Food
2/26/13: I’m Grateful For….
4February 26, 2013
I think it’s pretty clear that I have absolutely no plans on sticking to a schedule or theme when it comes to blogging. I know I’ve posted about what’s been making me happy and grateful lately. After Monday’s post this just seemed to fit, so I’m going to continue with it.
Weekly Hikes – I’m sure this is an obvious one having said what I wrote above, but these hikes are what I look forward to all week. I hit up Picacho Peak a couple weeks ago along with South Mountain last week. Each trail and experience has been so different yet equally as fun and enjoyable. This past weekend was spent on Spur Cross Trail, venturing into Chalk Canyon. It was amazing to see petroglyphs made several hundred years ago and do some rock hopping to cross Cave Creek even if it did mean me falling in. We already have plans to hike some serious trails the next two weeks which has me pretty stoked. If you want to see more, head on over to the BananaBuzzbomb Facebook page where I’ve uploaded all of the photos from my recent Outdoor Adventures.
It’s awesome to hike with other photographers so I have photos of myself on the trail
Photo Credit to Wildnerness Dave
Receiving new fit gear in the mail – Receiving mail is great but receiving packages full o’ fun gear is even better. I’ve been doing having a blast trying out the new apparel including my running jacket from Zensah. With it being a tight fitting jacket it was perfect for protecting me without getting hung up on prickly foliage while out adventuring on the trails. Who says you can’t wear running gear on the trail too?
Random surprises from D – Purchasing some of my fave special treats while out shopping are the little things that show that he loves me. Those are the gestures that mean the most.
Clean pups – I love giving the dogs baths and cuddling with them after. They smell fresh and clean and feel so soft. I just want to eat them up. Not to mention, since we have 2 dogs that actually sleep under the covers it’s nice to have a clean bed…that is until they start shedding all over the covers. Meh. Totally worth it.
Quiet time – I get up anywhere between 4:30-5:00a most days. Some people would find this crazy but I’ve always appreciated the quiet “me” time in the morning. Over the past month I’ve gotten up daily to practice yoga with only the light of my computer monitor. This also means no need to rush and allows me to arrive at work well over 30 minutes prior to my scheduled start time. Most people would jump right into work. Not me. I sit at my desk studying and taking notes from my Light On Yoga book. All of these choices allow me to become calm and centered. As I begin to feel the buzz of anxiety around me as coworkers arrive to work I am the calm in the storm. All by making a few small choices.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Not So Double Decker Vegan Knox Blox Dessert Recipe
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There aren’t too many dishes that I miss since going vegan. If I really want something I can usually figure out an alternative. For instance, my mom’s party potato recipe. Over the past few years I’ve had the craving for Double Decker Knox Blox.
Although this isn’t something I’d eat on a normal basis, this dessert was one of my favorites at our family holiday gatherings. With the ingredients being Jell-O, Knox gelatin (both containing animal products), and heavy whipping cream (dairy) it’s no longer an option for me as a vegan. Due to my craving I recently set out to see if I could “veganize” my recipe.
I replaced the Jell-O and Knox Gelatin with Natural Desserts Jel Dessert. And with the help of Ari, I chose to try full fat coconut milk to replace the heavy whipping cream. 
The result?
As you can see, my jel/cream didn’t separate like typical double decker’s do when they set up. Alas, they were still just as tasty and a terrific vegan-friendly alternative.
Want to make your own? Here’s the recipe!
Not So Double Decker Vegan Knox Blox
3 Envelopes Unflavored Natural Desserts Jel
3 Packages (3 oz each) Flavored Natural Desserts Jel (any flavor)
2.5 Cups Boiling Water
1 Cup Full Fat Canned Coconut Milk
In a large bowl combine all envelopes and packages of Jel Dessert. Add boiling water. Stir in Coconut Milk (don’t whip it). Pour into shallow 9 X 9 pan. Chill until firm.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
@NatureBox Review and Giveaway
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I’m pretty excited to have a couple giveaways lined in the coming weeks. Who doesn’t like free stuff? When it’s healthy, it’s even better, right?
