A List of Safe Restaurants

[JeffN]

It depends on the Store Manager

We are working closely with the Oakland store as it will be one of the stores we test the Wellness Clubs in. There are 5 stores being tested this year and if they are a success, there will be many more next year.

In Health
Jeff

[ETeSelle]

Yeah, I think in CA they are more down w/ the oil-free thing. Not here in TN. I haven't seen a THING on their hot bar or their premade salads that didn't contain oil. And the sushi at mine is just NASTY. I got it once and it had this sticky dressing in it (which contained oil--I knew it when I got it b/c I read the label but I was desperate, LOL). But then it wasn't just not on plan--it also tasted bad--I couldn't even finish it! So never again. I did check to see if they had any w/out that dressing and they didn't. What the heck is wrong w/ real vegan sushi?? Just veggies and rice and nori! <sigh>

[somnolent]

We are working closely with the Oakland store...

No wonder!

...as it will be one of the stores we test the Wellness Clubs in.

Can you give us more information about the Wellness Clubs?

[JeffN]

...as it will be one of the stores we test the Wellness Clubs in.

Can you give us more information about the Wellness Clubs?

Sure.

We are opening 5 Wellness Clubs this year. The club will work similar to a gym where there will be an initiation fee and a monthly membership fee.

The clubs will be within the Whole Foods and a separate space. In the "club" there will be an ongoing schedule every day and evening of classes, workshops, lectures, cooking demo's etc. There will also be 3 day immersions run in the Wellness Clubs. In two of the stores we will also be looking at possibly testing having a p/t Lifestyle Medical doctor there, who will be a consultant.

The WC Members will also have a discount card that will give them 10% on all items approved by the WC in the store. While this is a huge project and every region is different, we have already identified over 4K items that will be discounted. All these items will have passed the WC guidelines for saturated fat, added sugars, added sodium, calorie density, etc. These same guidelines will be applied to grocery items, prepared foods and the bakery and the salad bar.

We are also working on lining up community affiliates who will accept your membership and offer discounts. These may include gyms, yoga studio's, health care professionals, etc etc.

If all goes well and the first 5 are successful, many more will be opening in 2012.

The revolution has begun. Get ready to join in

http://whrefresh.com/2011/02/11/whole-f ... ess-clubs/

In Health
Jeff

[Christine in Cali]

Wow how exciting....I'm looking forward to being a part of it all.

[somnolent]

JeffN, that sounds fantastic!

[ETeSelle]

Who is "we," Jeff? Dr. McDougall et al? Or some other group?

[JeffN]

Who is "we," Jeff? Dr. McDougall et al? Or some other group?

We is Whole Foods and also the Wellness Club team, which is made up of myself, Dr Matt Lederman, Dr Alona Pulda and a few others.

In Health
Jeff

[ETeSelle]

So is WF planning to extend this nationwide? Will my WF improve? I shop there almost never, in part b/c the parking is a nightmare, but mostly b/c it's SOOO expensive and I don't see that I get anything better there than I do at Publix or TJ's for less $$. If they were trying a little harder I might, though!

[MTeehan]

Just a side note: I KNOW it's not safe or advisable to ever go into McDonalds but I was stuck in Maui with an hour to kill and I was STARVING. I didn't have a car and McDonalds was the only place around. I went in and asked the clerk if there was ANY dairy in the oatmeal. I got the 'blankest' look I've ever received from another human being. Finally she said there was 'dairy cream' on 'top'. So, I asked if they could leave off the 'dairy cream'. Again: BLANK OUT. I asked several times and received no response so I asked for a manager. Not much better. ....sigh..... Finally I said, LOUDLY so all could hear, ' I'm allergic to dairy and if you put even a drop of dairy on my oatmeal I will convulse and drop dead right in the middle of the store'. The manager asked me to leave. I did. I was still hungry but VERY satisfied. .....sigh.........

[blondie]

Haha -- I've eaten McD oatmeal once -- you didn't miss anything! Loved your talk to the VSH, Mike, thanks for sharing!!

[frozenveg]

Oh Mike, how horrible for you at the time, but that is a hysterical story! I love the blank looks! So you couldn't get the oatmeal without dairy!! Just confirms my suspicion about the whole oatmeal push at McD's!!

[ETeSelle]

Great story!

And it really is a commentary on the State of the World that the clerk used the phrase "dairy cream." I.e., as opposed to the non-dairy (full of trans fats) kind.

I think you are lucky you missed out on it, Mike, either way!

[MTeehan]

Thanks, guys. If only there were a McDougall's on every corner instead of a McDonalds. Funny, my mom's maiden name is McDonald. I always tease her that she is an 'heir' to the empire! Unfortunately her siblngs got the money and we got the 'results'. If you know what I mean! BUT, i walked away from my inheritance and luckily found Dr. John!!!!!!!

[macfarmw]

In Houston we have Ghengis Grill. You can pick all you veggies and tofu if you want. They will cook on a vegetarian grill and use no oil if you tell them. They also have brown rice. There are several sauces you can pick but I don't know if they have oil or not. You could skip the sauce and just add the dry seasonings they have.