vegan

SuperFoods at Punta Las Marias

June 18, 2014 by Raul Colon

Since we moved to the Metro Area of San Juan, Puerto Rico, I have been on the lookout for restaurants that serve vegetarian and vegan options for lunch or dinner. Prior to Raul @rj_c becoming vegan, we would share desserts at @PFChangs if we dined there. But there are few places that offer vegan and vegetarian treats that please both our palates while being nutritious. Add to the mix our almost three year old daughter, who will try food from mommy’s plate, we want to make sure that what she intakes is delicious and healthy.

I came across the SuperFoodsPR Facebook page from someone who visited the place when we moved to the area. SuperFoodsPR creates smoothies and fruit bowls with Açaí berries as one of its main ingredients. The Açaí berry is considered one of the top ten super foods you could consume. You can find more information about this berry here.

To SuperFoods We Go!

From the outside it looks like a small store, but when you enter, there are plenty of stools and three counters for clients to sit and see how the smoothies and Açaí bowls are made. There is a table in the middle with another seat made from wood pallets. There other tables in the back, the music is relaxing, and it is always filled with customers. The menu is listed on a chalkboard, reducing paper waste. Their bowls are made from wood and they use eco-friendly cups for their smoothies.

Christmas Coquito Bowl

They have seasonal bowls and recently Raul had the vegan version (sans Gingerbread cookie) of the Christmas Coquito Bowl. The açaí is mixed with coquito, topped with pomegrante, granola, banana, and coconut shreds. Our daughter enjoyed this bowl with her dad and she can help eat half of the bowl. If you need to pick-up some organic foods or vitamins, you can find a variety of items for purchase.

This post was originally published at Veglatino.com it is walking distance from Isla Verde hotels and its worth the stop.

You can look at their menu to see other options available along with a list of organic ingredients you can add to your bowls. We will definitely go back and try other bowls.

Have you gone to SuperFoods Puerto Rico?

San Juan Vegan Eats with Asian Flavors

June 18, 2014 by Raul Colon

This post was originally published at Veglatino.com and although we will spotlight restaurants that are vegan and vegetarian this particular restaurant has a complete menu with options for the meat eaters.

When I find a place that has Vegan options in Puerto Rico I feel need to share it with you so you can help me spread the word.

I shared on my personal blog part of the awesome experience I had a few days ago during a business lunch at SOGO Asian Bistro in San Juan.

The next day I took my family for lunch and here is a quick review of the delicious and well prepared meal we enjoyed.

Fast Service with a Smile

We got there during the lunch hour rush which seemed pretty packed. As the patrons left to get back to their duties, we sat and enjoyed the rest of our meal.

That said if you want a good meal at a great value and don’t have more than an hour for a lunch break, the food is served in a very timely manner.

Kahoo Yu - Owner of Sogo — Kahoo Yu, Owner, always smiling.

Vegan Asian Appetizers

We started our meal when the owner Kahoo, (a good friend of mine) recommended ordering sautéed vegetables as a side and some spring rolls. They were both great options.

We also started off with some Jasmine tea to set a relaxing tone to our lunch.

Vegan Options in San Juan, Puerto Rico — Vegetable Spring Rolls

Vegan Appetizer - Veggies — Mix of Sautéed Vegetables

Vegan Asian Entrees

When I visit a restaurant with Vegan options, I usually ask for as many vegan food items as I can fit in my stomach (I hope my personal trainer is not reading this).

I ordered a bento box which included the following:

Salad with Ginger Dressing
Fried Vegetable Rice
Sautéed Vegetables
Veggie Sushi Roll

Part of my Huge Bento Box — Vegan Bento Box

For my daughter (and me) I ordered fried tofu with black mushrooms and Lucy ordered a few sushi vegetable rolls that where all delicious.

Fried Tofu, Black Mushrooms and Vegetables

Vegan Dessert

After our entrees, we had dessert which were Lychee Fruit in a cute martini glass.

Overall the meal was great and very tasty; something difficult for many regular restaurants when they prepare vegan options.

I am so thankful for Kahoo and how he went the extra mile to cater to our lifestyle, the attention to detail he paid to Daniela, so we could have one of the best meals in a long time.

If you are near San Juan and you’re seeking some vegan eats with an Asian, twist feel free to stop by SOGO Asian Bistro.

More About SOGO Asian Bistro

SOGO Asian Bistro

Centro Comercial San Francisco
San Juan, Puerto Rico

(787) 766-0111

On Yelp
Directions to SOGO on Google Maps

San Juan Vegan Eats with Asian Flavors

February 9, 2014 by Raul Colon

When I find a place that has Vegan options in Puerto Rico I feel need to share it with you so you can help me spread the word.

I shared on my personal blog part of the awesome experience I had a few days ago during a business lunch at SOGO Asian Bistro in San Juan.

The next day I took my family for lunch and here is a quick review of the delicious and well prepared meal we enjoyed.

My company eating at SOGO. — Lucy and Daniela ready to try SOGO.

Fast Service with a Smile

We got there during the lunch hour rush which seemed pretty packed. As the patrons left to get back to their duties, we sat and enjoyed the rest of our meal.

That said if you want a good meal at a great value and don’t have more than an hour for a lunch break, the food is served in a very timely manner.

Vegan Asian Appetizers

We started our meal when the owner Kahoo, (a good friend of mine) recommended ordering sautéed vegetables as a side and some spring rolls. They were both great options.

We also started off with some Jasmine tea to set a relaxing tone to our lunch.

Vegan Asian Entrees

When I visit a restaurant with Vegan options, I usually ask for as many vegan food items as I can fit in my stomach (I hope my personal trainer is not reading this).

