Destination Guide: New Orleans Let the good times roll, without watching your healthy attitude roll right out the door. Yes, it can be easy to stay on Plan in the Big Easy. Article By: Diana Schwam aka.weightwatchers/images/1033/dynamic/GCMSImages/DestinationGuide_NOLA_WhatToEat_000001913456_447x286.jpgaka.weightwatchers/images/1033/dynamic/GCMSImages/us_seriescap_destinationGuide_153x216.jpg The biggest question when contemplating a visit to the Big Easy: Can you stay on Plan (or even near it) when visiting a foodie Mecca that has a reputation for fried food, cream sauces and over-the-top cocktails? The short answer: Yes. Despite the lingering reputation, many restaurants actually serve much healthier cuisine these days. Local, farm-to-table ingredients are the norm (unless you’re dining in local dives – and even there, it’s often better than expected). Take it from David Slater, Chef de Cuisine at Emeril’s “Some tourists do come to eat the rich, heavy foods, but we have many light dishes. We get the most amazing ingredients, and you want them to speak for themselves.” Seafood Gumbo PoBoy Crawfish Etouff Beignets So fear not – just dine wisely. And with gusto. All the workaday Weight Watchers tips apply: Have a “vacation eating” plan. Practice portion control. Drink water. Choose Power Foods. Order sauces on the side (and dip gingerly, lest you defeat the purpose). Select appetizers or small plates as your main dish (at places like Baru and Three Muses, they’re as enticing as any larger entree). And don’t be shy about mixing menu items, like requesting the protein from one dish with the sauce or sides from another. Tell the restaurant (both when you reserve and when you arrive for your meal) that you’re on Weight Watchers, and ask for recommendations. Says virtuoso Chef Chris DeBarr of Green Goddess, “Be honest but positive: ‘What’s the best way for me to get the most out of your menu?’” Adds Slater, “We know how to lighten things up without compromising flavor. There’s no ego – we want you to get the experience and the food you want.” And share, share, share. If you’re traveling with someone who won’t share his or her food, get a new travel partner. (Just kidding – it’s nothing to get a divorce over. But it is the best way to try more deliciousness without going overboard.) Try new flavors Explore preparations, seasonings, and produce that you can’t (or don’t) get at home, like mirliton (chayote squash), okra, greens, yams, and legumes. A creative chef can work wonders with these Power Foods. Full of vim and veggies, gumbo is a no brainer. Some varieties are made with a butter base and andouille sausage; many others, like Emeril’s and Herbsaint’s, use vegetable oil and are pretty low fat. Coop’s and Liuzza’s by the Track also make a killer cup. For a change of pace, local healthful eating guru Jodi Brown suggests venturing out for Vietnamese food. “It’s fresh, ultra healthy and just sparkling with bright flavors. Given the city’s large Vietnamese population, it still counts as ‘local’ cuisine!” Try the MagasinCafé. Seafood – and eat it! In New Orleans, the seafood is often served literally hours after being caught, and a perfect, simply prepared filet truly can be a revelation. Katy Kasbarian, Weight Watchers member and proprietor of the classic Creole restaurant Arnaud’s (est. 1918), suggests ordering Pompano David. “It’s delicately grilled with a little olive oil and herbs,” Kasbarian explains. “Absolutely delicious but very healthy.” Going more contemporary, try Lilette’s sautéed spiced drum with artichoke, roasted tomato, and lemon yogurt sauce, or GW Fins’ exquisite Louisiana Bluefin tuna with portabello in a veal jus. The celebrated local oysters are sweet, briny, and two teeny PointsPlus® values for a dozen raw. Slurp them down at Acme or Bourbon House, maybe with a crisp white wine (and chat up the always-entertaining shuckers). Likewise, a crawfish boil is a hands-on hoot (usually available February-May). The spicy lobster-like meat is just ten to a Point. Try Deanie’s in the French Quarter or Franky & Johnny’suptown. Barbeque shrimp, a scampi-like local specialty, typically come “in a lagoon of butter,” according to DeBarr. In the Green Goddess version, he roasts the shrimp in phyllo to coax out more flavor, drastically diminishing the butter quotient. The timeless “blackened” fish is a widely-available, on-plan standby, and a great lunch when