After seeing my article in angeleno magazine, I was invited to attend a private tasting for the new summer menu at M Cafe.

I'd been to M Cafe several times before and LOVE it. Luckily, there's a location in Beverly Hills walking distance from where I live! I went to the West Hollywood location on Melrose which was the original location.

M Cafe is great because they have a menu very similar to the way I eat anyway: macrobiotic and similar to pescitarian (minus the eggs, the diet is no dairy, no red meat, no poultry, high veggies, lots of fruit, some fish, no refined sugar & mostly gluten free)

All the food tastes so balanced and I always feel fulfilled when I leave.

My favorite dishes from the summer menu were:

Green Papaya, Mango & Sea Palm Salad

Zucchini "noodles" with Basil Almond Pesto

The Chickpea chaat

The Curried Cauliflower Salad was yummy, too!

And I absolutely LOVED the watermelon juice!!! They also brought out a raw baby thai coconut and I think I drank the entire thing by myself :) It's like they knew I was coming and brought all my faves!

I can't wait to go back and have these again and share the delicious food with my friends and family.

Thanks again, M CAFE! 

love,

Sophie

After living in LALA land for almost 10 years, I've discovered quite the enticing places to eat. I always love finding new spots to grab a bite, especially when the food is healthy & inspiring and the energy is positive.
Here are my top choices if I WERE visiting Los Angeles and wanted to grab a healthy snack or meal.

Santa Monica:

• Euphoria Loves Rawvolution on Main Street in between Venice and Santa Monica, fun part of town, 2 blocks from the beach. They serve vegan and raw food, sell a few supplements and raw desserts to LIVE for!  I bring my laptop or a book here and cozy up on their couch. They have open mic nights and special events for the community. It's a very friendly environment, super casual and the staff are wonderful. 2301 Main Street, Santa Monica

• Santa Monica Co-Opportunity this is a lovely place to go if you want to get snacks for a picnic or a smoothie after gallivanting at the beach. It looks like a grocery store, but ohhhh, it's so much more. You may not know that a supermarket can be cool, until you go here. Juice/Smoothie bar, best bulk variety items I've ever seen, and a whole refrigerated section dedicated to raw and vegan prepackaged foods. I'm here minimum 3 times a week! Corner of 16th and Broadway in Santa Monica.

• Planet Raw (owned by raw chef Juliano) Couldn't leave this one out. To be honest, If I had the money, I would go nowhere else but here. It's super expensive but the MOST creative dishes in the raw food world. Friends/other planet raw frequenters complain of the service and staff, that they are snooty and give off a bad energy. "Planet Raw  is among the quintessential So Cal dining experiences-attempting to be causal with absurd prices and pretentious attitudes." from a past client.

HOWEVER, their food is OUT OF CONTROL. I highly recommended the Ariel Salad, which will give you your day's worth of greens and energy, and I crave it often.  I almost always get a Chocolate "milk" shake, which is beyond my comprehension in tastyness. This place has a great location, blocks from downtown Santa Monica but the energy is much calmer and you would never know it's inches from the famous 3rd St. Promenade. 609 Broadway, Santa Monica.

Silverlake/Hollywood:

• Cru is a sit down restaurant, great for a nice dinner. You can bring your own wine for a small corkage fee. They have both cooked vegan dishes and raw vegan foods, and I have never had a bad eating experience! "Artfully weaving Italian, Japanese, Tunisian, Thai and Indian flavors into a fresh interpretation of life enhancing gourmet food, including desserts that even the most health conscious individual can indulge in guiltlessly." They also have uncooking classes here-which I will be teaching in June! Sundays 3-4:30p here's the link! 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Silverlake.

• Erewhon Natural Foods Market "Health Food Nirvana" is in West  Hollywood. Similar to the experience of the Co-Op (see above) but a little more upscale. They have more of a selection (if it were possible) and the best part about this place is their tonic bar. You'll find super knowledgeable staff and drinks you won't find anywhere else.  Philosophie Green Dream and Cacao Magic superfoods are available to purchase here in their raw foods/superfood section!!! They have a great selection of raw living foods, vegan, specialty chef spices, local produce, macrobiotic diet and body ecology diet foods.  They also have great cheese, nut cheese and raw chocolate ingredients.  The bulk items are maybe 10% higher than whole foods for organics, but the selection is good. The tonics and vitamin selections are far superior to any juice bar I've ever visited in SF, NYC or London. They have tons of great events featuring organic gourmet chefs, raw foodists, and educational talks.  It is definitely more pricey than other "markets" so just be prepared. Don't come for a big shopping trip, come for an experience. 7660 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood
• .

