CR Way-Friendly Restaurants
LifeThyme
Recently, we went with ABC news reporter, Stephanie Sy, to one of the best restaurants on earth: LifeThyme Natural Market in Manhattan’s West Village. LifeThyme is a wonderful resource – offering daily hot and cold buffets of cooked and raw organic food delights. The soup table is constantly restocked with vegetable, bean, chicken, and other soups. You can find just about anything you want here – from steamed free-range chicken to unique bean, grain, and vegetable dishes.
We chose to sample lots of selections, starting with a spicy tomato vegetable soup – loaded with tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, zucchini, garlic, and onion. To add even more variety, we selected steamed vegetables from the warm buffet table to munch on and to dip into the soup. We also added a bit of olive oil to make the combination more heart-healthy.
Next we selected a hearty bean mixture of black, pinto, and kidney beans –adding more protein to the meal. Then we strolled over to the prepared foods counter where we got some
- Individual pizzas with crust made of pinto beans, sundried tomatoes, onion, garlic, and chipotle. The topping of cabbage and jalapeno in avocado sauce was delicious and very refreshing.
- Broccoli-spinach pie made with a quinoa crust: Besides the namesake veggies, this pie includes onion, garlic, carrots, and tofu, which provides a cheese-like texture.
These entrees are the visions of Master Chef, Jan Kozak, who dreams up countless way to enjoy healthful food.
The sheer amount of food we selected for lunch amazed the reporter who thought she was going to have to eat a small meal. Of course, the calories and nutrients contained in the food are really what are important. We estimate the total calories for the meal to be between 400 and 500, and each selection was packed with delicious nutrition.
Another wonderful aspect of LifeThyme is the dining room – a very friendly, book-store-cafe space. People take their meal selections to tables, where they can select a book to enjoy, look out on Manhattan, or meet friends in a totally relaxed atmosphere. We love the folks we’ve met here, who are usually very interested in health and nutrition. In fact, the regional chapter of the CR Society often meets at LifeThyme.
Another plus: After you enjoy your meal you can do your grocery shopping. LifeThyme is the epitome of the Healthful-Foods movement that is sweeping the western world, making it easier for everyone who wants to follow The CR Way to eat out easily and healthfully.
The store hours are amazing, LifeThyme is open 364 days a year, from 8 am to 10 pm, Monday through Friday and from 8 am to 10 pm on weekends.
Visit LifeThyme’s Web site for more: http://www.lifethymemarket.com/