Eating (a bit) Healthier in the New Year

by Cris Garza | Published Online on January 01, 2011

With the New Year upon us, I know a lot of people will be making resolutions to eat better and healthier. You folks know that I am not a health food kinda person. Hand me anything deep fried or wrapped in bacon and i'll try it. Smother it in chili and cheese. OMG! I'm all over it. Because of my usual eating habits, this article took me a bit longer to write than usual. Every time I order a salad, I’m used to it coming with a side order of enchiladas, rice and beans. Disclaimer! I am in no way an expert on healthy food or dietary needs of certain individuals. I just plan on upping the health food in my rotation.

A great place to eat with a cozy diner feel and good-for-you food is Green Vegetarian Cuisine and Coffee (1017 N. Flores, about 3 blocks west of San Antonio College, www.greensanantonio.com). They offer an array of dishes that you wouldn’t think were healthy. Breakfast, lunch and dinner all offer vegetarian and vegan choices. One of my faves for breakfast is an omelet. I make my own! I ask for an avocado and tomato omelet. The eggs are fluffy and not overcooked. Also try the tofu scramble! You can’t miss! For lunch, I love love the portabella steak, which is marinated and grilled and served with sautéed onions and a side of herb mashed potatoes and kale. It really is like cutting in to a steak! If you’ve never had a portabella mushroom, then you MUST try it at Green. They also have a portabella burger, but I stayed away from it trying to avoid the bread. Cece's stir fry is also a hit. They call it epic stir fry. It has popcorn tofu, celery, carrots, bell peppers served with awesome coconut cilantro rice and a kale salad. I could eat the coconut rice by it’s self. The stir fry is super flavorful and has a sesame sauce.

You might wonder what the big deal is about the kale salad. A note on kale. I’ve never been a fan of it before. To me, it was used when I was working at a restaurant to decorate the salad bar and that was it. Green, however, has forever changed my mind. They do it right! Plus, I’ve discovered that kale offers health benefits like super-antioxidants, Vitamin K ,and lots of fiber. Green also offers dessert, pizza, and a few fried items. But we’re trying to be healthy right? Give the non-fried items a try, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. In the new year, as always: Eat well, be well.

This article appeared in the January 2011 of ignite Magazine.