Forget those typical travel articles showcasing exotic destinations. You don't need to go far to experience relaxation, happiness, and health. This guide outlines a 48-hour plan packed with activities to make you feel well-fed and rejuvenated right here in Eugene, Oregon. Follow the itinerary from Friday night to Sunday dinner, or simply pick and choose the activities that appeal to you most.
Friday Evening: Nourishing Dinner and Relaxation
Instead of cooking dinner at home and dealing with cleanup, start your wellness weekend with a visit to Laughing Planet. It’s a fast and healthy option that doesn't compromise on taste. With gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and vegan options, there's something for everyone. Enjoy burritos, salads, soups, and bowls. Eat in at one of their two locations or order online for pickup.
- Laughing Planet locations: 760 Blair Blvd.; 2864 Willamette St.
After dinner, create a relaxing atmosphere at home with an aromatherapy candle from Uncommon Scents. Lavender is known for its relaxing properties. Light the candle and prepare a cup of herbal tea to unwind. Mountain Rose Herbs offers an organic nighttime tea called Fidnemed Tea, flavored with citrus, red berries, and a floral aroma.
- Mountain Rose Herbs locations: Mercantile: 152 W. 5th Ave.; Aroma Bar, 590 Pearl St.
Saturday: Outdoor Activities and Pampering
Start your day with a healthy and filling meal at Morning Glory Cafe, Eugene's oldest vegetarian restaurant. They cook with whole, mostly organic and local ingredients. Dine in or take out.
After breakfast, get outside and enjoy Eugene's natural beauty. Head to the North Bank Path, a 5-mile riverside trail through Alton Baker Park. Alternatively, visit Hendricks Park, Eugene’s oldest city park, with trails for plant admiration and birdwatching. Rhododendrons bloom in May, but the park is beautiful any time of year.
Read also: Healthy food access with Highmark Wholecare explained.
- Hendricks Park: Summit Ave.
Recharge after your walk with a visit to Elizabeth’s Mediterranean Cuisine and Wine Lounge, where Chef Gabe Weaver crafts vibrant, nutrient-rich dishes inspired by the flavors of Greece, Italy, Spain, and the Middle East.
Next, visit the Saturday Farmers Market (April through November) for local produce and flowers. Pick up some flowers to brighten your home.
Indulge in a massage at Footloose Massage Center. Schedule a full body or foot and leg massage. For a cozy experience, try the warm water foot soak.
- Footloose Massage Center: 35 W. 4th Ave.
Stop by Clean Juice Eugene for organic cold-pressed juices, smoothies, wraps, açaí bowls, and salads.
End your day with a hot tub session at Onsen in Eugene or Springfield Spas in Springfield.
Read also: Healthy Eating on the Run
- Springfield Spas: 1100 Main St.
For dinner, if you bought something from the farmer’s market, your dinner’s all set. If not, settle in for the night and get delivery. Sushi is a delicious, healthy food that makes you feel good after you eat, and there are a lot of great sushi places in town. Sushi Pure offers a variety of unique signature sushi rolls. Plus they serve black rice intermixed with white rice in their rolls.
Before bed, try yoga nidra, a guided meditation technique that promotes deep sleep. Online resources are available, or purchase a sound file from Eugene-based yoga instructor Aricha Pluid.
Sunday: Yoga, Pastries, and a Special Dinner
Start your Sunday with a yoga session. Eugene Yoga offers virtual gentle yoga sessions on Sunday mornings via Zoom. For a more energetic workout, try an in-person Sculpt class at Glow Yoga.
- Eugene Yoga locations: South Location: 3575 Donald St. Ste 180, Downtown Location: 199 E. 5th Ave.
After yoga, treat yourself to pastries from Noisette Pastry Kitchen. Sunday's signature baked good is bagels (with lox and cream cheese), but on other days of the week choose from walnut sourdough (Wednesdays), rye (Thursdays), and more. Croissants, goat cheese biscuits, or scones await, as do lunch items like paninis or focaccia.
Consider a sensory deprivation experience at Float Om.
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- Float Om: 111 E. 11th Ave.
Pick up some flowers to take home and brighten the rest of your night. But avoid the pesticide-sprayed ones that were flown in from who knows where. Flicker Towns Farmette focuses on unique varieties and very early and very late season flowers. Order ahead, or stop by their cute front yard flower stand to pick a bouquet that speaks to you. Another local florist is Rhythm & Blooms.
Wrap up your wellness weekend with something special. Party Downtown has some of the most unique and highly seasonal food in town. Order a satisfying full meal with an entree or sides, depending on what looks good in the market that day, or a chilled seafood platter that will feed two people like kings.
- Party Downtown: 55 W. Broadway
Finally, create a relaxing bath with the lavender candle and bubble bath from Uncommon Scents. Soak in the bath and enjoy the feeling of having done so many good things for yourself over the past two days.
Additional Healthy Eating Options in Eugene
Besides the restaurants mentioned above, Eugene offers a variety of other healthy eating options. Here are a few more to consider:
Rawtopia
Rawtopia is a restaurant proudly serving All organic 100% raw vegan gluten-free no refined sugars low salt no oil. Reminder : Due to our small space, they are not able to accommodate parties of 3 or larger for dine-in. Take-out is offered instead.
- visit them at 1085 Chambers streetEugene, oregon
Laughing Planet: A Closer Look
At Laughing Planet, you don’t have to choose between healthy and delicious. Their menu consists of burritos, bowls, soups, salads, and smoothie, served in a relaxed and casual environment. They make it easy to go vegan, paleo, vegetarian, or gluten free without having to go taste free.
Some of their popular items include:
- Aged White Cheddar Queso: Larger size for sharing! Aged white cheddar, medium cheddar, fire-roasted tomatoes and chipotle peppers. Served with non-GMO corn tortilla chips.
- Kale Caesar Salad: House-made Caesar dressing, curry-roasted pumpkin seeds, nutritional yeast. Lemon served on the side.
- Kale Salad: Lacinato kale and carrots with lemon-parsley vinaigrette. Served with non-GMO corn tortilla chips on the side.
- Bubba Deluxe:
- MAKE IT VEGAN! Bowl: Baked organic tofu, garlic green beans, and steamed broccoli on brown rice or jasmine rice.
- Protein Bowl: Grilled chicken breast, roasted cauliflower, curry-roasted pumpkin seeds, garlic green beans, broccoli, spinach and yams on a bed of brown or jasmine rice.
- Beef or Tofu Bowl: Your choice of braised 100% pasture-raised beef or baked organic tofu, broccoli, and brown or jasmine rice.
- Kid's Menu: Mini Burrito or Mini Quesadilla, steamed broccoli or corn, and small apple juice or milk. The perfect mid-sized burrito for older kids.
- House-Made Margarita: House-made margarita with fresh lime juice.
- Local Microbrews and Ciders: They love beer as much as you do, so they offer an assortment of local microbrews and ciders.
- Local Kombuchas:
- Local Teas:
tags: #healthy #restaurants #eugene #oregon