a machine that you hold onto that propels you through the water (which was something I've never seen before). I only had ten minutes left at the end to do this so I chose the machine (for time and to satisfy my curiosity). It was pretty fun.

Kayaking was great for the arms and core as well. I enjoyed both, but I think my favorite was the paddleboarding. My dad and I may try it again later today! I can't wait. 

Fitness: My First Time Surfing

As promised, I'm posting this to share my first experience surfing with you guys!

To be honest, I was nervous as hell. Surfing always intimidated me, and I didn't expect it to be anything less than a huge challenge. I'm on vacation in a new place though; it is one of the best spots to surf, and I was determined to try it if I could. I am definitely glad I did it (although I'm still bruised and sore from the lesson I took TWO days ago). 

They had me watch a video for begunners, and then I met my instructor Miguel (AKA the most patient man alive). He taught me how to stand up while we were on land, I practiced a few times, and then we got out there. I think he figured the best way to learn in a short amount of time was to just throw me in there. I think my lesson was maximum one hour, so this was understandable. I did not feel ready at all though. 

I picked up my extremely heavy board (that was a bad sign) and dragged it in the sand until we reached the shore. The leash was strapped to my ankle, and we were ready to go.  I also had protective shoes on in case I ever stepped close to the bottom of the ocean (there were sharp rocks and sea urchins). Miguel, that jokester, assured me that it would give me about 50% protection, which was really comforting. Miguel stayed behind me for the most part; he helped me get my board more into the ocean as I struggled to paddle. That was actually the most difficult part: paddling. If you haven't noticed, I am more of a lower body person (something I'm going to work on after this experience) and I struggled to get out into the water quickly. Another difficult aspect was paddling out and colliding with incoming waves. You have to paddle into the, head on, almost, and that was nerve wracking. I timed it correctly when it came to paddling into the wave then desperately holding onto my board when I hit it. 

We paddled out A LOT, I assume due to the time constraint on my lesson. Normally, in surfing, you would paddle out and sit there until we felt like riding a wave. I tired out quickly because it was constant riding and paddling, despite Miguel's assistance. When the right wave came when we were out far enough into the water, Miguel and I would position my board, I would paddle with the incoming wave, and attempt to stand up (and eventually throw myself off before I got too close to the shore). I actually got up a few times! Standing up was my goal, and the experience was really cool. You have to make sure you don't overthink when you try to surf; just do the steps and be conscious of timing and safety.

A few things to keep in mind if you want to try surfing: be very safety-conscious, wear the right gear (I would invest in a rash-guard (which I had and was really thankful for) and some swim shorts (which I didn't have and definitely could have used for the sake of those around me...I may have blinded a person or two), and be a decent swimmer. 

I'm so glad I tried this; I can now cross it off my bucket list(:

Fitness: Staying Safe in the Heat

Hello, all! Sorry for the infrequent posting. Being on vacation has led me to fall off the grid a little (something I'm quite enjoying), but I will make sure to try to post every other day. Being somewhere new has given me lots or ideas and inspiration on what to write about (with fitness and especially food), so stay tuned(:

I have refused to allow 90+ degree heat to get in the way of my marathon training. Luckily, this is my fallback week, but I still must keep up with the team I am on. So far, it has been mostly smooth sailing. I've enjoyed the runs I've squeezed in despite being hot and humid. My running buddy has been a trooper; he is starting his half marathon training, and this has definitely not been ideal weather to begin a plan. I advised him to do what he could, but maybe begin a serious training plan when vacation is over.  We do not have access to a gym right now (we will in a few days), so outdoor running has been the only option for training right now. 

Before you head out the door, do not forget these things: 

-sunscreen! 

Make sure its 30 SPF and water resistant. Apply before you leave and allow some time to soak in before you start sweating (about 15 minutes).

-water! The more you sweat, the more you need to rehydrate. Bring it with you! Even a small 8 ounce bottle is better than nothing.

-fuel (if over 60 minutes) like Gus, chomps, sports beans, gels, trail mix, whatever you are used to using. Also, having adequate fuel in your stomach pre-workout is a must. Don't let your blood sugar drop by skimping on meals or snacks. Working out on an empty stomach in an air conditioned gym is hard enough; factor in the heat, and that is a recipe for disaster. I would also allow enough time for digestion so you do not get an upset stomach/cramping. 

