Lovin' Labor Day

So summer is just about over, 1 last long weekend left to eek out some swimming, parties, camping, whatever, before fall rolls in and we say goodbye to fun in the sun. Sure fall brings crisp weather, changing leaves and the beginning of the big holiday months, but nothing beats care free summer days and relaxing summer nights. Here are a few tips & treats to make the last weekend of Summer '09 a healthy, affordable and memorable one!:

If you want an affordable, mini-getaway:

• Camp by the beach - Frolic one more time in the sea, pack sandwiches and/or bbq foods along with your camping gear. Spend the night under the stars while the ocean sounds sing you to sleep.
• Organize a hike or bike trip - Gather up your friends and find a local hiking, biking or outdoor activity park or town. Make the most of the outdoors while getting in some exercise, taking in nature and snackin' on some yummy treats. Rent a cabin if you are heading to a specific area as with big groups, it's a lot cheaper to share a house with a kitchen. Not to mention a lot more fun!
  

If you're sticking around town:

• Host a game day & movie night - Have friends pop on over for a potluck or bbq. Host a tournament day that can involve all ages like a bean bag toss or a scavenger hunt. If you start late and go into the evening, project a movie on a wall and gather around to watch a flick under the stars.
  

If you host or attend a get together and serve up some of these exotic treats. They're a great way to bring the getaway to you!:

Virgin Pina Colada Popsicles

• 1 can light coconut milk
• 2 cups Pineapple juice
• 1 banana

Pour ingredients into a blender and puree. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze at least 4 hours.

Lavender Grapefruit Martini
(c) 2008, Natalie Bovis-Nelsen The Liquid Muse

1 1/2 ounces organic Vodka
1 heaping teaspoon organic lavender-honey syrup (can be made with agave nectar as well)
2 ounces freshly squeezed organic grapefruit juice
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed organic lime juice
1 organic edible flower

Lavender Honey Syrup: Heat 1/2 cup lavender honey (substitute with lavender infused agave nectar) and 1/4 cup water in a small sauce pan. Stir until boiling. Let cool. Set aside.

Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker, add ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an edible flower or lime wheel.

Soba Noodle Salad

Dressing:

• 1/2 cup of seasoned rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp sugar

Combine all ingredients thoroughly. Let sit for an hour.

Salad:

• 1 handful of cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1 handful of basil leaves, chopped
• 2 green onions, diced finely
• 1/2 red bell pepper, julienned
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, julienned
• 1 cup of shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup of toasted peanuts
• 1/2 lb cooked soba noodles
  

Prepare all the vegetables, set aside. Once the noodles have cooked, rinse with cold water and drain. Once the noodles are cool, add the vegetables and peanuts. Mix the dressing again thoroughly then add to the noodles and vegetables. Stir until well combined and serve.

Grilled Tempeh Peanut Satay

• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 2 tsp agave
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup tamari
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 lb of tempeh, steamed for 20 min
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 tsp sherry
• 1/2 tsp vinegar
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup plain soy yogurt

Marinade:
Puree orange juice with only half of the agave, coconut, tamari and cayenne pepper in a blender. Cut tempeh into 2 cm cubes and add to marinade. Set aside for 1 hour.

Peanut sauce:
Blend remainder of agave, tamari and cayenne pepper together with the peanut butter, sherry, vinegar, garlic powder and soy yogurt. Refrigerate.

Thread tempeh cubes onto 4 skewers. Grill tempeh over medium-hot grill 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Brush kebabs with marinade and sprinkle with remaining coconut. Serve the tempeh kebabs with peanut sauce.

Ginger Mint Caipirinha Cooler

• 1 lime, quartered
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ginger syrup
• 1 sprig mint
• 2 ounces cachaça (or rum if you can't find cachaça)
• 1 quarter-sized slice raw ginger

Muddle lime with ginger syrup and mint. Add cachaça, shake and pour over ice. Add a raw ginger wedge for garnish.

Virgin Recipe :

• 1/2 diced lime
• 1/2 small diced lemon
• 1/2 small diced orange
• 1 sugar cube
• ginger ale
• fresh mint

Place the fruit in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add the sugar cube and a dash of ginger beer. Muddle to release the juices. Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with mint.

Have a very happy, healthy and safe Labor Day!!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Green & Healthy Libations

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring guests Natalie Bovis-Nelsen, The Liquid Muse & Caroline MacDougall, creator of Teeccino:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next week, children's book author Ruby Roth & song writer Ari Shine!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Green Sites & Fashion

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring guests Jen Boulden, co-founder of IdealBite.com as well as Anna Mhikitarian & Daniel Leighton of Annatarian Eco-Effective Design:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next week, Natalie Bovis-Nielsen aka The Liquid Muse!

