Toniq Juice Bar : From the Nature, for the People

Healthy living is a long-term commitment, not a flash in the pan craze. It is not just about strict dietary limitations, hours of training at the gym, or staying slim. Rather, it’s about feeling great, stabilizing your mood, and better relationships. Social interactions are as important as diet and exercise. The more human connections we have, the more likely we are to live long and flourish. Life wouldn’t be as fascinating, dramatic, or exciting without friends along for the ride.

There are days when we want to eat something healthier without sacrificing on taste. So, you text your friends and firm up plans. Suddenly, they text you the most impossible question to answer: Where should we go? The next thing you know, you’ve ventured down the help of Google, trying to figure out what’s nearby.

_{@xsasj (left) and @iwanderela (right)}

Just because you're eating lean doesn't mean you have to miss out on fine dining. When it comes to healthy restaurants, Cebu City has a lot to render. However, what about when you're eating as a group, and only some of you are vegan? Choosing one restaurant over another can make a difference than you may suspect. Luckily, I know a spot that lives up to the hype, justifies the wait, and is worth the traffic blues. Heed my advice below so you don’t set yourself up for failure before you even sit down!

A new addition to Ayala Center’s hot spots, Toniq Juice Bar’s ethos is based on a conscious way of eating where meals are prepared with equal emphasis on nutrients and taste. To satiate your cravings, wholesome, fresh, and healthy ingredients are combined together to produce the best quality of food in a most simplistic manner they bring to the table. Consider this your healthy guide on where to breakfast, lunch, grab a quick snack bite, or linger over a healthy dinner — whatever part of the city you’re in! Toniq Juice Bar serves up a full day's worth of healthy fare that definitely doesn't taste like diet food. Fast, cheap, and tasty options abound at this salubrious bar!

Sitting at a table by the kitchen gives you the perfect view of every dish, as their team of professional chefs meticulously make each and every recipe come live to your platter, with the perfect aroma, taste, flavor, and texture all intact! They use unrefined produce to get you the earthy flavors which are authentic to our roots. You’re in excellent hands as the cooks are delighted to knock up dishes at short notice.

Toniq Juice Bar introduces the farm-to-table style of eating, where vegetables and fruits are prepared daily, and then put on display for customers to pick and choose. They refuse to compromise on quality of their restaurant, that’s why they source and chop the freshest ingredients everyday. Toniq prides itself on being a “gathering of goodness”. Here, it’s all about growing good food, serving up good meals and stocking only good ingredients.

With Toniq’s tagline “Good Food is Good Mood,” who doesn’t need a good mood coming their way? Designed with the signature attention to detail and classic look, Toniq Juice Bar is a calming and restorative oasis in the bustling metropolis. Understandably associated with nature, the ambience of this place has green and earth tones to draw a connection with freshness and healthy options. People generally feel relaxed in this spot and actually sense intuitively that the food being served is health-giving and fresh. Rustic accents incite a farmhouse feel, encouraging patrons to sit down, relax and stay awhile — while possibly continuing to order food or drinks. Now that you’re seated and ready to enjoy yourself, conquer the next step toward a positive, guilt-free dining experience!

The menu gives great aesthetic pleasure. It is curated to suit the food palate for all age groups. The cuisine doesn't stick to any kind of health plan, but you will find a variety of wholesome dishes made from premium quality ingredients. Even non-vegan eaters will most certainly find something to enjoy, which might even encourage you to go green! Whether you’re looking for a quick elixir shot or want to be reconnected with friends over comfort food, this vegetarian juice bar and cafe has you covered, making it a health-conscious eater's dream. This place started as a juice bar but has expanded to include a full menu, from protein-packed smoothies and freshly-pressed juices to vitamin-loaded meals. Customers will have a tough time deciding on what to order as everything on the menu is nutritionist approved. Whatever it is, you’ll definitely want to snap a photo before you dig in.

Vegan Shawarma

Let’s start with Vegan Shawarma! Veganized, but with authentic flavor! This delicious shawarma is made with fresh cucumber, tomatoes, white onions, soy meat, and drizzled with soy-based shawarma sauce, all wrapped up in a homemade chapati. Soy meat alternatives are widely consumed by vegetarians. Meat alternatives made with soy protein provide a great source of high quality protein compared to regular meat, making it a solid protein option to add into any diet. Soy products contain all of the essential amino acids needed for growth. Soy meats also provide good amounts of B vitamins and iron. These alternatives are generally very low in total fat and saturated fat, making them subsequently lower in calories. The consistency and texture of soy meat is similar to real meat, however, the natural flavors are often thought to be bland in comparison. Because of this, there are some organic spices added to help boost its flavor profile. Altogether, Toniq’s vegan shawarma is healthier, lighter and tastier! Served with corn tortilla chips, this meal enables people to continue to eat what they love without the health downsides.

Buckwheat Noodles Salad

Just in case you’re wondering, buckwheat noodle is another name for soba noodle, a type of noodle that is made from buckwheat flour and is popular in Japanese cuisine. Despite its name, buckwheat is not related to wheat, as it is not a grass. Buckwheat is a pseudocereal, which comes from the seeds of non-grasses, yet look like cereal grains. Buckwheat flour is a good source of nutrients like protein, fiber, iron, carbohydrates, and thiamine. It is also rich in manganese, which makes up a component of several enzymes that quash harmful free radicals to prevent cell damage. Furthermore, it helps make collagen, a protein required for wound healing, and maintaining healthy cartilage and bone. This salad is not just a beautiful feast for the eyes, but also a good choice for people following a gluten-free diet. In this recipe, buckwheat noodles are tossed in a sesame dressing, and garnished with carrot dices, minced onions, and chopped lettuce. Simple, yet bright in flavors! The savory and sweet dressing gives a nice spin! Don’t let the brown color turn you off, they are incredibly sapid! You’ll definitely enjoy this zesty, crunchy and flavor-packed Buckwheat Noodles Salad. Trust me, you need this blissful dish!

