Thursday Tours: Healthy Eats

Got any resolutions on the calendar for 2016? I can’t say I’m into the resolution thing as much as “goals for the new year” which include climbing South Sister and less time addicted to my iPhone. As for the whole “time to diet” bandwagon, I can say I’ve half jumped on board. I’m not one for fad diets, but I do need a restart after so many holiday parties and cookies. So I have the goal of no booze and sweets until Orlando on 1/23. Eeks, is that a terrible idea?! Probably… (Despite that, I’m in total support of this great article on eating “healthy-ish”!)

But considering I’m certainly not alone in wanting to start the new year with veggies and exercise, we thought a little Healthy Eats edition of Thursday Tours was just the ticket. Today we’ve got my friend Mary of the Kitchen Paper sharing her favorites for getting healthy. Mary and I happened to go to high school together and while only knew each other in passing, we reconnected years later after I saw she was a blogger too. We met up for the first time in over 10 years when we were both randomly in Singapore last fall and had a great time chatting about travels, blogging and trying Singapore’s classic Chicken Rice. After she moved back to Portland in the spring, I’m happy to say we’ve become real-life friends, stuffing our faces at at blogger events and Feast Portland, and hitting the rock wall at Planet Granite.

Mary’s gorgeous blog has some of my favorite recipes like these Pumpkin Browned Butter Snickerdoodles I made several times this year. And while she does eat meat, she enjoys a lot of veggie-based meals, so she’s got a healthy “vegan tour” of Portland for you!

Over on Martha Chartreuse, we’ve got Judiaann Woo and the Travel Oregon team with even more recommendations! Heck yea!

Happy eats in 2016!

Healthy Eats from Mary of The Kitchen Paper:

1. The Breathe Building: This one packs a triple-whammy with Fern Kitchen, Yoga Union, and Prema Health all under one roof. Check out a yoga class from one of the great teachers at Yoga Union, then grab a bite (I like the breakfast burrito and the x-man juice!) from Fern Kitchen, and finish the day with a massage or acupuncture upstairs at Prema Health. If you have time, check out the sauna!

2. The Bye & Bye: This Portland favorite has a vegan menu that will convince even your most carnivorous friends that vegan food is worth eating. My favorites are the samurai bowl and the BBQ brussels bowl — and of course, check out their killer cocktails (everything in moderation, right?). If you want a deal, head in for happy hour (4-7pm) or late night (after 10pm)!

3. Canteen: Even with a small menu, Canteen packs a punch on the health front. Also vegan, they boast a few delicious bowls (the Bangkok is my favorite, but the Portland is a close second!), and a wonderful selection of juices and smoothies — they even have kombucha on tap! Stop by after yoga (across the street at The Yoga Space, maybe?) and refuel the healthy way.

4. Garden Bar: This rapidly-expanding Portland business has redefined the way I eat salads — mostly in that I’m eating WAY more because they’re so good! Choose from one of their many pre-defined salads (my favorite is by far the Northwest Salad), or build your own salad by choosing from their gorgeous spread of healthy options. They make all of their salads right before your eyes, so you know it’s fresh, and have a loyalty program that gives you a free salad after you buy ten!

5. The Sudra: Tucked between Slowburger and Uno Mas Taqueria is the best vegan Indian food I’ve had — bowls full of incredible Indian flavors that leave you feeling healthy and fulfilled. I go for the black lentil kofta bowl or the squash kofta plate — both have so many great things going on! The space is tight in the winter, but there is plenty of outdoor seating if the weather is nice! Head around the corner to The Pie Spot to balance things out, afterwards!

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#ThursdayToursPDX is a collaborative series between Portland, OR bloggers {Erin} Bakery Bingo + {Meredith} Martha Chartreuse. In a city filled with amazing restaurants, artisan experiences, and fantastic tastemakers the inside scoop is a must. We will be asking our friends and fellow bloggers for their recommendations and tips for all the City of Roses has to offer.