-ID, wallet, cell phone, or map (especially in an unfamiliar place). Have a route planned and have emergency contacts available. 

-appropriate clothing. Make sure your clothing is light and breathable. Being sunglasses, visors, hats, whatever you need. 

If you feel the need to stop and cool down, DO IT. Realize heat is a huge factor in the intensity of a workout, so do not ignore your body's warning signs. Heat stroke is dangerous. No workout is worth harming your body. So, be safe and listen to your body! 

Anyways, I'm about to leave for a surfing lesson (look at my post about staying fit on vacay--this is my cross training!). I'll be sure to post about this experience! Wish me luck!

Dinner Inspiration: A Special Night In

Tonight was something I was truly looking forward to. I was very excited to eat in tonight because we had a chef come by to make an authentic, Mexican dinner for us. Eve and her sous-chef Amanda did not disappoint. I wanted to include this in my blog because I think that it is important to experience a new culture (in this case through food), splurge on vacation, and understand that a fresh and natural homemade meal can be better for you (not to mention more satisfying) than a diet plan meal you bought from the freezer section. I find that seeing new countries reminds me that they truly believe natural is the way to go. It's a lot harder to find in America; processed foods and ingredients are the norm. That definitely wasn't the case here.

Again, vacation is about being open and enjoying yourself. You don't have to feel like you must miss out on eating the food because you are being healthy. Balance is key. I made sure I ate relatively well the whole day because I was planning in dessert. There was NO way I was missing out I'm that.

Here are the photographs of the food being prepared and cooked as well as the finished dishes. I will include links to recipes for each dish so you can try them at home too! I watched these wonderful ladies cook the entire time, so I chose the closest directions I could find!

Tonight's Menu:

• Pescado Vera Cruz (whitefish) 
•  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/marcela-valladolid/veracruz-style-tilapia-pescado-a-la-veracruzana-recipe.html
• Gorditas 
• http://allrecipes.com/recipe/gorditas/ 
• Tortilla soup (vegetarian)
• http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tortilla-soup-recipe.html

• Green beans
• http://www.culinate.com/recipes/collections/Culinate+Kitchen/Side+Dishes/Green+Beans+with+Butter+and+Salt
• White rice
• http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/basic-white-rice.aspx
• Caramel flan 
• http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/sweetsanddesserts/r/easyflan.htm

Here are the photographs of the food being prepped.  The chefs were kind enough to allow me to watch and ask plenty of questions!

And, without further ado, here are the photographs of the finished products!  I definitely recommend trying a recipe or two.  The pictures turned out so nicely!   Enjoy(:

Cheese Gorditas Garnished with Cilantro, Salsa Verde, Sour Cream (mine is without) and Avocado

Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

Butter White Rice, Green Beans, and Pescado Vera Cruz

Caramel Flan with Raspberry Drizzle

Our gorgeous view!

 

Chef Eve, Me, and Sous-Chef Amanda(:

Fitness: Staying in Shape on Vacation

Hi all!

On vacation, it's important to relax and enjoy yourself. You may derail from a lot of your usual healthy habits, but there's a way to balance fun and being active on vacation. Staying in shape is sometimes a large concern for those who are extremely active, while others want to include a little bit of activity to balance out the treats they have when traveling. Here are some tips to staying fit on vacay!

-End each night after dinner with a walk! It could be great bonding time with your friends, family, or significant other. 

-Schedule your workouts. Plan them on days with the least amount of activities planned. Them, you won't be cramming exercise in and stressing yourself out. Vacation workouts shouldn't ruin your trip overall.

-Check the weather. Make sure you know what types of weather you will be working out in. You don't want to make an important workout day (like a long run) in 97 degree weather. See if getting up early can give you more time or allow you to avoid the heat.

-Again, getting your workouts done in the morning usually works out better. Getting up an hour early to get your sweat on reduces the risk of being too busy or tired later on to fit it in. It gives you one less thing to worry about; I enjoy getting it over with first thing I wake up/after breakfast.

-Grab a partner! Having a workout buddy helps keep you on track. If you and a friend or family member agree to bike or run every morning, for instance, it helps keep you both motivated or accountable. It also makes active time into bonding time as well. 