So, let’s get to it!
Recently I was contacted by NatureBox and asked if I’d like to try out some of their products. Having had a taste of one of their mixes at Inspiration and Perspiration along with having seen many rave reviews, I was pretty stoked at the opportunity. For those that are unfamiliar with NatureBox, let me break it down….For $19.95 each month you will receive a box via mail. Your box will include 15 to 20 servings across 5 different NatureBox snacks. Each month your NatureBox will be filled with different tasty treats.
Pretty simple, eh? But it gets better. NatureBox focuses on healthy, natural ingredients that are minimally processed. None of their products contain high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, trans fats, or artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors. Even more, many of their products are vegan and are clearly labeled if so.
When I received my box the hardest thing was not eating it all in one day! I immediately dove into the Carrot Chips but I made sure I shared with the pups. Ooh, did they love the them too.
The Cinnamon Spice Granola and Roasted Garlic Pumpkin Seeds were the perfect flavor for getting in the fall mood. I have to admit, when I received my box I wasn’t sure if I’d care for everything in the box. For instance the Country Ranch Peas and Chipotle Maple Almonds. I saved those for last. Alas, those were my 2 favorites. Go figure! The peas tasted so much like ranch that it was hard to believe they were vegan. I have no idea who came up with the Chipotle Maple Almonds but whoever did needs to win a prize. I’d buy those in bulk if I could. Yes, they were that good.
I really think NatureBox is onto something here. They have some pretty amazing tasting snacks at a reasonable price. Some may balk at the price but have you ever seen how expensive regular ol’ trail mix costs at the store. This is more natural, healthier, unique, and brought right to your door.
Because I loved my NatureBox so much they have offered to help me spread the love to my followers by offering a free NatureBox to one of my readers.
Here’s how to enter:
-Leave me a comment below. What’s your favorite healthier snack when you get the munchies?
-For an additional entry, tweet about this giveaway and leave a separate comment here letting me know you did. Something along the lines of “WIN a box of healthy goodies from @NatureBox & @BananaBuzzbomb!!” or just click this to tweet.
-For TWO more extra entries, find the photo of my NatureBox (above) on my instagram (@BananaBuzzbomb), and comment that you want to win. Remember to leave another comment here that you did it.
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST January 13th, 2013. The winners will be chosen at random using Random.org and notified by the following Monday. Sorry international friends, this giveaway is open to followers with US shipping addresses only.
For those wanting to give NatureBox a try, head over to their site and use the promotional code CARROT to receive 25% off your first month’s subscription. Get snacking!
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Pizza That’s Good For You? – Naked Pizza
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Ya’ll already know I LOVE pizza, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I’m reviewing yet another pizza restaurant here in Arizona. What’s even funnier? I already have another to review after this one!
While driving around our new location here in Arizona I came upon a place called Naked Pizza. Unfortunately it was not yet open but I was intrigued enough to do some research.
The concept behind their pizza is that it’s all natural. For instance, their Ancestral Blend dough contains prebiotic agave fiber and probiotics. There is no added sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or hydrogenated oil. With that being said, they are forthcoming and say it is not a “diet pizza”.
Sadly the location near us had already opened and since closed. The good news: there’s another location within 45 minutes our home. Even better: they offered Daiya cheese. I definitely wanted to give it a try.
We decided to head to Naked Pizza on a Friday night and found the location to be in a strip mall. We soon found that the restaurant wasn’t really a restaurant but more of a storefront where you placed and picked up your order, with the exception of several small tables just outside the door.
Upon entering the location was open and bright with their menu posted largely on the wall.
Basically you choose the size of the pizza, crust thickness, choice of sauce, choice of cheese. and additional toppings. As with most pizza places there are “specialty” pizzas to choose from too.
