CAFÉ MOCHA TOFU ‘CHZ’ CAKE. Photo Credit RFD's Executive Pastry Chef, Anthony Nigro

Healthy eating tends to take a double whammy at this time of year. Life is hectic–with holiday shopping and social events (as if it weren’t hard enough during normal times to get home from work and prepare a nutritious dinner). On top of that, everywhere one turns, there are sweet treats piled to the rafters.

But a family’s health doesn’t have to be sacrificed during the happiest and hungriest season, thanks to Ann Gentry and Real Food Daily.

Ann Gentry is a pioneer in the Green Food movement. The food at her small chain of restaurants is locally grown, organic and completely plant-based. As one might expect, there are salads and soups, but here are also healthy takes on burgers, burritos and pizza. The number of small children in the place is also proof that Real Food Daily is family-friendly.

And should you fear that healthy runs counter to a holiday look and cheery taste, one glance at the seasonal dessert offerings will dispel all those worries.

December Desserts at RFD

RFD YULE TIDE LOG

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE MINT COOKIE SANDWICH

CAFÉ MOCHA TOFU ‘CHZ’ CAKE

PUMPKIN PIE

CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE

CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE

CHOCOLATE PUDDING

PUMPKIN CUPCAKE

Their new December dessert specials sound to die for. Craving that chocolate fix? Try their Double Chocolate Mint Cookie Sandwich a la mode, with a scoop of non-dairy ice cream.

The pumpkin pie looks like what you would make at home — oh, if only you had the time.

The vegan Holiday Assorted Dessert Box consisting of a Mini Banana Chocolate Chip Date Loaf, Blood Orange Truffle, Gingersnap Cookie Sandwich, Russian Tea Cake, Cranberry Walnut Blondie — for just $18 —  makes the perfect hostess gift, whether your hostess is usually vegan or not. All their desserts contain no animal products, saturated or trans fats and are free of refined sugars, making them guilt-free! Among all their mouth-watering dishes and desserts, several are also gluten-free.

Rather than going to the mall hungry and filling up on anti-nutrition, and rather than snacking at your computer while you’re shopping online, you owe it to your health to sit down to a balanced meal at Real Food Daily. Or you can pick up something for a quick meal at home before heading off to see Santa.

You can visit the Pasadena manifestation of Real Food Daily at 899 East Del Mar Boulevard. For more information, there’s www.realfood.com. Need to speak to a human? That’s (626) 844-8900.