-Plan active activities for your trip! It could be a great way to kill two birds with one stone. For instance, plan a hike, golf, learn to boogie board or surf, go on a biking tour, snorkel, horse back ride, or learn to sail. This could be a great opportunity to try something new and cross-train. 

As of late, I have been finding my morning runs to be one of my favorite parts of this vacation. Getting to see the beautiful mornings from a runner's view is something you can't beat. I love the mountains, wildlife, and plant life I see every day. It's just absolutely gorgeous. Every time I go running abroad, I find myself amazed and appreciative of the world around me. Nothing beats getting to know a new place through a peaceful run!

Again, remember that the most important thing is to have fun, be adventurous, and stay well! If you do all of those things, I consider that a vacation well spent(:

Eating Out: The Airport

Sorry for the delay in yesterday's post! I've been traveling with my family, which is what today's post will (partially) be about. I think that traveling can make it very easy to disregard your healthy lifestyle. Fast food is usually the only option when you fly or airplane food (yikes) as well as relying on the snacks available at the airport.

To be honest, just do what you can to make good choices. Your options are limited, so try to balance and pick good things to eat. Don't stress yourself out or fast because you do not want to derail from your healthy lifestyle.

Remember these things:

• be creative and make whatever good choices you can (pack backup snacks or look for kiosks that sell healthier options) 
• If you're already making mostly good choices, you have room to splurge or make food exceptions (One meal won't make you "fat" and just like one meal won't make you healthy.)
• fasting is not an option. Your body needs energy. You can always make up for it by going back to your regular eating. (Eat clean the next day, work out like you do normally, go for a walk later, etc)

Snack ideas (here are some things you can either pack for the plane or buy at the airport):

• Granola bars
• Protein bars
• Dried fruit
• Trail mix
• Snack boxes (some airports sell these with hummus and veggies, fruit and yogurt, cheese, nuts, crackers, hard boiled eggs)
• Crackers (wheat thins, sun chips, etc)
• Whole grain cereal
• Yogurt (Greek is best)
• Peanut butter or almond butter packets for spreading on crackers or fruit
• If only candy is available (or you just want candy because a treat would be nice on the plane), try the kinds with a bit of nutritional value. Candy that has nuts is a great example (ie. peanut m&m's, chocolate bars with almonds, dark chocolate almonds, trail mix that includes a few pieces of candy, chocolate chips, or dried fruit, or dark chocolate --this has antioxidants!)

Again, most of these things can be found at the airport or you can try to bring them with you. It is usually easier or cheaper to bring snacks. This is also a good idea when you have food allergies because some planes do give out snacks but they can be processed in a nut factory or nothing gluten free may be available. It never hurts to plan ahead.

Most importantly, buy a bottle of water or two to stay hydrated. I brought two large bottles because I knew that the small cup they give me on the plane wouldn't meet my needs. Traveling can dehydrate you; this is an important thing to keep in mind.

When I traveled and spent time at he airport and plane, I brought granola bars and protein bars. I didn't do too much preparation. I planned on buying a few things at the airport as well.

I had to eat/buy breakfast and bring a lunch on board, so my mother and I chose starbucks because they had portable foods and decent choices. Here is what I had as I traveled around yesterday. 

Breakfast: blueberry and nut steel cut oatmeal and a small blonde roast coffee (I used half the dried blueberries because they gave you a LOT, the entire nut packet, omitted the brown sugar, added truvia and a dash of cinnamon)

Mid-Morning snack: cliff kids protein z-bar and a tall americano (iced)

Lunch: southwest chickpea salad, raw veggies from a starbucks snack tray, half a fruit salad cup, one serving of cheddar sun chips, chocolate chip cookie dough quest bar, lots of water!!

I have to eat a lot when I am in training, so making sure I have a lot of snacks was important! I hope this helps give you ideas. Again, do the best with what you have and don't stress out when traveling. You're going on vacation so relax, and enjoy your flight(:

Take Out: Texas Roadhouse

Yes, I know restaurants (especially chains) can be a complete calorie bomb, but I am a firm believer that there is always a healthy option availible, wherever you eat out.  You just have to be clever(;

Since cooking dinner was not an option tonight, my family and I decided to pick up some take out for a change.  I do not usually include red meat in my diet, but, with my marathon training in mind, I realized I should try to incorporate it every so often.  Lean red meat offers a great source of protein and iron, which long distance runners (especially women) need to eat.

