Hooray! Healthy Eating Isn’t Complicated

A few months ago I was feeling tired all too often and realized I needed to make some lifestyle changes. Specifically — eat healthier. The challenge? It had to be:

1. Easy
2. Affordable
3. Delicious

My friend Ed Edge offered to do a free nutrition consult and it’s been a game changer. He recently started Have Heart, a health and wellness center dedicated to cultivating healthy lifestyles in under served populations in Richmond. With a background in nutrition and a career as a paramedic, he knows what’s up when it comes to health.

I’m the queen of convenience and don’t like to cook so my freezer was stocked with microwave meals. I knew they weren’t healthy. Problem: I didn’t know the difference between real nutrition and a brand’s marketing campaign to make their product seem healthy. For instance — those Kashi frozen dinners. Nope, not healthy. Why? All frozen meals contain high sodium and high cholesterol/saturated fat — the stuff that creates irreversible plaque in our arteries (yikes).


New eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner — I love these Brita filtering bottles

I asked Ed what he ate on a day to day basis: muesli with vanilla soy milk for breakfast, spinach and avocado salad for lunch, quinoa and black bean salad (pre-made at Kroger) for dinner. That’s a pretty hard core vegan diet, but I used it as a starting point and felt my energy levels increase immediately. Also, it’s surprisingly delicious, inexpensive, and does not involve cooking — triple win! At this point I make substitutions but try to eat at least one of these meals each day.

Another fancy thing I learned is that we don’t need protein, we need amino acids (the things that make up protein). Dark green leafy stuff is stocked with amino acids and they are WAY easier to break down than proteins, so the body functions more efficiently.

While there are always exceptions, a few general rules Ed offered:

Do not eat...
1. If you have to microwave it.
2. If you have to freeze it.
3. If you cannot see the food through the packaging.
4. If it’s white.

Definitely eat something dark green, leafy and uncooked at least once a day.

Definitely drink half of your body weight in ounces of water everyday (i.e. if you weigh 150 lbs, drink at least 75 fl oz of water per day).

If you have questions or need help making diet changes, contact Ed at cutebikes@gmail.com or through RVA Vegan’s “veg assistance” contact form.

Tasty & Accessible Vegan: Broad Street Food Cart Lot

Ed Edge in front of his RVA Vegan food cart, credit Style Weekly

If you’ve lived in Richmond for more than a year, you’ve probably met Ed Edge. His personality is as memorable as his name, and he’s doing big things for our city (see his old business, Christ Cycles). One of his recent ventures has been setting up Richmond’s first food cart lot at 1825 W Broad St between Meadow and Lombardy.


Food cart lot in Portlandia

Staples of the lot currently include RVA Vegan, Rooster Cart (former owners at Cafe Gutenberg, so you know it’s yummy) and Dollop desserts. I haven't tried Dollop yet, but RVA Vegan and Rooster Cart are 100% vegan and 100% delicious. Sammies at Rooster run around $8/ea. If you’re on a budget, try RVA Vegan’s selection — cupcakes, hotdogs and tamales, all for $2/ea. Ed’s goal is to make vegan food accessible for everyone, both on price point and taste. (Tip — his cinnamon cupcakes are to die for.)

The lot is typically open from noon to 3p on weekdays and occasionally evenings and weekends. Follow RVA Vegan, Rooster Cart and Dollop on Facebook for daily schedules.

i.e.* SHOP CLASS

For the next six Thursdays, starting this Thursday, August 4, i.e.* will be hosting a free SHOP CLASS series. The events will take place from 5:30 to 7:15p in the The Marvin Lang Building, 1623 W Broad St (next door to The Camel). From the invite:

“Organized and hosted by Peter Fraser, Ansel Olson and John Sarvay, each SHOP CLASS session is designed to be a two-hour, hands-on discovery zone... We’re creating the container, the invitation, the rough design. We’re inviting a dozen RVA creatives to provide the content, the passion and their unique perspective. We’re inviting you to shape, influence and imprint each evening with your own sensibilities.”

Anyone can attend. Just click here to register for one of the classes, subjects ranging from music to cooking to writing. I signed up for the August 18 event, It Don’t Mean a Thing, featuring composer Samson Trinh. If you’re interested, act fast! This Thursday’s event has already filled up.

