Turquoise Summer

One of my favorite aspects of living by the beach, especially in So Cal, is the unspoken but very present expectation for healthy and fresh eateries. I am constantly researching new restaurants, trying out fun recipes, and, in general, talking about food. I'm VERY passionate about food... borderline obsessed... eh, passionate.
 Especially now that I am modeling and not playing college water polo (thank goodness!), I am very aware of what I put into my body and what I need to do in order to stay fit and confident. For me, it is essential to enjoy a meal for the quality and taste of food as well as the social aspect that comes along with "breaking bread" in community with others. I love trying new places for this very reason, and, when possible, I aim for pure and healthy ingredients that I feel good about putting in my body.With that being said, I had the most amazing lunch today at "Turquoise", an organic mediterranean cafe with my mom and twin sister, located just a block up from the beach in Redondo Beach.  Mediterranean is hands down my favorite type of food, and can easily make for a guilt free meal. There are many interpretations and styles of Mediterranean food, all using similar ingredients with a twist in preparation and recipe, depending on the region. There are 20 different  states that surround the Mediterranean, all offering fresh, healthy, and culturally deep rooted foods that are sure to satisfy any palate.

I love how they assorted the starter baba ghanoush(roasted eggplant spread), homemade pomegranate walnut hummus, tabbouleh, and maust khair (essentially "tzaziki", a yogurt cucumber mint dip) in these duo dishes. The cobalt glasses with turquoise napkins also added to the atmosphere, and atmosphere is everything!
























Chicken kabob salad. It looks good, but tasted even better. Marinated, moist, and so flavorful, all they needed to pair it with was baby greens and balsamic vinegar. Everyone loved it

 

                                                                                  Love the bamboo backdrop. So fresh and vibrant!

I love the bright blue pop of color! Definitely a great place to go with friends after a long sun kissed day at the beach...or... in the office):

Turquoise is a new favorite to add to my Mediterranean staple eateries. I was impressed with everything from the decor to food, but need to mention the AMAZING pineapple mango green iced tea. Im a connoisseur of sorts in regards to iced teas, and this one rocked the house. Freshly brewed with no sugar, this iced tea is a total winner.

I recommend going in the day because the one downfall is that the prices almost double for dinner for no apparent reason, maybe because they call it a "bistro" by night... but whatever, I like to save money if possible.




Other South bay favorites for Mediterranean:
Poulet Du Jour
Chicken Maison

Great Recipes to try:
Hummus with Pomegranate Molasses
Barefoot Contessa Chicken with Tabbouleh- I love the idea of making it a full meal with chicken
Mediterranean Coleslaw- So light and tasty, one of my favorites. Cabbage is one of those amazing veggies for you, packed with antioxidants and fiber along with detoxifying effects. Eat up!