Grubbin' in Greenville

Just a short drive from Asheville & Charlotte, NC, as well as Atlanta, GA, you will find Greenville, South Carolina. I really enjoyed this quaint city as it had all the "accoutrement" of a large city without the overwhelming crowds, etc. The downtown is wonderfully charming too. Complete with a river and waterfall right smack in the center, a neat suspension bridge over the whole park ties the whole area together beautifully. Along with the pretty park, you will find some great eats in downtown Greenville, as well as in the burbs ; )

One great spot in downtown, is Cantinflas. A Mexican restaurant with an extensive vegetarian menu! I was stoked that my dinner guests where all able to find something they enjoyed while I munched on fresh made guac (vegans have to ask for it as the regular guac appetizer contains sour cream) and the Mexican chipotle vegan meatballs with rice, beans and plantains, yummmm. I really loved that there was something on their menu for everyone. It was refreshing to be able to order a "meat" with my mexi-meal that was tasty and nutritious! Visist Cantinflas Mexican Restaurant at 10 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601-2709, (864) 250-1300. Very friendly staff, good margaritas and super accommodating too!

Heading out of downtown for a taste of the east, I lunched at Saffron. Some of the best Indian I'd ever had, my lunching partners who don't normally eat Indian food, agreed. Everyone was ecstatic with the smorgasbord of food that we feasted on, tastier and tastier with every new dish. Family owned, Saffron offers up a great lunch buffet as well as a full vegetarian menu. No matter how spicy you like your chana masala, what your dietary restrictions are, or if you are an Indian food novice, Saffron is the perfect place for a great meal from Indian food nubie to connoisseur ; ) Great food, wonderful service and super helpful to boot ; )

Another great find outside of downtown is the Pita House. Another awesomely authentic, family owned eatery and market, The Pita House is the place to go for Middle Eastern in Greenville. They bake their own pita bread fresh every morning, make all of their pastries, hummus and other goodies in house. A band of brothers keeping their family food and traditions alive and well in the American south, its a must to shop as well as dine at the Pita House 495 S Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville, SC 29607, (864) 271-9895.

Heading back downtown, Lemongrass Thai is a fantastic place for dinner. Yet again, Greenville surprises with an establishment that catered quite nicely to the veggies. A full menu, the veggie options were many and I indulged ; ) Starting with the fresh basil rolls and ending with a generous helping of the vegetarian massaman (curry and coconut milk action), I was happily stuffed. Soothing atmosphere and a delicious menu, Lemongrass Thai is definitely on my Greenville hot list!

For some good ol', casual Italian, pop over to Trio Brick Oven Cafe. The pizzas, salads, pastas and sandwiches are all tasty and easily customizable per your diet. I veganized a sandwich and salad and didn't sacrifice a bit of taste. I was even able to enjoy some dessert as they had a killer sorbet to finish off my meal. Multo Bene!

Greenville was very pretty, very relaxing and very tasty. I would be more then happy to come back soon and chow some more ; ) Off to celebrate my birthday week - see you for a fun Labor Day post to wrap up the summer!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Health in Entertainment

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring guests Elizabeth Turner & Jolia Allen from Vegetarian Times celebrating it's 35th year in print as well as Naomi Streimer, vegan songstress, playing live in studio:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next week, Anna Mhikitarian of Annatarian Eco-Effective Design & Jen Boulden from IdealBite.com!

Another Look at Asheville

Here I am again, yappin' about Asheville, NC ; ) There is just to much good food to not tell you about!! So make sure you keep this info handy if you're ever passin' through or passin' time in this healthy, mountainous munch fest of a town!

If you want to catch dinner and a movie, Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company is the spot. And I don't mean, dine and dash to the theatre. I mean dine and eat IN the theatre! This kitschy theatre turned brew and chow house is a fun spot for kids and adults alike. Come order a veggie pizza, healthy sandiwch or whatever you fancy while dining at a tabke in front of the silver screen. Really a great place to hang out and get some fun food with your flick! Find out more at the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company site.

Burgermeisters is a cool eatery in West Asheville that caters to omnivores and lettuce eaters alike. My buddies and I all dined happily at this joint while taking in the cool decor. I devoured my grilled tofu philly sandwich and salad. I was delighted to see that they hand cut their own potatoes for fries and mix sweet potatoes in with russets - yum! Their chips are also home made among a variety of other delicious menu items. No one will leave Burgermeisters hungry, just happy!

If you are vegetarian or vegan, The Laughing Seed Cafe is a must. One of Asheville's premiere veg dining establishments, The Laughing Seed deserves its kudos. From great appetizers to their great Sunday Brunch, it's tough to find something on the menu that you won't like, especially with their international menu. As soon as I saw the Cuban Sandwich (i veganized with by ordering it without the cheese), I looked no more - Yummm-o!

I was stoked to find a veggie, late night menu at Rosetta's Kitchen. A late night, veggie, soul food menu to boot! Open till 3 am on weekends, what a great alternative after a fun night out then a greasy spoon diner. I had to go for the corn bread (duh, it's the south), some mac & cheese and a steaming bowl of veggies and greens. The whole menu was calling my name so I will be back for sure!!!

Man oh man, the south took care of my vegan belly and there's more coming so stay tuned!!