Lisa Licari- A Nutritionist's {Healthy} Eating Survival Guide

What a beautiful summer day to bring you some tips on healthy eating. I know that I occasionally fall off the wagon and need to improve my eating habits. Well, bathing suit season is upon us (who's ready for the beautiful GC pool?), but who ever wants to diet?? No one! Nutritionist and Garden City resident Lisa Licari is here to help with some easy tips that will render dieting a thing of the past! 

Me when I think of dieting:

I was invited to write a post for Inside Garden City, so I thought I would introduce myself. I have to admit, I am probably not what you would think of as your typical "nutritionist".  To start with, my two favorite foods are bacon and butter.  And anything chocolate. I also believe wine is one of the greatest inventions of man.  Thankfully, the last 2 foods, wine and chocolate, have some benefits that help me balance out the first two.  I include all foods in my diet as a true omnivore and embrace my Italian heritage.  Vegetarianism and low carb diets not only don't work for me, they tend to make me very angry.  Despite all this, my health is excellent as per my doctor.  There is a way to make it all work!  Here are some basic tips:

1.  Don't buy crap.  Food the way it came from the ground (or the cow) is always best.  The less processed, the better.  When buying packaged foods, read the ingredients.  If you don't know what an ingredient is, you probably shouldn't buy it or feed it to your family.  Check out Trader Joe's if you haven't already.  It has lots of great snacks with ingredients you can pronounce.

2.  Your eyes are ALWAYS bigger than your stomach.  Take your time with eating and portion control.  One helping is usually enough.  Choose treats that are REALLY worth it.  

3.  Listen to your mother- EAT YOUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES- REALLY!  Low cal, fiber, antioxidants, etc.  When shopping, buy 4 kinds of fruit for variety, plan one veggie per night you are cooking at home, plus veggies to snack on with hummus or spinach dip, and lettuce and veggies for daily salad.  Do this to balance out the indulgences (fried foods, cured meats, eating out) and fill you up so you don't overdo it.

4.  Fail to plan and you plan to fail- Know what you are going to eat for 3 meals and a snack for the upcoming week and shop accordingly.

5.  Love what God gave you- Garden City is full of beautiful people and they are all shapes and sizes.  Strive to be healthy, not to look like the girls in your Bunko group.  Exercise because it is fun and it is a way to show yourself you love YOU.  Give that gift to yourself and to your family.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email or post and I will be happy to answer.

Make a change.  For you.  For Good!

Lisa Licari, RDN, CDN, is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist.  Her private practice, Permanent Change Nutrition, is located in Garden City and she accepts most insurance plans.

Lisa Licari, RDN, CDN

Permanent Change Nutrition, PC

520 Franklin Ave, Suite L3

Garden City, NY 11530

(516)366-0072

Lisa@permanentchangenutrition.com

www.permanentchangenutrition.com

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IGC: Weekend Events Guide June 26th Edition

Here's what's happening in and around GC this weekend:

The GC Friday Night Promenade continues this Friday night at 5:45pm on Seventh St. Come out for some live entertainment, face painting, balloon animals, outdoor dining and socializing with your neighbors. You can always do a little {local} shopping too! 

Sat., June 28th- Start your July 4th celebration early by catching the fireworks show at Eisenhower Park at 5pm.

Sun., June 29th- The Good Bug/Bad Bug show takes place at 12:30 and 2:30pm at the Long Island Children's Museum. Tickets are first come first serve. If you miss that, join their Bug Bonanza from 12-4pm.

BK Sweeney's Uptown Grille Lobster Bake will continue this Friday night. $31.95 for a 2lb lobster. Watch the Yankees Red Sox (first pitch at 7:05pm) and wine and dine!

Starting on Sun., June 29th and continuing until July 4th, Capo on Covert will be celebrating their 5 year anniversary! Join them for a special anniversary deal... 5 menu choices for $5. Choose from salads, panini, pasta dishes, desserts and wine. Each for only $5! http://www.capofloralpark.com/Events

'Sketches at Sea' has just opened at Adelphi University. This exhibit by Robert Cronbach will remain open until September 7th at the Ruth S. Harley University Center Gallery.

Of course, there will be lots of passionate fans watching the World Cup matches this weekend as the competition continues. Support a local fave while you watch the games- Revel, BK Sweeney's, Doc O'Grady's, Prost, the GC Hotel, Novita...