served atop salad greens. Other good salad spots include Somethin’ Else Café, Royal St. Deli (call 504-529-3777) and City Greens in the CBD. Fed up with fish? The sweet tea brined duck at MiLA is a lean, luscious option, as are the charcuterie plate and marinated Brussels sprouts at Cochon Butcher. Splurge-worthy options To spend that Weekly PointsPlus Allowance in grand dessert style, go bananas Foster atAntoine’s or Arnaud’s. It’s fruity, fun and flaming (so is the lavish Baked Alaska, made even more memorable “with a glass of champagne and some chocolate sauce – worth every point!” says Arnaud’s Kasparian). Emeril’s legendary banana cream pie is to die for; while the signature bread pudding soufflé at Commander’s Palace won’t be found anywhere else. The famed Cafe du Monde beignets come three to an order. Shake off some of the excess sugar and stop after one. (Tomorrow, have a fresh fruit sorbet.) Chef Chris DeBarr says Casamento’s has the best fried oysters in town, and he should know. At a PointsPlus value of 10 for six, share an order, or get them in a po’ boy sandwich atMahony’s , further up Magazine Street. At the Royal House café, they sit atop a spinach salad drizzled with bleu cheese dressing. Bread fiends (you know who you are) should try the renowned Leidenheimer french bread, served in all proper po’ boy shops and many bread baskets. Its crunchy crust belies the feather-light, sauce-sopping interior. An airy slice is hardly extravagant, and it’s utterly unreplicable elsewhere. The cocktail was invented in New Orleans, so a refreshing, cucumber-laced Pimm’s Cup, a frothy Ramos Fizz (with egg white and just a touch of cream), or a whiskey-based Sazerac (the official state cocktail) are logical indulgences. If you must have that Bourbon Street experience, throw on a feather boa, skip the syrupy Hurricane, and opt for a Skinny Hand Grenade atTropical Isle. It’s 1/3 fewer calories than their big gun, and you’ll still get “that” photo to post online. If you do nothing more than saunter through the seductive, gaslamp-lit streets and move to the mysterious moan of an alto sax wailing over the ancient slate roofs, you’d be properly visiting New Orleans. But beyond those absolutes, the city is rich in sights to see and things to do. Few visitors realize how small, level and activity-friendly New Orleans is – so your workout doesn’t have to take a vacation just because you do. Pack the pedometer, and do attend to appropriate attire, sunscreen and hydration. Need more direction? Try these ideas: River Boat Swamp Tour Jackson Square Architecture · Strolling the French Quarter is as good as sightseeing gets, and you’ll also rack up some activity PointsPlus® values. We love the eye candy along Royal Street, where the windows flaunt fabulous antiques (check out the outrageous collection at M.S. Rau), lavish jewelry and elegant art. And there’s no shame – and more activity PointsPlus values – in doing the Dougie or jitterbugging to those street bands! Or, succumb to the tempting boutiques along Chartres Street or the permanent Spring break that is Bourbon Street, in all its sordid, neon-lit glory. · Power walk the Moonwalk, the scenic promenade fronting the Mississippi River along the French Quarter’s edge. The mile-long path is dotted with public art and the occasional busker for your entertainment. · Bicycling is such an ideal way to see New Orleans that these tours fill up fast, so book in advance with Confederacy of Cruisers or Big Easy Bike Tours. Sociable, local guides lead small groups through some of the cool, lesser-traveled neighborhoods – like the Marigny and the Tremé – on comfy cruisers (helmets provided). The rides aren’t strenuous but a comfort level with street riding is in order. · Placid Bayou St. John is not only lovely for kayaking, it’s actually the reason New Orleans was built. The smart guides from Kayakiti-yat will explain it all, bring the equipment and work your upper body something fierce. · City Park has 1,300 dazzling acres of oaks draped in Spanish moss, lakes with pedal boats and rowboats, tennis courts, golf courses, running and walking paths and a kids amusement park. Mix your workout with artwork here at the top-notch New Orleans Museum of Art and Besthoff Sculpture Garden. · Club hop and booty shake on Frenchmen Street. Bourbon has the booze and breasts (and you should go, just to say you did) – but nowadays Frenchmen boasts the