I don’t live an extremely healthy lifestyle food-wise. I eat Lean Pockets and copious amounts of tuna salad. Plus, I fancy red meat and eat it whenever possible.
So when Michelle Lavis-White invited me to try Fair Trade Kitchen’s new expanded healthy lifestyles menu–featuring homemade and mostly homegrown vegetarian and gluten-free dining options–I was all kinds of skeptical.
As a small-minded Welshman with meat-and-potato roots, I’ve always associated vegetarian dining, let alone vegan and gluten-free, with words like “tasteless,” “unfortunate,” and “Oh, no thanks, I’m good.” So imagine my uneasiness when Michele and her chef Ingrid presented me with tofu steaks and tofu cakes, along with sides of carrot salad, quinoa, and peanut pasta. On this overflowing, completely meatless plate, some roasted zucchini and carrots were about the only recognizable fare.
Feeling brave and feeling the pressure of Chef Ingrid’s gaze, I dove in without any regard for my taste buds. And after about 15-20 chews I came to a startling conclusion:
This food, vegetarian or not, was really good.
The lentils were spicy, the tofu savory, the peanut noodles creamy and delicious. There was comforting rice and cheek popping carrot salad, all packed with incredible flavors.
“This is a culture shift,” said White, who is part of an ownership group that oversees both Fair Trade locations (Civic Space Park on Central and Roosevelt on First Avenue). “We’re not only preparing good and affordable food, but we’re educating people that what we should be eating is not only good for us, but good for the community and good for the planet.”
The healthy lifestyles menu is being beta tested at the Civic Space Park location but eventually White says the same items will be found at the Roosevelt shop.
White said that in developing the menu it was a top priority to keep the price points in line with budget-minded students, government workers and ASU faculty, so complete meals (like the one pictured above) will be available for between $5 and $6.
In addition to the vegetarian/organic/gluten-free menu, Fair Trade will continue to offer the salads and sandwiches (like the famous chicken curry) longtime fans of the cafe crave.
Fair Trade Kitchen, located on the bottom level of the AE England building, is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
First up is Bryan Adams, who brings his 
Of course, if you’d rather celebrate all the colors of the rainbow, make sure to visit the 
Other options include 
Robert Plant & The Band of Joy
In any given month, there are more than 30 spoken word/open mic events happening in the Valley.
The Diamondbacks continue their homestand with games 
Come see what they have to offer on Saturday, Feb. 27 at Portland Park (next to the Roosevelt light rail station).
5 Things to Be Thankful for Downtown
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010The Orpheum Theatre. Burgers. Free Wi-Fi. These are a few of my favorite things, as Maria Von Trapp and Oprah might say.*
And since it’s the time of year to give thanks, here’s a short list of things I’m thankful for Downtown, including suggestions for things to see and do:
Five Guys Burgers has already made a big splash at CityScape. I’ve sampled their not-so-small “little cheeseburger” and it’s messy, juicy and fabulous. If that’s not enough burger for you – and what is? – Blu Burger Grille is joining the restaurant roster at CityScape in 2011. Their burgers are seriously hefty half-pound bites of Angus beef, Kobe beef, salmon, Portobello mushroom or bison.
A Showcase for Local Artists
In an effort spearheaded by Phoenician Joey Robert Parks, 26 local writers were paired with 26 local photographers to create the 26 Blocks Exhibit. The idea was to capture the past, present or future of 26 city blocks in downtown Phoenix. You can see the results of all this artistic effort through next Monday, Nov 29, in the lobby of CityScape’s Main Tower.
On Nov. 23 and Dec. 14, the Orpheum is offering a free, guided tour of this gorgeous, historical site. The one-hour tour, offered at noon and 1 p.m., will provide all kinds of history and a look backstage. Theater buffs should check this out.
The Ever-Changing Science Center
Even if you’ve been to the Arizona Science Center several times, you’ll always find something new to do or see. Thrill-seekers will love the Evans Family SkyCycle, which gives you the chance to be strapped into a harness and ride across a cable nearly 14 feet in the air.
Free Wi-Fi
I’m almost sorry I discovered the fun of working on my laptop and drinking some kind of mocha latte. It hurts my diet. Ouch. On the bright side, we can all take advantage of free wi-fi Downtown at Duck and Decanter, Fair Trade Café and the Arizona Science Center café, to name a few.
* Apologies if you were hoping some of these things would include raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, a free car, or Dr. Phil.
Tags: 26 Blocks Exhibit, Arizona Science Center, Blu Burger Grille, CityScape, downtown phoenix, downtown phoenix dining, Duck and Decanter, Fair Trade Cafe, Five Guys Burgers, Orpheum Theatre, things to do
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