Healthy Living City Guides

Healthy Living Guide: Charlotte

Usually when you think of North Carolina,  BBQ and basketball come to mind, but this Southern city full of unique charm.  With a live music scene to rival any other, an historic art district located in the heart of NoDa, SoHo’s little sister, and a hip downtown for “the bank” crowd, Charlotte is a vibrant city to keep your eye on. Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and is home to many locally owned businesses that make their business, good eats and good health.

Restaurants

Harvest Moon Grille
235 North Tryon Street

Harvest Moon Grille is an excellent farm to table restaurant located in Uptown Charlotte, in The Dunhill Hotel. The ingredients used in all of the dishes come from local farms, no more than 100 miles outside of Charlotte. They also make all breads, pasta, dressing and many of their cheeses in house!

Luna’s Living Kitchen
2102 South Boulevard

Luna’s is located right next to the Atherton Mill Farmer’s Market and has a delicious menu of organic, local, raw and vegan fare. Stop in for the Bright Morning Star breakfast of homemade raw buckwheat granola and fresh, seasonal fruits to fuel your grocery shopping at the farmer’s market!

Blynk Organic
Several locations

Blynk Organic has two locations, both of them in central downtown Charlotte, close to the Bank Of America business center. They have delicious 100% organic breakfast and lunch options, as well as fresh baked organic pastries and bread in the Blynk Lounge!

Zizi’s
7945 North Tryon Avenue

Zizi’s is Charlotte’s only 100% vegan café. They have an extensive menu of vegan American fare including sandwiches, veggie burgers, salads, wraps, smoothies and desserts. They also feature several Asian inspired entrees and side dishes; there is something for everyone (even non-vegans!) at Zizi’s!

Fern
1323 Central Avenue

Fern is a brand new vegetarian café close to Charlotte’s city center. Executive Chef Alyssa Gorelick created a unique menu that includes vegan dishes with Indian, Mediterranean and Southwestern flavor inspirations. Make sure you join Fern on Monday, December 5th when they partner with Mother Earth Brewing Company for a Vegan Beer Dinner!

Energy Café
101 South Tryon Street

Located in the Bank of America business center, Energy Café is a very popular lunch spot with healthy meal options. They only use whole, unprocessed ingredients and organic products in their sandwiches, wraps, soups and smoothies. They also have fuel bars, a wholesome blend of whole grains and super foods if you need a quick afternoon snack!

Carpe Diem
1535 Elizabeth Avenue

This high-end restaurant strives to support local farmers by using as many locally sourced, organic ingredients as possible on their menu. The feature a special, seasonal vegetarian dish each day along with their other specials. Carpe Diem has consistently been voted one of the top ten restaurants in Charlotte since 2005. They also cater, so remember them next time you have a party!

Good Food on Montford
1701 Montford Drive

This cozy restaurant uses mostly local, organic ingredients for their dishes. The atmosphere provides the perfect space for a relaxed, and healthy meal with family and friends. Good Food on Montford is also a James Beard Award Finalist, so it is definitely worth giving them a try!


Farm Stands/Markets

Go Local Farms
Online

Go Local Farms is a buyers club for group ordering of local farm produe, 100% grass fed beef, grain finished beef, pastured pork, chickens, eggs, turkey, honey and milled grains from participating farms in the Charlotte area. Register on their website to join a group and pick up your farm fresh products every week or month!

Healthy Home Market
Several Locations

This health food market has proudly been provide the Charlotte area with local, organic food for 30 years. They offer a comprehensive selection of healthy products, produce and meat at all of their locations. Healthy Home Market is a great place to get your free-range turkey for Thanksgiving this year!

Berrybrook Farm
1257 East Boulevard

Berrybrook is the oldest natural food market in Charlotte. Stop in their store for natural supplements, organic produce and meat as well as cruelty-free health and beauty supplies. Can’t make it to their store? You can also order your groceries online and have them delivered!

Absolute Organics
Online

Absolute Organics is an online organic produce delivery service for the Charlotte and Hickory areas. Just log in to their website, select the box that you would like delivered, they range from $30 to $50 per box. Then you will receive a selection of 6-7 vegetables and 4-5 fruits weekly or bi-weekly!

Elizabeth Avenue Farmer’s Market
1521 Elizabeth Avenue

This farmers market is open on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm and features locally grown, organic produce, and several local artisan food products

Earth Fare
Multiple Locations

This specialty grocery store is a one-stop shop for all of your organic grocery needs. You will find grass-fed, hormone free, free range meat, poultry and eggs, organic dairy and locally grown, organic produce. It’s everything you need to keep your diet clean and your family healthy!


Health Services

Insight Wellness
1819 Charlotte Drive

Tom Cohen, a licensed acupuncturist, massage therapist and Acu-detox specialist opened Insight Wellness as a place for patients to seek natural healing. Stop by his office for any one of his treatments that will treat pain, chronic fatigue and a variety of other ailments.

