Yelp

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Cutting out the extra calories @ Veggie Grill...

As many of you know, I enjoy Veggie Grill when I'm craving a meaty-substitutey meal. However, the calories can really add up when eating there. So here are my suggestions when eating at VG:

1. Instead of the Crispy Chik'in offerings, opt for Grilled or Blackened Chik'in (saves you about 220 kcals).

2. When ordering a sandwich, ask for it to be KALE STYLE, which delivers the sub meat on a bed of steamed kale instead. Still meaty, still yummy, but cuts you back about 200 kcals!

3. Ask for dressings/sauces/gravy on the side or without it completely. Those suckers can add up to 100 kcals for just ONE OUNCE!

Here's a pic of my lunch today. The Santa Fe Crispy Chickin’ (Blackened, non-fried) w/lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado and a side of Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes (sans gravy). All of this added up to just 340 kcals and was delicious and oh-so-filling!



Bon appétit!

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Why is kale SO DARN GOOD for us?!

Glad you asked!

On a weekly basis, I get asked a few of the same questions: "How do you get your protein?" "But don't you feel weak?" "And what's in kale that makes it so good for you?!"

I realized that writing it in my blog and having people read it might be a more time-effective means of disseminating the message. So here it is...

Kale is low in calories, has virtually no fat, no cholesterol, low in sodium, no sugar, good amount of fiber, good source of protein, and is laden-full of vitamins and minerals. Here, have a look yourself:

Some noteworthy points:
Consuming 1 cup of raw kale affords...
JUST 33 calories 
Virtually no fat (But of these minimal fats kale does supply some Omega-3 fatty acids!)
0 grams of cholesterol (clogs your arteries and leads to heart disease= number one killer in US)
1 gram of fiber (fills you up faster, shown to lower colorectal cancer risk, and help rid the body of cholesterol = look above)
2 grams of protein (good amount of protein for 1 cup of a leafy green!)
206% of your daily needs for Vitamin A (eye health, lowered cancer risk, skin health, ... goes on and on)
134% of your daily needs for Vitamin C (antioxidant, lowered cancer risk...)
684% of your daily needs for Vitamin K (helps coagulate your blood so when you cut yourself you don't bleed to death! also has antioxidant capabilities, helps with bones, cancer preventative)
9% of your daily needs for calcium (bones, you know the story...)
6% of your daily needs for Iron (help move around oxygen throughout your body)
Good amount of copper and manganese

Sooooo....NOW YOU KNOW! And don't come asking me again about why kale is soooo darn good for us! Just do us all a favor and accept its greatness, eat tons of it, and explain to others who lack the knowledge of why its so phenomenal :) 




Thanks!

Friday, July 18, 2014

"The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison." -Ann Wigmore


Truer words have never been spoken.

Many of you may or may not know that I was attending school in the field of nutrition and dietetics for over four years. I just recently completed my studies this past May 2014, earning a Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR) certification, as well as a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. Soon after my completion, I began working at a local hospital in the dietary office. My immediate plans (within the next year or two) involve completing my Dietetic Internship, in order to earn my credentials as a Registered Dietitian.

In the meantime, work and school have taught me so much about food, people's choices, different diets and illnesses, as well as, given me the right set of tools to assist people in their choices regarding food. I truly enjoy helping individuals and their families in making more healthful, knowledgeable, educated choices about their diets.

As such, I have recently embarked upon a new journey in Nutrition Counseling/Consulting. I look forward to meeting with interested individuals in their private homes in order to guide them with their own personal struggles with regards to food, diet, health, eating to prevent disease, and appropriate eating.

Should you or anyone you know be interested, please send me a message here or on my Facebook page. I would love to help you get to where you want to be, nutritionally.

Thank you for listening!

-Mel

Monday, March 10, 2014

Food for Thought...


"Alle Ding' sind Gift, und nichts ohn' Gift; allein die Dosis macht, daß ein Ding kein Gift ist."
"All things are poison, and nothing is without poison; only the dose permits something not to be poisonous."
 
--Paracelsus, sometimes called the father of toxicology

Monday, February 24, 2014

Falafel, hummus, lentil soup, tabouli, ....!

Pita bar and grill on Fairfax in West Hollywood. Go there for all the aforementioned dishes and you'll thank me. Stay away from the bottled tahini. Tastes like cardboard :/  Oh and go in HARD on the pickle bar!!!!! You're welcome.

Veggie Grill.....again

I love the service at all Veggie Grills, especially the Hollywood one! Such amazing ppl working there. Here's some of the yum grub:
Burger and lentil soup! 

ShopHouse, Chipotle's Asian Cousin!



This place has great options for vegetarians, vegans and everything in between. Loads of intense favors from Southeast Asia! I love their charred corn, broccoli, and string beans. Get there ASAP and give it a shot!!

ShopHouse has locations in Westwood and Hollywood ...
 

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

The happiest place on Earth..... For vegans!

Viva la vegan is Santa Monica's entirely vegan grocery shop. Went for my first time this past Saturday and went a little crazy.....










They have loads of things, from cashew cheeses to dog food to dried asian vegan meat substitutes! They also had donuts on my visit so I got a few for my fam and I to try. Nothing to rave about but it was def fun and exciting to try vegan donuts!

