Cheers to a Happy, Healthy 2020!
Chicken Teriyaki Bowl from Healthy Life Shakes. Photo: Brandy Hart
Want to eat out but afraid to crash your diet? We’ve got a solution for you! Give one of these healthy options a try, you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Healthy Life Shakes & Cafe
VACAVILLE – When you’re looking for a healthy breakfast, lunch or dinner, look no further than locally-owned Healthy Life Shakes & Cafe in Vacaville. This casual little cafe has just about everything to keep you in tip-top shape and coming back for more. Whether you’re in the mood to slim down or bulk up with your New Year’s workouts, they offer an array of suggestive shakes and smoothies with plenty of add-ons. Their protein “pre-designed” shakes are made for weight management, energy, postworkout, mass gain, or you can build your own. All organic smoothies like “The Berry Buzz,” “The Mikale Jordan,” “The Green Orange Julius,” “The Chuck Berry Berry Berry,” “The Spicy Scarlett,” “The Green Dragon,” “The Paradise,” will keep your taste buds entertained.
Healthy Life Shakes & Cafe offers high-grade, grass-fed, and Beyond Organic Whey Protein in their nutritional shakes with over 25 flavors to choose from. They also offer all-organic acai bowls, keto/energy coffee, organic yogurt power bowls, oven-roasted & air-fried chicken wings, teriyaki bowls, wraps and air-fried & all-natural breakfast and lunch burritos.
As we were first-timers, they offered us a complimentary shot of Aloe (good for digestion) and a Matcha Tea while we waited. My Chicken Burrito (made with 1/4lb chicken, Mexican Coleslaw, brown rice, sour cream & guacamole) had a slight spicy heat to it and was delicious. We also ordered the Chicken Teriyaki Bowl made with chicken, sweet bell peppers, green onions and mushrooms, topped with sesame seeds and teriyaki sauce over brown rice. It arrived with a dreamy aroma and fresh taste.
Try Healthy Life Shakes & Cafe at 609 Elmira Rd. in Vacaville. Gluten-free, vegetarian & vegan options are available. Open daily. Varied hours and full menu online at HealthyLifeShakes.com. 707.305.5309.
Various goodies from Pedrick Produce. Photo: Brandy Hart
Pedrick Produce
DIXON – Pedrick Produce is my healthy go-to place while traveling up and down the bay to Sac corridor. Located right off Hwy 80 in Dixon at Pedrick Rd., this family-owned market is the perfect place to drop in and pick out fresh fruits, veggies, legumes, beer, wine and more.
One of my favorite features is their wall of HOT! Pedrick Produce features some of the best hot sauce selections anywhere. I love to purchase an array to try with guests and even keep a stash for small hostess gifts.
One of the first things you’ll notice, weather permitting, are all the outside fresh fruit and veggie bins overflowing with the season’s offerings. You’ll enjoy their super friendly, helpful staff that can steer you to all kinds of locally produced goodies such as dried fruits, spices, salamis, cheeses, veggie chips, nuts and candies. Pedrick Produce also offers freshly made hot tamales and a new selection of ice creams.
Stop by Pedrick Produce, located at 6850 Sievers Rd. in Dixon. PedrickProduce.com. 707.678.1814
Almond Butter Toast from True Roots Juice & Eats. Photo: Brandy Hart
True Roots Juice & Eats
VACAVILLE – This new, adorable little centrally located Vacaville cafe is light, bright and boasts a great healthy vibe!
True Roots Juice & Eats is a juice/smoothie bar with some added delicious selections of bowls, salads, sandwiches and toasts. They use organic, wholesome ingredients in everything, as well as organic meats that are pasture-raised and nitrate-free! We ordered the Green Dream Smoothie, made with mango, greens powder, protein, ginger, zucchini and orange juice, and yes– it was super dreamy! The Sweet Treat, made with apple, spinach, cucumber, mint and lemon was also delicious! We topped it off with an order of the Almond Butter Toast made with almond butter, fresh strawberries, hemp seeds, and drizzled with honey. Just the right size and sweetness!
Visit True Roots Juice and Eats, located at 374 Merchant St. in downtown Vacaville. Open 8am – 2pm Monday – Saturday. Closed Sundays. TrueRootsJuiceAndEats.com. 707.514.7528.
Brandy Hart writes “Tastes of Your Town,” a monthly feature in the print edition of Your Town Monthly. This article was originally published in the January 2020 Solano and Yolo County print editions.
