Cheers To Fitness

A New Year's resolution that's easy to swallow: Drink your way into shape

Who knew Natty Light was so low cal?
A Sangria Sparkler is a method to enjoy yourself without over-indulging.
White Zinfandel is safest when it comes to wine.

As I sat there on the morning of January 1, sipping a Bloody Mary in my mumu, which, per the Urban Dictionary is "a rectangular cloth with crude stitching worn by morbidly obese persons," I realized it's time to curb my vices. These consist mainly of red wine, vodka and champagne, all of whom I know better than my BFF after the holiday season.

It's going to be tough, but my ass will thank me for it in the weeks to come.

To help me with my dilemma, I've enlisted a personal trainer who has advised me, amongst other things, to reduce my alcohol consumption by limiting happy hour to just once a week. Even then, I'm to drink in moderation with no more than a glass or two.

Well, I know myself better than to say I'll cut back to that extreme (my trainer clearly has his work cut out for him — I'm a night life writer, after all), but for the upcoming month I will tackle this challenge head on and give it my best shot. Disclaimer: My birthday (Jan. 28, hint hint) is an obvious exception.

On my cheat day(s), my trainer suggests I substitute my regular high-calorie cocktails with the fun, tasty, figure-conscious beverages below. Cheers to saying goodbye to the fruitcake spare tire around my waist!

Recipes compiled by Chris R. Williams, Forma Personal Training:

Sangria Sparkler, from fitnessmagazine.com
- 750-milliliter bottle dry red wine
- 1 cup light orange juice
- 1/4 cup brandy or cognac
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 medium oranges, sliced
- 2 cups club soda, chilled
- Crushed ice
In a large pitcher, combine wine, orange juice, brandy, orange liqueur, sugar and orange slices. Chill at least 2 hours. Add club soda before serving. Serve over crushed ice and/or with orange peel curls, if desired.
Calories: 100 per serving
Makes: 12 servings

Bombay Magic, from health.com
- Half a shot glass Cointreau
- 1/4 shot glass of Tequila or Vodka
- lemon juice
- club soda
- mint leaf
Squeeze 1/2 lemon. Pour half a shot glass of Cointreau, 1/4 shot glass of either tequila or vodka. Top it off with club soda and use a mint leaf for garnishing.
Calories: 100 per serving
Makes: 1 serving

Diet Cubra Libre
Mix 8 ounces of Rum and Diet Coke
Calories: 100 per serving
Makes: 1 serving

Wine
Various brands may vary, but for an 8-ounce glass of wine, white zinfandel tends to be one of the safest bets with a modest 160 calories. Other smart choices are Chablis at 170 calories and Chardonnay at around 180 calories.

Beer
Pabst Extra Light Low Alcohol Beer is only 67 calories per 12-ounce serving, which is stunning. Molson Light is 82 calories for the same quantity. One of the few other beers coming in under 100 calories (kickin' it old school — hello, college days!) is Anheuser Busch Natural Light at 95 calories per 12 ounces.

health

two days of bbq

2 Michelin-rated barbecue joints holding can't-miss pop ups in Houston

Courtesy of KG BBQ

KG BBQ is bringing its Egyptian-influenced barbecue to Houston.

Two of the Texas barbecue joints to earn Bib Gourmand recognition in the Michelin Guide will be holding pop ups in Houston this week. One is visiting from Austin, while another is a Spring favorite with a one-day-only menu.

On Saturday, December 14, Austin’s celebrated KG BBQ will be serving at Axelrad in Midtown. Part of Texas Monthly’s 2023 list of the Top 25 New and Improved BBQ Joints in Texas, KG BBQ has earned wide acclaim for pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh’s Egyptian-influenced take on Texas barbecue.

The menu will include many of KG’s most popular dishes, including brisket rice bowls with smoked Mediterranean rice; smoked lamb chops; sumac-and-cinnamon-rubbed lamb shoulder, and sides such as pink buttermilk potato salad and Baladi salad.

Service begins at 10:30 am. Preorders are available online with a minimum order of $60.

In a statement, Axelrad co-owners Adam Brackman and Monte Large say that KG will make more visits to Houston in 2025. El-Ghayesh adds that he’s a fan of the Houston bar that’s known for its spacious backyard with hammocks, a stage, and a wide-ranging menu of beer and cocktails.

“Since the moment I stepped foot in Axelrad, I loved their culture, their vibrant colors and artistic flare, their attention to detail and hospitality and love for entertainment makes this place perfect for bringing back my nostalgic memories of hosting pop-ups like how I started in Austin,” he said. “I’m proud to bring what I have created to Houston. From how diverse the city is, its beautiful variety of ethnic foods, and large Egyptian community, it has so much to offer. We are excited to serve up some Egyptian BBQ to the Houston community through our pop ups over the next year at Axelrad.”

On Sunday, Spring’s Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q will trade its usual offerings for a special menu of dishes made with smoked whole hog. The menu will include whole hog plates, whole hog sandwiches, whole hog-and-parmesan polenta cakes, and whole hog served over cheese grits with a New Orleans-style barbecue sauce as well as sides and desserts. Service will run from 11 am until everything sells out, likely sometime between 2 and 3 pm.

“The whole menu is filled with specials and cool items we don’t do everyday at the stand,” co-owner Jordan Rosemeyer writes in an email. The motive, beyond exercising some creative muscles, is to raise money for Hogs for the Cause, an annual event that raises money for pediatric brain cancer research and the families who are fighting it.

Like KG, Rosemeyer is also a member of Texas Monthly’s 2023 new and improved list. Located at 2111 Riley Fuzzel Rd., the humble trailer has earned acclaim for its weekly specials, housemade ice cream, and well executed barbecue staples.

news-you-can-eat barbecue pop ups kg bbq rosemeyer bar-b-q