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6 Benefits of Eating Seasonally

  • By: David Kostman

When it comes to your diet, there are lots of facts and figures that can come in to play. Preservatives, pesticides, additives, these are all things the modern day consumer has to think about when choosing the food that will go into their bodies. Eating seasonally is a fun and easy way to become a more conscientious consumer as well as overcome some of the challenges of finding fresh and truly healthy ingredients. Here are 6 Benefits of aligning your eating habits with the Earth’s natural cycle.

It’s More Flavorful

Produce that is in season quite simply taste better. It is fresher and has the fullness of its flavor. The natural conditions of the earth allow produce to grow and ripen to their utmost potential. There are noticeable differences between a vegetable that has been manipulated with chemicals or unnatural elements and one cultivated by the Earth’s ebb and flow of sun, rain, and wind. If you’ve ever had the privilege of going apple picking or eating berries right off the vine, you know just how much more vibrant the flavor can be than blueberries from the grocery store in the middle of winter.

It’s More Cost Effective

With the cost of organic and all natural produce constantly hovering above affordability for the average family, what better way to stay healthy and keep from burning a hole in your wallet than by simply buying produce that is in season? Although pineapples are available all year round, you’ll most likely find that they are cheaper in the summer months since there is a higher yield and there will be more local farmers who are supplying them. This cuts out a great deal of the costs accumulated in the cultivation and transportation of produce that results in its high prices.

It Supports Environmental Sustainability

Eating seasonally reduces the demand for out of season produce, which in turn helps support the local farmers that are providing cheaper and cleaner produce. The rise in local farmers can aid the decline in genetically engineered food and mega-farming that often uses practices that deplete the soil of its nutrients.

It’s More Nutritious

Since the organic and all-natural farming practices used when growing produce that is in season are not diminishing the soil in which the produce is growing, the juicy tomatoes plucked from the vine in July when they’re at their ripest will be packed with all of its appropriate nutrients and goodness.

It Adds Variety to Your Diet All Year

This is a benefit of eating seasonably that can be especially enjoyable and may even encourage some creativity. Since you’re diet is constantly changing with the seasons, you are more likely to have a wider variety of food. In your adventure into new types of seasonal produce you may also begin to try preparing your food in different and exciting ways.

It Supports Community

Food has always been a medium through which people have been able to come together. Investing in a minor detail like when and why you buy certain produce is an easy way to help keep our farmland rich in nutrients and support your local farmers and produce markets. Not to mention, it invites conversation between people about how to cultivate communities in which healthy living and eating is a regular and accessible practice for everyone.

Eating seasonally is a way in which we can all be more mindful consumers and contribute to the natural agricultural cycle. So, put on your chef hat and start whipping up some seasonally delicious dishes at home or, if you’re not quite the chef, head over to a Nanoosh and try something on the new seasonal menu!


5 Foods that Grow in the Mediterranean Region

  • By: Laurie

There are certain foods that, whether you are making them at home or eating in a restaurant, just make you think of the Mediterranean: olives, couscous, pesto, hummus, olive oil, falafel… the list goes on.

The Mediterranean basin includes parts of three continents: Africa, Europe and Asia. The unique mix of cultures, combined with a climate that lends itself to the cultivation of foods often originally unique to the region, results in an almost infinite blend of dish possibilities, all with an unforgettable taste.

In contrast to the popularized images of the Mediterranean region as a long coastline of beaches, the topography is actually quite varied. While there are beautiful white beaches and pristine cerulean waters, the region also has high mountains, rocky shores and cliffs, wetlands, savannas, forests, and arid stretches of land with thick shrubs.

What is Mediterranean Climate Like?

Like any region, the climate, together with the soil, is one of the main elements that determines the sort of crops that can be grown there. The Mediterranean climate is distinguished by erratic rainfall and mild temperatures. Irregular topography and closeness to a large salt water body also allows for a wide variety of soil types, and, as a result, a wide variety of crops.

What Foods Grow in the Mediterranean Region?

1. Olives, figs and dates 

The olive tree is the characteristic crop of the Mediterranean region. The olive tree, like the fig and date trees, have long, widespread roots with limited foliage which are well-adapted to the climate and soil quality in much of the Mediterranean basin.

2. Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits, like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits, grow well in the Mediterranean region due to a similar root structure as olive trees, but also because the fruits have thick skins, which are well adapted to the climate.

