Raw Vegan Goodness at Peace Pies!

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…

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…

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…

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).

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.