Swami's/Lotus Cafe: Encinitas CA.

So today we took a relaxing day here in CA. and heading south to Encinitas California ( just before San Diego) for my moms birthday .. since she use to live there and we BOTH love it! . I have to say that Encinitas is one of my favorite little towns in California, its full of surfers and little " shack shop" type stores.. don't take my word though visit yourself:). I think one of the big draws for Encinitas ( at least for me) is Swami Cafe right along Highway 101 just before the beach. This little hole in the wall surf shack serves some of the best and healthiest food around! It's my favorite spot to eat when Im in Encinitas( which will be more frequently since I live in LA) it's only about 1 hour and 45 minutes away ( without traffic.. ha ) lovely drive along the way though so I enjoyed it. Back to the food... We ordered 2 of our favorite menu items at swamis We each got a small Acai Bowl - which is the most delicious thing on the menu.. yes, you can find acai bowls at other little shops, but they DON'T compare to Swamis trust me. This bowl is like a thick acai smoothie, topped off with banana slices, blueberries, raspberries, boysenberries,strawberries, homemade granola, bee pollen, and coconut( i substitute for extra granola as Im not a big coconut fan) . I could eat this every single day of my life, never have I put something so good and healthy in my mouth, It's good on a nice hot day a cold day, oh heck ANY day:) We then split the Organic Whole Grain Belgian Waffle with Strawberries and Soy Bacon.. There Waffles are thick and grainy and delicious , topped with the fresh strawberries you can't go wrong. The soy bacon comes hot and crispy. This place is #1 so definitely stop in if you get a chance to hit Encinitas:) Then a few doors down we found "The Lotus Cafe" where we thought we would find a delicious vegan dessert to go with some tea, we were right. Found a chocolate cupcake and a carrot cake and split. These were some of the most decadent vegan cupcakes I have ever put in my mouth , I could drink the frosting it was like pure cream, and moist batter. All in all a fabulous day spent with my mom! She's heading out friday, and then shipping my car up which will be great! Life is good here on the West Coast:)

Peace, Love and Vegan Food,

Kris

www.swamis.signonsandiego.com

www.lotuscafeandjuicebar.com

Real Food Daily: WeHo CA.

SO I've been wanting to try "Real Food Daily" and today me and my mom went and did! It's about 2 miles from my apartment , right near the Beverly Center. so really close. Let me start of with the Acai Berry Tea- the best tea I've ever had AND free refills, I definitely got my moneys worth, I think they refilled me 4 or 5 times then got one to go:) Obviously I would say if you ever get to Real Food Daily in West Hollywood start of with a refreshing glass of Acai Tea. Then we got as an appetizer the "Nori Maki Rolls" pretty much like vegan sushi but exceptionally good with sweet brown rice, shiso, tempeh, avocado, carrot, collard greens, umeboshi, tamari, wasabi, and pickled ginger with a sweet and tangy dipping sauce. Then we decided to get two things and split. We took the waitors recommendation for a good sandwich and got "The Club" which consisted of seitan, tempeh bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and veganaise on delicious organic bread accompanied with your choice of a house salad or caesar, being the caesar lover that I am we got that! We also decided to split a Basic 5 plate ( you choose five sides of different things) we got Seitan Salisbury, lentils, pressed salad, potato salad, and collard greens with a hickory BBQ dipping sauce. really healthy and earthy if you will. YUM. Then we got a peanut butter cookie, a currant oatmeal cookie, and brownie to try a but of each. Melt in your mouth good. This place is definitely a favorite and a place I'll be a frequent at. Come to West Hollywood and experience the delicousness for yourself.. taste is worth a thousand words:)

Peace, Love and Vegan Food ,

Kris

California Vegan: WeHo CA.

and the first thing i had to do was eat some vegan goodies:) Went to a place called california vegan on west sunset. REALLY good and soo cheap and huge portions.. we split the tony rolls with grilled seitan in rice paper and veggies then got the cowboy grilled soy with veggies and brown rice also delicious and tender pieces of meat then the bacon burger which was thick and delicious on a bun with sprouts and vegan mayo . SUCH A DELICIOUS MEAL!!

