You can eat healthy and well

Stacee Sledge

Jan 3, 2002 — Put down that frozen diet dinner and back away slowly. Chances are there's nothing healthy about that rock-hard monstrosity you're about to toss into the microwave: It's likely chock-full of chemical preservatives and additives. And while it may be low in calories, it's also low on taste and fulfillment. Instead, venture out to one of Bellingham's many restaurants that provide healthful and appealing eats.

The Colophon Café

At this cozy eatery, there are no preservatives or other chemical nasties to be found; just unrefined, flavorful goodness, in the form of sandwiches, soups, salads and quiches.

At a recent lunch we sampled the black bean burger, a couple of refreshing salads and steaming bowls of inventive soup.

The soups here have proven so popular a cookbook of recipes is available for purchase in the adjoining Village Books.

Containing no dairy, wheat or meat products, the Mexican corn and bean soup was comfort in a bowl. Red kidney beans, corn, onions, tomatoes, garlic and an abundance of spices simmered in a vegetable juice base. The homemade bowl was encircled with a smattering of corn tortilla chips.

The Colophon offers four different Morningstar Farm black bean burgers. I chose the black bean cheeseburger, which arrived surrounded by a heap of crunchy tortilla chips. The savory, smooth-textured burger comprised of black beans, brown rice, herbs, spices, corn, chili peppers, wheat, yeast, and egg whites and came topped with a splotch of Dijon mustard drawn in a whimsical design on the bun.

The array of available salads are built with fresh, crispy lettuce, tomatoes, shreds of red cabbage, sliced cucumbers, grated carrots and sprouts. The selection of homemade salad dressings includes a flavorful fat-free Italian artichoke mix.

Heart-Healthy Roundup

The Colophon Café 1208 11th St., Fairhaven Phone: 647-0092   Pepper Sisters 1055 N. State St. Phone: 671-3414   Swan Café 1220 N. Forest St. Phone: 734-0542

The Colophon also creates delectable desserts, but perhaps you should save those for after you've broken your New Year's resolutions.

Pepper Sisters

Some dub it nouveau Southwest cuisine, but I call it simply stunning. The offerings here, including many vegetarian or non-dairy treats, are consistently pleasing, rooted in fiery spices and varied textures. The service is always offered with a smile and the décor is as engaging as the food.

The roasted potato and garlic enchilada was a spicy, savory treat. A crispy wheat tortilla encased sautéed mushrooms, grilled onions, potatoes, green chilis, and an intense red chili pesto. I was glad the water glasses were frequently topped off, as this dish was a warm one.

A friend visiting from Seattle dug happily into her all-time Pepper Sisters favorite, the black bean burrito. She orders it every time she stops in at the high-ceilinged, vibrantly lit eatery. As per usual, the soft whole wheat tortilla held an abundance of spicy black beans, jack cheese, and sour cream, and was topped with a generous ladling of ranchero sauce. For the health-conscious, you might choose to skip the sour cream, although I find that theirs is a healthy dollop that does not overwhelm the dish.

Most entrees at Pepper Sisters are served with fresh salad on the side, as well as rice, black beans, or posole. All add further interest to already alluring dishes.

Swan Café

You'd be hard-pressed to find anything guilt-inducing at the Swan Café. With a myriad of healthy choices, you'll have no trouble rounding up a healthful, great-tasting meal that you can take home or enjoy at the café's window-encased eating area.

Located at the Community Food Co-Op on North Forest Street and open to the public, the Swan Café offers a multitude of healthy sandwiches, salads and baked goods. Dozens of deli salads are displayed in a glass case, while an assortment of sandwiches beckon around the corner. Choose two or three salads for a complete meal, or a small portion of one to enjoy with a "Pleezin Pepper Cheezen" sandwich, complete with pepper jack cheese, cucumber, and havarti.

Amidst the mouthwatering salads, the falafel nuggets were my favorite find. Garbanzo beans, onion, potato, bread crumbs, parsley, garlic and seasonings were blended in bite-size portions.

Great hot or cold, the salty pad thai salad mixed rice noodles with bits of red pepper, tofu, green onion, bean sprouts, fresh cilantro leaves, and peanuts. The nutty flavor of the salad gave way to a tangy essence.

The tempeh pasta salad was another stand-out salad. Tempeh is a soybean cake made by fermenting cooked soybeans and forming them into a firm, dense chewy cake with a yeasty, nutty flavor. The tempeh squares mingled with ripe tomato, spiral pasta, celery, and red onion. The salad had an intriguing smokey flavor.

A microwave is available for warming up any of the items purchased at the Swan Café.

Sticking to the ever-popular New Year's resolution to eat more healthful foods can be a thorny proposition.

But if you open yourself up to the pleasing possibilities at the Colophon Café, Pepper Sisters, or the Swan Café, you'll discover a way to eat sensibly and feel indulgent.