Some easy ways to make a potentially unhealthy meal into a healthy one is by cutting out or controlling the (bad) fats.  I made sure to order things that I could control, in terms of toppings and such.  I ordered a lean meat, good carbohydrate, and serving of vegetables.  I am aware of how the restaurants cook their food in terms of usually drowning it in oil, so I asked for toppings to be on the side.  I ended up not needing to use them (i.e. brown sugar cinnamon butter) because the foods were rich already!




My Order:
I had the Dallas Filet (6 oz) with my choice of two sides: a medium sweet potato (plain) and a fresh vegetables.  My mom also gave me half of her sauteed mushrooms, which were delicious with my steak!  I added a little stevia and ground cinnamon to my sweet potato because it only needed a little bit of spicing up.  The brown cinnamon butter it came with wasn't necessary after all. 

It was filling and delicious!  I would definitely order this again.

Ordering Tip:
It also helps to look up nutritional information before visiting a restaurant or ordering your food.  I did not do this because I figured my lean filet with veggies and a sweet potato were good choices.  I am used to making and ordering healthy food, so looking up nutritional information isn't always necessary for me.  When you do look at this information, try to pay attention to fat (especially saturated) and calories (as well as cals from fat).  Restaurants also like to add a lot of sodium to their dishes, so that is another thing to keep in mind as well.  Things like carbohydrates should be considered (if you are watching them), but I think the more important matter is what kind of carbohydrate you are order (i.e. whole grain, whole wheat, lentils, sweet potato, quinoa, brown rice, beans, etc).  Aim for complex carbohydrates (such as the ones listed above) rather than simple (ex: white bread, white rice, white pasta, white potato...white is a good tip off, I suppose).  Lastly, look at the sugar as well.  Restaurants may add extra sugar, like sodium. 

So! My point is: you can treat yourself, don't be afraid to go out in the world and enjoy restaurants (even chains), and, sometimes, if you are too tired to cook every once and awhile or cannot prepare food in your kitchen for some reason, you have the ability to make good choices if you put your mind to it!

My Marathon Journey: 12 Mile Long Run (with Prep Tips!)

Today, I had a long run of 12 miles scheduled.  This has been my longest one yet, aside from two half marathon races.  Before that (in terms of training), I have only reached 11 miles at my farthest.  You would assume I would be confident I could finish twelve after completing two races measuring 13.1 miles, but training is different than racing.  When you race, you are surrounded by fellow runners and push through each mile with adrenaline, nervousness, and excitement as part of your fuel (along with free GU's, Cliff's, Chomps, bananas, and Gatorade at designated stations).

When you train, you are (usually) by yourself and can easily get lost in your own head.  I psyche myself out a lot of the time.  Fortunately, I bring my Spotify or IPod along for the ride, but that can only distract me for so long. 

Long run days are very important.  You must fuel and gear up correctly, as I have learned from personal experience.  The more you prepare, the less worries you have during your run.

Pre-Run Checklist:

Gear

• Make sure you have comfortable clothing that you trust during this run.  I have made some mistakes in the past (like sports bras that chaff and eventually cut you--not my favorite first long run memory), and so I make sure to wear my best running clothes and save the average ones for shorter runs.  
• Comfy tank or shirt
• dress for the weather
•  shorts or leggings that won't ride up or fall down
• Basically, clothes you have worn for shorter runs before and trust. 
• Running socks (there are some special ones that prevent blistering or too much rubbing)
• Sunglasses (comfortable and preferably ones you wouldn't mind losing or throwing away)

I got a little crazy with the prints.  Here is my outfit as well as belt (minus one water bottle--I just needed one)

• Running Belt
• Make sure it is comfortable and holds everything you need 
• i.e. id, keys, chomps/gu's, water bottles, IPod
• I have FINALLY found my perfect running belt.   Mine velcros to my hips and stays in place perfectly.  It held the right amount of Gu's and chomps and comes with 2 small water bottles.
• Some people like the ones that fall on their hips (personally, those have cut me during runs), some like shorts with lots of pockets (I've had good experiences), and some like the type that strap to your hand and hold your water. 
•  Fuel (for runs that last longer than 60 min)



Flavors: Blueberry Pomegranate (Right) and Chocolate Outrage (Left) 

--yum!

