Healthy Eating Per Karen Request

We had an impromptu dinner together (Tina, myself, Karen, and Lily) last night. The only requirement per Karen was to eat healthy. As we have all been on vacations and what not within the last month or so, there might have been a few moments of unhealthy eating and dare I say weight gain. (Insert shifty eyes and feeling that Reef will be getting hit soon here). The number 1 go to place for said healthy eating (in the area choice wise) was Panera.

Before I forget, this was officially- at least in my mind- the first time I ever went to Panera with Tina. She claimed to love Panera and then talked about all these other folks and times she's gone with Karen. (cue Prince's "When Doves Cry"). While driving over to Tina's place, Karen was all "remember the one time we went and then went to some secret Office Max." I'm like that doesn't sound familiar at all. Turns out per Tina's confirmation that I in fact was not a part of that trip.

Now I know a bunch of you are going "Hey dummy Panera is also a bakery which means bread, pastries, and other fattening items." You would be correct but this squad has some self control...or shaming skills...that we did not partake too much in the bad choices. Panera's You Pick 2 option is really a good for the foodies out there. You can try multiple things and if one happens to suck you're not really stuck with a whole order of it. In terms of ordering I'm rather spontaneous and go with whatever the last thing to catch my eye was before saying hello to the cashier person. I was feeling adventurous and opted for two things I had not tried from Panera before.  

For option 1 of the You Pick 2 choices, I went with the Watermelon Feta Salad. Now when I ordered it I had no clue what would be included in the salad as the menu board strictly just said Watermelon Feta. Per the website: Fresh watermelon, arugula and mint drizzled with champagne dijon vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil topped with feta cheese crumbles, ancient grain blend, sliced, toasted almonds and our cracked black pepper and sea salt blend.

For option 2 of the You Pick 2 choices, I went with the Roasted Turkey and Caramelized Kale Panini. I was fairly certain that the title pretty much described what the panini included.

Panera's You Pick 2: Watermelon Feta Salad, Roasted Turkey & Caramelized Kale Panini, and baked chips

I actually highly enjoyed both items. Watermelon Feta Salad hit the spot as it was refreshing and had good flavor to it. I do love watermelon and mint so I could be biased. I tried to get Karen to try it but she does not like watermelon so can't provide an unbiased opinion. The panini I think was better than I thought it was going to be as kale can go either way based on how it's cooked. I did enjoy it but the salad was the star of my meal. 

Tina also decided to be adventurous and go with a new salad for herself. She went with the Green Goddess Cobb Salad. She had been wanting a Cobb salad since her vacation in Michigan where she had gotten what sounded to me like an awesome version of a Cobb salad. I highly suspect she just wanted to order it because that's her street name. Not really sure who or why she was dubbed Green Goddess but I'm sure there's a great backstory. Should definitely ask her about it. Per Panera's website the Green Goddess includes: Chicken raised without antibiotics, arugula, romaine, kale and radicchio blend, vine-ripened tomatoes and pickled red onions tossed with freshly made Green Goddess dressing and topped with avocado, bacon, and cage-free hard-boiled egg.

Panera's Green Goddess Cobb Salad w/ Chicken

Tina really liked her salad and by my estimation hit the spot for her. I have ordered it before and actually enjoyed it. The dressing is pretty good and I do enjoy hard boiled eggs in a salad. I think its safe to say Tina would order that salad again if the urge to bypass ordering a Greek salad isn't as high. Greek Salad is still #1 in our hearts.

Karen went with a staple in her Panera ordering menu: The Fuji Apple Salad w/ Chicken and Broccoli Cheddar Soup.  She loves that salad since she first ordered it. For the life of me I don't recall any other food she's ordered in place of that salad. Will definitely be a sad day if they ever get rid of it. Per the website: Chicken raised without antibiotics, arugula, romaine, kale and radicchio blend, vine-ripened tomatoes, red onions, toasted pecan pieces, Gorgonzola and apple chips tossed with sweet white balsamic vinaigrette.

Panera's You Pick 2: Fuji Apple Salad w/ Chicken and Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Karen of course does not like red onions or big chunks of tomatoes in her food. She ordered it without the red onions but kept the tomatoes. But why would she not just ordered it without the tomatoes if she doesn't like them? Good question there but the answer is simple: Love. She actually gives those to me and Lily to eat cause she knows we love tomatoes. Awwww...she's a keeper for sure.

Lily had one of her favorites at Panera: a tuna sandwich. Funny enough that is not an option under the kids meals. You can actually order the turkey sandwich and substitute the turkey with tuna. Funny enough if you try to order it straight up about 90% of the time the cashier person will tell you "We don't have a kid's tuna." To which Karen is now prepared and instructs them on how to mark it up in the register. It's pretty hilarious to me that a customer is giving you the play by play on how to ring it up. But hey she's a professional so can't really argue against her.

Panera's Kid's menu Tuna sandwich and baked chips

Lily loved her sandwich as always. She's pretty much like most kids and like to order the same items and not very adventurous on her own. I do let her try stuff I order so in that aspect she does try new things. She's a fairly good eater and doesn't dislike a lot of stuff. I'm going to go ahead and take credit for that. #FoodiePride

I think its safe to say this was a healthy eating experience...unless you count the popcorn from Target I got later. Surprisingly Target has the best damn popcorn of all the places I've ever been. Not really sure what or how they achieve that but it is so addictive. Now just to bring the health aspect back to it- an order of popcorn is only 300 calories for the bag- so not terrible in that category. We actually had a debate post Target trip to which I uttered I would pick Target popcorn over most desserts. Karen did not agree as she's more sweet than savory...I meant taste wise....SMH keep it clean you pervert!  Thankfully movie theaters do not have the same quality of popcorn as they offer larger sizes. I'd be in big trouble if they did. 

#squadgoals,
Reef