Coastal N.E. Getaways- LBI

 Our 3rd Coastal Getaway stop this year was…drumroll please….LBI/ Long Beach Township, NJ 

   This is a destination we personally visit annually , as my oldest daughter participates in a special adaptive Surf program every year. My kids & I absolutely LOVE our little 3day stay & we pack in all the fun each & everytime we go.

     We choose to stay at the Holiday Inn Manahawkin/Long Beach Island as we love it’s resort feel with it’s onsite restaurant & activities such as Go-Karts, Adventure Park, Arcade, Pool, mini putting green etc. It’s a little inland from the water, but we prefer coming to/from after our Long Beach day. It’s a nice short drive from all the main beach dining & surf shop spots.

       The Inns on-site restaurant , Mainland is typically one of our Dinner stops, which works perfectly at the end of our Long Beach day, since we can just walk right down from our hotel room floor to its main door! They offer both indoor/outdoor seating & typically have live entertainment. We love sitting outdoors and dining while hearing/watching the live music. Their menu is a nice mix of all around Burgers, Sandwiches, Salads… and some unique spins on traditional dishes that change at times. They label items that are Gluten-free & while it’s not a wide variety, the options they do offer always work well for us! It’s mainly salad options, or you can omit the bread/Bun on other dishes. (They don’t offer Gf bread options)So far we’ve had knowledgeable staff waiting on us ,able to answer questions & offer options  to fit our dietary needs. Pictured below is their “CHOPPED SALAD” with grilled Shrimp added (vegan? Just don’t add the extra protein options & you’ve got your vegan meal)& a Balsamic dressing.

Now, TOPPING my list of MUST EAT AT spots, is a total Gem! They have two locations, one right on LBI closer to the main beach drag and the one we visited, not far away,in Manahawkin. We loved that the Manahawkin location was within super close proximity to our hotel, just a bit off the beaten path, a little away from the main beach area stretch. THIS PLACE (whichever location you stop at) is a Healthnuts, Plantbased lovers or VEGANS paradise!!! 

Living on the Veg

Their menu is just aaaamazing and based off the few things we’ve tasted, absolutely deeeelicious!! I can attest that their juices and smoothies are all made fresh, on the spot with REAL veggies and fruit in their raw whole form. We watched as the handfuls of veggies were juiced right then and there, made to order for us! Order to-go and bring it with you to the beach, or sit and dine in with their cute,quaint & quirky indoor decor vibe or on outdoor tables. Anything and everything you could want in a plantbased form is there. Juices. Smoothies, sandwiches, bowls, soups, wraps&more! They have plenty of GLUTEN-FREE as well (remember vegan/plantbased doesn’t mean Gluten-free and the combo can sometimes be hard to find) 

Pictured above : “Vegan scramble” (also GF)

Bowl and fresh GREEN juice . (Living on the Veg LBI)

Coming in a close second is Wally’s LBI

They have some of everything for all types of taste buds and have one of the more extensive Gluten-free and/or Dairy free/vegan menus. Everything is clearly labeled on their menu if it is GF, DF/Vegan which takes guesswork out of it, but, should you have a question, or need to adapt an item the waitstaff was very informed in our experience. Burgers and sandwiches can be made GF on GF bread/buns, Quesadillas can be made with Vegan cheese, salads have Gf dressings and so on… So many options!! They also serve breakfast with an array of amazing GF dishes. You MUST stop in!! 

Pictured above: Rainbow Falafel bowl w/Tahini dressing and Vegan/GF  Quesadilla (Wally’s LBI)

.

If you’re like me, and always find yourself a “coffee stop” every vacation to grab your daily fix & maybe a snack or two , then you’ll want to stop in at Surfside Coffee House . With plenty of gourmet coffee concoctions to choose from & multiple non dairy creamer options it’s a great way to start your day or take a midday beach break! If you prefer your breakfast or lunch to-go and maybe some snacks for later on the beach they have plenty of healthy options, gluten free bread can be substituted as well! They even have GF baked goods available as well as some packaged snack options that are perfect for packing in your beach bag.