I ordered a bento box which included the following:

Salad with Ginger Dressing
Fried Vegetable Rice
Sautéed Vegetables
Veggie Sushi Roll

For my daughter (and me) I ordered fried tofu with black mushrooms and Lucy ordered a few sushi vegetable rolls that where all delicious.

Vegan Dessert

After our entrees, we had dessert which were Lychee Fruit in a cute martini glass.

Overall the meal was great and very tasty; something difficult for many regular restaurants when they prepare vegan options.

I am so thankful for Kahoo and how he went the extra mile to cater to our lifestyle, the attention to detail he paid to Daniela, so we could have one of the best meals in a long time.

If you are near San Juan and you’re seeking some vegan eats with an Asian, twist feel free to stop by SOGO Asian Bistro.

More About SOGO Asian Bistro

SOGO Asian Bistro

Centro Comercial San Francisco
San Juan, Puerto Rico

(787) 766-0111

On Yelp
Directions to SOGO on Google Maps

Super Time at SuperFoods PR

December 16, 2013 by Lucymfel

To SuperFoods We Go!

Christmas Coquito Bowl

You can look at their menu to see other options available along with a list of organic ingredients you can add to your bowls. We will definitely go back and try other bowls.

Have you gone to SuperFoods Puerto Rico?

A Nuttzo Nut & Seed Butter Experience

April 12, 2013 by Raul Colon

I have always been a fan of Peanut butter but not almond butter or any other nut butters.

When I was sent Nuttzo, I read that the product was vegan friendly, kosher, and organic. I started adding Nuttzo to my protein shakes (made with which I drink after training or when I am about to miss a meal.

NuttZo CHOC in a Protein Shake — Going into my Protein Shake.

NuttZo significantly improved the taste (with added on nutritional value) of my vegan protein shakes (I prefer Vega Sport Performance Protein).

Satisfying My Chocolate Cravings

The Chocolate version of NuttZo really helped me satisfy my chocolate cravings.

Since I am a fan of chocolate and at times I don’t have a vegan chocolate options or products, I opened the jar of Nuttzo Choc first and consumed it a lot quicker than the regular jar.

Unique Packaging

I am a big fan of simple and fun packaging. NuttZo is placed inside a jar but the labels are inverted than what we normally see on jars.

I really fell in love with the packaging especially when the ingredients can be easily found on the main label. Later when editing this post I reviewed the website and there is a practical reason why the label is upside down.

Who would of a thought an upside down Jar could easily trick the mind?

Ingredients

Being Vegan I have to make sure I consume protein and other great nutrients such as Omega 3; ingredients found in Nuttzo.

In trying to learn more about Nuttzo, I looked at their site where they provided 8 reasons to eat NuttZo CHOC. The reasons they provided where all tied to health and other benefits such as improving your mood, skin, and why every ingredient makes NuttZo such a great product.

More info on ingredients found here:

I had these two samples of NuttZo delivered to my home in Puerto Rico where I enjoyed them and hope the product becomes available to ship to the Island.

If you want to find out more on where to find, try, and buy Nuttzo visit their cool website.

Disclosure: Even though our two Complimentary Samples where sent to our house on behalf of Nuttzo and Smack Media, we don’t feel that this influenced the writing of this post in any way.

Decisions in Vegan Nutrition

October 17, 2012 by Raul Colon

Many of us have the bad habits of trying to eat things that might not be as healthy as we think they are. In the perfect world everything edible, with moderation, would bring nutritional value. Reality is everything, edible by humans does not necessarily mean nutritious.

I have been vegetarian for 6+ years and at almost one year of being vegan, I can say that I can still find many ways to improve what I eat.

My enemy Sugar

Every once in a while my archenemy, Sugar, starts to battle with me and more times than I want to admit, she wins.

I have found many healthier options when it comes to cookies, but I can still eliminate those options completely.

Vegan Beer and Spirits

Every once in a while I will have a drink or two making sure it is a spirit or beer that is made in a vegan friendly way. I use the Vegan is Easy app to help me decide which ones are vegans and which ones are not. But I would be better off not having any drinks.

To learn more about Vegan friendly spirits and beer, feel free to go to Barnivore Vegan Alcohol Directory and download their iPhone app.

Organic Farmer’s Market is Very Important

For quite some time we have been visiting the local Organic Farmer’s Market and making sure we get as much fresh, organic foods while supporting our local farmers.

My biggest commitment to nutrition is tied to giving a good example for my daughter to follow. In her case at 21 months old she is still breastfed and vegetarian.

As individuals we are prone to take the less healthy route when eating. But when we think about our role as parents, our minds shift and make sure we make the best choice; not only for our daughter but for ourselves as we are the primary caregivers.

Our biggest Challenge is the Family our Dog

I also see the importance in keeping our dogs healthy and the great options of dog food that are available for them. I started thinking on how to improve the quality of lifestyle of my Labrador Juanga. What I find curious is how people would sometimes feed their dog a more strict and healthier diet than what they feed their kids and themselves. In our house it is the opposite and we might need to fix that.

Nutritious and Healthy Drinks

At our local farmer’s market, we purchase juices from Martin and Itege, our Rastafarian Vegan Friends, who are encyclopedias of nutrition. Martin and Itege have a unique way of offering vegan and even medicinal drinks that have great taste and are nutritious.

Leading by Example

As parents we need to lead by example. Seeking options for kids that are fun to eat, with a high nutritional value, and with great taste is a challenge everyone should sign up for.

I try to give my daughter the best and there is a lot more to learn. I think we have done a great job, but we still have many more years of learning and exchanging information with those who care about nutrition.

In what ways do you identify and find great tasting food options that are healthy for your family?