Native Foods Blog

The Etsy Vegan Bag Round-up

by Holladay Allen

Native Foods Cafe

 

Summer is here.  World travel is upon us.  You need some cool gear to traipse around in.  Let’s do this. This week's Etsy Vegan Bag Round-up:

 

The 80's Faux Leather Weekender with Elephant Print from BTMVintage

(this is vintage, so there is only 1 in stock!)

The Ombre Shoulder Tote by CheriDemeter

 

Fly to the moon and back with this convertible Vegan Gold Backpack!  by estelladesign

 

 

Forget getting lost.  Let your bag guide you with the Map Tote by leyyabags

 

The Nautical Tote by byMART

 

 

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, vegan fashion, vegan bags, vegan handbag, vegan etsy bags

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

by Arabella Watters

Native Foods Cafe

 

I grew up in a household of animal lovers, there’s no disputing that. As a child, my weekends were filled with trips to the zoo and aquarium, as well as adventures traipsing around the Santa Ynez Mountains (the name of the range that slope ups quietly behind my home in Santa Barbara, California) looking for whatever species of bird or butterfly I had pinpointed as exciting from whatever wildlife guidebook I was obsessed with that week. My parents were absolutely nuts about whale watching. Despite my sometimes-jaded perspective at the ripe old age of twenty, I have to say that there’s something about that rush of watching the dolphins bump intimately against the bow of the boat in the thousands or the otherworldliness of a humpback whale rising out of the sea that gets me. My childhood was relatively inundated with a very hands on education about animals.

Native Foods Cafe vegan restaurant uses this photo courtesy of Woodstock Sanctuary.

 It wasn’t really a surprise to me when my Dad and stepmom decided right about the time that I was starting high school that they wanted to become vegans. For both environmental reasons and animal rights activism, our home, became a full-fledged shrine to kale, tempeh sausages, quinoa, and a variety of mildy spiced curry tagines. Cream-based soup and cream cheese frosting both became persona non gratis.

All that being said, now that you know a little bit about me and my past both as an animal lover and a quasi-by-association-vegan it would make sense for me to introduce one of my favorite animal organizations that I think is completely worth every second of the day I spend distracting myself on their website.

Native Foods Cafe vegan restaurant uses this photo courtesy of Woodstock Sanctuary.

 The Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary, located just a it’s name would suggest right outside of Woodstock, NY was started by couple Jenny Brown and Doug Abel in late 2004. The sanctuary rescues hundreds of animals from abuse and slaughter and gives them a home, hopefully either to eventually be adopted out or simply to live our their lives in peace. I don’t think any of the animals are complaining about the large open spaces, grassy pastures, and unconditional love and nurturing they receive at Woodstock.

Native Foods Cafe vegan restaurant uses this photo courtesy of Woodstock Sanctuary.

My mom turned me onto the sanctuary about a year ago, and I have to say, its one of my goals to visit it sometime before I graduate from college. The sanctuary is home to over 200 cows, chickens, pigs, rabbits, goats, sheep, turkeys, duck, and geese and plays host to a a multitude of vegan friendly events such as the Sanctuary in the City Benefit on April 30 cohosted by Alexander Gray Associates. Open to the public and always looking for volunteers, the sanctuary radiates a warm, unadulterated love for animals, as well as a fierce dedication to their rights. Also, if you have any inclination towards cute animal pics, the photos of the farm residents on the sanctuary’s website, including Ashton the sheep, Stanley the pig, and Binky and Bella the rabbits will make productivity relatively impossible. I also find myself wanting to adopt every single animal on the farm, which despite being tempting, is a little unreasonable since I’m currently residing in a 12x12 college dorm. Check out the site and all the ways it lets you help all the awesome creatures who live on the sanctuary. I guarantee, it will make your day.

 

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, animal sanctuary, Woodstock Sanctuary

Win a Trip to our Grand Opening in San Diego!

by Native Foods Cafe

 

Win a Trip to our Grand Opening in San Diego!

TO ENTER, create a video telling us about your favorite menu item at Native Foods Café and post it on our Facebook Wall!  Creativity counts and weirdness is totally embraced.

