Food

The uber popular, healthy fast-food concept, Dr. Smood, is expanding their South Florida presence to close out 2016, with three new locations planned in Sunset Harbour, Brickell City Centre and the Aventura Mall.“The ‘rapid expansion’ of our Dr. Smood concept actually ties in with the ‘rapid demand’ from our fellow citizens of Miami,” says Dr. Smood partner, Kasper Kriby. “The positive reception of our concept by the city of Miami has made us put the foot on the gas pedal, to basically being able to fulfill our main vision, which is to being able to offer Smart Food to as many people possible.”Smart Food is exactly what Dr. Smood delivers. Their cafes are stocked with organic salads, sandwiches and small meals, all delivering on their ‘food with benefits’ promise. Every item at Dr. Smood is color-coded based on six health benefits, including immunity, energy, general health, beauty, detox, and power.

The spaces at the new locations will all be similar in concept, yet designed specifically to meet space needs. “The first 5 cafes will be conceptually identical, including the Live bar operation, a fully stocked fridge with even more exiting recipe’s that is freshly produced overnight in our commissary facilities as well as an even bigger selection of products in our Smood Markets,” says Kriby. “Our mantra is to be serving the healthiest food to everybody – that being for people who feels like hanging out in the cafes or with the need of healthy grab and go food. We want to cater everybody and we plan to keep it like that going forward.”The popularity of Dr. Smood doesn’t start and stop with Miami. Interest for additional locations domestically and internationally have popped up, with the team considering New York, South America, Dubai, Europe and Asia in the near future.Kriby adds, “Miami is and will always be where the whole journey began and we are proud of that!”For more information, visit http://www.drsmood.com/.

When you play a game you usually read the instructions first to know the rules, play and win. Well, reading nutritional labels is pretty much the same; you have to understand what they say in order to play the healthy game and win.Here are 5 things you should look at when reading a nutritional label.

1. Serving Size: This section will tell the size of a single serving and how many servings are in a package. Usually, these are given in home measures – 1 cup, ½ cup, 1 tablespoon and so forth. Typically, the nutritional information shown is for a single serving only. Therefore, if the package says there are three servings per container, then you have to multiply all the values by three. *Note: Always check the serving size to see how many servings per package.

2. Calories: How many calories are you eating per serving, and how many per package.

3. Grams of Nutrients Per Serving: Here you can see how much of each macronutrient and micronutrient you are consuming in a single serving. This is especially important to prevent overeating fats, sugars and sodium, which can result in the development of heart disease, overweight and hypertension respectively.

4. Percentage of the Recommended Daily Intake: Based on a 2,000-calorie diet, this section indicates how many calories of the 2,000 calories is being consumed via the product. Be mindful that total caloric intake should be customized to fit your training and every day life. Generally, if a food has 5% or less of the daily value then the food is low in that nutrient. If the value ranges from 5 to 20% then it’s considered a moderate source of this nutrient. And if it has 20% or more then it is a high source. *N0te: Remember, that the quality is more important than the quantity, and 20% or more of saturated fat is not the same as 20% or more of fiber.

5. Vitamins and Minerals: All labels should include the values for vitamins A, C, calcium and sodium. Some also may include potassium, vitamin D and iron.

So the holidays are here and we are once again about to indulge with all of the amazing food that characterizes the season. But how can we still enjoy our favorite meals without putting on the weight we have managed to keep off the entire year? Read on to see the foods to avoid during the holiday season and the ones you can go for without feeling guilty.

1. Turkey Skin – Although turkey is high in protein, the skin is mainly made up of fat… saturated fat, which is unhealthy and extremely caloric. Make sure you avoid eating the skin and only go for the white meat.

2. Sweet Potatoe Casserole with Marshmallows – Yes, sweet potatoes are da bomb; a complex carbohydrate packed with vitamin A and lots of fiber, but the problem is when we mix it with marshmallows, buttermilk and maple syrup. These are packed with added sugar and fat, adding on more calories to your turkey day.

3. Cranberry Sauce – Cranberries have lots of vitamin C, but when we eat them as a sauce, we must add sugar, and a lot of it, to make sure it becomes like a jam. Try and stay away from this option and go for greens and veggies!

4. Stuffing – We all love this part of the turkey, but most stuffing is made with bread and cured meats high in saturated fat. There are other options that can be used as substitutes to reduce the calories and increase the nutritional value. Try stuffing in quinoa, dices apples, walnuts and raisins or cranberries.

5. Pumpkin Pie – If you can and have the determination, stay away from pumpkin pie… or well, all pies! These have lots of sugar, saturated fat and little protein. If you add the fact that most of them have whipped cream, then it becomes a super high dense food with empty calories that will add on the pounds.

My recommendation is to go for the white part of the turkey, which is high in proteins and low in fats, and be wise when you choose the sides. Make sure you include some fresh salads with greens or even veggies that are high in fiber and low in fat and carbohydrates. These can be done grilled or even roasted to add some more flavor and still keep it healthy and balanced. You can also add a side such as mashed potatoes or even the sweet potato casserole but make sure you avoid the marshmallows. The idea is to enjoy the meal but make it as healthy as possible without compromising too much of the holiday spirit!