3. Grapes

Grapes, cultivated for the fruit or for making wine, grow very well in the region thanks to the mild temperature and ideal moisture conditions in many areas of the region. Each sub-region has grapes that offer specific flavors. Sherry is grown in the Andalusia in Spain, Nero d’Avola from Sicily, Patrimonio from Corsica (there are also wines in Greece, Algeria, Morocco, Israel).

4. Fresh Vegetables and Legumes

In most of the Mediterranean countries, the majority of the crops cultivated are fresh vegetables. These include eggplant, chili peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, zucchini, cucumber and pulses like chickpeas, peas, and lentils.

5. Cereals and Grains

After fresh vegetables, the most widespread crop is cereals: wheat, barley, and couscous are some of the most popular grains cultivated in the region. There´s nothing like freshly-baked bread dipped in olive oil!

Where is the Meat?

The Mediterranean region doesn’t have a whole lot of grazing animals. This is because plants with shallow roots, like grass, do not do very well. Without grass, animals like cows and pigs cannot eat, and grain-fed cow farming is not a common practice. As a result, people cook with olive oil instead of with animal fat, and eat a lot of fish, fruits and vegetables.

This adaptation resulted from soil and climate limitations, but has resulted in the very healthy Mediterranean Diet that is now famed all over the world for its ability to promote maintain a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and contributing to a good overall health.

 


3 Food Trends Put on the Map by Millennials

  • By: Laurie

If we ask older generations to describe the food habits of the millennial generation, it isn’t unlikely they will cite an increase in junk food, a lack of importance placed on home-cooked meals, and habitually eating on the run.

However, millennials are really paving the way towards a series of food trends that demonstrate their decisiveness regarding the quality and type of food they desire.

The millennial generation grew up with smart phones and internet 24/7, meaning they constantly have access to just about any information they want. The rise of food and nutrition blogs, combined with the ease with which news is shared via social networks, make the most up-to-date food and nutritional research available to the general public.

As a result, people in their 20s are decisive about what they want. They look for grocery stores and restaurants that can cater to their well-informed likes and desires. This is because most of these trends are not simply about food choices. Rather, they are about lifestyle choices that have a direct effect on their health and on the world around them.

For this reason, restaurants, like Nanoosh, have developed their concepts to guarantee a guest experience that caters to this food-informed and environmentally aware generation of Millennials. And no, it isn’t just about offering “gluten free” or “vegan” options. It is about offering carefully-constructed meal choices that are good for the body and for the environment.

What are 3 of the things that millennials really look for?

Customized Food Options

It isn’t rare to find friend and family groups discussing the best place to eat. Your sister wants a salad, while your BFF wants a wrap, and you know neither of those are going to fill you up.

What’s better than having a meal that is customized to fit your cravings and those of your friends and family? Unlike other fast casual restaurants, Nanoosh has a variety of dish sizes, flavors, and presentations that allow everyone to satisfy their cravings and hunger and especially individual dietary needs.

Additionally, you are not alone if you experience drastic changes in cravings from one day to the next. No more of “the usual”. Millennials tend to want to try something different or variations of a similar meal so it’s always fun to go back.

Nanoosh’s Powerfood Plates allow you to choose from a variety of Mediterranean bases, protein, and toppings to meet your calorie needs, food restrictions and favorite tastes.

Snacks and Munchies

Why limit yourself to three meals a day? Millennials are reshaping eating habits across the world, as they are informed by research about how to boost your metabolism and keep energy up by trying to squeeze snacks that are healthy during breaks in their busy schedule.

There is no need to come into Nanoosh for a big meal. Pick a snack, a wrap, or something off our To-Go counter to tide you over until mealtime.

Natural and Organic, and Really Tasty

Research shows that millennials look for food options that are wholesome and healthy, but they aren’t willing to sacrifice taste. Organic, freshly-made, and authentic foods are all important labels. However, if they try the food and aren’t pleased with the taste, there is no going back.

At Nanoosh, we believe we are the “most organic” fast casual chain; we are committed to using a majority organic ingredients and all natural meats, while never compromising on rich and flavorful tastes. We are fully committed to being organic and list on our menu which ingredients are always 100% organic (instead of saying “organic when we can” like some of our competitors).

Want to read more about the wonders of ingredients found on Nanoosh’s menu? Check out our blog to read up on the ingredients and spices we use, and their benefits for your health.