Pictured above: -GF Avocado toast & Dairy free Iced Coffee

- GFCF QUINN snacks Choco-PB pretzels 👌

 (Surfside coffee)

.

Need a sweet treat? No shortage of ice cream shops that offer non dairy/vegan options. A couple of our stops include :

Ice Cream Shoppe of Manahawkin  offering a few different , ever changing vegan ice cream flavors, and 

Grannie Annie’s Ice Cream Cafe  which not only offers homemade non dairy ice cream, but also baked treats galore!! All homemade! 

Pictured above: Vegan Black Rasberry and Peanut Butter icec cream (Ice cream Shoppe of Manahawkin)

.

Smoothie fan?? Multiple options to hit! Many of the places listed above are top go-to’s! Living on the Veg would probably be #1 in terms of quality ingredients when it comes to frozen smoothies.   But, for a place more specific to ‘Smoothies’ to-go in particular, you’ve got a couple decent options , that are familiar , known  chain eateries. Most places do also offer other simple menu items in addition to smoothies, such as toasts, bowls & salads. Being a “chain” sometimes means you just have to ask more carefully about the ingredients & may have to swap some around to ensure it’s as Healthified and dietary friendly to your needs, but they’re still great spots to grab&go assuming you’re aware of ingredients and what you’re looking for. Be mindful of processed gluten & sugar containing granolas, commercial processed honey and/or premade fruit juices , added dairy or powders etc. That’s all! They can definitely still be a great treat on the go and a healthier option if you order accordingly.   Two of the chain name spots right on the main beach stretch :

Frutta Bowls

Playa Bowls

Pictured above: Avocado Toast and GREEN smoothies 

.

AND last , but certainly NOT LEAST and definitely not the end of the delicious dining spots you’ll find in the area, last of our Favs we recommend,

Biggy’s Beach Grill

This trip was so jam packed with action and dining visits, we couldn’t even manage to get this one on our schedule this year. But, last year it did NOT dissapoint as this pic below shows!! Knowledgeable staff when it comes to Gluten and other dietary needs and fresh made dishes served hot off the grill with deliciously REAL ingredients 👌

And that a wrap!! For this year anyhow. Go book your visit before the seasons over. As for us… see you again next year LBI. ☀️ 🌊 🏄‍♀️ 🏖 

Coastal N.E. Getaways- Healthy eats & Cozy stays: NEWPORT RI

 

Newport, RI … another great destination on our list of favorite Coastal Getaways in New England. 

.

Whether you like the beach, shopping, dining, walking, historic building & mansion tours, cruising around on a moped/scooter or even a slingshot … or ALL of the above , Newport has it all packed into one area! 👌

WHERE TO STAY:

You don’t have to take our word for it, (BUT… I think you should 😉) , book yourself a suite at the Mill Street Inn and then let the vaca begin!

   Situated just slightly off the main beaten path, yet still in the heart of  downtown Newport , the Mill Street Inn is a prime location. They have their own parking lot (first come first serve , so occasionally it could fill up during extra busy times, but we’ve never had an issue getting a spot!) right under their building for NO EXTRA CHARGE! This is a rare find for the area!! The building is an old nineteenth century  Mill converted into a modern day, all suites Inn.👌Historic meets modern trendy comfort with hip style!