Couch Surfing & Cob Ovens

Two Saturdays ago I ended up at a Couch Surfing potluck in the Fan. I’d heard of Couch Surfing before, but didn’t really know what it was all about. From what I understand, it’s a worldwide project about bridging cultural gaps and making traveling more accessible. The website has profiles for surfers (travelers) and hosts (people offering accommodations) to connect. As a surfer, you can stay with a host for a minimal cost (one traveler mentioned $10/day), so all you have to cover is food and travel expenses. One woman at the potluck was just settling in from a whirlwind three month tour through Europe! What a liberating and minimalist way to live. Right up my alley.

At said potluck, we built a cob oven (for baking bread and pizza) together:


This involved a lot of stomping in the mud, which I loved.


Click here to learn more about cob ovens. Photo credits Rachel Rhoney.

Staying Sane May

Each month, Minimalist writers share how we “stay sane” in an increasingly fast-paced world. Read our May reflections below.

Kristen — This month I’ve started designating one day a week for reading (usually Sunday). Whether it be my copy of Real Simple or Inc. (small business ’zine), a novel or an organizing book, I feel refreshed, relaxed and more knowledgeable afterward. With the warmer weather, my reading has been taking place on my back porch with a glass of Simply Lemonade (or, as many of you know — straight from the jug). As a result of a recent Real Simple reading day, my diet improved! I prefer to have five or so snacks a day rather than three big meals, which is apparently healthier. Check out this article — “24 Nutritious (and Tasty) Snacks”. So far I have tried the cucumber with Swiss cheese as well as the Melba toast with cream cheese and dried cranberries. Food for me has to be quick and simple (I don’t enjoy cooking, or the mess it makes) and these combos are right on the mark.

Emily Smith — I’m experiencing a lovely transition at the moment between a hectic school semester and a summer break in the letterpress studio. Recently, as I finished school projects, final exams and several community events in which I was involved, I found myself wanting to start new projects that over the past six months I’d put aside. Then I realized I was creating a hectic summer schedule with, again, little time for leisure. I scrapped the list and went hiking in the mountains instead and since then haven’t thought about any new projects but instead have spent several fantastic days cooking, eating with friends, reading fiction, hiking, laying out at the River and Byrd Park, watching movies and ok, well, I have purged my closet. That was only because I couldn’t find my Nalgene bottle and swore it was buried in a box beneath my summer sandals that needed to be unearthed anyway! So, my staying sane tip this month is to give yourself time to do the little things that are calming, relaxing and fun. They’re usually the inexpensive things that get pushed aside when our schedules are packed so enjoy them for what they are, when you can.

Emily Jones — As Minimalist readers are well aware by now, I’ve been a chronic list maker nearly my entire life, or at least since I could write! This is something that Miss Kristen and I both have in common, and not all too long ago she made the transition to digital planning, organization, and list making. I remember one particular conversation we had where she tried to sell me the benefits of switching to digital list-making, and I just couldn’t fathom finding the same satisfaction and success as I do when I cross items off a hand written list.

Well, dear readers, I have been proven wrong. This month I discovered a handy (and free!) website called TEUXDEUX which is a very simply and beautifully designed list-maker’s dream. Its interface is ultra-easy to use, and it’s accessible not only via computer, but also on the go with your smart phone. The iPhone app is very elegant, and is available in the app store for just $2.99.

I have many friends that only download free apps, but for the price this is a super useful tool that I’ve been happy to incorporate into my daily activities. In fact, it’s kept my left hand free of scribbled-ink lists, although it won’t be replacing my hand written post-it lists entirely.

Gungho Guide

I’d like to present to you Richmond’s new Gungho Guide — “the definitive guide to where you should be.” From their new site (which just launched on Friday):

“GunghoGuides.com is a place to celebrate the best things we love about Richmond. We picked the top hundred or so places that we feel contribute to the pride of living in this city. We wanted to create a site that presents these unique experiences and JUST these experiences as places you absolutely SHOULD patronize.”

You can find info on food, museums, galleries, entertainment, apparel, beauty, retail and of course, events! We love the idea of consolidating all of this information in a city guide that’s easy (and fun!) to search through. And oh hey — Minimalist is a featured blog. Thanks GG! You can find their free pamphlet/map in participating locations around town.

