Healthy Food and Drink for Houston’s New Year

With the persevering with pandemic and new Omicron variant, there has by no means been a extra necessary time for Individuals to eat more healthy and extra thoughtfully. For some, resolutions have been made to drop extra pounds. Others could also be decided to eat much less meat or no meat in any respect for moral, well being or budgetary causes.

Many individuals have found that their our bodies require sure dietary restrictions corresponding to avoiding gluten, dairy, nuts or soy. It could be uncommon to search out anybody in Houston who is not trying to reduce on one thing, whether or not it is sugar, fats or alcohol. With all of the burger joints and steakhouses opening up, we Houstonians want a little bit steadiness in our choices. Now we have a listing of eating places, cafes, bakeries, outlets and farmers markets the place the guesswork has been taken out of the menu selections and clients can be ok with ordering a nutritious meal or a more healthy model of a deal with.

Vegan

Cascabel Mexican Vegan
1415 Murray Bay
cascabelvegan/Facebook

Houston has no scarcity of Mexican eating places and it solely is smart that the vegan development would discover its means into the world of Mexican delicacies. Cascabel is not the one Mexican vegan restaurant in Houston however it was almost definitely the primary. It presents some nice offers all week together with its Taco Tuesday particular which presents  $1.99 avenue tacos with a selection of al pastor, tinga, bistec, piccadillo, chorizo, barbacoa, pollo en salsa, fajita, papa guisado and Mexican brisket. With these selections, vegans and non-vegans shall be happy. On Tuesday it additionally presents the Avenue-style Platter for $9.99.

Cascabel additionally has a two-for-$30 particular on Wednesday with appetizers, two entrees and a dessert. Vegans with a candy tooth can benefit from its pan dulce (candy bread) BOGO deal on Tuesday and Thursday. The restaurant additionally has Sunday brunch and every week there’s a new particular dish like this week’s Fettucine Alfredo Pasta.

Mo’Higher Brews
1201 Southmore
mobetterbrews.com

This cafe presents espresso drinks, vegan meals and a vinyl playlist for a comfortable, family-friendly spot to seize breakfast or lunch or linger over a weekend brunch. Whereas lots of its dishes appear like fare from an over-the-top eatery, the substances listed here are one hundred pc plant-based so company could be assured that the Chik’n Fried Shrooms are a bit more healthy than the fried rooster dishes with gravy on the native diner. Even vegans want a little bit naughty meals generally and the Shrooms Flight lets diners pattern three completely different variations on high of creamy grits. The three flavors embody conventional, sizzling honey and creamy Cajun. A few of the dishes will not be essentially low calorie however they’re extra nutritious variations of homey consolation meals.

There are, nonetheless, loads of objects that pack a vitamin punch just like the Johnny Nash Candy Potato Hash ($12). It is a dish of candy potato hash, kale, quinoa and black beans drizzled with cilantro-lemon French dressing. There’s additionally an Acai Bowl ($10) with berries, granola and almond milk plus everybody’s favourite brunch deal with, Avocado Toast ($9). The cafe presents espresso drinks, Chai Tea Lattes and mimosas with some distinctive flavors corresponding to Elderberry Blast, Hibiscus, Pineapple and its signature Black Mimosa, made with charcoal-activated lemonade.

Veegos
10932 Westheimer
veegoshouston.com

Jesse Hernandez first started the Veegos idea as a pop-up earlier than the enterprise opened a brick and mortar in February 2019. It serves vegan tacos al pastor, jackfruit flautas, burritos, quesadillas and extra, all one hundred pc vegan. There’s even its personal model of chili cheese fries with plant-based chili.

The one tacos ($3.50) can be found in al pastor or jackfruit so it is a great way to see which protein possibility is your favourite earlier than committing to an entire platter. For youths, there is a $6 taco plate or quesadilla plate which incorporates rice and beans or fries. For drinks, there’s agua frescas and Mexican Coca-Cola. Visitors mustn’t miss its Cheesecake Sopapillas for dessert.

Veegos is capturing to open a second location in mid to late February at Blodgett Meals Corridor, 2616 Blodgett.

Verdine
449 W. nineteenth
eatverdine.com

Canine homeowners are typically more healthy and reside longer and Verdine is a vegan restaurant that additionally presents a dog-friendly patio. Its menu will get artistic with vegan substances and presents starters like Thai Meatballs and Magic Mushroom Miso Soup. There are meaty non-meat dishes just like the Bistro Burger and a nutrient-packed Butternut Squash Quesadilla. The Godfather Pizza is gluten-free.

The restaurant is counter service for lunch and desk service at dinner. It serves brunch completely Sunday from 11 a.m. to three p.m. There may be on-line ordering accessible for take-out or clients can order by telephone. Supply is offered by way of UberEats.

Vegetarian and Wholesome

Ember & Greens
9403B Katy Freeway
emberandgreens.com

This up to date American restaurant’s menu is globally-inspired with Mediterranean influences making a lot of the fare right here heart-healthy and nutritious. Owned by mom and son duo, Nadereh Ahly and Iman Yarjani, there are dishes that may please vegans, vegetarians and omnivores. Appetizers corresponding to Sriracha Cauliflower Bites ($11) and Spinach and Cilantro Hummus ($10) will not throw wholesome eaters off their recreation whereas the Winter Greens Soup ($9) or Spinach and Beet Salad ($12) present immunity-boosting greens and greens.

There are heartier objects such because the Chipotle Chickpea Wrap ($13) with sauteed mushrooms, onions, arugula, romaine, avocado, carrots cucumbers and tahinii, served with cucumber-yogurt sauce and contemporary fruit. For pescatarians, there are dishes just like the Blackened Salmon with avocado salsa. The menu additionally has some gluten-free choices together with a aspect of Cilantro Inexperienced Pea Quinoa which can be vegan.

