Eating Healthy at Panera Bread

Panera Bread began in 1981. As of December 31, 2013, there are 1,777 bakery-cafes in 45 states and in Ontario Canada. Each provides fresh all-natural, preservative-free bread baked daily in Stone Deck ovens on hot stone slabs.

Whether you are counting calories, fat, protein, carbs, cholesterol or sugar, Panera Bread will customize your meal with fresh, high-quality foods including antibiotic-free chicken, whole grain bread, select organic and all-natural ingredients, a vast array of beverages (frozen, cold and hot), soufflés, breakfast and panini sandwiches, hand-tossed salads, pastas, soups, Power Meals, Panera Kids items with a choice of squeezable organic yogurt, apple or baguette, and catering. If you have allergies, ask to talk to the manager for a list of ingredients.

Upon my arrival at the Rockford, Illinois, Panera Bread at 9:30 A.M., I was happily greeted by a lovely cashier, Breanna, who informed me about healthy breakfast and panini options, calories, carbohydrates and how I could customize my meal. I ordered a Tomato & Mozzarella Panini, Mediterranean Egg White on Ciabatta, blueberry muffin, Acai Berry iced tea, and a Power Chicken Hummus Bowl to sample with my husband. I did not inform her that I eat at Panera Bread often.

Power Chicken Hummus Bowl

While I was waiting for my food, I overheard a nice lady excited about ordering the Grilled Mediterranean Egg White on Ciabatta Breakfast Sandwich. (Breakfast is available until 10:30 A.M.). I approached the woman and we began conversing. She drives about 31 minutes in traffic just to get this sandwich. Now that’s a big fan! The sandwich includes egg whites, Vermont white cheddar, roasted tomato, fresh spinach and basil pesto on ciabatta with 410 calories.

The Power Bowls were launched off-menu in 2013. All contain fewer than 400 calories and are an excellent source of protein and complex carbohydrates. My favorite is the Power Chicken Hummus Bowl, with antibiotic-free chicken with cilantro, jalapeno hummus, fresh baby spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions, finished with freshly squeezed lemon and fresh, chopped cilantro. If you are not a fan of cilantro, Panera Bread will be happy to eliminate this herb for you.

Panera Bread is proud to announce a new arrival on May 7, 2014: the Egg-White, Avocado and Spinach Breakfast Power Sandwich on a Sprouted Grain Bagel Flat. Now that is a mouthful! I absolutely am a fan of avocado and sprouted grain bread so I can’t wait to indulge in this sandwich. While you are at it, try the Tomato & Mozzarella Panini with fresh mozzarella, roasted and fresh tomatoes, chopped basil and all natural-sun-dried tomato pesto in ciabatta with only 370 calories. It tastes like summer and is delicious!

I would like to thank Amanda Burns for answering all my questions about Panera Bread.

Second Chance

While watching The Morning Blend
with Andy, Aaron and friends,
They interviewed Dietician, Emilie Fielder,
about a healthy challenge application deadline
that would soon end,
I entered the Better U Challenge contest
provided by Rockford Health System and the American Heart Association,
figuring I wouldn’t win.
 
When I received a call from Better U Challenge Coordinator, Dena Hobbs,
stating I had been one of five women chosen,
I stood holding my phone frozen,
Then I did a big happy dance
for being given a healthy lifestyle second chance,
There would be twelve weeks of meetings with
guest speakers, lifestyle changes, smiles and welcoming greetings.

Exercise Specialist, Lisa Osborn, gave a talk
on what exercises are the best,
And each of us five ladies’ were given
our specialized list.

A Fitbit One was given to us all
provided by Rockford Health System to journal and log,
With areas for sleep, tracking steps and food
while writing down our daily weight, day’s events and mood.

Then we took a tour to learn
about reading labels and choosing the right foods,
We met at the local Rockford, Illinois, Schnucks store
where Anchor Woman, Whitney Martin, from WIFR,
would be following and interviewing us on our journey.

A follow up exam and blood tests
with Sallie Vandaele, NP, Heart & Vascular Center,
revealed how our health had changed for the better,
The results relinquished some fears
For if we hadn’t changed our unhealthy ways,
our lives could have ended in just a few years.

The grand finale luncheon at Giovanni’s will be
on February 19, 2014,
Where we will unveil
what our draped clothes used to conceal,

For all of us ladies’ have lost some weight
and with that comes confidence and change of our fate.

As mothers, wives and friends,
so does our new journey begin,
With a huge heartfelt thanks,
I want to say
thank you from the five of us to:
Rockford Health System, American Heart Association,
Sue Schreiber, VP, from Rockford Health System,
guest speakers, Schucks, family and friends.

Roxe Anne Peacock
December 16, 2013

Second Chance
While watching The Morning Blend
with Andy, Aaron and friends,
They interviewed Dietician, Emilie Fielder,
about a healthy challenge application deadline
that would soon end,
I entered the Better U Challenge contest
provided by Rockford Health System and the American Heart Association,
figuring I wouldn’t win.

When I received a call from Better U Challenge Coordinator, Dena Hobbs,
stating I had been one of five women chosen,
I stood holding my phone frozen,
Then I did a big happy dance
for being given a healthy lifestyle second chance,
There would be twelve weeks of meetings with
guest speakers, lifestyle changes, smiles and welcoming greetings.

Exercise Specialist, Lisa Osborn, gave a talk
on what exercises are the best,
And each of us five ladies’ were given
our specialized list.

A Fitbit One was given to us all
provided by Rockford Health System to journal and log,
With areas for sleep, tracking steps and food
while writing down our daily weight, day’s events and mood.