         Upon walking inside, you’ll be greeted by the friendliest of staff at the front desk. You’ll also find complimentary Sangria and fruit infused water in the main lobby , so you can fill yourself a cup anytime you’d like! As you check in, you’ll receive a welcome bag with some delicious little treats/snacks. Rooms are all SUITES regardless of which you choose. The only differences between each is the size and layout, with some being split into two levels, and some all on one. We’ve stayed in both and find each equally as  nice! All rooms have their own Nespresso Maker as well as an Electric tea kettle,with plenty of coffee pods & variety of Herbal teas (more are always availabile upon request) and Glass Mugs. Each room is also stocked with  a glass jug of distilled water & drinking glasses that you can have refilled anytime, and if bottled water is wanted while you head out for the day, stop by their 24 hr fitness center and grab a few from the stocked mini fridge…Always complimentary for guests! You’re also provided with a breakfast check list with simple options such as  baked goods, cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit, coffee / tea… just simply fill it out, write in a preferred time between 7:30-10am and hang it on the outside of your door the night before. It’ll be delivered to your room in the morning at the time listed!          Forgot some toiletries? no worries! This place has everything for their guests if needed. We’ve forgotten toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, etc and everytime the front desk has some for us!👌Once you’re parked and checked in, all the best of Newport is just within walking distance , so head out the door and ENJOY!! 

     There are no shortage of places to stay on the area, so plenty of options and locations , but, personally we just keep coming back here!👌

.

And NOW for the best part … WHERE TO EAT while keeping it HEALTHIFIED!!! Drumroll please….

….. TOPPING THE LIST for me has got to be ….

ROOT ON BROADWAY hands down! This quaint little hidden GEM (although, not so hidden it seems because the place was jamming with customers 🤗) which opened just 4 years ago,  is a 100% PLANTBASED eatery featuring incredibly delicious BOWLS, SALADS, SMOOTHIES, Toasts, JUICES & more! It’s a located on Broadway , just a nice short little walk away from the busy waterfront area , but still within the main Newport neighborhood. 

Everything is made fresh right there by owners who are passionate about keeping it REAL with fresh ,natural,healthy ingredients and no processed fillers or sugars or chemical flavors added ever! 

    It’s basically everything I love to make at home in my own kitchen with the same high quality ingredients!👏🏻👏🏻You do NOT have to be 100% Vegan to enjoy, trust me! But, you just may decide you can be once you try it!😋🌱

    As a nutritional advisor, this place is definitely where I’d send anyone wanting to stick to their healthy lifestyle & eat well to feel well while enjoying their vaca. You can choose to dine inside, or take your order to-go and take a nice stroll to find yourself a nice waterfront spot to sit and enjoy. This place is basically a Healthnuts paradise!😆🤗 I may have been a bit overly excited about it🌱😆but it just honestly checks all the boxes as far as dietary preferences and nutrition style for me! It’s exactly the sort of food I’d prep & advise any client to eat when looking to get healthy and FEEL GOOD!! And it’s all delicious👌.

Healthy food makes me so HAPPY, I just want to share the love with everyone!

Photo: Arriba bowl w/ brown rice , Glow bowl w/ Quinoa

& Smoothie made w/ Cold brew, Cacao , Almond milk & PB 

Photo: I didn’t have any room to try these, but they also offer some delicious looking all VEGAN/plantbased baked treats!! Gluten-free options too!

.

Located on Broadway as well is:

Corner Cafe

Offering inside or outside patio seating, this cute little spot offers plenty of healthier options as well as gluten-free and vegan. Sandwiches, wraps, salads & more…All

Wraps and sandwiches can be served on gluten-free bread or wrap if requested for a small additional price. They even have gluten pizza available.

Veggie wrap on GF tortilla w/ fresh fruit side. To-Go👌

.

As for more all-around traditional dining options that have Menus offering Gluten-free, Vegan, vegetarian options here’s a few I recommend and can easily order from without having to ask tons of questions and fuss. 👌 

-

Wharf Southern Kitchen & Whiskey Bar 

You may not think , based on the name that this would be a great dining option that fits varying dietary preferences,especially “healthy”

dietary styles,  BUT it is!! First off, their menu is clearly labeled for all meals that are Gluten-free , Vegan and those that have option to be made GF with a simple swap.👌 That’s always a huge perk for me and I always recommend finding such places as it will make ordering far easier for you!  I went with the GF Salmon Dinner over kale,

And a delicious mushroom/veggie succotash. (I’m

Not 100% vegan and enjoy some fish/ good quality meat once in a while as long as it’s loaded up with plantbased foods too!) 

