Tastes Great AND Good For You

By Tamela Thomas, Wellness Manager

"Tastes great" and "good for you" are not mutually exclusive statements when it comes to the carefully crafted menu selections and expertly prepared foods served in the WAC's restaurants. Delicious and nutritious has been a part of WAC fare for some time now.

But you don't have to take my word for it—see for yourself the next time you pull up a chair in Torchy's. Beginning January 2, some delightful information will be provided on your menu. We're introducing an at-a-glance symbol system to allow you to see the nutritional features of your favorite dishes. And the best news of all is that nothing has changed in the taste department. Everything still pleases the palate—Executive Chef Will McNamara and crew have always made sure of that.

Vice President Food & Beverage Robert Bonina and WAC Nutritionist Shana Hopkins write this month's articles to fully explain the intent and execution of the menu symbol system. Enjoy the article. Enjoy the food!

Making Healthy Eating Easier

By Robert Bonina, Vice President Food & Beverage

As we continue to explore the concept of Wellness - the balance of elements that effect body, mind and spirit - it is a natural conclusion that it encompasses the food we eat. Striving to reach balance in our lives, many of us seek balance within the food choices we make: A rich dessert one day balances with fruit after lunch the next.

For Members interested in striking this balance, the WAC is introducing a symbol system on the Torchy's menu to help navigate dining choices. Items we serve as our core menu—items available every day—have been evaluated for nutritional content and an icon corresponding to its evaluation will appear on the menu. Additionally, a Nutritional Value Notebook providing a detailed nutritional breakdown of all menu items will be available for those who wish further menu information.

The WAC's kitchen strikes a balance with traditional recipes and techniques that are both full of flavor and nutritious. As an example, the soups prepared for the entire Club rotate through a variety of vegetables and beans. When Saucier Fred Cabalo makes these great soups, each is prepared in a bisque style where the predominant ingredient is the vegetable or bean. This means that even though the billing may say "Cream of Asparagus," the amount of cream in each serving works out to be less than a tablespoon.

And take the Fresh Fruit Plate offered at Torchy's every day for breakfast. Featuring a rotation of the seasonal fruits available to us here in the Northwest, it is a fine way to start accumulating your five daily servings of fruits and vegetables. We also offer a Fresh Fruit Cup in the Sports Café all day if you need quick self-service. Fresh vegetables are also a daily staple in Torchy's found in many entrees and in salads. They are also in our sandwiches, such as the Mediterranean Vegetable Club—a delightful, tasty option packed with vegetables.

Each seasonal menu cycle features a number of vegetarian offerings created by our culinary team and Executive Chef Will McNamara. In each, the balance of nutrition is a priority and ensuring the menus always have variety is the ultimate goal. Diners need not worry about finding a menu item to suit their needs—we've built balance into our menu.