Café Healthyish Rings in the New Year
Café Healthyish is starting the New Year by expanding beyond plantbased dishes to introduce a new “Meat Monday” menu featuring lighter, healthfocused meat entrées. Café Healthyish is ringing in the New Year with a simple message for Smithville: eating better does not have to be perfect, just “healthyish.” Located on West Walnut Street off the public square, the cozy plantbased café has become a local favorite for fresh salads, veggie sandwiches, and house-made treats that feel indulgent without the fastfood guilt.
Resolutions Without the Pressure
Owner Tami Studer says January is when many customers arrive determined to overhaul their diets, only to feel overwhelmed by strict rules and unrealistic expectations. Instead, she encourages a gentler approach. At Café Healthyish, that looks like swapping one heavy lunch a week for a colorful grain bowl, choosing a dairyfree dessert, or simply adding more vegetables to the plate.
Introducing “Meat Monday”
This year, the café is also expanding beyond plantbased dishes with its new “Meat Monday” offerings, featuring lighter, healthfocused meat entrées that still fit its healthyish philosophy. The goal is to give customers who are not fully plantbased a way to eat better without giving up meat entirely, making resolutions feel more realistic and sustainable.
Meal plans for busy weeks
New meal plans build on the same philosophy, with dishes centered on lean protein such as chicken or ground turkey, along with lowcarb, highfiber sides and a variety of vegetables and spices. Prices range from $11 to $13, depending on the plan you choose, giving customers flexible options for healthier eating without extensive prep at home.
Pickup for meal plans is set for Mondays from 3 to 4 p.m., a convenient window for residents heading home from work or errands. Customers can also message Café Healthyish TN on Facebook for more information or to arrange an alternate pickup time at the café.
A Practical Path to Eating Better
Regulars say the menu makes New Year resolutions easier to keep because the food is both satisfying and approachable, even for people who have never tried plantbased eating before. With its short weekday hours geared toward the lunch crowd, the café offers an accessible way for busy residents to reset their routines. For anyone resolving to eat better in 2026, Café Healthyish is serving practical inspiration—one “healthyish” meal at a time.
Café Healthyish
124 W. Walnut St. Smithville, TN (615) 972-1510
Chef Beth’s Vegetarian Paella
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients:
2 tsp. canola oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup brown rice
2 ¼ cups vegetable broth
1 TbsItalian seasoning
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground turmeric
1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
1 can (about 14 ounces) no-salt-added stewed tomatoes
1 cup chopped red and yellow bell pepper
½ cup coarsely chopped carrots
½ cup green beans
1 can (14 ounces) quartered artichoke hearts, drained
1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into ¼-inch slices (about 1¼ cups)
1/2 cup frozen baby peas
Directions:
1.Heat oil in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook untiltender. Reduce heat to low. Stir in rice; cook over medium heat 1 minute stir continuously.
2. Add broth, Italian seasoning, salt, turmeric, and ground red pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, covered, 30 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with juice, bell pepper, green beans, and carrots.
3.Simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Stir in artichoke hearts, zucchini, and peas; cook, covered, about 10 minutes or until vegetables are crisp tender.
Mark’s Energy Balls (No–Bake Recipe)
Ingredients:
• 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup toasted unsweetened coconut
• ½ cup peanut butter or almond butter
• ½ cup sesame seeds
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
Create your own with your favorite add-ins- chopped nuts, dried fruits or add more protein with protein powder.
Directions:
1. Stir all ingredients together in a bowl until combined.
2. Cover the mixing bowl and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
3. Use a cookie scoop to roll into individual balls. 4.
4. Refrigerate until ready to eat.
About the Author
Mark MyGrant is a retired educator turned food writer and blogger.
To read more view Mark’s blog at Whatscookingsmithville.com
Cafe Healthyish sounds wonderful, and I look forward to checking it out when I am in the area. What a wonderful concept! I also look forward to incorporating your recipe, Mark, as I coukd use a dose of energy!
I think you would love this little cafe. The menu is limited but tasty and healthy. Thanks for being part of my blog, Chef Beth!