• Gu's 
• Chomps
• Cliff Shots
•  Cliff Energy Blocks
• Sports beans
• Water/Water bottles
• You must rehydrate every 45 minutes at least, maybe sooner on a hot day (hello, summer!)
• Braces (knee, ankle, etc), Athletic Tape, Compression socks, etc (make sure to put these on if needed!) 

• Inhaler
• Fellow asthmatics, holla at me! 
• It's important to have it, just in case.  You never know when you may need it! It should comfortablely rest in a pocket or running belt, no problem. 
• Sunscreen
• I figured it would be a cloudy day since rain was predicted today, and I was so wrong.  I'm sporting a nice shade of pink as I write this.
• Use SPF 15 or 30 at least!  Sports sunscreen or water resistant is ideal.
• SHOES



My shoes are Brooks Adrenaline.  My socks never match.



All taped up and ready to run!

• These are your most important item! These should be the ones you designate for long runs or running in general(:

 Fuel:

I will eventually post about pre-run fuel in this blog, but, for now, I will just tell you what I had before my run today (I left around 11A.M., so my breakfast was my main source). 

Also, as mentioned previously in this post, Gu's, Chomps, sports beans, and so on are important to bring with you on your run (if it fits into the appropriate time frame).  In the future, I want to post about my favorite long run fuel brands as well.

Today's Breakfast:

• Whole wheat English muffin (toasted) with peanut butter, no added sugar strawberry jelly, and half a sliced medium banana -->This provided me with the adequate carbohydrate and protein ratio needed pre-run.  I chose all of these foods because they are wholesome, easily digestible carbohydrates as well.  



Dorky Game Face

• I ate the other half the banana while I was running out the door.  Bananas are the best running food!

• I also had coffee with my breakfast.  
• This is a breakfast choice that I will tell you to consume with caution.  It may bother your stomach or speed up your digestive system, which is not ideal for a long run.  Either skip it or have a pit stop plan just in case if you need your coffee.  Again, it may not bother you; it just depends on the person.  
• Tip: Some literature has said that iced coffee rather than hot will lessen this effect on your digestion.  Worth a try, right?

Post-Run Checklist:

• WATER!
• Stretch
• It's tempting to lie down or skip a stretch due to fatigue, but, trust me, your body needs it!  Do not skip stretching!
• Fuel
• Make sure you are adequately refueling when your stomach is ready.  You want an adequate amount of carbs and protein after a workout (and especially after a long run).
• Optimal Refuel Time Window: 30-60 minutes after a workout
• Shower, please.  

After my 12 miler was completed, I cooled down, stretched, chugged water, ate lunch, and hopped in the shower.  

My Post-Run Fuel:

Sandwich, Pickle, Coconut La Croix, and (not shown because I ate them) Kale chips

My mother was kind enough to call me in the middle of my run (Great timing, actually.  I needed some motivation).   She ordered me Jimmy Johns.  I got the Beach Club on their Multigrain Bread with no cheese, no mayo, no tomatoes, extra avocado, onion, oregano, and extra cucumber.  And a giant pickle, of course.  So, basically, I will run...for sandwiches.
-->Carbs from the whole grain bread, protein from the turkey=check!

Finished!

That's one hot tan line, right?

Happy Running!

 

Hey, Ma. What's for Dinner?: Tomato Caprese Sauce with Whole Grain Linguine

I love cooking dinner.  The problem with home-cooked dinners can be the fact that they are time consuming and hard to keep on the healthy side when you want a fast meal that pleases the entire audience.  I always take tips from my mom in these situations.  She's been cooking dinner for her picky family for years, and she has mastered this challenge again and again.

Plus! Being home for the summer=full use of my mom's amazing kitchen.

She gave me the directions for this recipe, so all credits to her!  I was sous-chef, if you will.

