Welcome to Long Beach California! Home to beautiful beaches, unmatched views of the Pacific, and of course, the Integrative Nutrition Mega Conference! We couldn’t be more excited to be in Long Beach this week, and can’t wait to meet all of you at the conference this weekend. Long Beach is truly a beautiful port town, and a healthy one at that! We’ve put together a list of our favorite healthy restaurants and activities in the area for you, so way not call up a few of your fellow IINers and set a dinner date while you’re in town?

Can’t join us for the Integrative Nutrition Mega Conference? We’ll miss you! But not to fear, we’ve got healthy options in your town too!

Restaurants

	Au Lac 16563 Brookhurst Street, Fountain Valley This cozy restaurant specializes in “Humanese” food – a term coined by Au Lac’s chef himself. Humanese is the belief that everyone is created equal and we must have respect for all animals, plants, and each other. Au Lac has a Humanese-friendly, vegan and raw menu.
	Green Temple 1700 South Catalina Avenue, Redondo Beach This vegetarian restaurant is just outside of Long Beach, in Redondo Beach, but it’s worth the drive out of town. The serene atmosphere and delicious, vegetarian menu makes for a delightful dining experience. Even if you aren’t vegetarian, we are willing to bet you’ll want to come back to Green Temple time and time again!

From the New York Skyline to the to the San Francisco Bay, we’ve come a long way since we started our healthy living guides. This week, we’re finally arriving in sunny Los Angeles, California! With its palm tree lined streets, pristine beaches and Louis Vuitton clad celebs, there really is no other city like LA. Once you get off the beaten path (and out of the traffic on the 101) you will find that Los Angeles is so much more than just Hollywood. The city has so many outdoor activities, beautiful year-round farmers markets, and healthy restaurants to offer. Here are a few of our favorite hangouts in LA.

Not in the LA area? Check out our Healthy Living series for options in your area.

Restaurants

	Pressed Juicery Multiple locations Created by IIN graduate, Carly Brien, Pressed Juicery is the best place in all of LA to get fresh pressed, organic juice. Stop into one of their 3 locations for a delicious green juice, or if you're in need of a serious detox, participate in one of their juice cleanses - 6 fresh juices, plus 2 supplemental beverages delivered to you daily!
	True Food Kitchen 395 Santa Monica Place, Suite 172, Santa Monica At True Food Kitchen, the entire menu is centered on the principals of IIN Nutrition Expert, Dr. Andrew Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Food Pyramid. The menu is packed with healthy whole grains, proteins, and nutrient rich vegetables – you can’t go wrong, no matter what dish you choose!

Located in the southern most tip of California, San Diego is one of the most desirable locations to live in America.  And it’s no surprise; just one look at the pristine beaches, palm trees, and carefree residences soaking up the sun is enough to convince anyone to call San Diego home! The city also has a strong health and wellness movement, with dozens of yoga studios, state parks, surf beaches, and health food cafes! If you are in need of a little R&R, San Diego is the perfect spot to kick back and relax on the beach, green juice in hand!

If you’re planning a trip to San Diego - and you should - here is a list of our favorite healthy hang-outs in the area, along with some beautiful state parks that capture all of the beauty of Southern California!

Not able to make it down to San Diego? Check out the healthy options a little closer to home in our Healthy Living Guide series! 

Restaurants

	Café Gratitude Multiple Locations Café Gratitude has several locations throughout California, each serving 100% local, organic, and vegan fare. The food is free of refined sugar, flour, and additives. They also have several raw options on their menu.
	Casa De Luz 2920 University Avenue This Macrobiotics restaurant was founded on the philosophy of living the best life you can by feeding your body the best possible foods. The chef creates balanced and organic meals for optimal health. For a delicious, always vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free meal, head over to Casa De Luz. They also have a location in Austin, TX!

San Francisco is one of my all-time favorite cities. From the cable cars rumbling down the steep streets to the top of the Golden Gate Bridge peaking out of the fog, how could you not be charmed by this picture perfect city? One of my favorite things about San Fran is the diversity of its neighborhoods. Looking for an authentic slice of pizza and unrivaled views of the city? Head over to the Italian district, North Beach. If you’re in the mood from some boutique shopping, head over to Filmore Street in Pacific Heights. And of course, a trip to San Francisco wouldn’t be complete without a jaunt through Chinatown, which happens to be the largest enclave of Chinese culture in America.

Like many cities on the West Coast, San Francisco is a health-minded city with no shortage of healthy restaurants, parks, and farmers markets. Here is a list of a few of our favorites in the area – make sure you check them out next time you are in the Bay Area!

Not  planning a trip to San Francisco? Check out our other Healthy Living Guides for healthy options a little bit closer to home.

