STYLE of SPORT | Gear & Apparel Curated for the Stylish Sports Enthusiast

 
How many days a week do you do cardio? How many are strength training? Do you eat meat or are you vegan? Are your goals weight loss or building muscle? How many servings of fresh fruit and vegetables do you eat daily? These are just of the few questions asked as you go through the iFit Nourish questionnaire to determine the perfect shake for you.

There are a plethora of protein powders on the market, and one size does not fit all. What works for a bodybuilder looking to bulk up, does not for a woman looking to slim down. With a blend of protein, carbs, and fat, each iFit shake packet is custom blended for your body type, fitness goals, and nutritional needs. Delivered monthly in a subscription service, most importantly the shakes are delicious too!

I make a protein shake for breakfast every morning after I work out, and look for a nutritionally dense protein powder sourced from high-quality ingredients that tastes great, blends icy smooth, and keeps me satisfied all morning long. The protein options in an iFit shake are a dairy-based whey, or a vegetable blend of brown rice, hemp and pea. As compared with a single-source protein, these help provide higher levels of amino acids for better muscle recovery and growth.

So for this cardio junkie editor, it’s Formula 33747 with 230 calories and 21g of whey protein (I find it blends better than vegetable), 35g of carbs, 9g of fiber, and 2.5g of fat. It’s loaded with calcium, folate, potassium, and other vitamins and minerals targeted to a woman my age. A shake can reveal a lot about a person. What does yours say about you?

JAMES TRUMAN AT HIS VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT NIX

WITH A FEW OF THE TASTY MENU OFFERINGS

 
Just about two years ago, James Truman, the former Editorial Director of Conde Nast, opened Nix, a style and cuisine focused vegetarian restaurant in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. This was not, however, his first foray into the restaurant business. He had partnered previously with hotelier André Balazs on Narcissa in the East Village and Chiltern Firehouse in London. But, really, his first restaurant was the famous Conde Nast cafeteria at the company’s former Times Square headquarters. It was his project to oversee. He hired Frank Gehry to design the space, and it became the hot spot for lunch. The only way to get in was if you worked there or knew someone in the building.

When I’m asked to describe what is STYLE of SPORT, my one liner is it’s where sport intersects with fashion, design, art, news and culture. James Truman, who once held one of the most influential positions in fashion and publishing, opening vegetarian restaurant – with a Michelin star no less – is very much at that SOS intersection. Add to that the coincidence that he and I worked together at Conde Nast on a women’s sports magazine, Conde Nast Sports for Women, that was his idea to launch in the mid-90’s.

James and I met for lunch last week at Nix, where we chatted about his evolution from the magazine to the restaurant business, and the passion he has for sport, food, and the healthy lifestyle.  Read More

 
Happy New Year everyone and welcome to the “31 Days of Wellness”! In years past, January 1st has commenced my 31 Days of Fitness odyssey, with SOS (aka me) sampling all the hottest workouts every day for 31 days straight. With a few nagging injuries from 2017, I decided to shift the focus this year from the outside to the inside with 31 days of the most buzzed about wellness trends, classes, and studios. Yoga, meditation, sleep, breathwork, cleanses, sensory experiences, restorative therapies, and more… it’s about looking good AND feeling good in 2018, which can only happen with that mind and body connection.

CLICK TO ENTER THE

SOS WEEK OF WELLNESS GIVEAWAY

DEADLINE TO ENTER FRIDAY, MARCH 9 AT MIDNIGHT!

What’s also unique this January is that the first day of the week, year, and month are all on January 1. The planets have aligned for a fresh start! So here we go…

Day 1: HOT VINYASA YOGA. With most of the country in an arctic freeze, what a perfect way to kick off our 31 Days of Wellness than with a Hot Vinyasa class — especially as I started the new year with the 9 degree NYRR Midnight Run at 12:01am this morning! Read More

AMANDA MURDOCK, DECEMBER 2017

I belong to Pure Yoga in NYC, a popular members-only yoga studio on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. There is one on the Upper West Side as well. As I have discussed before on STYLE of SPORT, I really don’t like yoga, but force myself to go as a counterpart to all the running and spinning I do. Like any fitness class you take, it’s about finding an instructor you like, and one of the first yoga teachers I found at Pure, whose class enjoyed, was Amanda Murdock. For me, that’s saying a lot.

I first took Amanda’s class back in 2013 during my annual 31 Days of Fitness feature. I remember thinking then that she was very skinny. With a ballerina’s physique and muscle definition, my assumption was she was or had been a dancer. I didn’t presume the other explanation. It was only a couple of years ago, when I noticed her body started to change and become much healthier looking, that I wondered if she might have had an eating disorder. The Pure community is fairly tight knit, and when I asked another instructor, a friend of both of ours, she told me that had been the case.