• Cafe Gratitude: I go here when I need a "spiritual uplift" as Woody Harrelson said about this Cafe. The menu has so many inspirational dishes that are deliciously healthy. For a raw/vegan entree, I'm a big fan of "I Am Terrific". The kelp noodles and the blend of basil, mint and cilantro really compliment the dish. For a cooked vegan dish, I highly recommend and love the "I am Whole"...a bowl made with quinoa, sea palm, kale, carrots, homemade kimchi, candied almonds. I think that's it. I get it every time I go there. It's just the perfect balance of flavors and it's filling and healthy. Apart from that I get a smoothie "I am Cool" with cocoa nibs and hemp cashew mint ice cream. mmm!!! It can get a bit crowded but go during non peak hours to enjoy.Larchmont/Hollywood: 639 N Larchmont Blvd, 90004 and a new location in Venice: 512 Rose Ave. Venice, CA 90291
  

Beverly Hills:

M Cafe features Macrobiotic Cuisine—balanced, nutritious, creative cooking which can be enjoyed by everyone, not just vegetarians or people with dietary restrictions. The chefs prepare each item fresh daily, using only the finest ingredients without any refined sugars, eggs, dairy, red meat or poultry. Easy items to grab and go, or sit and have a bite to eat in the center of Beverly Hills: 9433 Brighton Way.

Urth Cafe: For beautiful lattes, organic specialty salads and sandwiches, visit Urth Cafe. This is a good place to go with non-vegan friends because you'll be happy and so will they! Something for everyone. 267 South Beverly Drive.

Lemonade is a new discovery of mine. They have delicious salads to chose from, and the secret is to have them take one scoop from each salad choice so that you get more options. (you get 2 scoops for each salad) Another good place to go with non-vegan friends, sandwiches and fish/poultry dishes.. but everything is clean and healthy! Oh, and definitely try their house-made lemonade! Peach Ginger was my fave!  9001 Beverly Blvd. (also in Venice on Abbot Kinney: 1661 Abbot Kinney Boulevard  Venice, CA 90291)

After living in LALA land for almost 10 years, I've discovered quite the enticing places to eat. I always love finding new spots to grab a bite, especially when the food is healthy & inspiring and the energy is positive.
Here are my top choices if I WERE visiting Los Angeles and wanted to grab a healthy snack or meal.

Santa Monica:

• Euphoria Loves Rawvolution on Main Street in between Venice and Santa Monica, fun part of town, 2 blocks from the beach. They serve vegan and raw food, sell a few supplements and raw desserts to LIVE for!  I bring my laptop or a book here and cozy up on their couch. They have open mic nights and special events for the community. It's a very friendly environment, super casual and the staff are wonderful. 2301 Main Street, Santa Monica

• Santa Monica Co-Opportunity this is a lovely place to go if you want to get snacks for a picnic or a smoothie after gallivanting at the beach. It looks like a grocery store, but ohhhh, it's so much more. You may not know that a supermarket can be cool, until you go here. Juice/Smoothie bar, best bulk variety items I've ever seen, and a whole refrigerated section dedicated to raw and vegan prepackaged foods. I'm here minimum 3 times a week! Corner of 16th and Broadway in Santa Monica.

• Planet Raw (owned by raw chef Juliano) Couldn't leave this one out. To be honest, If I had the money, I would go nowhere else but here. It's super expensive but the MOST creative dishes in the raw food world. Friends/other planet raw frequenters complain of the service and staff, that they are snooty and give off a bad energy. "Planet Raw  is among the quintessential So Cal dining experiences-attempting to be causal with absurd prices and pretentious attitudes." from a past client.

HOWEVER, their food is OUT OF CONTROL. I highly recommended the Ariel Salad, which will give you your day's worth of greens and energy, and I crave it often.  I almost always get a Chocolate "milk" shake, which is beyond my comprehension in tastyness. This place has a great location, blocks from downtown Santa Monica but the energy is much calmer and you would never know it's inches from the famous 3rd St. Promenade. 609 Broadway, Santa Monica.

