Professional skateboarder and Laguna Beach local Nyjah Huston won an Olympic qualifier at the World Street Skateboarding event in Rome on July 3. He returned to Orange County and is training for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The 13-time X Games gold medalist is busy these days.
On Aug. 24, he launched The Nyjah Bowl with Urban Plates to promote the restaurant group’s healthy eating campaign called “Fuel Your Best.”
Huston, who has called Orange County home for more than 12 years, approached Urban Plates last year with the idea of collaborating.
“I don’t do deals like this for the money,” Huston says. “I do it because the brand fits me well and it’s something I really care about. I want to encourage more people to eat healthy and get educated on a healthier lifestyle.”
Pro skateboarder Nyjah Huston to develop the Nyjah Bowl, which is dairy-free and grain-free. (Courtesy of Urban Plates)
He discovered Urban Plates after a skate session in San Diego. Huston recalls his mom preparing home cooked nutritious food during his childhood. With his platform as an athlete, Huston is now able to share his way of eating with his fans.
“I first discovered (Urban Plates) around the SD area. I skate down there often,” he says. “I was looking for something to eat and it looked like a solid and healthy choice after a long, hard day of skating. Ever since I went there that first time, I fell in love with it, to be honest.” He started frequenting the Aliso Viejo location and thought that the restaurant could help him encourage others to eat healthier.
“Being healthy is a big part of my lifestyle and it’s something that means a lot to me,” says Huston. “Because of that, I don’t eat fast food. It means a lot to me to eat good quality food. I know how much better it’s going to be for my body in the long run.”
Working with Urban Plates chef and director of culinary Joe Noonan, Huston developed The Nyjah Bowl. A combination of chargrilled chicken glazed with Gochujang red chili sauce, roasted sweet potatoes, grilled red peppers and onions. The bowl is garnished with charred broccoli florets and wakame (seaweed). The dairy- and grain-free dish is served with cauliflower fried rice and garnished with microgreens.
Pro skateboarder Nyjah Huston has worked with Urban Plates to create the Nyjah Bowl, which features chargrilled chicken glazed with Gochujang red chili sauce, roasted sweet potatoes, grilled red peppers and onions. (Courtesy of Urban Plates)
Huston suggested the cauliflower fried rice instead of the typical grain. He also helped shape the flavors of the bowl.
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“Asian food is my favorite food,” he says. “So, I wanted to bring some of those flavors that are personal to me.” As an athlete, Huston’s diet is a part of his success.
“For someone like me who is active on a daily basis, whether I’m skating, hiking, or working out, it’s important to fuel my body with the right things and eat a well-balanced diet,” he says. “Currently, I’ll eat almost everything but avoid red meat and eggs and only have a small amount of dairy. I’m down for good quality fish, grilled salmon, grilled chicken, and turkey. I eat a ton of rice, vegetables, chicken, fish, and pasta.”
The Nyjah Bowl is available at all five Urban Plates Orange County locations in Irvine, Aliso Viejo, Tustin, Irvine and Brea. For more information, go to urbanplates.com.