Healthy Living Guide: Charlotte
This week’s Healthy Living Guide introduces the Queen City, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Usually when you think of North Carolina, BBQ and basketball come to mind, but this Southern city full of unique charm. With a live music scene to rival any other, an historic art district located in the heart of NoDa, SoHo’s little sister, and a hip downtown for “the bank” crowd, Charlotte is a vibrant city to keep your eye on. Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and is home to many locally owned businesses that make their business, good eats and good health.
Next time you find yourself in Charlotte, try one of these healthy favorites, and check out all of Integrative Nutrition’s Healthy Living Guides!
Restaurants
Harvest Moon Grille
235 North Tryon Street
Harvest Moon Grille is an excellent farm to table restaurant located in Uptown Charlotte, in The Dunhill Hotel. The ingredients used in all of the dishes come from local farms, no more than 100 miles outside of Charlotte. They also make all breads, pasta, dressing and many of their cheeses in house!
Luna’s Living Kitchen
2102 South Boulevard
Luna’s is located right next to the Atherton Mill Farmer’s Market and has a delicious menu of organic, local, raw and vegan fare. Stop in for the Bright Morning Star breakfast of homemade raw buckwheat granola and fresh, seasonal fruits to fuel your grocery shopping at the farmer’s market!
Blynk Organic
Several locations
Blynk Organic has two locations, both of them in central downtown Charlotte, close to the Bank Of America business center. They have delicious 100% organic breakfast and lunch options, as well as fresh baked organic pastries and bread in the Blynk Lounge!
Zizi’s
7945 North Tryon Avenue
Zizi’s is Charlotte’s only 100% vegan café. They have an extensive menu of vegan American fare including sandwiches, veggie burgers, salads, wraps, smoothies and desserts. They also feature several Asian inspired entrees and side dishes; there is something for everyone (even non-vegans!) at Zizi’s!
Fern
1323 Central Avenue
Fern is a brand new vegetarian café close to Charlotte’s city center. Executive Chef Alyssa Gorelick created a unique menu that includes vegan dishes with Indian, Mediterranean and Southwestern flavor inspirations. Make sure you join Fern on Monday, December 5th when they partner with Mother Earth Brewing Company for a Vegan Beer Dinner!
Energy Café
101 South Tryon Street
Located in the Bank of America business center, Energy Café is a very popular lunch spot with healthy meal options. They only use whole, unprocessed ingredients and organic products in their sandwiches, wraps, soups and smoothies. They also have fuel bars, a wholesome blend of whole grains and super foods if you need a quick afternoon snack!
Carpe Diem
1535 Elizabeth Avenue
This high-end restaurant strives to support local farmers by using as many locally sourced, organic ingredients as possible on their menu. The feature a special, seasonal vegetarian dish each day along with their other specials. Carpe Diem has consistently been voted one of the top ten restaurants in Charlotte since 2005. They also cater, so remember them next time you have a party!
Good Food on Montford
1701 Montford Drive
This cozy restaurant uses mostly local, organic ingredients for their dishes. The atmosphere provides the perfect space for a relaxed, and healthy meal with family and friends. Good Food on Montford is also a James Beard Award Finalist, so it is definitely worth giving them a try!
Farm Stands/Markets
Go Local Farms
Online
Go Local Farms is a buyers club for group ordering of local farm produe, 100% grass fed beef, grain finished beef, pastured pork, chickens, eggs, turkey, honey and milled grains from participating farms in the Charlotte area. Register on their website to join a group and pick up your farm fresh products every week or month!
Healthy Home Market
Several Locations
This health food market has proudly been provide the Charlotte area with local, organic food for 30 years. They offer a comprehensive selection of healthy products, produce and meat at all of their locations. Healthy Home Market is a great place to get your free-range turkey for Thanksgiving this year!
Berrybrook Farm
1257 East Boulevard
Berrybrook is the oldest natural food market in Charlotte. Stop in their store for natural supplements, organic produce and meat as well as cruelty-free health and beauty supplies. Can’t make it to their store? You can also order your groceries online and have them delivered!
Absolute Organics
Online
Absolute Organics is an online organic produce delivery service for the Charlotte and Hickory areas. Just log in to their website, select the box that you would like delivered, they range from $ 30 to $ 50 per box. Then you will receive a selection of 6-7 vegetables and 4-5 fruits weekly or bi-weekly!
Elizabeth Avenue Farmer’s Market
1521 Elizabeth Avenue
This farmers market is open on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm and features locally grown, organic produce, and several local artisan food products
Earth Fare
Multiple Locations
This specialty grocery store is a one-stop shop for all of your organic grocery needs. You will find grass-fed, hormone free, free range meat, poultry and eggs, organic dairy and locally grown, organic produce. It’s everything you need to keep your diet clean and your family healthy!
Health Services
Insight Wellness
1819 Charlotte Drive
Tom Cohen, a licensed acupuncturist, massage therapist and Acu-detox specialist opened Insight Wellness as a place for patients to seek natural healing. Stop by his office for any one of his treatments that will treat pain, chronic fatigue and a variety of other ailments.
Be Yoga and Wellness
Several locations
Be Yoga has two studio locations – Be Yoga on East Blvd and Sangati on Park Road. Head over to either location to take part in one of Be Yoga’s classes, which are held several times daily. Classes range in difficulty level and yoga practice, including vinyasa, slow flow, karma and deep stretch.
NoDa Yoga
908 E 35th Street
This Yoga studio has several classes a day, as well as several packages to choose from. Stop in for a yoga class or two to stay healthy and feel great!
Alvaro Matta
Health Coach
A US Marine Corps veteran, Alvaro studied nutrition at IIN and focuses his health coaching practice on transforming the health of other veterans. Check out his website for more information on his health coaching practice.
Aundrea Tucker
Health Coach
Aundrea’s health coaching practice, Pure Potential, focuses on helping people cure illnesses or live a healthier life using whole foods as medicine. Check out her website for more information on Pure Potential.