Silverlake/Hollywood:

• Cru is a sit down restaurant, great for a nice dinner. You can bring your own wine for a small corkage fee. They have both cooked vegan dishes and raw vegan foods, and I have never had a bad eating experience! "Artfully weaving Italian, Japanese, Tunisian, Thai and Indian flavors into a fresh interpretation of life enhancing gourmet food, including desserts that even the most health conscious individual can indulge in guiltlessly." They also have uncooking classes here-which I will be teaching in June! Sundays 3-4:30p here's the link! 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Silverlake. 

• Erewhon Natural Foods Market "Health Food Nirvana" is in West Hollywood. Similar to the experience of the Co-Op (see above) but a little more upscale. They have more of a selection (if it were possible) and the best part about this place is their tonic bar. You'll find super knowledgeable staff and drinks you won't find anywhere else.  Philosophie Green Dream and Cacao Magic superfoods are available to purchase here in their raw foods/superfood section!!! They have a great selection of raw living foods, vegan, specialty chef spices, local produce, macrobiotic diet and body ecology diet foods.  They also have great cheese, nut cheese and raw chocolate ingredients.  The bulk items are maybe 10% higher than whole foods for organics, but the selection is good. The tonics and vitamin selections are far superior to any juice bar I've ever visited in SF, NYC or London. They have tons of great events featuring organic gourmet chefs, raw foodists, and educational talks.  It is definitely more pricey than other "markets" so just be prepared. Don't come for a big shopping trip, come for an experience. 7660 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood
• . 

• Cafe Gratitude: I go here when I need a "spiritual uplift" as Woody Harrelson said about this Cafe. The menu has so many inspirational dishes that are deliciously healthy. For a raw/vegan entree, I'm a big fan of "I Am Terrific". The kelp noodles and the blend of basil, mint and cilantro really compliment the dish. For a cooked vegan dish, I highly recommend and love the "I am Whole"...a bowl made with quinoa, sea palm, kale, carrots, homemade kimchi, candied almonds. I think that's it. I get it every time I go there. It's just the perfect balance of flavors and it's filling and healthy. Apart from that I get a smoothie "I am Cool" with cocoa nibs and hemp cashew mint ice cream. mmm!!!It can get a bit crowded but go during non peak hours to enjoy.Larchmont/Hollywood: 639 N Larchmont Blvd, 90004 and a new location in Venice: 512 Rose Ave. Venice, CA 90291
  

Beverly Hills:

M Cafe features Macrobiotic Cuisine—balanced, nutritious, creative cooking which can be enjoyed by everyone, not just vegetarians or people with dietary restrictions. The chefs prepare each item fresh daily, using only the finest ingredients without any refined sugars, eggs, dairy, red meat or poultry. Easy items to grab and go, or sit and have a bite to eat in the center of Beverly Hills: 9433 Brighton Way.

Urth Cafe: For beautiful lattes, organic specialty salads and sandwiches, visit Urth Cafe. This is a good place to go with non-vegan friends because you'll be happy and so will they! Something for everyone. 267 South Beverly Drive.

Lemonade is a new discovery of mine. They have delicious salads to chose from, and the secret is to have them take one scoop from each salad choice so that you get more options. (you get 2 scoops for each salad) Another good place to go with non-vegan friends, sandwiches and fish/poultry dishes.. but everything is clean and healthy! Oh, and definitely try their house-made lemonade! Peach Ginger was my fave!  9001 Beverly Blvd. (also in Venice on Abbot Kinney: 1661 Abbot Kinney Boulevard  Venice, CA 90291)

I spent a few months during the summer designing a smoothie menu for a new vegan and vegetarian cafe in Brentwood, CA called Rivva. I tried to really think about who the clientele would be, and what they were open and ready for. It was a challenge because I know there are  people who have never had anything like a raw cacao smoothie, but then I know there is a demand for raw, organic products and I wanted to provide that. I found the balance: creating a few simple smoothies with fresh organic fruit and then loading up superfoods and deliciousness on the other recipes.

Here's an example of a recipe I created for Rivva:

Cafe Rivva's Westside Post Yoga Refresher

(Serves 1)

½ c. blueberries

6 oz. coconut water

½ banana

½ tsp. spirulina

½ tsp. maca

1 c. ice

Blend all ingredients and enjoy.