 


The Importance of Seasonal Eating: All About Pomegranate

  • By: Laurie

It’s pomegranate season! This beautiful fruit, known for its rich pink color, crowned top, and ruby edible pearls, known as arils, has been cherished around the world for centuries for its taste, versatility, health benefits, and cultural significance.

Because pomegranate fits so well into the holistically healthy lifestyle that Nanoosh stands for, we have incorporated it into our Fattoush Salad, which is available only while pomegranate is in season. Eating food that is in season means that the ingredients are at their nutritional peak, you will eat a greater variety of foods, and you will likely be supporting sustainable farmers.

While pomegranate has gained popularity around the world due to the marketing of pomegranate juice, there is a rich history and folklore connected to the yummy fruit.

History of Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a fruit related to few others – it belongs to the Punicaceae family, which includes only one genus and two species. The trees they come from grow to about 20 to 30ft tall, and some have been known to live for two centuries! In the northern hemisphere, the trees produce fruit from about September to February, which is why you will find it in our seasonal Fattoush Salad.

Pomegranate has been around for about 8000 years, The pomegranate tree has its origins in the area spanning Iran and the Himalayas, though it has been cultivated in ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region.

The pomegranate fruit is believed to have powerful properties, and, as a result, it is used to symbolize abstractions like passion, prosperity, hope and abundance in many religious texts and mythology. In the Babylonian Talmud, it was carried across the desert with groups of traveling people so they may find solace in pomegranate’s thirst-quenching fruit.

In the 14th and 15th centuries, it expanded into Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and tropical Africa, and eventually to the West Indies and Central and South America.

Popularity and Uses

The popularity of pomegranate fruit and fruit juice has fluctuated over the past century; however it remains a staple in the Middle East and Mediterranean region. Getting the juicy seeds out of the hard outer layer is laborious for some, though for others, like in the Italian culture, it is a family activity.

In Iran, pomegranate juice is a popular beverage. It is traditionally obtained by crushing or pressing the seeds in a basket press.

In North America, pomegranate is seen as quite an exotic fruit choice. However, because some companies have chosen to bottle and commercialize pomegranate juice in the United States, it is a bit more accessible in a processed form.

Benefits

Even if you enjoy pomegranate juice now and again, there is nothing like eating the whole fruit. One fruit contains 45% of your Daily Value of Fiber, 48% of Vitamin C, and a surprising 5 grams of protein. It is also rich in Vitamin K, Folate, B Vitamins, and a range of minerals. They also have three types of antioxidants, which will support overall health.

Eating Seasonal Foods

As we mentioned earlier, eating foods that are in season means that they are at their nutritional peak. If you eat seasonal foods throughout the year, you will eat a greater variety of foods, and you will more likely be supporting sustainable farmers. For this reason, Nanoosh incorporates seasonal foods into its menu throughout the year. Don’t let the pomegranate season go by without giving it a try!


3 Reasons to Eat More Turmeric

  • By: Laurie

Have you ever wondered what gives Nanoosh’s basmati turmeric rice that strong yellow flavor? Turmeric, a yellow-colored spice used widely in Mediterranean and Southeast Asian cuisine. Not only has it been used in foods for hundreds, or even thousands, of years, it has also been used as medicine in traditional health systems for just as long.

It’s not just an “Old Wives Tale” anymore. Research has demonstrated the potent health benefits of turmeric, confirming the effectiveness of many of the traditional uses.

For Nanoosh, your enjoyment of our food is just as important as how it contributes to your health. Turmeric is just one of the elements that does just that. In order to make the most of turmeric it has to be taken with a bit of fat as it is fat soluble which is why we are mixing it with our extra virgin olive oil when preparing our rice!

What are the health benefits of turmeric?

It is an Anti-Inflammatory

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to fighting foreign invaders (bacteria and viruses), and helps to repair damage already done. However, when your body experiences inflammation beyond just a short while, it leads to many long-term detrimental conditions, including heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s and various other degenerative conditions.

The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, one of turmeric’s compounds,  are so strong that it may be even as strong as some anti-inflammatory drugs.

Boosts Antioxidant Activity in the Body

Why are antioxidants so important? They are a category of compounds that help fight off free radicals, which, when uncontrolled, cause cell damage and promote cancer. Curcumin is also the component responsible for this health benefit. In addition to bringing along its own antioxidants,   it also boosts the activity of antioxidant enzymes found naturally in the body.