californiavegan.com

peace love and vegan food,

kris

Cafe Blossom: NYC

Correction, THIS will be my last food review for New York City for a while.. For my "last meal" here in the city I took my mom to an old favorite ( well technically she took my since she payed) Cafe Blossom on the Upper West Side. We got the cajun seitan sandwich which I've already wrote about so I wont go over how delicious it is AGAIN, as an appetizer we tried something new the " Black Eyes Pea Cakes with Chipotle Aioli.. I have to say i was skeptical as to how good these would be but they were delicious.. I knew I loved the aioli dip because it's on the sandwich but the little cakes which come as 2 were really yummy a nice thick cake of potato, red bell pepper and black eyed peas. If you ever hit Blossom you must get those:) $8 for the 2 but keep in mind all organic and worth the money. Also got a "Pink Lady Smoothie" freshly made with beets, carrots, and pineapple. Healthy and yummy a nice deep red beet color:) Health taste delicious. We then headed downtown to Babycakes and had fresh banana bread with chocolate frosting served by Jessie:) Thats the food review..

As for life.. ALL packed up and moving to West Hollywood Ca. tomorrow:) I will miss this city but will still have the apartment and visit a lot! I love this city and always will:) Many of you know my love of Babycakes Vegan Bakery on the lower east side here in the city. WELL they have one they've recently opened in LA ( lucky me ;)} I was happy about that knowing that I would still have my lovely babycakes- BUT Jessie the BEST employee of Babycakes and sweetest person I would miss BUT I found out that she'll be in LA tuesday for a month to help out with the Babycakes there. SO I'm excited about that:) Life is grand and getting grander..

Peace, Love and Vegan Food,

Kris

Candle Cafe: NYC

Alrighty my last review for a nyc restaurant for a while - be in LA for a few weeks but back to Candle though. Me and my mom had lunch there today before heading over to the MoMa which was a lot of fun. Had a favorite the BBQ tempeh and sweet potato sandwich which I've already reviewed- scrumptious sandwich one of my favorite things at Candle. Fresh Wheat Bread, soft sweet potatos, thick tempeh, and healthy kale.YUM. We also split the Living Sprout Salad. This was really good and light. It had sprouts, crunchy beans, raisins and sesame seeds accompanied by a carrot ginger dressing. Had the perfect amount of crunch and creamy dressing. You must go to Candle. :)

Peace, Love and Vegan Food,

Kris

http://www.candlecafe.com/

Candle Cafe:
1307 third avenue
new york ny
212.472.0970

SO, an update on life.

So I've been crazy busy so I haven't had a chance to blog about life. Saturday I'm moving to West Hollywood Ca. - I'm so excited and sad at the same time. I feel like this is a right move for me. There is a lot of film/production work out there. I have a couple of opportunities which I'll write more about when they are set. I've built a good resume here in NYC and gotten a lot of experience to move out there and work hard to get where I want to. It's another adventure.. I love experiencing different things in life. I mean yes, it is good to have a goal and a career or "dream" in mind for your life BUT in the spectrum of things I think this life is about experiencing different places, different people, having adventures and making memories. I always knew I wanted to be in California and this is the time that the opportunity to go out worked. So I'm going in the direction life is blowing. . I'm all packed, have an apartment, plane tickets, and furniture ordered. Actually happening..

On the other hand.. I am really going to miss living in this city. New York is such a special place to me and always will be.. now even more so. I've found a church that I love, met some great friends, and grown here.. I've lived on my own for the first time here, done things my way.. It's always hard when things come to an end.. Wednesday is my last day at Rachael Ray, moving on saturday all of these things I have to leave.. But every end is a new beginning.. Im looking forward to moving ahead, growing and doing new things.. BUT never forgetting this city and the amazing people I've met and will Miss so much! New York will always have a big piece of my heart:)

Thats all for now folks' tired from packing.. post later.. possibly from a new zip code.. :)

In Christ,

Kris

“Change is the essence of life.Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.”

Cafe Blossom: NYC

REVIEW:

Went to a favorite on the Upper West Side- Cafe Blossom.. Decided to try something new.. Today I got the Seitan Marsala . grilled seitan in a mushroom sauce with golden mash, and steamed kale. It was really good a big portion but light and healthy. Very tasty:)

Peace, Love and Vegan food,

Kris