Tag Archives: healthy

The Juicery

Click to add a blog post for The Juicery Co on ZomatoA friend had a gift card for this place, so she invited me over to try out their juices. Although I’ve juiced myself before, it was the first time going to an actual juiced exclusive place.
The interior is very open and got quite a character. It has a bit of hipsterish feel, but an upscale version from the look that downtown or Main street has. It was clean, with a large wooden table to relax at and enjoy your juice.

idearabbit-thejuicery1 idearabbit-thejuicery2I ordered the Lemon-Aid with apples, lemon, ginger, cayenne and alkaline water under the Citrus category which is meant for boosting your immune system, hydrating and promoting digestion. They didn’t have a small bottle (250ml) $7, so we both took the large (500ml) $10. Better bargain anyways, and with the cap, you can take home the rest for later.

It was sour (with the given ingredients, not a surprise), with a small punch of spiciness that hits after a while from the cayenne. Very refreshing and great for the hot summer days.

The cold-pressed juice is unpasteurized 100% organic. I’m guessing there aren’t any preservatives so the best before date was in 2 days.

The bottle is nicely designed. Simple, organic and modern with a hint of sophistication. You get your $1 back when you return the glass bottle. Mine is still sitting on the kitchen counter…

Friendly staff and a variety of selections to choose from. Like most other ‘organic’ and ‘health-conscious’ eateries/juiceries, the prices to reflect the quality and effort into making these drinks/food. But one must think not only about the short-term benefits of eating healthily, but the long-term effects and rewards of doing so.

Taste: carrotcarrotcarrot    Price for Value: carrotcarrotcarrot  Atmosphere:  carrotcarrotcarrot
Service:  carrotcarrotcarrot  Location: carrotcarrotcarrot

Farmer’s Apprentice

Farmer's Apprentice on UrbanspoonMy friend sent me a link on Star.com. At second place was this restaurant called Farmer’s Apprentice. She wanted to check it out, so we went for lunch on Saturday. Their menu changes daily (which makes me think of how much paper they throw away compared to conventional menus) and are well known for cooking up their recipe using local ingredients.

I arrived to find a lineup and as I looked at the list of names on the waiting list, I was unsure whether we wanted to wait 30-40 minutes. However, since other parties had more than 2 persons, we got lucky and got our tables fairly quickly out on the patio at a tiny table for 2. They really put every inch of the space in and outside of the restaurant to use.

idearabbit-farmersapprentice idearabbit-farmersapprentice2 idearabbit-farmersapprentice3It was a nice cloudless day, but it was still chilly. I was glad that there was a blanket for my legs, but by the end, my butt was frozen cold. Note to self; do not eat outside if it’s not summer…lol. But that is only for me – I’m ALWAYS cold.

Since we couldn’t really decide on what to get, we decided to get 2 different dishes and share. We got the Smoke Sablefish $17 with wheatberries, braised greens, hazelnuts, yogurt, and 2 soft boiled eggs. The other one was the Oat Porter Bratwurst $15 with lentil ragout, fire roasted peppers, romanesco and 2 poached eggs.

idearabbit-farmersapprentice4Oat Porter Bratwurst $15 idearabbit-farmersapprentice5Smoke Sablefish $17

The portions were small, but still filling. The bratwurst was soft and juicy with a touch of herbs for flavour. Loved the poached eggs. My friend liked the lentil ragout, as did I, especially with the sauce.
The sablefish was a small portion but it was light and fresh. Presentation for both plates were alright.
My friend knows well about my blog, and we both discussed at the end of our meal on the carrot ratings. We both came to the conclusion that it is a bit over-rated. The food was good for sure, but we weren’t blown away for a second position restaurant.

It’s just my preference, but I’m not a fan of eating outside, lining up, being in a crowded restaurant or a noisy atmosphere. Service was a bit slow at times, but with a busy restaurant like that, I guess it’s understandable. But they were friendly.

idearabbit-farmersapprentice6As we left, we saw all the ingredients outside sitting in the sun. I hope it’s not like that during summer time.