Be Yoga and Wellness
Several locations

Be Yoga has two studio locations – Be Yoga on East Blvd and Sangati on Park Road. Head over to either location to take part in one of Be Yoga’s classes, which are held several times daily. Classes range in difficulty level and yoga practice, including vinyasa, slow flow, karma and deep stretch.

NoDa Yoga
908 E 35th Street

This Yoga studio has several classes a day, as well as several packages to choose from. Stop in for a yoga class or two to stay healthy and feel great!

Healthy Living Guide: Chicago

Chicago is famous for many things; its glittering skyline overlooking Lake Michigan, Cubs fans singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” in the 7th inning and, of course, its chilly, windy winters! Maybe a lesser-known fact is that Chicago also has a vibrant and ever-expanding culinary scene. Gone are the days when Chicago fare meant hotdog carts and deep-dish pizzas. Now, the city features an array of healthy restaurants with everything from raw, organic dishes to gluten-free and vegan baked goods!

Restaurants

Green Zebra
1460 West Chicago Avenue

Green Zebra’s chef Shawn McClain opened the restaurant to share his appreciation for pure ingredients with the world. He uses locally produced, seasonal fruits and vegetables on his menu. All of the dishes are vegetarian, and there are many vegan options as well!

Crust
2056 West Division

This 100% organic pizza shop serves flatbreads, salads and sandwiches made with only locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. Some popular dishes include the Bruschetta Trio – avocado pesto, burrata cheese and sun gold tomato preserves – as well as the prosciutto with apple mostarda and the any of the unique flatbread combos made with organic flour. Gluten-free crust options as well as seitan and soy cheese are also available!

Goodwin’s
175 North Franklin

This popular lunch spot serves a large variety of sandwiches, salads, and wraps made with the freshest of local ingredients. Goodwin is located in a historic building and is a very comfortable and clean space. The exceptional staff makes this restaurant an excellent choice for a relaxed lunch!

Hannah’s Bretzel
Several Locations

This is not your ordinary sandwich shop. Hannah’s Bretzel prepares “Uber Sandwiches” made with all-organic, high-quality ingredients. Choose from such sandwiches toppings as organic greens, organic, all-natural smoked turkey, nitrite-free bacon, and white truffle-goat cheese on whole grain bread.  Vegan and vegetarian options are also available.

Browntrout
4111 North Lincoln Avenue

Browntrout describes their restaurant as casual and comfortable with sustainable cuisine. They grow their own herbs in their rooftop garden and use ingredients of the highest quality: sustainably farmed and organic produce, seafood from natural waters, and all grass-fed, free-range meat. Browntrout is an excellent choice for a healthy and casual dinner with family and friends!

Chicago Raw
131 North Clinton Street

Chicago Raw is located in the Chicago French Market. They sell a variety of raw sandwiches, small plates, sweets, and entrees including collard burritos, falafel plates, and garden burgers. Raw also sells several raw food products in the market and on their website that will aid the cooking endeavors of any raw foodist!

Nana
3267 South Halstead Street

Nana is a family-owned organic restaurant serving great-tasting food made with only fresh, local, organic ingredients. They source their food from over 30 local farms, creameries, and orchards in the Midwest.  Nana has an exceptional dinner menu as well as lunch and breakfast. Some fall favorites include the roasted pumpkin pancakes and the fall apple cider-parmesan fondue.

Vie
4471 Lawn Avenue
Western Springs

This upscale seasonal contemporary American restaurant is located just outside of Chicago city limits in Western Springs. The menu features several seafood, meat, and vegetarian options made with only the finest, organic, seasonal ingredients. If you are looking for a fine dining experience with a healthy twist, Vie is an excellent choice!

The Chicago Diner
3411 North Halstead

The Chicago Diner has been serving vegetarian versions of classic diner dishes since 1983. Their menu features all of your dinner favorites such as the Reuben, BLT or chicken fried steak with a unique vegetarian twist. The Chicago Diner is a great, laid-back restaurant to enjoy with family or friends!

The Bleeding Heart Bakery
1916 West Chicago Avenue

This punk rock bakery serves everything from cupcakes to pumpkin pie baked inside a chocolate cake. And the best part? The local, sustainable, and organic ingredients are better for your body and the earth!

Buzz Cafe
905 South Lombard Avenue
Oak Park

This coffee shop in the Oak Park neighborhood outside of Chicago specializes in local, organic foods and organic free-trade coffee. The menu features everything from pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches to soups and salads.  Gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options are also available!

Town House Books Literary Cafe
105 North 2nd Avenue
St. Charles

This literary café in St. Charles is an excellent place to escape busy city life and enjoy reading or discussing literature over a homemade lunch of fresh, wholesome food. This is a great spot to meet with a book group, come in for an author book signing, or even just check out the selection at the Town House bookstore!

