Eating a Healthier Way

In the recent years, the tendency to switch to a healthier diet and exercise plan has drastically increased. As part of this many people have adapted vegan and vegetarian diets for a change. Some of the reasons why vegan and vegetarian diet has gained popularity are: its high fiber, low saturated fat, and low calories content that is associated with not only weight loss but also numerous other health benefits such as anti-ageing, clear skin and fighting capabilities against diabetes, chronic heart conditions, cancer and many other dangerous health conditions. Vegan and vegetarian diets are easier to prepare at your home but having a restaurant to go out and eat your favorite vegan food for a change would feel nice, wouldn’t it? Uncountable restaurants have been opening up every month and while the competition is in the up and up, even for vegan and vegetarian restaurants these days, Juice Mandala at Jhamsikhel is definitely at the top of the game. 

This young establishment, which recently turned six months, offers fresh cold pressed juice and food without any preservatives or additives. The proprietor of Juice Mandala Mrs Reshma Pradhan Mulmi stated, “We at Juice Mandala choose to cater to everyone -- children, youth, adults and the elderly. Our food and juices are filled with nutritious vitamins and minerals without any flavoring, preservatives and additives. We currently have two branches: one at Damkal Road, Pulchowk, and the second at Hardik Fitness Club.” 

The menu they serve is indeed intriguing with such diverse and dynamic dishes that no one could ever imagine can be prepared from the ingredients that they use. The first drink I tasted was their Blackberry Smoothie, which looked dreamy with pretty color of lavender that popped out. With all-natural ingredients, the drink was nutritious and oozing with the deliciousness of every flavor. Both blackberry and banana are rich in manganese which is good for our skin, and their fibers and nutrients are useful in lowering the risk of cancer and diabetes. Moving on, my second drink was their Sunshine is  prepared from carrots and oranges. It had such a visually pleasing, vibrant orangey color and the flavors were harmonious and tantalizing. At first sip, the taste did feel weird as the mixture of all these ingredients confused me. But once I let it sit in, I got this sublime flavor of the ingredients and it was hard to stop drinking once I started. The Tropical Touch Smoothie indeed looks like a tropical dream, packed with such fresh flavors of banana, pineapple, spinach, mint, honey and flaxseed that came out together in such a perfect balance without one overpowering the other. My last drink was their Celeb Celery Juice, which not only looks healthy but tastes healthy from every angle considering it was a bit bitter compared to the other drinks. But it was beautifully balanced with the sweetness from the apples. But once I sipped it a few times, the drink didn’t feel as bitter as at the beginning and sat very well with my taste buds. Celery is rich in antioxidants and also helps reduce inflammation and manages blood sugar levels. It is also a key ingredient for losing weight. 

Talking about the dishes, my favorite has to the Buckwheat , an innovative and delightful dish to relish. Buckwheat (Phappar ko Pitho) is rich in proteins and fibers, and also promotes weight loss and fights diabetes. Never in my life, did I ever think that the  pizza would taste this good. Honestly speaking, it has become one of my favorite pizzas now. The buckwheat crust was crunchy and the perfectly cooked enticing flavors of the vegetables with cheese was brilliant in every way. I will come back for more of this. And the Indreni mo: mo is every vegetarian mo: mo lover’s dream. As a non-vegetarian, I honestly can’t go without making a bad face when it comes to vegetarian mo: mo, but the mo:mos here have changed my perception about mo:mos. The Indreni mo:mos were prepared from buckwheat flour dipped in different juices like spinach, beetroot, carrot, all of which brought beautiful colors that looked like a rainbow on a plate and tasted equally different with all the flavors of the ingredients in them. And the buckwheat mo: mo is such a healthier alternative to the calories from flour made mo:mos. Its succulent and wholesome flavors, along with the tangy sauce that felt home-made, was everything that I could ask for. 

I am not a fan of pumpkins and their Pumpkin Ginger Soup was not my bowl of soup – especially considering the taste from the pumpkin was too sweet and the ginger was overpowering for me. However, I suggest you all to not let my judgment overcrowd yours, especially if you love pumpkin soups.  Do give it a try especially during cold winter days. The last dish was the Sweet Corn Salad which was such a comfort food, and aesthetically pleasing as well. The juice oozing out of the corns and the crispy fresh red cabbage were simple yet had indulgent and garden-fresh flavors. 
So, if you are a vegan or a vegetarian (or even if you are not), visit Juice Mandala for some good body detox and to relish the most delicious and healthy food and drinks. Don’t forget to take lots of pictures too because the dishes look like they have been served straight out of a five-star restaurant. Their taste? Well, try it for yourself, and you will know why I have been praising them so much.