HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Book review: Kris Carr's "Crazy Sexy Diet" & the 21-day Adventure Cleanse!

I had been meaning to read Woodstock resident author Kris Carr's "Crazy Sexy Diet" book for a few months now, but when I saw her speak at the Woodstock Writers Festival, I decided to buy a copy, get it signed, and give this vegan diet my best shot. The book has a lot of great information on how to transition into a vegan diet. Carr's voice is very chatty and girlfriend-to-girlfriend and a bit racy sometimes, but if you can accept this, it makes the information easier to remember.  

The 21 Day Adventure Cleanse was an interesting ride. She asks you to give up coffee, all meats, dairy, gluten, sugar, and alcohol. I invested in a $99 Breville Juicer, and drank one large green juice every day after my green tea for about 9 days straight. I cheated and had coffee on Day 10. I also had a delicious tilapia on Day 10 too. It was date night, and I couldn't resist! I continued on adding a little gluten and here and there until Day 19 when I finished the diet to prepare for my role as a cupcake judge for the Gardiner Cupcake Festival 2012. Yes, a cupcake judge! I took a bite out of 27 cupcakes so that is 27 bites, which probably only equal to 7 cupcakes right?  The day after I went back to the diet for  a day because I felt like I had regressed a bit. 

The results:  My skin looked really good during the cleanse. My energy level was great, but I found I had more mental energy and less physical energy.  I only lost 2 pounds, which was surprising since it felt like all I was eating was vegetables, nuts, tofu, and spelt bread. I discovered that I can function okay without coffee, and feel calmer without it. (I am back on the coffee now though!) I really missed fish. It was easier to say no to cold cuts and processed food, but harder to say no to crab cakes and tuna. The CSD will help you figure out what you can and can't live without.

The good thing about the CSD is it is a challenge,and might make a normal diet plan eaiser to stick to. Green juices are time consuming, but they make you feel good!  I'm still enjoying green juices 3-4 times a week now and eating less meat and less processed food.  Cutting out dairy was really helpful. I'm back to enjoying a Greek yogurt once in awhile, but not eating a million cheese sticks like I used to. (I have stopped buying those low calorie cheese sticks!)   There are also great vegan recipes in the book that I found helpful.  Since completing my modified version of the Crazy Sexy Diet, I have fallen off the vegan band wagon so I'm going to try revisit it in June (tomorrow).  Have you tried Kris Carr's "Crazy Sexy Diet"? How did you do?

Love jumping dogs? Join the Hudson Valley DockDogs Club "Jumpin' to the Rescue" event June 9th & 10th

 Kristin from Hudson Valley Dock Dogs told me about the Hudson Valley DockDogs Club upcoming event.  Here is the info in case you love watching dogs do fancy tricks:

"On June 9th and 10th, 2012 the Hudson Valley DockDogs Club will be hosting “Jumpin’ to the Rescue” Regional DockDogs competition at the HVDD pool located at Ledgewood Kennels in Millerton, NY. This event will feature all types of dogs flying through the air, competing all weekend long for a spot in the Big Air, Speed Retrieve, and Extreme Vertical competition finals. Additionally, there will be a variety of dog rescue groups, including special guests Rescue Ink from the National Geographic Channel show “Rescue Ink Unleashed” and the Dutchess County SPCA, along with a variety of vendors promoting their special products and services. The HVDD Regional competition is open to competitors 7 years & older and dogs 6 months & older. No previous training is required; just bring your dog’s favorite floatable toy and leash!

The dock is open to competitors for practice between competitions and the top dogs of the weekend will compete in the finals on Sunday, where they have a chance to win fabulous prizes. Pre‐registration is at www.dockdogs.com. For more event information, see the events link on the HVDD website at www.hudsonvalleydockdogs.com.

