PAST PICKS OCTOBER 2007

www.westernbagel.com
Craving a regular-size bagel without all the usual calories?  Check out Western Bagel’s Alternative Bagel.   All are 110 calories, fat-free, sugar-free, cholesterol-free, with at least 7 grams of fiber (their Sweet Wheat has 8!). Order their Sweet Wheat, Cinnamon Spice, Very Blueberry and Roasted Onion flavor bagels online; they freeze great.

Is there anyone in American who has NOT heard of the famous Rao's Italian Restaurant in the boonies of Bronx, NY?  If you call now, you might get a reservation before you start collecting social security!!  Their sauces are awesome---not cheap, but awesome--and available at all supermarkets.  And, as sodium goes, on the low side at 330 mg. per 1/2 cup.  Adjectives that come to mind when I think of their marinara sauce?  Complex.  Seductive.  Definitely not your traditional tomato.

It’s VERY hard to find low-calorie bread that is labeled either “100% whole grains” or “stone ground” and this product is made with 100% whole grains.  I was really excited to find this new product.  Three thin slices equals 1 serving at 120 calories.  Makes a neat triple decker sandwich—turkey on the lower level, cheese and a few thin slices of tomato in the middle.  Very satisfying, especially along with a cup of salad.

Our Marlboro office has a great thing going with NYSC, our next-door neighbors.  This state-of-the-art facility is MUCH MORE than a gym; it's more like a neighborhood Y.  Unbelieveable fitness equipment, full schedule of classes (pilates, yoga, kickboxing, etc., including their Forever Fit program for our "seasoned" citizens!), basketball leagues, and a gorgeous Olympic size swimming pool.  They're offering our clients and friends a week's free membership, 1 free personal training session plus they'll give you an opportunity to bring 2 friends, each with a 3-day guest pass.  They'll also give you a discount off a membership fee if you choose to join after the free week.  They're a little  more expensive than your average gym, but you get so much more.  Call James McMullan at NYSC, 732.536.4141.  Tell him we sent you.

Hey all you Brooklynites ... if you haven't heard of them already, we'd like to introduce you to Mind, Body & Spirit personal training studio.  Yeah, yeah, I know ... there are tons of training places in Brooklyn ... and then there's this one!  They stick to what they know.  One Client.  One Trainer.  And get this:  Each session is not 45 minutes, not an hour, it's 75 minutes.  How 'bout that?  Mention our name, or get a flyer from our Brooklyn office, and you'll receive one free consultation and one free personal training session (a combined value of almost $150).  Call them at 718.627.4442.

I know that we’re all used to the thinner, sweeter yogurt.  But THIS is the real deal.  Thick and creamy and only 80 calories for these individual containers.  A little bitter by itself (there’s no artificial sweeteners), but boy oh boy can you make it taste great!  Add 1 Splenda and it becomes something else all together.  Add 20 calories worth of a lite or sugar-free chocolate syrup and it’s devine.  Put in some Walden Farms sugar-free/calorie-free syrup or their sugar-free fruit spreads, mix and freeze, and a few hours later you have a super frozen yogurt.  Yeah for Fage.

Swearing allegiance to Carvel my whole life, I vowed never to step foot into a Dairy Queen.  Boy, am I glad I recently did!  Came upon this scrumptious cholatey, fudgey, fat-free fudge bar.  You can find them in the refrigerator section of any Dairy Queen, 6 to a box.  Only 50 calories per bar.  This bar from DQ is dee-lish!

If you need a place to eat with kids, let's face it ... the quality of the food isn't as important as finding a place that has coloring books and crayons for the kids!!!   Your local Applebee's does have a little something for everyone.  Check out their Grilled Shrimp Skewer Salad, marinated shrimp skewers on a bed of mixed greens, tossed with a lemon herb vinaigrette, sugar snap peas, tomatoes and red onions.  I did take this home once and measured out the portions.  Consider it 1 Protein and 3 Veggies.  Also, their Teriyaki Steak 'N Shrimp Skewers were quite good, consisting of a skewer each of steak and shrimp, both grilled and brushed with teriyaki sauce; served with rice pilaf and fresh steamed veggies and a side of teriyaki sauce.  First, do what I did--namely, I requested 2 shrimp skewers instead of 1 meat/1 shrimp.  This lowers calories and fat intake.  Second, absolutely, positively request that no teriyaki sauce be served on the side.  Count this entree as 1 Protein, 2 Veggies, 1 Grain.