Redefine “Fast Food” with These Healthy, Local Options

Between holidays, homework and hectic schedules, it can be hard to maintain a balanced diet—especially while on the go. The good news? There are healthy, delicious food options available all throughout our fair city—and you don’t have to make reservations at these fast casual spots. Skip the drive thru and trust us; these tasty treats are worth the walk inside.

Crisp
Crisp, now with a new menu, is the place in town for a made-to-order salad with fresh ingredients. Head to either of their two locations at lunchtime and be prepared for a line out the door. What you may not know is Crisp also serves made-from-scratch soups—perfect for chilly fall or winter days—to enjoy either alongside your salad or on their own. Some favorites are taco, black bean, and French onion. Pro tip: take your soup over the top with croutons, shredded cheese, and tortilla strips.

1124 Church St., Lynchburg
or 18013 Forest Rd., Suite A-01, Forest
www.crispsaladandjuice.com

Tahini’s
As the temperatures drop, nothing will warm you up more than a Mediterranean spiced chicken kebob from Tahini’s. Served over rice with your choice of fast casual fixings, this hearty and healthy meal sticks with you all day. If you’re craving something bubbly, try one of Tahini’s Stubborn Sodas made with no artificial sweeteners, colors or high fructose corn syrup. Customers also love the Chicken Shawarma salad (top).

912 Main St., Lynchburg
www.tahinisgrill.com

Magnolia Foods
By now, many of you know about Live Pure Smoothie Cubes (if not, check out the feature in the May/June 2019 issue of Lynchburg Living) but did you also know you can snag a fresh smoothie made with their products at Magnolia Foods on Rivermont Avenue? Grab one to take with you or stock up on the bags of cubes right there in the freezer section. They all taste like dessert (with no added sugar) and are loaded with superfoods.

2476 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg
www.magnoliafoods.com

Millie’s Living Cafe at Health Nut Nutrition
Feel your sweet tooth kicking in? Stop by Millie’s Living Café at Health Nut Nutrition in Wyndhurst and grab a raw, organic, cold-pressed juice. Their juices are made with fresh ingredients to deliver a delicious combination of flavors— not to mention a huge punch of vitamins and minerals. Try the “Pineapple Zen” with jalapeño for an extra kick or the “Liver Lover” with apple, beets, carrots, and kale. I’m also a huge fan of their Dragon Bowl—it’s loaded with fresh fruit and superfoods.

1701 Enterprise Dr., Lynchburg
www.healthnutnutrition.com

Montana Plains Bakery
Another delicious place to chow down on a hearty wrap is Montana Plains Bakery, also with two locations to choose from. Try the veggie whole wheat wrap stuffed with carrots, avocado, cucumber, hummus, and romaine. Loaded with protein and vitamins and fiber, this one is a win-win.

4925 Boonsboro Rd., Lynchburg
or 102 Tradewynd Dr., #A, Lynchburg
www.facebook.com/montanaplainsbakery

Corner Burger
Head next door for a juicy (and better-for-you!) burger at Corner Burger. By using only grass-finished beef, their burgers have less total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and calories, but they have more vitamins E and C, beta carotene, and omega 3 fatty acids, according to owner Kent Wood. They love using local purveyors and supporting the community so you can feel good about this one!

12130 E Lynchburg Salem Turnpike, #3, Forest
www.mycornerburger.com

The Leaf Creative Salads
If you find yourself near Cornerstone, pop in to The Leaf for one of their tasty salad combinations. They have a vast assortment of toppings such as grilled corn, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes or bow tie pasta. Even better? Make your salad portable by turning it into a wrap.

112 Cornerstone St., Lynchburg
www.facebook.com/theleafsalads

T&E Catering
Trying to stay away from gluten? Believe it or not Central Virginia has its very own completely gluten-free restaurant. Located in New London’s Poplar Forest Plaza, folks are flocking to T & E Catering for the pasta, sandwiches, and desserts… all of it GLUTEN FREE. The wings and dirty fries are the talk of the town and perfect to take on the go for a tailgate, picnic, or even just for staying in on a Friday night.

12130 E Lynchburg Salem Turnpike, #4, Forest
www.tandecatering.com

There is no better way to celebrate a weekend morning run, hike or bike ride than with everyone’s favorite mid-morning meal that’s deliciously known as brunch. Instead of canceling out your hard work with grease and sugar, here is a healthy, hearty and super simple idea from Lynchburg Living contributor and local foodie Mikael Blido. He is known for his skills in the kitchen as well as his passion for eating clean.

