In 2026, Natural Awakenings is on a mission to explore how even the smallest or simplest actions—when practiced consistently—can nurture long-term health. This exploration has me thinking: If wellness can be easy, it can also be enjoyable.  

Taking care of ourselves should not feel like a chore. Filling our bodies with natural and nutritious foods grown from the earth should be a joyful experience, not a stressful one. Tasting the nuanced flavors and textures of an intentionally-crafted meal should bring a smile to our faces—and that’s where Café Evergreen comes in.  

Ted Weinberger, co-owner of this locally-sourced organic restaurant in Nokomis, believes that a commitment to optimizing your wellness can offer delicious possibilities. He breaks it all down for us in this month’s Community Spotlight.    

Natural Awakenings: What are some easy, practical, and thoughtful choices that anyone can take to improve their wellness when dining out?  

Ted Weinberger: One key element to wellness is prioritizing nutrition. You can do this by choosing natural, whole foods rather than processed or artificial ingredients. “Processed” usually means that a food item contains excess salt, sugar, and artificial preservatives.  

When you scan a restaurant menu while dining out, here are some questions to ask: Does this restaurant serve processed sauces and condiments, or are they housemade? Does this restaurant use ready-to-eat ingredients that are fried or heated up before serving? Are the meats full of nitrates, which can increase the risk of cancer? 

It’s important to make healthy, wholesome choices with the options available to you. At Café Evergreen, we offer our customers a variety of options to enhance their wellness—without compromising their enjoyment. Hungry for meatloaf? We make our vegan meatloaf with nutritious, flavorful ingredients such as organic flax seed, lentils, and quinoa. Then, we plate it over cauliflower mash with an apple reduction gravy. 

In the mood for a burger and fries? Choose our lean bison, lamb, or pasture-raised beef burger with baked sweet potato fries on the side. Want a glass of wine? Our blueberry wine contains essential antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.  Prioritizing your wellness does not have to feel complicated—not to mention, it can still taste delicious.    

NA: What other simple habits, choices, and routines contribute to prioritizing wellness? Can you elaborate on how these play into the menu and ambiance of Café Evergreen?  

Weinberger: Hydration is also crucial for optimum wellness. At Café Evergreen, we offer herbal teas, organic probiotic drinks, smoothies, juices, and matcha teas. 80 percent of the human body is water, so keep it filled with high-quality fluids.  

Another important facet is stress management. Meals should be pleasurable, so the environment where you eat matters. We strive to make our restaurant feel comfortable and invitational, so our diners can relax at the table, linger over their meals, and take the time to fully savor each bite. We don’t have loud music or televisions playing, and our décor features soothing earth tones and natural materials. We built a living wall of plants, our tables are reclaimed wood from a local barn, and the fireplace mantle is made from pecky cypress.   

NA: Can you offer some advice on what it takes to establish daily wellness habits that are both effective and sustainable—without feeling like a chore?  

Weinberger: In order for your wellness choices to stick long-term, they must become a ritual. If you can, I invite you to eat a meal here at Café Evergreen at least once a week. Our menu is always bursting with wholesome nutrients, local and seasonal ingredients, colorful presentations, and unique flavors and textures. It’s a true honor to serve our community, so I hope that you will come see us and cultivate your own wellness ritual this year!  

Café Evergreen is located at 801 S Tamiami Trail, Nokomis. The juice and smoothie bar is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The café is open for both lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Breakfast is served on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 941-412-4334 or visit https://cafeevergreen.net/