Happy Anniversary Healthy Hearts!

One Day Anniversary Sale ~ Wednesday, November 23rd at Healthy Hearts ... 10% STOREWIDE, excluding frozen items and cafe. Open from 10:30am to 5:00pm. Closed on Thursday and Friday, November 24th and 25th.

World Vegan Day

Celebrate World Vegan Day by sharing a vegan meal with friends and family. Do it yourself at home, or visit one of the many fine restaurants listed here!

 

Vegetarian Menu at Singapura

A booth at Singapura
Photo from chotda on Flickr, used
by Creative Commons License.

I had the opportunity to try Singpura, a restaurant on the lobby level of the Royal Orchid Hotel that opened early this year. I was lured in by the attractive interior, the well stocked bar, which includes locally-brewed Minagof Pale Ale on tap, and what seemed sure to be delicious food. I was not disappointed! Best of all, however, the restaurant has created a separate vegetarian menu and the kitchen staff is knowledgeable when it comes to vegan diets as well.

I was pleased to learn that they had special vegetarian sauces which they use as an alternative to fish-based versions. Many restaurants on Guam rely heavily on fish sauce and, while they are more than happy to make your meal without it, the food often ends up lacking in flavor since one of its main seasoning components is missing. Because Singapura has created sauces specifically for vegetarians and vegans, everything on this special menu is bursting with flavor. Hopefully more restaurants on Guam will follow suit!

My dinnertime companion and I started with the Sauteéd Eggplant with Basil and Steamed Chinese Buns, then moved on to the Sayur Lodeh - a delicious Malay Style vegetable stew with coconut milk, and a Malay style rice noodle dish called Mee Goreng. To read more about these dishes, you can click through to the full vegetarian menu.

Singapura is open Sunday through Thursday from 11am-10pm and Friday and Saturday from 11am-11pm. You can reach them at (671) 647-2088 or stop by to visit them on the lobby level of the Royal Orchid. You can also take a virtual tour via their facebook page

Apple Cider Vinegar

The healthiest type of vinegar is raw, unfiltered, organic apple cider vinegar, also known as ACV.  Bragg's ACV is found at Payless, Healthy Hearts, Simply Foods, and other health food places on Guam. The reason ACV is healthier than other types of vinegar is because it is alkalizing to the body, making the body non-acidic and more basic, which is an environment that inhibits cancer and other illnesses. All vinegars expect for apple cider vinegar makes the body more acidic, and prone to illnesses and cancer-causing environment.

Use Apple Cider Vinegar Instead!

Many local dishes on Guam use white vinegar, but it can easily be replaced with apple cider vinegar. ACV is a bit stronger or more acidic in taste than white vinegar, so use a little less and add water, if necessary. In most recipes, replacing white vinegar with ACV will not change the taste. However, I have had some friends who missed the taste of white vinegar, but quickly grew to prefer ACV.

Citrus Fruits vs. Apple Cider Vinegar

Lemons, limes, and calamansi (small local limes on Guam) are also a good substitues for ACV in recipes. Lemons and limes are pH balancing to the body, which means your body will be neutral, neither acidic, nor alkaline. This is healthy, and it adds vitamin C to your diet.

Avoid Processed Foods like Lemon Juice Powder

Lemon juice powder is not as healthy as fresh lemon or lime juice. Lemon powders, while convenient and commonly used in Guam, may not be made from real lemons or limes (citirc acid), high fructose corn syrup (not healthy), and chemical stabilizers and fillers.

ACV can also be used in place of lemon or lime when a recipe calls for it. Use a little less than the recipe states and add water to make up the difference in liquid. Try using ACV in finadene (soy sauce, ACV, boonie peppers), a Guam's favorite condiment!

Alkalizing Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

For an alkalizing drink, add a little ACV in a glass of water and sweeten with honey, if necessary. I have read that drinking it up to 3 times a day may improve your health by keeping the body alkaline and giving the skin a healthy glow. Drinking it 30 minutes before a meal is ideal, and it is also known to reduces appetite for those looking to loose a little weight.

The drink tastes a little like an apple flavored lemonade!

Free Soup at Simply Food

Simply Food is offering free soup this week with a purchase of any entree. Just print the coupon below.

Enjoy!

Atis Fruit

Another local fruit you have to try here on Guam: ATIS (SUGAR APPLE).

Atis fruits grow on trees and have red skin or green skin. You can pick them when they are hard and let them ripen in a paper bag. You know they are ready when their skin is soft. The flesh is incredibly sweet, smooth, and white.

The seeds are large and black.


They can be pretty messy so you might want to eat one with a spoon! Enjoy!

New Specials at Pika's Cafe

Pika's has a unique seasonal vegan sandwich for this week only! Local avocado spread, balsamic onions, grilled local egg plant, carrots (marinated in local rosemary, olive oil, and garlic), local soursop jam, tomatoes, and romaine lettuce on ciabatta. Check it out :) I wolfed it down in minutes.

Last week I tried Lenny's local salad: pickled papaya, cucumbers, green onions, dill, cherry tomatoes, and daigo - all local! It was so refreshing.




And look for the local jam Pika's sells: soursop, pika, and more! Thank you, Pika's, for catering to vegans on Guam and using local food sources!