Grand Prize wins airfare for two, hotel, spending cash, a Pirate’s Adventure on the San Diego Bay and tickets to the Grand Opening VIP party!

25 runners-up will win one of the following:

Weekly Lunch at Native Foods Café for an entire year

Native Foods Party Platter for 10

$10 or $25 gift card

Native Foods Cookbook

Native Foods Artist Series Tote Grab Bag

Contest ends Monday, January 21^st at 12pm PST.

Check the Facebook Events Page for full details!

Grand Prize Winner must be available for travel January 25-27. 

This contest is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Facebook. 

All winning videos must be submitted to Native Foods Café in order to claim prize.

 

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, Facebook Contest, Native Foods Facebook, Win a Trip to San Diego 

 

LT Organic Farm in Iowa

by Holladay Allen

Native Foods Cafe

About this time last year, I was trekking across the good ol’ US of A en route to Chicago from LA.  Nearing the end of the trip, we were headed down I-80 through Iowa planning to take a detour and head to Des Moines in search of a vegan lunch.  Just as I was mapping out the directions, we passed one of those blue road signs listing the gas stations, food and lodging in the area.  How peculiar… there was an organic farm listed under FOOD named LT Organic Farm.  We were most definitely intrigued, but also a little skeptical and weirded out.  I mean, in a modern-day utopia, every road sign would list organic farms and bio-diesel gas stations (that are really simple tiny shacks where you just go and fill up your sweet 70s Mercedes with French fry fuel then head across the road to lunch at the organic farm) as the only road side relief options….  one day.  But these days, the first things that popped in my mind were (1) cults and (2) a long slow horror movie death in an old barn (perhaps at the hands of a cult). 

 

This was so far from the truth…. this place was down right magical.

After we pulled up to the quaint little farm and farmhouse, we walked in and were immediately greeted by a young gentleman.  We explained that we were looking for some lunch and he said that would not be a problem at all, but it would take about 30 minutes for them to prepare.  They make everything from scratch, and offered one special for the day, it was available vegan, or non-vegan (they do serve meat).  Each special was $18.95.  He said we were welcome to wander around and we could either eat inside at the huge community style dining table or outside on the farm.  We opted for the latter as it was just so lovely outside.  While we waited, there was also a very cute little gift shop to peruse filled with lots of local art and jewelry.

 

When the food it arrived, it was just wonderful.  So fresh, and delicious, and filling. There were beans and rice with fresh greens and some sort of falafel like balls and bitter melon (which was more sweet than bitter) and everything was perfectly seasoned.  I loved it.

 

This place has a pretty cool background too.  The owners L.T. Bhramdat and his wife, Ahilia, a couple with a background in healthcare, moved their family from Chicago to the outskirts of Waukee, IA in 2000.  “We saw so many people suffering and dying in Chicago and witnessed the destruction that people in this country have done to their own bodies," L.T. Bhramdat said. "We felt compelled to move our children to a place where we could raise them in the best health possible, and start giving back to our community with our knowledge.” (Waukee Patch)

For a modest yearly fee, LT Organic Farm offers weekly CSA produce baskets of seasonal foods from the farm, preventative medicine counseling plus weekly classes on how to prepare nutritious meals with the items provided that week.  So amazing!  If you are driving through Iowa you definitely need to make a stop here for some delicious food and a great experience.

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurants, organic farms, CSA, LT organic farm

Fun Finds in Boulder, CO

by Chef Kendall Huff

Native Foods Cafe

 

 

I got to spend a few weeks in Boulder CO for the opening of our new location there, and I loved it! Not only is it sunny, 72 to 80 degrees and surrounded my gorgeous mountains, but the fun vegan finds were endless! Here are a few treasures that I found in this spectacular mountain town…

 

Plumcots

Plumcots and apriplums are first-generation hybrids between a plum and an apricot. There are over 40 different hybrid mixer within the plum and apricot mixture. At the Sunflower Market here in Boulder, I found are intensely sweet and flavors can be used for both plum and apricot recipes. Take Aunt Mays Peach cobbler and use these Plumcots instead!!

