Keep Healthy in the New Year at Area Restaurants
When the clock struck 12 bringing in the new year, you had good intentions. Healthy eating and plenty of exercise topped many of your lists, but come mid-January, we need another push to stay true to our resolutions. Some local restaurants want to help you out, and have created healthier selections.
Dunkin’ Donuts — I know, this is the last place you’d expect to get something ahem, healthy, but the new varieties of their Wake-Up Wraps will give you a nice burst of energy when you’re eating on the run. The new varieties include Egg White Turkey Sausage (a 5-in tortilla filled with egg whites and turkey sausage, spinach and reduced-fat cheddar) and Egg White Veggie (a 5-in tortilla filled with egg whites, peppers, onions, mushrooms and reduced fat cheddar), both coming in at only 150 calories and priced at $1.29. These are 2 new additions to the DDSMART menu at Dunkin’ Donuts, which already includes better for you food and beverage choices that have either 25% fewer calories or 25% less sugar, fat, saturated fat or sodium than comparable items.
Essensia at The Palms — It’s a new year, it’s a new you and Essensia just launched their new, seasonal, gourmet dinner menu. This new menu focuses on wholesome ingredients prepared in a healthful manner, with a focus on using local ingredients. Enjoy hot winter soups, like the Roasted Red Pepper Potato Bisque served with jumbo lump crab; Red and Yellow Beet Carpaccio with shaved fennel, organic arugula, endive, Maytag blue cheese and dark cherry balsamic vinaigrette; and a Grilled Herb-Crusted Whole Branzino served with almond-cauliflower puree and grilled winter vegetable napoleon drizzled with chorizo oil — all of which are on Essensia’s spa menu (items that are highlighted as being lower in calories and higher in nutritional value). Essensia is located at The Palms, 3025 Collins Ave, Miami Beach.
RA Sushi — Sometimes, as hard as you try, it’s tough to give up that after work cocktail. RA Sushi says there’s no need to with their line up of low-calorie, skinny cocktails available until January 31, 2011. Three classic cocktails — the Cosmo, Mojito and Cucumber Margarita — have been slimmed down and each comes in at under 200 calories. They are available for $7.
After the 31st, they will be available no more, but here’s a recipe to keep close by.
Cucumber Slenderita
1 oz TY KU Soju
1 oz TY KU Liqueur
.5 oz Monin Sugar Free Triple Sec Syrup
Squeeze 3 lime slices
Squeeze 3 lemon slices
Splash of orange juice
Splash of soda
2 cucumber slices
Muddle one slice of cucumber. Add ice and build cocktail in a mixing tin. Shake and transfer into a tall glass. Garnish with a cucumber and lime slice.
Seasons 52 – While it’s been in Palm Beach and Broward Counties for awhile, Seasons 52 is new to the Coral Gables area, and you can always be assured that you’ll select something good-for-you. This sought after restaurant offers an entire menu of seasonally inspired menu items using natural cooking techniques, all of which are under 475 calories. Make a date for 2 or reserve the chef’s table for a food and wine pairing extravaganza.
Photo and recipe provided by RA Sushi.
