For me it's all about balance and compromise. I love eating out, experiencing new restaurants, revisiting old favorites, and reveling in the experience of sharing a meal. But, it is essential to set boundaries within yourself and not let indulges and splurges supersede hard work and dedication. Research shows that people consume at least 200 more calories when eating out. You also lose control over salt and fat intake. In terms of taste, that is not always a bad thing. Waist-line and overall health, on the other hand, can be drastically impacted.

This weekend posed some challenges. Not only did it have one more day of eating and sharing, it included a multitude of opportunities to be with friends and family and enjoy delicious meals out. I did indulge quite a few times in both the liquid and solid form, but always made sure to optimize my hydration, balance out my in-between meals with super clean options, and prioritized working out. Belly-full and happily satiated, this is what my weekend tasted like.

I kicked off the weekend with a very veghead friendly lunch at a new Soho spot, Chalk Point Kitchen. The menu is full of organic and local produce, sustainable meat and seafood options, and an abundant list of bowls.