Healthy Cocktails

This is a special bonus edition of "Healthy Eating in Athens". Today's entry is not about a specific restaurant, but it is about something that many Ohio University students are familiar with: drinking alcoholic beverages! More specifically, I am here to offer suggestions on how to make that cocktail in front of you as healthy as possible.

Now, we all know that alcoholic beverages are full of empty calories and can lead to stupid behavior. I am not advocating binge drinking either; these are cocktails for sipping, not chugging.

There are research studies from the U.S. and Thailand that suggest that alcohol actually enhances our body's ability to absorb antioxidants. With that in mind, if you're going to order a fruity cocktail you should know where to find the antioxidants.

According to Readers Digest, pulling from a Tufts University study, the top ten fruits rich in antioxidants are:

1. Prunes
2. Raisins
3. Blueberries
4. Blackberries
5. Strawberries
6. Raspberries
7. Plums
8. Oranges
9. Red grapes
10. Cherries

Not all of these make for a delicious tipple. Can you imagine a prune-tini? But there are some fruits that you can incorporate into your sipping schedule without even trying. Such as strawberries. A strawberry daiquiri is delicious, but it is high in calories. It has about 300 calories without whipped cream.

Everything should be done in moderation, and, with moderation in mind, here are some recipes to test your inner mixologist.

• Blackberry Tom Collins: This recipe from White on Rice Couple uses beautiful pictures to illustrate how easy it is to create a refreshing summer treat. Even if you are not in the mood for a drink, it is worth it to look at the lush photography.
• Blueberry Smash: This is super easy to make, plus you get to smash the heck out of some berries. This drink from The Partyblueprints Blog contains only four ingredients, putting it at everyone's skill level.
• Salted Plum Shochu Cocktail: This is more of a foodie option. If you have the funds, time, and access to to shochu, a grain-based Japanese liquor that is low in calories, it might be just the thing to impress even the most jaded palette.
• Raspberry Tart: The Vintage Kitten offers a healthy dose of 1950s sex appeal with her recipes. This calls for ice cream, so be prepared to take an extra hour on the treadmill if you indulge.

As always, I hope you sip well, have an excellent evening, and, as always, everything in moderation.

Bagel Street Deli

The front door of the Bagel Street Deli

The Bagel Street Deli (BSD) wants you to know that bagels are not just a breakfast food. Stepping over the threshold into this narrow, cramped, brick-walled restaurant, you notice how packed it is. The brick walls have chalk writing all over them and bits of the foil that the sandwiches come wrapped in are shoved in nooks and crannies.

That's enough to get some people in the door, "Look at this place!" says Lisa Rome, a student at Ohio University and frequent BSD patron. "It has so much character, and it is so much fun. I come here all the time."

That statement is echoed throughout the narrow dining room. And, even with Soup Nazi-esque instructions on ordering written on a chalk board, the place has a Cheers quality to it. Well, if cheers had a mind-bogglingly big menu. The printed menu fills up both sides of a standard sheet of printer paper. They mean business here.

They also mean health. For instance manager Meredith Rock clued me in on a secret hiding in plain sight. "We have some massive, fresh, delicious salads that are super cheap," she says, gesturing to the giant sign above the counter.

I never even knew they had salads! But are our vegetarian friends supposed to just eat salads if they want to dine healthfully?

"We have a lot of tofu sandwiches. People never know about that. We also have so many options. You can try one of our vegetarian options or build your own sandwich. We have lite sauces, and we make it fresh."

Fresh seems to be a running theme in Athens. But what is my favorite? Well, the day I came in I ordered the "Seinfeld Secret", a decidedly unhealthy sandwich that I was too ashamed to take a picture of. And don't forget to get there for breakfast. I enjoy the Bobo, a pretzel bread bagel with honey, banana, sugar, butter, and cinnamon. This is just my favorite, there are dozens of other healthy options at BSD to slake your hunger.

Want to dress your bagel up in something delicious? Here are some ideas:

• Make your own!: There is an overachiever in all of us who likes to REALLY start from scratch. This recipe from the Food Network cautions that it is for intermediate cooks only.
• Philly Cheese Steak Bagel: This is hardly healthy, but you can't deny that this recipe from the Budget Gourmet sounds delicious!
• Cheesy Tofu Bagel Sandwich: Sustainability blogger, Sus.Tom.Ability, presents this savory breakfast sandwich as a socially responsible option for those who crave a hearty brunch sandwich.
• Basil-Balsamic Bagel Sandwich: This is another vegetarian-friendly option. Website CDKitchen gives a grown up flair to the bagel sandwich with sun dried tomatoes and feta.
  