Side note — Anne Marie told me that a random guy on the street asked her if she wrote for Minimalist and then gave us a big compliment. Thanks guy on street, we like you too!

Real Simple

If you enjoy reading Minimalist, you’ll probably love Real Simple. From organizing tips to fashion advice, the writers have the know-how re: keeping things simple (and real, of course). I’m always certain that my life is about to get 10% better each time the ’zine arrives in my mailbox. I’d say that’s a pretty good measure of its value.

Click here to subscribe and here to like on Facebook. Real Simple is currently running a 60% off cover price discount. Also, I received a 15% off The Container Store coupon in my most recent issue — awesome!

Staying Sane March

Each month, Minimalist writers share our thoughts on “staying sane” with the world. Read below for our March reflections.

Kristen — Over the past few months I have been learning to take things one day at a time. I’m a worrier by nature. Last October, as many of you know, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Update — I’m cancer free and life is pretty much back to normal post-surgery and post-chemo. In any case, having cancer was one thing that showed me that worrying is a complete waste of time and energy. Did I ever worry about getting cancer at age 27? Nope. I worried about things like: boys, job stuff, being in a fire, etc. See? None of that did any good or made me better prepared for the major life event I just tackled. Staying calm and taking things one day at a time is helping me keep my stress at bay. The fact is, I can’t control what tomorrow brings. I can only do my best with today. I may have to remind myself of that fact daily, but it’s true.

Emily Smith — The schedule of a grad student is far from regular and over the past eight months I’ve developed this awful hybrid eating habit where (due to my crazy schedule) I use thirty minutes to grab a bite to eat, take a break from studio, run errands and catch up with friends. Needless to say, I end up eating cheap crap that’s convenient to the nexus of the universe (also known as the intersection of Franklin and Harrison Streets). Over the past few weeks however, I’ve re-discovered the simple pleasure of cooking at home and even when it happens at one in the morning it leaves me relaxed and with meals I enjoy for several days. I stress less about spending money unwisely and eat healthier. Three of my favorite recipes of late that are great as left-overs:

1. West African Vegetable Stew

2. Oven Baked Ratatouille

3. Green Risotto with Spinach, Peas, Herbs and Runner Beans

Anne Marie — What a timely post, since my sanity has been tougher to access this week. Two things are helping keep me positive during a recent job loss and resulting job search: saying no when necessary and instead focusing on a few top priorities, and getting outside on a regular basis.

I want to be involved in everything that sounds cool. I’ll make promises to myself and others, and soon feel overwhelmed and find that I’m spending a lot of time on lesser priorities. I’ve had to say no recently to some cool and interesting projects. I remind myself that eventually, when other more pressing needs are sorted, I can get involved with these creative projects.

With our recent time change, there’s more sunlight for us to enjoy now. For sanity’s sake, I’m getting a bit of sun on my shoulders everyday. I pull myself away from the computer (force quit?), and get outside for a dog walk, jog, or walk to the grocery store. And while I’m outside, I am gently focusing and refocusing on the lovely weather, and away from that computer screen!

Emily Jones — I couldn’t agree with Anne Marie more! My “sanity” has been buried deep the last few weeks and I’ve got to consciously dig it up every couple days amidst the chaotic schedule that comes with spring. To stay on the top of my game, I’ve been taking just five to ten minutes each night to “reset” my bedroom. This simply means: put away scattered items, fluff the pillows a bit, light a candle and freshen it up. It’s incredible how such a simple little habit can calm you through and through. I go to bed feeling safe in my sanctuary, and when I wake in the morning I’m not hurried trying to find the items I need for the day. Also, Apartment Therapy just posted a great DIY tutorial on how to use clementines and olive oil to make great smelling and environmentally friendly candles. These little guys smell so fresh!

Minimalist readers — share your thoughts on staying sane with us in the comments section!

Party in the Park

Monroe Park, that is.

Tomorrow from noon until 4p, All the Saints Theater Company is hosting a free event in support of the Monroe Park Campaign to keep the park open and free during renovations. The party will include live music from local bands such as No BS! Brass Band, The Diamond Center and Lobo Marino, a parade, face painting, food and beverage from local restaurants and a market featuring free clothing, toys and books. Bundle up — it’s sure to be a fun day! RSVP here on Facebook.

