October 2009

This is really interesting…

Study: Calorie count on fast-food menus gives diners pause

“People who used the calorie information available at fast-food chain restaurants in New York City bought 106 fewer calories’ worth of food at lunch than those who didn’t see or use the information, a study shows,” according to the article, “Study: Calorie count on fast-food menus gives diners pause” by Nanci Hellmich, USA Today.

This is why we’ve always believed in sharing our nutritional information. We want our customers to know what they’re eating.

Teaching kids to love veggies. Yes, it can be done.

We have partnered with Slow Food Denver to support the development of youth gardens at elementary schools in Denver. There are already more than 20 school gardens in Denver Public Schools, and we want to help create more. It’s a great way for kids to get their hands dirty, literally, and learn where their food comes from.

On Oct. 10, we hosted a benefit day at a local Noodles in Denver to raise money for a garden at Smith Elementary School. The next weekend Noodles & Company, Smith Elementary and Slow Food Denver came together to build the garden. The kids will be ready to plant next spring.

Before

Almost There

Wow. We came a long way.

In addition to getting gardens ready for the spring, we enjoyed the harvest with students at school Youth Farmer’s Markets. Kids sold their vegetables while we sautéed up and sampled Pasta Fresca featuring the garden goodness.

Tip—Kids love pasta. Parents want kids to eat their vegetables. Combine the two and everyone is happy.

Yum

Sharing the Past Fresca love.

Coming soon to schools near you….

Slurp. We saw this and couldn’t resist sharing.

Alan Culpepper talking shoes at Noodles’ health fair

Allan Culpepper, an American distance runner who finished 4th in the Boston Marathon in 2005, won the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon and finished 12th at the 2004 Olympic Marathon in Athens, came to Noodles & Company’s annual health fair to talk about his shoe store called Solepepper Sports. After the health fair, he chowed down on some Spaghetti & Meatballs and Whole Grain Tuscan Linguine with the rest of the office.

Our own marathon runner, Noodles graphic designer, Lynn Jenner, was all smiles when he opted to take a photo with her. Jenner recently ran the St. George last Sunday and will be running Denver on Sunday.

According to coolrunning.com, carbohydrates are “the single most important fuel for the runner.”

Tell us:
How do you fuel up before an athletic challenge?

Noodles & Company came in second place on Best of Denver’s 7 A-List in the’09 Best Vegetarian category. WaterCourse Foods took first. City, O’ City; Sweet Tomatoes; and Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant came in 3rd, 4th and 5th. This makes Noodles & Company one of the top five Best Vegetarian restaurants in the Denver area in ’08 and ’09, according to ABC 7’s Denver A-List. Thanks to all the fans for making it possible!