Life After Grad School

To continue the theme of exercise and food, a recent study suggests that instead of downing a sports drink after workout, we’d be better off drinking our daily chocolate fix. With the right mix of carbs, protein and fat found in chocolate milk cyclists were able to perform better at their next workout.

Luckily the Taza Chocolate Lounge, which recently opened up in Cambridge, provides an inviting atmosphere and amazingly rich and satisfying chocolate drinks. The Parisian hot chocolate combines dark Colombian chocolate with a slight orange flavor while the Mexican version will tickle your tastebuds with hints of vanilla, cinnamon and chile - truly the beverage of the Gods, as the Mayans believed. Of course there are a variety of other chocolate treats to enjoy, such as chocolate fondue, ice cream and chocolate samplers. Check it out every Thursday night in Central Square, you’ll likely find me there to refuel after swim practice!

Exercise and food complement each other beautifully. Of course, you’re probably thinking, you need adequate nutrition in order to sustain exercise and conversely, exercise burns up those extra calories consumed in form of chocolate, cheese and three-course dinners at your favorite restaurant. During and after swim practice, long bike rides around Boston or day hikes in the White Mountains the conversation invariably turns to food. And particularly in those moments, when food is not readily available and we’re just a slight bit hungry, the descriptions of culinary delights can be painful - or so I’m told when we’re waiting for our brunch at Sunny’s diner after Sunday morning practice and I start in on tales of last night’s dinner or the amazing pastries I scored at the market the other day.

Well, my descriptions don’t even begin to measure up to those on my friend’s blog. Not only is she in the process of becoming the world’s most amazing pastry chef, she’s also an excellent writer and reading about her creations will make your mouth water. Don’t say I didn’t warn you! Her blog can be found here!