My birthday this year was very special for me because, thanks to my wonderful wife, I was able to spend it in my hometown, New York City. We saw two Broadway shows and went to a Tony Awards party while there. And I also resolved to eat the foods I grew up loving, plus some new favorites, during my five days there.
The result of my food vacation? I gained 6.5 pounds over the five days we were there.
My splurge included pastrami and cheesecake at Junior’s, a classic Brooklyn deli and cheesecake emporium, hot dogs and waffle fries at Nathan’s, the classic New York hot dog spot, a slice of NYC-style pizza at a street corner storefront, Italian ices, an unbelivable breakfast in bed at the famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and the most exquisite sashimi I’ve ever eaten at at Iron Chef Morimoto’s New York restaurant on my birthday night.
Along the way, there were Italian flag cookies and Wise potato chips, still the best-tasting brand in America, I think.
I’ll be reviewing each of the restaurants we ate at in coming posts, so enjoy and take notes for next time you’re in New York. I’ll also be talking about the days when I did eat healthy, such as a wonderful birthday lunch with cousins on Staten Island.
Pigging out for my birthday is becoming an annual tradition for me. I did it in 2014 with the result that I gained five pounds in two days and was ill from all the junk food I tried to cram into one day. This year, I spaced it out over five days and got some healthy meals in between.
In the week after returning from New York, I lost 2.5 of the pounds gained. It will be interesting to see if I lose the rest, last year three pounds gained stayed around all year.
John
The No Salt, No Fat, No Sugar Journal 