My colleagues took me to fresh + last week. The food was fresh, price was reasonable, service was welcoming and enjoyed my first visit at fresh +. You are what you eat!

SHARING:

Free Radical

An atom or group of atoms that has at least one unpaired electron and is therefore unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissues, free radicals can damage cells and are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and age-related diseases.

How Free Radicals are Formed

Normally, bonds don?t split in a way that leaves a molecule with an odd, unpaired electron. But when weak bonds split, free radicals are formed. Free radicals are very unstable and react quickly with other compounds, trying to capture the needed electron to gain stability. Generally, free radicals attack the nearest stable molecule, "stealing" its electron. When the "attacked" molecule loses its electron, it becomes a free radical itself, beginning a chain reaction. Once the process is started, it can cascade, finally resulting in the disruption of a living cell.

Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism. Sometimes the body?s immune system?s cells purposefully create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides can also spawn free radicals.

Normally, the body can handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Of particular importance is that free radical damage accumulates with age.

How Antioxidants May Prevent Against Free Radical Damage

The vitamins C and E, are thought to protect the body against the destructive effects of free radicals. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating one of their own electrons, ending the electron-"stealing" reaction. The antioxidant nutrients themselves don?t become free radicals by donating an electron because they are stable in either form They act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and disease.

Vitamin E ? The most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in the body. One of the most efficient chain-breaking antioxidants available. Primary defender against oxidation. Primary defender against lipid peroxidation (creation of unstable molecules containing more oxygen than is usual).

Vitamin C ? The most abundant water-soluble antioxidant in the body. Acts primarily in cellular fluid. Of particular note in combating free-radical formation caused by pollution and cigarette smoke. Also helps return vitamin E to its active form.

The Lesson: Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables!

The antioxidants are believed to help protect the body from free-radical damage. But before you go out and stock your pantry with mega-doses of these vitamins, be warned: more is not always better. The long-term effect of large doses of these nutrients has not been proven. Other chemicals and substances found in natural sources of antioxidants may also be responsible for the beneficial effects. So for now, the best way to ensure adequate intake of the antioxidant nutrients is through a balanced diet consisting of 5-8 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

Read the full review at http://thehungrybunnie.blogspot.com

The salads are a little pricey, especially since you are paying premium prices for green vegetables, but you are paying for quality and the variety of ingredients. Service is cheery and fairly efficient and although there are snaking queues, it moves very fast.

You head to the serving counter and select up to 6 of the ingredients in addition to the standard lettuce mix for a big salad bowl ($9.50).

We had:

1) Big salad with brown rice, cucumber, corn, kidney beans, pumpkin and French beans, without any dressing for less calories

2) Small Salad ($5.80) with corn, homemade croutons, carrots, brown rice, pasta, couscous, smoked salmon (additional $2.50 for GourmExtras) and chick peas (additional $1 for extra topping) for a Mediterranean inspired salad

Quick, Healthy and Tasty that's how i would sum up Fresh +, A great place to eat good salads, ever smiling staff and a really a warm reception you get there. A perfect lunch meal if you are Glued to your chair at work, haven't really tired the sandwiches but surely will do soon.

Kudos,

Clay,