Maybe the "drunchies" are to blame.

So we’ve covered what to drink before; you know us Tulanian girls aren’t afraid of a good time and love our Tanteo tequila and Titos (ok and Veev, too) more than the average person. What you drink and how often are crucial variables when it comes to your health and weight, but it’s also what happens to your food after drinking and the next day that can make or break your jean “zippage”.

We’ve all been there (some of us longer ago than others), after a late night and a little too much to drink suddenly those fries don’t sound like such a disaster. Or, maybe you were just out to a boozy dinner and you decide to have a little counter buffet when you get home. 

And guess what? It’s not just willpower, research shows that alcohol stimulates appetite and makes you crave higher fat, salt-filled foods. Not only does hitting the bottle make you more hungry initially, you will only continue to eat more at the meals following (hello hungover brunch or missed workout, nice to see you again).

So a few too many drinks in, and you touch the things (at least it’s not people anymore) you would never touch. What’s a cocktail-appreciating person to do?

At Foodtrainers we suggest a  less than 100-calorie optional “dessert”  after dinner I like to say if you’re drinking, you are drinking your dessert and Kate Hudson agrees. But if late night munchies are going to happen, we need a plan in place.

Choose a late night/lush food prior to imbibing. You want to keep it as light as possible, but if everyone around you is ordering pizza and grilled cheese sandwiches you need to have an option too. My recommendations for clients are usually popcorn, Brussels Bytes, dark chocolate or Matt’sMunchies (how appropriate). Have your snack set aside before going out and a giant cup of water to “soak up” the alcohol. If it’s been a long night, charcoal is worth a try.  And then get to bed.

You know the Grandma saying, nothing good ever happens after 2am, well there’s no place that’s truer than in the kitchen.

As for the next day… no, grease does not help a hangover but you know what does? DRAM Apothecary's hair of the dog drops and Gaia's organic milk thistle. I have been known to order it from Amazon Prime for friends during parties, cuz I’m that much fun.

Egg yolks also have a compound called cysteine that help break down alcohol toxins, so order a veggie omelet (no, bacon egg and cheeses do not count). Also suggested is to either sweat it out or sleep it off.

In an ideal world, you’re not having more than 1-2 drinks in a night… and the older I get the more I realize even that can make you hungover. But party and then post party “nosh” responsibly.

(Today's post by the younger Tulanian/Carolyn)

Do you get the drunk-munchies or drunchies? What do you find helps? 

It aint about the ass

As I was scrolling through Instagram (far less annoying to me than Facebook lately) last night, Tracy Anderson referenced Lena Dunham. I went to look and found this:
Promised myself I would not let exercise be the first thing to go by the wayside when I got busy with Girls Season 5 and here is why: it has helped with my anxiety in ways I never dreamed possible. To those struggling with anxiety, OCD, depression: I know it's mad annoying when people tell you to exercise, and it took me about 16 medicated years to listen. I'm glad I did. It ain't about the ass; it's about the brain. Thank you @tracyandersonmethod for showing me the light (and @bandierfit is where I bought my Florida mom inspired workout look.) #notsponsored  #stillmedicated    
Exercise has been a regular part of my life since I was a teenager. I would be lying if I said it has always been a stress release. It was probably much more “about the ass” (not really ass for me as I come from pretty ass-less/ square ass lineage) but either physique driven or just fun driven for years. Sure, there’s the sense of accomplishment after a tough workout but my sense of movement for mood came much later.
So it’s difficult for me to admit I can probably count my real workouts since the New Year on my fingers, my fingers OF ONE HAND.  I’ve been under a lot of stress. And we all have stress whether it’s work, financial, relationship-related, health-related, child-related or parent-related. And when life is really dishing it out it can be a stress combo platter.
 I’m typically the brush myself off and trudge on type of person. I'm also pretty programmed to eat well and exercise. But I get that sometimes every to do item is daunting and difficult. I also know when you do get yourself to a class or for a run or even a walk outside it’s worth it. And don’t get me wrong; I get the exercise for aesthetics thing. However, I think if we all pay attention to our mood and our stressors and acknowledge them it does as much for our asses, thighs and stomachs as any workout. I’m putting it out there that I will run today. Thanks Lena.What do you think of Lena’s comments? What do you do for mood? What’s your biggest source of stress?
And BTW I am OK (no emails or concern). I am in the business of reducing your stress but thought I'd put it out there that I get it.

Is this mom’s bikini pic bold?

The woman pictured above is a 32-year-old mother of 3 (I was about to be snarky and say she started early but I did too). If Rachel passed me on the beach I would probably notice that her top is orange (my favorite) but not much more. If forced to comment,  I’d say she looks pretty good, thin etc.

People magazine featured this photo (plucked from Hollis’ insta account) because it went viral.

To give you the full picture @msrachelhollis said, “I have stretch marks and I wear a bikini. I have a belly that’s permanently flabby from carrying three giant babies and I wear a bikini. My belly button is saggy (which is something I didn’t even know was possible before!!) and I wear a bikini. I wear a bikini because I’m proud of this body and every mark on it. Those marks prove I was blessed enough to carry my babies and that flabby tummy means I worked hard”

While I applaud Hollis for sporting a bikini with pride, I am missing where wearing a two-piece if you’re not Heidi Klum is groundbreaking? I also think we should be at peace with our bodies even if we didn’t carry “three giant babies”.  We can have flab for many reasons; it’s not better if childbearing explains it. It seems other women are posting similar “real” bikini pics and that’s great, it's nice to see real, unretouched bodies. It’s really great and not something, if I’m honest, I think I’d do (sans sarong or inner suckage, angling etc.). So @msrachelhollis is bolder than I am even if I think her looking cute makes her beach pic less bold than the 460,000 Facebook likers think it is.

 Thoughts? Are stretch marks bold? Are we so used to perfect swimsuit pics that this is cutting edge? 

Are you a bikini wearer? Would this change anything for you?

10 Healthy Recipes for Passover and Easter

photo via Smitten Kitchen, mine never as pretty

As much as we like tradition, there's nothing wrong with poached wild salmon, roasted asparagus or sweet potatoes or other simple recipes. Make sure to balance out your holiday menus or bring one of the following to your gathering. Here’s a mishmosh of Passover and Easter inspo.

1. Gluten free “matzoh” ball
2. Asparagus Stuffed Eggs I use ghee or plain Greek yogurt
3. Skinny Matzo Brei- we like Yehuda brand Gluten Free/fiber enriched (wink wink)
4. Horseradish Brisket
5. Carrot Kugel (I use local honey not agave)
6. Homemade Sauerkraut
7. Zoodles (Zuchini Noodles), we love the Veggetti
8. Homemade, nastiness free, Peeps
9. Lauren’s Favorite Lamb Chop Recipe (use grass fed lamb available on Fresh Direct or at Citarella) 
10. Ina Garten Lemon Chicken- no recipe roundup complete without Ina.

What are your favorite Passover or Easter foods? Where will you be? What are you making or bringing? 
I actually made Cat Cora Lamb Chops (#9) last night