Lowers the Risk of Brain Diseases

The cells found in the brain, neurons, make new connections over your lifetime, and increase in number in certain parts of the brain. A growth hormone regulates this process naturally, but it appears that curcumin in turmeric can increase the amount of this growth hormone in the body.

This may help to stave off brain-related diseases, potentially even Alzheimer’s, and degeneration of brain function due to age.

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Turmeric is not only delicious, it is great for your health. However, outside of Southeast Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, it is rarely consumed. With its one-of-a-kind taste and amazing health benefits, it is about time to integrate it into our regular diet.

Just a few more another reason to love Nanoosh’s turmeric rice!

p.s another great alternative we tasted is golden milk – a warm combination of turmeric and coconut milk or oil. Highly recommended in the morning or before you go to sleep!


The Power Couple of the Spice World: Mediterranean + Latin America

  • By: Laurie

For years, the Mediterranean diet has been highlighted as one of the healthiest diets in the world.

Best of all, Mediterranean food is anything but boring. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition describes the Mediterranean diet being famous for its flavors and variety as much as for its health benefits.

These foods owe their amazing, tangy, flavorful qualities to the variety of healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and fruits and vegetables. They owe their palatability most of all, however, to the spices used for seasoning.

What’s better is these herbs and spices also have powerful properties that help promote health.

And what happens when you combine them with Latin American Spices? Not only do the tastes complement each other wonderfully, their health benefits are also multiplied.

At Nanoosh, we have found the perfect blend of health and taste-boosting herbs, spices, and salsas from both geographic regions, giving traditional Mediterranean food a slight spin.

If you check out our new menu, you will see you can always count on traditional turmeric, cardamom, and giardiniera in our dishes. Then, you can choose to spice it up with Latin American pickled jalapeño pepper and tangy cilantro salsa or, for the more intrepid, red habanero and tomato salsa.

How will these spices, herbs and salsas boost your health?

Antioxidant Boost

Habanero peppers are also very powerful antioxidants. Among many other properties, they have a compound called capsanthin, which is a carotenoid antioxidant that may also act against cancer. Peppers are also high in vitamin C, which is not only an antioxidant, it also helps strengthen your immune system.

Anti-inflammatory

Chronic inflammation may cause heart problems, like blocked arteries, and tissue destruction.

When you think of habanero and jalapeño peppers, you might be thinking that they cause inflammation, because of their “heat”.. However, those “hot” qualities are exactly what reduces inflammation at the cellular level. The same component mentioned in the previous point, capsanthin, is also a powerful anti-inflammatory.

Promotes Healthy Digestion

Giardiniera are Italian pickled vegetables that achieve their particular taste through fermentation. Fermented foods promote a healthy ecosystem for beneficial bacteria in our gut, promoting optical physical and digestive functioning. Cilantro, or coriander, is used in both Mediterranean and Latin American cooking. While studies are limited, traditional medicine has used it to promote healthy digestion for hundreds of years.

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Now, at Nanoosh, not only can you enjoy authentic, healthy, fresh and fast Mediterranean food, you can also choose to enjoy some food fusion, experience Latin American tastes, and boost your health!


Fast Casual Dining: How America is Making the Transition from Fast Food to Good Food

  • By: Shawn

Ask anyone what the quintessential American meal looks like and they’ll probably say, “A cheeseburger and fries,” and rightly so. This country has such a long history with fast food that it’s almost impossible to talk about the U.S. without mentioning fast food.

But the way we eat is changing, and it’s changing fast.

The Growth of Fast Casual Dining

According to market research from Euromonitor, “Fast casual dining has grown by 550 percent since 1999,” making fast casual a $21 billion a year industry. That’s more than ten times the growth of fast food over the same time frame. The numbers are clear; Americans want better food and they want it now.

Thanks to a massive shift in American eating habits and the booming fast casual dining movement of the past 15 years that iconic “American meal” is starting to look a lot healthier than mass produced, uniform portions roasting under a heat lamp. So to help you understand this rapidly shifting landscape, here’s a quick look at what’s driving America’s shift from Fast Food to Fast Casual.

The Informed Consumer

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to how you fuel your body. Americans have begun asking more questions about how their food is grown, sourced, stored, transported, and prepared. People want more than just nutritional facts. They want nutritional answers.