Within 15 minutes of ordering our pizzas were ready and we chowed down.I definitely noticed a difference versus regular ol’ pizza in the crust alone. The ancestral blend was definitely grainy in texture and different than what I was used to. With that being said, it was pretty darn delicious. As always, when vegan cheese is an option I’m pretty happy about it.
I think Naked Pizza could grow in many ways if a few ideas were considered. Have a more spacious area for dine-in eating and provided plates and utensils for those interested in dining in. We literally had to eat out of our boxes since no plates were provided. Lastly, nothing to do with their food….I’m not sure what the deal is with their website being a “.biz” instead of “.com” I’m sure there’s a valid reason for this but I would say this cannot help with their exposure.
Considering their location is so far away from our home I highly doubt we’ll make any special trips to visit Naked Pizza, but it is nice to know that I have one more vegan friendly pizza option in the Phoenix area.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
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Looking for more vegan food in Phoenix? Check out the rest of my adventures.
Weighty Issues
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Like 99.9% of women I have issues with the scale.
Our janky scale. Nothing fancy for us.
My sister and I are separated by two years. I’m the youngest. Growing up I was always the “chunky” sister and most often people thought I was older due to this. I wasn’t in denial of my weight, I just accepted that I was the chunky one. I was an active child, always on the go, but will readily admit that I had poor eating habits and was quite stubborn. My mom and dad beat their heads against the wall when it came to feeding me. I went through the “only peanut butter and jelly stage” followed by the “only hot dog stage”. No matter what they tried I wouldn’t budge. It’s really no surprise that I was diagnosed with high cholesterol at a young age.
My horse showing days.
6th Grade. Quite obvious that I was responsible for doing my hair. Needless to say my hair styling skills have yet to develop to this day, hence why I have short hair.
It was then that I started reading packaging labels on all foods. As I entered the 7th grade my baby fat started to fall off. I attribute this to the controlled diet I had while spending a month in the hospital when I fractured my femur and my body working overdrive to heal itself.
Me and my seester as I head into my freshman year of high school.
Although thinner, I was still the larger sister but didn’t pay much attention to what I was eating and really had no worries. As I went through high school and on into college I still didn’t worry about my weight. When I married D in 2002 I weighed 115 pounds without even trying.
Like so many, within a year of marriage I started packing on pounds. Within 3 years time I gained 20 pounds. D also struggled with his weight.
Happiest place on Earth. Also, us at our unhealthiest.
In 2005 I started to unhealthily limit my carbohydrates and lost some weight. By 2007 I started running. Initially I didn’t start running to necessarily lose weight but to be healthier. However, once I started to see the weight melt off I started paying attention to what I was eating. I didn’t count calories per se but I limited my food intake and I’d weigh myself 10 or so times a day. That’s not a typo. It was at this time that I became obsessed with the scale. With my obsessive tendencies this is no surprise. In no way did I have a eating disorder but I did have issues.
I used this photo in a recent post and received a comment from Heather on how great I looked. Little did she know that this was when I was severely watching my food intake and exercise.
Soon enough I was down to my wedding weight and yet I never felt thin or fit. At that time I flirted with the idea of going vegetarian and decided to give it a go. This had nothing to do with my weight. Unfortunately complex carbohydrates tend to be a staple for vegetarians, specifically those just starting out, and I gained a little weight. Not tremendous, but some. After more research I decided to try living a low fat raw vegan lifestyle in hopes of reducing my weight gain and living the healthiest lifestyle I could attain. I gave up the scale without looking back.
Initially I did fantastic and felt great. I didn’t lose weight but I wasn’t gaining. However, as I stated previously, it was tough for me to maintain. I continued on with the lifestyle even if I could only maintain it part time. Fast forward to now. I’ve noticed my body changing and not for the better. I’ve decently maintained my running and activities so I can only guess this is from my body going into a tailspin trying to figure out what and how much I’m feeding myself (remember, low fat raw veganism calls for large amounts of calories).