Tomato Caprese Sauce with Whole Grain Linguine:

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 white onion, diced, medium size
• half tablespoon of minced garlic
• half tablespoon of minced basil
• 20 ounces of grape tomatoes
• 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella pearls
• one box of whole grain linguine 

Directions:

1. Sautee the olive oil and onion with a dash of salt in a skillet/pan
2. Add half a tablespoon of red pepper flakes (If you like a little spice--if you do not, omit this step. If you like lots of spice, add more!) 
3. Once the onion is softened, add tomatoes.
1. These tomatoes will fall apart or break once they are cooked.
4.  Start on pasta.  Bring water in pot to a rolling boil, add the linguine, and cook until al dente.
5. Add the pasta to the skillet along with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
6. Add garlic, mozzarella balls, and basil
1. This must be done last because these ingredients will burn if added anytime before this.
7. Serve immediately. Salt and pepper to taste.

 That's all!  Super easy, reasonably priced ingredients (and also very healthy, might I add).

Here is what the tomato splitting/breaking looks like!

Finished Product(:

Nutrition Information (4 servings):

• 545 calories per serving
• 68 grams of carbs (all whole grain!--these are good carbs)
• 23 grams of fat (good fats--olive oil)
• 25 grams of protein
• 195 grams of sodium
• 10 grams of sugar  

Don't forget to add whatever vegetables or protein sources you want!  As I always say, get creative(:

I added 1 cup of shrimp and spinach to mine. I just used the leftover oil on the pan after removing the finished pasta to sautee quickly.

Food Inspiration: The Most Important Meal of the Day

Breakfast may be my favorite meal of the day.  Whether I actually eat it to "break the fast" or substitute it for lunch/dinner, I never regret this meal choice. I love making a delicious, nutritious breakfast to start out my day right.

I used to neglect breakfast, but, as an active person, I no longer can ignore the hunger pangs I wake up with every morning.  I make sure I eat a wholesome meal every morning, now.  I find that it helps me perform better in my exercise and have more energy throughout the day.

Here are some of my favorite/go-to breakfasts:

(Stovetop) Oatmeal with...
-berries
-peanut butter
-banana
-pb&j
-coconut
-almonds
-cacao nibs or dark chocolate 

Yogurt with...
-cereal (peanut butter puffins are my favorite!)
-granola
-berries/fruit
-almonds
-cacao nibs

Bagels/Toast (whole wheat/grain) with...
-Eggs (sunny side up is my favorite)
-avocado (seasoned with garlic salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and italian seasoning)
-cream cheese (measure out a tablespoon or two!)
-peanut/nut butter
-jelly (no sugar added)

Eggs (hard boiled or sunny side up usually)
-scrambled
-omelet with avocado and lots of veggies
-cheese (like feta, goat, or mozarella)
-served with a side of fresh fruit or toast!

Smoothie
-protein powder
-berries
-ice
-water or almond milk
-cacao nibs
-handful of spinach or kale
-and almost always use a frozen banana---gives it a great texture!


Have some fun with cooking your breakfast; be creative! Don't neglect the most important meal of the day(:

Eating Out: Father's Day at Union Sushi and BBQ Bar (with a few sushi health tips!)

If you scroll to the bottom of the post, there will be a few tips on eating out at a sushi restaurant provided for you!

 Father's Day Dinner:

Yesterday was Father's Day.  I hope you all had a great one and, most importantly, that you got a chance to show your wonderful dad some appreciation!  Mine has been going hard at work as well as getting MBA, so his schedule has been jam packed.  His school requires a few live-in weeks, and, unfortunately, his fell on Father's Day.  My mother, brother, and I drove to meet him downtown at a restaurant to see him and squeeze in some quality Father's Day time.

My mom is the best planner I know.  She made reservations at one of the best sushi restaurants I've been to (and, trust me, there are a TON in Chicago). It was called Union Sushi and Barbeque Bar.  It was a Japanese-BBQ fusion place with great ambiance and food that matched.  I always love trying new sushi restaurants because their food always looks like art; their dishes have to be distinct and unique to stand out from the rest.

As we looked over the menu, there was a bowl of edamame set out for us.  I've never had edamame with powdered cheddar on top -->it was fantastic!

 My mom and dad ordered a few appetizers to get started.  My dad ordered the tuna with a parmesan-butter sauce while my mom ordered the mushroom dumplings.

Mushroom Dumplings

Smoked Super White Tuna

 Next, we put in our entree orders.  My mother got the ramen soup with chicken.  It was really good-->the bowl was enormous!  It came with a chili sauce.
This restaurant gave you the option to order a full or half roll, which was something I haven't seen before.  I liked that it gave you the opportunity to try multiple rolls without ordering too much food.  My dad got half a roll of his favorite, the spicy tuna roll, and half a shrimp tempura roll.  My brother and I each ordered a California roll (mine with black rice).  I knew that wouldn't be enough food, so I also got the Barbeque Shrimp.