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Youth Lacrosse: Pete LeSueur's PAC is Back

One of the reasons people choose to raise their families in Garden City is because of the outstanding youth sports programs. Granted, that may mean dealing with a few overzealous parents on the sidelines sometimes, but that’s another topic. When I was growing up, I was considered a good athlete- ran track and played varsity soccer all four years of high school. Not too shabby, right? I bet a lot of people look back favorably upon their athletic glory days. Well, regardless of your past athletic prowess, allow me to deflate you ever so slightly.

Since we’re living in the hotbed of lacrosse, Inside Garden City chatted with Peter LeSueur, one of the best lacrosse players in the town’s history. Not surprisingly, Pete happens to be a product of the quintessential athletic GC family:

•        Father played for the NY Cosmos and ran THE GC soccer camp for over 30 years. 
•        Mother was an AAU swimmer.
•        Older brother was an outstanding GCHS lax player and captain of the Johns Hopkins lacrosse team.
•        Older sister was an All-American lacrosse player and captain of Notre Dame’s Women’s lacrosse team.
•         Twin sister is the all-time leading point scorer in Long Island HS women’s basketball history and went on to captain the Georgetown Hoyas.

And you thought your family's annual "Turkey Bowl" football game in the backyard was impressive. I haven't even gotten to Pete yet...

At GCHS, Pete LeSueur was the only three-time All-American and has the most points in school history. He was named the LI Attackman of the Year and LI Player of the Year. He played lax at Johns Hopkins where he was a 2x Academic All American, co-captained the 2005 NCAA championship team and was named Most Valuable Attackman. If you weren’t feeling inadequate earlier, unless your father is Pele or your name is Derek Jeter... you probably are now.

   

Pete’s lacrosse days are not over. He now brings his engaging personality, positive attitude and expert skills to his very own GC lax summer camp (in its second year) called The PAC- Performance Athletic Club. The camp is at St. Paul’s during the week of July 21^st and is for both boys and girls ages 4-7. Pete’s PAC partner is Tim Goettelmann. Tim’s impressive lacrosse resume includes All American honors both at Manhasset HS and Loyola as well as the most goals in Major League Lacrosse history. 

Together Pete & Tim are a strong team now focused on igniting a passion for lax in future generations—and Garden City is lucky to have them around. With their history and expertise, its no wonder The PAC camp is the best new game in town.

http://performanceathleticclub.com/camps.asp

Click on the above link to register. 

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Weekend Events Guide 6/20/14

The Inside GC Weekend Events Guide is here for everything fun going on in and around Garden City this weekend.

Friday June 20- The first Seventh Street Promenade of the season. Seventh Street will be closed to traffic and parked vehicles as of 5:45. The band Fivestone will perform as well as Elsa from Disney's Frozen. Dine outside, meet your neighbors and enjoy the live entertainment. For all ages.

Gina Baez https://www.facebook.com/events/720989557959465/

ELSA from FROZEN at the GARDEN CITY SEVENTH STREET PROMENADE OPENING NIGHT!

Today at 7:15pm

Walk Street in Garden City, New York

Friday June 20- Midsummer Jazz at the Old Westbury Gardens. Enjoy jazz in the beautiful outdoor garden. 516-333-0048

Saturday June 21- Hear the LI Children's Choir at the Tilles Center for the Performong Arts at LIU Post Campus in Brookville. 516-299-3100. Hear an amazing choir of over 100 students "unite children through song". Singers are in grades 9-12. 7pm.

Saturday June 21- BBQ on the Green at Cherry Valley Country Club in GC. Hang out with your neighbors and enjoy some delicious food, drinks, raffles and music. All proceeds benefit The Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism. 7:30pm, $125pp.

June 21 and 22- The GC Pool will be hosting its open house weekend. Residents who have not yet joined the pool can visit and preview the pool by paying the guest rates. Hours between 12 noon and 8pm.