Healthy Living Guide: Washington D.C.

Washington D.C., our nation’s capital, is home to so many historic sites and monuments that define America’s history. A stroll down the Mall will take you from the Capital Building, past several Smithsonian Museums, the Washington Monument, the White House and the Vietnam Memorial – just to name a few! If you are visiting Washington D.C. or even if you live in town, there is never a shortage of attractions to see. To fuel you through the sightseeing, luckily Washington D.C. also has an abundance of healthy restaurants . We’ve complied a list of some of our top choices that we recommend for tourists and locals alike!


Restaurants

Litestars
2101 L Street, NW

This popular lunch spot is located right in the heart of DC, near George Washington University, the Business District and Dupont Circle. Litestars strives to offer a convenient and fast meal that is also healthy and energizing. Choose from their extensive menu of soups, salads and sandwiches made with fresh produce and whole grains.

Chix
2019 11th Street, NW

Chix is located just a few blocks from Howard University and a residential street. They are committed to serving healthy, natural Latin-inspired cuisine in a relaxed and friendly environment. The restaurant is also environmentally responsible by using earth-friendly materials for all of their packaging, cleaning and paper products!

Sticky Fingers
1370 Park Road, NW

With a Cupcake Wars win under their belt, Sticky Fingers is setting out to provide the DC metro area with delicious treats that are 100% vegan. Not only do they have amazing cupcakes, cookies, cakes and pastries, they also have a savory menu of sandwiches, soups, and breakfast items!

Bus Boys and Poets
2021 14th Street and Avenue V

Bus Boys and Poets provides a space that is healthy for your mind, body and soul. The menu is fantastic with several vegan and vegetarian options, and the coffee is all organic and free trade. Make sure you come in on a Tuesday night for open mic poetry!

Sweet Green
Multiple Locations

Sweet Green is more than a typical salad bar and wrap lunch spot. They offer foods made with only the best locally sourced and organic ingredients. With several locations through the DC area (check their website for specifics), for a healthy meal on-the-go, or a decadent, fat-free, all-natural frozen yogurt, Sweet Green is the obvious choice!

Nora
2132 Florida Avenue

Nora is a beautiful, upscale restaurant housed in a 19th century building just north of Dupont Circle. The menu is certified organic, meaning 95% percent of their food is from local, organic farmers. They also serve grass-fed, free-range beef and chicken.  It is the perfect choice for a celebratory dinner with family and friends!

Elizabeth’s Gone Raw
1341 L Street, NW

The founder of Elizabeth’s Gone Raw decided to adopt a vegan-raw diet after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2009. After changing her diet, and immersing herself in holistic medicine, she now feels better than she has in years. She decided to open a restaurant so she could share her delicious, raw creations with everyone. Elizabeth’s Gone Raw is definitely worth a visit!

Founding Farmers
1924 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

A collection of local, American farmers own this restaurant and source all of their fresh produce, fish and meat from family-owned farms across America. The menu changes seasonally according to the crops that are available, but it always contains an outstanding assortment of American fare. We recommend the Rotisserie Chicken or the Slow-Simmered Chili for a warming, fall meal!

Juice Joint Café
1025 Vermont Ave, NW

This juice bar is located just north of the White House in McPherson Square. It’s the perfect place to stop in for a fresh-pressed juice if you need a quick pick-me-up. They also have an extensive menu of organic breakfast or lunch items if you have more time to sit down and enjoy a healthy meal!


Other Healthy Resources

Healthy Bites
Food Delivery Service

This food delivery service provides healthy meals to busy Washingtonians as an alternative to greasy, unhealthy fast food or take out. Healthy Bites provides a variety of levels of service – whether you want all of your meals plus snacks or you just want lunch, there is an option for everyone! Vegetarian meals are also available.

Healthy Living Guide: Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a city known for its professional sports team spirit (go Phillies!) and the ballpark foods that go along with it: cheese steaks and soft pretzels. While it is fun to indulge in Philly’s finest from time to time, exploring all of the healthy food options that Philadelphia has to offer is even better. From vegan bakeries to farm-to-table restaurants, this city has it all. And the best part? Most of these restaurants take full advantage of their close proximity to some of America’s best organic farms by locally sourcing their ingredients!

Restaurants

Fuel
1225 Walnut Street

The first of its kind, Fuel is a famed Philadelphia restaurant where everything on the menu is under 500 calories! The menu features several paninis, wraps and salads all made with 100% organic ingredients, and the vibe of the restaurant can only be described as very Southern California – relaxed and upbeat!

Sweet Freedom Bakery
1424 South Street

Created by two IIN graduates, Allison Lubert and Heather Esposito, Sweet Freedom Bakery is Philly’s first and only gluten-free, vegan, allergen-free bakery. If you’re craving a cupcake, but not the sugar and toxins that go with it, head over to Sweet Freedom for a guilt-free treat! Our favorite is the Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcake!