Capri Pizza in Tarrytown NY: Always a perfect lunch-stop between the Hudson Valley and Manhattan

I go to Capri Pizza and Pasta in Tarrytown about 20 times a year, but have yet to blog about it. Maybe it is because I'm usually harried from a road trip with the family when I eat here, but that is no excuse not to give these folks the credit they deserve! The service is always excellent, the food is predictably good, and it is a great place for an impromptu get together. I love their Caesar salad, eggplant wrap, and their square salad pizza. Capri Pizza & Pasta has plenty of kid-friendly booths, tables that can be put together for large groups, and good selection of juices, ice teas, drinks in their coolers. Don't be fooled by the bland exterior.  It is right next to a very good bagel place and an old grocery store.  Capri Pizza & Pasta, 350 South Broadway, Tarrytown NY. (914) 631-5400.

#blog2012 Happy Wordle Day! Blogathon 2012 coming to an end with the shortest blog post ever. Is this cheating?

I'd like to start a petition to have Michelle Rafter's Word Count Blogathon Month take place during the month of February instead of May, which always has an action packed long holiday weekend. I have had a crazy month, and have had to back track a bit, filling in the blanks on days that I didn't get around to blogging. I made it though, and only have one more day to go! I wasn't able to include my Wordle in the blog post, but you can visit Hudson Valley Good Stuff's wordle art here. I haven't even had time to commiserate with my fellow blogathoners. Congratulations to all you 2012 Blogathoners! In related news, Hudson Valley Good Stuff has had the best month ever, reaching 8,000 unique visitors and almost 11,000 pageviews.

Detour in Southampton: Chasing waves at Coopers Beach, drinking coffee at Golden Pear & hiding from rude people!

I grew up in Southampton, NY, and will always love the beauty of the area non-residents call "The Hamptons" but I am much more relaxed in the Hudson Valley!  What I love most about living in the Hudson Valley is that just about everyone I come in contact with is genuinely friendly and wants to help you.  At the Waldbaum's in Southampton, a woman snatched the last grocery cart from my father just as we were inching close to it. (The manager came to our rescue and found a smaller cart for us). Then a 50-something Real Housewife type made a loud comment about my swimsuit malfunction in the Cooper's Beach parking lot, then a beachcomber rolled her eyes at my husband as he was struggling with one of the kids.

As a person who has worked summers at various places in Southampton, I recognize these symptoms as Weekender/Renter Still Can't Relax From My Important City Life Syndrome, and I know there are happy polite easy to please weekenders out there somewhere, but I really find myself having to bite my tongue a lot when I'm out there. Depending on my mood, sometimes I laugh at the whole scene, and other times I grumble.  

Though I do love Golden Pear coffee, I hate having to pay $26 for coffee and bagels for the family. On Summer weekends the line can be out of the door.  The staff here are unflappable and always provide great service.  They have seen it all.  This time I decided to try the bagel shop right across from Waldbaum's. It was empty. Guess what? The coffee is decent and the bagels and cream cheeses were much better.  I paid $13 for our breakfast. 

With the money saved, I went to the Blue Duck bakery for extra goodies.  We always have a great time at the beach and catching up with family there. We are always happy to pay our toll on the NYS thruway as we head towards exit 19.  It is so good to be back in the Hudson Valley.  And, I love it when the woman at the tool booth says, "Another day in the Paradise!"   I'm looking forward to my first trip to Pine Hill Beach too!

Yummy Dessert Detour: The Blue Duck Bakery Cafe in Southampton NY

The Blue Duck Bakery Cafe on Hampton Road in Southampton has an amazing selection of homemade pastries, danishes, croissants, cakes, pies, and just about anything you would expect to find at a bakery.  Customer service is excellent here and I have bought my share of delicious pies and cakes from Blue Duck Bakery over the years. If you visit Southampton, and want to impress someone special, get a box of danishes from this place! The Blue Duck Bakery Cafe, 30 Hampton Road, Southampton, NY (631) 204-1701.

Vegan Wannabe event alert: Curious about how to become Vegan? Check out Veg-Curious event at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary!

The Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary is hosting a Veg-Curious event on Saturday, June 2nd from 11 am-5-pm. Well known vegan experts Kris Carr from Crazy Sexy Diet fame, Sharon Ganon, Will Tuttle, and Jenny Brown co-founder of the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary will speak about the benefits of going vegan, and there will be vegan cooking demos from local chefs, including my favorite vegan chef Pam Brown from the Garden Cafe in Woodstock. For more information and ticket info, visit their website.

Opus 40 Sculpture and Park Museum in Saugerties: Beautiful grounds, sculptures & perfect picnic spot

I finally visited Opus 40 last weekend. As we drove up Glasco Turnpike to get there we marveled at how we have lived here almost 8 years and there are still cool places that we haven't visited close to home. The main Opus 40 sculpture is impressive, but I found it is almost too imposing to walk on.

There were quite a few moms pushing strollers around the lovely grounds and a dozen tourists walking about. There is a small museum and a short film about Opus 40 visitors can watch too. Opus 40 is an interesting spot to visit or have a picnic if you are visiting Saugerties or Woodstock for the weekend. A staff member informed me that there are trails to walk or hike in the woods too. Dogs are not allowed, but picnics are welcome.

Opus 40 hosts concerts and special events during the Summer months.  On the weekend of June 9 & 10th, there will be 3 performances of The Rocklins, a play by Tad Richards, from a story by Harvey Fite.  Chef Juan Romero and Niels Nielson of Duo Bistro (Kingston) and Fez Cafe (Saugerties) will be offering a select menu of sandwiches, burgers, and light fare for that event so no need to brown bag it if you prefer not to. For more info on the history of Opus 40 visit their website. Opus 40, 50 Fite Road, Saugerties, NY (845) 246-9922. 

 

Spending Memorial Day Weekend in the Hudson Valley? 10 ideas to get you started

 

 

Run through the beautiful hills of Woodstock at The Woodstock Races 15K and 5K on Memorial Day, which begin at Zena Elementary School. Same day registration is $25.

Belleayre Beach in Pine Hill opens up May 26th-June 10th for weekends only. You can rent a paddle boat here too. The snack bar is pretty limited so if you are hungry, bring your lunch in a cooler.

Jump on a Jumping Pillow at Kelder's Farm and pose with the World's Second Largest Garden Gnome.

The Trolley Museum of NY (Kingston Trolley Museum) will have its seasonal opening this weekend. Great family fun for young train buffs.

The Kingston Farmers Market begins on May 26th on Wall Street in Kingston. Afterwards you can walk over to Duo Bistro for a gourmet brunch or lunch.

Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern in Saugerties will be hosting  an All American Picnic from 11:30 am to 6pm. Adults are $38. Children 16 and under are $18, and kids under 10 eat for free!

Chichester Yoga is having special themed weekend on Memorial Day Weekend:  Detox, Dance, Yoga & Drumming. Do check out. Not only do they have talented yoga instructors, they have the best yoga views in the Hudson Valley!

Go to an old fasioned Memorial Day parade in Rhinebeck. Walk over to Gigi's Trattoria for a farm to table lunch. Skizza Bianca is my fave!

Listen to live music in Woodstock at Yum Yum Noodle Bar. On Friday May 25 they will have the Berkamp Brothers playing on the patio starting at 8:30, and on Saturday May 26 Paul McMahon playing at 8:30.

Hang out with very cool farm animals at the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.  Curious about becoming a vegan? Come back next weekend. They are having a Veg-Curious day on June 2nd with local vegan experts.

Have a safe & happy Memorial Day weekend!

Joe Cocker & Huey Lewis and the News to perform at Bethel Woods August 5th!

Joe Cocker and Huey Lewis will be performing at Bethel Woods on August 5th! As a girl who grew up on 1980's music, I'm always fascinated when I hear that 80's pop groups are still out there singing to their former teenage audience. I went on YouTube to find out what Huey Lewis looks and sounds like now, and he's not bad for an old guy!