Chipotle

One of my favorite "fast-food" places is Chipotle. When I first learned of this restaurant 7 years ago, I ordered a chicken burrito and could not finish it in one sitting let alone two. It was definitely large enough (if filled with enough ingredients) to last 3 meals for someone like me. After last year when I decided to become a flexitarian (someone who chooses to eat meat every once in awhile) I fell in love with their veggie bowls. I always get rice, black beans, peppers/onions, corn and tomato salsa, lettuce and guacamole. I take it to go and it serves me two meals. My 3-year old son enjoys eating the veggie bowls too.


Calories for my veggie bowl round out at about 530 and most times I order chips (570 cal.) for a total of 1100 calories. This is fair considering I do not eat this meal all in one sitting. 


What is your favorite item from the Chipotle menu?

Delaney's Market - Open House May 12, 2011

Entrance to Delaney's

I had the distinct pleasure attending Delaney's Market & Cafe's Open House Thursday evening. My plan was to drop by for a few (and hit the gym afterwards) but I ended up visiting for about two hours and totally missing my cardio workout! But, I'm humbled to have spent my evening with Jordan Stone, owner and founder, of Delaney's.  

Jordan Stone, owner and founder, Delaney's

Jordan has been in business for two years this June. I've known her personally for about a year and a half. Our relationship has blossomed in the last year. I find that when I visit, I usually leave with something sweet! Though I did invite a friend to have dinner with me one evening in March. During the week, sandwiches made with Boar's Head and Ciabatta bread with organic greens and tomato are offered, and a more extensive dinner menu is offered Fridays and Saturdays. Her home-made pastas are divine. 


Delaney's is a "Market and Cafe" and it carries organic, free range, hormone & antibiotic free goods and affords the opportunity for local "like-minded" vendors to place their products on her shelves. A small section in her store has been dedicated to locally made products that are free of parabens, pesticides, or other harmful ingredients. 

One of the vendors there last night was sampling raw vegan cheesecakes. Barbara Dowling, owner of The Raw Vegan, was a delight to speak with. She truly is an inspiration to anyone on the mission of eating clean and she is a cancer survivor... she ate her way to good health! That's the way to do it! 

Customers on left, Barbara with The Raw Vegan on the right

Jordan offers artisan foods, sandwiches, and local eggs, grass-fed chicken, raw dairy, and local meats. She has also recently started a CSA. Check out the link for details and cost. 


You can find her at 41955 5th Street, #101, Temecula, CA - in the heart of "Old Town". 


Everyone who came in had filled in an interest form and were entered in a drawing, which they had to be present to "win". Five lucky winners were chosen for a scavenger hunt. I was one of the winners. We were given 3 recipes and we needed to find the ingredients for each recipe and be the first one to find them all first. A new customer won! She even had an 18 month old child on her back in an Ergo carrier! I got stuck looking for the chicken broth! The gal who was first won all the ingredients in the basket! I think it was at least a $50 value! Congrats Bam Hoener!

Me! 

The eventual winner, Bam Hoener and her helper!

There was plenty of samples of food and drink. Virgin pina colada, chips & crackers and dips of many kinds - from apple butters, to salsas, and spinach lasagna, cheese enchiladas, and 3 beef 'stews' made with simple ingredients and humanely raised and hormone free beef! 


Maria, a friend of Jordan's for 10 years was there helping customers acclimate themselves with the products and services of Delaney's and passing endless food and drink samples all while educating us on the ingredients found in them. 


One additional drawing was held and it was a gift basket stocked full of chipotle and spice enriched products. 

Customers to the left, and Maria on the right

Jordan is considering doing more scavenger hunts throughout the year. She was delighted to see the turnout and thinks that offering the hunts more often will help her customers learn more about eating clean, becoming healthy-er, and sharing what they've learned with their friends and family all while encouraging the growth of Delaney's. 


One thing's for sure, even in this dire economy, there is still a community of people who will eat well. Thank you Jordan for providing a much needed service in our community! May you continue to be prosperous in both health and wealth! 


Pictures were provided by Ms. Liselle Regueiro DeGrave, a local public relations consultant & freelancer hired by Jordan Stone for this event. For more information on her services contact her at : www.degravecommunications.com.

Favorite Healthy-ier Lunches

My favorite healthy lunch is veggie stuffed pitas.

Pita bread from Baba's foods at the Farmer's Market (Wed & Sat) in my city (or online) and their spinach and feta hummus spread (get any pita bread or hummus though). I find the pita bread from this vendor lasts longer than what I've purchased at Henry's or Trader Joe's. 

Grab some heirloom tomatoes, english cucumbers, red onion (or any kind of onion), fresh lemon juice from 1/2 of a lemon, some rosemary/thyme or your favorite fresh herbs, and feta cheese (I like feta!). 

Cut up all veggies into small bite sized pieces. While prepping veggies, heat your oven or if you have a toaster oven to 350 degrees. Put some EVOO on the pitas and pop into oven for about 5 minutes. Spread the hummus over the pitas once slightly cooled then stuff the pitas with your veggie mix and top with additional feta (optional), fold and eat. Bon Appetito!

You can make the tomato mixture large enough to have this for lunch or a healthy snack 3 or 4 times. The pitas come in a 5 pack at Baba's and you can get any 1 item for $4 or any 3 items for $10. Their pitas and hummus spreads do not have any artificial colors, preservatives, etc. 

Veggie Pita(In my pita, I also sliced seedless red grapes in with the veggies to give it a little sweetness.) 

Hummus is also good (some brands are far better than others) when you serve it with fresh cut veggies. Try hummus with carrots. YUM!

Chipotle is good - I always get their veggie bowls. Always enough of a "serving" to eat for 2 meals. 

I carry a BPA free water pitcher around to keep either fresh water in or fruit infused water. Drink at least half your weight in ounces daily. Best for hydration but also when you're not getting enough water, your body will seem hungry when it really is thirsty.