Essene Market and Café
719 South Fourth Street

Essene Market is a very popular choice for people in Philadelphia who are looking for a place to buy all things health-related – vitamins, food, kitchen appliances, you name it! It’s also a great place to sit down for a healthy and delicious lunch at the café or pick up a loaf of bread at the bakery.

Vedge
1221 Locust Street

Vedge is the newest healthy restaurant to hit the scene in Philadelphia. Set to open this fall, Vedge promises an upscale dining experience with a progressive approach to vegetarian cooking. We can’t wait to try it out!

Mama’s Vegetarian
18 South 20th Street

Mama’s Vegetarian is a casual Kosher Middle Eastern restaurant in the City Center. The menu features several falafel options, as well as hummus, bourekas, and several other traditional Middle Eastern foods. The casual environment makes Mama’s a great place for a laid-back lunch with friends.

Mi Lah Vegetarian
218 South 16th Street

This vegetable-focused vegan restaurant, whose Buddhist namesake Maitreya denotes nature, harmony, happiness, and kindness, strives to provide healthy, vegetarian and mostly vegan fare. The menu is inspired by traditional Thai, Indian, Japanese and several other cultural foods and items are available gluten-free!

The White Dog Café
3420 Sansom Street

The White Dog Café has two locations, one in Philadelphia’s University district and the other in Wayne, just outside of the Philadelphia city limits. The restaurant is all local and organic. In fact, they receive 95% of the ingredients used on their menu from farmers within 50 miles of the café locations! If you’re looking for a delicious, healthy meal in a comfortable atmosphere, The White Dog is for you!

FARMiCiA
15 South 3rd Street

This farm-to-table restaurant is a conception of former White Dog Café chef  Kevin Kluase, James Barrett and Wendy Smith Born. Together, the three set out to create a friendly, lively space that serves local, organic food and beverages. The menu is fantastic and the atmosphere is very inviting. Farmicia is a great choice for dinner, drinks or even Sunday brunch!

Healthy Bites
2521 Christian Street

Healthy Bites believes in “Green Cuisine” – food that is good for your body and the planet. If you are in need of some healthy groceries to take home, a quick lunch or dinner of healthy, organic foods, or even healthy meals delivered to your door, Healthy Bites is for you! You can even sign up for cooking classes or nutritional services on the Healthy Bites website.

Food For All Market
7127 Germantown Avenue

Food For All is a small artisanal café and market that serves allergy-sensitive, local, organic foods. The menu features sandwiches, soups and salads as well as several gluten-free baked goods! We recommend The Stewart Sandwich – it’s incredible!

Healthy Living Guide: Boston

This week, we are headed up to beautiful New England to explore Boston, Massachusetts! Boston is an incredible city, unlike any other in the United States. It holds a rich history of some of America’s most important events, such as the Boston Tea Party and The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, and is currently home to more than 100 colleges and universities! Boston also has a strong affinity towards health and wellness. The city plays host to the world’s oldest marathon each year, is home to thousands of runners, and has anything but a shortage of healthy meal options! Check out some of our favorite restaurants in the Boston area.

Restaurants

The Elephant Walk
900 Beacon Street
Boston

The Elephant Walk has a menu that is a wonderful and healthy marriage between Cambodian and Classic French Cuisine. While they do serve meat dishes, the restaurant also features an extensive list of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meal options.

Live Alive
765 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge

At Live Alive, they believe that a delicious meal, no matter how simple, is the starting point for nurturing the body and soul and bringing the community together. They feature an organic menu that will meet any of your culinary needs, whether you are raw, vegan, gluten-free or an omnivore!

Organic Garden Café
294 Cabot Street
Beverly

This popular vegetarian restaurant has a menu of completely certified organic, vegetarian, meat and dairy-free items. All dishes are designed to give you all the nutrients you need to make you feel your best. They also feature an impressive organic beer and wine list.

B. Good
272 Newbury Street
Boston

Two good friends, who loved fast food but hated the way it made them feel, opened this restaurant in the heart of one of Boston’s most famous shopping streets. B. Good features such fast food favorites as French fries and hamburgers with a healthy spin, using only the best, organic ingredients. Can’t make it to Newbury Street? Check their website to find one of their many other Massachusetts locations.

Veggie Planet
47 Palmer Street
Cambridge

Veggie Planet is a laid-back pizza joint in the heart of Harvard Square that, at any given time of day, is full of hungry, healthy college students. The menu features vegan and vegetarian pizzas that are sure to please. Not in a pizza mood? You can put any pizza topping combination on brown or coconut rice instead!

Mare
135 Richmond
North End

Mare is an Italian seafood restaurant whose claim to fame is having Boston’s first all-natural ingredient list, specializing in locally grown seafood. Make sure you have a reservation or expect to wait for a table – the restaurant holds a several prestigious titles, including one of Travel + Leisure Magazine’s Top 20 Restaurants in the World!

