Posts Tagged ‘healthy eating’
Salud strives for a movement, not just a store.
By Jennie Tai
Courtesy of Salud, the Healthy Pantry
Let’s get juiced!” cheers the bright-eyed wellness coach, wiggling a foot-long stalk of—of course—organic celery.
It’s the perfect time to hit snooze and sleep-in on this cold Saturday morning, but in Great Falls, a hand full of couples, mothers and health newcomers shuffle into the back room with a common objective: learning ways to enhance their well-being.
Joda Coolidge is just one of the health professionals invited to lead monthly workshops at Salud, The Healthy Pantry.
Customers gather around a table spread of leafy greens and bright fruits to learn how to recreate healthy cocktails at home: almond milk, cucumber apple juice and a mysterious jade-colored shooter called the green goddess.
“I feel like Salud is more of an experience,” explains owner Denise Rodriguez. “If somebody wants a really delicious meal, they can still come here,” but there’s also more.
Promoting healthy choices with products and workshops, Salud is unique to the Great Falls community and mirrors a similar concept to that of wine bars—offering the best of heavily researched products, and featuring monthly educational classes (or tastings) to showcase them.
Still working as a real estate agent, Rodriguez, 41, is determined to enlighten the Northern Virginia community with a simplified bunker of organic products, local produce and prepared sandwiches and salads, from Nourish Market in McLean.
“We’re kind of like the 7-11 of Whole Foods,” Rodriguez laughs.
Read the rest of this entry »
Protein Bar Opens Today in Arlington: “Do Healthy…Healthier”
Posted by Kate V. Comfort / Wednesday, January 30th, 2013
Photo by Kate V. Comfort
One day, Matt Matros woke up and decided he’d had enough of being teased as “Fat Matt.” Having struggled with weight management and the resulting self-esteem issues for much of his life, he did some research and decided to start vigilantly eating only a healthy, high protein diet of power foods, juices and shakes to compliment an active lifestyle. Six months and sixty pounds later, Matros knew he had an effective concept that he believed in and decided to share it with others.
Armed with his dedication to protein-rich healthful eating and a recent business degree, Matros opened his first health-focused, quick-casual food spot in Chicago across from the Sears Tower in 2009. Today, Matros opens his eighth Protein Bar location (second in the DC area) in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington.
Get Perspective. Exercise Hard. But Most Importantly, Eat Well.
Posted by Sally Traynham / Thursday, January 19th, 2012
It’s January, which means gyms are packed. After midnight hits on New Year’s Day, everyone vows to eat better.
Yet, in about four weeks, everyone abandons their newfound health kick and returns to old, unhealthy eating habits.
With our nation’s high obesity rates, our culture’s glorified obsession with all things fried and the recent declaration of food celebrity Paula Deen’s type 2 diabetes diagnosis, we desperately need to get perspective and truly focus on what we eat and how we exercise.
This is where salads come into play. And NoVA has plenty of places filled with the green stuff.
These go-to items for healthy eating (just make sure you aren’t adding bacon, ranch dressing or mountains of cheese) are easy to prepare, easy to find and leave you feeling light (and not dragging) at work.
Here are a few places that are known for healthy and, equally important, tasty creations to get you going in the right direction.
1. Salad & Things Organic (Arlington)
2. Seasons 52 (Falls Church)
3. Sweetgreen (Arlington & Reston)
4. Rabbit (Arlington)
5. Sunflower (Vienna)
Photo: Food Network
[tips for the food desk]
Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, September 19th, 2011
(Image: Cappi Thompson/Shutterstock)
I don’t know about you but breakfast is always a challenge for me. I never give myself enough time to eat a “well-balanced” meal and when I do have time for a quick bite, the only options available seem to be covered in sugar or drowning in bacon.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Sometimes.
You always hear that old adage: “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” But why?
A study at California State University suggests that eating breakfast gives your brain the fuel it needs to function at a higher level. Eating breakfast gives you energy, can help you concentrate and can reduce your likelihood of overeating later in the day. So don’t give up on breakfast just yet- there are easy solutions to healthy eating in the morning!
I’m always on the lookout for new breakfast ideas that are fast, easy and healthy but that involve more than just peeling a banana. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, either…
Don’t give up yet- here are some ideas for all you breakfast-lazy people, like me!
Greek yogurt- easy, fast and it’ll stick to your ribs a little better than regular old yogurt. Eat it plain or sprinkle with some low-fat granola for an extra energy boost.
Frozen breakfast sandwiches- there are lots of great low-fat options nowadays and most are high in protein and whole grains. I love the Jimmy Dean D-Lites sausage and egg white sandwich and it’s less than 300 calories.
Oatmeal- buy the quick oats and it takes only a few minutes to cook in the microwave. Yes, the steel-cut oats have more fiber, but in hurry, there’s nothing wrong with the quick-cooking kind. The best part about oatmeal is getting to doctor it up your own way! I love putting peanut butter, honey and dried cranberries in mine. After cooking, put it in a travel coffee mug for easy transportation and to keep it warm.
Waffle sandwich- toast up a couple of whole grain waffles and smear (shmear?) with your favorite spread! Low-fat cream cheese and jelly, peanut butter, or throw a slice of smoked turkey or ham in the middle. Eat one-handed.
Luna Bars- while they are marketed towards women, I think it’s a great option for both sexes. They come in lots of different flavors and are chock full of whole grains and organic ingredients. However, guys, they are made by CLIF Bar & Company so if you’re feeling too girly buying them, go for the original.
Hard boiled eggs- if cooking eggs in the morning is too time-consuming just do what I do: hard boil a bunch the night before and then have them all week, ready to go! Eat an egg or two on your way out the door with some OJ or an apple and you’ll be good until lunch.