 

Native Foods Cafe, Native Foods Cafe Boulder, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant

 

Vegan Dansko Shoes

I wore these shoes when I first started culinary school, many moons ago. When I walked into a shop on Pearl Street, I noticed not only bright, funky clogs, but also sandals and crazy summer wear. And VEGAN!! Skull design, flannel and even my favorite Purple!!

 

Native Foods Cafe, Native Foods Cafe Boulder, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant

Check out more awesome foot wear on the web..

http://www.dansko.com

 

Asian Shitakes

 

So, the shitakes that we get in supermarkets are considered American shitakes, and these…

 

Native Foods Cafe, Native Foods Cafe Boulder, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant

 

are the Asian shitakes? Odd right? Native Foods Café use the “American” shitakes in our super tasty Red Curry Soup. They give it an earthiness and wild mushroom taste. The Asian shitakes on the other hand, have a similar cap as baby bellas, which makes them meatier, and have a smoky flavor then the “American” shitakes. They’d be great for grilling or baking with olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar.

 

JJ Sweets Cocomels

 

 

JJ Sweets is a candy company in Boulder that is creating delicious vegan caramels made from coconut milk. These logs of sugar coconut bliss can be found in almost every coffee shop downtown. Not only do they come in a regular flavor, but also Vanilla, Java and Fleur De Sel. I ate 3 a day while in Boulder. 

 

SNA Tea

 

SNA Tea Company started in Boulder in 1993 and is one of the leading private label tea packers in North America. They also partner up with peppermint, hibiscus, lemon grass, cinnamon and other herb/spice growers to ensure a stable supply of the freshest, most fragrant ingredients available. Not only does Boulder pride itself on the finest and freshest tea, they also have over 100 establishments to purchase some fine tea!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Native Foods Cafe, Native Foods Cafe Boulder, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant 

 

Shinrinyoku (Forest Bathing)

by Alana Schachtel

Native Foods Cafe

This past weekend I took a trip out to Bellingham, Washington to visit some close friends.  The highlights of my trip: eating tomato quinoa soup and vegan chocolate truffles at the Bellingham Food Co-op and taking hikes through the dense pine forests both alone and with friends.  On one of our hikes we found a slug and a robin's egg!

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, forest bathing, shinrinyoku

 

I feel refreshed from the change of scenery, (although the beauty of Lake Michigan is unparalleled) the delicious and healthy food I feasted on, and the many forest baths I took.  The Japanese believe that taking walks in the forest is like bathing in the forest air and sunlight.  The word "shinrinyoku" translates to "forest bath."  I'm unsure why the English language doesn't have a word for this.  Hiking alone refreshes the mind, there is so much beauty to focus on; crisp air, the methodical sound of footsteps, bursts of wildflowers, and expansive patches of trees!  Many people have gathered inspiration or reached a revelation while venturing out into the woods.  It makes sense, how can you know what you really think, void of social distortions, if you don't spend some time alone with yourself.  Many studies have proven the benefits of shinrinyoku.

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, forest bathing, shinrinyoku

Japanese researchers have discovered that a walk through the forest drops blood sugar to healthy levels.  Phytoncides are antimicrobial organic compounds that are emitted by forest plants into the air.  It is proven that some of these compounds can boost the immune system, reduce fatigue, and lower blood pressure.

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, forest bathing, shinrinyoku

This is a call to action.  Go out and enjoy the healing beauty of the woods. Here are a few tips to enhance your shinrinyoku experience:

1. Bring a snack.  Hiking can be tiring and appetite stimulating, a healthy snack that will give you energy is important.  I like to bring a homemade trail mix with raw almonds, dark chocolate chips, and figs!  If you're super hungry pack a banana as well, you always gotta make sure you have your potassium.

 

2. Keep hydrated.  It's important to restore the water and electrolytes you lose while sweating on a hike.  I love bringing a water bottle mixed with the fruity Trace Minerals electrolyte packets (www.traceminerals.com).  Ingredients: crystalline fructose, citric acid, natural lemon lime flavor, Stevia. Plus over 72 naturally occurring ionic trace minerals.