Amanda has gone from about 90lbs. to 120lbs. since I have been a member of Pure. As a fitness instructor Amanda’s transformation has been very public. I started thinking about what it must be like to have a classroom of eyes staring at you every day — going through such a challenging and emotional journey while on display. I wanted to know her story and tell her story. Although Amanda and I were friendly, our only contact was in class, and I was very hesitant to ask her about something so personal. Read More

ILLUSTRATION BY FERDINAND VAN ALPHEN

 
It used to be if you were looking for an alternative to cow’s milk, your only option was soy milk. It was the first non-dairy milk to go mainstream, popping up in grocery stores and soy lattes everywhere. Soy milk fell out of favor, however, for the digestive and allergen issues it caused some people, and rice milk became the popular alternative. Almond milk soon took its place, and has held court as the nut milk of choice for a few years.

Walk into a health food store or your local hipster coffee house these days, and you’ll find a plethora of plant-based milk alternatives, from cashew to coconut, oat to hemp, and more – each claiming to be the best alternative to the alternatives, and leaving us to wonder which one we should drinking.

Plant-based nut and grain milks vary in their macronutrient composition (protein, carbohydrate and fat), and also in the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) they contain. Each have their pros and cons, and for many it comes down to personal preferences – taste, consistency, and dietary needs. For me, it’s which one makes my coffee the creamiest, and is the color closest to cow’s milk. The good news is on that front there are a number of options available in a barista or coffee creamer blend. Read More

 

“On 4/3/15 I woke up like the picture on the left. I’d had a stroke in my sleep which caused a palsy in the 3rd nerve of my brain, causing my right eye to swing out. I saw two of everything and could only see straight if I closed one eye. It’s taken over a year and a half, 3 surgeries, an ocean of tears, and the desperate need to regain my life to get ME back. I took the pic on the right just after taking my new SoulCycle instructor photos — hence the incredible and very fake lashes. I never imagined having the courage to share the ‘before’ pic, but think it’s important to recognize and celebrate the journey, no matter how painful. Unlike so many stories, this one has a happy ending, one that will hopefully inspire determination and hope!”

-Emma Zaks, Facebook post, November 18, 2016

This is the story of Emma Zaks, a bubbly, energetic, and very popular SoulCycle instructor. Those who ride with Emma watched this healthy and fit 33-year old woman go through an unimaginable two-year journey — becoming increasingly ill with debilitating symptoms, both gastro-intestinal and neurological, that ultimately resulted in a stroke.

On and off the SoulCycle schedule at first, Emma began subbing out her classes for other instructors. Then followed a long absence. She would later return to teach — a patch on one eye and face swollen from the steroids doctors had prescribed for devastating symptoms no one really could explain. An autoimmune disease of some sort was the rumor. As is her nature, Emma remained her upbeat self through it all, or so it appeared, never letting her riders see the pain and fear going on inside.

Luckily, this story has a happy ending. After her illness was finally diagnosed and treated, Emma started posting little bits of her journey on Facebook. So moved and overwhelmed by her strength and bravery, we asked her to tell us what happened from beginning to end. This is her story in her own words…. and her Facebook posts.
Read More

We’ve expounded on our love of snacks in many a post. Being as active as we are, and working the long hours that we do, we are always looking for healthy treats to keep us going in between meals. We last shared our favorite sweets in Super Sweets, and now we’re on to the savory. Here’s 9 of our go-to favorites!

ROW 1: HARD BOILED EGG. At about 80 calories with 7 grams of protein, a hard boiled egg is a filling snack that doesn’t fill you up. There is ongoing discussion about the cholesterol count, but recent research has concluded that infrequent egg consumption does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Conveniently packaged in its own natural carrying case, boil them up and take them to go!

SEASNAX. Seasnax roasted seaweed sheets are marketed as “strangely addictive” and that they are. This is great news as seaweed is nutrient packed! It’s one of the richest sources of minerals, high in Iodine, Vitamin B12 and potassium. Seasnax come in convenient single serve packs that are a ridiculously low 15 calories a piece. Read More

Happy New Year! As we head into the first week of the year, many of us may be feeling the results of all that holiday fun. Perhaps a few pounds from 2016 have decided they might like to hang around for 2017. Well not so fast! As quickly as they joined your waistline, you can bid them farewell. From juices to shakes to teas to food based cleanses, there are a number of popular and effective ways to quickly shed that extra weight. Even a short 3 day cleanse is a great way to jump start your New Year’s goals, and get you mentally and physically back on track.

A cleanse gives the internal organs a break from having to digest processed and fatty foods, sugar, and alcohol, which is energy depleting too. Limiting your food choices takes unhealthy options out of the equation and forces you to regain your healthy focus. As that food fog lifts, mental clarity, more energy, better sleep, and clearer skin are other benefits that will leave you feeling rejuvenated. Plus that quick weight loss, while initially it may be mostly water, will leave you feeling lighter and less bloated — and everybody loves the confidence boost of their jeans being loose again!