I’ve avoided the scale knowing that it could open a can of worms for me…and then something occurred last week.
Long story short I had to step on the scale last week at work and I was not happy with the number. I knew I wouldn’t be. What’s more frustrating for me is that I tout the idea that “It’s not about the number but if the pants fit” and here I am focusing on a number. But I gotta be honest with myself, my pants aren’t fitting as well as they should.
Do I love low fat raw veganism? Yes, I love it. The problem is I can’t be 100% and obviously that’s causing problems. Will I totally give up raw veganism? No, but it’s time for me to move forward in my life journey of finding what works for me and take with me many aspects of what I’ve learned. My hope is to tweak them to my needs. My biggest fear? Relapsing to basically starving myself and returning to my scale obsession. I can’t let that happen. Thankfully at this point in my life I think I’ve realized that thin doesn’t mean healthy.
Why am I writing this? I’m not real sure. I think it just proves that although I pride myself on being a person that is health-minded, I’m still human. It’s also a reminder that we all need to find out what works best for us and that just because it worked before doesn’t mean it will work now. And lastly, our health is an ongoing process. One that must be revisited and assessed often.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Tasty Tryst Cafe
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After repeat recommendations on twitter to check out Tryst Cafe, I finally had the chance to do so a couple weeks ago.
Tryst Cafe is easily accessible as it’s right off of 101, but I’ll admit that it’s slightly hidden as it’s in a strip mall across from the Desert Ridge Shopping Center. Their goal is to serve tasty locally and organically sourced foods. In addition they have several vegan friendly options on their menu.
When I arrived I was pleasantly surprised by the upscale, yet relaxed atmosphere. With the ability to sit at the bar, sit inside at a table, or even outside, you have multiple options to choose from.
Per their website wine and beer tasting is available along with a daily happy hour. In addition, live in-house entertainment is provided on Monday nights. I could definitely see myself chilling out on a Monday night, eating some food and listening to relaxing music in an atmosphere found at Tryst.
Having conversed with Tryst Cafe on Twitter I knew exactly what my vegan options were and decided on the Hummus Trio, Desert Ridge Spring Rolls, and GTs Kombucha tea.
Traditonal, Cilantro, and Red Pepper Hummus with Fresh Pita
Daikon sprouts, shredded carrots, celery, cabbage, red onion and mango wrapped in rice paper accompanied by a sweet and spicy chili mango dipping sauce
Each portion was beyond tasty. If you like hummus, you’ll love the trio option. As for the rolls, I’ve never had anything like it but REALLY like them. With the mango they had a slight sweetness but the dipping sauce provided a tiny kick that was complimenting to the rolls.
With prices ranging between $6.25-$10 for lunch I found it was affordable and worth the price for the portions we received.
The downside for me is that it’s a half hour drive to get to Tryst. A bit of a bummer but I think it was well worth the trip and will plan to return.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
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Looking for more vegan food in Phoenix? Check out the rest of my adventures.
More Raw Vegan Questions Answered
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I thought I’d continue on this week about my eating lifestyle and answer a few questions that you asked. For those that missed last week’s post, make sure you check it out or none of this will make sense 
How often do you go to the grocery store to make sure you have the foods you need on hand?
Inventory management is a challenge when it comes to this lifestyle. I try to buy my fruits at varying ripeness when possible. I also venture to the grocery store about 2-3 times a week to keep a decent rotation going. Thankfully I only live 1/2 mile or so from the grocery store so it’s no biggie.
Any idea how much you spend on food a week?
This varies depending on if I’m 100% raw. When I am 100% I go through about 1.5 forty pound boxes of bananas a week. Each box costs approximately $20-25. Since the bulk of my intake comes from bananas, that’s the bulk of my costs. Add to that the cost of various other fruits and vegetables and my spending ranges somewhere between $70-100 a week. Keep in mind this is breakfast, lunch, and dinner with no eating out.