Their burgers are made from Organic GrassFed beef & best of all, to make it gluten-free and healthier, you can opt to have any burger or sandwich over greens instead of a bun ! 👌They offer plenty of veggie based sides and salads and Vegan options for the non-meat eaters. It’s basically a great spot to dine when your party has a variety of dietary needs and preferences.(*also waitstaff was well versed/knowledgeable about their menu and what contains dairy, gluten, etc…I was able to ask that my meal be prepared without dairy.)

Photo: Salmon over veggie succotash & kale

*clearly labeled menu 👌

.

Located right next door, facing eachother, is another recommendation: 

Diego’s

Mexican style foods are often one of the easier types to find veggie loaded, gluten free options amd this location takes it a step above with a seperate Gluten-free Menu upon request, as well as a very knowledgeable staff that can offer suggestions for easy swaps/adaptable meals if you prefer something on the main menu. They even offer Dairy Free- Vegan Cheese!! So, whereas I’d usually just omit the cheese from whatever I order, I was able to enjoy a delicious quesadilla WITH cheese & still stay dairy free!! They have options for Gluten free meat eaters as well as all-veggie based options (like cauliflower, squash,mushroom fillings)  for the plantbased vegan eaters. We shared some fresh Gaucamole as well, which is always a delicious classic. 👌

Photo: gluten free quesadillas with Vegan chz.

.

If you’re the mood for a little splurge … SWEET TREAT, while, It may not be “healthy” necessarily, you can at least keep to your gluten-free and/or dairy free or vegan style & grab yourself a sweet indulgence at :

CUPCAKE CHARLIES

Freshly baked flavors offered each day

& always some variety of both Gluten-free AND Gluten-free/VEGAN treats.

I don’t always eat sugar, but when I do…😆 one for ea. hand. 

There are so many dining options in this area and we simply didn’t have enough time to get to them all, but a few other recommended locations with menus that fit the bill:

DRIFT CAFE

Stoneacre Garden

Ben & Jerry’s  ( Vegan ice cream options) 

KAFFEOLOGY

.

Looking for a nice walk with gorgeous views so you can fit  in some exercise while there? A little further outside of the downtown center area you will find the well known

 Newport RI Cliff Walk and many nice beach stops as well!

 You’ll find various public parking areas , as well as some street parking along the route to leave the car & go enjoy the walk. But, If you don’t feel like moving your car from the hotel, and are up for some extra adventure & fun, head over to SCOOTER WORLD RI & rent yourself a scooter, a scoot coupe for two or even a slingshot! It’s auch a fun way to explore the area & do some sightseeing a bit further out along the water.

You can even drive by the Newport Mansions . You can book tours as well if that’s your sort of thing.

.

Hope you decide to book your stay & check these places out! Let us know when you do!💗💗💗

Coastal Getaway- Healthified eats & Cozy stays!

Topping our list for easy Coastal getaways in the NorthEast, that are perfect for both Family time or couples time , is the quaint town of  OGUNQUIT MAINE . 

   Our family has been coming to this area for years & we continue to return with annually whether it be just us , us and the kiddos , us & several other relatives, OR a “more the merrier” type getaway with multiple friends and family all joining along! 

