True Blue Mediterranean Cafe, Emmaus PA

For those of you that don't know me, I love food. I love it alot! There pretty much isn't a food I won't eat other than cottage cheese and beets. To me, they are the most vile foods on the planet. Bold statement I know but nonetheless it is what it is. I haven't eaten all of the foods on the planet. So, for now, those stand out.

Now, why am I writing this? Simple really. I live in a small town that has quite a few not so hidden gems. One of them being True Blue Mediterranean Cafe. I went in yesterday looking for a donation for my son's school. Ziad, the owner, was happy to help. He couldn't prepare the gift certificate right away so I told him I (along with my kids) would stop back in later to eat dinner and pick the gift certificate up then. I almost didn't go back since the kids (13yrs and 9yrs soon to be 10yrs) were acting like 2yr olds in the grocery store. As luck would have it, my son's friend invited him to go with he and his mom. So, that left me and my daughter. We went back to True Blue Mediterranean Cafe and I am sooo happy we did. You see, I love Mediterranean food. I cook in the Mediterranean, Spanish and Farmer's Market kind of way. It's very healthy and delicious! We decided to eat there. Again, another good decision. Ziad was fabulous as usual. Very attentive and lovely. I got the steak gyro which was on special and my daughter got the lamb gyro. It comes with homemade pita chips and homemade hummus. It is hard to put that first bite of the gyro into words. It was rather euphoric! My daughter was equally in Heaven. I have to say, I was very sad to see the last bite go:( However, I was very full and very satisfied! We hung out for awhile and talked with Ziad in between him helping the other happy patrons.

I purchased a spinach pie to go so I could have it for lunch today. It comes with homemade tzaziki sauce. Now, you could microwave it but I don't recommend doing that. Heat it up in the toaster oven or regular oven. The first bite was out of this world and again, sad to take the last bite. Yet again, comfortably full and happy. This is a place I will go back to time and again. I shared pictures of my food on Facebook with friends and family so they would go too. My plan is to work my way through the menu! There is also different varieties of coffees, teas and desserts. If you like baklava, it is worth the trip just for that!

So the next time you are looking to try something new and different try new restaurants in your town. If you are in the Lehigh Valley, make a trip to Emmaus and visit.. Tell Ziad I sent you!

TRUE BLUE MEDITERRANEAN CAFE
East Penn Plaza, 1301 Chestnut Street, Emmaus, PA 18049
610-966-8555

What's the Answer to Weight Loss?

So, I get asked the following all of the time: "Can you design a weightloss menu for me?" Well, of course I can I'm a certified nutritionist. But, you need to ask yourself, "Self, what makes this time different?"

Do you know why you eat the way you do? Are you an emotional eater? Do you eat out of stress, boredom, anger, sadness, or just because? What's your relationship with food and for that matter yourself? Yes, these are just some of the questions I ask you and prepare you for. Life is a journey. It's a process. A never ending learning and changing process. So here it is, The Answer to Weightloss: It comes down to you and facing yourself .. the good, the bad, the ugly. Once you do that, your life will forever be changed for the better. Are you happy with who you are? If the answer is truly yes, Awesome! If it's no, then what are YOU going to do to change it? You only have you. It doesn't matter how much family you have. It doesn't matter how many friends you have either. Because in the end, if you don't like yourself or love yourself, how can you truly like or love another? The bottom line is you have to eat healthy, exercise and learn to love yourself.

Get Out and Play

Summertime is for fun! Yes, some days are hotter than others. That's okay. Get in a pool, go to a local park, ride your bike or hike on trails. The Lehigh Valley has much to offer. Play baseball, kickball and/or play on the playground. It's okay to let loose and feel like a kid again. My point is, be active! You don't have to do regimented routines at the gym. Be silly and let your hair down! You will be so happy you did. Lead by example; especially if you have kids. If you're active chances are they will be too! Plus, if you do have kids, giving them time with you is a great gift and memories will be made. How cool is that?

Not in the Lehigh Valley, that's okay. I'm sure wherever you live there are plenty of things to do! Have a great time!