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." No truer words have ever been spoken by Hyppocrates. Food can be medicine, food can be memories and unfortunately, food can also be detrimental to your health. If I tell you that every morsel I put into my body was organic, whole and nutrient rich, that would be a lie. The chicken pot pie in my belly right now would tell you otherwise; however, what I have created in my household is strong sense of responsibility for what we consume, where we shop and how we prepare it. It takes effort and energy, but knowledge is power, and learning how to create dishes with seasonal ingredients and getting your children in the kitchen will spark an important dialogue missing from most American households.

Last week I had the honor of spending the day with Baptist Health South Florida (BHSF) Homestead Hospital’s Grow2Heal Community Garden. Thi Squire, the manager and driving force behind the garden, was our hostess for the day. Her passion for education was palpable. As the healthcare landscape is dramatically changing, so is Baptist Health South Florida. BHSF continually strives to shift their focus, and innovate! Today, their main priority is to keep patients out of their hospital beds, and offer the community a tangible resource for success.

The Grow2Heal Community Garden focuses on community and patients to help them make more nutritious choices through whole, fresh produce that is grown on site. Thi drives her message home with passionate discussion on the preventative, healing and medicinal properties of many of the crops she grows on site, including cancer-fighting powerhouses: turmeric and soursop, both of which are used by the hospital for patients. In fact, all of the produce is used by the hospital to provide nutrient dense meals and enhance the ‘Grow Your Lunch’ fieldtrip program.

Last year, Thi hosted over 500 students to encourage healthy eating habits. During their trip to the garden children will get their hands dirty. They will plant seeds, harvest fruits and vegetables, and cook their own lunch under Thi’s guidance. This is farm-to-table dining at its finest. Patients of Homestead hospital also have the opportunity to enjoy freshly grown Sunflowers in their rooms. Sunflowers have been my absolute favorite flower since I was a teenager. They always bring a smile to my face, and I have no doubt they a patients stay a bit brighter too!

At the end of the day, proper nutrition can help manage or prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart failure. The key is to start the children young. The Grow2Heal Community Garden is only a little over a year old, and are always looking for community partners. If you are interested in the garden feel free to reach out for fieldtrip, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, email HHGrow2Heal@baptisthealth.net.The Grow2Heal Community Garden has left a lasting imprint on my heart! Stay tuned for more of Thi’s tips and a recipe straight from our day at the Grow2Heal Community Garden, and make sure to head over to Baptist Health South Florida’s website to read tons of great articles on everything from nutrition to community outreach and medical research.

The South Florida VegFest is heading to Fort Lauderdale's War Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, December 3 from 12 - 6pm. The festival will be celebrating plant-based living and will feature free samples from over 125 vendors. There will be fun for the whole family with chef demonstrations, yoga and fitness classes, kids' activities and live music.

Tickets are only $15 and can be purchased here.

For more information, visit http://southfloridavegfest.com/.

Seed Food and Wine Festival Miami, is the premiere plant based food and wine festival in the country. It's a week-long adventure, where attendees sip, savor and experience conscious, sustainable plant-based living. Taking place November 2-6th, activities are carefully crafted to take guests through a one-of-a-kind journey from cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, celebrity chef dinners, craft beer and spirits tastings, the first ever veggie burger battle, fitness to body care, workshops, yoga, urban gardening, a 5k run, kids day and more. SFWFs line-up features something for everyone and showcases the beauty of the tropical paradise that is Miami and her beaches. Everything served during the festival will be plant-based / vegan and whenever possible, organic and non-gmo certified. For a schedule of events, visit the Seed Food and Wine Festival Miami website.

As a fixture in Miami for more than 70 years, Epicure Gourmet Market and Café has a long history of serving the local community and offering gourmet options for all market needs. Epicure Market is unveiling a fresh look, complete with a redesigned layout, new café, competitive prices and cooking demonstrations led by executive Chef Michael Love.Patrons entering Epicure Market on Miami Beach will be welcomed by the aroma of freshly cut blooms from the newly-positioned floral department. Beyond that lies the reformatted produce section featuring competitively-priced produce marked lower than other comparable grocers such as Whole Foods, Fresh Market and Publix. Customers visiting for a lunch-time fix from Epicure’s classic prepared foods deli can now take a moment to enjoy their meals at the café, which features a dining area overlooking bustling Alton Road. Deli fans looking to try their hand at preparing their favorite items at home can learn from the creator himself – Chef Michael Love – through his interactive series of cooking demonstrations, hosted on select dates.

