Chef's Table

by Hillary Leeb

Week One Health Tips

February 19, 2012

Last week, we told you about the upcoming Wellness Week sponsored by SpaFinder, taking place from March 19th-25th. From now until then we are going to give you weekly health tricks, tips, and fun facts to help you jump start your wellness kick.

Our first tip is about the importance of movement. Yes, we understand that you may work at a desk in front of a computer nine hours everyday so your options may be limited, and after work you may feel so tired that you don't even have the energy to work out. Not so fun-fact: roughly 250,000 deaths per year in the U.S. are directly related to a lack of regular exercise.*

A half hour a day of exercise is recommended, but recent studies show that shorter, spaced out workouts in a day can also do the trick. So if you're feeling cooped up in your office, break up the day by taking small walks around your building to bump up your heart rate instead of dreading a workout before or after work.

 

*SpaFinder Wellness Week


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Grandma Don't Hate Me...

February 16, 2012

Grandma don’t hate me but I may have found someone that bakes better pies. I know, it’s borderline sacrilegious to criticize your grandmother’s cooking and I don’t take the subject lightly, but the pies from Georgetown’s newest pie shop, Pie Sisters, are out of this world.

As the name would imply, Pie Sisters was started by Alli, Erin, and Cat, three sisters who all pursued other career paths before returning back to what connected them while they were in different states and countries, baking. When discussing what kind of feel they wanted their shop to have, the sisters decided they wanted to be not only the best pie shop in town, but a place where people from all walks of life could come relax and feel comfortable.

Key Lime Cuppies are $4 (Photo by: Hillary Leeb) Key Lime Cuppies are $4

“It’s not just about the food,” said Erin. “It’s about the whole experience of someone coming in and feeling the warmth and inviting nature of the space we’ve created. ” With exposed brick walls, rich wood coffee tables, and elegant but simple décor, the sisters have certainly followed through. Local bands and artists play on the weekends adding an eclectic vibe to the space. “We don’t want to appeal to just one crowd, we want everyone to feel like this place is their place. ” As I looked around and saw Georgetown students discussing classes, girlfriends catching up, and a possible first date, it’s easy to see how many could come to call this place their new coffee shop home.

But do the pies add up to the homey vibe? Absolutely. Pie Sisters pies come in different sizes including slices and whole pies, but they also have Cuppies which are individual portions served in a cupcake wrapping. I sampled a slice of the Key Lime pie, and Cuppie portions of the Chocolate Pecan, Classic Apple, and Coconut Cream. I was in sweet tooth heaven for the 15 minutes it took me to eat almost all of them, but had to stop myself to let others get a bite in.

Pie Sisters also cater baby showers and weddings (Photo by: Pie Sisters) Pie Sisters also cater baby showers and weddings

The Coconut Cream was to die for as it wasn’t too heavy. It had an amazing amount of flavor, but was light enough to not feel guilty afterwards. The Chocolate Pecan had just the right amount of sweet and salty goodness. The Classic Apple was probably my favorite apple pie I have ever tasted anywhere. I usually am the hardest on apple pies, I find they can either be too bland or have too many apples and not enough flavor. This Apple Pie Cuppie had more flavor packed into a little cupcake wrapping than I’ve ever had in an entire slice of Apple Pie. My favorite was the Key Lime pie. Its graham cracker crust, and perfect amount of tart filling was absolute perfection and had me feeling withdrawals minutes after I finished it.

Their pies are seasonal, and use fruit from local farms, furthering the support of small, local businesses. They also are no strangers to the price of being a small business as they all rotate shifts starting at 3:00 am.

After only being open for a little over a month, Pie Sisters has already shown Georgetown what it’s made of. I can’t wait to see what flavors they have prepared for summer!

Coconut Cream Cuppies are $4 (Photo by: Hillary Leeb) Coconut Cream Cuppies are $4

Visit Pie Sisters to see what other flavors they offer.

Pie Sisters is located at 3423 M Street. Tel 202.338.7437

Check out our other article on the Pie Sisters before they opened.


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On Our Way to Wellness Week 2012

February 15, 2012

Last week, SpaFinder held a breakfast with actress Mariel Hemingway to inform the media on the fast approaching Wellness Week of 2012. On her spokesperson position, Hemingway responded, “Wellness has always been a passion for me, (however) initially it was a survival technique. My family is wonderful and creative, but various family members suffered from cancer, mental illness and other difficult diseases, so I was always trying to find the latest greatest things to keep health intact. ”
Mariel Hemingway discussion her passion for living a healthy life. (Photo by: Ron Walters) Mariel Hemingway discussion her passion for living a healthy life.
This is the first time SpaFinder has reached out to the Washington D.C. Wellness community, and they couldn’t be happier with the excitement brewing over the week.  From March 19th- 25th, participating spas, gyms, yoga and Pilates studios and other wellness businesses will offer certain services for 50% off, or for $50.
 
If you sign up before February 22nd, you will receive an email on February 23rd with a link to all of the deals being offered in your community. Booking opens up to the general public on February 29th, so signing up beforehand gives you an exclusive look on what you can get. Mariel Hemingway wanted to encourage everyone to take the following Wellness Week Pledge that will lead to a happier and healthier life.
Pledging to practice yoga is a great way to honor the pledge for Wellness Week. (Photo by: SpaFinder) Pledging to practice yoga is a great way to honor the pledge for Wellness Week.
 
I pledge to:
1) Change my breakfast: I will kick off my day with a healthy meal that includes foods like oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, seeds, nuts, and whole grain cereals and toasts.
2) Choose to move: I will walk more by taking the stairs instead of elevator, parking further from the store, or taking a desk break to go for a five-minute stroll.
3) Hydrate: I will drink a glass of water before breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
4) Add a color to my plate: I will make my meals brighter, more nutritious, and well rounded by adding fruits and veggies that are green, red, yellow, orange, blue or purple.
5) Make my sleep a priority: I will build boundaries around my sleep by sticking to a set bedtime, and by not eating or working in bed.
6) Embrace the power of touch: I will recharge myself and others, through the simple act of giving or receiving a hug, foot rub or five-minute massage.
7) Give myself the gift of silence: I will find 10 minutes a day away from screens of any type – phone, TV, or computer. During this time I will be present and focused on myself.
 
In honor of Wellness Week, from now until March 25th, The Georgetown Dish will present healthy fitness tips and fun facts every Monday to help you start your week out right. 
 
Visit SpaFinder’s Wellness Week 2012 for more information, and to sign up for your exclusive look at deals in your area.
 
Wellness Week will be from March 19th-25th. (Photo by: SpaFinder.com) Wellness Week will be from March 19th-25th.
 


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