Garden Pesto Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? It’s one of the most beloved food in the world! Nevertheless, I decided to whip up this greener version of pizza which is definitely way healthier than the traditional, but just as delectable! Perfect on any time of the day, this Garden Pesto Pizza is loaded with mixed veggies, pesto, cheese, caramelized onions and tomatoes. The pesto sauce, with its combination of olive oil, pine nuts, fresh basil, garlic and Parmesan cheese, is a well-balanced and healthy addition to this pizza. All of these ingredients have health benefits such as the olive oil and pine nuts, which are higher in calories, because they have a high fat content. However, what makes this food considered “healthy” is that the fat is unsaturated. Combined with the natural sweetness of caramelized onions, the savory pesto on top, and the added irresistible crunch of the mixed veggies, this is undoubtedly a palatable pizza invention! The smell of everything is incredible, too. Whether it's the pizza's colorful appearance, or the flavors from the variety of fresh produce, there are so many reasons to love this pizza! The perfect pizza, straight from the garden!

Spicy Tofu Stew

Warm up a chilly evening with this light but satisfying rice bowl dish! Tofu, also known as bean curd, is a popular food prepared by pressing coagulated soy milk into flat white blocks. Tofu is a power-packed food substitute that is ideal for vegans all around the world because it contains no traces of animal products of any kind. It is also an excellent food from a nutritional and health perspective. It is thought to provide protection against cancer and heart disease. It is naturally gluten-free and low in calories, which makes it an attractive option for people who want to lose weight. The silky texture of the tofu, together with the hearty meat-like mushrooms, mix so well with chili paste to create a tangy, spicy, soul-soothing concoction that will leave you fulfilled and slightly sweaty. Miso adds a hint of combined sweetness and saltiness to this stew, while sesame seeds incorporate a crunchy and subtle nutty taste. In general, the Spicy Tofu Stew is spicy, lip-smacking, and detoxifying at the same time! I hope you give this a try soon!

Turmeric Tonic

We love a daily dose of anything that helps keep us healthy and balanced. So, Toniq Juice Bar set out to create a turmeric-based drink that could go either way, which resulted in their newly released Turmeric Tonic. You might ask, “What is a tonic?” Tonic is a medicinal substance taken to give a feeling of vigor or well-being. This turmeric tonic juice is like sunshine in a cup! While turmeric does add a beautiful vibrancy to this drink, it’s claimed to have powerful medicinal properties too! What makes this tonic healing is that it contains turmeric, known as an anti-flammatory, cancer-fighting wonder-house. On the other hand, it's also used to give an intense golden hue and zest to your drinks. It is a healthy elixir to drink everyday and keep your body optimized. Turmeric has an earthy, peppery taste, but the lemon lightens the taste up! Switch out your morning beverage with a revitalizing glass of turmeric tonic. Join me in my love of turmeric by starting with this turmeric tonic!

Belly Soother

Soothe and shrink your belly! Sip on this deliciously sweet Belly Soother smoothie packed with ingredients such as papaya, coconut, calamansi, honey, and banana! Forget doing another set of crunches at the gym. Nourish yourself with a neutralizing, detoxifying, antioxidant-packed drink that helps diminish belly fat, fight stomach aches, constipation, and reduce bloating! The papaya in this smoothie is a natural source of vitamins and minerals that are essential for the normal functioning of the body; the calamansi has been shown to have an ability to soothe acidity in the stomach, aid in weight loss, and detoxify the body. If that’s not enough, you also get the sweetness of honey, which contains an enzyme that helps ease digestion and banish bloat; the banana, which is full of fiber to prevent constipation, and there’s coconut water to help you keep hydrated. Get ready for the smoothie detox of your life! This belly soother smoothie is a refreshing and satisfying way to start your day, it keeps both your belly and your taste buds happy!

Chia Fresca

Seed your soul! Water is essential for proper hydration. But when chia seeds are added, the effect is huge! Despite the small size, chia seed is nutrient-dense and packs a punch of energy-boosting power. Originally grown in Mexico, chia means “strength” in the Mayan language, and chia seeds were known as “runners’ food” because runners would use them as fuel while running long distances. Of course, water and chia isn't the most appealing taste in the world. To add some flavor to your day, Toniq tried going beyond simply drinking chia seeds in water. This Chia Fresca is a naturally sweet and refreshing drink to your day that can't be beat! You won't believe how much flavor is loaded in! This drink is made up of water, chia seeds, turmeric, and calamansi. The beverage is full of healthy plant-based omega-3, dietary fibers, complete protein, calcium, magnesium and more! Combined, these nutrients create a vital force that delivers the power to live the life you’ve always wanted. Now, go turn your favorite beverage into a chia seed drink! Cheers to a new day and another chance to make it right!

Friendships have a huge impact on your health and happiness. Whatever your age or circumstances, it's never too late to make new friends or reconnect with old ones. Going out for a healthy meal with friends is an important part of maintaning good health, and can help you feel your best. Step inside Toniq Juice Bar today! Meet people, start a conversation, cultivate good friendships, and love it all the way. Tag your friends in the comment section below! 👇🏻