Monthly Archives: June 2008

A Favorite Tea

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African Sunrise from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

I discovered this tea on my 2nd to last business trip. I’d heard many things about these coffee and tea shops scattered mostly around southern California, so I decided to try it. There was one just around the corner from my hotel, so the next morning, I got up a bit early to get some coffee or tea on my way into the office.

I was surprised to see such a wide variety of “tea lattes” on their menu. I’m very familiar with the Chai Latte that can be found at pretty much every coffee/tea shop around, but the others were interesting. I asked the man behind the counter for his recommendation. He suggested a new tea they had just received called “African Sunrise”. Always up for something new, I agreed.

It was amazing. It has a lovely vanilla flavor with touches of citrus. To be exact, the label says, “Naturally caffeine free, this full-bodied blend of African honeybush and orange peel has a sweet vanilla flavor with a hint of citrus.” With a bit of sweetener and milk or cream, it’s to die for. I even bought myself a box of tea bags to bring home with me.


Not only do the leaves look pretty, but also it brews into the most interesting color. It’s slightly purple with a hint of orange tones. Quite lovely to look at. You should try it if you get a chance.

Tropical Chickenless Sandwich

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A perfectly delectable dinner on a hot summer evening, a Tropical Chickenless Sandwich with Sweet Potato Fries on the side.

I have to say, I shamelessly took the concept from the Veggie Grill in Irvine. You may recall I talked about it a few posts back. I think mine is just as good or even better. I kept eating even though I was almost stuffed to the gills. I also got rave reviews from my husband about how the flavors complimented each other so well. I can’t wait to make it again!


Tropical Chickenless Sandwich:

  • Faux Chicken Breast (I used “Veat”)
  • Herb Slab Bread, cut for sandwiches (mine was from Acme Bread Co)
  • Mango
  • Avocado
  • Tomato
  • Baby Spinach
  • Red Onion
  • Papaya Salsa (see recipe below)

- Cook faux chicken according to package directions.
- Spread papaya salsa on one side of the bread and on faux chicken.
- Place spinach on chicken and then layer thin slices of red onion, tomato ,mango, and avocado on top.
- Drizzle a little more salsa on top for added flavor.
- Serve with baked sweet potato fries. (Mine were from Trader Joe’s in the frozen food section)

Papaya Salsa:

  • 2 Papayas (not quite ripe)
  • 1/4 Red Onion
  • 1/2 Jalapeno Pepper, seeded
  • 1/2 bunch, Cilantro
  • Salt & Pepper, to taste

- Put all ingredients in a food processor and process until well combined.
- Taste and add more ingredients to your own taste preferences.

Veggie Grill

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I discovered the most amazing little Vegetarian restaurant in Irvine CA. I often travel down here on business and I’ve made it my goal to go to different veggie restaurants while I’m here. I was surprised at how many there are down here. So, I’ll slowly be picking them off one at a time.

Today, I went to Veggie Grill on Campus Drive. It’s right across from the college in a casual shopping center that includes other shops such as Trader Joe’s, Peets, Golden Spoon Yogurt, and what looks like a non-conventional theater. The interior is designed with fresh, modern lines even down to the fine details in the bathroom and on the outside patio. It definitely as a clean and refreshing feel with earth tones, lots of wood, and touches of green, orange and red.

The Veggie Grill serves traditional American “fast” cuisine (View the Menu). They have salads, sandwiches, burgers, and the most heavenly little “Sweetheart Fries” – sweet potato fries with ranch dressing. Almost all the items on their menu include some version of a faux meat product, so if you aren’t into faux meat, it may no be for you. However, I don’t mind it and they did it so well, it was a little scary. According to their nutritional philosophy and “goodness guide“, they have built their menu around the vegetarian, plant-based proteins because of the benefits of having protein in your diet. (sorry for the bad pics, they’re on my camera phone. I pack very light on these biz trips, so the big camera has to stay home.)


I ordered their newest sandwich that was actually not on the menu. It’s their special grilled “chick’n” with a papaya salsa, avocado, mango, spinach, and tomato. The flavor was truly spectacular. The way the savory and sweet flavors complimented each other was perfection. I, of course, had to get the Sweetheart Fries on the side.


I love their collection of drinks. They have an assortment of teas and lemonade. I got a lightly sweetened hibiscus tea. It wasn’t quite sweet enough for my taste, so I added a bit more sweetner to it. I’m 85% sure that what I added was agave nectar (it was too runny to be honey). Oh, and since I ordered to-go, I was impressed to see that the cup they gave me was a Greenware cup made from corn and is 100% compostable. And along that line, their cups and to-go containers are all recycled and recyclable.

For dessert, I decided to pick up one of their pumpkin cheesecakes. After all that huge chicken sandwich and the fries which I already couldn’t finish, I could barely take a few bites of the cheesecake. But it was good. All their desserts are free of dairy, cholesterol and refined sugars. For being dairy free, it was surprisingly creamy and tasted much like a traditional cheesecake. Maybe in a few hours when I have more room in this Veggie Grill filled stomach of mine, I can finish the cheesecake. I hope so!

I think I could eat there every day and be happy about it! If you’re ever in the area, it’s completely worth heading out there for a meal.