Review – Page 4

This post is a a little different than my previous posts. I decided to share something new on here- restaurant reviews! I absolutely LOVE trying new restaurants and hunting down eateries that cook healthy, delicious grub. I’m one of those people who gets all excited to look at menus online and read Yelp reviews in my free time. Anyone else do this, or am I just crazy? I’m also one of those people who pulls out their phone to take pictures of the food that comes to the table. Pictures are not only fun to look back on and share with others, but I also find having some pics of great meals reminds me of great things to order if I go to that restaurant again. Not to mention, if I’m feeling inspired to try my hand at recreating the meal at home, I have a visual reference to guide me in my foodie endeavor.

The first restaurant I’ve got to share with you is called True Food Kitchen. There are locations in Southern California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Georgia, and Virginia! I can guarantee they will get more locations because the food is just that good. Their whole philosophy, as stated on their website, is that they “want you to feel better, live longer, and make your mouth happy in the process.” I can totally stand by that, and so can my tastebuds. They are not serving up bland rabbit food. The food is full of flavor, and leaves you satisfied without feeling like you are in a food coma. If you have a True Food Kitchen near you, I highly recommend you stop in. Quite simply, they are serving nutritious food you can feel good about eating. Here are pics of some of my favorite things I have tried so far.

Green Arnie (matcha lemonade), beet and carrot juice, and a honey lemonade

quinoa veggie salad with crunchy almonds, goat cheese, and grilled steelhead salmon

inside out quinoa burger with kale and sweet potatoes

Are you salivating yet? I was while I was putting this post together. Ahhhh the food is so good, to the point where you actually crave healthy foods! Plus most of the menu items are simple to put together at home, so you know I am drawing some major inspiration for future blog recipes! Would you guys try any of these types of foods at a restaurant? What are some of your favorite places to stop in for a healthy bite to eat? Let me know!

XO,

Alexandra

My absolute favorite food of all time, that I never get tired of eating is sushi. I have an addiction. I wish I could eat it for every meal. (well, maybe not breakfast). However, in the world of sushi, there is a very distinct line between the healthy sushi, and the less than favorable sushi. So here is a list of my sushi “do’s” and “don’ts”. As a side note, it is perfectly ok to indulge with an over-the-top roll from time to time, but if you eat sushi as often as I like to, there are some simple tips that help you get the most nutritious meal as possible.

Do: opt for sashimi. Sashimi is simply thin slices of just the fish. No rice. This is a great way to get protein, some Omega-3’s, and keep your meal low carb and low glycemic index, which is especially important if you have diabetes or struggle with blood sugar problems.

Do: Get brown rice on your rolls instead of white rice, if possible. The caloric difference isn’t major, but by getting brown rice, you get more fiber and other nutrients naturally present in rice that processing for white rice removes.

Do: get rolls wrapped in/ filled with veggies. The more veggies, the better. Vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals and fiber, so they fill you up. In addition, they are a low calorie filling for any sushi roll. Some rolls come wrapped in cucumber or filled with mushrooms and asparagus.

Don’t: get tempura appetizers or rolls. Anything deep fried is high in calories and fat, which can be damaging to your waist line and your heart health. These are the french fries of the sushi world, which means moderation is key. A treat, yes. All the time, no.

Don’t: order the rolls smothered in mayo or cream cheese. Again, these creamy fillings and sauces are high in calories and fat, and they don’t provide any much health benefit. If it’s that fatty, smooth texture you are after, get a roll with avocado instead, which is full of good-for-you fats.

Don’t: overdo the soy sauce. Beware of drenching and dipping all of your sushi in loads of soy sauce, simply because it is very high in sodium. The best option is to ask for the low-sodium soy sauce, or have your sushi without the soy sauce at all, which is how I prefer it. The sushi is full of flavor as it is!

I hope that next time you go enjoy some sushi, you think about some of my tips. And remember, sushi is totally part of a healthy diet, if you make some wise (and tasty) selections at the local sushi restaurant. XO, Alexandra

All photos were taken at Arigato in Santa Barbara, CA

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