Restaurants

	Café Gratitude Multiple Locations Café Gratitude has several locations throughout California, each serving 100% local, organic, and vegan fare. The food is free of refined sugar, flour, and additives. They also have several raw options on their menu. This is the perfect place for a relaxed brunch or lunch with friends in the funky Mission district of San Fran.
	Roam 1785 Union Street This burger joint serves delicious burgers made of 100% grass-fed beef, free-range turkey, or all-natural bison as well as organic veggie burgers. They source their ingredients locally and pair the burgers with delicious Straus Family Creamery Shakes, house-made sodas, local brews, or wine and kombucha that they have on tap!

Ah, Sacramento! California’s State Capitol, delta town, seat of the 19^th century gold rush, and the town where the Pacific Railroad began.  It’s also my old college town, a place where me and my friends spent our afternoons picking sour Seville oranges from the old trees lining downtown’s gorgeous streets (yes, harvesting is both legal and encouraged!), strolling in the camellia gardens at the Capitol, and scouting the perfect bowl of menudo in the hundreds of muy authentico Mexican restaurants that dot the area.

Located in Northern California’s fertile Central Valley, Sacramento is an agricultural powerhouse. The city itself is home to some of the biggest urban citrus groves in the nation. Past the city limits, farms dominate the landscape. Popular area crops include rice, all manner of nuts, vegetables, orchard fruits, berries, and melons. There are also wineries, cheese makers, beer brewers, marmalade makers (using the above mentioned Sevilles) and other food artisans. You can taste it all at any of the area’s farm-to-table restaurants that are so popular. Or, visit one of the local farmer’s markets, roadside produce stands, tasting rooms or pick-your-own farms.

But food isn’t all Sacramento has going for it. With its temperate climate and soft breeze—made possible by the surrounding Sacramento, American, and San Joaquin rivers— Sacramento is an outdoorsy town. Be prepared to cycle along some of the hundreds of miles of dedicated bike lanes, jog next to the one of the rivers, canoe or raft, swim, stroll through historic Old Town, ski in the nearby Sierras, hike through foothill nature preserves, or join one of the Frisbee or soccer games that are always being played in one of the hundreds of area parks.

Looking for healthy options in your town? Check out the rest of our healthy living guides!

Restaurants

	Sugar Plum Vegan Café 2315 K Street This vegan cafe and bakery is home to some of Sacramento’s most beloved vegan dishes and baked goods! Sugar Plum is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—but we can’t get enough of their Sunday brunch menu! The Tofu Frittata and Hempy Blueberry Pancakes are simply outstanding.
	The Green Boheme 1825 Del Paso Boulevard The Green Boheme is a very popular spot among Sacramento’s health-minded community! They serve healthy, gluten free, raw, vegan dishes at their café; many with a delicious Asian flare. The café also hosts raw cooking demonstrations, food plans and raw food cleanses!

Continuing down the Pacific Coast, our next stop is Portland, Oregon! I’m lucky enough to call Portland home and couldn’t be more excited to share some of my favorite healthy hangouts with all of you!

Recently, Portland has come to be known as quite the food town, and a healthy food town at that. It is truly a locavore’s paradise (see video at the end of this post!), with almost all of the popular and trendy restaurants serving only local, organic dishes.  In addition to the booming restaurant scene, Portlanders have taken their food obsession to the streets in the form of dozens of food cart pods littered around the city.

When we’re not eating in Portland, we’re out enjoying the natural beauty that is the state of Oregon. With the majestic Cascade Mountain Range only a short drive away in one direction and the Pacific Coast in the other – not to mention the miles and miles of forests, trails, rivers and lakes in between – there is never a shortage of outdoor activities in the area!

Now that I’ve (hopefully) successfully sold you on a trip to Portland, check out our list of healthy restaurants to try while you’re there. Can’t make it to Oregon? Check out our other Healthy Living Guides for recommendations in your area!

Restaurants

	Vita Café 3023 Northeast Alberta Vita Café is a long time Portland favorite, serving mostly vegetarian and vegan food, along with some all-natural, hormone-free meats and eggs, since 1999. All ingredients are organic and locally sourced from the Northwest. Everything on the menu is delicious, and as a bonus, kids eat for a buck every day from 5 to 7 pm!
	Blossoming Lotus 1713 Northeast 15th This café specializes in Asian-inspired cuisine with a vegan or live food twist. They are located on the Willamette River in Portland’s Irvington District, and are open for lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch. All of the meals are nourishing and delicious, but we especially love the Live Pesto and Portobello Pizza!

The beautiful city of Seattle sits on the Puget Sound in Northern Washington. Best known for the iconic Space Needle and Pike Place Market as well as the breath-taking surrounding scenery of the Olympic Mountains, San Juan Islands and the Kitsap Peninsula, there is no doubt that Seattle is extremely picturesque. It also offers an endless amount of outdoor activities ranging from kayaking in the sound and skiing at Mt. Rainer to hiking the Sammamish River Trail and picnicking in St. Edward Park. 

If you’re planning a trip to Seattle (and you should!) check out a few of our favorite healthy restaurants and markets in the area. Not in the great Northwest? Check out our Healthy Living Guide Series for options in or near your city!

