Thursday was the first time I went out to eat during the Real Food Pledge, and I accidentally made it more challenging than necessary. I had lunch at the wonderful Worth It Cafe in the shopping center at the corner of Alexander and S. Miami in RTP/Durham. I wasn’t familiar with their menu; I just knew they served “Farm Fresh ~ Chef Created ~ Daily Lunch Specials”. I didn’t know their meat is from local, pasture-based farms and they have whole-grain bread from Neomonde. So I ordered a green salad with their balsamic vinaigrette (after I verified it contains no sugar) and fruit salad. Very fresh, light, and tasty. But I should’ve had a sandwich!
Farm Fresh ~ Chef Created ~ Daily Lunch Specials ~ Hey you're worth it!
I met the owners, Chuck and Aileen Hayworth, after lunch and found out their food philosophy fits really well with the Real Food Pledge. I can’t wait to go back! They offer a few deals almost every day on Groupon Now. PLUS they agreed to sponsor a give-away on my blog. You might get a chance to check out Worth It Cafe with this $5 gift certificate! Read on for details…
Blog GIVE-AWAY!
I’ll try to make this quick so we can get back to the give-away…
Patrick demanded drinkable apple sauce for his snack. I save those for times that we’re on the geaux, but apple sauce in a bowl was NOT what he wanted. Then I put a straw in it! How’s that for drinkable apple sauce?! The novelty did its magic, and he had fun drinking it:
"Drinkable" apple sauce
I made yogurt with fresh strawberries and unsweetened, plain yogurt. I love the immersion blender my parents gave me for my birthday this year:
Strawberry yogurt
Patrick didn’t think it was sweet enough compared to YoBaby (which has more sugar than fruit), so he stuck with his applesauce through a straw. Topped with my homemade granola, it was the perfect afternoon snack for me:
Yogurt with fresh strawberries and homemade granola
The Coon Rock Farm chicken I baked the night before provided enough left-over meat to make another dinner: whole-wheat penne with fresh herb cream sauce.
Cream sauce
I found an easy recipe for cream sauce that matched my ingredients, and snipped a few fresh herbs from the Smiths’ garden. (My mother’s day herbs died indirectly as a result of hurricane Irene since I left them in the garage for weeks after the storm.)
Whole-wheat penne and fresh herbs
Fresh herbs make this sauce smell SO good. Thanks, Smiths!
Mmm.. fresh herb cream sauce
Add a side of grapes, and dinner is served! Both of my boys had a second helping. I’d say this was a hit:
Whole-wheat pasta with local chicken and herb cream sauce. And grapes.
And now something healthy for you! I’m going to randomly select a reader to win the $5 gift certificate from Worth It Cafe in RTP on Monday night, Oct 10, at 9pm-eastern. To enter the drawing, check out the Worth It Cafe menu and leave me a comment on this blog post about something you would like to order. Comment by 8pm-eastern Monday. Good luck!
Camp-Counselor Mom 
Sounds great! Put my name in the hat.
Thanks for participating in the give-away! You didn’t win this time but stay tuned for more give-aways.
Fun contest! I would like to order the tuna burger with roasted red peppers and yogurt sauce – that sounds delicious. 🙂
Thanks for participating in the give-away, Erin! You didn’t win this time but stay tuned for more give-aways.
I never knew that restaurant was there! Have to go! I would have a hard time deciding, but the Cuban panini and the Hoppin’ John stuffwich sound wonderful! And I would have to order sweet potato fries because I can never say no to them…
Congratulations, Linn! You won the $5 gift certificate to Worth It Cafe! Yay!
I love the Worth It Cafe. Its food is healthy and tasty, imagine!
Thanks for participating in the give-away, Simon! You didn’t win this time, but stay tuned for more give-aways.
Hey Kristen! I’ve caught up on your blog a few times… so cool! I love how you’re blogging about your experience, and the pictures are great (especially when your adorable helper is in them). I have been to Worth It Cafe, it is yummy. I’d get the Balsamic Chicken & Artichoke Sandwich. 🙂
Thanks for participating in the give-away, Betsy! You didn’t win this time, but stay tuned for more give-aways.
Seeing your photos, and particularly the ones of ingredients, reminds me of the wonderful Penzey’s Spices in Cameron Village. It’s a beautiful store and I recommend that you pay it a visit. The only challenge is their horrible opening hours, especially if you work outside of the home.
Penzey’s Spices (http://www.penzeys.com)
2038 Clark Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27605
Map: http://g.co/maps/bk2su
Monday to Saturday: 10-6pm
Sunday:11-5 pm
We tried to go to Penzey’s this Sunday morning because our cinnamon is running out. Then we realized they don’t open until 11am, so it didn’t fit our schedule. I’ve never been to the store. I need to go soon!
The Fried Green Tomato sandwich is my fav.