275 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212.697.7867
Fax: 212.697.7866

Hours:
Monday - Thursday,  7:30 am to 8:30pm
Friday,  7:30 am to 6:00pm
Weekends,  Closed

(www.livelywomen.com) — I won’t lie, I was a little wary of going to The Pump. A friend had warned me that the fast food “energy food” restaurant was for steroid using body builders. As it turns out, that may have been Pump’s old image, but it is currently going under a major renovation, décor to menu. I went to the “brand new Pump” at Madison Avenue and 40th Street. The chairs are made from weight-lifting machines, mirrors line the counters, and the design is inspired by a SoHo loft.

But what about the food? My friend and I ordered The Pump Chicken Salad, the Popeye, a Mocha Rocket, and a Darkberry Energy Shake. All of the ingredients in the salad were fresh and crisp and the Un-Mayo offered a light creaminess without tasting too heavily of tofu. The Popeye, one of Pump’s Super-Charged Plates is “marinated chicken, baked tahini, served over spinach and brown rice.” I was very surprised that I liked this dish as much as I did. I’m not the world’s biggest spinach fan, and I had never had tahini sauce before, but it all blended into a pot pie-esque plate that was warm and homey. As for our two Energy Shakes, I preferred the fruit smoothie Darkberry (a mix of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and cranberry juice) to the protein shake Mocha Rocket (Coffee, milk, and chocolate whey protein).

The Pump has a pretty extensive menu and also offers “Build Your Own” sandwichs, salads, Super-Charged Plates, Baked Egg White Omelets, Pump Pizzas, and Energy Shakes.  Here’s Pump’s philosophy:

The only downside to Pump is the price. It is geared towards health conscious young professionals, but this young semi-professional certainly can’t afford to eat there very often. Here’s what my friend’s and my tab would have been:

• The Pump Chicken Salad - $8.40
• Popeye Super-Charged Plate (small) - $8.85
• Mocha Rocket Energy Shake (small) - $4.10
• Darkberry Energy Shake (small) - $4.60

That’s a total, not including tax, of $26.05 for a portion that was just enough for lunch/light dinner for two (if you’re not super hungry). For me, that’s kind of a lot for a fast-food style restaurant. It’s unfortunate, but it’s just expensive to eat well. But for those who can afford to do so, I would strongly recommend The Pump.

(image courtesy of The Pump)

Tags: womens health blog, womens health, women, woman, health, the pump, energy food, new york restaurant, NYC restaurant, madison ave, east side, eatery, health food, lively women, kristen king, julie congress

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Contents © Copyright 2008 by Kristen King

Tags: womens health blog, womens health, women, woman, health, language police, politically correct, political correctness, euphemism, acceptable language, prostitute, whore, hooker, ho, commercial sex worker, health and men, mens health, humor, contest, lively women, kristen king

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People in a study who had low blood concentrations of vitamin C and walked on a treadmill for an hour burned 25 percent less fat than people with adequate C. But a dose of C brought fat-burning levels back up to par. Why? Seems C is essential for creating carnitine, a substance that turns fat into fuel.

Not sure how much vitamin C you need? Here’s a handy tool to figure it out.

What’s your favorite way to get vitamin C? I love grapefruit.

Contents © Copyright 2008 by Kristen King

(image: SXC.hu)

Tags: womens health blog, womens health, women, woman, health, vitamin c, fat, weight loss, lose weight, grapefruit, lively women, kristen king

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Today marks the closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. In case you missed them, here’s a round-up of all of the health and fitness videos I posted over the last 2 weeks:

• Monday, August 11 — Livelympics: 5-Minute Workout
• Tuesday, August 12 — Livelympics: Lower-Body Workout for Women
• Wednesday, August 13 — Livelympics: 5-Minute Namaste Yoga Video
• Thursday, August 14 — Livelympics: Pilates for Beginners — Leg Workout
• Friday, August 15 — Livelympics: Women’s Upper-Body Workout
• Monday, August 18 — Livelympics: Tae Bo Cardio
• Tuesday, August 19 — Livelympics: Street Dance Hip-Hop Workout
• Wednesday, August 20 — Livelympics: Fitness Ball Ab Crunches
• Thursday, August 21 — Livelympics: High-Impact Aerobics
• Friday, August 22 — Livelympics: Ladies’ Boxing

Contents © Copyright 2008 by Kristen King

Tags: womens health blog, womens health, women, woman, health, olympics, livelympics, womens fitness, womens exercise, womens workout, lively women, kristen king

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Here are the women’s health and fitness videos I posted during the second full week of the 2008 Olympic Games:

• Monday, August 18 — Livelympics: Tae Bo Cardio
• Tuesday, August 19 — Livelympics: Street Dance Hip-Hop Workout
• Wednesday, August 20 — Livelympics: Fitness Ball Ab Crunches
• Thursday, August 21 — Livelympics: High-Impact Aerobics
• Friday, August 22 — Livelympics: Ladies’ Boxing

Contents © Copyright 2008 by Kristen King

Tags: womens health blog, womens health, women, woman, health, olympics, livelympics, womens fitness, womens exercise, womens workout, lively women, kristen king

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This last day of videos is just for fun. First up, two women in dresses duking it out in a boxing ring in 1901, filmed by Thomas Edison.

And slightly more appropriately dressed, two women boxing at the Roseland Ballroom in the 1920s. I can’t decide which I love more: the peppy soundtrack or the fact that they do hair and makeup touch-ups between rounds.

Contents © Copyright 2008 by Kristen King

Tags: womens health blog, womens health, women, woman, health, olympics, livelympics, womens fitness, womens exercise, womens workout, lively women, kristen king

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I think they mean the results are big, not that your knees will be totally shot at the end. But who knows? This one is kind of long — more than a full 8-minute workout. It’s awesome. Not sure how she’s talking through the whole thing — I get out of breath just watching!

Contents © Copyright 2008 by Kristen King

Tags: womens health blog, womens health, women, woman, health, olympics, livelympics, womens fitness, womens exercise, womens workout, lively women, kristen king

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This lady is a little manic, but she really breaks down the right way to do crunches using a fitness ball. I have yet to master this fine art, but I think I’m on the right track now!

Contents © Copyright 2008 by Kristen King

Tags: womens health blog, womens health, women, woman, health, olympics, livelympics, womens fitness, womens exercise, womens workout, lively women, kristen king

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I always feel a little ridiculous doing dance exercise videos, particularly hip-hop since I was born without rhythm or coordination, but it seems to give the host a good workout. My favorite part is that she ends with, "Take it hoooome."

Contents © Copyright 2008 by Kristen King

Tags: womens health blog, womens health, women, woman, health, olympics, livelympics, womens fitness, womens exercise, womens workout, lively women, kristen king

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Tae Bo creator Billy Blanks shows some cardio moves in his mix of dance, stretching, and martial arts moves.

Contents © Copyright 2008 by Kristen King

Tags: womens health blog, womens health, women, woman, health, olympics, livelympics, womens fitness, womens exercise, womens workout, lively women, kristen king

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