Marissa Vicario

Recent Blog Posts

Governors Island in Pictures

A hop, skip and a jump away from Lower Manhattan lies an uninhabited island that comes alive only on weekends and holidays. On an overcast Sunday in June, David and I decided on an adventure to Governors Island. We didn't know what to expect except that we would spend some time exploring the surroundings via bike.  Once we boarded the free ferry, it was a mere five minutes from dock to dock. … [Read more...]

7 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Make Healthy Food Taste Gourmet + The Only Sauce Recipe You’ll Ever Need

Most people don't believe me when I tell them that until 6 years ago, I had never set foot in a kitchen. Mac and cheese and slice and bake chocolate chip cookies were my staples but mostly I would make do with a deli salad for lunch and settle on a cringe-worthy dinner of pizza, cheese and crackers or canned soup. I was too busy with work and social events to cook and besides, I had no idea where … [Read more...]

A Brief Respite and Return

I've always resisted breaks. I like to power through things. Since the day I started Where I Need to Be -- June 6, 2009 to be exact -- blogging has been something I'm passionate about. I've always defined myself as a writer at my core and there is nothing I would rather do than share my advice and insights here with my readers. I aim to be consistent but there have been a few times over the years … [Read more...]

How to Overcome the “Desk Doldrums” (aka Eating for Energy)

Working a desk job always gave me a case of what I termed the "desk doldrums," the inevitable feeling of zapped energy that comes on strong either mid-morning or late afternoon. And I happen to think I wasn't the only person in the world who experienced this.  Exactly when the desk doldrums strike is different for everyone but when they do, they're relentless. The first thing most people … [Read more...]

Strengthen, Lengthen and Tone with Chaise23

I've been singing the praises of the latest pilates-meets-cardio-meets-strength-training-meets-ballet workout that is  Chaise23. Mostly because I've been exercising for half of my life and it's rare I find a workout that challenges me in such a way that it creates results - and fast. Here I am demonstrating two of the exercises from a typical cardio chair or reinvention chair class -- The … [Read more...]

Memorial Day Grill Healthy Recipes

Hello from The Hamptons! I've been so busy launching my Total Reset Plan that I've left my blog readers hanging for a couple of weeks. That's not like me, but a girl's gotta sleep! I promise I'll get back on track with blogging soon but in the meantime, I couldn't let you go into Memorial Day weekend without any healthy recipes for your grill. This lentil burger recipe is one of my favorites … [Read more...]

My #1 Healthy Travel Secret

Hello from San Francisco! Since April, it seems I've been traveling non-stop! First Whistler, then Florida, then back to Florida and now to San Francisco. I read a lot of wellness blogs and magazines and a favorite topic is how to stay healthy while traveling. Believe me, I once longed for the secret formula. These Facebook posts from 2008 tell all: (Remember when Facebook status updates all … [Read more...]

How to Encourage Healthy Eating Habits with Kids

Last month as I caught up on the April issue of Vogue, I was thumbing through the pages when an article entitled 'Weight Watcher" caught my eye. It was about a mom who put her 7-year-old on a diet. I started right in and the further I read, the more disturbed I became. The writer, a mother of an overweight seven-year-old, described the Weight Watchers-type diet onto which she signed her daughter … [Read more...]

Five for Friday, Elizabeth Stein, purely elizabeth

Fellow IIN grad Elizabeth Stein has a personality so sweet it's no irony she created a line of baking mixes. But they're not like the other baking mixes. purely elizabeth baking mixes are are all-natural, vegan, made with high quality ingredients and free of gluten and refined sugar. And the ancient grain granola is so addictive that it has become a staple in my home. Elizabeth and I first met … [Read more...]