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My little secret for finding vegetarian options on the road:  iPhone maps!

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I just type “vegetarian” into the search bar and BAM!  I can usually find a great option within a few miles, although sometimes searching for “vegetarian” pulls up chain restaurants that aren’t truly the best vegetarian options (like Macaroni Grill or something).  But more often than not, “vegetarian” is a quick and painless way to find a veg-friendly (and very often gluten-free) joint.  I always prefer to eat at locally owned businesses!

 

This I how I found Natural Way Café in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.  The moment I walked in, I  knew I was going to like it – it’s run by a Chinese family, and customers were calling the older lady “Mama” and the man behind the cash register was asking about everyone’s kids, jobs, new houses.  He knew right away that I was a newbie!  Very cool.

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It’s a half grocery store, half café.  Lots of odds and ends to look at.

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Juice bar!

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Traditional Chinese medicine products packed the shelves.  I always like to look at the medicine and products because of what the Husband does (he has his graduate degree in TCM), even though I don’t really know what anything does.  There were other foreign items too, like cookies, drinks, and other food stuffs.

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The Natural Way Café’s menu was a little bit overwhelming.  I liked how they used symbols to distinguish between vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.  Lots of items on the menu were faux chicken or beef, which I am generally not a fan of (too much like the real thing for this veggie woman).  I ended up choosing the GF dumplings (yum) and a fresh-pressed juice.

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The juice was a combo of wheatgrass, celery, kale, green apple, and ginger.  It was called the ‘Liver Boost,’ and I’m pretty sure my liver is sparkling after that drink.  Very healthy.  Not so delicious.

 

Earlier, I spoke at Glen Rock Middle and High School.  Heather, the school’s guidance counselor, has been a loyal HTP reader since 2010 (!!) and helped bring me out.  I was so excited to meet her – she’s a really interesting person.  We ended up having a far-deeper-than-you’d-expect-first-conversation between the presentations about religion.  She was easy to talk to.

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The students were great – of course!  I spoke to the 7th and 8th graders and then to the 9th and 10th graders.  A few juniors and seniors attended, too. 

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The last two days after been amazing, but such a whirlwind.  I’m pretty pooped.  However, my flight doesn’t leave until 6:40 PM, so I’m going to kill some time.  Maybe I can find a gym.  A few people commented on my previous post that just because I can’t find a spin class doesn’t mean I can’t ride a stationary bike at the gym.  I guess you’re right, but I just hate stationary bikes so much (too boring).  Maybe I’ll go get a manicure, too!

{ 30 comments }

 

  • Kerry March 22, 2013, 1:09 pm

    I’ve been craving fresh pressed juice for AGES now and there’s no place to get it in Redneck, New Mexico.

  • Jacquelyn @ justjacq March 22, 2013, 1:16 pm

    Looks delicious! If you’re ever in the Princeton area you should try Whole Earth Deli. They have really yummy carrot juice!

  • Lori March 22, 2013, 1:22 pm

    You deserve a massage too!!! 😉

  • sara @ fitcupcaker March 22, 2013, 1:27 pm

    Get a manicure!!

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed March 22, 2013, 1:38 pm

    “I’m pretty sure my liver is sparkling after that drink.” That makes me think of the book Eat, Pray, Love… the healer in Bali tells the main character Liz that she needs to smile with her liver 🙂

  • Nikky March 22, 2013, 2:01 pm

    Didn’t you have one of those bike wheel attachment things (this is the technical term) to use at home with your bike? I’m sure it’s not much different from the stationary bike, but I actually considered buying one (I work 45-50 hour weeks plus have a 9 month old myself… also it’s Michigan and damn cold still) and if it’s not worth using I’d be curious to know why. Not a whole lotta spare cash for hobbies, haha.

  • Aishah @ Coffee, Love, Health March 22, 2013, 2:08 pm

    Hope you get a mani! 🙂

  • Melissa Z March 22, 2013, 2:17 pm

    Philadelphia Sports Clubs (PSC) have spin bikes out in the cardio rooms that have a virtual instuctor! (at least the one out in the burbs does!) Maybe that would be a good in between spin class and stationary bike option!?!? There are quite a few locations all around Philly. Good luck and have fun with whatever you do!

