I’m back! Whew that was a long trip! While I was out of town and on the road, I missed having my stocked kitchen with fresh produce. All I wanted when I got home was a huge plate of veggies. I craved them. Therefore, I made myself a gigantic salad for dinner when I got home. Thank goodness the vegetables stayed fresh in the fridge while I was gone!
Hard-boiled eggs, purple onions, avocado, apples, celery, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, pickles (yes they are good on salads), pecans, and spinach. All drizzled with homemade Dijon Mustard Dressing: Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano, rosemary.
While on the road, though, I managed to find some healthy eats. Sometimes it is difficult to find healthy food on the road. I try to stick to veggies, fruit, and meat, and then I supplement with the snacks I pack. Here are some of my favorite on-the-road restaurants and what I usually order:
On-the-Road Restaraunts
- Fast-Mexican: Chipotle, Moe’s, Qdoba, and Panchero’s are my favorite. It is so easy to order a “Burrito Bowl” at any of these places. Rice, beans, meat, veggies, salsa, and guac! I love how Chipotle’s meat is hormone-free, and they try to use as many local ingredients as possible. I also really like Qdoba’s Mexican Gumbo: rice, beans, and veggies all topped with a spicy broth. $4.99-$9 depending on the meat you get and if you add any extras.
- Subway: It’s hard to find lots of vegetables on the road, and I love how I can load up on bunch of them at Subway. I get their spinach salads with all the veggies (except jalepenos) with oregano and pepper. I suggest using oil and vinegar as the dressing, though, instead of their pre-packaged dressings loaded with high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. $5.
- Wendy’s: Huh? Yep, you heard right! I love getting their small chili with a baked potato. Filling and inexpensive-only $2.49 for both! Their chili is chock-full of beans and tomatoes. I would stay away from their sour cream and “butter-spread,” though (hydrogenated oil heaven). I am not a big fan of fast food “healthy” salads. The “salad” is basically a few pieces of lettuce wit some industrial chicken, shredded cheese, and a side of bad dressing. I don’t think the lettuce is very fresh, either
- Local Supermarkets: Almost every town, no matter how small, has a supermarket. You can always go in and buy some fresh produce, nuts, or ingredients to make a pb&j! The supermarkets I visited these past couple weeks even had salad bars in them.
- Panera: Yes, Panera sells a lot of cookies, bread, and cream-based soups, but they also sell salads and non-creamy soups! My favorite salad is the Classic Salad, and I love the black bean soup. You can always ask for no cheese on salads that contain cheese, and again, beware of the dressings because they use sugar. Ask for no dressing or dressing on the side. You can always use lemon juice as a salad dressing! Also, skip the side of bread and go for an apple.
- Cracker Barrel: Cracker Barrel is known for comfort food, but you can also find healthy options on the menu. I love the veggie plate (four sides) with green beans, pinto beans, corn, and boiled cabbage. Just a heads up-the side of carrots are glazed and sugared carrots. Also, the grilled pot roast is magnificent! It is a rather large portion of meat, but it is topped with wonderfully grilled onions and mushrooms.
Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:
Do you miss your veggies while you are on the road? Also, what are your favorite healthy meals at seemingly unhealthy places? I would love to see what other meals or restaurants I might be missing out on!
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