 

3. Do some breathing exercises.  Start by breathing in for 5 steps, and out for 5, then slowly increase the number.  Focusing on the breath is an escape from the constant chatter of the mind.  It is also a way to feel connected and immersed in the present.

 

4. Bring a camera.    It's so fun to wander through the woods searching for beautiful objects to capture.  Sunlight draping the trees creates awesome shadows and light beams. While the sun was setting I captured this cool red pattern through the trees (insert photo here.)  If you struggle with finding a creative outlet, the non- judgmental solitude of the woods is a perfect place to cultivate your creativity.

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, forest bathing, shinrinyoku

I hope you are inspired to spend some time outdoors.  We often recognize the importance of eating naturally, but equally important is using natural hygiene products and of course breathing in fresh, healthy, phytoncide-rich air.  I'd love to hear your personal feedback regarding the healing benefits of forest bathing, feel free to comment below.  Happy shinrinyoku-ing!

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, forest bathing, shinrinyoku

White Water Rafting on the Poudre River!

by Holladay Allen

Native Foods Cafe

So this past Sunday, after a fantastic week of pre-opening meals in Boulder, we headed to the Poudre River outside of Fort Collins for some white water rafting!  Everyone kept pronouncing the Poudre as the “Pooter” which made us giggle really hard, each and every time.  It was a perfect day and everyone had an awesome time to say the least.  My accomplices were the Nelson family from VegSource, Ashleigh, Chef Kendall, and our four contest winners, Jordan, Jenny, Helen and Josephine a.k.a. Joey.  Our river rafting guides from Wanderlust were Paula and Peter (they were awesome!).  Ashleigh and Chef Kendall were getting competitive so Ash started out with some pre-game lunges:

 

Then we headed to the river…. so beautiful!

 

Here is Peter's boat getting ready to head out with Helen, Joey, Jenny, Jordan, Ashleigh and Chef Kendall:

And here is my boat with guide Paula and the Nelson family heading down some gnarly rapids... look ma, no hands!

And Ashleigh going overboard and taking Jenny with her, but Peter saved them:

The girls just doing a little awesome posing, you know, after conquering those Class 6 rapids... just kidding.

We had so much fun and a big thanks to Wanderlust and VegSource!

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan restaurant, Native Foods Cafe Boulder, vegsource, wanderlust rafting

Win a Trip to Boulder Facebook Contest Winners!

by the Native Foods Contest Fairy

 

So we just had a wham-bam Win a Trip to Boulder Contest on our Facebook Page... and we received so many great entries, it was almost impossible to choose!  So we decided to choose 2 Grand Prize Winners instead of just one.  Each winner won airfare for two to Colorado this weekend, along with hotel, spending cash, a white water rafting trip and tickets to our VIP Grand Opening Party this Saturday night in Boulder... whew!

So the Grand Prize went to both Josephine Leffner (Check out her video HERE) and Jordan Harp (check his video below)!

  

Next we have 25 Runners up!  Holy moly... here are the winners:

 

 Winners please email contest@nativefoods.com so we can get in touch!

 

Weekly Lunch at Native Foods Café for an Entire Year!

Dario Ecks 

 

 

Native Foods Party Platter for Ten People!

Kate Cahnmann  

 

 

$25 Native Foods Gift Card!

Adam Winter (Click here to watch the video!)

Madalyn Parker  (Click here to watch the video!)

Lindsey Olson  (Click here to watch the video!)

Anne Wallem

Debra Poneman

Tony Durborow

 

$10 Native Foods Gift Card!

Chris Kadow-Dougherty  

 Phillip Ferguson

Paul Chasnoff

Cam Liebrand

Erika Vogt

Tim Kash

Jennifer LaVille Marino

Adrian Moran

 

Native Foods Cookbook!

Maris Serrano Marion  (Click here to watch the video!)

Elle Stern (Click here to watch the video!)

Hayley Smith  (Click here to watch the video!)

Larry Wilson

 

Native Foods Artist Series Tote Grab Bag (filled with goodies)!

Kelly Cotreau  (Click here to watch the video!)