true funky, music-drenched New Orleans experience. Every night, the sounds of brass and banjos beckon from ten clubs in a four block stretch. Our faves: The Spotted Cat, d.b.a., and Snug Harbor. · Gaze at the glamorous antebellum mansions as you ride the leisurely St. Charles Avenue streetcar. Take a round-trip, or hop off at Washington Street. It’s the starting point to a walking tour of the Garden District homes and elegantly decaying Lafayette Cemetery; and maybe (if you’ve reserved a table), lunch at the perpetually-splendid Commander’s Palace, the city’s premier restaurant. · Take a swamp tour. Up close and in their natural habitat, alligators are magnificent and fascinating – as are the ancient, serene Louisiana swamps. The superb Captains of Dr. Wagner’s Honey Island Swamp Tours know every flora, fauna and flyer, making this picturesque outing a must-do (even when the ‘gators are in winter hibernation). · Visit beautiful Jackson Square and tour the surrounding historic attractions, starting with a look inside stately St. Louis Cathedral, which dates to 1729. History buffs will want to spend time in the Cabildo, site of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase, now a state museum housing Napoleon’s death mask (left of the Cathedral). The Presbytere museum, with terrific Mardi Gras and Katrina exhibits, is on the Cathedral’s right. The nearby 1850 House recreates a typical New Orleans family apartment, circa mid-19th century, and tells the scandal story of the Pontalba family who built this square. Visit a Weight Watchers meeting while you are in the area! Please see locations and times below: OLD METAIRIE VILLAGE 701 METAIRIE ROAD STE 2A 108 METAIRIE, LA, 70005 ON METAIRIE RD AT THE BACK OF METAIRIE VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER, NEXT TO GNC, BEHIND THE ELEVATOR. SUNDAY 9:00 AM 30-45 MIN DAVIS PAMELA MONDAY 12:00 PM 30-45 MIN BAIN DONNA TUESDAY 5:45 PM 30-45 MIN DAVIS PAMELA WEDNESDAY 12:00 PM 30-45 MIN LIND JENNIFER WEDNESDAY 6:15 PM 30-45 MIN FERRARA ROBIN THURSDAY 6:00 PM 30-45 MIN SHIELDS BEVERLY FRIDAY 9:30 AM 30-45 MIN EBLE MARY ANNA SATURDAY 8:00 AM 30-45 MIN EBLE MARY ANNA SATURDAY 9:30 AM 30-45 MIN EBLE MARY ANNA SATURDAY 7:30 AM DROP-IN HOURS MAGNOLIA CENTER 7028 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD METAIRIE, LA, 70003 NEAR POWER BLVD. ACROSS PARKING LOT FROM K-MART. WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE. NO STEPS OR ELEVATOR. SUNDAY 9:30 AM 30-45 MIN LINDSEY SANDY MONDAY 6:00 PM 30-45 MIN LIND JENNIFER MONDAY 9:00 AM DROP-IN HOURS MONDAY 9:01 AM BETWEEN MTGS TUESDAY 10:00 AM 30-45 MIN EBLE MARY ANNA WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM 30-45 MIN LINDSEY SANDY WEDNESDAY 5:30 PM 30-45 MIN LINDSEY SANDY THURSDAY 5:45 PM 30-45 MIN EBLE MARY ANNA THURSDAY 10:00 AM DROP-IN HOURS THURSDAY 10:01 AM BETWEEN MTGS THURSDAY 4:00 PM DROP-IN HOURS THURSDAY 4:01 PM BETWEEN MTGS FRIDAY 9:00 AM MOM AND ME CLARK KERRIE FRIDAY 12:15 PM 30-45 MIN MOORE LOVONE SATURDAY 7:30 AM 30-45 MIN MARTIN-SANCHEZ AMANDA K. SATURDAY 9:30 AM 30-45 MIN MARTIN-SANCHEZ AMANDA K. SATURDAY 7:00 AM DROP-IN HOURS SATURDAY 11:01 AM BETWEEN MTGS GRETNA 570 - 20953 NEWSTOREFT GRETNA LA SOUTHWOOD SHOPPING CENTER 555 LAPALCO BLVD STE 103 GRETNA, LA, 70056 Across Greater New Orleans Mississippi River Bridge NEXT TO TJ MAXX. BEHIND PICCADILLY CAFETERIA. MONDAY 9:15 AM 30-45 MIN BAIN DONNA MONDAY 5:45 PM 30-45 MIN SHIELDS BEVERLY TUESDAY 6:00 PM 30-45 MIN BAIN DONNA WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM 30-45 MIN STANDRIDGE JOANN WEDNESDAY 12:00 PM 30-45 MIN STANDRIDGE JOANN THURSDAY 5:30 PM 30-45 MIN BAIN DONNA FRIDAY 9:30 AM 30-45 MIN SMITH CYNTHIA SATURDAY 7:30 AM 30-45 MIN STANDRIDGE JOANN SATURDAY 9:00 AM 30-45 MIN STANDRIDGE JOANN SATURDAY 7:00 AM DROP-IN HOURS MANDEVILLE 570 - 20545 MANDEVILLE LA/SATELLITE NORTH LAKE SHOPPING CENTER 1802 N CAUSEWAY BLVD STE 1 MANDEVILLE, LA, 70471 Across Lake Pontchartrain/ Causeway Bridge CORNER OF N. CAUSEWAY AND HIGHWAY 22. ACROSS FROM STAGE AND TIMES GRILL. ... [Message clipped] View entire message 2 Attachments Image image007.jpg Image image008.png [email protected] 2:30 PM (19 minutes ago) to WWLyn, nanajan.walker, slturner41, helenlkent, pthigpen, roberts22, wwleader.danie., japope43, whereyat, aleighp75, davisrcr29, edwbadeaux, pamelada
Posted on: Wed, 26 Feb 2014 21:17:29 +0000
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