Chicken Ramen Soup

Spicy Tuna and Shrimp Tempura

California Roll with Black Rice

Barbeque Shrimp Skewer

 I would have to say that trying black rice instead of brown or white was a great choice!  It is a more whole-grain, healthier option than regular white.  It had a heartier, nuttier flavor that was a great compliment to the roll.  I also liked that this restaurant used real crab as opposed to the usual imitation crab you will find at most sushi places.

I tried almost everything on our table.  The tuna was fantastic.  The sauce was a great addition to the appetizer.  It was creamy but not overwhelming.  The dumplings were good too.   My mom's soup was a really nice, light option (aside from the portion size).  She definitely couldn't finish it on her own.  I also had a bite of my dad's shrimp tempura.  I was curious because they, first, fried the shrimp, then they fried the outside seaweed or rice paper (I'm not sure which) it was wrapped in.  It was good, but my runner's stomach doesn't like fried food too much so I couldn't have much more than I tried.

My favorite dish had to be the Barbeque Shrimp, though.  It was so good!  They were grilled and wrapped around a small slice of jalapeno pepper.  Make sure if you order this to have lots of water on hand...I went through about 5 glasses.  It came with a sweet sesame sauce that I ordered on the side, which was amazing.  My dad even ordered his own after he saw mine!  He really liked it as well.

Overall, it was a fantastic dinner.  I would definitely go again.  I love sushi, although it is pretty expensive, and get a little too excited about the creativity I get to see with the food/presentation.  I hope to visit again soon.

Here is the website if you want to check it out! http://www.eatatunion.com/








 Health Tip:

I think some people assume that sushi is always a healthy dinner choice.  It can be, if you order the right things.

Here are a few quick tips by Men's Health on eating healthy at a sushi restaurant:
http://eatthis.menshealth.com/slideshow/10-ways-eat-healthily-japanese-restaurant


There are a few quick things that I keep in mind when ordering at a sushi restaurant:

• Drink lots of water and watch your soy
• Try to stay hydrated with foods that are high in sodium.   Soy sauce provides much of this, so just don't drown your food in it!  
• Try filling up on sashimi, edamame, soup, or salad first
• This can not only help you save money by reducing the amount of rolls you order, but it can help you get some vegetable and protein servings in as well!  I usually get sashimi, edamame, or salad before a roll.   It helps you fill up.
• Personal favorites: seaweed salad, shrimp sashimi
• Remember--Tempura=Fried
• If you really want fried food, go for it!  My favorite fried rolls are shrimp tempura and sweet potato tempura.  I get the rarely, but if I really will crave it, I'll order one roll and split it, or counteract it with a healthier roll or food option like soup, salad, or California/vegetable roll.
• Sometimes, you can ask for things like shrimp tempura to be boiled instead of fried.  Asking never hurts!
• Also, when ordering a dumpling appetizer, make sure (unless you wanted a fried dumpling), you ask for it to be steamed.  There are options.  Just be aware of what you're ordering!
• Look at your roll options 
• Sometimes, you can order rolls with brown rice, quinoa, or black rice (as opposed to white rice).  These are great whole grain options. 
• You can also skip the rice altogether (if you are watching your carbohydrate intake) and make it a cucumber, seaweed, or rice paper roll.  Personally, I need the carbs.  
• I have tried most of the types of rolls available.  I haven't had one I do not like!
• Avoid mayo (if you are watching your fat)
• Usually, you can ask for it to be left off of your roll.  If you are really craving it, just ask for it on the side so you can control how much goes on!
• Most importantly: Enjoy yourself and have fun!
• Eating out should be a time of enjoyment, not stress.  If you want a splurge item, get it and don't deprive yourself!  Just remember balance.  
• For example, if you're craving shrimp tempura roll, get a bowl of miso soup and edamame as well! Avoid fried food the next day.  Or, ask if somebody wants to split a roll.  Order the shrimp tempura, give them half or make it an appetizer for the whole table, and eat another healthier roll like California as your main entree.