“We’re excited to enhance the Epicure Market experience for customers both old and new,” said Epicure Market’s Executive Chef, Michael Love. “Customers gave us their feedback and we listened – Epicure Market will now cater to our customers’ needs more than ever.”Epicure Gourmet Market opened on Miami Beach in 1945 as a prime meat butcher; it is now one of the finest gourmet markets in South Florida with an on-site bakery, award-winning cheese department, sommelier-curated wine cellar and hand-selected grocery items from around the world. Additionally, the market features a one-of-a-kind deli counter that offers prepared delicacies created and prepared daily by Chef Michael Love. Current Epicure Market locations include the original store in Miami Beach, with a second location in Sunny Isles Beach featuring a full-service restaurant, which opened in 2008.Epicure Market conveniently serves patrons all week long, with both locations open seven days a week. The Miami Beach market is located at 1656 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Sunny Isles Beach market and restaurant is located at 17190 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160 - 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Let's face it. Sunday Meal Prep is the worst. Constantly trying to creatively figure out how to cook a week's worth of food that is bland and boring can be quite challenging. That's why we reached out to DIRT Executive Chef Nicole Votano for some help in the kitchen.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5KEDHqQSrY&list=PL984P_joQeuE30LOBIwqBxEvdoa68Z-CN&index=1

Miami Beach’s favorite farm-to-counter eatery and wellness bar, DIRT, is pleased to announce the opening of its second location in the heart of Miami’s burgeoning Brickell neighborhood. Slated to open in early 2017, the highly anticipated DIRT Mary Brickell Village location will combine high-quality seasonal ingredients and chef-driven cuisine in a fast casual environment, central to DIRT’s “fine food fast” mission.

Co-founder Jeff LaTulippe and Executive Chef and Director of Operations Nicole Votano will oversee operations and culinary development, ensuring the product, vibe, and overall experience maintain the standards that DIRT aficionados have come to know and love in the South of Fifth neighborhood on Miami Beach. “The response we've received in South Beach since opening in November has been overwhelming, and we’re truly honored to have developed an enthusiastic local customer base,” LaTulippe states. “We also know that many of our regular guests live across Biscayne Bay, so we’re extremely excited to make DIRT a more convenient, everyday option for them.”The menu at the DIRT Mary Brickell Village outpost will stay true to DIRT’s seasonal, handcrafted menu, offering crowd favorites such as the Chimayo Chili Bowl, the Curried Cauliflower Bowl, and the DIRTy Steak + Cheese; a daily rotation of fresh traditional, gluten-free, and vegan pastries; and creative, colorful, and seasonal house-made sodas, lemonades, and teas. In addition to these popular mainstays, guests “will definitely see a few new additions to both the food and beverage categories on the menu,” explains Executive Chef and mastermind behind DIRT’s creative menu, Nicole Votano. “We'll also have a much larger grab-and-go area filled with lots of great options that will completely eliminate your wait. Of course, we will continue to support as many local farmers and purveyors as possible (now more than ever with two restaurants to service!)”

Having lived and worked in the Brickell area for years, Chef Nicole has a particular interest and insight into what the neighborhood really needs from DIRT’s second outpost. “One priority we will really focus on in the Brickell location is offering convenient, affordable daily specials that will run during breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” says Chef Nicole. “Energizing breakfast specials will be convenient and portable, making them easy to pick up on your morning commute. Lunch choices will be fast and filling, designed with the ‘on-the-go’ office crowd in mind. At dinner, specials will include familiar classics with a lighter touch, great for enjoying with a glass of wine or local craft beer.”The DIRT Mary Brickell Village's planned operating hours will be Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Delivery will be available throughout the Brickell / Downtown area shortly after opening.

Veganism is certainly a hot button issue in the nutritional and fitness space these days. There are many misconceptions about Veganism, from the protein source debate, to B-12 vitamin deficiency. With Veganism on the rise, many myths are circling about the Vegan lifestyle and its pros and cons.We decided to reach out to ACE Certified Health Coach, Fitness Instructor, and Vegan Athlete Daria Deptula, to have her bust some of these Vegan Myths. Daria is a fitness instructor at Sobekick Gym in Miami Beach and Fitbox Method in Downtown Miami. She also offers Online Coaching, Vegan Nutrition Guidance and Fitness Programs.Here are four Vegan myths Daria says are just not true.Myth 1: Vegans do not get enough proteinOne of the first things any Vegan gets asked is “Where do you get your protein?” First, let’s start with how much protein a typical person needs on a daily basis. We have been programmed to believe we need huge amounts of protein, and because of this, most people intake about 2-3 times the daily amount needed from animal products. A typical American consumes around 270lbs of meat a year. That’s more than any other country on the planet!The truth is, our bodies only need 10-25% of our daily calorie consumption to come from protein. That means, a typical person needs around 50 grams of protein a day. However, that excludes body builders and professional athletes, or anyone looking to build muscle, but even then, the protein intake is not as high as everyone believes it to be.Protein is in everything, from broccoli to tofu. There are many alternative sources of protein. There are also mock meats and plant based supplements which are great protein options.