Fast casual dining is a response to those growing health concerns that fast food has largely ignored. The days of being satisfied with “Mystery Meatloaf Monday” are long gone.

Trust and Transparency

This growing awareness in where our food comes from and how it’s cooked has made transparency and open access central themes of the fast casual dining movement. Open kitchens are almost taken for granted now, when just a few years ago your food came out of a chute in a windowless room.

At fast casual restaurants like Nanoosh, you see every step of food preparation for your meal right before your eyes in an open kitchen. That honesty creates trust in the quality of your food, which is something that’s been sadly lacking in fast food chains for years.

Prioritizing Quality without Sacrificing Time

It’s no surprise that millennials make up the largest group of fast casual fans. Their fast-paced lifestyle and attention to work life balance means that they need to pack as much nutrition into the shortest amount of time possible. Unhealthy, unsatisfying fast food just isn’t an option for today’s motivated professional. Luckily, fast casual dining is a healthy, speedy solution whose time has come.

The ability to eat organic, locally sourced food is worth the $7-$11 price range that typically separates fast casual from $3-$6 fast food. This slight cost increase more than makes up for itself in lasting energy and continued productivity throughout the day without that pesky afternoon sugar crash.

Millennials are simply investing in their future health one meal at a time. By choosing to eat high quality food and more thoughtful meals in a fast casual setting, millions of Americans are showing that their health matters as much as their time.

Americans have spoken—we want quality organic food, and we want it fast. Luckily, fast casual groups like Nanoosh have answered the call for great food in a timely manner. Stop by any of our five Manhattan locations and taste firsthand the difference that fast casual dining can make in your workday.


3 Simple Questions You Should Ask About the Next Superfood

  • By: Shawn

Superfoods are a tricky thing.

These days it seems like a new miracle seed or grain emerges from the depths of the Amazon rainforest or highest Himalayan peak every other week. Each promises to revolutionize your health, but they can’t all be winners.

A “healthy diet” is an extremely complex and deeply personal thing that can’t be solved with a one-size fits all superfood mentality. Just calling something a “superfood” doesn’t magically make it good for you. Yet it’s tough to ignore the newest health trends, and many superfoods are nutritious alternatives to processed foods.

Round and round you go.

So to help you get a little perspective on the next superfood trend (don’t worry there’ll be another one before you’re finished reading this article), here’s a quick look at recent superfood trends and 3 Simple Questions You Should Ask About Superfoods before lining up for that ancient grain latte:

What is My Diet Missing?

Today’s superfoods promise sweeping health benefits across the board, which is enticing but ultimately unrealistic. No single superfood is going to fix your heart condition, lower your cholesterol, clean your colon, give you night vision, and make you taller all while being gluten free and low in calories. Nutrition just doesn’t work that way.

The best superfoods provide one or two tangible health benefits and maybe, if you’re lucky, solve a few dietary concerns that other food doesn’t fix.

Quinoa for example, (the reigning superfood darling) delivers a few important (and specific!) health benefits:

  • It’s a source of Omega-3 fatty acids
  • It delivers significant protein per serving (1 cup = 8g protein)
  • It has significant amounts of 9 essential amino acids (“essential” amino acids are the ones you need but don’t naturally produce)

You can see the health benefits of quinoa in a 30-second glance and choose to incorporate this superfood into your daily diet if you need what quinoa has. Vegans might use quinoa as a great protein source or a healthy reservoir of Omega-3 fatty acids for anyone looking to eliminate fish from their diet.

The best superfoods provide what your diet is missing.

How is it Prepared?

When it comes to the health benefits of a superfood, preparation is everything. Sure, kale is a great source of magnesium and aids in digestion, but none of that matters if you drown a kale salad in ranch dressing, bacon bits, and half a pound of ham. The preparation is what makes a superfood super. Matcha green tea is a great example.

Matcha stormed the superfood scene a few years ago, and while it packs a potent antioxidant punch without the harsh caffeine crash of coffee, the health benefits of matcha tea all depend on how you drink it.

Traditional matcha preparation—mixing certified pure matcha leaf powder with clean boiled water—is an excellent beverage and far superior in almost every metric to coffee. However, the second you add sugar, milk, sweeteners, flavors, and even chocolate to the mix, the health benefits of matcha vanish. A matcha frappuccino with caramel and whipped cream isn’t a healthy smoothie. It’s an expensive slurpee.