Groupon

Did you know about Groupon? Somehow I didn’t until yesterday. I’d heard of it but didn’t really know what it was.

My friend Jillian was telling me how she got a $50 haircut for $25 through Groupon last night at Ipanema. She explained that you sign up and they send you “daily deals” that you can purchase. Another example she cited was restaurant coupons where you paid $20 for $40 worth of food. As long as you aren’t a sucker for deals, it seems like an awesome concept! The service is free, of course. I’ll be signing up in t-minus five minutes. You can too, just click here!

Voxy Richmond

In sorting through my most recent Valpak coupon envelope, I found an advertisement for Voxy Richmond. It’s “an interactive social media experience for the fun-loving, deal-seeking people of the Greater Richmond Metro area.” I liked them on Facebook (click here) and it seems that they run a feed of current deals around town. Neat!

Favorites

Lately I have been entertaining the idea of leaving Richmond, largely for career-related reasons. Actually, it’s a thought I’ve had off and on for the past four years since I’ve been here. The longer I live in this town/city, the more I dig my heels in and want to stay. I feel at home — Richmond’s an easy place to love.

In that vein, I asked everyone at Emily’s backyard Fan potluck tonight to name at least one of their favorite things about Richmond. We’ve all lived here for varying lengths of time, but have a common excitement and affinity for the place.


Clockwise from top — me, Noel, Evan, Christie, James, Chris, Chase and Veronica


Sir James Hill

Shared around a circle and documented via iPhone, here is our {list}.

James Hill
1. Scuffletown Park
2. Proximity to beach/mountain/lake within two hours

Emily Jones
3. Backyard Fan parties
4. Personalities at Shields Market
5. Shows at Balliceaux
6. Richmond’s Marathon Training Team
7. McSorley’s on tap at Bogart’s

Chris Holmes
8. China Panda
9. New York Deli’s multicade and photo booth

Chase Goitia
10. Houses with place names (“The Dallas”)
11. Eight places to get coffee in any given area
12. Restaurants with proper outdoor spaces
13. Quantity of trees in the city

Veronica Park
14. $2 movies at The Byrd Theatre
15. Free stuff in alleys

Kristen Ziegler (me)
16. Local art and music scene

Noel Ives-Rublee
17. James River (we all say, “Ohhhh yeah. Duh!”)
18. Retro-ness via Plaza Bowl, dodgeball leagues and rollergirl teams

Evan MacKenzie
19. Adult soccer scene via CVSA, SCOR and RISE
20. Beer culture at bars compared to other cities
21. Bicycling culture and local shops

Christie Thompson
22. Vegetarian/vegan friendly dining options
23. Awesome dance parties

24. And the obvious one — our friends! (Cheesy, but I had to.)

Photo credits to the always awesome Miss Emily Jones.

Weekly Rant

Check out Weekly Rant — an online events calendar for Richmond. While the website isn’t very pretty, it is a great source for all kinds of happenings around town. You’ll never be bored again!!

Mysterymeeat

What a simple (and awesome) concept! I have been meaning to do one of these for awhile.

To IKEA or Not to IKEA?

That is the question. I have seen many a heated blog discussion on such sites as Apartment Therapy (a favorite) about the merits, or lack thereof, of IKEA. People seem to either love it or hate it. My perspective is somewhere inbetween.

The good {list}...

1. Accessories


KASSETT Box with lid — one of the most versatile organizing products ever

I have to agree with the IKEA-haters that an all-IKEA home is a little bit dull and uninspired. However, many of their accessories are very well designed and can add a modern touch to any space. Because they are accessories, their presence among other pieces doesn’t scream “IKEA”! Frames, kitchen accessories, lighting, organizing product, plants, pots, textiles — all A+ in my book for both price and design. One IKEA accessory I can’t bring myself to buy is the artwork. It’s mass-produced and I do feel that art is something, more than other things, that should be personal and unique.

2. PS Line

From the IKEA website:

“PS stands for POST SCRIPTUM, or the latest additions to the world of IKEA design. The IKEA PS collection is one way of sharing the design values IKEA has — form and function at a low price. IKEA PS gives designers free rein to shape the latest creations, where the aim is to create products that are emotional, fun and less predictable, appealing to those who prefer an individual taste to a common style.”

