Whether you're trying to drop a few pounds to fit into that cute outfit, just want to make a life change or want to be like vegetarians Alicia Silverstone, rapper KRS-One, "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood or Kevin Eubanks from "The Tonight Show" band, Metromix has cooked up some places that not only offer many healthy eating options, but have made the words organic, natural, vegetarian and vegan cool.
Passionate about delicious, healthy, down-home cooking? Then drop into Aunt Olive's Good Food 2 Go in Birmingham. At Aunt Olive's, they specialize in healthy, gourmet comfort food. They also have a wide selection of juices, an assortment of H20 (straight-up or flavored) and Gidget's smoothies are meals in their own right. --Lateshia Renee Dowell
This breakfast and lunch place is quite simple and small -- just 40 seats -- with an attitude that's more cool than quaint. The oilcloth on the tables is retro green, the white walls are hung with enlargements of old Birmingham streetscapes and high school teams and the clear resin countertop enshrines an array of collectibles, from Three Stooges and baseball cards to political buttons and Scrabble pieces. But what really sets the Maple Leaf apart from dozens of other small cafes and diners is its fresh, interesting, from-scratch menu, created with almost all organic or natural ingredients. The meats and poultry are naturally grown without hormones,while the eggs, dairy products, multigrain bread and as much produce as possible are organic. The sweeteners for coffee are natural, and the beans used to brew it are fair-trade organic from the Rainforest Alliance. The sodas are all-natural, too; you won't find any Coke or Pepsi products here. You will, however, find a varied collection of appealing dishes, served in Midwest-sized portions and loaded with flavor. The menu may be socially conscious, but that doesn't mean it's boring, bland or skimpy. This little place won't impress you with expensive decor, but if you appreciate good food, you'll like its style. --Sylvia Rector
Angel's Cafe doubles as both a restaurant and an art gallery, which is handy for anyone wishing to peruse paintings while ploughing through their black bean burger. The art actually makes for a great environment to take either lunch or dinner in, as does the friendly service. There's an extensive and impressive vegan menu too, which non-vegans might find surprisingly enjoyable. --Brett Callwood
In an eclectic area like Ann Arbor, it's not surprising to find an all vegetarian/vegan restaurant with so many local regulars. Even meat-lovers have tried and raved about Seva's fresh, inventive dishes, which range from Italian to Mexican cuisine. The restaurant features a full bar and a comprehensive juice bar. Everything at Seva's may be a specialty item, but the all-around favorite seems to be Yam fries. Stop in at the corner of Liberty and Fifth and give 'em a try. --Erin Branstner
The philosophy of the Om Cafe incorporates the desire to prepare food that works as vibrant medicine for the spirit. So perhaps it's no surprise that Om is a vegetarian and macrobiotic restaurant, specializing in steamed vegetables, pita pizzas and an impressive array of salads. The award-winning restaurant is a must for people who want a meal that won't feel like a rock in their stomach. --Brett Callwood
Located right next door to Jerusalem Garden, Earthen Jar is a haven for fans of cheap, delicious and mostly vegan food, with a buffet priced at only $4.99 per pound. With Bob Marley almost constantly on the stereo and a cavalcade of delicious dishes that changes daily, it's one of Ann Arbor's most pleasant and affordable hidden treasures. Earthen Jar easily lives up to their motto: A delightful way to make your busy life a healthy one. --Lloyd Cargo
Serving fine vegetarian and vegan cuisine for over 26 years, Inn Season dishes up some of the best vegetarian meals around in a cozy, homey atmosphere. Using organic, seasonal and locally grown ingredients, Inn Season offers some of the most inventive dishes you can find. With a wide variety of salads, burgers, Mexican dishes, stir fries, pastas and pizzas, by far the most popular dish is the Inn Season salad. It's made with an abundant array of fresh vegetables and includes sunflower seeds, raisin nut mix and your choice of tofu, low-fat or soy cheese or avocado. The lunch menu is a more limited version of the dinner menu, but you're sure to find a dish that pleases. Sunday brunch includes a selection of hearty dishes (like pancakes, frittatas and huevos rancheros), soups, salads and sandwiches. --Jacquie Trost
The Sprout House doubles as your friendly neighborhood organic food store as well as a deli for homemade soup and sandwiches. Selling anything from produce and vitamins to health and beauty products, Sprout House offers ways to live healthy. Not to mention the specialty items produced in the deli, like the Mediterranean Tofu sandwich, packed with spices to give it just the right amount of flavor. The Sprout offers 50 different soups, vegan/vegetarian options and uses antibiotic free foods. Whether you order something fresh from the counter or grab a pre-made selection from the cooler, owners Marie and Blake Maconochie have made eating right easy. --Erin Branstner
Created out of an expansion of the People's Food Co-op in 2001, Cafe Verde has very quickly become a Kerrytown staple. The cafe offers baked goods, sandwiches, vegan and vegetarian snacks and is an exclusive seller of Fair Trade coffee. If you aren't in the mood for the tasty Love Buzz medium roast, the cafe also serves teas and juice blends. Customers can also buy items from the hot food bar, which connects the cafe to the grocery store. For a neighborhood abode, Cafe Verde is very welcoming and friendly to outsiders and its array of dishes can make up a full meal or just an afternoon snack. --Gabriel Baker
They've researched it and are serving up a "Meal in a Cup," 20 ounces of your daily USDA requirements -- 19 minerals, vitamins and amino acids. Tasty smoothies are generally under 300 calories and served with their signature homemade poppy seed bread. Stop by for low-carb and low-cal soups, salads, sandwiches and homemade desserts, complete with an organic tea and coffee bar. Also, check out protein juices, on-the-go vegan snacks like soy chips, dry roasted edamames and dried fruits, and organic wheat grass shots for $1.95. Look for two new locations in Ann Arbor and Rochester. --Julie Yolles
What other people are saying...
diane from Wayne - September 13, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Beyond Juice smoothies are beyond the satifying taste and more. The taste meets more than the average standards.
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