20 Healthy “blobs” – make the night before. Mix 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk, 3 cups crushed flake cereal, and 2 tablespoons honey. Form into “blobs” (should make 10). Wrap each blob in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Grab a couple on your way out the door with a travel cup of skim milk and go! (From Nutritionist Alana Unger)
Breakfast burrito- Here’s an easy and healthy version of a “burrito” that takes no time at all! Throw a whole wheat pita in the microwave with a piece of smoked turkey or ham, sprinkle some low-fat mozzarella cheese and nuke for about 20 seconds. Bam!
Cheese toast- my mom used to make this for me in the mornings before school. Just lay a few slices of jack cheese (or any cheese you like) onto a piece of whole wheat toast and toast in the oven for about 10 minutes until the cheese melts. Mom used to sprinkle ours with some Mexican seasoning for an extra kick. It sounds a little weird, but trust me, its good!
– You can also do the same thing with a little margarine and cinnamon sugar instead for quick cinnamon toast!
On the weekends, when I have a little more time in the mornings, I love waking up late and going out for a leisurely breakfast. I grab the paper, a cup of coffee and just veg out. Check out this of places to get a great bite to eat in the morning that have lots of healthy options as well.
Amphora’s Diner Deluxe -1151 Elden Street, Herndon - (703)925.0900
Since 1997, Amphora’s Diner Deluxe has been offering freshly prepared International-American fare in a casual, relaxed and fun atmosphere.
Bentley’s -6654ArlingtonBlvd.FallsChurch – (703)532.4100
What began as a small town breakfast dinner consisting of a counter and 7 booths has with the times grown to a 150 seat full service restaurant, serving you for almost 40 years!
Eggspectation – Chantilly/Gainesville/Leesburg locations. Check website for location nearest you!
Features 160 creative and delicious breakfast items which are available all day long.
Einstein Bros Bagels – Check website for locations near you!
If you think it’s just bagels, think again!
First Watch -9600 Main St # S,Fairfax - (703)978.3421
Fresh is best! That’s why their Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch creations are made using the finest ingredients around.
The Original Pancake House -7395 MLee Highway,Falls Church – (703)698.6292
This unique and original menu which has gained national acclaim- come find out why!
The Royal Restaurant -734 N. Asaph St.,Alexandria – (703)548.1616
For over 100 years, the Royal has been the most popular restaurant inOldTown,Alexandria. It’s authentic Greek and Italian fare with hospitable service!
Tropical Smoothie Cafe - Check website for locations near you!
Smoothies and more! Tropical Smoothie Café’s menu boasts bold, flavorful food and smoothies with a healthy appeal.
Happy breakfast!
– Jennie Whistler
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, March 8th, 2010
I don’t get a lot of celebrity ads.
For instance, it’s beyond me why Cisco has hitched their wagon to Ellen Page. Is she a closet networking genius?
I mean, at least get one of the faux dorks from The Big Bang Theory or Attack of the Show’s Olivia Munn if you want to appeal to both casual observers and Interweb cognescenti.
Page, however, comes off as refreshingly blunt in some recent Take Part spots:
(Video: Take Part)
The advocacy campaign seeks to build on the popularity of Oscar-nominated Food, Inc. by challenging people to take full responsibility of their eating habits and challenge the status quo of commercial food production.
To that end, Page also weighs in on healthy school lunches and local farmers markets.
Activist eating?
Now, that’s something an indie film starlet MIGHT know something about.
–Warren
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
Photo: marchofdimes.com
I was prepared to be a real aguafiestas (translation: party pooper) to the inimitable Mr. Rojas and his online chat buddy today. If you caught the yummy online discussion with Buzz Bakery’s Josh Short about Halloween treats (and if you have a sweet tooth like me) no doubt you’re ready for the treat extravaganza of the holiday to commence, and no amount of pumpkin bread or pennies in a sandwich bag will ever substitute for a festively decorated cupcake or neatly wrapped candy bar on Halloween.
I am happy to report, however, that after speaking with Michelle Berman, R.D. in Vienna, denying your kids (and yourself) treats is not a strategy she recommends.
Even at-risk kids with weight or nutrition issues who have sugar triggers should not be denied. Restricting the amount of candy is a much better option; otherwise, Berman cautions, you are sending a mixed message. “You’re saying, ‘We want you to feel normal but we don’t want you to eat candy like your friends and your siblings.’”
This is not to say you should let your kids have free reign of the candy jar. Berman suggests rationing portions and warns under no circumstances should your kids keep the candy stash in their room. For example, perhaps Halloween night let them eat as much as they want and then throw away the remaining candy, or parcel out a few pieces each night for a week. The idea is not to let kids gorge themselves on candy from now until Thanksgiving.
One way to avoid candy aisle overload in the first place is to de-emphasize candy consumption and Trick-or-Treating. “Don’t make candy the centerpiece of the holiday,” advises Berman. “Halloween is a lot more than just candy. I would encourage families to have parties (see video below for party ideas) where kids could bake fun things and have activities to go to like bobbing for apples or drinking hot cider. Stress the whole experience of the fun of Halloween.”
So, what do you do should you have a veritable pirate’s booty of Snicker’s Bars, Hershey’s Kisses, Smarties and other confectionery goodies left over from a long night of Trick-or-Treating? Go for the bottom line, encourages Berman. That’s right, the wallet.
“Make a deal with your kids and exchange five pieces of candy for money, or a sticker or something fun that they’ll really enjoy.”
–Amy Loeffler
Video: Youtube]