My Grandmother’s 85th Birthday!

Hey guys

I’m so happy today. My Grandmother turns 85. She was born on February 26th, 1921. God bless her!

She is back home celebrating with my whole family. I just spoke to them and I have great news…she is coming to visit me soon, all the way from Argentina. I will be waiting eagerly over here in NYC.

Happy Birthday Grandma! I love you so much!

Thanks for reading…I just wanted to share this wonderful day with you.

Love, AlejandroQ

Cooking for Living – Going Healthy

Hey guys

First thing’s first. I owe all of you an apology. I’ve been so busy this week that I haven’t had a chance to update my blog. On top of my regular work, I was attending this fifteen-hour course conducted by THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT of HEALTH and MENTAL HYGIENE.

This food protection course is the necessary certification for supervisors of food establishments and non-retail food service establishments. It is designed to help one better understand the principles of safe food handling and is necessary for every chef, cook and bartender.

This is all part of the piecing together of the bigger puzzle, “Cooking for Living”. This effort is more than just about me cooking. I also have the pleasure of having Michael Schachner share his knowledge. For the past nine years, Michael has been writing about wine, food and travel for lifestyle publications. He is also a contributing editor of Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Also collaborating with me is one of NYC’s finest fitness experts, Joe DiAngelo. Check out his success stories here.

And there are many more to come. So stay tuned.

Thank you again.

Love, AlejandroQ

My Interview on Bodybuilding.com

Hey guys

My interview on Bodybuilding.com is out! I'm really excited about it. You can read it here, “An Interview With Fitness Chef And Personal Trainer, Alejandro Quiroga”.

Not only will you find out a little more about nutrition and my Valentine's Day Menu, you will learn more about me, everything from my beginnings to my favorite food.☺

A big thanks to David Robson!

AlejandroQ

Living Your Sueños

Hey guys

Last week I went out for dinner at Sueños Restaurant. It is owned by one of my favorite executive chefs and restaurant owner, Sue Torres. She is a really wonderful person — very motivated and a little workaholic too.

Sue’s sueños (Spanish for “dream”) was to open her own place. And she did it. Remember what I’ve mentioned before, you must follow your dreams. By the way, if you are not familiar with her, you can read her bio on her website.

The food was excellent and all the dishes tasted as if they were prepared meticulously…all the ingredients were detectable and all flavors meshed well even the unexpected combos. The service and atmosphere were very nice as well. We were definitely well taken care of. Definitely not your run-of-the-mill greasy taco joint. The experience is worth every penny.

Sue even stopped by my table to talk with me. She’s simply superb. While at my table, I had to ask her about her appearance on Martha Stewart’s daily show. She said it was a great experience and that Martha was very nice.

Thank you, Sue I had a great time!

AlejandroQ

Happy President's Day

Hey guys

I hope you are all enjoying President's Day weekend.

I'm really excited as I just completed an interview with Bodybuilding.com. The interview should be released on their site soon. I will keep you posted.

Have a great long weekend!

AlejandroQ

Valentine's Day Menu

Hey guys

First, I want to say a Happy Valentine’s to everybody, especially my female clientele: Halle, Janece, Marie, Michelle, Noelle, Roselyn, Shannon and Vanessa…and to all you guys, too. All of you have been just great and so supportive of me. Thanks.

Here is the main course of a romantic dinner that’s perfect for me and for all you guys. We have the hardcore Valentine’s Chicken and Polenta Hearts, garnished with frisée lettuce.

This recipe will be featured on Bodybuilding.com and I want to thank David Robson, media writer for Bodybuilding.com for this opportunity. He has also invited me to write monthly healthy recipes for his readers and you to help keep the diet on and the calories off the scale.

For dessert, we have Protein-loaded Chocolate Truffles

For recipes, please contact me at train@alejandroq.com or visit Bodybuilding.com.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

XOXO
AlejandroQ

Saturday Night Live

Hey guys

Last Saturday after church, we went for dinner at my friend’s home. I prepared my grandmother’s tallarines. It took me all of 45 min. to make it from scratch and without the aid of any pasta maker. In fact, it was really good cardio ☺.

I was really sweating while I rolled out the dough that was made up of almost 4 pounds of flour and 8 whole organic eggs. The complete recipe will be available in my new cookbook “Cooking for Living”, currently expected to be released in January next year.

Frankly, there’s still a lot of work to be done but it’s progressing along. I have identified most of the recipes that will go into the book which, by the way, will be a great addition to your kitchen library.

OK, back to my Saturday night…here I am walking around Chelsea with my pasta ☺. It wasn’t cooked yet, if you’re wondering.

After dinner, my friends and I packed up the plates and made our way back downtown. But before heading home, we made one last stop, VENIERO’S Pasticceria. What an institution, opened since 1894! For more info, you can visit their online site, Veniero’s Italian Bakery.

Thank you so much and God bless you!

AlejandroQ

Concert Night

Hey guys

Last night, I was invited to the Ricky Martin concert at the famous Radio City Music Hall in NYC. It was really fun with good sound and a lot of energy.

I really love the Radio City Music Hall. It's one of my favorite landmarks in NYC.

The Radio City Music Hall opened to the public on December 27, 1932. Located in New York City's Rockefeller Center, this fabulous Art Deco theater is home to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a New York Christmas tradition since 1933, and to the women's precision dance team known as the "Rockettes". Those ladies are also simply wonderful.

I had a good time! Thank you Erik and Noel!

AlejandroQ

Super Bowl XL

Hey guys

I've been living in this country for over 9 years now and I have never been to a Super Bowl party. Well, not until now, that is...

On Sunday mornings, I usually train Shanon. It was the usual this past weekend and I happened to mention this little known fact to her. What made it even more unusual is that one of my friends is a pro football player (John Feugill).

Well, around 6 pm, we headed up town to the Upper West Side in NYC. There, I had my first ever Super Bowl Party!

There was a lot of traditional Super Bowl food: chicken wings, chili, vegetable and cheese platters and plenty to drink too. It was pure cheat meals with fun people.

So, let's talk a little about the game. Pittsburgh Steelers finally got one for the thumb as they defeated the Seahawks 21-10 to win the franchise's fifth Super Bowl ring. For coach Bill Cowher, it was a well-earned reward for his years of service, says Vic Carucci (Full story here). And the commercials, they were hot!

Great time and great people!

Shanon and Mike, thank you very much for a great party!

AlejandroQ