The Pulse Café
195 Elm Street
Somerville

This organic, vegan restaurant in Somerville, just outside of Boston, is a great option for a healthy lunch or dinner. Many of their menu options are also gluten-free, and the staff is very accommodating to those with food allergies. The Pulse Café is also very environmentally conscious and uses only biodegradable packaging and utensils.

Rafiki Bistro
1682 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge

Rafiki Bistro is most well known for their extensive list of organic beverages. Choose from a selection of specialty cocktails, organic beers, biodynamic wines, loose-leaf teas and fairly traded coffees. But don’t skip the food! They also have an all-natural, organic menu of American dishes.

Henrietta’s Table
1 Bennett Street
Cambridge

Henrietta’s mission statement says it all: “Our goal is to deliver the freshest available food, through proper cooking techniques and excellent service.” The feel of this restaurant is very comfortable, and together with the fresh, healthy menu options, it provides the perfect spot for a family dinner or brunch with friends!

Centre Street Café
669A Centre Street
Jamaica Plain

This unique café in Boston’s most eclectic neighborhood, Jamaica Plains, has a wonderful menu of locally grown and organic options. Whether you are a vegetarian, a meat eater or just like to eat healthy, whole foods, this café has something for you!

Ten Tables
597 Centre Street
Jamaica Plains

This restaurant has three locations in Massachusetts, one in Cambridge, another in Provincetown, and perhaps our favorite, a location in Jamaica Plains. This is a cozy, inviting restaurant with an American menu that uses locally sourced ingredients.

Market
100 Stuart Street
Boston

This restaurant is one of Boston’s finest dining experiences. Opened by acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten of Mercer Kitchen, Spice Market and several other restaurants in New York City, Market has an incredible menu of locally sourced produce and seafood. It is conveniently located in the W Hotel close to the theatre district and is perfect for a pre- or post-show meal.

True Bistro
1153 Broadway
Somerville

True Bistro is one of the only upscale vegan restaurants in the Boston area. They have fantastic brunch, lunch and dinner menus that feature such items as seitan burgers, tofu scrambles and green curry. They also have a special gluten-free and nut-free menu available.

Peace o’ Pie
487 Cambridge Street
Allston

This pizza restaurant in Allston, just west of Boston proper, features a 100% vegan menu. They also use local, organic ingredients whenever possible and avoid using sweeteners such as sugar or honey in any of their products. They also put a big emphasis on using environmentally friendly packaging and supplies and make a point to recycle all materials and compost any left over food.

Healthy Living Guide: New Jersey

We’re making our way out of New York City this week and into the great state of New Jersey! It’s no secret that New Jersey often gets more negative attention than it deserves. From MTV’s Jersey Shore cast to Bravo’s Real Housewives, reality TV is painting a picture of New Jersey full of fist pumps and cat fights. Yes, New Jersey may have its share of stereotypes, but it also has a plethora of health conscious people and plenty of restaurants and health food stores to feed them.

From North to South, the Garden State lives up to its name with plenty of delicious, healthy and organic restaurant options that are sure to please!

Restaurants

North New Jersey

The Cinnamon Snail
Hoboken

This is a vegan, organic food truck that can be found parked in various locations in Hoboken. Make sure you follow The Cinnamon Snail on Twitter to find out their whereabouts, because their cuisine is not something that you want to miss. From breakfast burritos to cashew oat waffles to Creole grilled tofu subs, this food truck has something for everyone!

Subia’s Organic Café
506 Jersey Ave
Jersey City

This is a one-stop shop for all of your organic or vegan needs. Stop in for a quick lunch or breakfast of decadent vegan or organic cuisine with friends, or grab your meal to go! Make sure you pick up a few of your favorite organic groceries while you are there.

Natural Way Café
23-25 Broadway
Fair Lawn

Natural Way café is a great choice for a quick lunch or breakfast of healthy, flavorful foods. The menu features an assortment of sandwiches, salads, soups, and wraps, as well as some larger entrees, all made with the best organic ingredients. If you’re not in the mood for a full meal, stop by the juice bar for a fresh pressed, vegan juice!

Elevation Burger
367 Bloomfield Avenue
Montclair

Elevation burger is not your typical fast food burger joint. Here, they strive to create an elevated product made with only 100% organic, grass-fed beef and produce cooked in hearty healthy olive oil. If you are a burger lover, you will love the fresh, healthy burgers that Elevation Burger has to offer!

Fresh
562 Allen Road
Basking Ridge

Fresh is a cozy restaurant in Northern New Jersey that uses only fresh, organic and locally grown produce. With an extensive menu of salads, soups, sandwiches, and sweets, Fresh is an excellent option for a healthy, filling lunch or even just a quick cup of coffee.