Here is round up of the tried and true, and most popular new cleanses. 3 days, 1 week, 14 days or a month long, even if you’re not letter perfect, you’ll be feeling better and ready to the new year!

FOOD BASED CLEANSES

These food based cleanses feature a combination of healthy eating, along with protein shakes and nutritional supplements that support the body during detox and weight loss. They are most non-restrictive and are ideal for those looking for a regimented cleanse with something they can chew on.

Burn & Build Body

Burn & Build Body offers a variety of different cleanses. From their 7-Day Fit Kit ($129) to their 14 Day Detox ($229) to their 28 Day Protein Lean Power Food Diet ($295), they feature a combination of healthy food choices and protein shakes, along with nutritional and energy supplements. Each program has a different focus, from weight loss to anti-aging detox to fat burning, but all three are designed to detox the system, reshape eating habits, and increase energy. Dairy, sugar, and gluten are eliminated, along with processed and prepared foods, and replaced with lean proteins, whole grains (restricted amounts), fruits and vegetables. Protein shakes are consumed as snacks or meal replacements, depending on the cleanse. Burn & Build Body cleanses have been featured in The Oprah Magazine, Mens Fitness, T The New York Time Style Magazine, and Harpers Bazaar, among numerous other fashion and health publications, and are favorite of  your editor for a quick tune up. And for you Style of Sport readers, get a special 25% discount with code: SOS2016 at checkout!
Read More

 
As hard-charging athletes and hard-working editors, we are always on the quest at STYLE of SPORT for healthy, great-tasting energy snacks to keep us going while satisfying a bit of a sweet tooth too. From the most basic banana to an ice cream bar (yes, you heard right!), here are 9 of the favorite go-to treats that keep us fueled, happy and ready for action around here. Some are more nutritious than others, but if you’re going to indulge a craving here’s how to do it right!

TOP ROW: CLIF BAR NUT BUTTER FILLED. Clif Bars are this editor’s go to fuel before a long race, packed with nutritious whole-grain organic carbohydrates and available in a wide range of great tasting flavors like White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Peanut Toffee Buzz and Oatmeal Raisin Walnut. New from Clif Bar are their Nut Butter Filled bars in delicious flavors like Coconut Almond Butter and Chocolate Hazlenut Butter. With 230 calories, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 7 grams of protein (depending on the flavor), and 11 grams of healthy fats (the monounsaturated kind that raise the good cholesterol, HDL, and lower the bad, LDL) these bars are new faves around here!

BANANA. Nature’s original snack bar, pre-packaged in a convenient skin for easy portablity, bananas are kind of the perfect food. Loaded with potassium, an essential mineral for cardiovascular health and endurance athletes in particular, and high in fiber, keeping their sugar content low on the glycemic scale for a steady source of energy, they are great tasting, easily digested, and very inexpensive too!

BROOKSIDE CHOCOLATE COVERED SNACKS. Let’s call these healthy Raisinettes and Goobers. As candy goes Brookside Chocolate Covered Snacks are not too bad for you. Available in a variety of different fruits and nuts, they come in single serve 180-210 calorie bags so you can’t overdo it. They are made with dark chocolate, which contains antioxidants and is lower in sugar than other chocolates, and other natural ingredients that when consumed in moderation are not such a big deal. If you’ve got a craving for chocolate, these are a satisfying way to go!
Read More

THE DEN

While you might consider meditation a discipline for only the deeply spiritual or those still stuck in the 70’s, it is now one of the hottest new wellness trends. Meditation studios have been popping up all over the country, many designed with the modern feel of a boutique fitness or yoga studio, and with a variety of class options. Chic, contemporary, and very zen, these drop-in studios offer a new spin on traditional meditation practices.

Tal Rabinowitz, founder and owner of LA’s newest drop-in meditation studio The DEN, started penciling meditation into her daily schedule as an NBC executive. She and several colleagues would try to block off time in their busy days to reflect and unwind. But she wasn’t satisfied, saying, “Sometimes it’s hard on your own. I wanted something better and something regular, before work or after work, kind of like exercise classes.”

That’s when she came up with The DEN. Rabinowitz’s studio is a beautifully designed multi-use space which she says embodies “exactly who I am.” She and her clients can not only take a class, but also lounge, relax and read with a cup of tea. The DEN is unique because of its variety of offerings and evoked feelings of “home.”

While the aesthetics may have changed, the benefits of meditation remain the same, and are perhaps more important than ever. Meditation is proven to reduce tension and anxiety; improve mood and focus; and boost energy and creativity. In this digital era in which we are always connected to the outside, meditation provides an opportunity to unplug and re-focus on the inside. Says Rabinowitz, “We’re all just craving a moment of balance.”