  • Angela March 22, 2013, 3:18 pm

    Manicure trumps stationary bike any day in my book. 🙂

  • Ali March 22, 2013, 3:23 pm

    Is the TCM degree a Master’s or a Doctorate? I have always been interested in natural medicine and was super close to going to school for my ND degree. But I’m a PhD instead. Oh well.

    • Caitlin March 22, 2013, 7:54 pm

      I think it was a masters. But I could be wrong because he’s a primary care doctor in Florida.

  • Emily March 22, 2013, 3:24 pm

    I don’t know why I never thought to search “veg” in the map! Great idea/tip. What would we ever do without our iPhones 😉

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats March 22, 2013, 3:46 pm

    I loooove searching in Google Maps for things, haha although sometimes it will lead you astray! Glad you had a good time and I hope you get some sleep tonight after a busy couple of days!

  • Ja @Athlete Within Ja March 22, 2013, 6:04 pm

    I support local businesses too. When I’m on the road, I prefer eating at small places. Sometimes they’re healthier, cleaner and better than the big chains of restaurant. 🙂

    Oooh. I love the juice bar. 🙂 I love those green apples! Whatever you had looks very healthy! 🙂 I’m sorry that it didn’t taste good though.

    I just had a manicure! It’s a good way to cap off the week! 🙂 Indulge! 🙂

  • crystal March 22, 2013, 7:07 pm

    Am I the only one who doesn’t get manicures or pedicures all the time or do bloggers just get a lot of them? It just seems like so many blogging women talk about them, am I totally out of the loop? Purely curious, no judgement!

    • Caitlin March 22, 2013, 7:53 pm

      Oh man they are my favorite indulgence. I used to go once a month but I haven’t gone since becoming a mom, I don’t think.

    • Amber K March 22, 2013, 9:16 pm

      I’ve never had a pedicure, but I’ve had two manicures and they just aren’t my thing. I don’t think it’s a blogger thing, considering a ton of my friends post on Facebook about getting them done. I just don’t understand the hype! I’d rather do that stuff myself.

  • Art @ Fit at fifty March 22, 2013, 10:03 pm

    neat looking trip and nice pictures.
    We make alot of smoothies and juices in our vita mix machine.

  • Catherine @ A Two Storey Home March 23, 2013, 7:24 am

    I so love the girls sitting in the front row cheesin’ for the camera. Adorable 🙂

  • Kate @KateMovingForward March 23, 2013, 1:40 pm

    They should invent manicures you get while you’re riding the stationary bike. The best kind of multi-tasking. 😀

  • Nicole @ Fruit 'N' Fitness March 23, 2013, 3:25 pm

    I love finding locally owned healthy, fun restaurants! One of my favorites is a small italian shop/restaurant in minneapolis run by a grandfather and his grandson. There are always fun Italian foods for in the market and restaurant

  • Jenn's Adventures March 23, 2013, 3:42 pm

    I do the SAME THING with my iPhone — and have had THE BEST luck while on the road when searching for Veggie/Vegan/Gluten-Free etc. fare. Since moving from Maui to Seattle I use it to find new-to-me-places to learn more about the local options, too! 🙂

  • Vicki March 23, 2013, 4:32 pm

    My grandparents live in Glen Rock, love that place! 🙂

  • Karen @ Runner Girl Eats March 23, 2013, 5:56 pm

    Eek. That juice looks a little too veggie for me. But everything else looks great! I am with you, if I’m not in a spin class, I want nothing to do with a stationary bike.

  • Sarah (The Simple Dietitian) March 23, 2013, 7:35 pm

    I love how veggie juices make me feel mentally but I can never drink my way through an entire glass worth! 😀

    Sounds like you had an awesome trip!!! 😀

  • Ali March 23, 2013, 10:37 pm

    Those “gluten free dumplings” are made of tofu! I bought them in Korea. They’re awesome.

  • Pamela March 24, 2013, 8:54 am

    Fair lawn is my hometown! Very cool :)!

  • Julie March 25, 2013, 12:05 pm

    Hi Caitlin,

    I ride the stationary bikes all the time! I just bring a good book, & the time flies!

  • Heather March 25, 2013, 2:30 pm

    I’m so happy you could come out! I’m glad you found Natural Way – I completely forget to tell you about it!

  • Lindy March 26, 2013, 5:33 am

    Natural Way sounds great unfortunetly I am in Australia, so cant get there 🙁

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