The new location will be at 888 17th Street NW… just around the corner from MINT Downtown!
And what’s better, is during their soft-opening, MINT members can get FREE salads! RSVP here to redeem your free salad (and bring a friend)!
(They will open officially on December 23rd! Stop by, say “hello,” enjoy your free salad and welcome them to the neighborhood!)
Holidays are approaching, and that means one thing… holiday parties. At first, seeing your loved ones, coworkers, or friends gathered around an endless buffet and bar sounds enticing.
But after two months of nonstop celebrations, it may be a frustrating struggle to fit into your favorite jeans. Well, we have a couple solutions for you to avoid packing on those pounds throughout the holidays!
Before you head out, enjoy a healthy snack (or meal) to curb your appetite. Eating a healthy, substantial breakfast in the morning can prevent overeating later on in the day. Right before a party, eat a filling snack with protein and complex carbohydrates, such as peanut butter with whole wheat crackers or hummus and carrots, to hold you over.
It is totally fine to indulge in a piece of pumpkin pie—just not the third or fourth slice. Feel free to enjoy the dessert, but try using a smaller plate. Studies have shown that when smaller plates or bowls are used, a smaller portion is viewed as “more filling.” Choose your indulgences wisely!
Even if you do not have time for your normal gym routine, try and fit in exercise wherever you can in your busy day. Shovel snow, clean for houseguests, dash through the stores in search of presents, or even just go for a walk after dinner.
Instead of bringing yet another dessert, offer to bring a healthy dish to the party. There are tons of holiday recipes that are modified to be a bit more health conscious. For example, if your signature dish is “Green Bean Casserole,” slim it down with fresh mushrooms and vegetable broth—instead of the cream of mushroom.
If engaging in conversation, try to stand more than an arm’s length away from the snacks that may be out before the meal. While chatting, you may not notice yourself even reaching for the nuts or chips on display. Therefore, stay as far away (as possible) to avoid temptation.
Fill your plate with vegetables and fruit first before moving onto the creamy mashed potatoes and honey-glazed ham. The fruits and vegetables may fill you up first, and remember—everything else in moderation!
These are just a few suggestions to keep you on track throughout the holiday season. It may seem impossible to prevent any weight gain, but all the more reason to stay active at MINT Health Club & Studio!
Johanna is a MINT Ambassador. Fitness as well as eating right have always been two major passions of hers — her first degree was even in Nutrition! After finishing up her Master’s this past summer, she now works as a Registered Nurse, but when she’s off, you can find her running or lifting at the gym.
If you’re anything like me, your Thanksgiving countdown has officially begun. While spending time with family & friends, and being grateful for what we have is a joyous and wonderful part of the holiday – we all know that we’re all so excited for the food!
Thanksgiving is that time of year when many people love to let their walls down – piling massive amounts of food onto our plates, taking a quick power nap, and then doing it all again. And while this is incredibly satisfying, and can be totally acceptable – wouldn’t you feel a little better knowing there are healthier meal alternatives to some of your favorite dishes.
Here is a list of some delicious, unique and healthier options for making stuffing for this holiday season. Just because you are creating a healthier option, does not mean you are sacrificing taste. This may make you feel even less guilty going up for those seconds, thirds, or leftovers the next day. So check it out, and amaze all of your family and friends at your upcoming Thanksgiving or potluck event!
Oatmeal has long been touted as a great, healthy breakfast food. It’s minimally processed, and studies have shown that it helps control appetite over a longer period of time than other popular breakfasts. Traditionally, oatmeal fans will consume it with brown sugar, nuts, berries, milk, and other sweet toppings. But did you know that oatmeal is equally- if not more- delicious as part of a savory meal at any time of the day? I first started experimenting with savory oatmeal bowls a few months ago and have been obsessed with them ever since.
Here are a few of my favorite variations, but oatmeal can be a great substitute in almost any dish that you might normally use rice, quinoa, or another grain. You can basically throw whatever veggies and protein you have in the fridge into some oatmeal and you have a full meal. (Plus, oatmeal is cheap!) Any kind of rolled oats will work; I normally use instant, but many recipes recommend steel cut.
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
1 cup water (or broth)
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup chopped spinach
1/4 cup cubed and roasted butternut squash or sweet potato
1 teaspoon rosemary (or other spice of choice)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 fried egg (optional)
Directions:
Boil water with oats in a small saucepan over high heat, stirring occasionally, until thick and creamy, about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in spinach, then remove from heat. Add squash, spices, and salt and pepper to taste. Top with fried egg, if desired, and serve warm.
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
½ cup Steel Cut Oats
1 cup Water
2 Roma Tomatoes (sliced)
2 teaspoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (plus additional for drizzling if desired)
2 tablespoons Fresh Basil (roughly chopped)
⅛ teaspoon Garlic Powder
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Directions:
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
1 cup rolled oats (steel cut is my personal recommendation)
2 cups water
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon scallions for stirring, 1 teaspoon for garnish
A couple shakes of sea salt
Directions:
It’s easy to get stuck in a salad rut. Here are some ways to shake up your salad routine.
Fresh corn is in season and Trader Joe’s offers tasty option
s. Try this romaine with roasted corn, bacon and bleu cheese dressing.
Instructions:
DYK? Streets Market and Café changes the selection of roasted and marinated vegetables daily. Make a delicious salad with roasted eggplant, squash, zucchini, red onions, red and green peppers and top it with sesame dressing.
Instructions:
Not all salads have to start with leafy greens! 
For this healthy option, all you need is cucumber, tomato, feta and parsley!
Instructions:
Pickled golden beets and kimchi are both gems you can pick up from the Fermentation Brothers, a regular stall at the 14th and U Streets Farmers Market. Try a cucumber, 
apple, kimchi and pickled golden beets salad. Both sweet and savory!
Instructions:
If there’s one thing we love more than a good workout, it’s a good post-workout snack! Lucky for you… Glen’s Garden Market (locations in the Dupont Circle and Shaw neighborhoods) has you covered when it comes to tasty, healthy and easy post-workout goodies!
Check out some of our favorites next time you’re craving healthy and simple snacks after your MINT sweat session.
What they are: roasted chickpeas
Why we love them: They’re a protein-rich alternative to potato chips and the first products that Glen’s launched. They come in large and small snack packs, in the following flavors: cayenne rosemary, cinnamon toast, tomato basil. They also sell gluten-free crumbs made from chickpeas as a breadcrumb alternative – perfect for the holidays.
What they are: organic snack bites
Why we love them: Started as “momme meals” by a woman wanting to cook healthy food for her pregnant friend. She realized that everyone wants healthy snacks and decided to make these with new-moms and athletes in mind. They come in bites, not bars, for portion control, in the following flavors: Turkish apricot, tart cherry, fig ginger sesame.
What they are: kale chips
Why we love them: A light snack, both flavorful and crunchy. These are new and just launched 1 month ago! Healthy potato chip alternative. Flavors include Creamy Onion and Spicy Chipotle.
What they are: smoothie cubes
Why we love them: You can just put them in hot water and shake them up or put them in a smoothie. They’re nutrient dense and flavor filled. Many delicious flavor combinations including Mintergreen, Bright Blueberry and Pineapple.
What they are: apple chips & nut mixes
Why we love them: Fruit Cycle gives produce and women a second chance. They use gleaned products (fruit that would otherwise go to waste) and employ formerly incarcerated women.