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Eat in good health!

Donkey Coffee

The front door of Donkey Coffee

I'm a caffeine addict. I need it to function. I'm also a pretentious coffee house addict. I need them to feel like the artistically oppressed journalist that I am. Now, I'm asking you to imagine a coffee house with a creative name, a low pretension quotionent. Perhaps there are people behind the counter who can tell you where all of the baked goods came from, and there is locally produced art on the walls.

Well, my friends, Donkey Coffee, just off of Court Street is offering coffee with a conscience. They offer some of the most delicious drinks and snacks in Athens. Donkey proves that you can get a frou-frou drink without having the accursed Starbucks label on your cup.

I spoke with baristas Vaughn and Beth today, and they offered their version of why Donkey has some of the healthiest refreshments in Athens.

Vaughn says, "The majority of our products are fair trade and organic. Those that aren't are locally made. We do as much as possible to avoid the evils of large corporations."

That all means that from the cup to the plate, any item that goes into your stomach at Donkey has had as few steps as possible to get there. As much as it is feasible in the modern age, everything can be traced to somewhere beyond a processing plant.

Donkey has two levels and, in nice weather, outdoor seating. The upper level is much smaller and intimate. The front of the main level has the requisite fluffy chairs, board games, and coziness that you would expect from a local coffee shop. The back room offers more gallery space,more tables and chairs and, occasionally, a performance space. A full calendar of events at Donkey can be found here. They offer musical events, films, and whatever else they feel might interest their clientele.

(Above) The front room of Donkey

They are not just participating in the health of their patrons - they're actually a vegan-friendly coffee shop! Yes, soy is all over if you would like it. Vega baked goods are available, and I was tempted by a vegan chocolate muffin the size of a small cake. Below you'll see the extensive snack case.

No, they are also involved in the health of the community. My friend Celia turned me on to their mochas in the winter months, but I think an iced Chai is the way to go for the summer. Today, with the sunshine and 75 degree weather I went with a raspberry Italian soda, soda water and raspberry syrup. It cooled me off perfectly.

So, what's the healthy verdict on this case? Well, like so many places in Athens, healthy is what you make it. Donkey is notable for it's range of options and ability to cater to people's dietary needs. You could get the whole-milk, sugar-filled milkshake-coffee-thing, or you could get an organic, soy, sugar-free, guilt-free drink. Both will be delicious, and the latter will leave you lighter on the scale and in conscience.

Here are the basics in case you want to go:
Location:
17 1/2 Washington St.
Athens, OH 45701
Hours:
It opens at 7 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends. It is always open until 1 a.m. (to give you that all-nighter boost).

Let's say you can't be bothered to pick up the coffee yourself. Now, as the owner of an espresso maker I have always held the belief that coffee drinks are like pie crust - it's better when they're made for you. But, if you insist on being a do-it-yourself-er here are some coffee drink recipes and vegan baking recipes:

• Starbucks-style Frappacino: This recipe gives you the tools to make your own deliciously indulgent treat.
• Maybe some more "adult" coffees?: These recipe ideas offer liquor combinations
• Vegan baking: It can be done! This website offers dozens of recipes for guilt-free indulgence
• Vegan Cookies: This is a website devoted entirely to making vegan cookies!

Like always, I hope these recipes are helpful and that you make them in good health!

Casa Nueva

The front door of Casa Nueva

I don't know much about the traditional Mexican cuisine, but I do know that whatever Casa Nueva is actually serving it is amazing. Whether you are eating in the Cantina, open late and with easy access to the bar, or in the restaurant, classy and cozy with walls lined in local art, you're certain to have a meal made of fresh and local ingredients.

Casa, as it is known for short, is a local favorite, and my inspiration for starting this blog. Many of my classmates have a tradition of going to the Cantina every Thursday night. We have managed to work our way through many of their ten salsas. My personal favorite is the Prima Verde blend, described on the menu as the Verde salsa, which is, "Cilantro, hot wax chilies and garlic", but "made even greener with spring herbs and citrus juices". Taking a chip full of this cool, green salsa is like taking a sip of a margarita.

To the left: The Casa Cantina sign

The items are locally grown whenever possible. Those that aren't are certain to be ethically produced. This attention to social issues and progressive politics has not gone unnoticed by the greater community. It has been listed as one of the most gay and lesbian-friendly establishments in Athens.

Culture is as important as the food at Casa. The establishment is worker-owned, and I think that that investment makes everything taste a little better. The extends to the homemade flavored vodkas that live behind the bar. Not everyone is as impressed as I am with Casa's full slate of causes, and I understand that. Sometimes you just want a burrito, not a vegetarian friendly meal where only the name, the tortilla, and the black beans are identifiable as Mexican staples.