Then we took a tour to learn
about reading labels and choosing the right foods,
We met at the local Rockford, Illinois, Schnucks store
where Anchor Woman, Whitney Martin, from WIFR,
would be following and interviewing us on our journey.

A follow up exam and blood tests
with Sallie Vandaele, NP, Heart & Vascular Center,
revealed how our health had changed for the better,
The results relinquished some fears
For if we hadn’t changed our unhealthy ways,
our lives could have ended in just a few years.

The grand finale luncheon at Giovanni’s will be
on February 19, 2014,
Where we will unveil
what our draped clothes used to conceal,

For all of us ladies’ have lost some weight
and with that comes confidence and change of our fate.

As mothers, wives and friends,
so does our new journey begin,
With a huge heartfelt thanks,
I want to say
thank you from the five of us to:
Rockford Health System, American Heart Association,
Sue Schreiber, VP, from Rockford Health System,
guest speakers, Schucks, family and friends.

Roxe Anne Peacock
December 16, 2013

Restaurant Review: Healthy Fast-Food Dining at Noodles & Company

 

 Japanese Pan Noodles

 

Are you tired of eating same fast food? Why not travel around the world through eating?

 

Noodles & Company opened its first restaurant in 1995 in Cherry Creek, Denver, Colorado. It now has 380 establishments in 29 states. It is a fast-casual restaurant with the appeal of full-service attention. The menu consists of American, Mediterranean, and Asian dishes all served on stoneware with stainless steel silverware by the friendly staff, no tips allowed. There is a vast array of fountain drinks, fresh brewed iced tea, organic chocolate milk, beer, wine and bottled beverages to choose from.

 

When you arrive, you will view the colorful menu on the wall with options for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, and over 25 meals with less than 500 calories. The combinations are many; you can create your own meal. My daughters' favorite meal is the Wisconsin Mac & Cheese which is $4.49 for a small or $5.59 for a regular.

 

The cashiers are friendly, knowledgeable, and there to help you with choosing the right meal for your diet. If you are gluten-fee, please let them know. (On the other hand, if you have severe food allergies, take the usual precautions and consider talking to your physician before eating here). A "V" by the calorie count indicates
vegetarian" and a small red pepper icon tells you it's spicy. If you prefer vegan, ask for no cream or cheese.

 

When I arrived on a Tuesday at a Noodles & Company in Rockford, Illinois to order foods to critique, I introduced myself, but not until after I had ordered meals. Since my husband isn't dieting, we ordered him the BBQ Pork Sandwich with a side of tomato basil bisque. The sandwich has 560 calories and the soup 260 calories a cup for a cost of $6.99. When you order a sandwich, you get your choice of a side salad or soup.

 

My daughter ordered the Indonesian peanut sauté which is a spicy stir-fry with peanut sauce and rice noodles, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, Asian sprouts, cilantro, crushed peanuts and lime. It is spicy (two red peppers) and vegetarian. A small has 420 calories and costs $4.39. A regular has a whopping 840 calories and costs $5.59. Adding a chicken breast adds another 110 calories and $2.39.

 

I ordered a regular Japanese pan noodles which I enjoyed, it is somewhat spicy (one red pepper) and vegetarian, with beautifully carmalized udon noodles in a sweet soy sauce, broccoli, carrots, shitake mushrooms, Asian sprouts, black sesame and cilantro. They recommend adding marinated steak. I ordered a side of Thai curry soup with yellow coconut curry broth, spinach, cabbage, mushrooms, tomato, red onion and rice noodles with 230 calories, vegetarian and marked with one red pepper for spiciness. They also recommend adding organic tofu.

 

My favorite meal is The Med sandwich (one red pepper) for $5.99, 330 calories, a side of tomato basil bisque and a blackberry jasmine green iced tea. You can ask for this to be vegetarian.

 

On the negative side: the meals at Noodles & Company have a lot of sodium, and the building can be cold; take a sweater or jacket.

 

Author Roxe Anne Peacock

 

 

 



 

Homemade Ginger Tea

Ingredient:

6 -8 thin slices fresh raw ginger
2 cups cold water
Juice from 1/2 fresh lime ( which went up in price)
2 tablespoons good honey preferably from your area

Directions:

   Peel and slice the ginger thin.

  Boil the ginger in the cold water for at least 15 minutes. If you prefer a stronger tea you can boil the water for up to 20 minutes with a bit more ginger. Remove the pan from the heat and add your lime and honey. Enjoy your fresh ginger tea. (optional) you can add a mint sprig to the boiling water.

Ginger

Ginger: It is known as the "universal remedy". It has multiple health benefits. Most known, ability to soothe an upset stomach and end nausea. It may aid in digestion. Works better in most cases for warding off seasickness. It is listed in the USDA database of phytochemicals as an antiemetic, meaning it has the property of preventing nausea and vomiting. Great to have around when you are pregnant.... Make homemade tea using ginger. The zingerone and the shoaol in ginger also have anti-inflammatory properties and might be useful in a nutritional program for arthritis and/or fibromyalgia. And at the Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research conference, it was suggested that gingerols may inhibit the growth of human colorectal cancer cells. The antitumorigenic effects helps boost the immune system. It has positive effects on the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, pain and fever. A nice hot cup of tea with ginger, lemon and honey is perfect. Just grate some ginger in a pan with water and brew. It has been noted for ginger's ability to improve circulation. NOTE: It can increase the absorption of other drugs and might have a blood thinning effect. Do not use ginger if you are taking Coumadin or aspirin. It might also increase bile acid secretion, which is why people with gallstones are advised to avoid this herb.

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