A superfood that has to be dressed up in sweeteners, added ingredients or unhealthy sauces isn’t a superfood. It’s a fad. That’s what makes the Mediterranean diet such a reliable source of superfood goodness—traditional recipes that rely on fresh daily preparation using quality organic ingredients. Superfoods health benefits are all about how you use them.

Am I Actually Going to Eat This?

This last question relates directly to the second question, but asks you to be a little more honest with yourself. It’s not, “Should I eat this superfood?” but rather, “Will I eat this superfood?”

  • Will you really have a spinach shake for breakfast?
  • Will you happily eat raw lentils for dinner?

Healthy eating is all about the long term; the aggregate results. If you need to “take a break” from a superfood every week or “treat yourself” to a cupcake every other day, your diet isn’t very super. And the problem isn’t nutrition, it’s taste.

Taste and health are directly related. Of course they’re related. If you don’t want to eat a superfood, it’s practically worthless. Too often superfoods are healthy, but taste awful unless they’re drenched in unhealthy ingredients and sauces. The health benefits of broccoli rabe don’t matter if it rots in your crisper drawer. What’s crazy is that superfoods don’t have to taste like tree bark to be healthy.

The Mediterranean diet is packed with heart health benefits, vitamins, and minerals, and year after year peer-reviewed studies link the Mediterranean diet to longevity and long-lasting health. The reason? People actually want to eat Mediterranean food because it’s delicious.

A healthy diet starts with building good habits, and nothing is easier than eating food you love.

Superfood is a Brand Name

Acai berries, quinoa, kale, pomegranates—the list of superfoods grows every year, but the term “superfood” doesn’t really mean anything. A healthy diet means something different to everyone, and that’s ok.

Come by Nanoosh to try our take on the healthy Mediterranean diet and find out if our unique blend of organic ingredients, traditional recipes, and yes, modern superfoods is right for you.


4 Gold Medal Meals

  • By: Shawn

The Mediterranean, birthplace of the Olympic Games. For centuries, ancient Greek champions pitted themselves against the best athletes in the world for the right to crown themselves victors, favored by Zeus and the other Gods of Olympus.

The Olympics have changed a little in over the past two thousand years—victors now get medals instead of olive branch crowns, and Greece doesn’t exactly top the podium much anymore—but the pursuit of excellence that the Mediterranean inspired all those years ago still unites the entire world every few years in a competition unlike anything else on Earth.

However, the Olympics aren’t just about amazing feats of strength, speed, and skill. The enduring legacy of the Olympics is how it brings people from diverse countries and cultures together, even amidst fierce competition.

So to celebrate that rich diversity and say goodbye to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio, here are a few signature dishes from four medal-winning Mediterranean countries that kept the Olympic spirit alive this year:

Greece (3 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze)

Hummus & Veggie Wrap

Since Greece is the home of the Olympics, it’s only fitting to start your exploration of Mediterranean cuisine at its foundation—hummus.

This ancient staple of practically every single Mediterranean kitchen might possibly be the world’s oldest snack food. Made with organic chickpeas, fresh cucumber, tomatoes, mixed greens, mint, olive oil, and a dollop of creamy tahini all wrapped in pita bread—a fresh, delicious organic hummus and veggie wrap might just be the Platonic ideal of Mediterranean food.

Jordan (1 Gold)

Jordanian Mansaf

Whoever coined the Jordanian proverb, “Even when you’re full, you can always eat forty more bites of food,” must have been a fan of Mansaf.

Considered the unofficial national dish of Jordan, Mansaf—like so many Mediterranean meals—owes its distinct flavor to the sauce. Jameed, a hard, fermented goat milk yoghurt/gravy is poured over the rice and lamb for a delicious fusion of salt, sour, and smoky flavor. You can literally taste Jordan in every earthy bite.

Egypt (3 Bronze)

Ful wa Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)

Ful mudammas (fava beans) and Ta’meya (falafel) are the original Egyptian fast casual food. In fact, they’re kind of a staple of the Egyptian diet.

Made from slow-simmered fava beans, this richly textured stew is served with Ta’meya falafel—a fava bean-based twist on classic falafel recipes (a lot like our vegan-friendly baked falafel). If you’re looking to push your falafel game to the next level, this is the dish for you.