Central New Jersey

Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen
207 Monmouth St.
Red Bank

This restaurant is a very special one! Set to open its doors very soon, Soul Kitchen is the brainchild of rock star Jon Bon Jovi, who set out to create a community restaurant with no prices on the menu. Customers pay what they can afford, and if they can’t afford to pay anything, they can volunteer at Soul Kitchen as an alternative way to compensate for their meal.

Elements Restaurant
163 Bayard Street
Princeton

This restaurant, just minutes from the university, is housed in a renovated auto repair/gas station. The ambiance feels very natural with stone, wood and glass detailing to complement the organic ingredients used on the menu. The menu is seasonal and changes frequently, so stop in now for some of your fall favorites!

Beanwood Coffee Latin Bistro
222 Farnsworth
Bordentown

Beanwood is a wonderful fusion between an upscale coffee bar and a Latin bistro. The chef uses all natural ingredients to create decadent lunch and breakfast items, as well as an extensive list of pastries. Stop in for a Latin-inspired lunch or a warm cup of coffee in an equally warm environment.

Namaste Café Organic Juice Bar
89 Morris Street
New Brunswick

This juice bar is located inside the George Street Food Co-op and is an excellent place to grab a 100% vegan, raw, organic fresh pressed juice to sip on while you do your grocery shopping.


South New Jersey

Seasons 52
2000 Route 38 Suite 1145
Cherry Hill

Seasons 52 is a great choice for family dining in South New Jersey. The menu features meat and vegetarian options that change seasonally, so customers can enjoy meals made with only the freshest ingredients.

Bashful Banana Bakery and Café
944 Boardwalk
Ocean City

Bashful Banana is a great place to stop in for a healthy treat while you vacation on the Jersey Shore. Enjoy a hummus veggie burger on gluten-free bread for lunch and a nice big scoop of “Whipped Banana” for dessert, their signature 100% banana frozen treat that gives regular old ice cream a run for its money!

Jules Thin Crust Pizza
300 Sycamore Street
Newtown, PA

This pizza shop is in Pennsylvania, but with such close proximity to Trenton and such a delicious menu, it had to be included! Jules uses all organic, locally grown ingredients to create decadent thin-crust pizzas that your whole family will love! They also have gluten-free and vegetarian options, so everyone can enjoy their pizza.

Healthy Living Guide: Long Island

We are continuing our healthy living guide this week with Long Island. Just a short train ride away from Manhattan, Long Islanders have access to all of the healthy restaurants that we mentioned in our previous healthy living guides here and here, but they also don’t have to go far to live a healthy life. Long Islanders have plenty of great restaurants, and farmers markets right in their own backyard!

Restaurants

3 Brothers Pizza
212 North Long Beach Road
Rockville Centre

If you are a vegan and feeling a little pizza deprived, this pizzeria is a perfect option for you! 3 Brothers Pizza caters to pizza lovers of all types with meat or vegetarian options as well as an extensive vegan pizza menu with meat and cheese substitutes.

Tiger Lily Café
156 East Main Street
Port Jefferson

If you are looking for a funky, artsy café with lots of vegetarian options, Tiger Lily Café is your place.  Stop in for a vegetarian sandwich and some organic coffee or tea, sink into a comfy couch and enjoy the truly original atmosphere. You don’t have to leave your meat-eating friends behind; Tiger Lily has several non-vegetarian sandwich options as well!

Organic Avenue
300 South Service Road
Roslyn Heights

Looking for a vegan juice packed with nutrients for a quick pick-me-up instead of coffee in the afternoon? Or maybe you want to try a 3 or 5-day juice cleanse. Whatever your juicing needs, Organic Avenue is sure to please. If you can’t make it to their Roslyn Heights location, which is scheduled to open this fall, head to one of their many locations in Manhattan, or have your juices delivered.

Tula Kitchen
41 East Main Street
Bay Shore

Tula Kitchen is located on Long Island’s South Shore. It offers a wonderful array of organic meal options ranging from seared sesame crusted tuna to a turkey, feta and roasted tomato burger.  The atmosphere is warm and inviting and perfect for a dinner with friends or date night!

Atlantica
80 West Broadway
Long Beach

Atlantica is located on the water in the Allgeria Hotel in Long Beach. The restaurant is famed for its fresh, organic seafood. The restaurant has stunning views of the ocean and the décor is fit for a 5-star beachfront restaurant in Miami Beach. The menu is a bit pricey, so if you are looking for an upscale, organic restaurant in Long Beach, you will love Atlantica.

Estia’s Little Kitchen
1516 Sag Harbor Bridgehampton Turnpike
Amagansett

This small, Mexican-inspired restaurant has a wonderfully cozy feel, just far enough off the beaten path that it feels secluded. The menu features amazing salad, soup, seafood and meat dishes, all made with local ingredients and produce. Estia’s Little Kitchen is an excellent dinner choice if you are in the Amagansett, Sag Harbor area.