BRUNCH MASHUP

Hull out the “meat” from a baked sweet potato and mash it with fork. 

Smear the potato onto the middle of a plate.

In olive oil and butter, sauté half of a diced small onion or ¼ of a large onion with a diced sweet red pepper (or ½ of a red pepper and ½ of a yellow pepper for added color interest) and diced fresh portabella or button mushrooms (about four mushrooms). Add 1 teaspoon chopped parsley, a good pinch of kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Spoon a heap of the sautéed veggies over the warm potato mash.

Meanwhile cook the perfect sunny side up egg(s) in butter in a non-stick skillet and slide that onto the veggie potato pile. Dress with a sprig of parsley. 

Add sliced avocado on the side for those who enjoy a bit of healthy fat.

Lynchburg dietitian debunks intermittent fasting

I recently posted on social media inquiring about friends’ experiences with intermittent fasting. Having chalked the whole concept up to a fad used by celebrities and health gurus, I was floored by the responses I received. Not only had dozens of neighbors, former classmates and coworkers tried intermittent fasting, but many reaped major health benefits in the process. We reached out to Susan Williams, RD and fill-in dietitian at Liberty University, to learn more about the ins and outs of intermittent fasting.

Williams explains that intermittent fasting gained traction nearly seven years ago by virtue of two British journalists and has since adopted numerous methodologies centered around extended periods of fasting. “Intermittent fasting, simply put, is a diet where you eat normally some days and [eat] little to nothing the other days,” says Williams. “The 16-8 [method] involves eating only during an eight-hour window and fasting for the remaining 16 hours. The 5:2 [method] is where for two days a week you limit yourself to 500 calories if you’re female and 600 calories if you’re male, and [then eat normally] for the other five days. Lastly, Eat-Stop-Eat is a twist on intermittent fasting. You don’t eat at all for 24 hours two days per week and the other days you eat normally.”

The 16-8 intermittent fasting proved especially beneficial for Virginia-based Marine, Quinton Cookis. Cookis completed three cycles of intermittent fasting with the goal of avoiding weight gain while also upping his carb intake to maintain an intensive regimen of running and weightlifting. “With 16-8 fasting, coupled with healthy diet choices and sufficient time allocated to working out, I not only had no issue maintaining weight, but I was also losing weight seemingly without effort,” he says. “The results were visible by the end of the first week. [By then], my body adapted to the fasting cycle and was no longer hungry outside of the eight-hour eating window.”

For other athletes exploring intermittent fasting, Williams adds, “It is recommended that you exercise on eating days. There are windows of opportunity to refill the nutrient stores used up in exercise, so it is not recommended to do intense levels of exercise when there is not a meal after to refill these stores.” She also encourages novice fasters to be aware of the extreme hunger, headaches and decreased blood sugar levels that may result from fasting days.

Like most crash diets, intermittent fasting focuses on cutting calories to lose weight. Williams notes that fasting is likely more effective in the weight loss arena as it restricts caloric intake for just a few days a month rather than chronic calorie reduction. “Every body is different. [Physical results] depend on body type, genes, body weight at the start of the diet, exercise habits, etc.,” says Williams. “The recommendation for healthy weight loss is usually one pound per week.”

Regardless of your fasting goals, Williams strongly recommends seeking medical expertise before trying any variation of intermittent fasting. “If given the green light, then seek advice from a registered dietitian who can create a plan specifically tailored to your lifestyle and circumstances,” advises Williams.

Mark Your Calendar for These Regional Races

November 28
Turkey Trot for HumanKind
5K Run & Walk
E.C. Glass High School,
Lynchburg
8 a.m.

December 7
Reindeer Run 2 Miler
Hydaway Outdoor Recreation Center
936 Camp Hydaway Road, Lynchburg
9 a.m.

February 1
Arctic 5K
Hydaway Outdoor Recreation Center
936 Camp Hydaway Road, Lynchburg
9 a.m.

March 7
King of the Mountain (1-mile hike)
Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre
4000 Candlers Mountain Road, Lynchburg
11:30 a.m.