Restaurants

Thrive
1026 NE 65^th Street

Thrive is more than just a restaurant; it’s a community dedicated to providing healthy, organic food without sacrificing taste. The café serves fresh vegetarian dishes made with 95% organic ingredients. In addition to the café, Thrive also offers many programs and special classes such as Coconuts Demystified and a detoxing juice cleanse.

Wheatless in Seattle
10003 Greenwood Avenue North

Based on the extensive menu, which includes everything from cake to bread to strudel, you would never guess that this charming bakery is Seattle’s favorite wheat-free, gluten-free, and rice-free bakery! Stop in for a yummy dairy-free, gluten-free strawberry pomegranate muffin for breakfast or a gluten-free baguette to-go with dinner!

Denver, the Mile High City, has no shortage of healthy people and healthy activities! From hiking and biking in mountain parks like Red Rocks to playing chess at the 16^th Street Mall, Denver offers a wide array of outdoor activities. But if the outdoors isn’t for you, no need to fear! The city also has an incredibly rich culture including the beautiful Ellie Caulkins Opera House, the Denver Art Museum, and the Santa Fe Arts District. The restaurant scene in Denver is thriving, and with so many healthy, organic choices, we had a hard time narrowing down the selection!

Here are a few of our favorite places in Denver. Be sure to check out our other Healthy Living Guides for options in your town!

Restaurants

Watercourse Foods
837 East 17^th Avenue

This internationally acclaimed restaurant is definitely a favorite among locals. All dishes are vegetarian or vegan versions of traditional comfort foods. This is one spot that you don’t want to miss in Denver!

Root Down
1600 West 33^rd Avenue

This trendy restaurant uses only natural, organic ingredients in their dishes with the belief that there should be a “seamless bond between the elements and the (dining) experience, which stimulates the senses and draws people in.” The atmosphere is exciting and relaxed, perfect for dinner with friends!

Ignite!
2124 Larimer Street

This new restaurant in the Ballpark Neighborhood is already popular. The seasonal menu features fire-grilled meals using local, organic ingredients. Ignite! is the perfect place for a pre-game burger or wood-fired pizza!

This week, we’re heading out West to explore the beautiful capital city of Utah, Salt Lake City! Nestled in the Salt Lake Valley, Salt Lake City is surrounded by the Great Salt Lake to the Northwest and the majestic Wasatch and Oquirrh mountain ranges to the East and West. Needless to say, with so much natural beauty, Salt Lake City residents lead a very active outdoor lifestyle! Healthy eating is also a big part of the Salt Lake lifestyle, with organic, farm-to-table, and vegetarian restaurants popping up across the city.

Here of a few of our favorites. If you like what we found in Salt Lake City, check out our Healthy Living Series for options in your town! 

Restaurants

Pago
878 South 900 East

This cozy farm-to-table restaurant is a local favorite. Pago is part of RSA, Restaurant Supported Agriculture, which allows them to source their produce from local farms.  The menu features a delicious assortment of American fare. Be sure to make a reservation because the tables fill up quickly!

Sages Café
473 East 300 South

This vegetarian restaurant was named City Weekly’s Best of Utah award for “Best Vegetarian” eight years in a row! And it’s no wonder. Sage Café features a wonderful menu of vegetarian options, many of which are vegan and raw as well.

Omar’s Rawtopia
2148 Highland Drive

Omar’s Rawtopia is the only raw, organic, and vegan restaurant in Utah. The head chef and owner, Omar Abou-Ismail, strives to create meals that are good for the mind, body and spirit of his customers. Stop in for a raw nut burger, a hummus platter, or one of their delicious salads!

Minneapolis-St. Paul is somewhat of a creative mecca in the Midwest. People interested in everything from crafting to cooking to painting brave the bone-chilling cold to call Minnesota’s capital home. As we saw in Austin and New York City, with a creative environment always comes a booming food scene, and the Twin Cities are no exception! The Minneapolis-St. Paul area was the winner of the James Beard regional award 3 years ago, and countless chefs have flocked from all parts of the world to open up shop in the area.  We can’t get enough of the sustainable, healthy food options that this city has to offer. Here are a few of our favorites that we recommend for anyone living or visiting the Twin Cities.

Looking for a healthy restaurant in another city? Check out our Healthy Living Guides for options in your area!

Restaurants

Good Earth
3460 Galleria

This café, located in Minneapolis’ popular shopping and dining center, The Galleria, is perfect for coffee or lunch with friends. The menu features antibiotic, hormone and nitrate-free, humanely raise meat and poultry as well as sustainable seafood and seasonal, fresh, organic vegetables.

Birchwood Café
3311 East 25^th Street

This family-owned café has been a neighborhood favorite since the 1940s when it first opened its doors as a dairy market. Birchwood later evolved into a grocery market, and finally into Birchwood Café. Now the café boasts a menu of local, sustainable, organic and fair trade dishes with many vegan and vegetarian options, as well.