Florida Hospital recently launched their Healthy 100 Program which aims to provide people with the tools they need to live longer, healthier lives. They have now expanded this program to include Healthy 100 Approved Menu Items. Sixteen local restaurants across Central Florida will be participating by offering appetizers, entrees, side dishes and even desserts that are approved by the Healthy 100 program. To announce this expansion, Florida Hospital joined forces with the great Mrs. Paula Deen in an appearance at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in Downtown Orlando. Some lucky attendees, including myself, were able to learn healthy eating habits from the Queen of Southern Cuisine as she prepared her very own Healthy 100 Approved chicken fajitas!
Besides helping unveil the enhancements to the Healthy 100 program, Paula also shared her personal journey with diabetes. She made a point to talk about how denial was a big factor in her diagnosis. Having grown up around food, she never anticipated that something she loved so much would have such a negative impact on her life. However, instead of letting the disease prevent her from continuing to cook and enjoy food, she now acts as a spokeswoman for the disease by speaking out about the prevention of diabetes and how to live with it. She is an inspiration to many and her honesty and openness was refreshing to witness. She admitted she still likes to occasionally indulge in fried chicken, but fully stressed the importance of moderation. Her words of wisdom: Never deprive
yourself of anything! Stating that if she can do it, anyone can!
yourself of anything! Stating that if she can do it, anyone can!
With a personality as big as Paula’s, I shouldn’t have been surprised that she had us laughing all the way through her demo! At one point, she opened the fridge on the set which was completely empty, to which she said, “That’s moderation at its best!”
When cooking up her Healthy 100 Approved chicken fajitas, Paula demonstrated how eating healthy doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. We were fortunate enough to sample some and they were fantastic – so full of flavor and had just the right amount of heat. The only things missing were the fat and calories!
Here is the complete list of the Healthy 100 Approved Menu Items and where they are being offered across Central Florida:
· Grilled Chicken Nuggets at Chick-fil-A
· Southwest Quinoa Salad at Citrus Club
· Don Carlos Taco at Cocina 214
· Salmon Cake, Lima Beans at Healthy Bites Fitness Cuisine
· Admiral Salad at Infusion Tea
· Hummus and Tabouli Plate at Nadia’s Café
· Power Chicken Hummus Bowl, Power Breakfast Eggwhite Bowl with Turkey at Panera Bread
· Miso Seafood Appetizer at Rangetsu
· Chicken and Wild Rice with Butternut Squash and Brussel Sprouts at Savion’s Place
· Broiled Cod with Heirloom Tomatoes at Second Harvest Food Bank
· Baked Chicken Empanada, Baked Chicken Tenderloin, Vegetable Medley at Simply Divine Food
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· Ginger Dressing, Seared Salmon Crystal Roll, Imari Sushi Balls at Sushi House Orlando
· Peruvian Potato and Quinoa Crusted Swordfish at RusTeak Restaurant
· Grilled Portabella Mushroom Sandwich at The Taproom at Dubsdread
· Turkish Bulgar Salad Pea Soup at White Wolf Café
· Frozen Yogurt (Various Flavors) at Yogurtiamo
Who's already thinking about having Cocina's Don Carlos Tacos for lunch? I know I am!
Visit Healthy100.org/Healthy100Approved to print out your own list of the Healthy 100 Approved Guidelines and Menu Items!
Visit Healthy100.org/Healthy100Approved to print out your own list of the Healthy 100 Approved Guidelines and Menu Items!
For more information about Florida Hospital’s Healthy 100 program, visit www.healthy100.org.
And remember to be on the lookout for The Healthy 100 Approved logo across Central Florida!