I’m a carbaholic. Now that I eat clean, I don’t miss the bagels, but still long for grains. Though whole-wheat pasta is more nutrient dense than the white stuff, my waist seldom forgives me after a big bowl. In trying many different brands, shapes and kinds of grains, I opted to experiment with quinoa. The taste is nuttier and the texture is softer than most pastas. It’s also packed with protein and I feel great after eating a plateful.
Easy Recipe: Hearty Veggie Quinoa Salad
Fast Food on the Fly for the Healthy Kid
Some of my fondest childhood memories were at fast food restaurants. Whether it was the bright, happy meal packages at McDonald’s or the camaraderie of hanging out at Taco Bell with my teen-age friends, fast food joints were fun. Flash forward to motherhood and I gained a whole new appreciation for the drive-thru. Now, the endless days juggling appointments, meetings and kid activities mean that eating is often on the fly. I know better than to pick up a supersized chicken nugget meal with a side of grease and pound of sugar. But, I still am human and occasionally run late, forget to pack snacks or flat-out don’t have time to be uber-healthy. So, what does a health-conscious mom do when a quick pick up meal (for me and my son) is the only option? The answer is – choose smart.
In researching the menu items at different chains, I’ve found a few that are relatively wholesome and filling. Of course I strive to eat solid organic, fresh plant-based meals, so won’t make this a daily habit. These items aren’t perfect, but are better than vending machine choices or other cruddy fried favorites from the happy meal menus.
My Top Six Favorites for Fast Food on the Fly
1. Chipotle:
This is my favorite fast-food joint. The items are fresh, largely organic and made in front of you. A salad with black beans, brown rice and a heaping spoonful of mild tomato salsa is a high fiber and nutrient filled meal. The kid’s meals (tacos or quesadillas) are decent healthy options, just skip the chips. While they don’t currently have drive-thru windows, using their Chipotle app makes it easy to order and pick up quickly.
2. The Whole Foods Salad Extravaganza Bar:
It really isn’t just a salad bar; it’s a whole lot more. There are about four islands of pre-made fresh and cooked food ranging from soups and salads to ethnic meals and gourmet items. I prefer to build a big plate of greens with juicy olives, beans and fun grains. For kids, there are plenty of pre-made choices that change daily. Though the grocery store checkout line can be long, purchasing at the coffee bar or express line makes paying a lot easier.
3. Subway:
The slogan “eat fresh” is appealing, however know that it doesn’t apply to every item on the menu. Nonetheless, I’m still a fan. It isn’t organic and likely serves some genetically modified products (chips, pre-made breads, etc.) But, it is a good option for fresh vegetables when you are on-the-go. They make solid salads using real spinach leaves. Top it off with the salt and pepper mix, no dressing and it’s a healthy choice. (Adding avocado is also on the menu.) Their “Fresh Fit for Kids” meal includes apples, smaller sandwiches and Shamrock Farm milk (without added hormones.) Subway continues to grow franchises, many in highway rest stops, so a drive thru option could be available for an even quicker pick up.
4. Panera Bread:
Panera offers a slew of organic foods including cheese, milk and yogurt all well-loved by my five-year old. The rye bread is GMO-free and tastes yummy as a grilled cheese sandwich. The Mediterranean veggie with hummus (no cheese) on rye is a tasty lunch for those staying away from the nitrates in deli.
5. Wendy’s:
I’m not a fan of the sandwiches or even pre-made salads, but the baked potato dry is a solid clean eating staple. Adding sour cream, cheese or thick sauces diminishes any health benefits. So, I keep small packets of random condiments in my car. Organic dressings, mustards, ketchup and olive oil can be purchased from Minimus and are great for these fast food emergencies.
6. Boston Market:
While the sodium content in many of their dishes can be high, their healthy options seem to have the least ingredients and are made up of solid wholesome foods. Healthy and hearty menu items include white meat skinless rotisserie chicken, turkey breast, steamed vegetables and fruit.
What healthy options have you found as you are running around town?
Photo image courtesy of lamnee/freedigital photos.net. Sources include company websites and Organic Authority.
No Bake Chocolate Oat Cookies & Granola
I had a sweet tooth. Anything crunchy with chocolate didn’t stand a chance in front of me. But when I changed my eating habits in fall of 2013, I removed added sugar and syrups from my diet. The medical and natural communities agree that sugar can have devastating effects on our health, so I just quit. Fast forward a few months and I was craving something sweet. So, I experimented in the kitchen and came up with no-bake chocolate oat cookies.
