STRENGTH+Sole » outdoors

I Did Eat That

Rachel — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 01:51:46 +0000

By now, everyone has probably heard about the Instagram handle “You Did Not Eat That,” which calls out fashion bloggers, models and other generally beautiful people posing with the macarons, cupcakes and ice cream cones that they “supposedly” ate for breakfast, on the beach, with friends. Did they actually consume it? Couldn’t tell you. But, the truth is, people just love to look at, take photos of and talk about food. So, I’ve gathered some of my favorite food & drink shots from this summer for your viewing pleasure. Some of it’s healthy, some less so–but, that’s cool. My motto about most things these days is “You only go around once,” so, a little of anything sweet or salty is okay, right?

Plus, stay tuned for a slew of new studio and product reviews. I’ll be sweating it out nearly every day over the next few weeks, all for me (and you).

Cooling off with a watermelon ice pop by La Newyorkina during a Friends of The High Line tour.

Nathan’s hot dog at Yankees Stadium (Jeter!).

Prosecco with liqueur-infused People’s Pops–BEST summer cocktail ever…enjoy one (or two) yourself at Loopy Doopy (yes, that’s the bar’s actual name) downtown.

THE most amazing lobster roll (at The North Fork Table & Inn Lunch Truck) and freshly-picked heirloom tomatoes from a local farm stand.

And, my favorite ice cream cone (so far) from Gott’s Roadside in San Francisco.

Show me your summer #foodporn pics too!

I Love NY: OutdoorFest

Rachel — Fri, 09 May 2014 21:47:11 +0000

From Central Park to sailing on the Hudson, New York is a pretty magical place. Which is why I’m so excited about the first OutdoorFest: a 10-day festival celebrating activity & adventure across the five boroughs, starting May 30.

Want to pitch a tent and sleep under the stars in Brooklyn? Or, learn how to surf in the Rockaways? And, did you know that Staten Island is NYC’s greenest borough? Take a hike at Wolfe’s Pond Park where birds, wildflowers and mushrooms abound.

June 4th is National Running Day and to celebrate one of my favorite sports, I’ll be leading a 5-mile loop of Hudson River Park with pro runner Eliud “Heldy” Ngetich. He grew up running through the mountains of Kenya, traveling distances of up to 150 miles as the family’s messenger. His story is unsettling and amazing, and, I’m humbled to partner with such an accomplished athlete and Olympic hopeful. After the run, we’ll gather at Tent & Trails downtown to re-fuel and talk more with Eliud. Register here.

In New York, there are lots of opinions about everything, from politics to polenta. But, one thing is for sure: OutdoorFest will be the most rockin’ way to kick off summer in the city. See you there!

Save the Dates: Summer Streets

Rachel — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 00:44:46 +0000

From smoking to soda, the city does its fair sharing of meddling when it comes to our collective health and well-being. I see the argument from both sides: on one hand, you have biological and nutritional fact, and, on the other, we do still reside in the good ol’ U.S. of A. Where I say a resounding “yay” to the mayoral agenda is: Summer Streets.

On three Saturdays in August, runners, bikers and rollerbladers rule the road from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park (East 72nd Street) on Park Avenue. This year’s events are August 3, 10 and 17 (mark your calendars now, 7am-1pm), and, in true New York City fashion, the DOT will up the ante with a host of artsy new features and sporty activities:

For the first time ever, the Park Avenue Tunnel will be open to pedestrians via Voice Tunnel, an interactive light and sound installation. Spotlights within the tunnel will be influenced by the volume of people’s voices as they pass through from 33rd to 40th Streets.

In Soho, there will be a rock climbing wall as part of REI’s Adventure Zone.

And, in Midtown, fitness classes by Reebok and CrossFit demos.

A few of my favorite photos from past Summer Streets…

Remember the container pools, right outside Grand Central?

And, of course, no Summer Streets is complete without a full-on feast at Whole Foods’ City Picnic at 25th Street. Any opportunity to eat gelato…I partake.

This summer, I’m most excited about the Zip Line downtown at Foley Square. My last one was exactly five years ago in Mendoza, Argentina with two of my best friends. It was both kinda crazy and crazy fun. I’m a little afraid of heights (as you know from here), but, hey, ya only go around once. Who’s with me?

If you’re in, let’s do it together. Comment here or email me: strengthandsolenyc@gmail.com.