Eating Out Made Easy: 3 Square Cafe
It is super duper easy to eat out anywhere (even at a fast food joint) and stay on course with optimal health. Will the quality of food be amazing at a popular fast food chain that serves billions? Nope. But, you still have options to choose from so choose wisely.
I went out to lunch with my beautiful sister the other week and she picked out a healthy place called 3 Square Cafe in Venice California. While their menu appeared very healthy compared to other restaurants I’ve dined at, there were still high glycemic options (things that spike the blood sugar quickly) that I had to avoid. We both chose the seasonal chicken salad which came with veggies that are in season. Yum! And so fresh!
So how do you know what to do when you’re out and you wanna rock your results?
Here are 5 tips to always follow:
- Start with a small salad IF you don’t get a salad
2. Always put the dressing on the side. I don’t care what type of dressing you use, just make sure you only use 2 tbsp.
3. Always order all sauce on the side for any main meals. Many times sauces are loaded with sugar and salt. Be in charge of your portions.
4. Always drink lots of water when at a meal. The waiter should fill your glass up 2 times per hour, minimum. Yes, you can thank me later for being in the bathroom a lot after.
5. Take time to savor your food. You may be starving (analyze why because if you skip meals, you will gorge yourself which is never a good thing). Chew your food. Many people swallow their food whole which leads to gut sensitivities. My friend Steve chews for 32 times before he swallows. While that is quite extreme, you’d be surprised how much that slows you down. It gives your brain a chance to realize, wow, I’m full so that when the waitress/waitor comes with the fattening desert menu, you pass because you are done.
So this restaurant; 3 Square Cafe, was phenomenal with great service and fresh food. The salad I got is EASY to make yourself. I love learning about great ideas from great places. Do the same for yourself.
What to get:
- Chicken (free range and organically fed-kosher if possible)
- Beets
- Romaine Lettuce
- Red Cabbage
- Snow Peas/Snap Peas
- Asparagus
- Broccoli Rabe
What to do:
Grill your chicken on a BBQ grill if you can. Only put spices on it, even if it is only a little bit of salt and pepper. I love my Adobe spice. Separately, grill your asparagus so that it gets that grilled taste among the other flavors. In a big bowl OR on a big plate, put about 2 cups of romaine lettuce and red cabbage down. Throw on about 1 cup of snow peas or snap peas. Steam the broccoli rabe (or you can nuke it if you are pressed for time). Throw on 2-3 cooked beets (Trader Joe’s has a wonderful pre-cooked in the fridge section box of beets, already cooked). Cut those beets in 4 so that it looks like you’re eating more. Take the broccoli rabe and place on the salad along with your asparagus stalks. Cut the chicken into thin slices and lie on top. Dressing? I say either add some lemon juice and 1/2 avocado OR choose any dressing you wish, just stick to 2 tbsp. If you dump the whole little carafe onto your salad, um, that might be more than 2 tbsp. Please note that there is so much flavor in this salad. Start enjoying mother nature and over time, your palate will want to taste the rainbow (and I am not talking about Skittles people!)
