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  • Open Thread: Week 15

    Welcome back to our open thread. Let’s get moving. Steve: Hey Kap – absolutely love the site and it has become a staple in my daily internet routine. Quick question for ya – I just graduated college this past May and my friends and I were huge into working out and lifting weights. Besides classes…

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  • open thread

    Here we go.Neat Freak: Thoughts on wearable fitness trackers? NF,I’ve never tried them frankly, but I have an inclination to. Not because I want to know how many calories I’ve burned, but because I’m fascinated by the built in thermometers and heart rate monitors and the potential to utilize the data acquired to be predictive. From digitaltrends.com: “Even a basic … [Read more…] Diving right…

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  • Protein Powder Alternatives

    You know we have a no judgment policy around here. I fully comprehend that protein powders are an attractive option, particularly for busy professionals. Despite the fact that it’s not my bag (see?), I’m not here to express displeasure about your leans. Rather, I’ll celebrate our diversity. Still, what kind of partner would I be…

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  • I realized today that my 12 and 14 year old boys devour lots of bread. I’m a contributor to their flour fetish. Many mornings find me preparing breakfast sandwiches for them, which consist of organic bacon, eggs, grass fed butter and whole-wheat toast. I’m proud of everything but the last item. I know how processed…

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  • Let’s jump in. Stephen: Wanted your take on pushups/pullups and training tips to maximize them. Training to go into Naval Special Warfare (SEALs) where a tremendous amount of calisthenics are necessary. Thoughts on wearing a weight vest or a resistance band to help build overall strength? Have also heard of using a spotter or band…

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  • Body Fat – Hydrostatic Testing

    Accurately determining your body fat percentage isn’t an easy task. We spoke a while back about abs. You want them. Everybody wants them. They look cool. We established some absolutes. Most healthy folks have abdominal muscles, but in order for you to see your illustrious six, that layer of fat has to go. In fact,…

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  • Protein Timing

    When training with teammates and loved ones, I’ve often been the one at the end of the workout to emphatically state, “Go home and eat. Make sure you get protein in your system in the next 45 minutes or so. Your muscles will be repairing themselves and you want to provide them with a fertile…

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  • Search Results Chocolate milk

    The post-workout meal is an essential part of improving fitness and building strength. The body needs to repair and replenish itself after breaking down muscles during a workout.  Thirty minutes to an hour after training, your body needs proteins and carbohydrates to grow. Healthy fats encourage vitamin absorption and restore energy levels.In doing my research…

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  • Open Thread: Week 17

    Here we go. Neat Freak: Thoughts on wearable fitness trackers? NF, I’ve never tried them frankly, but I have an inclination to. Not because I want to know how many calories I’ve burned, but because I’m fascinated by the built in thermometers and heart rate monitors and the potential to utilize the data acquired to be predictive. From digitaltrends.com: “Even a basic thermometer can provide…

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  • Sharing Meals

    There is science to bonding over a meal. The next time you think eating and making a phone call at the same time will make you more productive than sitting down and grubbing with your teammates, think again. I’ve certainly been guilty of this choice countless times before. The crew rolls out to eat, and I’ve made…

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I aim to plan and consciously choose all of my indulgences. I have the knowledge and willpower to do so, but occasionally, I will have a substantial misfire.

I was in Boston, my home away from home, for the 2004 World Series reunion. I splurged nutritionally as I had intended, but I didn’t map out my large nutritional stumble while watching the game.

I had it all pre-navigated. My two men (12 and 14) and I love to experience travel through food. We think it’s the most efficient and interesting way to explore the culture of a city. We discussed the trip ahead of time and decided on three restaurants where we would fully indulge and eat like kings. We’d start with the team dinner at a fine steak and seafood house, follow it up with breakfast the next morning at a bakery, and finish it out with lunch at a tapas joint in the South End.

The first night the three of us shared bone in filets, swordfish steaks, oysters, giant shrimp, crab cakes, lamb chops, chocolate cake, apple crisps and cold vanilla ice cream. I enjoyed a few glasses of whiskey, neat, and my boys drank Sprite. We left the restaurant 1 for 1. Remember, this indulgence was planned.

The next morning, we went to a bakery suggested by a Boston-based chef friend. The boys picked up scones and French toast; I scored big with a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on a crusty roll with spinach and tomato. The bite came complete with a Dijon mustard finish that struck a chord with me, managing to last all day. 2 at bats, 2 knocks.

After mobbing around on the T train all morning, making our way to Harvard and back to Downtown Crossing, we landed at our destination for lunch, Toro. Theo Epstein made the recommendation after I mentioned that my boys and I were on a food adventure. This is the guy who went out to get the “washed up” 2002 version of David Ortiz, so he’s proven his scouting mettle. If he thinks it’s a worthwhile trip, I’ll take his advice.

Back to food.

Rather than turn this post into a restaurant review, I’ll keep it simple. I had an out of body experience. Every small plate that arrived was visually captivating and stunning on the palate. We sprinted the gamut. From spicy curry beef empanadas to cauliflower with golden raisins and pine nuts to the pièce de résistance, roasted bone marrow with radish citrus salad and oxtail marmalade. This dish, holy fuck. Our waiter described it exquisitely as “like rich, hot, beef flavored butter.” I was now 3 for 3 and ready for my final at bat.

A theme throughout this entire trip was advance planning. My first mistake was not preparing for this final meal. I figured my boys and I would just eat at the ballpark and didn’t put much thought into it. I knew that the options would be plentiful and come in large quantities. I wasn’t necessarily wrong, but I quickly got off course.

I was running around at Fenway from this place to that, answering questions and meeting folks. My boys were on their own and already up in the suite by the time I arrived around the start of the first inning. They had eaten pizza, snacks and fruit, totally what I expected for them. I walked in starving, my second mistake.  I reached for a plate and piled on decent looking veggies, a huge mound of guacamole, and the only available protein, stale fried chicken strips. I could have reached into my bag and opened a can of wild caught salmon. I didn’t. My defenses were down. I hadn’t snacked. I ingested that garbage and suffered strike one.

You know my stance on processed foods. Those frozen chunks of flour covered meat product provide little nutritional value. I had already experienced a whirlwind day filled with emotion and exertion, and the pizza under the heat lamp began to look lovely.

I advocate indulgence, but I advocate planned, quality indulgence. This was neither. I scarfed down a piece and the drugs hit my bloodstream. I couldn’t chew fast enough. Strike two.

The final pitch of the at bat came in and I chased it. I scarfed down a few more slices, knowing even as I did so that it wasn’t my finest hour.

3 for 4. In baseball that’s a hell of a day. Nutritionally, I expect 4 for 4s from myself almost always. I’m in control, so the high bar is appropriately set. Rather than dwell on it, I’ll do what Manny tells us to do after a rough at bat. “Turn the page, papi.”

I write this from the plane the following morning. I’ve turned the page. Today, I’ve ingested steel cut oats, fresh organic blueberries, a pile of kale, a chunk of a ham steak, a few fresh scrambled eggs and organic black coffee.

In my bag, I have a large salad with tons of fresh veggies, almonds, chicken, organic Hannah yams. I also still have that wild salmon I passed over for pizza in a box.

I’m back on track. I remember last night’s at bat and will make the adjustment without carrying the emotion of yesterday over into today’s game.

I hope you’ll share your stories of strikeouts or home runs in the comments section below.

Kap