Today the PS Line tends to be some of the most innovative and original pieces in the IKEA collection. A personal favorite is the uber-affordable IKEA PS Cabinet that was created by teaming up with a local locker manufacturer.


IKEA PS Cabinet

3. Social and Environmental Responsibility

IKEA thinks about their social and environmental impacts when they design their products. There’s the obvious “flat pack” methodology that they have been using since the 1950s. In the 1990s, IKEA developed an environmental policy and has since expanded their social and environmental involvement into the 21st century. Providing “design within reach” (unlike the actual DWR) is a social feat in and of itself.

4. The Food

You just can’t beat hotdogs for $0.50 or an ice cream cone for $1! Their Swedish Food Market is pretty great too, especially for unique gifts and/or party favors.

The bad {list}...

1. Laminate and Particle Board

It’s ubiquitous in IKEA. When I am reviewing any piece of furniture (whether at IKEA or elsewhere) I ask myself, “How gracefully will this piece age?” Scratches and dents are a part of life. Furthermore, as an architect I prefer honest materials and I especially hate the printed fake wood laminate. The bottom line is that the stuff just doesn’t hold up, especially if you move around a lot like I do. Stick with solid wood and other materials that will stand the test of time. IKEA has very affordable wood products, many of which can be stained to your liking. The IVAR series is a personal favorite for storage.


IVAR three sections/shelves — super vesatile modular shelving

2. Quality Control

Unfortunately, many times you are getting what you pay for at IKEA. I always make sure to look over a piece for imperfections before I buy. Flaws are all too common in IKEA furniture and my own personal quality control can take a lot of time and energy. Sometimes I even purchase multiples if I am buying a flat pack piece just to make sure I have a “good one” when I get it home (and then return the rejects). In the end I usually feel that it’s worth it to have a nice piece for such a good price.

All in all, I don’t think that IKEA is evil — a piece of furniture or other designed object should be judged on its own merit, not where it came from. With a tight budget like mine, IKEA is one of the few options for owning modern furniture. It’s not every day that I find an Eames chair for $5! I do love mixing the new with the old, however. It creates a texture that an all new interior might lack. Plus, there’s nothing more environmentally friendly than second hand furniture, so I try to go that route whenever possible.

Free Run Wine Merchants

John Cheski, the driving force behind Free Run Wine Merchants, was kind enough to collaborate with me on this post. Free Run is a small, independent and locally-based wine distributor that sources previously unavailable, small-production wines. Their book is anchored in the exceptional wines and sustainable vineyards of the Pacific Northwest. As active members of Richmond’s community culture, they regularly host tastings, events and dinners.

Next Friday, March 26, from 5 to 7:30p, check out their event cleverly titled “Michigan... Who Knew?” at Strawberry Street Vineyard, located at 407 N Strawberry St. There will be a complimentary tasting along with the opportunity to meet and mingle with Mike Laing (Production Manager) and Peter Laing (“Cellar Rat”) from L. Mawby Winery in Suttons Bay, Michigan. These brothers are taking a break from working the wine cellar to come run the Monument 10k. While in Richmond, they’ll spend an evening educating you on all aspects of sparkling wine production and explain why the Leelanau Peninsula is an ideal microclimate for making these delicious bubbly wines. Expect some sweet live jazz to season the scene.

For more upcoming events, join Free Run’s Facebook Group or become a fan.

$1 Tacos!

I just got in from a deliciously inexpensive dinner with friends. Socializing can get very tricky when you are on a tight budget. For example, my limit is $10/wk. That might seem crazy, but when you know where to find the deals around town it’s easier than you think. For instance, my tab tonight was under $5 and my appetite is very satisfied. You don’t have to settle for staying in, I promise!

My favorite Monday night tradition is the $1 taco deal at Little Mexico (at the intersection of Cary St and N Harvie St). The restaurant is a hot spot for VCU students and young professionals alike. You’ll probably have to wait five to ten minutes for a table on taco night, but it’s well worth it. Chips and salsa are free and the food gets served faster than you can say “more tacos”! You can get beef, chicken, bean or potato tacos and the Spanish rice is de-li-cious. Best of all, the restaurant has a clean and friendly atmosphere.

Okay. Time to slip into a wonderful taco-induced food coma...