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Last night a bunch of the Chicago Healthy Living Bloggers met up at Bountiful Eatery in Lakeview for dinner. Bountiful Eatery is an entirely gluten free restaurant that also has great dairy free and vegan options. Katie and I had eaten their previously and my takeaway from that trip was that not only was everything delicious, fresh, and healthy but you couldn’t tell it was gluten free. I was excited to go back!
There was a great blogger turnout yesterday and it was so nice to catch up with familiar faces.
From left to right: Bethany, Christina, Erin, Katie, me, and Emily [photo via Kelsey]. Not pictured: Sierra, Alyssa, Cate, and Kelsey.
Last time I went to Bountiful Eatery, I tried a sandwich, side salad, and soup so last night I wanted to order something a little different. I decided on the 3 salad sampler that came with quinoa salad (fresh made quinoa, red bell pepper, tomato, parsley, mint, cucumber, scallions, lemon juice, olive oil and herbs), chickpea salad (chickpeas, carrots, raisins, mint and extra virgin olive oil), and black bean salad (black beans, tomato, scallions, chipotle and cilantro) over spinach.
They were all good but my favorite was the chickpea salad. I loved the raisins.
After dinner, the owner brought out two desserts for us to try. One was a brownie and the other was a tofutti bar.
I tried the tofutti bar last time I was there and the brownie had dairy in to so I couldn’t have one but everyone else seemed to enjoy the desserts.
Bountiful Eatery is definitely worth checking out if you are ever in the Lakeview area and craving a satisfying and healthy meal! Also, thanks to the owner for letting us bloggers take over half the restaurant and providing us with a food discount!
This morning I woke up and completed my first VO2 workout. I warmed up for two miles and then ran 800 m at 5k race pace followed by an 800 m jog (repeated 5x) with a 1 mile cool down (total 8 miles). It was really tough but I was able to get my 800 m at 5k pace in the 6:30-6:40 range. I was definitely tired and really sweaty by the end but it felt really good!
I refueled with a big bowl of protein oatmeal topped with banana slices (half of it was whisked into the oatmeal), almond butter, and trail mix.
Hit. the. spot.
Time to head to work, happy Thursday!
Have you ever been to an all gluten free/all vegan/all veggie restaurant? Did you like it?
Do you do speed work?
FUN! I miss you already!
That oatmeal would be good in my mouth right now.
kelsey recently posted..Freestylin
I miss you too!
I have been to a handful of “healthy food” restaurants.
I have been to Seva’s in Ann Arbor…all vegetarian and DELICIOUS!
True Food Kitchen in Arizona – not vegetarian, but all healthy foods and i got the most amazing spaghetti squash there!
I have also been to the protein bar in Chicago which I’m obsessed with!
The weirdest place i’ve been to was a raw food restaurant near my house in Troy – it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t amazing either.
That salad you got looks really quite delicious though!
Natasha recently posted..Growing up and Realizations
I LOVE Seva, their sweet potato fries are my all-time favorite!
My mom told my about the new raw food place in the Troy/Birmingham area. Bummer it wasn’t too great!
Ya I feel like they have good ideas, but the execution isn’t perfect. It is called Try it Raw.
However, the times I have been in their store, they asked for for feedback and how they can improve their dishes, so I thought that was cool. Apparently the drinks there aren’t too bad though!
And ya, Seva’s sweet potato fries are AMAZING!!
There are quite a few awesome restaurants in Ann Arbor!
Natasha recently posted..Growing up and Realizations
Interesting, I hope they get it right soon!
I love the restaurants in AA, everytime I visit and have to pick somewhere to eat I’m always overwhelmed. I feel like I need a good week to catch up on restaurant life there!
I have gone to DaLuciano’s in River Grove. It is a dedicated Gluten Free Italian Restaurant. Their food is so good. I have also gone to Prasino where their vegan/gluten free menu is really good. I haven’t done speed work yet but I am going to start doing it after my first half marathon. It was nice seeing you yesterday.
Christina recently posted..On Hold
I like Prasino but I don’t remember seeing their gf/vegan menu. Maybe I forgot to ask!
Nice to see you too!
Excellent seeing you last night!!! I love going to restaurants that know how to keep bacon in only a few select dishes (bacon in every salad is not okay FYI) and I really enjoy vegan restaurants because of their innovative menus!
Emily recently posted..Holiday season todo list
Vegetarian food is so much more creative than non-veggie food (it’s the truth!). We need a girl date night at Native Foods soon!
I’ve been to…Bountiful Eatery! Haha. I was definitely impressed with their food, though. I like that even though all their food is gluten free it still tastes AMAZING (like their bread-y food, I mean).
I also like the dessert picture. Look at what a technologically advanced blogger I am! :p
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions recently posted..Thursday Things
Ha! I was just too lazy to stand up and get closer to the desserts. We’re all awesome
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That chickpea salad does sound fab!
I have been to some vegetarian and vegan restaurants, but never a gluten free one!
kilax recently posted..The one-on-one you vs. the group you [9]
I’d never been to one before Bountiful Eatery but I was pleasantly surprised!
I’ve never been to a gluten-free restaurant before, but it sounds so interesting! That’s awesome that you cant even tell that its gluten-free!!
Daphne @ Candy Coated Runner recently posted..Race Recap – Marine Corps Marathon
Yeah the owner is trying to appeal to non-gf people too and I think it’s working. Everyone raved about how good the pita bread was!
I recently re-discovered speedwork and it’s been great! I definitely needed a new challenge, and it’s just that. Hopefully I’ll see improved race times! I’ll definitely have to check out that restaurant. I’m originally from Oak Park (suburb outside Chicago) and am heading back over Christmas. Hope you have a great day!
Megan @ runnningonjava recently posted..Thoughts and thanks round 2
You should go!!!
Speed work is hard but I love the combination of the physical and mental workout. It makes me feel so good afterwards!
How rude that no one took a picture of me at Bountiful Eatery. Good thing I took one picture of those brownies to prove that I was there!
I have a love/hate relationship with speedwork. Love that I can see the results in my races, hate doing it and the that it is challenging.
It was good seeing you again!
Alyssa @ Don’t Look Down recently posted..quinoa stuffed mushrooms
Nice seeing you too!!
I’m the same way with speed work. I absolutely hate it while I do it but I feel so amazing afterwards!
Haha those raisins in your salad did look amazing.
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats recently posted..Thursday Thoughts
So good!
ahhhh i’m so jealous! that meet up looked like so much fun. all the food looks amazing too especially the chickpea salad!
i’ve never really actively done “speed work” but i’m thinking i’m going to incorporate it into my next training plan. i feel like i’ve built up a good base running pace and i’m teetering on the edge of being able to be faster but i need to actually train to get there. i’m probably going to hit you up for help in that department if that’s okay!
molly @ heart, sole & cereal recently posted..grateful
We can definitely chat about it