From NYC to LA, here are the new meditation studios that have got even the busiest learning to check out to check in:
 

MNDFL

MNDFL is located in NYC with locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. MNDFL’s inventors, spiritual blogger Ellie Burrows and The Buddha Walks Into A Bar author Lodro Rinzler, dreamed of a non-traditional, non-religious space to meditate. The modern studio at MNDFL features exposed brick walls, large greenery and neutral-colored plush cushions. MNDFL offers drop in classes for 30 or 45 minutes of modern guided meditation. When you book your cushion, you chose from a “menu” of meditations catered to your mood or current state; for example, there is MNDFL Breath for relaxation, MNDFL Mamas for expecting mothers, or MNDFL Sleep for insomniacs. When classes aren’t taking place, the studio is open to the public for self-guided practice. 10 East 8th St, New York, NY. Photograph: Stephen Wilson

UNPLUG 

Founded by Suze Yalof Schwartz, former executive fashion editor at Glamour magazine, LA-based UNPLUG was the first of its kind as a chic, boutique meditation studio. Clients can “drop-in” for 30 or 45-minute guided meditation classes, a format that the The New York Times described as “a Drybar for meditation” UNPLUG’s minimalist aesthetics make it a peaceful and uncluttered place to unwind. The classes focus on mindfulness, breath work, and imagination, and the “drop-in” style allows people to investigate the practice of meditation. UNPLUG offers crafted unique meditation programs for kids and corporate groups, too. 12401 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, Ca.
Read More

SURFER LAIRD HAMILTON WITH HIS NEW LINE OF COFFEE AND CREAMERS

For years coffee drinkers have been told that their love of the buzz was bad for their health. Studies in the 1970s and 80s showed that the ingredients in coffee were tied to increased risk of cancer and heart disease. It is time now to rejoice! In recent years, researchers around the globe have learned that coffee may not be so bad for you after all, and in fact there are quite a few health benefits in that cup o’ joe. Coffee is…

1. A MOOD BOOSTER
We all know that coffee makes you feel more alert and energetic, but researchers report that those who consume 4 cups a day were 20% less likely to be clinically depressed than those having just one cup. Caffeine stimulates the brain’s release of dopamine for mood and anxiety regulation.

2. A HEART NOURISHER
Several studies have found that coffee fanatics drinking 3-5 cups a day have the lowest risk for cardiovascular disease. Please take note this means plain black coffee. Hold the milk and sugar!

3. A METABOLISM SUPPORTER
Caffeine has been linked with weight loss and prevention of weight gain because it can suppress appetite and stimulate calorie burning.

4. A NATURAL LAXATIVE
If you’re feeling backed up, coffee may be able to help. Many ingredients, namely chlorogenic acid, stimulate the distal colon which helps to quickly rid waste from the body.

5. A CANCER FIGHTER
In early 2015, three studies were published that found coffee to reduce risk of skin, endometrial and liver cancer. The National Cancer Institute published a study showing that people who drank four cups of caffeinated coffee a day had a 20 percent lower risk of melanoma than non-coffee drinkers. An AACR journal found that women who drink four cups a day have a reduced risk of endometrial cancer. U.K. researchers released an analysis of 34 studies conducted around the world and concluded that coffee consumption—even just one cup a day—reduces the risk of liver cancer.
Read More

When recently ordering a protein shake at my favorite local juice bar, Juice Generation, I was offered the choice of soy, hemp or whey protein powder. Not really having any clue about the difference, I ordered whey and then consulted with my contributing fitness and nutrition editor, David Kirsch, to get the scoop on the pros and cons of each.

David Kirsch is the founder and owner of Madison Square Club, a state-of-the-art fitness training and nutritional counseling center in NYC. He is one of the most highly regarded trainers in the fitness industry, sought after by some of the biggest names in the entertainment and fashion worlds — Liv Tyler, Kerry Washington, Julia Roberts, Heidi Klum and Kate Upton, just to name a few. David has his own line extensive line of nutritional products, and vast knowledge of what the body needs to get in shape, look great and function at its best. Below is David’s guide, created just for STYLE OF SPORT, on everything you need to know about protein powder in 750 words or less!

PROTEIN POWDER SUPPLEMENTS – WHICH ONE IS BEST? By David Kirsch

Ideally, the path to optimal health is through consuming a balanced diet of nutrient rich foods in all of the food categories – carbohydrate, protein, fruits, vegetables, dairy and some healthy fat. Eating up to 5 small meals a day every three or so hours is the way to do it. Having said that, the reality is few of us have the time to eat that way. Add to that one’s busy, active lifestyle, the stress of work and life, and one can see why supplements factor in to many people’s diets. This article is going to focus on protein supplements. There are so many choices out there. Which is best and how should they be used? Read More