charlotte lifestyle may/june
9
motto, “we believe that preparing food
is a labor of love and that health beauty
and art can be served on a plate” is the
reason they have seen so much growth
in just five years. We at CLM agree
and suggest strongly you put Living
Kitchen on the map as you plan your
road to health. You can find Living
Kitchen on 2000 South Blvd, Suite 300,
or at 4521 Sharon Rd in SouthPark.
If you are not a South Ender or you
enjoy flavors that go beyond borders,
another recommendation we have is
Ben Thanh located at 1806 Windsor
Square Drive in Matthews. Ben Thanh
is a truly, authentic Vietnamese
restaurant full of vegetarian and low
calorie choices none of which will
sacrifice an ounce of flavor. Their
casual and humble environment gives
you the option of
traditional dining or
for the full Vietnamese
experience in a special
section providing low
tables where you can
dine while sitting on
the floor. If you are
a fan of Pho, they will
not disappoint. There
is a variety of Pho,
authentically created
that will keep you
coming back time
and again for a new
experience.
Ben Thanh has been
serving Charlotte
for over 17 years and
is the inspiration
of Mai, Phung, and
Cuong Nguyen.
Their dedication to
culture and tradition
in food preparation
will introduce you
to flavors you may never otherwise
experience. If you already have a
love for dishes form this part of the
orient you will no doubt find flavors
reminiscent of past experience
that will surely earn Ben Thanh as a
dedicated stop as you continue down
the road.
Another place we can’t leave out is
Rico’s Acai. Rico’s pays homage to an
ingredient we have all been hearing
about….Acai. Rico’s combines Acai
with a variety of fruit and other natural
ingredients and packs each bowl with
powerful antioxidants. There are also
a variety of additions you can make
to suit your personal needs, whether
it is protein or fiber or anything else
Rico’s will send you down the road
feeling satisfied, healthy and prepared
to reach your goals. Each Acai bowl
is individually prepared and the
ingredients are perfectly fresh. The
colors are so incredibly vibrant it
becomes a challenge to even consider
disturbing the bowl with your spoon.
Rico’ has 4 locations in Charlotte,
510 South College St., 917 Pecan Ave.,
Midwood, inside the 7th St. Public
Market, and our personal favorite, the
food truck parked behind the dining
pavilion at the SouthPark Mall. Our
favorite selection is the Rainbow Bowl
which combines Acai with Mango,
Kiwi, Banana, Pineapple, Granola,
Blueberries, and Raspberries. While
you are there you can also pick up a
pack of Acai and take it home; it will
not be hard to find ways to add this
incredible ingredient to what you may
be creating on your last stop
for the day……Home.
I feel better already,
knowing that I do not have to
sacrifice the excitement of
my taste buds for nutrition
and health. I have found
as I wander down this path
to health I am consistently
enlightened and my reach
is ever growing. It is true
that the road to health is
neither, narrow or boring.
The road has become
broader and choices are
unlimited. My map is filling
up with incredible choices
and my pantry has become
a gallery of ideas waiting for
interpretation. And the key
to it all……… is to open your
mind as well as your mouth;
what you will find is a whole
new understanding that
health is not just a one way
street.
Photo by M. Todd Photo by M. Todd
Pad Thai and Kale Lemonade
from The Living Kitchen
Bun Tofu Salad
from Ben Thanh