Tunisia (3 Bronze)

Tunisian Boiled Eggs and Shakshuka Sauce

If you haven’t tried it yet, shakshuka is an aromatic, slightly spicy stew that combines a chunky mix of organic tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, garlic, cumin, and olive oil to deliver a robust, earthy sauce perfect for group snacking. Top it off with boiled Tunisian eggs and serve with some pita bread to wow everyone at your next brunch get-together.

Versatile enough to be a side or a meal, shakshuka goes with practically anything—like a tuna sandwich!

No matter where they’re held every four years, the spirit of the Summer Olympics will always be rooted in the culture and tastes of the Mediterranean. Stop by any of our five convenient Manhattan locations and celebrate that pursuit of excellence with your own gold medal Mediterranean dish. We promise, you’ll feel like a champion.


3 Healthy Drinks to Beat the Summer Heat

  • By: Shawn

Summer in New York City is amazing. Picnics in Central Park, free movies in the park, riding bikes over the Brooklyn Bridge, and even heading down to Coney Island for a parade. But none of that is too much fun when it’s 100° outside.

Summer time in the city is too short to waste inside hugging your air conditioner. You gotta get out there and dance in a fire hydrant, fly a kite, and maybe even drink in a beer garden, before it’s too late, because even though it might not feel like it now, winter is coming, New Yorkers.

So here are 4 Healthy Drinks to Help You Beat the Summer Heat. Stay cool, and see you out there!

Hibiscus Berry Iced Tea

Hibiscus iced tea might be the most popular iced beverage you’ve never heard of. Renowned the world over for its ruby red color, distinct tanginess, and tart refreshing flavor, hibiscus iced tea goes by a few different names.

It’s called Bissapin West Africa, Gul e Khatmi in Persian, Agua de Jamaica in Honduras and Mexico, Orhul in India, and Karkadé in Egypt. Call it Roselle, Sorrel, or Soobolo; we think you’ll not only call it “delicious,” but nutritious.

Several studies, including one from the USDA and American Heart Association, have shown that three glasses of hibiscus tea a day significantly reduced blood pressure and hypertension in adults. What’s even better is that you can drink this delicious beverage chilled without losing any of it’s heart health benefits—at least that’s the way we make it!

Fruity, tart, and refreshing, hibiscus berry iced tea is a healthy alternative to sugary sports drinks, powdered mixes, and sodas.

Pro tip: Clap a sprig of mint in your palm before you stir it into your tea. It bruises the leaf and adds a powerful minty aroma to every sip.

Organic Lemonade

At Nanoosh, we know it’s not really summer without an ice-cold glass of fresh lemonade. That’s why we prepare our homemade lemonade from the freshest ingredients every single morning. We know how important quality is, especially with the classics.

The health benefits of fresh organic lemonade are far reaching. Packed with vitamin C and E, along with minerals like potassium, organic lemonade is one of the simplest and healthiest ways you can beat the heat this summer. Just don’t fall for sweetened imposters claiming to be the real thing.

Pro Tip: Mix it up with a bit of savory basil instead of mint. You’ll be surprised at the what a difference it makes.

Organic Sumatra Coffee

That’s right. A hot drink might actually help you stay cool.

Popular for millennia in arid desert cultures across the Mediterranean, hot tea or coffee has been shown to actually lower your overall body temperature—under the right circumstances. The key is humidity (spoiler: there can’t be any).

When you drink a hot beverage your core temperature spikes for a few seconds, making you to sweat more than you were just a minute before. Refreshing, right?

The main reason we sweat is to release body heat, so think of drinking hot tea like tossing a bunch of coal into the engine of a train—it makes the engine burn hotter, which means that the conductor has to let out steam quick (toot toot!).

The trick with our bodies is that when you sweat from a hot drink, you release way more heat than you would have without the tea—and very quickly, too. Which basically means that right after drinking a hot beverage your body temperature goes down, but —and this important—only if your sweat evaporates right away.

Sadly, this life hack just doesn’t work in humid environments. So if you’re fighting the heat on a humid July day in New York, it might be best to stick with hibiscus iced tea.

At Nanoosh we obsess over everything you eat—or drink!—ensuring it’s made only from the best ingredients we can find. Made fresh everyday, our range of organic beverages is sure to quench your thirst this summer without the sugary crash that will leave you stuck inside and missing out on all the fun.

Three cheers to healthy drinks that keep you on the go!


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