Myth 2: Vegans are nutrient deficient, especially B-12Most Americans do not meet their daily vitamin, mineral and fiber requirements, making this argument a stretch. Vegan or not, Americans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables in a day to meet these dietary requirements.However, when a person switches to a whole food plant based diet, that nutrient intake tends to spikes up. The animal protein gets substituted for vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, automatically raising the fiber and nutrient intake our bodies crave.As for the B-12 dilemma. Our bodies store B-12 in the liver. It takes 3 to 5 years for the reserves to deplete if no form of this vitamin is being consumed on a daily basis. Yes, it is true that most animal products are high in B-12, however, there are many foods fortified with the vitamin, like nutritional yeast seasoning, which in itself, is a great addition to any meal. B-12 can also be consumed in a supplement form.Myth 3: Vegans eat salads all dayThis myth is so funny to me, and so far from the truth! Yes, Vegans do tend to eat many more veggies and fruits than a typical person, but that doesn’t mean it’s all spinach, kale, and wheat grass.My diet has personally become so much more diverse and colorful. From colorful acaì smoothie bowls for breakfast, to delicious veggie burgers or quinoa bowls for lunch, and seared tempeh or lentil dishes for dinner, a Vegan diet will never get boring.We live in the world where social media has become so popular, there are ton of Vegan recipes on most social media platforms.

Myth 4: Veganism is a dietVeganism is a lifestyle change. While some people become Vegan for health reasons, they soon find other benefits in going Vegan, like being a contributing factor in saving the animals and our planet.Animal agriculture is a leading cause to most of the environmental issues we are currently facing. Deforestation, overfishing and pollution are just a few examples. According to the documentary “Cowspiracy,” our oceans will be fishless by 2048. 2048! That’s a little over 30 years from now.The bottom line is many people will question or dismiss ideas they don’t fully understand. It is better for someone to bombard a Vegan with questions, then dismiss it all together. The future belongs to the curious.

Last month, Deliver Lean, one of Florida’s premier gourmet healthy meal delivery services, launched Perfect Fuel Meals, a meal plan that delivers clean, fresh, and healthy balanced meals to meet the macronutrient needs of athletes and anyone looking to eat clean and live a healthier life. Perfect Fuel Meals hooked us up with a week's worth of delicious and tasty meals to try, and we thought it'd be great to share our experience with you.The first thing to note is the volume of food. Now, we are not shy at the kitchen table, and can always eat, but Perfect Fuel Meals is stepping up with athlete sized portions. One of the gripes that often plagues meal delivery services is they aren't filling enough and still require grocery runs, defeating the purpose. Perfect Fuel Meals has solved that problem with meals that contain clean complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, healthy fats and fresh vegetables to create the ultimate balance in nutrition.

The meals are delivered to your doorstep three times a week. One of the best feelings in the world is knowing you don't have to meal prep and you are still going to eat clean, healthy and delicious meals. Co-Creator of Perfect Fuel Meals, Guido Trinidad, an athlete himself, is excited about getting Perfect Fuel into the hands of athletes and fitness enthusiasts. "We have one goal in mind: to assist athletes in reaching their maximum potential by eating healthy food delivered right to their front door. We’re giving athletes a convenient way to keep their goals, and health in check,” said Trinidad.

He was certainly spot on, as each day was an exciting new dish. Perfect Fuel Meals is offering three different meal portion sizes created in order for the athlete to consume the correct amount of fuel needed to achieve their goals. These portions include Lean, Performance and Gainz all of which contain the same quality ingredients and macronutrient breakdown; 40% Carbohydrates, 30% Protein, 30% Fat.Perfect Fuel Meals is available for purchase at www.PerfectFuelMeals.com. Meals will be delivered three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and delivery areas range from Jupiter to Kendall in South Florida as well as the metropolitan areas of Tampa and Orlando. Meals start at $8.95.

Here are some of the healthiest and most delicious places to order from Uber Eats Miami.1. Jar + ForkAvailable on Uber Eats Miami is Jar and Fork located in Downtown Miami they have paleo, vegan, and cold pressed juices to satisfy everyone’s health food craving. When ordering from Jar and Fork I always go for the “paleo inspired plates” which include one protein, and two sides with many options such as roasted sweet potato, spinach, Brussels sprouts, and many more. My usual go to is the grilled chicken that is a perfectly sized portion of protein along with spinach and the roasted sweet potato. If you happen to order on a Monday the juices are only $5, and I definitely recommend the “Green glow” which is full of greens, and low on sugar.2. ZUUK Mediterranean kitchen

Zuuk Mediterranean kitchen is a healthy fast food restaurant available on Uber Eats Miami, and is located in Brickell. Zuuk is inexpensive, healthy, and fast. They allow you to create your own salad bowl, rice bowl, burrito, or give you have the option of doing ½ salad ½ rice in your bowl. I always go for the salad bowl with arugula, and for sauces I add the regular hummus, and taziki. When it comes to proteins I tend to order the baked falafel since at most restaurant’s the falafel is fried. Approaching the last part of the bowl I add all the veggies I can olives, corn, tomato, onions, pickled cabbage, cucumber, and they have many more options as well.3. DIRTThe name says it all: DIRT, the food is raw, clean, and healthy. Available on Uber Eats Miami dirt is located in south beach, and if you don’t live on South beach it is convenient to order it via uber because the parking can be tough. Dirt prides them selves in the organic, seasonal, and local food options they serve daily. A personal favorite from Dirt is the gluten free nourish bowl, which contains yummy items like quinoa, chickpeas, lentils, cauliflower, onions, peppers, raisins, carrots, vinaigrette, and a mint cucumber yogurt to top it off.4. Chef LeonThat feeling when you just get home from picking up the kids from school after a long work day, and you really don’t want to cook anything Uber Eats Miami is there to help. Chef Leon, which is located in midtown, likes to keep it fresh and healthy for parents, and kids too. Their gluten free mac and cheese from the kid’s menu is awesome, and they have the most delicious smoked salmon platter that comes with two eggs, avocado, and a house salad. That way it keeps the whole family eating healthy, and it’s a hassle free meal delivered to your doorstep thanks to Uber Eats Miami.5. Poke 305