Live Island Café
201C E. Main St.
Huntington

Live Island Café is a raw, live food café that offers a large variety of soups, salads, and appetizers as well as entrees that range from lettuce wraps to shepherds pie. No matter what you’re in the mood for, Live Island Café has a raw food option that is sure to meet all of your needs.


Green Markets

There are so many great farmers markets on Long Island, so we’ve put together a list of some of our favorites. Make sure you check them out soon; many of them only run through November

Huntington Farmers Market
Elm St. parking lot, Main St. (Rt. 25A).
Sundays 7 a.m.-Noon. June 6-November 21.

Hicksville Farmers Market
Adjacent to Kennedy Memorial Park between Jerusalem Avenue and Broadway.
Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. June 27-Nov. 21.

Long Beach Kennedy Plaza Farmers Market
City Hall, 1 W. Chester St.
Wednesdays 11 a.m.-7 p.m. May 6-November 2

Roslyn-North Hills Farmers Market
Christopher Morley Park, Searingtown Rd.
Wednesdays 7 a.m.-1 p.m. June 2-November 24

Westhampton Beach Farmers Market
85 Mill Rd., next to Historical Society.
Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 13-November 21

Healthy Living Guide: Queens

We’re continuing our Healthy Living Guide series this week with another New York City Borough: Queens. The second largest of all the boroughs, and certainly the most culturally diverse, Queens is more famous for its wide variety of global cuisines than it is for its role in the health food world. Craving the real taste of Hong Kong, Colombia, Haiti, the Philippines, or Korea? Queens is king of authentic ethnic foods.  With a little research, we’ve also proven that Queens residents know what to do and eat to stay happy and healthy!

Restaurants

Happy Buddha
135 37th Avenue

This Japanese restaurant has a very fun, laid-back vibe. They serve delicious, all vegetarian traditional Buddhist inspired dishes. This is a great option for take out, a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner with friends.

Organic Village
79 Cooper Avenue

Head chef Martin Richards created Organic Village as a destination for all New Yorkers to experience true, good quality organic raw food. They have a strict open kitchen policy, so you can see into the kitchen at all times to see how to food is prepared. They also cater for parties and events in New York City and The Hamptons!

BareBurger
33-31 31st Avenue

This organic burger joint in Astoria has been making lots of headlines in the foodie world lately. Voted the number-one burger in all of New York City, BareBurger serves organic, all-natural, free-range, grass-fed beef with a variety of local organic salads, sides and burger fixings! Check out their location in Astoria, Queens or patiently wait for their new locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn to open up soon!

Farmers Markets

Astoria Green Market
14th Street between 30th and 31st road

This is a smaller, weekday market that features a great selection of vegetables and fruit. There is also a wonderful variety of Mexican hot peppers, specialty greens and tomatillos that you won’t find anywhere else!

Jackson Heights Green Market
34th Avenue at 77th Street

This is the largest, and most diverse green market in Queens. It wraps around the end of Travers Park, and is the perfect spot for a family outing. The market offers fresh vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers, fish and meat.

Queens Botanical Garden Farmer’s Market
43-50 Main Street

This market features fruits, vegetables and herbs from several farms in upstate New York.  It is perfectly located in the parking lot of the Queens Botanical Garden, so you can load up on fruits and vegetables after a stroll through the gardens.


Workouts/Parks

Yoga Agora
33-02 Broadway

This donation-based yoga studio offers a variety of yoga classes at all times of the day. They also offer meditation classes, which is an excellent way to de-stress after a long day. This beautiful and peaceful studio is a must for Yogis in Queens!

Socrates Sculpture Park
32-01 Vernon Boulevard

This park is located in Long Island City, right on the East River, and has a fantastic view of Midtown Manhattan. The Sculpture Park is the only New York City Metropolitan space dedicated to providing artists with an outlet for large and unique outdoor art.

Forest Park
This park is the third largest in Queens, with 538 acres of land, and has definitely has its fair share of activities! Enjoy beautiful walking, biking and running trails as well as golfing, a carousel, playing fields and a band shell with an impressive line-up of outdoor concerts during the summer months!  

Healthy Living Guide: Brooklyn

We had such an overwhelming response from all of you when we posted our series of NYC Healthy Living Guides, and had so much fun writing them, that we decided to take it a step further and create guides for the cities that you all live in! We’ll start with another New York City borough, famous for its appreciation of health and wellness, and home to several of our students and graduates: Brooklyn.

Restaurants

The V Spot
156 5th Avenue

A completely vegan restaurant in Park Slope, The V Spot offers a large variety of flavors for a low price. They have a beautiful garden space in the back, but get there early as the tables fill up quickly!

Iris Café
20 Columbia Place

This lively café on a quiet street in Cobble Hill is definitely the place to be on a Saturday morning. Iris café fills up quickly and the wait for a table could be a while, but the avocado toast topped with a poached egg is definitely worth the wait!