Rivva also has organic frozen yogurt in a variety of flavors and amazingly fresh and creative vegetarian salads. What I like most about the salads is that you can pick a few different kinds (like the restaurant Lemonade) so that you have more choices on your plate.

The owner, Chris, is from Ireland and is an absolute gem. He's so kind hearted and you feel that energy coming through the store and products.

I definitely recommend going in and checking out the place, if anything, just to try my smoothies!! :)

here are some reviews on Rivva!

**eater

**urbanspoon

**yelp

That's right, Starbucks is now offering a vegan frappacchino option!

Made with soy milk instead of regular milk, this popular drink can now not make your stomach hurt in addition to the sugar high (and then low) you'll get.

I don't love that it's made with soy milk (I'd prefer almond or oat milk) but it's definitely a step in the right direction for such a huge corporation. It reflects a demand of us, "the people", and shows that we CAN make small changes over time!

Benefits to using soy vs regular milk:

*no animal products used

*no cholesterol

*no saturated fats

Apparently they even have a new blender for vegan customers, it's pink, so make sure if it's important to you that you ask for it to be used!
For more info, check out this link

 

Reporting in from InSpiral Lounge- London, England

I'm writing this review as I sit in this lively raw organic vegetarian restaurant (and Vegan) in Camden Town, London. I'm sitting at a small wooden table with uneven chairs, by the glowing Himalayan sea salt figure light source, while the energetic African music smiles in my ears.

I just finished eating a raw nut burger, what they call their "Sunfood Burger". It was a little dry, but overall very tasty and I basically swallowed it whole.With every dish you purchase, you get 3 sides included, so I chose 3 raw salads with bright, vibrant colors and distinct familiar tastes. It's been 3 days since I've had this food I love so dearly, so I practically licked the plate.

My husband and I drove back to London today from Belgium in order for me to work for this restaurant, InSprial. This is our "honeymoon", or at least our version of it. It's not that we aren't enjoying each other, or totally infatuated with each other: it's just that we love our jobs that much. We are in Europe and by day we walk around on the bustling streets and go have European cappuccinos (mine with soy obviously) and for a few hours each day we bring our computers and tap into our clients, blog readers and the jobs we love so dearly.

Which brings me to this moment:

At first I thought it was oxymoronic to say "healthy food in London" BOY WAS I WRONG!

I emailed InSprial before leaving for England, after finding them on the internet, explaining I was coming to London for two weeks and would love to do a workshop for them on raw food or help in the kitchen. A week later, I received an enthusiastic reply, indicating they would put me in touch with their head chef. A few days later Enzo, their vegetarian cook, wrote asking if I could help the restaurant recreate their raw menu for the New Year. I obviously said Yes... with zero attempt at hiding my zealous vigor.

I met with Enzo last week and we discussed his ideas and what he needs from me. In the quickest hour of my life, I told him what I thought of the dishes they already have, he told me what he thought, and within 60 minutes we had a plan. He needed 7 new raw salads with superfoods in the dressings or in the salad & 2 new entree's-one raw sushi dish and one random dish using my incredible imagination :)

We decided on my hours for this week (so that Adi and I could go to Paris and Belgium for a few days) and voila! Here we are! I showed him all my work--the 7 new recipes and 2 entrees--and he loved all of them.

Here's a sneak preview on my ideas:

• Sprouted Mung Bean Salad with Sesame Seeds and a Raw Tahini Lime Dressing

• Edible Flower Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Raspberries, Agave Soaked Goji Berries and a Creamy Lemon-Maca Dressing

• Raw Caesar Salad with Baby Jam Lettuce, Raw Parmesan and Capers with A Cacao-Balsamic Dressing

for my "creative" entree I decided on a Mock Loaf with a Raw Mushroom Gravy...

PICTURES TO COME!!!!! Things may change a bit once I get into the kitchen, but that's when the fun & gratification really begins!

Stay tuned. :)

Reporting in from InSpiral Lounge- London, England

I'm writing this review as I sit in this lively raw organic vegetarian restaurant (and Vegan) in Camden Town, London. I'm sitting at a small wooden table with uneven chairs, by the glowing Himalayan sea salt figure light source, while the energetic African music smiles in my ears.