The famous poke bowls have finally made their way to Miami with the opening of Poke 305 in brickell. If your starving at work, but don’t think you have enough time to get out of the office call Uber Eats Miami, and they can deliver it right to your office. These poke bowls are refreshing, and delicious with so many options to create your own poke bowl. A yummy yet healthy bowl to create is a personal favorite including spinach, tuna, shrimp, avocado, carrot, and bean sprouts.6. Full Bloom VeganFeeling tired and hungry? Let Uber Eats Miami deliver you Full Bloom Vegan, because who wants to leave their house on the weekend anyway? Full Bloom is a vegan, raw, and cruelty free wonderful restaurant located on the water in Miami Beach. A must have meal from here would be the raw zucchini spaghetti puttanesca. It is just like lasagna, but a much healthier and vegan version of it.7. Red BoostWhen it is just way too hot outside, and you’re craving something refreshing and cool, Uber Eats Miami will be there to deliver you Red Boost. Located in brickell they make delicious acai bowls, fruit smoothies, and healthy bites. The Dragon-Faya Pitaya bowl a personal favorite contains dragon fruit, banana, mixed berries, bee pollen, vanilla protein, and almond milk. So whether it’s a post workout refuel, or a hot summers day cool down, Red Boost does not disappoint.8. Miam café

If you’re craving Miam Café on a rainy afternoon, let Uber Eats Miami deliver it to you so you don’t get soaking wet with Miami’s unpredictable whether. They abide by the motto simple, fresh, and natural and that is exactly what you will find here. They have a great breakfast burrito filled with bacon, home fries, organic eggs, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, and sour cream. I usually ask them to leave out the cheddar and sour cream to make it a healthy breakfast burrito and instead add avocado, or some sort of veggie. (They also have a vegan option of the breakfast burrito).9. CPR - Cold Pressed RawWe all know the feeling when Monday comes along, and you regret all the un-healthy weekend decisions you made. Whether you’re in bed debating to call in sick, or struggling to find the energy at work to make it through the day CPR is there to help. Uber Eats Miami can have CPR delivered to your door to keep you going for the remainder of the day. They have the most incredible cold pressed juices, and clean wraps. I always order the juice green raw juice, and an avocado toast made with Zak the Baker bread to get me through the day. Unless I really want to cleanse then ill do the level 1 one-day raw juice cleanse. The best part is it can all be delivered to your doorstep.10. Della Test KitchenLocated in Wynwood Della Test Kitchen is a vegan health spot available on Uber Eats Miami. When you’re feeling lazy on a Sunday, but still want to be as healthy as possible Della Test Kitchen is the way to go. They have different pre made bowls to choose from, or you can make your own depending on what you’re in the mood for. I always go with the South West bowl that includes tofu, lettuce, quinoa, avocado, and lentils. To top it all off they add this delicious sweet citrus tahini sauce, which is out of control how good it is.

While summer in South Florida may be in full swing, things are about to get a whole lot cooler. This month, healthy lifestyle company Juicense will bring its own unique brand of raw foods and cold-pressed juices to 2992 Mc Farlane Rd. in Coconut Grove.Juicense is the brainchild of nutrition expert Mariana Diez who moved from Washington, D.C., to Miami with the hope of sharing her passion toward conscious wellness. A registered dietitian, she received her training from Georgetown University and the Institute of Integrative Nutrition before beginning her own health practice online.“I have a background business but have always loved cooking and staying healthy,” says Diez. “And when I started taking classes in nutrition, I found myself constantly sharing things with my brother or my friends who probably didn’t care about what I was saying, but they helped me shift jobs and start doing something new.”After moving down to South Florida with her husband, Adrian Moreno, she decided to open Juicense. Diez reached out to experienced members of the health food industry to help create the menu. Traveling back and forth from D.C. and New York City, she met with chefs and other nutritionists who helped guide her in what to do. Unlike most conventional smoothies and juices that sacrifice health for flavor, Juicense's products have been made to optimize your body's biological and chemical reactions.“I wanted to make sure that every ingredient we used had a purpose,” says Diez. “Every juice had to be geared towards something special. Every juice had to help people achieve a certain goal.”With this in mind, Diez chose to label each cold-pressed juice according to the key benefit it provides your body. The names “Keep Me Young,” “Clean Me Up,” “Defenses Up,” and “BFF (Burning Fat Fast)” are meant to help customers choose the juices that are best for them.Juicense will also offer a detox program which will involve cleansing the body not only with juices but also with food. Instead of leaving customers fatigued and disillusioned, the detox program will ensure that the body receives all the necessary nutrients from whole foods so that it continue to thrive during the detoxification process.

