FORMER WORST COOK SOPHIA GETTYS

The Bombay Bowl is one of Denver’s health conscious quick service dining jewels. You’ll find this independently owned and operated SmartMeal friendly restaurant nestled on a busy corner off 6th and Lincoln in downtown Denver. I had the opportunity to stop by a few weeks ago on my way home from a meeting and this is a testimony to my exceptional experience.

From the moment you enter, posters introduce you to key elements of traditional Indian spices, herbs and flavors. On the night that I came in, it was probably past most people’s dinner time, so I was surprised to find that I would have to wait in a small line before I could order. Fortunately there was a lot to look at!  The menu was well stocked with a variety of options from rice to salad bowls. I was particularly happy to see that this restaurant took the SmartMeal promotion very seriously. Each SmartMeal option on the menu was clearly labeled and at each table there was a centerpiece that offered even more information on the program. 

When I arrived home I was dying to dig in to the beautiful salad bowl before me. With each bite the traditional flavors of India danced across my tongue. I was intrigued by the opportunity to try something new, inspired by the strong belief in the SmartMeal program and completely satisfied by the filling, not to mention thrilling dish. It had a lot of similarities to other quick serve hot spots in terms of production but the flavors and vibe are all its own. One last note: I felt that the entrance to the location was a bit hard to find…but in the end, it was well worth the effort.

Disclaimer: Sophia was provided with a SmartMeal coupon by LiveWell Colorado; however, her opinions are her own.

As summer comes to an end, I can’t help but get excited for the fall.  I am a huge fan of changing leaves, cooler marathon training temps and my return to JWU-Denver’s Adult Continuing Education (ACE) Culinary program. September 8th will mark the start of my second year and I couldn’t be more thrilled to get back in to the kitchen!

If there is one thing that has been burned into my brain about cooking, it’s the popular culinary term,  “mise en place.” I was first introduced to mise en place by chef Beau MacMillan, my mentor and team blue instructor while filming “Worst Cooks in America” in 2008. Since the show, I have immersed myself in the culinary world and haven’t gone a day without mise en place crossing my mind. For those who aren’t familiar, it is a French phrase which means, “a place for everything and everything in its place.”

Organization while cooking is essential, but organization in life is imperative! Once I got home from filming Worst Cooks, I started to see how mise en place translates to everything I do. I realized that I wasn’t just a disaster in the kitchen. I was a hot mess in many other areas of my life -- especially in regard to my health. I saw this and decided that it was time to make a change. I took proactive measures in planning meals and doing research on ways to make my favorite recipes healthier using nutritiondata.com. I started exercising and eventually running marathons.

Let’s be completely honest here, I am far from perfect in my mission for organization but I strive for that perfection daily. Mise en place is not just a term, it’s a frame of mind. So I say, make a pact with yourself to get organized. It may be a bit more work upfront, but in the end you’ll be that much further ahead of the game. The sky is the limit with the things you can achieve when your I’s dotted and your T’s crossed!