Greer's OC

It’s not ice cream and it’s not fro-yo, it’s Tasti D-Lite, a “creamy delicious, dairy dessert” that first took New York by storm more than 20 years ago, and now Orange County boasts its first shop in Tustin. It didn’t hurt either that Tasti D-Lite was featured on “Sex and the City” and “The Apprentice.” The skinny on Tasti D-Lite is that it’s not technically ice cream, which requires at least 10% butterfat, and minus its Tart 'n Tasti flavors, there isn’t any fermented yogurt culture either—so it’s not frozen yogurt. Tasti D-Lite is a dairy-based soft serve frozen dessert that has less carbs, calories, sugar, and sodium than frozen yogurt, at just 70 calories per 4 fluid ounces. (Yogurtland has about 120 calories per 4 fluid ounces.)

At Tasti D-Lite you can get creative with the flavors, such as Burnt Sugar, Tapioca Pudding, Carrot Cake and Chocolate Macaroon, there are more than 100 choices to from, as well as the 8 flavors available “on tap.” Custom flavor prices range from $2 for small, $2.99 for regular, and $3.49 for a large. You can also order blended drinks, grab frozen dessert sandwiches to go, cakes, and pints of Tasti D-Lite too.

Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

13662 Newport Avenue, Suite C, in Tustin. 714.838.8100.

Survival of the Fittest

Looking for a new fitness center to inspire you to get in shape? Consider joining The Fit Club that just opened at the Quail Hill Shopping Center in Irvine. You’ll have access to innovative equipment, personal training services, educational workshops, and classes for all ages. In celebration of the opening it’s offering new members a free class through Wednesday, Feb 29. The Fit Club offers small group classes that include core, cardio and resistance training, as well as yoga meets Pilates, H.I.T. (High Intensity Training) Circuit, kids zone, and TRX Suspension Trainer vs. Russian Kettlebells.

A former Navy SEAL developed the TRX to help his teammates simultaneously build strength, balance, flexibility and core stability. It’s now available for all ages and fitness levels including stay-at-home moms to pro athletes.

Russian Kettlebells have been used since to 1704 to build strength using the entire body. They’re also great tools to increase intensity during cardio workouts. dual

The Fit Club will also be educating the community by offering free educational workshops including “Secrets to a Flatter Stomach”, “Eat More to Weigh LESS”, “Burn Fat Faster”, and “Detox for Life”.

Open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; from 7 a.m. to 12 noon Sunday.

The Fit Club is in Quail Hill Shopping Center at 6871 Quail Hill Parkway, off Shady Canyon Drive and the 405 Fwy. in Irvine. For more information, call 949.701.4449.

Feel Good Shopping

Saks Fifth Avenue is donating 5% of all Saks in-store credit card purchases to JDRF, CHOC Children’s Hospital, National Charity League, Jrs. or Segerstrom Center for the Arts the entire month of February. You select your choice of charity at checkout for feel good shopping. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saks Fifth Avenue is at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. 714.540.3233.

More Bruxie to Love

Bruxie, the quick-serve sweet and savory gourmet waffle sandwich eatery is opening its third location in Rancho Santa Margarita this spring. The flagship Bruxie opened in 2010 in Old Towne Orange, followed by Brea Downtown location last year, and soon in Rancho Santa Margarita in the former OC Burger location at 22205 El Paseo.

Bruxie’s menu features authentic Belgian waffles, salads, locally produced old-fashioned cane sugar sodas, real Wisconsin frozen custard, shakes, sundaes and floats. Bruxie offers Peet’s Coffee & Tea products, and prices are reasonable, nothing exceeds $10.

Bruxie is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (until 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday) in Brea Downtown (215 W. Birch Street) and Old Towne Orange (292 N. Glassell Street at Palm Avenue). For more information, including full menus, visit www.bruxie.com.