Bonnie Joy Sludikoff  (Click here to watch the video!)

La Dama de Troyer (Click here to watch the video!)

Katelynn Quinn

Ashley Robinson

 

 

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, vegan contest, Native Foods Facebook contest

5 Reasons to Vegan Your Travel Snacks

by Chef Kendall Huff

Native Foods Cafe 

I’ve been spending a lot of time in airports lately, and I’ve noticed that the food is starting to get…. wait for it…HEALTHIER! It’s about freaking time. I would have to practically pack an extra bag with just food and snacks every time I was leaving home because I’d be stuck.with nothing. But now, check out these 5 new treasures I’ve recently picked up at an airport.

 

1.  Rise Bars  This Rise Energy+ Bar is made with blended super fruit and nuts and is full of fiber and antioxidants to fuel you through the rest of the day. I’m a fan of the Apricot Goji Energy Bar that is made from cashews, dates, almonds, apricots, brown rice and tapioca syrup, and amaranth! Gluten Free and full of protein! Just my style!

  Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan restaurants, vegan travel snacks

2.  Go Raw Carrot Cake SUPER Cookies   As much as I love me some carrot cake (or cupcake like at NFC), I really enjoyed these Go Raw cookies. After eating the Spirulina Energy Bar, I immediately became a fan of these products.  And my girl Angela over in Westwood would LOVE these.

  Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan restaurants, vegan travel snacks

3.  Blue Diamond Nut Chips   These Blue Diamond snacks are AWESOME! They are made from brown rice and almonds…ummm what else could a girl ask for?  Wheat Free and Gluten Free are good qualities also, but dang these bad boys are tasty with some red pepper hummus!!

  Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan restaurants, vegan travel snacks

4.  The Liz Lovely Cookies  I don’t even know how to talk about these. There’s a sprinkle in my eye and a flitter in my stomach when I think of these cookies. I have, and will again eat a record-breaking amount of these. From flavors from Peanut Butter, Snicker Dudes to the Gluten Free Ginger Molasses. I LOVE Liz Lovely Cookies! Liz and Dan are baking up these creations in the Green Mountains in Vermont, and they aren’t messing around.

  Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan restaurants, vegan travel snacks

5.  Kind Cinnamon Oat Clusters with Flax Seed  Kind Granola is packed with nutrients and flavor. The organic oats are gluten free-score. And the clusters are perfect for a snack and just tossing them in your mouth.

  Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan restaurants, vegan travel snacks

 

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan restaurants, vegan travel snacks

5 Reasons to Vegan this Week!

 

Native Foods Cafe

 1. Ach de Liebe! It’s Octoberfest Time! Munich is one of my fave cities (Chicago you are in there too!) and they know how to party (must have learned from you Chicago)! Did you know all the beer in Germany is vegan!  Hop on a plane today!   Munchener freund Reiner Goetz just took this great photo! 

Native Foods Cafe Munich?  You never know!

2. Ever wonder what happens to all the little boy chicks that hatch in the egg industry? It suffices to say they don’t make it past the first few days. Do the organic free range egg sources do this too? Hmmmmm… 

Native Foods Cafe borrowed this adorable pic from shepherdsflute.blogspot.com

3. Seed Bistro-Eric Lechasseur of Seed restaurant has now opened up Seed Bistro in Brentwood. Vegan a little upscale for your dining pleasure. Meet me there! 

It's great to see Eric whenever he stops in Native Foods Cafe too!

4.Vegetarian Butcher- It’s gotten easier to get meaty alternatives in the Netherlands. The Vegetarian Butcher opened last year and now there are 30 stores.  Apparently 75% of people in Netherlands have stopped eating meat on a daily basis.  Take a side trip after the Octoberfest! 

This is one butcher we can get behind at Native Foods Cafe!  Vegan food rules.

 

5. Chimichurri!- Makes it easy to veganize anything. Just pour it on! Salads and raw veggies, sautéed veggies, tofu, grilled veggie meats. Find my super easy recipe in the Native Foods Blog archives. Hurry!

There is a new Chimichurri dish on the Fall Menu at Native Foods Cafe.... Woo hoo!