I just finished eating a raw nut burger, what they call their "Sunfood Burger". It was a little dry, but overall very tasty and I basically swallowed it whole.With every dish you purchase, you get 3 sides included, so I chose 3 raw salads with bright, vibrant colors and distinct familiar tastes. It's been 3 days since I've had this food I love so dearly, so I practically licked the plate.

My husband and I drove back to London today from Belgium in order for me to work for this restaurant, InSprial. This is our "honeymoon", or at least our version of it. It's not that we aren't enjoying each other, or totally infatuated with each other: it's just that we love our jobs that much. We are in Europe and by day we walk around on the bustling streets and go have European cappuccinos (mine with soy obviously) and for a few hours each day we bring our computers and tap into our clients, blog readers and the jobs we love so dearly.

Which brings me to this moment:

At first I thought it was oxymoronic to say "healthy food in London" BOY WAS I WRONG!

I emailed InSprial before leaving for England, after finding them on the internet, explaining I was coming to London for two weeks and would love to do a workshop for them on raw food or help in the kitchen. A week later, I received an enthusiastic reply, indicating they would put me in touch with their head chef. A few days later Enzo, their vegetarian cook, wrote asking if I could help the restaurant recreate their raw menu for the New Year. I obviously said Yes... with zero attempt at hiding my zealous vigor.

I met with Enzo last week and we discussed his ideas and what he needs from me. In the quickest hour of my life, I told him what I thought of the dishes they already have, he told me what he thought, and within 60 minutes we had a plan. He needed 7 new raw salads with superfoods in the dressings or in the salad & 2 new entree's-one raw sushi dish and one random dish using my incredible imagination :)

We decided on my hours for this week (so that Adi and I could go to Paris and Belgium for a few days) and voila! Here we are! I showed him all my work--the 7 new recipes and 2 entrees--and he loved all of them.

Here's a sneak preview on my ideas:

• Sprouted Mung Bean Salad with Sesame Seeds and a Raw Tahini Lime Dressing

• Edible Flower Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Raspberries, Agave Soaked Goji Berries and a Creamy Lemon-Maca Dressing

• Raw Caesar Salad with Baby Jam Lettuce, Raw Parmesan and Capers with A Cacao-Balsamic Dressing

for my "creative" entree I decided on a Mock Loaf with a Raw Mushroom Gravy...

PICTURES TO COME!!!!! Things may change a bit once I get into the kitchen, but that's when the fun & gratification really begins!

Stay tuned. :)

After visiting San Francisco about 5 times in the past 2 years knowing fully well about Cafe Gratitude, I finally made it. And it was more than worth the wait.

cut to today: walking about 20 blocks, taking the Bart and 2 buses, I arrived. I am here.

it's no wonder it's such a challenge for people to stay healthy, and especially raw, while traveling. Most people won't endure the above trek in order to achieve a healthy meal.

After arriving... again after ordering, and while eating...and once again after I am finished: I feel such gratitude.

I feel thankful for this beautiful food, for the love and intention that goes into every bite and sip, for the gracious and kind staff, for small details such as the Question of the Day (today's: What are you devoted to?) for The Present Moment, and for my deep awareness of my body and my health to bring me to such a conscious place for lunch.

Here's what I ordered: 'I Am Healthy" Green Veggie Juice, followed by "I Am Giving" Asian Kale Salad with Teriyaki Almonds, sea vegetables and sesame seeds. For dessert (you can't skip dessert when doing a review for a restaurant-it wouldn't be fair) I had the raw Pecan Pie called "I Am Perfect" with Pecans and Dates and a Macadamia nut crust. mmmm. Afterward, while walking around the beautiful store, letting my food digest and my heart absorb my surroundings, I sipped on a cup of mint green tea with ginger and spices. ("I Am Charmed")

I consider it a treat to be in such an amazing environment. I definitely don't take it for granted. Every time I walk in such a place, i feel humble and gracious.

I feel at home here. I can sit Indian style like I would at home. I can ask questions that matter to me and know that they will be acknowledged and respected. There is a lot of love being felt here... the staff just had a group hug, for example. This is exactly how life is in my bubble, in my head, in my heart.

For now, all i can say is that until I can create my own sanctuary, my own yoga studio-juice bar-restaurant-safe place...

I'll be venturing to Cafe Gratitude to fulfill these desires.