An Illusen Approved Guide to Greener Eating

     Illusen is a fierce advocate for kinder choices when it comes to the foods that Neopians are consuming, knowing all too well that in doing so, they are also making much healthier choices for themselves. Eating ‘greener’ is an easy and practical way to protect the Neopian lands whilst boosting their bodies with loads of nutrients they won’t necessarily find in other Neopian foods.

     This guide will highlight some of Illusen’s favourites, along with some readily available options throughout Neopia if you happen to be travelling. There is always a greener choice!

     Illusen has numerous speciality-made foods which are very popular and never disappoint. They are easily found and can also be purchased in bulk from a number of different vendors. In Meridell, Illusen’s favourite place, you will be able to find the famous Illusen Day Burger and Illusen's Green Goddess Potato Salad at Merifoods.

     For a shop that is housed in the land of the Wise King, one would think that there are some items for sale that are named after Illusen in Brightvale Fruits. Bad taste for naming their items aside, the fruits that you can buy there are all delicious and very good for you. Why not purchase one of each while you’re there? Go for the Assorted Brightvale Fruit Basket, and you’re all set. Maybe you could even buy a Fresh-Squeezed Grenelon Juice to drink on the road; the colour palette for that juice seems very on point.

     At the Bakery in the Neopian Bazaar there are countless goodies to choose from, both sweet and savoury. Just because something is ‘greener’ and ‘healthier’ definitely does not mean it is any less tasty, and by making these greener choices, Neopians can enjoy the delicious flavours whilst feeling good about it at the same time. Here you can find Illusen’s favoured items like the Illusen Waffle, Illusen's Glade Cake and Illusen Biscotti.

     Of course, the Neopian Health Foods shop is a must-visit for any environmentally conscious Neopian. Their wide variety of organically grown produce is definitely among Illusen's favourites, the Spinach Salad in particular. The Peas Flour Burger is packed full of vitamins and minerals, with avocado included for healthy fats. Illusen also highly recommends the Kougra Kombucha, a refreshing and invigorating drink that'll supercharge your energy levels.

     It was a hard choice for Illusen to pick something healthy at Kiko Lake Treats, Kikos really have a sweet tooth, you know, but as always, Illusen delivered. She would recommend you take the Freshwater Kelp Burger and the brightest green item she could find, a Twirly Fruit Coral Lolly. Mind you, being green does not always equal being healthy. Have you seen the Snot Kiko Taffy? Make sure you ask about ingredients if you are not sure, and don’t be fooled by how something appears. Asking these questions means you can continue to make informed decisions, rather than guessing or hoping for the best.

     When visiting The Coffee Cave at Roo Island, you have plenty of healthy choices waiting for you. Illusen’s top favourite is, of course, Illusen Tea, and the good thing is, you can drink it either hot or cold. The Iced Illusen Tea comes in a glass surrounded by vines, which are purely decorative, but please make sure to be grateful for a plant that has been repurposed. Or, you could just purchase an Earth Faerie Mug and have them fill it up with any tea available.

     Faerie foods of course have many options that would suit a health-conscious consumer, with some even being named in honour of Illusen herself. Why not try an Illusen Leaf Burrito, or indulge your sweet tooth with the Chocolate and Gooseberry Illusen Day Doughnut? If you're craving something a little more unusual, the Illusen Day Ice Cream is sure to impress with its mild acorn flavour.

     If you are travelling to Shenkuu, you’ll find lots of vegetarian options to choose from at Exotic Foods. The Koi Dumplings and Veggies are delicious and most importantly, no Koi were harmed in the food preparation process. There’s even a collection of Vegan Platters in the shapes of some adored Petpets like the Harris, Kookith, Poppit and Snorkle. Which one do you think is most tasteful? You will have to try them all to find out!

     If you’re ever asked for tea at Virtupets by Dr. Sloth, or taken prisoner at his Space Station, know that you can still make green choices when it comes to your food. Avoid any of the Mystery foods from Grundos Cafe, but go for what you know. Take the Zero Gravity Veggie Platter for example, just don’t let it float away before you’re done eating. The Vegetable Deluxe has never disappointed Illusen before, so that’s a safe choice as well. Leave a little space for a delicious dessert such as a Cosmic Space Faerie Custard Pie.

     Tropical Food Shop at Mystery Island has so many healthy options, Illusen herself had a hard time picking just a few of her favourites. She really enjoyed the Banango Punch while watching a game of Beach Volleyball. She also prefers a meal made with as many local ingredients as possible, which is why she likes the Azzle Salad. A strong finisher of a very yummy lunch was the Chilled Kelp Cone, both tasty and decorative. The shell in this dish can then be repurposed in your Neohome as a seaside decoration, or simply throw it back into the water so a dwelling sea creature can claim it as its home.

     As you can see, there are a great deal of delicious and nutritious food options available throughout Neopia. Whether you're taking a tropical holiday, sightseeing on a city break, or simply wanting to be more conscious about the ingredients in the food you are consuming, there are always better options to choose from if you have the initiative to look.

     Illusen knows very well that a healthier meal doesn't have to mean boring or bland, after all, just because a dish is more nutritious shouldn't mean you have to compromise on taste. The path to a greener Neopia may be a long one, but each individual can have a meaningful impact with the everyday choices that they make.

     Hopefully, this guide has proved to be an inspiration to you to embrace new flavours and make more mindful decisions about your consumption habits. After all, a love for nature and an appreciation of good food can and should complement one another. The greener future Illusen strives for starts with you!