Sunday June 22- Don't miss the Rockville Centre Street Festival at 11am-5pm. rvcchamber.org

Out With Belmont- In With The World Cup

From parties to street fairs to restaurant and bar specials, there was plenty of excitement around town (and around the nation) when the Belmont Stakes came to town. GC held its annual festival on Seventh Street which proved to be successful and very, VERY, well-attended.  It was lots of fun but I must say it was way, way under bouncy-housed. If someone is able to invent a bouncy house that can fit 100+ over-tired, hungry and cranky kids they may have a shot at the Nobel Peace Prize (at least if GC parents have a vote). In fact, Dunkin' Donuts had a shot at the Peace Prize this year by giving out free donuts during the festival, however, they forced you to purchase a beverage (which the compassionate capitalist in me can't blame them for)... so close but no Peace Prize for D&D.

I will say, the after-dark keg beer in red solo cups / live music outside was many levels of awesomeness. A little taste of Bourbon Street-style partying right here in our own GC. I really hope they keep that up in years to come - it was GC at it's finest and everyone had a great time.

Since then, the 146th Running of the Belmont Stakes came and went. This third and final leg of the triple crown proved to be quite thrilling, drawing an estimated crowd of 100,000 spectators to Belmont Park. For those who wished to see history being made, it was a disappointing finish. For those who were here to enjoy the excitement and the show of the big hats and fancy clothes, your wish was granted- both at the track and at the GC Hotel's post race party scene:

But... move over Belmont... the 2014 World Cup is here now! This may be the most unique sporting event in that it brings the whole world passionately together for one sport. Now that the dreadful opening ceremony is behind us (and hopefully the World Cup theme song is too) it's time for us GCers to spend the next month or so trying to convince ourselves that watching soccer on TV can be as exciting as watching it from sidelines of St. Paul's.  If you need a little inspiration around you to get the adrenaline flowing, you may want to try the following venues:

Prost Grill and Garten on Franklin Ave. They call themselves Long Island's only soccer bar. They'll be offering drink specials, beer specials (like the German beer Hofbrau) and Belmont Festival-winning wings (yum!).

BK Sweeney's will have drink specials as well as wing specials at the bar during all soccer matches.

Revel will have a 10 foot (yes, 10 foot) screen behind the bar for prime viewing of all matches. Discounts on the bar menu and cocktails during all games. They'll also serve specialty cocktails representing the playing teams.

Shackletons Bar and Grill in Franklin Square will have drink specials during the games.

Plattduetsche Park Restaurant in Franklin Square promises beer specials, fun and lots of passionate fans. They say this is the place to be for the World Cup!

Where will you be watching the World Cup?


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Weekend Events Guide June 13th Edition

The weekend is finally here! With some beautiful weather forecasted and Father's Day on Sunday, make sure you get out and enjoy it. Here's what's going on in and around Garden City:

What we've all been waiting for... Opening Day of the GC Pool is Sat., June 14th. 12noon - 8pm.

Ok, so the Mattituck Lions Strawberry Festival doesn't exactly take place "in or around" Garden City, but I thought it deserved an honorable mention since their strawberry shortcake is ammaaaazing. This indulgence alone is reason enough to brave the traffic and head east. The festival takes place on Fri, Sat and Sun. Games, crafts, rides, food, live music, fab strawberry shortcake (did I mention that already?) and more!

The Eisenhower Park Family Festival takes place on Sat and Sun 12-6pm, Field 2. Free admission.

BK Sweeney's Uptown Grille on Franklin Ave is having a lobster bake this (and every) Friday night all summer. $31.95 for a 2 lb lobster dinner.

Capo Ristorante on Covert Ave is offering 10% off your lunch/dinner tab or your catering order on Father's Day by mentioning Inside Garden City. Take a break from the bbq this Father's Day and try Capo.

Revel on Franklin Ave is having a special Father's Day menu on Sunday. $39.95 for a 3 course prix fixe. Seatings throughout the day.

The 17th Annual Jay Gallagher Memorial Tournament takes place at St Paul's on June 14th-15th. This foundation encourages cancer awareness and focuses on improving the lives of those living with cancer.

If you're looking for some live music on Sat night, His Boy Elroy will be performing at Leo's at 9:30pm.

The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City will be hosting Eternal Con- a Pop Culture Expo. Come and get your fill of comic books, sci-fi, collectibles, gaming, costumes, raffles, movie screenings and more. Sat 10-7 ($20 adults, $12 children), Sun 10-5 ($20 adults, $6 children). Museum members pay only $15 for adults and $6 for children on both days.

Long Island Children's Museum has #1 Dad Day on Sunday 2-4pm, free with museum admission. Make a special Father's Day card with a personalized message.

