Eating out is part of life in Crow Wing County. We meet friends for lunch, grab a quick bite between errands, and celebrate special occasions at our favorite local spots. But when the menu is long and the choices are tempting, the healthy option isn’t always the easy one. Crow Wing Energized is working to change that.
Our newest movement is the Healthy Dish Movement. Our goal is for every restaurant in the county to offer a Crow Wing Energized Approved Dish. We believe everyone deserves a healthy and happy life, and the food we eat plays a big role in that. By partnering with local restaurants, we want to make the healthy choice the easy choice, so eating out and socializing together is a no-brainer.
What makes a dish ‘Energized Approved’?
The criteria are simple. An approved dish is packed with vegetables, which are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber and can help lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. It also comes in under 600 calories, which supports a healthy weight and balanced energy. And it has to be delicious. Restaurants can use their creativity to craft dishes that are healthy and satisfying. It can be something already on the menu or something brand new that highlights our favorite ingredient: vegetables.
Meet our first five partners
We’re excited to announce that five local eating establishments have signed on so far:
Just Juice offers The Midnight Garden, a savory slice of organic sourdough topped with whipped pesto ricotta, heirloom tomatoes, black lava sea salt, and fresh local microgreens.Rio Acai brings a bright, refreshing Sunset Detox Juice, blending carrot, orange, and ginger for a naturally sweet citrus flavor with a warming kick.Mickey’s Pizza & Subs serves Mickey’s Salad, a generous bed of crisp greens topped with fresh vegetables, savory meats, and cheese.Crow Wing Food Co-op has a Garlic Veggie Hummus Wrap, filled with creamy garlic hummus and crisp vegetables.Sunshine Summerhouse has four approved choices: Hot Cauliflower, Citrus Grapefruit Burrata Salad, Cali Rice Bowl (no dressing), and Sweet Pea Ravioli and Crab.
From a quick juice to a hearty salad to a sit-down dinner, there’s an approved option for nearly every taste and occasion.
We’re grateful to these restaurants for leading the way, and we’re eager to partner with even more. If you own or manage a local eatery, we’d love to talk with you about adding an Energized Approved dish to your menu, whether it’s a current favorite or a new creation.
And if you’re a hungry Crow Wing County resident, here’s your midweek motivation: look for these dishes the next time you dine out. Bring a friend, order something colorful, and enjoy. Small choices add up, and with your support, healthy eating can become the easy, delicious norm in our community.
To learn more, visit
crowwingenergized.org/healthy-dish-movement
.
About Crow Wing Energized:
Mission: Crow Wing Energized was founded to “Improve health and wellness in our community by making the healthy choice the easy choice.” Collaboration: We believe health is best improved when we work together, which is why we highlight other organizations and programs in our Midweek Motivator article. Resources: Our goal is to connect readers to services, events, organizations, and resources that promote healthy living and productive workplaces. Learn More: Visit
to explore upcoming classes and events. Stay Connected: Follow Crow Wing Energized on Facebook.