Venturing into the unknown - Northern California

[RawTruth]

I'm driving to Northern California tomorrow to take part in the Read In in Salinas. Our governator's budget (lack thereof, actually) has doomed the entire library system. Can you imagine? All the libraries are having to close ... there won't be one single branch left open at all. Where will kids go to check out books, do research, where will seniors on fixed incomes be able to use computer? Inconceivable to me that a city will exist in the U.S. with no library! And this in the birthplace of John Steinbeck. Yikes. Anyway, there's a huge demonstration/read in scheduled for the weekend which I'm going to and then I'll be staying for 3 or 4 days in the Bay Area.

In case anyone's interested, the press release on the Read In is at the bottom of this webpage:
http://www.codepink4peace.org/National_Actions_Salinas.shtml

Last time I was up there a few months ago, I was sure I'd find some raw places when I hung out in Santa Cruz (considering the type of town it is), but was dismayed to find none at all. Tons of vegetarian and veggie-friendly places, but raw seemed as odd there as in "normal" cities.

I wasn't All Raw then, and I wasn't prepared with my own supplies. This time, I'm taking a cooler filled with produce I'll pack up my sprouted & dehydrated seeds and nuts and crackers and onion bread. And a case of water. So I'm set for food, but I know I'll want to go to local raw cafes and restaurants also.


After Salinas (and Monterey), I'll be staying in Sunnyvale, and I'll be in San Francisco as much as possible, of course.

Where should I go?

[karotw]

My number one recommended place in San Francisco is Cafe Gratitude - This was my first ever experience with raw food and I'll have to say that it was a total inspiration to me. Here is there website. . .
http://www.withthecurrent.com/cafe.html

They are located on a obscure little corner sort of between the Mission and Bernal Heights, but well worth the effort of going there. . .Great Raw Food and a truly inspiring and spiritual atmosphere!

[Doe]

Raw Truth, I have no ideas about the area but would like to wish you a safe and happy trip. Hope the demonstration helps, no library is unthinkable.

[RawTruth]

Thanks, Karen. I'll definitely go there.

Yes, Doe, one of the horrible consequences of a popular actor elected as governor. The public school budget is also being disgracefully starved, and it's been emaciated for years now. It's very sad to know this once-great state's public school system ranks now in the lower 40s of the U.S. whereas once it was in the upper 10 in terms of money spent per child ... and the resulting high achievement. I went high school here when it was at the top ... and the community and state college system was the most affordable in the nation. Sigh. As a teacher within the system later, it was incredibly frustrating. But, at least, my students had library resources when the school library began closing earlier and earlier. Ah well ... it's sometime hard to stay positive when things like this happen. I just try to keep looking at the bright side ... and take action when I can.

[tracyinfo]

I agree with Karen. Cafe Gratitude is the best! My kids love it too! It's on Harrison at 20th Street. There used to be more raw places in San Francisco, but they closed! Also, if you are interested, Rainbow Grocery is a great place to stock up on some groceries. It is pretty close to Cafe Gratitude, on Folsom and 14th.

Thanks for being an activist for the libraries. That is awesome!

-Tracy

[asil]

A very worthy mission.

I recently heard that not a single library was closed anywhere in the US during the entire Great Depression. Guess our priorities were different. :mad:

[calee]

Hi Rawtruth,

Here's the yummy menu for Cafe Gratitude. The food is fantastic. Enjoy!

http://www.withthecurrent.com/menu.html

calee

[RawTruth]

Thanks, Karen & Callee. I've already mapquested Cafe Gratitude and can't wait to go there. Has anyone heard of a restaurant called Alive?

[tracyinfo]

Yes, Alive is in the Marina district. I have not eaten there personally, but have heard great reviews. I have sampled some of their food though, at local veggie fairs. It has always been delicious.

-Tracy

[momma2twins]

Rawtruth,

Sorry for not reading this earlier. I actually live 15 minutes from salinas. I don't know of any place that is raw in Salinas, but I have passed by a restaurant on Del Monte Ave going towards Monterey that is Raw. However, I haven't tried it because parking is terrible! Anyway, it's right by Camino Aguajito, across the street from the ocean, on your way to the aquarium and downtown Monterey.

It's a travesty about the libraries. We have known for quite a while that this was going to happen and my question is, why can't they just keep one open? Talk about providing plenty of opportunity for more gang members in an area that is already riddled with 'em.

Anyway, enjoy your trip.

Lisa

[RawTruth]

My experience today at Cafe Gratitude was almost beyond description. The atmospheric decor, the warm and knowledgeable staff, the size, the quality, the dishes, how packed it was, the ambience, the positive emphasis of abundance -- the abundance game that everyone can play at each table. Incredible. It's really more than just a restaurant; it's imbued with the spirit of the couple who designed and own it. They do classes on living in abundance and published a workbook which I bought, too. Amazing what one step leads to (speaking personally about my raw journey). I had the sampler plate -- a small bowl of Thai coconut soup, magical (stuffed) mushroom, nachos, pate, olive tapenade, butternut squash pasta, hummus, breads -- and took a giant bag to go -- the Greek salad for dinner tonight (with cashew feta cheese and 3 kinds of raw olives), chocolate mousse, a side of spinach falafels, cinnamon sweet crisp bread with cashew-coconut cream, and fig-chocolate brownies. My hosts are not raw ... and I figured I'd hit the mother lode of restaurants, so I figured I'd stock up. I'd brought a cooler full of produce and my flax crackers, onion bread, some sprouted & dried seeds, sundried tomatoes, etc. as well as my blender and spiral slicer. This is the first time I've traveled for more than a day or two since I've been 100% raw, so I wanted to be prepared. It's actually been so great. I've made my green smoothies in the mornings and munched on whatever I've wanted throughout the day, making sure to be back at the house for meals. I eat my way, they eat theirs. I made the Butter Pecan Ice cream last night and it was truly appreciated (I'd tossed some banana slices in their freezer when I arrived in anticipation of making it.) Cool. But ... today's excursion to Cafe Gratititude -- oh my. Not to be missed by anyone.

Thanks for the recommendation, y'all.

[VeganVixen]

look at texas's school system and that will be Californias if it continues.......that is really sad , but even we have libraries(your thinking ,books in texas???) - however there is NO money left for education,after school programs ect.....even the teachers rig the standardized tests for students to pass!


Im SO glad that I went to a mix of public and private schools ,I got a really nice contrast and learned about different lifestyles-Im sad for the people that have no other choices-they really need looking out for!

[karotw]

RawTruth - thanks for sharing you experience at Cafe Gratitude. It is such an incredible place that I want everyone to experience it! :D

I also appreciate what you said about staying with non-raw folks - they do what they do and you do what you do and it works out fine. . . .