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Post Holiday Healthy Snacks

by Health & Fitness

There has been a surge of various brands of Banana, Cassava and Plantain Chips on the supermarket shelves lately. After the Soldanza brand (originally manufactured in the Dominican Republic) took off, Brand Jamaica followed suit. That’s a good thing! Soldanza Plantain Chips were actually not that healthy anyway, considering its 10% Saturated Fat content.

Note that as much as we love Banana Chips or Cassava Chips, they have too much Saturated Fat and sodium. Jamaicans are already prone to high blood pressure.

If you are looking for a similar taste with larger sized chips, locally made St. Mary’s Plantain Chips (slightly salted) and National Chachita’s Plantain Chips (lightly salted) are the brands for you! Healthy and tasty. A win-win with enough chips in the bag.

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Both brands have 0g Trans Fats, 0mg Cholesterol and an impressively low percentage of Saturated Fat, 6%. They are not equal to or less than the ideal 5% Saturated Fat, but they are close enough. They are also slightly/lightly salted so the sodium content is low enough and not off the charts like others on the market. Another important factor is fiber. Do they keep you fuller for longer? They aren’t whole grain or whole wheat, but have a small amount of fibre that can do the job of sustaining your energy and curbing hunger between meals.

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If you decide to have Plantain chips as a side to your meal instead of a snack, that is a good idea as well. For instance, to replace Rice and Peas alongside Jerked Chicken. You will end up consuming fewer calories and it’s a difference from the monotony, especially if you spice up the taste with a little guacamole or chimichurri sauce.

One should eat 5/6 meals per day depending on how long you are awake for and that includes 2 snacks. A typical 5-meal day should have the order of Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Snack, Dinner.

So keep it Jamaican and incorporate these healthy snacks in your diet today!

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Certified Personal Trainer & Sports Nutritionist)

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Hajarie, the Teapot Hit the Spot!

by FoodpornRestaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

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Suga visited Hajarie last Saturday for Lunch at about 3:30pm. Hajarie has been open for about a month now at what I would like to call the Phoenix Avenue Complex of Eateries. Hajarie is not entirely new, but they have expanded their repertoire. They are familiarly known as The Teapot that used to be located in Sovereign Centre. A Suga Bear used to go there frequently for their refreshing Teas.

Persons have the option of comfortable indoor or outdoor dining with a scenic garden view.

I was pleasantly surprised by the detailed, exquisite décor upon entering. Volcanic rock wall tiles and light fixtures made of full bamboo. Impressive.

We were seated instantly by our pleasant, professional waitress. I observed two groups of content and comfortable diners that included a Birthday celebration. A new place pleasing big groups was a good sign already.

I appreciated the well-tailored Menu. It offered suitable variety without overwhelming options.

My husband, Randy and I started off with the Soup of the Day ($400JMD) that was a Pepper Pot Soup. It was rich in taste with the expected level of spicy.

Our dishes came out like clockwork with a little time to talk in between. Just how I like it. We had the appetizing Smoked Herring Salsa ($650JMD) that complemented our preferred side of Eggplant Chips well. The Olive wood and mother of pearl plates were a fine touch.

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Smoked Herring tossed with a fresh combination of tomato, cucumber, scotch bonnet pepper served with biscuits or preferred side option ($650)

Randy had a delish, flavourful sautée of wild mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and basil pesto tossed with freshly tien lettuce and julienne tomatoes. It was to all be served on a grilled flatbread but for some reason it was on a tortilla. He didn’t mind, however his only fault was that the olive oil was a bit overpowering in the pesto and I agreed. We informed the waitress.

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Sautéed Mushroom ($1200JMD) with added Shrimp ($600JMD)

My Avocado and Chickpea Wrap with added Chicken was perfection even though they didn’t have whole wheat tortillas. The Wrap was a sweet combination of grilled plantains, balsamic marinated cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado and chickpea.

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Avocado Chickpea – wrapped ($900JMD) with added Chicken ($400JMD).

Paninis are their other choice for Casual dining, while Pastas, Salads, Kebabs and Seafood dishes serve as their Entrée options.

Hajarie serves Wine by the Bottle only.  We opted to have their refreshing White Berry and Lemon Mint Iced Teas ($400JMD each). Ginger Honey was the other option.

We didn’t have Dessert, but their Brazilian Banana Cake is highly recommended by local Chef Anthony Fleming and I need to be there the next time they bake the Apple Cinnamon Torte!

So one can eat healthy, unhealthy or a little bit of both at Hajarie.

Hajarie РThe Teapot has truly evolved. Spectacular d̩cor with an ambience to unwind, Good service, Delicious food and Refreshing teas, Decadent desserts and Reasonable prices, all in one month. Bravo and Keep it up! Hajarie may be a hidden gem, but not for long. #SugaEndorsed

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Suga at Hajarie (The Teapot Ja) last Saturday, December 9, 2017.

Hajarie (The Teapot JA) – Tearoom • Winebar • Bistro

Location: 9-11 Phoenix Avenue. Kingston 10

Ph: 876-634-9937

Instagram: hajarie_theteapot

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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