April 25
Run 4 Their Lives
Liberty University Indoor Track, Liberty Mountain Drive
Time: TBA
Benefits Freedom 4/24

For more information about each of these races,
visit the Lynchburg Road Runners page on the
Run Sign Up website: runsignup.com/Club/Races/493.

Health and wellness podcast recommendations

For those on the go (and let’s face it, that’s everyone these days), it’s hard to find the time to sit down and absorb the latest self-help book. Podcasts are perfect for multi-taskers—you can drive, run, or even clean the house while you learn. Here are a few of our top picks.

10% Happier with Dan Harris
National TV news broadcaster Dan Harris promotes the benefits of meditation—something he turned to after having a panic attack live on air in 2004. Harris welcomes guests who talk about happiness, mindfulness, and how to maintain balance in your life.
Learn more: www.tenpercent.com/podcast

Rethinking Weight Loss
Whether you’re struggling with your weight from a recent gain or have been fighting the battle since childhood, this NPR podcast is for you. It explains the science of weight and how our bodies lose it. Step away from the fads and let this informative podcast put you on a road to body acceptance.
Learn more: www.npr.org/podcasts/510339/weight-loss

Ali on the Run
Ali on the Run is a great tool for runners of all levels—from experts to beginners. Host Ali Feller talks to runners on all ends of the spectrum about what keeps them going day after day. You’ll also learn some applicable life lessons too.
Learn more: www.aliontherunblog.com/tag/podcast/

Get Fit Guy
Host Brock Armstrong is here to help men “rise above your former self.” His goal is to give his fellow men the fitness tools they need while also maintaining a healthy balance between athletic performance and an enjoyable life.
Learn more: www.quickanddirtytips.com/get-fit-guy

at Lynchburg’s Riverside Park

Take care of your body and your mind with a hike on the Alpine Trail, the first dedicated hiking trail in Lynchburg. The Alpine Trail was built during the 1920s and ’30s when visitors could cross the James River onto “YMCA” island, which is now known as Treasure Island.

This secluded path winds through the steep, wooded hillside of Riverside Park off Rivermont Avenue—offering spectacular views of the James River. Nature lovers will also adore the frequent sightings of woodland birds, including migrating hawks.

Restrictions: Since the slope of the hill drops almost vertically onto the railroad tracks hidden below, this trail is not recommended for small children or individuals with disabilities. Strollers and bicycles are prohibited.

Where to Enter: Look for a marked entrance sign just past the Riverside Park Overlook. An entrance to the other end of the trail is found near the Fink Deck Truss Bridge.

Nearby Attractions: Visitors to Riverside Park can also enjoy the Overlook (an area overlooking the James River with historic stone walls), tennis and basketball courts, playground equipment, sprayground (open seasonally), a transportation exhibit featuring a train locomotive and the Fink Deck Truss Bridge.

Length: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Take 30
Looking for a quick workout to fit into your very busy schedule? Align Athletics has you covered. The fitness center, located in New London, offers two versions of its core group classes: Align 60 and Align 30. While Align 60 is more intense and requires previous experience, Align 30 is a great option for those who want an intense, effective workout… and also want to get out the door quickly. Find more details at alignathletics.com or on Facebook.

A Legendary Workout
The YMCA of Central Virginia is offering a new class specifically for people over the age of 50: CrossFit Legends. Don’t let the word “CrossFit” scare you away—this course puts movement and mobility first, CrossFit second. Participants learn how to minimize the side effects of aging, restore their general physical capacity, re-learn movements, and ultimately regain control of their bodies. Learn more at ymcacva.org under the Programs tab.

Peakland Pilates Transformation
There are new leaders at Peakland Pilates—and Celeste Sedlar and Jenna Chalk are starting off their journey with a bang! The duo has unveiled new classes and has restructured the studio to maximize space for barre, dance and TRX classes. Check out their class schedule at peaklandpilates.com or visit their Facebook page.

Kratos Said Knock You Out
The Forest-based Kratos Fitness has rolled out a high-intensity, boxing-inspired workout program called KnockOut. Try their Krank KO class and you’ll burn calories and shed fat by utilizing heavy bags, cycling and more. Another option is KnockOut Boxing and Conditioning. The atmosphere alone will get you energized—KnockOut workouts are accompanied by blood pumping music and lighting. Learn more at kratosfitnessstudio.com.