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luxury family travel x nosh & nurture

eating through Long Beach

5/19/2015

20 Comments

 
Mr. Charming and I had previously took an adventure through Long Beach in 2009 to celebrate his birthday, which I wrote about here, but on our recent eight day California Coastline Adventure we hit it up again so that I could show Mr. Charming the Aquarium of the Pacific. My favorite aquarium! It's huge and you can literally spend hours here. They even have a penguin exhibit, (if you know me you'll know my love for them and if spirit animals were a real thing, a penguin would be mine) and I even adopted a baby penguin.  (translation, I gave them money to feed one for a year, but I really would've rather taken a furry critter home with me. I think my baby schnauzer would've loved the buddy.) We started the day with protein smoothies, and each day I left Mr. Charming a card at the table or on his pillow to start our day. Then it was off to the aquarium! 
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On Our Way To Long Beach!
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Protein Smoothie & A Special Card For Mr. Charming
After the aquarium we decided to walk around the harbor and then drive around to find lunch. And that's when it happened... That's when I fell in love with this city and have decided, if we move back here, Long Beach is in the high running to be a city of choice based on the healthy culinary fare options alone. And then I could visit my little penguin babies as often as I'd like. Haha. Ok, well maybe that wouldn't happen, but the food. Definitely the food. 
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We stumbled upon a shopping center that not only housed a Trader Joe's and a Whole Foods, but it also was home to THREE cafes that I could choose from to eat at. ALL three organic, ALL three with gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options. It was café courtyard heaven. Our first stop was Roots Gourmet, we perused their menu and though I could have a few of their options, they used soy oil in most of their dishes, and I was trying to avoid soy 100% on the trip as I usually do. Next was a great place called My Fit Foods, which offers prepackaged meals and snacks that are gluten-free or dairy-free or both, I almost snagged a crudité platter and chicken breast there but had one more place to check out first before committing. Our third stop was the winner, Veggie Grill. Found in most California beach cities, Veggie Grill offers an extensive allergen-free menu and just generally HEALTHY food options and I ordered a variety of foods to sample. Their grilled asparagus was topped with sea salt and fresh lemon juice, I also had the sweet potato fries which were cooked in rice bran oil, not paleo, but healthier than the questionable soy oil. And I also ordered a salad topped with fire roasted carrots & beets,. Which by the way, carrots, from now on, should ALWAYS be fire roasted. Divine.
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I highly recommend adding Long Beach to your California coast tour if it's in your plans. Though we didn't spend anytime in this city oceanside, the eats and sights are worth a visit. And don't forget the other famous sights I mentioned in my first Long Beach post.

We wrapped our day back at the beach house where we baked up a decadent gluten-free and refined-sugar free strawberry pie. Just a pie crust made of egg and tapioca starch and cooked strawberries served with sugarless coconut milk vanilla ice cream. It was the perfect compliment to a chilly seaside evening. 
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20 Comments
Lisa @ Strum Simmer Sip link
7/9/2015 07:11:10 am

I got so excited when I saw this post! I'm from Long Beach and was just back home visiting...those three restaurants at the Marketplace are super close to my parents place! I love Roots and Veggie Grill...Nektar Juice right there also has great acai bowls! If you ever go back, you must try Sushi Studio and At Last Cafe. Glad you had a good time!

♥ Lisa
<a href="http://strumsimmersip.com">strum simmer sip</a>

Reply
Mandi
7/15/2015 08:42:04 am

Lisa,
So lucky! :D I fell in love when I was there and would seriously consider reloacting. Thanks for more options! I WILL be trying those out! :) :)

Reply
Staceyhomemaker link
7/9/2015 07:25:01 am

This is great! Do you have a list for NYC? I hate when I travel and can't find somewhere healthy to eat & everyone else I'm with will stop at the first place they see!

Reply
Mandi
7/15/2015 08:43:06 am

Stacey,

Our New York post is forthcoming! If you subscribe to the newsletter on my homepage it'll alert you when its up! I have a guest blogger who lives in Manhattan and eats all the healthiest finds. :)

Reply
joni mitchell link
7/9/2015 07:53:40 am

That strawberry pies look so yummy

Reply
Mandi
7/15/2015 08:44:09 am

It's SO good. I use a store bought gluten-free crust with only 2gr of sugar - and just cook down two clam shells of strawberries. No added sugar, no added ingredients. And its sooo yummy.

Reply
Ali link
7/9/2015 08:25:41 am

New to your blog! Sounds like you had an amazing time, not to mention some delicious dishes! That strawberry pie looks wonderful.

Reply
Mandi
7/15/2015 08:45:40 am

Ali,
Thanks for stopping by :) I hope you enjoyed your visit. The pie was super easy - I used a gluten-free/dairy-free pie crust with only 2gr of sugar and filled it with fresh, cooked berries. I crave it now <3

Reply
Jeff link
7/9/2015 08:30:23 am

I need to convince my wife to make me a strawberry pie now.

Reply
Mandi
7/15/2015 08:47:00 am

Haha Jeff! It was SUPER easy! Tell her it's delicious and SO WORTH IT :D

Reply
Nina link
7/9/2015 12:50:58 pm

I LOVE Veggie Grill! Everything I've ever tried there is amazing. Glad you got to sample them while on vacation :)

Reply
Mandi
7/15/2015 08:47:35 am

Nina,
It's my new favorite! I wish they were located everywhere :(

Reply
Adriana Renee link
8/18/2015 05:39:40 am

I love Long Beach! Definitely checking out these places!

Reply
Mandi
10/19/2015 04:45:39 pm

It almost made me move here. There were SO many delicious options!

Reply
Anali Martinez link
8/18/2015 08:17:12 am

Everything in your post looks delicious! And it looks like you had a great time! I have a blogging conference next year in Long Beach, so I will definitely be checking some of these out! Greta post and thanks for sharing!

Reply
Mandi
10/19/2015 04:48:13 pm

Are you going to the health conference one on the Queen Mary? I will be at that one if so! Would love to connect!

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Matt @ Plating Pixels link
8/18/2015 10:16:40 am

I've never visited and don't have any current plans to. But now I want to go!

Reply
Mandi
10/19/2015 04:48:56 pm

Matt, a fun beach city with AMAZING food if you find yourself in Cali :)

Reply
Andele link
8/19/2015 01:46:33 am

I would love to visit Long Beach! I will have to note these great little places you suggested for my travels there:-) I love seeing nutritious yet delicious food options!! Yum! That pie looks divine!!

Reply
Mandi
10/19/2015 04:50:25 pm

Andele, if theres other cities you are traveling to, (esp. in California) reach out and I can shoot you some great restaurant ideas!

Reply



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Nosh & Nurture was born of this journey I am on to better the health of myself, my family and those around me.  What started as a simple compilation of recipes has grown to a all-around lifestyle journal with ways to incorporate organic products into your home, pantry and beauty cabinet.  I also include stories on pregnancy, new motherhood, travel, Proverbs 31 marriage, and spiritual health, as I am a Christian who couldn't do any of this without my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. For more of my story you can click here. 

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