Ember and Greens has a weekday joyful hour Monday by way of Friday from 3 p.m. to six p.m. with $5 home wines, $6 choose cocktails and half-price beers. It additionally has a deal on bar bites corresponding to $6 E&G Veggie Samosas.

Paulie’s
1834 Westheimer
pauliesrestaurant.com

Paulie’s is thought for its house-made pastas, pizza and panini however there are many choices for vegetarians, particularly those that do not thoughts a little bit cheese with their veg. Paulie’s Massive Salad can really be ordered small ($8) or giant ($13) and begins with romaine lettuce then provides tomato, cucumbers celery, carrots, mushrooms and feta cheese.  There’s additionally a contemporary mozzarella, tomato and basil salad for $6/$10. The Portobello Mushroom Sandwich is made with grilled Portobello mushrooms that are an excellent meaty stand-in for steak and it is made much more flavorful with the addition of pink peppers and goat cheese. There’s additionally a Grilled Vegetable Platter ($10/$16).

Non-Alcoholic Tipples

Sipple
2410 Quenby
sipple.co

The primary non-alcoholic bottle store in Texas is positioned in our very personal Rice Village and its choices are far past mushy drinks and juices. They really have bottles of different spirits made with botanicals and shrubs created with apple cider vinegar. There may be quite a few alcohol-free wines accessible and co-owner Danny Frounfelkner was born within the Napa Valley space of California and has a background within the beverage business, together with stints at  native eating places corresponding to Indianola, Adair Kitchen and Tiny Boxwoods. Spouse Helenita is an skilled advertising director and venture supervisor, having fueled a number of profitable companies. The couple noticed the curiosity in non-alcoholic cocktails and drinks as a chance to, as their motto says, shift the query “Why aren’t you ingesting?” to “What are you ingesting?”

In celebration of Dry January, the store, which opened October 16, is holding tastings each Saturday this month from 2 p.m. to five p.m. On January 15, there shall be a beer tasting with Ceria Brewing, Nicely Being and Athletic Brewing. The subsequent Saturday, January 22, there shall be a launch for Tennyson Black Ginger, from an organization out of Austin.

Mixer Elixir
mixerelixir.com
This native firm simply launched its CBD Ranch Water made with nano-emulsified water soluble CBD. The canned drink is zero-proof, zero-calorie and zero-sugar sweetened with agave and flavored with lime. It consists of 25 mg of CBD. It may be discovered on-line at its web site and at Sipple.

The corporate shall be releasing flavors corresponding to Blackberry Bramble and Botanical Greyhound sooner or later.

Mocktail Choices

Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith, is providing two off-the-menu zero-proof cocktails just like the Blackberry Lemon Drop and its alcohol-free Mojito for $7. There are additionally drinks such because the Candy Mercy, Merely Peachy and OJ Smash. Dish Society has six places by which to pattern its Home Elixirs ($5.75) just like the Lemonberry, a muddling of mint, lemon, strawberries, blackberries and cane sugar. There’s additionally a Virgin Mojito with lime juice, cane sugar, mint and membership soda.

Tobiuo Sushi & Bar, 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard, has fruit-forward alcohol free choices like its signature Strawberry Basil lemonade, Lavender Lychee, Orange Dreamsicle and Honey Ginger for $4 and an off-menu Prickly Pear mocktail ($8) which can be accessible in a margarita kind with alcohol.

Farmers Markets

Houston Farmers Market
2520 Airline
houstonfarmersmarket.com

This market started its transformation in 2017 when it was acquired by MLB Capital Companions. The plans are to make it a vacation spot location with market objects but additionally eating spots just like the newly-opened Underbelly Burger. In December, it added R-C Ranch Butcher Store to its line up of distributors Those that are trying to find pasture-raised proteins and sustainably-sourced meats can discover them right here however at a premium worth. A lot of the meat is Wagyu, so that you get what you pay for.

The market additionally boasts quite a few produce stalls, most of them family-owned. A few of them have been there for many years when it was beforehand owned by Farmers Cooperative Advertising and marketing Affiliation. A lot of the greens, fruit, herbs and spices are conventionally-grown however it’s nonetheless a fantastic spot to get unique objects and hard-to-find substances, a lot of it from Mexico and Central America.

City Harvest Farmers Market
2752 Buffalo Speedway
urbanharvest.org

This market opened in 2004 with simply seven distributors. Now, the Saturday market, from 8 a.m. to midday, hosts over 100, with farmers, ranchers, eating places, brewers, vintners, distillers and artisans promoting native merchandise that match many diets and tastes. Atkinson Farms has been promoting its native produce for the reason that market’s inception and now there are a large number of farms represented with typical and natural vegetables and fruit. Pat Greer’s Kitchen was additionally one of many first distributors and the ready vegan merchandise, particularly the Krackers, are massive sellers. Moreover native produce, clients will discover grass-fed beef, farm-fresh eggs from free-ranging hens, pastured pork, selfmade sausages and Gulf seafood.

There are many candy treats as nicely. Drop by The Baker’s Man for a standard mini bundt cake or stroll as much as Sinfull Bakery and see what vegan goodies can be found. For gluten-free baked items, there’s Bare Bakery with truffles and extra. Most of the distributors even have their very own storefronts and on-line ordering for individuals who cannot drag themselves away from bed on a Saturday morning.

City Harvest additionally has drive-thru markets on sure days and presents double up bucks for SNAP recipients.