They serve breakfast, though I have never been. Looking over its offerings little new springs up. All have twists that promise to excite, or at least wake up, your taste buds.

If you need to try one of the salsas - and you should - get some down at the Athens Farmer's Market. Casa always has all of their salsas, at least at the opening. Get there early because these sides sell out quickly.

Location information:
4 West State Street
Athens, Ohio 45701
Hours: Vary based on if you're visiting the Cantina or Restaurant. If you're visiting Monday-Friday you can get food starting at 8 a.m., 9 a.m. on the weekends. The full meals stop at 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends. The Cantina stops serving appetizers at 11 p.m. weekdays and midnight on weekends.

If you're looking to make something like this yourself:

• Salsa Verde: Fork in the Road offers some wonderful pictures to go along with her salsa verde recipe.
• Rice and Beans: Cooking with Anne offers something you will find a lot of at Casa, a twist on traditional Hispanic cuisine. Here you're using Sofrito rice and red beans.
• Bandito Burrito: This recipe for a vegan burrito could be right at home on the Casa menu, but when you're making it at home you can easily incorporate meat for us carnivores out there.
  

If you would like more information about eating locally this article from the Loudin Times-Mirror from Loudin, Virginia does a great job explaining it.

The Pita Pit

The front door of the Pita Pit

The Pita Pit on Court Street might seem like just another chain restaurant cluttering up our college town thoroughfare, but there is much more going on behind this door. First of all there's the smell - or lack thereof. I do not smell grease or grilling meat. The air is sort of crisp, like the vegetable aisle at Kroger. There's the massive safe in the back wall, leftover from the building's days as a bank, that now used as dry storage. It's sort of funny to see literal bread being pulled out instead of the figurative stuff.

This establishment offers a dizzying array of choices that are customizable to be as healthy or unhealthy as you like. Shift manager Eric Gorsack agrees, "We have more choices and that allows us to cater to a more vegetarian demographic. You can make exactly what you want."

For more than six years this sandwich shop in a re purposed bank space has been stuffing pita pockets with a seemingly unending amount of luncheon permutations.

To the left: Manager Eric Gorsack

"If I were to choose a healthy favorite," Gorsack muses, "I would have to go with the wheat pita, hummus, spinach and romaine, onions, mushrooms, cucumbers, a little feta, and either our secret sauce or just a little of the Chipotle sauce."

Minus the mushrooms and onions, that sounds good to me. Sorry to the veggie-philes out there, you'll never catch me munching on either of those.

But for those who are looking for a lunch or dinner that is free of the deep fryer, heat lamp, and general ew-ness that can come from a fast food lunch, may I suggest this alternative. Plus, as George Costanza once remarked to George Steinbrenner on Seinfeld, "The pita pocket keeps it from dripping!"

"All of our food is made to order and served in a healthy and friendly environment." Gorsack says.

This healthy, filling alternative to subway has not just caught my eye. Huntington, West Virginia food blogger Chris James gave a favorable review to his local Pita Pit this month.

And, while I suggest you leave the pita filling to the professionals, you can make your own following some of these simple recipes:

• Chicken and Bacon Pita from The Tiny Bean gives picture-by-picture directions, including a fried potato side dish!
• Pastrami and Swiss Pita from What I'm Cooking shows that pita doesn't have to be Mediterranean or difficult to be delicious
• Peanut Butter, Banana, and Date Pita comes all the way from Zaire! Something tells me this twist on an Elvis favorite might just work, despite not being found on the Pita Put menu
• Salsa, Hummus, and Lettuce Pita from Sprout promotes a localvore diet and heating up the pita before you use it.

All of these sound delicious to me, and I cannot wait to try them. But until I get the time to go to the store, I think I will be stopping by the Pita Pit again to build a pita to my specifications, tastes, and needs.

Eating Healthy, Deliciously, and Around Court Street (It can be done!)

My name is Colleen, and I am starting this blog as part of my Online Journalism class at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. I am excited to produce a high-quality journalistic blog that follows a subject I am passionate about.

It is tough to eat healthily as a college student. It gets even more difficult when you live in a small, college town. Sometimes it seems that every establishment caters to late-night carbohydrate loading and little else. Throw a tight budget and tight schedules into the mix, and you have a recipe for tight pants and empty wallets.

My goals with this blog are the following:

• To introduce you to healthy and delicious items on menus
• To discover hidden gems in the Athens food scene
• To prove that good for you and inexpensive can go together

I hope to update this blog twice a week. Look for updates on Tuesdays and Fridays. I look forward to our journey together!