n addition to an accessible menu featuring favorites like açaí bowls, cacao chia pudding, power quinoa, and avocado toast, Diez plans to have a health coach behind the counter of Juicense every day. Committed to helping her customers achieve a wholesome lifestyle, she wants to extend some of her previous nutrition practice into the store.“It became too much to continue working from home,” says Diez. “ But there will always be someone here, be it another trained specialist or myself, to help answer any health or food related questions.”Diez hopes the personalized attention each customer receives will set Juicense apart from the other juice bars that exist in Miami. “Juicense will be different from the other places because it will be a community,” says Diez. “This will be a place where people can order something to eat and drink for grab and go, but it will also be somewhere people come in after yoga to talk and make friends. People who come here will support each other.”Juicense will open its doors on July 22 with an official grand opening celebration on August 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. The shop will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.This article originally appeared in the Miami New Times by Nicola Haubold and can be found here.

DeliverLean, one of Florida’s premier gourmet healthy meal delivery services, has teamed up with influential fitness figure Guido Trinidad to create Perfect Fuel, a meal plan that delivers clean, fresh, and healthy balanced meals to meet the macronutrient needs of athletes and anyone looking to eat clean and live a healthier life.Deliveries will start on Monday, July 4, 2016 in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Orlando and Tampa. The service gives athletes and health conscious consumers the opportunity to eat the best food possible in the most convenient way possible – meals are delivered three times a week to energize and fuel busy lifestyles. All meals contain clean complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, healthy fats and fresh vegetables to create the ultimate balance in nutrition. Restaurant quality meals, made by world class chefs are curated to meet athletes' specific needs in order to perform at the highest level.“As a highly competitive athlete, I had tried many meal delivery services in the last eight years, but none of them addressed the specific nutritional needs of athletes, so I decided to create my own macro based meal plan,” says Co-Creator of Perfect Fuel, Guido Trinidad. “We have one goal in mind: to assist athletes in reaching their maximum potential by eating healthy food delivered right to their front door. We're giving athletes a convenient way to keep their goals, and health in check.”By partnering with DeliverLean, Trinidad was able to create the ultimate meal program for athletes and anyone needing to fuel their active lifestyle. Trinidad has worked with DeliverLean’s Chef Caroline Flynn to develop the meals. Flynn is an accredited chef with a degree from The Natural Gourmet Institute of New York. She has kitchen experience ranging from raw vegan to classic French, incorporating classic technique into modern cuisine.“There has always been a need for for perfectly balanced meals for athletes. Athletes need their regimen in the gym but also a clear plan at home to keep a balanced, healthy lifestyle and reach their best selves. By partnering with Guido Trinidad, one of the best athletes in the business, we made sure to find out what athletes needed to accomplish their goals set out to created Perfect Fuel,” says CEO and Founder of DeliverLean, Scott Harris.Perfect Fuel will offer three different meal portion sizes created in order for the athlete to consume the correct amount of fuel needed to achieve their goals. These portions include Lean, Performance and Gainz all of which contain the same quality ingredients and macronutrient breakdown; 40% Carbohydrates, 30% Protein, 30% Fat. However, the meals will differ in quantity (total calories) so patrons can sustain their level of activity, lifestyle and goals. Customers will also have the option to order third party approved snacks including: Fuel for Fire Protein Smoothies, Caveman Coffee, Best Bar Ever, Peace-A-Cake Baked Goods, and a variety of DeliverLean Snacks.Perfect Fuel will be available for purchase at www.PerfectFuelMeals.com. Meals will be delivered three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and delivery areas range from Jupiter to Kendall in South Florida as well as the metropolitan areas of Tampa and Orlando. Meals start at $8.95.

Brickell is home to a variety of new dining options, but surprisingly, only a few are truly dedicated entirely to healthy menu options. We rounded up the 5 must-try healthy dining options in Brickell to make the search a little easier.

1. Brickell Fresh Café

Brickell Fresh is the brainchild of Antar Sosa and Evelyn Osio. As a health connoisseur, Evelyn always struggled to find a health-conscious restaurant or cafe where one can easily pick-up their meal or sit down for a quick bite. With that in mind, Evelyn created the menu for Brickell Fresh so you don't have to give up tasty meals to eat what's good for you. Together, alongside their chef, Sergio, they've been able to create a new concept in Brickell; an honest and health-oriented cafe with tasty bowls, wraps, salads, and delicious smoothies.

2. Cure Café

Tucked into a little corner of Brickell, Cure Café is whipping up some incredibly delicious plates by Owner and Chef, Kate Farrell. After the departure of “The Juice Spot” owned by Lebron James’ wife Gloria, Kate wanted to give something the area is still desperately lacking, healthier food options. She certainly has delivered on that promise, renovating the old Juice Spot space with some delicious smoothies, bowls, small plates, juices, coffees and teas. We highly recommend the Dragonfruit bowl.

