MoBay's health needs being met

Janet Silvera, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU: MORE and more people are becoming health conscious. The scare of high cholesterol and low blood sugar, even diabetes, has forced people to avoid risky foods.

Montegonians will tell you that one of the most serious problems they face regarding eating healthy is finding a restaurant that specialises in health food. The more they crave, the more they realise the predicament that this city is not equipped to cater for the health-conscious person.

'Adowa' - a new restaurant, recently opened at the city centre building and the health food store/juice bar Farm Fresh in Westgate are listening to their customers' requests.

"We moved out the fat foods and moved in the fat- free, our customers are asking for gourmet upscale food which is healthy and tasty, with a different flair," said Nikki Nicholas owner of Farm Fresh.

The store recently introduced a juice bar, which has received overwhelming response, particularly from the male population in the city. They extract the juice from fresh produce in an "all farmer's brew" made from a blend of tomato, cucumber, green pepper, celery, garlic and hot pepper.

Pamella, a semi vegetarian, told Flair she tried to conform to a strictly vegetarian diet, but had to quit after two months, "I could not find anywhere to have lunch and if I worked late and was unable to cook, getting a vegetarian dinner was even worse," she said.

For persons who are constantly on the run, there are "pick-up" energy boosters which vary from protein mix for persons who don't eat meat to a botanical mix that contains three herbs, ginko, echinacea and ginseng. These herbs are reputed to be builders of the immune system and good for men requiring longer "staying power".

One of the interesting features of Farm Fresh is the bakeshop, with a trained baker. The bakeshop stocks a variety of whole wheat and cassava flour products that are quite tasty. A banana bread at the bakeshop is being touted as a delightful treat.

From meatless and milk-free products, tofu (an organic meat substitute), soy based ice creams, soy burgers and protein mix, Chinese, Chai and slim teas, Montegonians can now buy healthy in their own city.

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