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Raw Vegan Goodness at Peace Pies!

January 4, 2013 By Vegenista's Kitchen Leave a Comment

It’s always a good idea to take a day for oneself, & that is just what I decided to do yesterday. As an educator, I get to enjoy a 2 week winter break, but the “break” doesn’t usually come until after new years, & then I have a little less than a week before returning to full time work. For the last few years I’ve been carving out time for a “day for me” once things wind down. My ritual the last few years has been to cruise up the coast to Paper Source to pick up my favorite calendar (I get the new edition every year), then head seaside for lunch, & a stroll around the gardens at SRF. The chosen lunch spot of the day was Peace Pies in Encinitas.
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As is on everyone else’s mind these days, I need a bit of a reboot/recharge. I am gearing up to do a cleanse, but with a string of family birthdays in early January, it’s not the best time to commit. In the meantime, I am taking tiny measures to get back on track – green smoothies, green juice, lots of foods that are raw, low sugar, & minimally processed, & taking a break from the wine bottle. A few years back, I’d tried a slice of raw apple pie & a plate of kale salad at Peace Pies, stand at a street fair. Both were awesome, & I vowed to go back to their full restaurant for more. Now seemed like the perfect time to Peace Pies for a delicious & nutritious raw vegan lunch.
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With 2 locations in San Diego – Ocean Beach & Encinitas – & stands at several farmers’ markets around town, Peace Pies is one a only a handful of 100% vegan eateries in the county & the only 100% raw restaurant that I am aware of. What I love about Peace Pies, other than the wholesome food, is their mission:

Peace Pies is committed to providing raw, vegan, gluten free, organic foods to all. We have built relationships with local farmers that supply us with the freshest ingredients. We are constantly creating new recipes to keep things new & exciting. We practice a strict ZERO WASTE policy including composting all of our food scraps & using earth friendly packaging. Peace Pies, changing the world one slice at a time!

In addition to serving awesome raw vegan food, they also offer cooking classes, seminars & workshops from time to time. Visit their website or a location to sign up for their newsletter.

With only my breakfast green smoothie & an almond milk latte in my belly, I was quite hungry by the time I made it to Peace Pies. And since my lunch was all raw, I thought it would be okay to treat myself to an appetizer, wrap, & dessert! I started with the house made flax crackers & cashew hummus…

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Dippin’ Crackers – Herbed flax crackers served with cashew hummus

The crackers were slightly savory & crisp, & the hummus was wonderfully smooth & creamy, & not too garlicky. They were even nice enough to let me take the container home with the rest of the hummus which I will enjoy with celery, or wrapped in a chard leaf.

Choosing my entree didn’t come easy, as they offer a wide array for dishes to choose from – a hearty kale salad (which I’ve had before & is fabulous!), zucchini linguine, sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, dried goods & pizzas (which they are known for). After much mulling over the menu, I went with a raw wrap…

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Mock Tuna Plus Wrap

I love raw wraps, & often make them at home stuffed with veggies & hummus or a vegan “chickpea-of-the-sea” spread & was intrigued by the sunflower pate. It also sounded healthy & light, which I was in the mood for. I really enjoyed the sunflower pate (& immediately picked up a bag on my way home so I can make the recipe in Crazy Sexy Kitchen) as well as the collard leaf wrap. I’ve always been wary of using a collard leaf in my wraps because I was afraid it would be to dense, so typically use chard, but I found the collard held up much nicely than my chard leaves & was a sturdier vehicle for the goodness enveloped inside. I also loved the addition of pickles (my fave) & will be adding pickles to my homemade wraps. Yum.

And finally, dessert…

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Coconut Creme Pie – Young coconut & cashew cream

I had to! They’re named Peace Pies for a reason, folks, & their raw pies are divine. The coconut creme was a no brainer for me – I am cuckoo for coconuts! I decided to take a slice to go to enjoy at home with a cup of tea as an afternoon snack. It was a glorious treat. Rich & velvety cashew & coconut filling nestled on an almond-raisin crust.

For anyone living in or visiting San Diego who enjoys raw foods, Peace Pies is a must. The Encinitas location is small & casual, with friendly service, & a quiet outdoor patio where you bask in the sunshine while listing to some mellow reggae vibes. Every time I eat a raw meal, I walk away thinking this type of diet is something I could really get used to. I enjoy the lightness of being that I feel after consuming raw foods, not to mention sustained energy & vitality. Incorporating more raw foods into my daily diet is definitely an intention for 2013!

With a satisfied belly full of delicious raw delights, & a renewed surge of energy, I made my way to my favorite San Diego spot – The Self Realization Fellowship’s Meditation Gardens (check out my post last year for more photos of this magical place).

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I do believe that this is the most beautiful place in all of San Diego. Quiet, calming, & serene with amazing ocean views, it always calls to me when I am in a pensive mood – it is THE place to sit & quietly contemplate intentions for the new year, meditate, do some journaling, or just sit in silence while soaking up a healthy dose of vitamin D. Every once in a while the dolphins come out to play, as the did yesterday, frolicking in the waves with the surfers! What a sight.

This was truly an enjoyable “day for me” & a ritual I will repeat every new year, & beyond.

Filed Under: Resturant Reviews, Vegenista's Kitchen

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