Mary’s Secret Garden – Ventura, CA
This is possibly the yummiest veggie burger ever made. All veggie, all VEGAN! Even the cheese. Matt devoured this at Mary’s Secret Garden in Ventura, CA, a sweet little vegan and raw cafe near the beaches in Ventura. I ordered some fresh spring rolls and a pineapple & date smoothie, but forgot to take photos. Oops! I ate them too fast.
The cafe featured all vegan food…with much of that being raw vegan. They had such a great mix of food…and they were super sweet with Bella, making her a special noodle dish upon her request. I had read rave reviews about this place, but we almost left town without checking it out. I’m so glad we didn’t…now I wish we would have been there longer so I could go every day. Yum.
A cute little outdoor patio…looking over the park across the street.
It was hoppin’ at lunch time.
A quaint little corner.
1 comment January 23, 2010
Raw Mom Summit…AGAIN!
If you missed the Raw Mom Summit the first time around…they are offering it again! This is such a great opportunity to hear leaders in the raw food and health industry talk about different topics. I always like HEARING, rather than reading…it tends to inspire me on a deeper level. The last time I listened to the speakers, it was extremely motivating…so if you’ve been in a slump, be sure to check it out!
5 comments December 10, 2009
Pineapple Guava
Last weekend we went with our friends to the farmer’s market near Santa Cruz, CA and realized why everyone loves living here. They have farmer’s markets year round!! Not fair.
This particular day was even more fun because I tried a fruit that I’ve never tried before. BEHOLD — The Pineapple Guava!! Oh my. So delicious. And to show you how to eat these little gems…I made a video for you 
13 comments December 6, 2009
Road Food
Here I am…in Walla Walla, Washington cooking up some Sunchoke Quinoa with my friend Ali. If you don’t read my other blogs, you might be wondering if I fell off the face of the earth. This blog has been mighty quiet lately Our family has gone back on the road full time and the last few months have been full of transition and craziness.
I will still be posting to Happy Foody, but while we’re on the road, it tends to be very sporadic. I’m usually cooking up some deliciousness in my friend’s homes…but most of it is stuff that is on my blog already! So…as I try new and fun recipes, I will post. I’ll be launching our new travel blog soon…stay tuned! Thanks for your patience.
Have a wonderful weekend!
xxoo
sara
9 comments November 13, 2009
Sunchoke Quinoa
When Lucy was born, a friend brought over roasted veggies and it had sunchokes in it. Until that point in time, I hadn’t ever tasted a sunchoke. At least not that I was aware of. Sunchokes are also known as jerusalem artichokes, and they are scrumptious. Kind of a mix between a potato and an artichoke. I love this recipe…very tasty and easy. You can’t go wrong with meals that can be made in one pot! It can be eaten as a main dish with a salad or as a side. Enjoy!
Sunchoke Quinoa
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cups veggie broth
1 1/2 cups quinoa
2 T olive oil
1 can chickpeas
1 cup chopped sunchokes (I leave the peels on if they’re organic)
1 can peas
Salt and pepper to taste
Heat the oil in a 2 qt saucepan over medium heat and saute the onion until translucent. Add the quiona and toast over medium heat until it cracks/pops (3-5 minutes). Add broth and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add chickpeas, sunchokes, peas, and salt/pepper. Simmer covered for 15-20 minutes. Fluff and serve. Top with avocado and sea salt for fun. Yum.
7 comments November 12, 2009
Green Smoothie Revolution WINNER!
Congrats to Nadia (comment #19)…the winner of our book drawing! Her comment was:
LOVED IT!!!!!! I feel soooo much better now. Last month at this time, I was tired, achy, bloaty, and had terrible skin and my hormones were all over the place. I have faithfully drank my green smoothy every morning for the last month and the change that I can see if my self is incredible! 10.5 pounds gone! Mood swings, gone! Coffee, gone!! My skin looks awesome! I am so thankful that I came across your site when I did! Thanks Sara!
Thanks to all for sharing!
5 comments September 30, 2009
Green Smoothie Challenge Testimonials & A GIVEAWAY!
Congratulations to all of you who completed the 30 day challenge! I would LOVE to hear how drinking green smoothies has changed your eating habits and your thoughts about food, etc. Please share your testimonial about the green goodness!!
As a little thank you for sharing your testimony, your name will be entered into a giveaway for a copy of “Green Smoothie Revolution” by Victoria Boutenko. I will announce a winner on Sept. 28!
46 comments September 21, 2009
Foody Blog Love
I am constantly encouraged and entertained by reading blogs. It’s so fun to walk alongside someone in their journey…even though I don’t even know them personally, and come away feeling refreshed and energized! Here are some that I am enjoying lately:
Heather Eats Almond Butter: Love this one. Heather eats a variety of foods and has a great story behind it all. She’s funny, cute, and she loves almond butter as much as I do
Choosing Raw: Good stuff here…yummy recipes and tons of information/FAQ on the raw diet.
Radical Radiance: Courtney lives and works at Tree of Life in Patagonia, AZ…one of the many places I want to visit someday! Her blog always has great food photos, and she’s very open and honest about her journey with raw. Love it.
Extreme Diets: Not a blog, but something fun. I’m so sad that I missed this re-airing last night, but there is another one on the 29th. Tivo it if you’re not up in the early hours of the morning
Women Go Raw: A month-long west coast tour (started on 9/1) with some big names in the raw movement. Sign up on their blog for updates. There is also a fun little video of their eco-RV they are traveling in. And you know how I love RV’s!
8 comments September 3, 2009
Raw Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms
This delicious little number is from Living on Live Food by Alissa Cohen. If you want to go raw and need a good “starting out” cookbook, I love this one. Get the DVD too and you’re all set! This was my first raw cookbook and it’s super inspirational. This recipe is great as an appetizer or an entree.
Raw Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms
18-22 button mushrooms, washed and stemmed
Stuffed with:
1 cup walnuts
½ cup pine nuts
2 cups basil
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic
½ t sea salt
Place mushroom caps top side down on dehydrator tray. Blend the stuffing in the food processor and scoop a small amount into each mushroom.
Dehydrate at 105 degrees for 5-6 hours until soft. Serve with a large green salad and enjoy!
6 comments August 31, 2009
And The Winner Is…
We have a WINNER!! Congratulations to Heather, who wrote the following comment:
“Oh…my word! Our vegan cafe has this and I’ve been looking for it everywhere! Yippeee for giveaway’s. I get inspiration from everyone I meet, I think there is inspiration all around us.”
If you love this banner…be sure to head over to Green Leafy for your own! Thanks for playing…have a great weekend!
3 comments August 28, 2009