I do know some people living this lifestyle purchase food through wholesalers. I have yet to go that route but I do buy in bulk, hence the boxes of bananas. Oftentimes buying bananas by the box I’ve found I get a price break. In addition, I keep my eye out for the clearance section, often in the back of the produce section, where they’re trying to move out the overripe fruit. It’s perfect ripeness for me and an absolute steal.
Do you eat consistently throughout the day or standard “meal times”?
The best thing I’ve found is to try to stick with three 20-30 minute meals a day. When I initially started this lifestyle I found myself eating continuously throughout the day to maintain my caloric intake. This has gotten much better over time.
My meals are usually considered “mono meals” meaning I stick to only one fruit or veggie. This makes digestion easier on your body. When combining foods it’s best to stick with foods that compliment each other and do not cause GI upset. I must admit food combining is still a challenge for me so I tend to stick with mono meals.
Do you have to take any extra supplements?
From the results of my blood work I came up with a game plan on how I now supplement with Iron and Vitamin B12. While living in Ohio I also supplemented with Vitamin D due to my lack of time in the sunshine. I also take Potassium Citrate to inhibit kidney stone formation and vegan Glucosamine Chondroitin when training wears on my body.
Supplementing from the beginning or waiting to supplement after finding where you’re deficient is a hotly debated topic and should be discussed with your doctor. I personally waited until I had blood work performed to see where I was deficient. If I could do it over again I would have had some baseline blood work performed prior to going vegetarian is 2008 to monitor the changes.
Does your husband follow the same eating habits as you?
Although D’s eating habits have never been heavily meat-based he does not follow a plant-based diet. A couple years ago he decided to venture into vegetarianism in hopes of receiving some relief from his health issues. Unfortunately after 2 months living an all vegetarian (mostly vegan) lifestyle he did not see the results he had hoped for and chose to reintroduce meat. As he respects my lifestyle decision, I respect his.
I hope this answers some of your questions. Anything I missed?
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Why Do I Eat So Many Bananas?
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With my recent posts to twitter, instagram, and facebook I’ve had lots o’ questions about the lifestyle I lead. I figured a blog post was the best way to address the questions everyone has asked.
First things first: This is how I live my life. I will not ever say that everyone should eat and live the way I do. This post is not about stating a case for the lifestyle. I often feel like a broken record when I say, “What works for me, won’t necessarily work for you.” Not to mention, I’m still trying to figure out my way through life.
My lifestyle can be best summed up as a low fat raw vegan (LFRV), high carb raw vegan (HCRV,) or 80/10/10 (80% carbs, 10% fat, 10% protein)…all the same.
-LFRV is not the same as a traditional “high raw” lifestyle, which averages 60% fat.
-I eat as much raw fruit as I want. I eat veggies too but most of my intake comes from fruits. The perfect breakdown would look something like this:
- 90-97% sweet and nonsweet fruits
- 2-6% tender, leafy greens and celery,
- 0-8% from other vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, plus fatty fruits, nuts, and seed
-I follow the ratio of 80% carbohydrates, 10% protein, and 10% fats. A traditional “healthy” diet is composed of 40% carbohydrates, 40% protein, and 20% fats (40/40/20)
Why raw?
Heat changes the chemical makeup of foods. Period. Eating foods in their fresh whole forms is the way to go. So often we cook foods to make them edible when in reality these foods aren’t the best fuel for our bodies. Our bodies have to work twice as hard to digest these foods that 1) we shouldn’t have eaten in the first place and 2) are now even hard to digest given their chemical makeup is now compromised with cooking. If the food item is not edible without heat/cooking then chances are it’s best not to put it in your body. Fresh, whole foods allow for our body’s energy to be focused on processes other than digesting food.
Why such the high quantity of fruit?
