Healthier Happy Hour

Healthier Happy Hour

Another Twin Cities Live segment with fitness guru Nancy Stoneberg.  In this video, originally aired on September 25th, 2015,  Nancy talks about how you can have a happier, healthier happy hour.

Healthier Happy HourWhat better place to blog about a the healthier happy hour than at a bar with and a friend!  Ordering appropriate happy healthy food at an Italian restaurant can be challenging. Of course we are at Nonna Rosa, our favorite Italian hangout!  Sometimes the chef even comes out from the kitchen to CONFIRM you do NOT want the bread?  What??

Confession #1: I am often accused of enjoying happy hour.  Guilty as charged.  That is why I was so excited when Twin Citites Live asked me to do a segment on how to make better choices when dining out.

Confession #2: shh..I have secretly been wanting to go out with Emily Engberg for happy hour since I met her over five years ago.  So when I got THIS question came from the Twin Cities Live producer…”Nancy, are you available to do a Healthier Happy Hour segment with Emily”?  Are you kidding me! You don’t have to ask me twice. Even if I wasn’t available, I was sure to clear my schedule for this!

From the moment I met Emily, I knew that her personality was genuine.  The TV make up and clothing might make her look professional, but she could have the ultimate embarrassment and handle it with grace. She gets up, laughs at herself and keeps on going.  I LOVE when you meet someone and know exactly WHO they are.  I couldn’t wait to get out to happy hour with Emily, just to hang out with her. It isn’t that I didn’t want to educate the public on how to eat and drink better at happy hour, I hope you’re not disappointed!  I promise you that I still gave it my best, and the information is based on my “extensive research and expertise” on happy hours, and the most recent recommendations for a higher protein, lower carb lifestyle.

You see, you don’t have to sabotage all of that work you are doing at the gym just to hang out at the bar, or party with your friends. You are still able to have fun and make a “less wrong” choice for food and drink.

Rule #1: Choose a drink you sip on.  If you like your beer ice cold, then that might not be the best choice since beer gets warm so quickly. You could choose a clear liquor drink mixed with diet soda or diet tonic. Vodka, gin and rum work well.

Rule #2: While perusing the appetizer menu, try to choose items that are mostly protein.  Chicken wings with a dry rub are great. Many restaurants are now offering deviled eggs.  Those are a perfect choice for protein.  Also remember that restaurants are willing to work with you.  Make a special request to hold the fries and ask for fresh fruit or a vegetable.

This segment was a success and our Happy Hour fun was outstanding.  Emily is smart, kind, genuine, funny, and of course beautiful from the inside out. I’m grateful to call her my friend.

Confession #3: Once those cameras were turned off???  That is where the 80/20 rule went to 20/80.  Thanks for hanging out, Emily! Can’t wait to hang out again!

Remember always…Tall, Proud, Posture!

Nancy