Juice Shot Review: My Shot Glass Juice Journey
Does a shot a day keep the doctor away? Of course, I’m talking about green juices and vegetable derived liquids, not Jell-O or Jägermeister shots. In the spirit of taking small steps toward better health on my adventures in wellness, I explored adding wheatgrass and ginger shots to my diet. The findings were varied. Below captures some top-line information gathered on my review of these healthy shots.
Easy Recipe: Healthy Buttery* Popcorn
Why is it that going to the movies or curling up on the couch with a late-night flick is so much better with a salty snack? From movie theater popcorn to Orville Redenbacher’s microwavable SmartPop, I’ve always enjoyed this buttery treat. But I’ve stayed away in recent years, mainly because of the immense number of calories found in cinema popcorn and those oftentimes mysterious ingredients in microwavable kernels. Here is my answer for non-processed buttery tasting popcorn without the guilt. It’s easy to make with just three ingredients and four minutes on the stove.
How to Quit Going Out to Eat
I’m seriously annoyed right now. It’s nearly midnight, which means I should be snoozing, but I’m can’t. Why? Because I’m stewing over the waitress at a local restaurant messing up my meal. I’m sure most people can look past a dining error. For me, it is hard to accept, especially considering I didn’t find out about her screw-up until after I ate it.
When I chose a vegan lifestyle late last year, I was forced to scratch many of my favorite restaurants from the rotation (I go out to eat often). This left me with only a handful of restaurants that I trusted to cook my meals. Tonight’s restaurant was one of those trusted establishments (note I said “was”).
Like I did so many times in the past, I ordered a naked kale salad topped with various cooked vegetables. And as per my usual routine, I reminded the waitress that I was vegan. But despite the disclaimer, my meal came with vegetables cooked with butter (and sugar). Last year, I would have just felt fat after inadvertently eating the dish. But now I fear that even the thought of dairy or simple sugar enrage the cancer cells in my body.
Considering I frequent this restaurant, I’m not sure I want to permanently ban it. But I’m certainly contemplating changing my longtime hobby of eating out and possibly replacing it with preparing home meals. I then know, for sure, that I’m eating primarily organic without added sweeteners or fatty oils that ruin the nutrient content of the food. The swelling pit in my stomach and chaos in my mind tells me I need to make a change.
Perhaps, I contemplated this for years. Quitting dining out because it put on the pounds. Always a pain-in-the-ass eater, I scanned menus searching for the least fatty entry, and then dumbed it down with a no-special sauce, steamed version. Think creamy thick alfredo, exchanged for a light marinara, with additional steamed vegetables and a dab of pasta on the side. With that type of order, I wouldn’t have been surprised if the chef rolled his eyes and accidently sneezed in my food. Or perhaps, like today, the server didn’t even prepare the chef adequately. So, I was served vegetables doused in butter masked by a seemingly healthy red sauce. No wonder I never lost weight and was always bloated. I lied to myself thinking I could eat out often and be healthy. In addition, I rationalized that this costly hobby lowered my grocery bills and saved me money.
So, what is a busy and social mom, wife, writer, homemaker, seeking vegan and allergy sensitive options supposed to do? While I love to eat out, it doesn’t necessarily align with my goal of eating vegan. I may not “quit” entirely, perhaps I will seek other options and dine out less regularly. Here is my top five list to figure out a better restaurant plan that will likely not only keep my eating “clean”, but will also conserve cash and calories.
How to Quit Going Out to Eat or Make Healthy Choices While Dining Out
5. Prepare most meals myself, so I know what is in my food especially being health conscious allowing for one subpar restaurant meal a week.
- Meal plan – schedule Sundays to figure out groceries and clean/prepare some.
- Pick a night a week for in-home date night – use wedding china and try new recipes.
- Frequent a vegan take-out place.
4. When going to a restaurant, choose one aligned with my priorities: Vegan (5-star choice), Sushi (brown rice and vegetable rolls easy to prepare), Italian restaurants (typically cook in olive oil rather than butter.)
3. Swap going out to dinner for bar hopping. Find a neighborhood one to frequent and walk there with my husband.
2. When going out for dinner, be over-kind to the server and remind several times of my “food allergies.”
1. Drink more – eat less. Water! Green Tea! Hot Water/Lemon! Occasional Seltzer! Non-Sweetened Iced Tea! Wine (organic reds!) with something simple on the menu.
Please list your suggestions (or comment on your favorite places) for healthy fare.