Sunday is the last day to register your kids for Miss Suzanne's art camp next week, June 16-19. Only $120 for four days. Your kids will get real art instruction and have tons of fun. Email her for more  information at suzanne_mcandrews@hotmail.com. 

Please Facebook message us or email insidegardencity@gmail.com to have your event, special, promotion or activity mentioned in our calendar. Enjoy the weekend!



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Sunflower Fine Art- A Belmont Keepsake?

If the events of last weekend have left you in a New York (or Garden City) state of mind, have a walk down Seventh Street to Sunflower Fine Art and Framing.

Seventh Street's Belmont Stakes Festival was a successful community event last weekend, followed by an exciting albeit disappointing (well, for us California Chrome fans anyway), horse race at Belmont Park on Saturday. The fun continued on Sunday at the Tulip Ave Belmont Street Fair in Floral Park. The excitement of last weekend, coupled with the beautiful weather, seems to have left some of us wanting more. I snapped a few shots of these in the window of Sunflower Art and Framing this weekend. If you're looking for a Belmont keepsake or to just extend the excitement of Belmont a bit longer, these may help:

And if you're in a more specific Garden City state of mind, this would make a nice addition to any GC resident's (or former resident's) home:

I like to roam through Sunflower now and then to browse the prints and paintings. I'm currently eyeing a fun candy apple piece (if you've been recently, you'll know which I mean). I recommend stopping in to see what's new when you have a chance. You might walk away with a new favorite! Have you been?


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Belmont Stakes Weekend Events Guide 6/6/14 Edition

Between the Belmont Stakes and the beautiful weather that's forecasted, there are plenty of options for having fun in and around GC this weekend. Whether you're into horse racing, flea markets or festivals, you will have a lot to choose from!

Unless you've been living under a rock the past few weeks, you know that California Chrome (winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness) is shooting for the first Triple Crown since 1978. In honor of the Stakes, GC's Belmont Festival will take place on Seventh St. this Friday, June 6th from 6pm-10pm. Come for some fun with your community- live music, food, entertainment, pony rides, games, face painting and more.  

On Friday June 6th and Saturday June 7th BK Sweeney's Uptown Grille will have great bar specials (try a Belmont Breeze!), betting and giveaways. Live music on Friday. 

Capo Ristorante of Floral Park will have Belmont Drink Specials on Friday and Saturday. Plus, every purchase gets a $1 bet slip for California Chrome! Let them cater your Belmont Race party- just ask for the special Belmont catering package (since all tickets for dining options at Belmont are sold out, having your own party may be the right move). 

Revel on Franklin Ave is showing their Belmont Spirit with happy hour all day on Friday June 6th from open to close! On Saturday June 7th they'll have drink specials, along with their usual happy hour, until 7pm. Look for Jim, Revel's owner, at the Seventh St. Belmont Festival Friday night handing out coupons for free giveaways!

As of Thursday night, the excitement has already begun at the GC Hotel. The Polo Lounge kicked off a special cocktail list (try a Belmont Jewel- yum!) Thursday night that will run through all of Saturday, June 7th. Be sure to stop by after the Belmont Stakes Saturday night. Inside scoop is that the horse owners and jockeys are staying in-house. Perhaps this is the place to be on Saturday night after the race… 

The Garden City Historical Society is holding their annual Flea Market on Saturday, Jun 7th from 9am-4pm at 109 Eleventh St. in Garden City on the Historical Society Museum grounds.

The Belmont Stakes Tulip Ave Street Fair in Floral Park will take place on Sunday, June 8th from 2pm-7pm. Live bands, entertainment, face painting, clowns, food and more.

Street Fair on the Green is at Eisenhower Park, Field 8. Saturday June 7th - Sunday June 8th. 10am-5pm.

The Long Island 2 Day Breast Cancer walk is June 8th and June 9th at Smith Point County Park. Long Island 2 Day Breast Cancer Walk - About The Walk

			Long Island 2 Day Breast Cancer Walk - About The Walk The Long Island 2 Day Walk to Fight Breast Cancer takes walkers on an inspirational two-day, 35-mile journey through picturesque Suffolk County. Day One of the LI2...
			View on www.li2daywalk.org

However you spend it, enjoy your weekend! 

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