Flatbush Farm
76 St Marks Avenue

This conspicuous little restaurant catches everyone’s eye with a giant, bright-red “FARM” sign above the door. Farm uses only local, organic ingredients to create beautiful, farm fresh dishes. This is the perfect option for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike.

Sun In Bloom
460 Bergen Street

Integrative Nutrition graduate Aimee Follette opened Sun In Bloom, a 100% organic, gluten free oasis in Park Slope. Amiee offers a variety of meal options, ranging from pancakes to burritos. Top it all off with a cupcake or chocolate chip cookie!

Urban Rustic
236 N. 12th Street

Urban Rustic is a true farm-to-table staple in the trendy North Brooklyn neighborhood of Greenpoint. They feature bio-dynamic, organic and sustainably produced foods. Pick up a salad or sandwich with some organic lemonade or kombucha and head across the street to McCarren Park to enjoy your lunch!

Bliss
191 Bedford Avenue

Bliss is a cozy vegetarian café in the heart of Williamsburg that offers a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of city life in the form of tofu, seitan, vegetables and delicious baked goods. The space is small, but perfect for a quiet lunch with friends.

Eat
124 Meserole Avenue

This restaurant has a constantly changing menu as they serve only local, seasonal produce. It’s a welcome change from other restaurants that serve out-of-season vegetables year round. In fact, the chef at Eat is so passionate about using only local ingredients, he stopped selling coffee because of the distance it travels to get to the table. However, guests are more than welcome to BYOC!

Ella Café
177 Bedford Avenue

Ella Café, located in Williamsburg, is a local favorite for brunch. Stop in on a Saturday morning for an organic omelet and a fresh, organic juice to go with it. They also have an extensive take out menu and use only bio-degradable to-go containers and utensils.


Green Markets

McCarren Park Green Market
Union Ave Between Driggs and North 12th Street

Explore the McCarran Park Green Market for an abundance of local produce. The market is open Saturdays year-round from 8 am to 3 pm.

Prospect Park Green Market
Grand Army Plaza

The Prospect Park green market features dozens of stalls full of beautiful produce, flowers and meat. Open Saturdays year-round from 8 am to 4 pm.


Work Out

Brooklyn Bridge Park

The Brooklyn Bridge Park stretches along the water front. There are several fields and volleyball courts as well as a few miles of running trail. Not to mention the gorgeous view of Downtown Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Bridge, this is the perfect place to meet your friends for an outdoor run or boot camp!

Go Yoga
112 North 6th Street

Go Yoga is a beautiful and stress-free yoga studio in downtown Williamsburg that is a favorite among IIN staff and Brooklyners alike. They feature several classes a day in all varieties of yoga practices as well as meditations classes. Stop in to de-stress after a long day of work or start your morning with a refreshing yoga class.

Healthy Living Guide: New York City

Restaurants

Organique
110 E. 23rd Street

A step up from the typical New York deli, Organique provides all organic produce and meats at only a dollar or two more than other delis in the area. This is a wonderful place to stop in for a quick bite or a to-go lunch. Just a block from Madison Square Park, you can order an organic sandwich and take it to the park to enjoy!

Josie’s
300 Amsterdam Avenue or
565 3rd Avenue

Josie’s is a perfect option for lunch or dinner if you are looking for a healthy, neighborhood eatery. While the atmosphere can be slightly loud, the energy in Josie’s is ideal for a lively lunch of butternut squash soup or a seared tuna burger with friends!

Blue Dog Café
101 W 25th Street or
155 West 56th Street

Blue Dog Café is a true health food paradise. With two locations, one in Chelsea and the other in Midtown, you can easily find your way to either from the Javits Center. Stop in for a quick snack, a fresh pressed juice or a baked good. If you have more time, sit down for an organic salad or sandwich.

Bonobo’s
18 E 23rd Street

Bonobo’s is a raw café in the heart of Manhattan’s Flatiron District where you can order anything from a raw lasagna of fresh vegetables layered with nut pate and tomato sauce to a made-to-order salad. Make sure you check out their fresh pressed juice bar as well!

Peacefood Café
460 Amsterdam Avenue

Another Upper West Side gem, Peacefood Café is quickly becoming a popular neighborhood coffee shop and café. You will find an incredible assortment of vegan sandwiches, pizzas and baked goods as well as several vegan and raw side dishes. It is conveniently located within blocks of Central Park and the Natural History Museum, so make sure you stop in Peacefood Café to fuel your Upper West Side sightseeing!

Purume
11 E 13th Street

Purume is a wonderful, local, organic Japanese restaurant in the heart of Greenwich Village. Choose from a variety of handmade sushi, noodle dishes, tempura and more. Then, wash it all down with a glass of Organic wine! They also have a great lunch box menu that will give you a nice sampling of the menu for a very reasonable price.

Adapted from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition www.integrativenutrition.com.

 

 

 

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