Check this place out...

They also have a location in Rancho Cucamonga: http://www.vivalavegangrocery.com



Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Some Food for Thought...

"Everyone who will be affected by a decision should be involved in the making of the decision."

Sounded interesting to me when I first read it.  Plays a big part in relationships, whether they be work, social, marital, familial...

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Love hearing about progress in the Veg World!

Hi there.....
So, I'm doing some research and finalizing my Dietetic Internship application, and I stumbled upon this vegetarian food service distribution company: http://www.vegadvantage.com/

I got so excited, I had to post it on here! If you or anyone you know is interested in adding vegetarian options at their food facility, have them contact Veg Advantage.  Or, if you yourself would like to see more vegetarian options at your work or school, mention Veg Advantage to your food service dept! They use products from Follow Your Heart, Gardein, and Turtle Island's Tofurky. Not only are these options better for your health, but they are DELISH!

VegAdvantage



Monday, January 20, 2014

Ever heard of the Dirty Dozen?



This is an updated list of the fruits/veggies that you should try to buy organic (Dirty Dozen) when possible due to large amounts of pesticide use in their harvesting.  The Clean Fifteen lists fruits/veggies that don't require much pesticide use in their harvesting.

Get edumacated people!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Vegan Eats at Beautiful Resort in Koh Tao, Thailand!

Koh Tao View Point Resort is AMAZING. Not only that, but the chefs at the restaurant are SO ACCOMMODATING to specific dietary needs.  During my stay there, the chefs made vegan versions of dishes for me, that were possibly some of the BEST vegan food I've had! Koh Tao is a special, beautiful, charming island and this resort is a gem...I can't wait to go back!!!

Vegetarian Vietnamese Rolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Veggie Jamaican grub in DT LA — Birdsong's Veggietaria


If you're going to be in downtown Los Angeles during lunch time, make sure to stop by this place! It is entirely vegetarian, possible vegan and the food is delishhhhhhhhh!  Keep in mind, most of its offerings are not healthy eating, but they do offer a great salad bar! Check it out!

Mac and Cheese, BBQ Drumsticks, Orange Beef over Brown Rice

Stop by Shine Cafe (in Morro Bay) if you're ever heading up North!



Great food, for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike! Trust me!

The vegetable spring rolls were my BF and my favorite! Yummmmm

Check out the menu:

http://www.sunshinehealthfoods-shinecafe.com/pages/shinecafe.html

Curious Palate...A great way to start your day!



My significant other lives on the Westside so we frequent the restaurants/cafes/bars there quite often.  Curoius Palate in Mar Vista is one of my faves for breakie for one reason: Their PB&J sammie is UNREAL.  They make their own peanut butter and several jellies, that are truly incredible.

What's great is they use local and organic produce from local markets. People also tend to love their coffee, although I think there's better coffee throughout the Westside.

They have a bunch of other breakfast and lunch options, although not very many are vegan.  Oh, and BTW, they close pretty early, so check the website before you go!

Craig's West Hollywood

Yes. Craig's in WeHo is a steakhouse, a high-end steakhouse at that.  But, lucky for us, a year back it added a bunch of vegan options to the menu!

Here are the options:
Vegetable Soup (vegan) 10

Vegan Sausage Pizza 18 
(san marzano tomato, soy chorizo, vegan cheese) 

Vegan Chicken Parmigiana 28 
(gardein, marinara sauce, vegan cheese) 
Spaghetti Squash Primavera 26 
(carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, marinara) 
Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese 23 

Warm Quinoa Salad 24 
(sautéed spinach, white beans, sweet potato, 
mushrooms, garlic, caramelized onions) 
Stuffed Peppers 24 
(with fresh market vegetables, brown rice & marinara)

Stella’s Best Vegan Ice Cream 12 
 hand-made, daily flavors 

Vegan Chocolate Cake 13

Here are some pics: 
I asked them to make me a salad with vegan chicken on top!

Dessert

It's really so great to see so many non-vegetarian restaurants offer vegan options nowadays! Craig's has great food and great cocktails/wines as well! Gooooooo

I'm backkkkkk....Well, for now anyways!

Hello All-

Happy New Year! I know it's been over a year since I posted anything, but I had a legitimate reason: I met an amazing man last August and have been having the time of my life with him! But don't fret, I haven't stopped being a "veggiehiddentreasure" afficianado! As it happens, my boyfriend is also a foodie, a decadent-foods foodie, but a foodie nonetheless. So, needless to say we eat A LOT!

There's been a lot of change on the vegan/vegetarian scene in LA the past year and a half....Some great stuff, some not so great, so let's get to it...

1. CROSSROADS.  Yup, this gets the number one spot.  The opening of LA's first high-end entirely vegan menu is nothing short of AMAZING! On top of that, it doesn't hurt that the food is remarkably delicious. I've been there several times, and each time I enjoyed every single dish I tried (with the exception of the lasagna that seemed to have some rancid cheese action going on.) Here are some of my faves at Crossroads:
Pappardelle Bolognese

Scaloppini

Flatbread

Okra

Dessert

Scaloppini

If you haven't been to Crossroads yet, call and book a reservation IMMEDIATELY! You will be grateful you did...