This lifestyle is different than any other lifestyle I’ve seen as it calls for eating as much fruit as you’d like, standing against calorie restriction. Raw fruits and vegetables yield far fewer calories per bite than cooked or fatty foods. In order to consume sufficient calories we need to eat more bites of fruits/vegetables. In addition, due to the active lifestyle I lead, it calls for that much more fruit for me to consume, hence why I eat such large quantities of fruits/vegetables.
Why bananas?
With such a high quantity of fruit to consume in order to meet my needs, I need fruits that are calorie dense. Bananas and dates pack a punch in calories versus other water dense fruits. Could you imagine the quantity of watermelon I would have to consume in order to meet my caloric needs?! I do not survive solely on bananas but will admit they make up the majority of my intake. Not everyone who lives this lifestyle consumes this many bananas but dates and/or bananas are often recommended for those just starting the lifestyle. I’ve been doing this for well over 2 years and still love bananas which is why so much of my diet consists of them.
Why banana bread ripe bananas?
Unripe bananas, or any other fruit for that matter, consist of complex sugars that are difficult for the body to break down. As fruits ripen these transform into simple sugars which are easier for the body to digest. Once again, by doing so less energy has to go into digestion and can be used by the body in other ways.
You may be asking, aren’t you blocked up from all of those bananas?
You know that I’ll answer any question and this one is no different. Can you believe that I’ve already blogged about this topic? If you really want to know about my poo feel free to read on about my scoop on poop.
Why have I chosen this lifestyle?
Within the past few years I was diagnosed and treated for both endometriosis and kidney stones. It was a reminder that I only have one body in this lifetime so I need to take care of it to the best of my ability. I also attempted this lifestyle in hopes of alleviating symptoms and must say have been quite successful. That alone makes it worth it for me.
Am I 100% raw? If you couldn’t already tell from my vegan adventures, no. Would I like to be? Yes. I’ve dabbled in doing 1-2 months 100% raw at a time. I honestly feel like I thrive on the lifestyle and would ultimately love to be 100%. With that being said I understand that this is a journey and considering I’m well over 95% raw I’m taking steps in the right direction.
I’m sure this blog post will lead to more questions, which I would love to answer. I’m also sure it will lead to criticism. To each their own. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
For the first 2 months of venturing into LFRV I weighed all of my food and logged my intake on the Cron-O-Meter software program. The program graphs my ratios and shows me where I stand in regards to my vitamins and nutrients. I also kept a journal on how I was feeling, what I ate, and my workouts Trust me when I say I am healthier now than I have ever been in my life. I’m listening to my body and how it reacts to food and the environment. For the first time in my life I am fueling my body appropriately instead of counting calories and starving myself.
I’m also diligent in keeping up with my health. I visit the dentist at least twice a year to have my teeth cleaned (no cavities or gum issues noted since starting this lifestyle). In addition, at least once a year I have full blood work and urine panels performed to make sure that I am receiving appropriate nutrients needed for my body to thrive. (Which reminds me, I need to post my most recent results!) Lastly, my doctors who are non-vegan not only respect but applaud my lifestyle. I’ve even been asked on numerous occasions, “Will you go stand in my waiting area and tell/show people how being healthy is done?”
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to discussing my lifestyle. I hope to share more with you in the future!
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Vegan Pizza At Picazzo’s
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After reading several of my reviews from Italy and here in Phoenix, something you may pick up on quickly is that I love pizza. Funny thing is I HATED it as a kid. I remember my parents being flabbergasted by my choice to avoid pizza. Obviously I’ve overcome that aversion and have since fallen in love with the pie. With that being said, you shouldn’t be that surprised that this week I’m sharing another vegan pizza experience with you.
As with almost all of my restaurant finds I happened upon Picazzo’s Organic Italian Kitchen via Yelp and VegGuide. They drew me in with their focus on organic and gluten-free options. There were also several reviews of people being able to choose vegan cheese for their pizzas. However, with multiple locations I was unsure if all locations offered the cheese. I finally came across the review of someone who was able to choose a “Create Your Own” option so I thought we’d give it a try. If worst comes to worst I’d just go cheese-less as usual.
