You may be an adult, but you're never too old to take Mom's advice, especially when it comes to eating right. Getting your daily quota of greens (and reds, yellows, oranges and beyond) doesn't have to feel like a chore. In fact, we've found some tasty loopholes for you. Make the prospect of eating your veggies a whole lot more exciting with these unconventional drinks and desserts.
Don't let the hot pink hue of the Beet Margarita at Terra GR (1429 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids) fool you into thinking this is a gals-only cocktail. With an unbeatable flavor and some serious kick, this drink — made with sauza blanco tequila, cointreau, pickled beet juice and hand-pressed lemon and lime juice — appeals to all tastes. You can also make it a little or a lot spicier with Terra's house-infused jalapeno tequila. (Just a splash is enough to note the difference.)
If you prefer something herbal and refreshing, the Basil and Cuke Smash at Food Dance (401 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo) is for you. It's a delicious combo of New Holland Brewery's Knickerbocker Gin, cocchi, yellow chartreuse, lemon juice, muddled cucumber and fresh basil. Rockwell Republic (45 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids) serves up an intriguing Cucumber Mojito made with melon vodka, fresh cucumber essence and lime.
Furniture City Creamery (958 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids) switches up its sweets menu daily, so check out their Facebook page before heading to the store. Or maybe you prefer to be surprised and gratified by the tantalizing flavors you'll encounter. For ice cream enthusiasts, they've got the classics (Mint Chocolate Chip), the seasonally festive (Egg Nog) and the more adventuresome (Mojito) covered. And then there are flavors you've probably never encountered, like the exotic Avocado Lime. You can also enjoy this rich, creamy and satisfying ingredient (technically a fruit) in the Vegan Avocado Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Hey, a superfood chockfull of Vitamin A can’t be discounted — even when it's consumed in the form of a moist, chewy, frosted indulgence. Save room for the Carrot Cake, stuffed with pecans and covered in warm cream cheese frosting, at City Vu Bistro (61 East 7th St., Holland). And as long as we're cheating, we're going to also recommend the Morning Glory muffin at Wealthy Street Bakery (610 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids), made with carrots, raisins and nuts — and slightly healthier sans frosting.
You can also add some kick your cocktail at Rockwell|Republic (45 S Division Ave. SE, Grand Rapids). Try the Firecracker, a specialty drink made with house-infused jalapeno tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice muddled strawberries and jalapeno. Or sweeten this chili pepper's sass at Moo-ville Creamery (5875 South M-66, Nashville). They've got a vanilla ice cream filled with the hot stuff!
And lastly, perhaps the most unusual and intriguing treat we came across in the veggie dessert category — the Black Bean Fudge Popsicles made in-house at Nourish Organic Market & Deli (634 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids). The all-organic ingredient list promises a sweet enough taste; get ready for a creamy blend of coconut milk, raw coconut sugar, Michigan black beans, ground vanilla beans and cocoa powder.
