Naughty & Nice Coexist on “Keep the Balance” Limited Time Special Menu at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill

Working on that delicate balance of yin and yang? The “brrrr” factor of cold weather can dip dinnertime toward melt-away morsels dressed in creamy sauces, juicy meats and smoky bacon. While nonstop daytime schedules, however, demand high-energy, lower-calorie power lunches of grilled seafood, plentiful veggies and cool salads to avoid embarrassing post-lunch snoozes. Empathizing with the struggle, The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill sets forth a “Keep the Balance” menu of “Nice” low-cal lunchtime pleasers and comforting (and a wee bit decadent) “Naughty” dinner dishes. Enjoy both through the end of February.

To stay alert, focused and energized, choose a “Nice” lunch special surfacing under 500 calories. Net a grilled shrimp wrap with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, feta and tzatziki sauce served with a side house salad or side Caesar ($11.95) or choose a refreshing shrimp and crab salad plate with mixed greens, yogurt aioli, tomatoes, eggs and cucumbers ($11.95). “Naughty” brightens nightfall with soul-satiating dishes such as succulent Maine lobster mac and cheese with Gouda béchamel sauce and Parmesan crumbs ($23.95) or The Big Ketch bacon double cheeseburger boasting two griddled beef patties, Applewood smoked bacon, American cheese, crispy onions and pickles ($13.95). Stay even-keeled and seek balance now by hurrying into either The Big Ketch Buckhead or Canton Street for these powerful lunches and richly rewarding dinners -- before this menu casts away. 

Address Eat-Healthy New Year’s Resolutions with gusto!

 

 

New Year’s resolutions overwhelmingly revolve around physical well-being, yet while 40 percent of Americans make resolutions, only 8 percent actually follow through. Having a healthy/tasty/timely and cost-conscious buddy like gusto! helps make these goals reachable. Nate Hybl, gusto! founder and a former athlete, encourages Atlantans to venture beyond regional menu boundaries and awaken their senses with the fresh, global flavors of the fresh bowls and wraps served at the eatery’s two locations (Ponce and Peachtree). Sticking to the healthy eating plan is easy since gusto! serves a simple menu of bowls and wraps topped with chicken, shrimp or portabella mushroom -- combined with thoughtfully crafted blends of ingredients that add distinct flavor profiles and textures to each entrée. International and American flavor profiles promoting fresh flavors, not fat, are known as “gustos” and can be hot, bright, earthy or sweet, like tahini cucumber feta or sweet soy Sriracha. Guests may choose to add avocado to any order, and each entrée comes with house-made sweet potato chips. Entrée foundations -- flatbread wraps, mixed greens and brown rice -- thrill vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free followers. Beneficial ingredients, such as turmeric, snow peas, mangoes and chickpeas along with all-natural antibiotic-free chicken and wild-caught shrimp, steer everyone in a healthier direction. The fast-casual restaurant uses local, organic ingredients whenever possible and still keeps all entrées in the $8.95-$10.95 price zone. Fast, friendly and affordable gusto! keeps your resolve intact as you achieve those 2018 goals. 

What’s New on Pinterest: Hungry & Healthy

Hungry & Healthy paves an off-ramp from summer’s habits of grabbing ice cream here (triple scoops because you couldn’t decide on one flavor), ballpark food there (bring on the loaded dogs) and fast food on the road to vacation destinations. Play around with roasted veggies, turn sweet potatoes into waffle breakfast sandwiches or a one-skillet meal with cheese, chicken and kale. One-pan Italian sausage and veggies yield clean eating (and one pan to clean). Pizza has its place: a cauliflower pizza crust base, portobello mushroom pizza or fruity watermelon pizza. Paleo pleasers include spicy tuna rolls, chicken lime lettuce wraps or a spaghetti squash casserole that’s protein packed with ground turkey. Go for a whirl and whip up smoothies to soothe after-school hungries in a flash.

What's New on Pinterest: New Year, New You

New Year, New You stocks an arsenal of healthy ideas. Raid the kitchen instead of the drug store for cold and flu fighting drinks and detox-ers. Prep for the work week by portioning out skinny Southwest chicken salad or honey sesame chicken into lunch bowls, making protein stacks that actually fill you up or compiling a grocery list based on no-cook meal preps for 1,200-1,500 calories per day. Greet morning sipping a groovy mango-orange-banana sunrise smoothie then stick a straw in a chocolate peanut butter or cucumber avocado smoothie to fill up and hydrate midday. And yes, Santa, there really are comfort foods and healthy dinners coming in under 500 calories. Believe.

