3 for 30a – Fresh and Healthy
By Natalie Haddock
This month we have Halloween, next month is Thanksgiving, then Christmas, New Years, and before you know it, Valentine’s Day! We have lots of reasons to celebrate coming up and that means lots and lots of goodies for our taste buds. Candies, cookies, eggnog, casseroles, and gravy are all waiting for us just around the corner and personally, I can’t wait! But before we get all caught up in the chocolate and the buttered dinner rolls, this week’s installment of 3 for 30a offers just a few healthy suggestions before the holidays. So put down the candy bars (for now) and pick up one of these fresh and flavorful dishes.
Friday, Oct 2nd – If you’re struggling with the idea of eating well verses, well, eating real, George’s in Alys Beach has the solution. They’ve divided their menu into two sections – Behave and Misbehave. Each portion of the menu offers delightful dishes to suit your cravings. Healthier, lighter options are lined along the Behave side, which include enticing selections like their sweet Watermelon & Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad with spicy honey vinaigrette. The Abundance Bowel is sure to be filling, complete with black beans, quinoa red rice, kale, shiitake mushrooms, avocado, tomatoes, carrots, blueberries, and an egg cooked over easy. At George’s, they make it delicious to behave.
Saturday, Oct 3rd – Of course, if you’re going to try to eat healthy one of the bests place to stop by is Raw and Juicy in Seaside along Airstream row. Their menu of organic and natural food items will have you feeling clean on the inside and fully energized to take on the day. Fresh juiced smoothies and beverages are available along with unique menu items such as an Asian Sweet Fruit Slaw or the Buddha Bowl with organic brown rice and fresh veggies. Stop by in the morning during the Seaside Farmer’s Market to check out wholesome products from a number of local farmers. For home products, clothing, and beauty, stop into the Raw and Juicy Life store located steps away from the beach in the heart of Seaside.
Sunday, Oct 4th – It may seem like an indulgence, but fresh gulf seafood is just what the doctor ordered for a healthy and active life. However, that doesn’t have to mean catching and cooking it yourself. The Shrimp Shack in Seaside is a small restaurant ready to serve up our favorites, hot and ready. There’s not much room to sit inside the little shack, but this restaurant makes up for lack of space in a big way. Here you can get everything from lobster tail to royal red shrimp, fresh caught and steamed. Apalachicola oysters are served up just about any way you’d like ‘em –raw, steamed, baked, and “shack style” with onions and Colby jack cheese; or pick up a basket steamed crab claws served with, you got it, warm better. (That’s healthy, right?)