The Picazzo’s we checked out is located on Bell Road in Surprise, AZ. It was very easy to find in a new, modern looking strip mall. When we arrived we found ourselves entering a bar area that then made it’s way into a full dining area. With top to bottom wall windows it was plenty bright. The restaurant ambiance wasn’t the your typical pizza pub as it was a bit more clean and upscale with art and all.
From first glance at the menu I was concerned. There was no “Create Your Own” option, let alone vegan cheese listed. Speedy thinking lead me to ask our waiter who non-chalantly said, “Yeah. Soy cheese is available and you can build your own.” Whew! He gave me the order sheet to fill out on my own.
Our small pizzas soon arrived and were gobbled up. No complaints from either D or myself.
Unfortunately I have some negatives, which normally isn’t the case with my reviews. But you know I keep things real, so here they are:
The waiter was for lack of better word, different. I can’t put my finger on what the deal was but the whole situation felt awkward.
Why isn’t the soy cheese listed on the menu? If you have it, offer it. Not to mention, I’d like to know what vegan cheese they use, just for my information. Unlike regular cheese there is a vast different between vegan cheese options….trust me on this. I still have no idea what brand they use.
Same thing with the “Create Your Own” option. If you have it, make sure you offer it or make it known that it’s available.
Lastly, the price for the pizza was crazy expensive. I am willing to pay a higher price for vegan options and a quality meal, but $30+ for two 10 inch pizzas and one soda. A bit much, right?
Although the pizzas were mighty tasty and we’ll probably revisit Picazzo’s, I don’t think it will be my pizza place of choice due to these reasons.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
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Looking for more vegan food in Phoenix? Check out the rest of my adventures.
Green Means Good – Phoenix
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Thank you SO very much for your love and support on Wednesday’s post. It means more than you know! xo
As you know, I’m making my way through vegan eats in Phoenix. I’m hoping you’re enjoying the journey so far.
Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to check out Green. As you know from a previous post, Green is the restaurant counterpart to the neighboring Nami.
We made our late night stop at Green following the 3rd Thursday Adventure Run at Road Runner Sports in Tempe. Initially we had thought about just stopping for dessert at Nami, but since we had yet to eat dinner we hit up Green first (Why yes, we did get ice cream at Nami following our dinner. Wouldn’t you?) We arrived shortly after 8:30pm to realized they closed at 9:00. No worries as they were quick to say, “Come on in!” (Everyone has always been so friendly to us).
Prior to our arrival we didn’t know if Green was a sit-down or counter service. Upon entering we found that it would be a counter service experience. Nice and laid back.
I immediately loved the flow of the restaurant with the painted wooden tables along with tree stumps for some of the seats. Patio dining is available but the far end also has a see-through garage door that can be opened up for open air dining too.
I think everyone will agree that this is the coolest ice machine ever….
Quick examination of the menu had me wanting everything on the menu. It’s so nice not to have to decipher which items are vegan and which ones aren’t. I settled on the Mexicali Burger. However, when I went to order I noticed the special….”The Big Wac”. What?! This is what everyone has been talking about in the Green Facebook Group. You see, The Big Wac is basically the vegan version of the Big Mac. It’s not always available and absolutely everyone was raving about it. I made the quick switch, ordered the Big Wac with fries and D order the Kung Pao bowl.
Before we knew it our food had arrived. I’ll apologize now for my poor photos. It was late, we were hungry, and the lighting wasn’t great.
Did the Big Wac live up to the rave reviews? Yes, and more! Although I admit I was never a huge burger person even prior to going veg this may be one of the best burgers I’ve had in my life. Seriously. David’s meal was also tasty but after a nibble of my burger he immediately wished he had gone for the Big Wac too. Partnered with the yummy thin fries I had the perfect meal.
I can’t wait to return to have another fantastic meal!
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
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Looking for more vegan food in Phoenix? Check out the rest of my adventures.
