January 22nd, 2011

Hobos, Sixty Day Wellness Program, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Beaches, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Change your Diet; Change the World

This is the second time Gretchen Hanson, Executive Chef of Hobos Restaurant & Bar has offered this type of event.  It takes a lot of preparation and only a person that has embraced this lifestyle for the better part of her life, could really inform and teach.

I was invited by Victoria to spend an informative evening at Hobos.  This very popular restaurant is located at 56 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.  Tel. is 302-226-2226.  Website?  www.myhobos.com.

Gretchen was offering a Sixty Day Wellness Program infused with cooking classes.  Tonight was the informative evening with classes starting next week.  If you are interested, either call the above mentioned telephone or visit the website.

Boy, was it cold tonight!!  It really was.  But, we all made it to Hobos.  It was full to capacity.  During warm months, Hobos has a great porch for dining; tonight we were all inside. 

This program for 60 days looked very interesting.  The majority of us there had not gone to her first session.  A lot of them, though, were returning to continue the learning process.  This class promises “detox from processed foods and an all around overhaul”.

The first thing we did was eat.  That was more like it.  I liked that.  The foods had gorgeous colors; a nice variety, as well.  Only the couscous was not gluten free.  Couscous comes from North Africa. 

The cabbage was delicious with a slight hint of sweetness; appealing to our visual senses.

The lentil soup got rave reviews, especially since it was so cold.

Gretchen suggested we tried everything.  That’s exactly what everyone did.  My plate looked beautiful.  Pesto, eggplant tapenade and rice with zucchini were among the dishes.

It was a good crowd.  Immediately after we were all seated, we introduced ourselves.  Some were retired, others were looking for healthier ways to cook, others had no idea the word Vegan was going to be introduced.  Then there were the persons that said they had no intention of being Vegans.  And on and on it went.  The interesting part was the people that had already made a change in their diet.  Some had lost weight and others had very impressive results after having blood tests performed.

Gretchen will be the first to tell you that she is not a nutritionist or dietician.  And, the class is not a diet class; it is a change from the way you eat.  More of a plant base lifestyle; less milk and animal protein.  She does not demand you become Vegan; she will be the first to tell you that she is not the perfect Vegan.  She would like you to try it for those 60 days so that you can obtain the full effect of what she is talking about. 

The problem with all of us, here in America is that we have set aside that family dinner that was so important.  It really is a thing of the past. We eat foods that are handed out from a drive through window; then eat it just as fast.

If you are going to eat meat then choose “happy flesh”, meaning don’t put in your body something that has been injected to give it that extra boost.

We were there for 3 hours and it went so fast.  So very interesting and even though she only scratched the surface, we all learned a lot.

While this class is in progress, Hobos is open on week-ends (Friday, Sat. and Sunday) for lunch and dinner.  They can deliver and cater.

The restaurant is “green”, from toilet tissue to plastic bags and deli containers.  Everything is recycable and recycled.  Every company used is earth friendly.

Hobos has vegetarian, vegan and gluten free menus and it offers specials every day, as well.

I had to laugh when Gretchen said this 60 days are “a little granola crunchy”.  She has an interesting story; growing up in a commune where everything was home-grown.  Her mother did not even have a can opener; not such thing was needed.

Some of the suggested readings were:

The China Study by Dr. Colin Campbell.  It is the most comprehensive nutritional study ever done.

The Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan; thoughtful, insightful and provocative.

Watch Food, Inc.  It is a must watch because nothing you put in your mouth will ever taste the same.

One last thought.  Let’s say you fall off the wagon, then make peace with your choices and move on.

As Gretchen said “Your Path, Your Journey, Your Choices”.

Guess What?  I do feel a little guilty all of a sudden as I write this post….I went to Eming’s Pig Roast….tomorrow’s post…talk to you later…..