     So, our top favorite place to stay is definitely Anchorage by the Sea right in the heart of Ogunquit, within short walking distance to the towns quaint area Main Street with its shops & eateries. The absolute BEST thing about this location is by far, it’s property location which sits above & overlooks the Ocean. It has one of the larger “lawn” areas that borders right up to Marginal Way , the areas beautiful 1.25mile paved cliff walk overlooking the ocean and plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the panoramic views or climb down a staircase to the ocean and explore for a bit. This hotel location also stands out from several others because of their pool area featuring a beautiful outdoor pool design with plenty of space filled with lounge chairs & space for sunbathing, (Plus, it’s heated so is open for an extended season! Typically late April to Fall) as well as multiple outdoor hot tubs. Should the weather not be quite cooperative for outdoor swimming or sun bathing , they also have an indoor heated pool and sauna too! Prefer to stay put in relax mode while you’re away? They have their own on site restaurant that overlooks the pool area or the lawn/ocean depending on where you sit. It’s open for Breakfast, lunch & Dinner and also has a rooftop Bar with great ocean views! Our only compliant about it is they tend to close up early during the more off peak times of year , so late night drinks aren’t always available. Right outside the restaurant is a lawn/patio area with fire pit tables , gazebos and plenty of Adirondack or lounge chairs to curl up by and listen to the ocean. Regular rooms aren’t anything over the top, but are always very clean and well maintained , simple but pretty , and up to date coastal decor. It’s pricing is based on their prime location and beautiful spacious grounds that are lacking in many others in the area. 

Now, if extra budget friendly is more your thing and you aren’t one to really stay/spend time at your hotel other than sleeping ,so don’t care much about property grounds or any “extra frills” then I recommend Studio East Motel for you! It’s location is extremely convenient, as you can walk right across the street to the Main shops, Village Market and restaurants. The property is very clean and the rooms decent sized. Some even have a small kitchenette space.They often offer room rates under $100/night and sometimes even run specials to get a 3rd or 4th night free if going midweek. It basically sits in a paved parking lot, no views, opposite the ocean side and has no pool or lawn area. However, most rooms have a couple chairs outside the doors (which are open to the outside) so you can enjoy some fresh air in the early morn & late evening w/a coffee or drink. It does also have one older & small hot tub on site for guests. The hot tub is supposed to be for adults only so keep that in mind if bringing the kiddos! 

Now…As for my favorite part… the Vaca-EATS!!! Ok, so unfortunately on our most recent trip, many of the places I’d set out to check out & review hadn’t yet opened for the season. Being a coastal beach town, some places choose to wait until mid May/Memorial Day weekend to open.Most will open by May (some even April), but there are still those who wait for later & for them, We were a couple weeks shy! BUT, that’s ok, I’m going to show some pics and links to the places we did enjoy and then I’ll list a few “honorable mentions” that we will definitely be visiting next time!

.

First off, if you’re a fan of takeout , food to-go that can be enjoyed whenever you wish, whether down on the beach,back at your hotel , or just in between shop stops, THIS will be your Go-To stop. Village Food Market is a super cute little grocery market, cafe, grill & deli all-in-one! With grocery items , prepared foods & made to order kitchen foods all available in wide variety , it’s our most visited eatery for sure! Not only do they offer Gluten Free bread and wraps for their sandwiches , they carry many specialty foods to fit many dietary styles & even Gluten free baked goods if you’re in need of a sweet treat! Their website even offers an order online option, easy to customize your order to make it dairy and gluten free, add veggies, etc… and then just take a short stroll from your hotel to pick it right up. We use this option for breakfast most mornings since we can order early and grab our coffee while picking it up & the kids can sleep in and eat in bed!🤗 Also, it may seem like more of a market and cafe suited for breakfast, snacks and lunch, BUT, don’t be fooled, they actually cook up some really delicious Dinner specials as well! Order it to go & enjoy it back at the hotel on the lawn or patio area.👌

Top:Egg sandwich on GF roll w/Avocado, spinach & tomato.

Bottom: Avocado toast on GF roll w/ spinach & roasted red pepper spread.

And now for the sit down , dining at type restaurants, topping our list would be BEACHFIRE Bar & Grille .