3. Poke 305

The fast casual Poke 305 is brining the traditional Hawaiian dish of poke to Brickell. Mixed with flavors of Latin America, Poke 305 mixes raw fish with various sauces, fruits and spices into one tasty bowl. Chef Yukie Horito, a Japanese chef who is the first female graduate of Japan’s Tsuji cooking school, creates the dishes, with the menu featuring signature and build-your-own bowls.

4. Cold Pressed Raw Kitchen

Cold Pressed Raw opened up shop in Brickell a while back, but unless you know it’s there, it can get lost amongst the many high rises. Nestled on SE 13th Street right by Biscayne Bay, the CPR Kitchen, is whipping up some delicious bites alongside their tasty juices. Do yourself a favor and try the avocado toast and match it with a nice smoothie or freshly pressed juice.

5. Blue Tree Juice

Located right on 8th Street next to Toasted and around the corner from Black Bird is Blue Tree Juice. Blue Tree features all types of freshly pressed juices, smoothies, teas, coffee and some small bites. This is Blue Tree’s second location, with the first being in Honolulu, Hawaii.

It’s no secret that Brickell is in the middle of a building boom, but what may be surprising is that for all the new buildings, retail and restaurant spaces being developed, there are only a few true health food spots to enjoy.Enter, Cure Café. Tucked into a little corner of Brickell, Cure Café is whipping up some incredibly delicious plates by Owner and Chef, Kate Farrell. After the departure of “The Juice Spot” owned by Lebron James’ wife Gloria, Kate wanted to give something the area is still desperately lacking, more healthy food options. She certainly has delivered on that promise, renovating the old Juice Spot space with some delicious smoothies, bowls, small plates, juices, coffees and teas.The best part? The price. Brickell is becoming synonymous with overpriced food options for no other reason than “just because.” But Cure Café has delivered a great menu at price points patrons feel comfortable and satisfied paying.For first timers, we recommend the Dragonfruit Bowl. This delicious bowl is loaded with Dragonfruit, pineapples, blackberries, strawberries, bee pollen and coconut flakes, and makes for a delicious option any time of the day. We also tried the Vegan Veggie Burger with peppers, lentils, kale, carrots and smashed avocados. The menu is 100% gluten free, growing some of their own ingredients on location.If you’re in the neighborhood, we recommend swinging by Cure Café and even dropping in to Cure Fitness next door for a workout. For more information visit www.facebook.com/curecafebrickell.

JoJo Tea has unveiled The Tasting Room, an intimate eight-seat private tasting room born from JoJo Tea’s mission to spread and elevate the American tea culture. Through a traditional Omakase-style tea experience, The Tasting Room will introduce patrons to the ‘Way of Tea’ and the art of selecting, brewing and drinking from a carefully curated menu of teas from across the globe.“The original vision of JoJo Tea was actually a teahouse—somewhere people could go to experience authentic teas in a gong-fu tasting environment. After studying teas at origin and building our brand over the past four years, we’re now positioned to pioneer meaningful evolution in the new American tea culture,” said Michael Ortiz, Co-Founder and Creative Director of JoJo Tea.Founded in 2011, JoJo Tea has become a reputable name within Miami’s booming food and beverage scene. With over 100 wholesale clients, including The Genuine Hospitality Group, Panther Coffee, Zuma, 50 Eggs INC, Eating House, Zak the Baker and Alter, JoJo Tea aims to continue revolutionizing the tea-drinking experience in South Florida and beyond.“It’s about building community. As we’ve built our tea family across Miami and around the world—from India to China, Nepal and Taiwan—so many have warmly opened their doors to us. As we open The Tasting Room and the next chapter of our story along with it, we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to do the same,” said Tico Aran, Co-Founder and Director of Operations.JoJo Tea has also recently launched its website, sipjojo.com, where tea aficionados can shop for a selection of thoughtfully sourced, loose-leaf teas from around the world. A unique selection of teaware, such as glass infusers, cups, handmade ceramic teapots, and matcha tea kits, are also available for purchase on the site.Located at 951 S.W. 42nd Ave, Suite # 305, the Tasting Room opened its doors on May 23rd, 2016. Hours of operation will be 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays. Seating is by reservation only. To schedule your reservation, please visit sipjojo.com and book through Resy.

Miami Beach’s “fine food fast” casual eatery and wellness bar, DIRT, debuts a new menu with the warmer weather of the Summer months in mind. The menu is rooted in seasonality, using many local ingredients to create light yet satisfying dishes filled with crisp refreshing flavors and vibrant colors.“One of the things I feel makes us different is that although we are a healthy restaurant, we are all about flavor first. When I create the dishes for the menu, I think first about what ingredients are in season and use as many vegetables as possible. Then I think about what those ingredients pair well with, and finally I choose the highest quality sustainable products I can source,” says Executive Chef Nicole Votano, creator of the new Summer menu at DIRT.

