Finding a good raw food meal is few and far between in the city. There are not many places to grab a bite to eat on your lunch break or enjoy a nice evening out with friends-or at least not yet. The only option you're generally left with is a salad and you never know if it's going to be flavorsome or the usual two pieces of iceberg lettuce garnished with a bland tomato. So if you're tired of the same ol' same ol' when you go out to eat and are up for a fun trip, then I've got the perfect place for you. Arnolds Way raw food cafe has been open in Lansdale for eight years serving the local community fresh raw and organic vegan food. Owner Arnold Kauffman started his business eighteen years ago in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia operating as a vegetarian cafe. After ten years in that location he decided to shift gears and moved out to Lansdale and has been there ever since passionately spreading the word about the raw food lifestyle.
When it comes to the menu the place is known for it's delicious banana whips and green smoothies. You can pick and choose your favorite toppings for the famous banana whips. The green smoothies taste just like a refreshing fruit smoothie but with leafy greens added hence the name green smoothie. When trying a whip your first time I suggest going for the cashew dates topping. It's lip smacking good and satisfying to the taste buds!
Every month guest speakers come from all over the country to lecture and educate on the topic of the raw food diet. Various classes are offered throughout the month focusing on easy preparation and there is even a movie night showing the film "Simply Raw:Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days" which plays the second Saturday of every month. Arnold also has a new month long series taught by him titled "The 7 Steps to Becoming Younger" with the focus on reversing the aging process, the protein myth, food combining, fasting, and restoring vital energy.
Monthly potlucks are held every third Saturday which feature a guest speaker who has usually overcome a huge health obstacle or an educator in the field. The next potluck event is scheduled for Saturday June 20th at 6:30pm with guest speaker Dr. Melinda Q. Toney who will be speaking on "Dancing with Medicine, Taking Steps of Empowerment Out of the Chaos". Dr. Toney specializes in integrative medicine and is the Founder of the Center of Family Health in Catasauqua, PA. Cost is $12 per person or bring a raw vegan dish and just pay $2. Be sure if you bring a dish that the ingredients used are listed on an index card and that your dish feeds 6 people. Reservations are required as this will be a sell out event. If you have any questions or would like to register you can call the store. These events are a fantastic way to chat with other raw foodies or just dabble into the scene.
I must say this place is truly a diamond in the ruff and is definitely worth the 45 minute drive from Center City. You can make it an educational day trip with family or friends. You're sure to run into some folks with incredible stories of how they healed themselves with raw foods and in fact there are so many of them that Arnold has filmed over 200 testimonials posted on YouTube! The store is stocked with rare and old books, natural cosmetics, supplements, and plenty of interesting people. Their mission statement is,"Our mission is to create an energetic movement for the transformation of a disease-free World."
For more info: Arnolds Way, 319 West Main St., Lansdale. 215-361-0116. Please call for store hours of operation as they vary from day to day.
Have you ever been to Arnolds Way?
Hidden out on the 4500 block of Baltimore Ave. is a warm cafe nicely outfitted in African decor. The cafe opened up back in September of 2008 and prior to that, owner Atiya Ola says it was a typical cafe that served coffee, steaks, and eggs. When asked what inspired her to open a cafe serving healthy food she said, "it was divine timing and just seemed right." The woman who ran the store before her asked if she wanted to take over and left everything in the store for her to use. The only thing Atiya had to supply was a food stand. "Even the plants were donated by the local Drexel girls," she says. Talk about a sweet deal!
When asked what sparked her interest in raw food she said, "people have always loved my food, it has always been with me. Raw food nutrition rang a logic bell in my head." Their goal is to provide nutritious and delicious raw food while educating the local community about eating less processed foods. "Keeping it simple and good is the way we like it," she says.
On the menu you can start with a tasty drink like fresh plantain milk, strawberry moss, or an energizing green juice. Their entrees consist of slaws, salads, sprouted beans, and mixed veggies. For dessert they offer raw vegan apple and sweet potato pie and chocolate souffle. It's light on the wallet as you can grab a meal and a drink for ten dollars. Spirit first foods also caters to vegetarians and vegans with additional items on the menu that are cooked.
The store is still in the early stages of expanding and will be holding educational and preparation classes in the future. Be sure to bring cash as that's all they except at this time. Atiya says, "Come on down! I want you to feel comfortable like you're in your own kitchen."
For more info: Atiya Ola's Spirit First Foods 4505 Baltimore Ave. Philadelphia, PA 215-939-3298 Closed Mondays. Tuesday-Saturday 8am-8pm and Sunday 8am-4pm. Website coming soon.