Almost their entire menu is Gluten-free with the exception of maybe 3 or so items. Staff is very well versed in gluten containing foods and even their fried foods are ALL GLUTEN FREE!! Ok, so fried Pickles may not count as a “healthfood” technically, BUT, when on vacation a small splurge is worth it! Being Gluten free, fried/breaded food is something I don’t find often, so when I do, I enjoy me some!😋 I just always make sure to add in as much plantbased veggie goodness as possible! Plenty of healthy options from burgers on GF , veggie burgers, sandwiches,  salads , BBQ and more. Hubby & I enjoy sharing some GF apps & then some loaded nachos (GF) topped with GF chicken & veggies, gauc’ (we ask for no cheese or sour cream) & a nice drizzle of one of their various GF bbq sauces.👌 (Want it all vegan? Just skip the meat and ask for extra beans!)

Another place our fam enjoyed was Nikanos Mediterranean Bar & Grille . If you’re a fan of Mediterranean style foods , this is a great lil’ spot. We sat outdoors since it was a nice evening, but even their indoors has an outdoor feel with its large doors that can be opened all the way up. We chose to eat sort of “family style” opting to order multiple smaller plates to share like the hummus/dip trio , eggplant spread, olive platter, and chicken & veggie skewers w/ vegan lemon tahini dip. Menu items are labeled GF and/or dairy free. The dips do come with regular pita chips and toast, but I was able to request cucumber spears for us GF people who prefer less grain & more veggies! 

Located right next door to the Village market , with a great center location & nice outdoor seating space, is Cornerstone Artisanal Pizza & Beer . While

Not a wide variety of GFCF Healthified foods, they do offer a Gluten-free pizza crust option  which you can load up with delicious veggie toppings and simply omit the cheese. It’s my go-to order at pizza places and you’d be surprised how delicious it tastes without the cheese when you have good toppings. They do also have Gluten-free wraps available during lunch hours for some sandwich options.

As for a couple of places I had been looking forward to visiting, but we’re unfortunately not open for the season just yet…

Loveshack juicery 💗 I can tell from the menu that this is definitely my sort of place! Healthy REAL fruit & greens & healthy ingredients for smoothies, juices and smoothie bowls! Next time… I’ll be there!!

Other honorable mentions that appeared to have multipl

GFCF/Vegan & healthier menu options :

Food for Thought

Brix & Brine

Heading out of Ogunquit & into Kittery ME , a MUST for a little sweet-treat , you have to STOP IN AT 

Lovebirds Donuts . It’s a MUST!! Ok, Donuts aren’t exactly a healthfood & these are sugar containing dessert foods, BUT, the facility is 100% VEGAN … AND offers a great selection of Gluten-free Donut flavors which changes often , for delicious variety!!! GFCF donuts that taste just like the real-deal is an Awesome find for us!! My oldest daughter & I always get a box full! It’s our FAV💗

If you’re like me & enjoy some retail therapy, Kittery has 

The Kittery Outlets as well as Kittery Trading Post which gives you something to do in the area after grabbing your donuts! 

.

Another quaint town that’s worth driving to (about 20 or so min from Ogunquit) is Kennebunkport ME. Find yourself a parking place (street parking or public lots are available all around the main town center) & you’re set for the day, to roam & shop the many boutique stores, souvenir shops and visit the cafes, ice cream stops & tons of dining options! Kennebunkport actually has a great variety of restaurants that offer GFCF, healthy fare, but we didn’t get a chance to visit them this trip. We did however find my new FAV pit stop there, Fia Fia 💗💗💗 A healthy food lovers paradise!! Superfood lattes, fresh made smoothies (with true REAL fruit, greens, veggies… not fake sugar laden mixes!) .Açaí bowls , Avo toast & so much more!!! A MUST STOP.

.

Kennebunkport also has multiple ice cream places that offer Vegan flavors as well! While there , Ben & Jerry’s was the only one open, but you’ll find others as you stroll the streets later in the season!

.

And that’s that! We return to this location often, so future blog posts will come with more shoutouts & ideas of where to go, stay, dine & play! Hope you check it out sometime! It makes a great long weekend, or short few day ,midweek vaca. 

💗💗💗💗

~UniquelyBusyMom~

 

.