Yea! Lyfe Kitchen Restaurant Chain Making Debut: Menu All Under 600 Calories: Oprah’s Chef On Board
Posted: Thursday, May 05, 2011
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
By this summer, I am going to wish I was living in Palo Alto, California. This is where the first Lyfe (Love Your Food Everyday) Restaurant will be perched. An additional 250 more are planned to appear nationally within the next five years, according to The Chicago Tribune.
Entrees will range from $8-$12 and the food will be served in a manner similar to Panera’s. How much better could this be?
Lyfe Kitchen promises they will not serve in any foods cream, butter, or high-frutose corn syrup.
Everything is on the menu is under 600 calories. Some of the choices will include oven-baked sweet potatoe fries and a Niman ranch beef burger with agave ketchup and pickles. (Agave ketchup is sweetened with plant-derived agave nectar, rather than the typical corn syrup, the certified-organic condiment also has a glycemic index of 7, meaning that you won't experience sudden spikes in your blood sugar, courtesy of http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/wholemato-organic-ketchup.php) Desserts will be dairy-free.
Who’s Idea Was This?
You won’t believe who the masterminds are behind this healthy way of thinking: They are none other than former executives from the golden arches, (MacDonald’s) Mike Roberts and Mike Donahue. Are they feeling sorry that they helped produce unhealthy and overweight children and adults?
In 2004, a documentary was made, Super Size Me. It starred Morgan Spurlock. He ate every meal 3 times a day at MacDonald’s and would always ask for “super size." According to Wikipedia, the result, was this-32-year-old Spurlock, who was 32 at the time, gained 24½ lbs. (11.1 kg), a 13% body mass increase, a cholesterol level of 230, and experienced mood swings, sexual dysfunction, and fat accumulation to his liver.
Who knows? Maybe these MacDonald’s executives want to redeem themselves and contribute to a healthier population. I will forgive them if they just will plop one of these restaurants in Florida, close to me.
Guess Who Is One Of The Chefs?
I won’t keep you in suspense on this one. One of the chefs is Art Smith, Oprah’s former chef and also Tal Ronnen. Apparently, both men are known for delicious food that is also healthy. I have seen Art Smith on Oprah and wished he were my personal chef.
This is what Art Smith had to say about this exciting event: “Most quick-serve restaurants deal with manufacturers of food that are prepared to a certain point, which they then finish, but most of that manufactured food has a lot of additives. We're creating healthier choices, but how we're going to mass produce it is a challenge."
Let’s Take Care Of Our Children
Childhood obesity is on the rise. For the first time in history, the next generation is not expected to live as long as their parents. No wonder. MacDonald’s Chicken McNugget’s contain dimethylpolysiloxane, 'an anti-foaming agent' used in Silly Putty and the British McNuggets (170 calories, 9 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat for 4 pieces), in contrast, include neither chemical among their listed ingredients. (Source: http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2010/06/29/McDonalds-Chicken-McNuggets-Under-Fire.aspx.) Sorry, MacDonald’s, but you know that is all true.
After more research, I found that “Stephanie’s” has been chosen for the name of their first restaurant, though it has not been finalized.
I could see myself taking my grandchildren there and even going there with my husband, since the atmosphere is going to be” herb gardens on the roof, grass parking lots, fresh flowers on tables and biodegradable cutlery." I would be eating apple-cinnamon steel-cut oats and/or pita pockets for breakfast.
Sources:http://adage.com/article/news/brands-mcdonald-s-fast-food-alums-healthful-concept/144885/.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/07/lyfe-kitchen-chicagobased_n_819682.html
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/health/os-2011-health-care-changes-04,0,6670959.photo
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Great article, Fran! I think it's fantastic that big business is responding to healthy needs. It makes me think there's hope for commerce. I'm very cynical about the MacDonald's execs' motives!! but this is one case where it doesn't really matter. So long as they produce the good food at reasonable prices.
You are such a health conscious person, Fran. I sometimes let go a bit and eat some naughty junk foods because I am weak or rather, curious when it comes to food.However, my age now, nothing unusual yet so as long not overeat or overdrink. But I discover one thing is to eat at home never hurts but occasionally, no harm done to eat out.
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