“I am very excited about our new seasonal options on this menu. At DIRT, we love to showcase ingredients from local farms, vendors, and artisans. I am particularly looking forward to shining a bright light on both JoJo Tea and Harpke Farms. It was designed with efficiency in mind, with the idea of staying true to our ‘fine food fast’ roots, " says Votano.Featured breakfast items on the new menu include the Seasonal Breakfast x Harpke Farms, a collaboration between DIRT and the local Harpke Family Farms. Inspired by Spring’s bounty of green vegetables and mushrooms, pasture-raised eggs are cooked over easy and served over your choice of quinoa or farro, along with fresh peas, asparagus, local mushrooms, and aged Parmigiano Reggiano.Guests who order the cult favorite Avocado Toast may gravitate to the new Goat Cheese + English PeaToast; a thick slice of multigrain bread from Zak the Baker is grilled to perfection and topped with whipped goat cheese and lemon-scented peas, then sprinkled with toasted pumpkin, sunflower, and hemp seeds.The Hazelnut Chia Seed Parfait is a comforting and decadent option for breakfast, or any time of day. Espresso- and hazelnut-scented Greek yogurt is layered with a maple-chia seed pudding and topped with dried Sicilian oranges, toasted hazelnuts, and cacao nibs to create a bite filled with familiar flavor and lots of texture.The Chimayo Chili Bowl is Chef Votano’s all-vegetarian chili dish. It’s a hearty combination of onions, peppers, zucchini, sweet potato, and heirloom beans stewed with a blend of smoky spices thoughtfully sourced from La Boite, a custom spice blender based in New York. The chili is served over a bed of bright green gluten-free bamboo rice, topped with Greek yogurt, sharp cheddar, jalapeno jack cheese, and spring onions.

The Seasonal plate is always a favorite at DIRT, and the Spring Plate does not disappoint. Crisp broccolini is grilled and tossed with a touch of lemon and chili flakes, then served on the side of roasted red and Yukon gold potatoes which are smashed with Greek yogurt, olive oil, and fresh herbs. The dish is offered with your choice of protein and garnished with more vegetables in the form of shaved carrots and radishes.“I’m really enjoying the Spring Plate, maybe even more than the Autumn and Winter Plates. It’s hearty yet refreshing, and it’s the type of high-quality, well-executed dish that you’d expect at a sit-down restaurant, in keeping with our goal to elevate the type of food that a counter-service restaurant can serve”, says Co-Founder and General Manager Jeff LaTulippe.

The Berkeley Beets sandwich (or collard wrap) is inspired by Northern California. With each bite you’ll find another layer of complexity. The bread is slathered with smashed avocado, French feta, and golden raisins, then braised beets are layered with shaved fennel, sliced cucumber, and wild arugula. Finally, all of the veggies are drizzled with lemon vinaigrette, making this an undeniably vibrant and complex sandwich.A unique offering on the new menu is the DIRT xJoJo Tea Salad by Tico. Local greens from Sun Fresh Farm & Ranch are tossed with broccolini, English peas, asparagus, heirloom carrots, and sautéed mushrooms. The salad is then lightly tossed with JoJo's fresh matcha green tea and lemon vinaigrette and spiked with a blend of toasted pumpkin, sunflower, and hemp seeds. A topping of Parmigiano Reggiano finishes the salad off on an earthy note.More of a seasonal classic, the Santorini Salad is DIRT’s take on a classic Greek salad. Inspired by the simplicity of the Mediterranean diet, the base is a quick swipe of harissa-spiked hummus topped with tomato, cucumber, and farro, crunchy sprouted chickpeas and lentils, olives, and feta, then tossed with an herb vinaigrette featuring mint and fresh oregano.

Proteins can be added to any dish, making them ideal for recharging after a workout. Options include butcher’s cut steak, quinoa-crusted fish of the day, free-range orange basil chicken, sprouted chickpeas and lentils, or cage-free eggs. Signature dishes and top sellers that are mainstays on the DIRT menu include the DIRTy Steak + Cheese, Avocado Toast, Nourish Bowl, CLEAN Bowl, and the Curried Cauliflower Bowl.New beverages on the menu include the Matcha Green Tea Latte and Lavender Latte, flavored with Sonoma lavender syrup and inspired by Chef Nicole’s visits to Napa Valley. Colorful, refreshing additions also include a Blueberry + Orange Blossom + Mint Soda, made with DIRT’s house-made simple syrup; a DIRTy Palmer, DIRT’s take on a traditional Arnold Palmer, with a blend of grapefruit juice, Madagascar vanilla, and chamomile and rooibos teas; and a Dragon Fruit Lemonade, with fresh-squeezed lemon juice, house-made vanilla simple syrup, dragon fruit, and alkaline water combining to make a bold, magenta-colored lemonade for summer. Guests who enjoy Bulletproof coffee can now order a cold, thirst-quenching Bulletproof Smoothie just in time for Miami’s hottest months. A curated selection of locally sourced craft beer and sustainable wines from small European vineyards can also accompany lunch or dinner.DIRT also makes homemade baked goods and desserts in-house every day, ranging from gluten-free peanut butter cookies, almond and orange cake (a traditional recipe from Sevilla, Spain), chocolate chip cookies, vegan brownies, and “Bulletproof Balls”, made with 70 percent dark chocolate, house-made granola, Sunwarrior organic plant protein, and Bulletproof XTC Oil.DIRT is now open for service and delivery Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.