Foodgram: @Shutthekaleup

Those scared to dive, cold turkey, into a healthier new year will find encouragement and tons of inspirational eating ideas like simple bowls, smoothies and sea salt chocolate chip cookies (slightly healthy) at @shutthekaleup. The feisty and fit mom and yoga sculpting instructor goes the extra mile by blogging at shutthekaleup.com.

#Foodgram: Cooksmarts

To live simpler, happier and healthier in the kitchen – that’s what home cooks seek, and @cooksmarts is passionate about helping. Feast eyes on images of sautéed garlicky shrimp, stuffed vegetarian sweet potatoes, chicken miso ramen with soft-boiled egg, Japanese beef curry and a delicious Niçoise salad, to name a few. Then click over to cooksmarts.com to take control of your kitchen and make these at home with a meal plan subscription service boasting grocery lists, how-to videos, prep-ahead advice, diet options and more.

What's New on Pinterest: Pack a Healthy Lunch

On flip-open-the-lunch-box days -- school or office -- Pack a Healthy Lunch by drawing upon the huge idea bank on our Pinterest board. Inspirations abound for dibs and dabs to fill those cute compartmentalized containers. Go against the grain with bread-free sandwiches and packables such as lettuce wraps with Thai meatballs or Buffalo chicken. Those game for bowls will latch on to cauliflower cashew lunch bowls, burrito bowls and steamy chicken-avocado-lime soup. Clean eating in 2016? Pack guilt-free baked salmon and asparagus in foil or Thai baked salmon. Suddenly, that long-lost lunch box is your new best friend.  

Healthy Dining Options Keep Your Resolve from Dissolving

TBK Ahi-Quinoa Bowl 

Be honest with yourself about healthy eating. Holing up with a case of V8, cottage cheese and a treadmill may seem like a fast save for holiday over indulgences, but the relationship probably won't last into February. Atlanta-area restaurants prove wise lunch and dinner choices can be delicious, low-cal and social.

Article 14 makes the case for a healthier Midtown lunch with pan-roasted Scottish salmon served over Anson Mills organic farro tossed with slow-roasted tomatoes, fresh herbs and broccoli rabe.

The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill casts many satisfying, good-for-you choices. The Buckhead restaurant provides a low-calorie lunch menu option as well as dishes such as TBK ahi-quinoa bowl with seared ahi tuna, crunchy macadamia nuts and toasted sesame seeds over a quinoa-couscous salad dressed with fresh herbs and vegetables and sweet Asian vinaigrette.

Mom sighting at Hearth Pizza Tavern in Sandy Springs! Their "Mom Says, 'Eat Your Veggies!'" pizza piles on spinach, roasted red peppers, broccoli, roasted crimini mushrooms, butternut squash, homemade marinara and premium cheeses. Salads rake in even more veggies.

Good neighbor Marlow's Tavern looks out for its friends with a seasonal pomegranate ahi tuna salad made with red and golden beets, field greens, baby spinach, pomegranate seeds, red onion, slivered almonds and pomegranate vinaigrette. Antioxidant jackpot!

Ray's on the River's ginger-soy tuna packs in major flavor, minor calories and plates up with bok choy, shiitake mushroom jus and a ginger-soy glaze.

Tin Lizzy's Cantina notes heart-healthy options on its menu. Try the veggie taco, filled with veggie rice, black beans, grilled onions and peppers and creamy avocado sauce or the fiesta chicken taco with grilled chicken, corn, black beans, onions, tomatoes and cilantro on a wheat tortilla.

Wine Time!

Doctors say a glass of wine a day is good for the heart- what other excuse do you need for some quality vino? Well, Pizza Fusion is now offering another reason to drink up. Pizza Fusion, home to pizzas made with wholesome ingredients and served in earth-friendly environs, is offering select wines at half price on Tuesdays! For an even better slice of the good life, invite some friends to share a whole wheat pizza topped with fresh, good-for-you toppings.

Pizza Fusion: At the Astoria in the Aramore building at 2233 Peachtree Road; 404-351-9334.