As I checked their website for more info, they did list where they got their ingredients, but it wasn’t that obvious. From a marketing point of view, this should be more prominent and should be the USP (unique selling point) of this restaurant. After seeing how they were a lot more conscious of their sources, it did change my mind, especially after seeing a documentary on animal slaughterhouses and how animals are tortured, it did get me thinking of finding places that were focused on organics and humane raising of animals. But Farmer’s Apprentice should push this idea more.

Will we be back? Perhaps.

 Taste: carrotcarrotcarrot    Price for Value: carrotcarrotcarrot

Atmosphere:  carrotcarrotcarrot   Service:  carrotcarrotcarrot
Location: carrotcarrotcarrot

Subway On Corner of Davie and Howe

Subway on UrbanspoonThe healthy alternative to fast food restaurants like McDonald’s or Tim Hortons. I always thought their sandwiches were a bit expensive, but since discovering their $5 for foot-long sandwich, I’ve been going back whenever I need a healthy sandwich to go, or too tired to make something for dinner and the fridge is empty.

I think they used to only have three choices for $5 foot-longs. Salami, Veggie, and Egg. I always ordered the salami. Recently, I noticed that they had more selections:
- Cold Cut: with different types of ham
- Pizza Sub with Cheese
- Egg and Cheese
- Egg Salad
- Ham
- Veggie Delite

It seems that the US is doing all of their regular footlong sandwiches for $5 for the entire month of September, but here in Canada, we’re limited to only a section of 6. But it’s still a nice variety.

idearabbit-subwayConveniently open 24-hours

idearabbit_subway_daive_howe1A foot-long!idearabbit_subway_daive_howe2

Nom nom nom!

It’s great if you are picky with your food. You get to choose from a number of breads, toasted or not, 3 different cheese, veggies and sauces – all custom to how you’d like it. Subway doesn’t add MSG to any of their standard menu items, so you can feel assured that you’re eating more healthily.

The sandwiches are refreshing, and filling, a great deal for only $5. The customer service on the other hand can differ from location to location, though many tend to be unmotivated or not professional attitude. The location on Davie and Howe is open 24 hours. I’ve been there many times, but the staff are always unhappy. Never smiles. They also mumble. I don’t really know what they are saying, but since I’ve been to Subway so many times, I know their routine questions. But for anyone who is new to Subway, or even a regular like my friend who ends up getting upset because he can’t understand what they are mumbling, it can be a headache.

Updated 2014

Sadly, Subway has been a disappointment. Their use of chemicals in their bun has turned me off. Read link below.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/02/05/subway-fast-food-chemicals-in-food/5236537/

Now the above article doesn’t explain that in Australia, the UK , and Europe the use of azodicarbonamide as a food additive is banned. In Singapore, use is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of $450,000!!!! Plus, Azodicarbonamide as a blowing agent in plastics has been banned in Europe since August 2005 for the manufacture of plastic articles that are intended to come into direct contact with food.

The United States and Canada permit the use of azodicarbonamide at levels up to 45 ppm.
No wonder we are all sick here… :(

The disappointment doesn’t stop there. I usually get the 9 Grain Whole Wheat bun. On an undercover documentary on television, they found out the bread is not whole wheat, but white flour with caramel colouring to make it brown. They are deceiving the public into thinking that they are making a healthier choice when in fact they weren’t. People who were diabetic had their sugar levels jump up, so it’s best to be cautious – better yet, make it yourself at home.

Since then, I have hardly gone back when I used to have a sub almost once a week or biweekly. I am sure that Subway isn’t the only one with these kinds of stories. If I had a yard, I would grow my own veggies…growing wheat would be a bit of a challenge though…lol.

So much for being healthier…Subway loses 2 carrots from ‘Price for Value’ from 4, down to 2 for not being the healthy choice they claim to be.

 Taste: carrotcarrotcarrot    Price for Value: carrotcarrot

Atmosphere: carrotcarrot   Service: carrotcarrot
Location: carrotcarrotcarrotcarrotcarrot