( rockin' living foods at raw can roll )

rockin' living foods at raw can roll
by amy strauss

as an ode to the raw food movement, douglassville's latest addition, the raw can roll café, celebrates the organic and vegan lifestyles of those who love to plunge their palates in the finest and most subtle tastes of extremely seasonal foods.

with a grand opening only a few months back, on june 5, owner sheryll chavarria decided that to complement her established wellness center devoted to natural healing practices, pure body wellness, she would additionally provide locals with an all-natural food lineup—one that would encourage healthy eating practices and introduce her favorites found within her own raw food habits.

nestled vibrantly on old swede road, parallel to wanner landscaping, raw can roll premiered months after pure body entered the local business roundup, singing in fresh colors of rich purples, sage greens, and sunflower yellows just a few doors down from its predecessor.

merrily matching “living foods” (fruits, veggies, nuts, etc. never exceeding 108 degrees) in a playful atmosphere spouting a classic fifties theme, donned with pin-ups of elvis presley and marilyn monroe and a menu that dips into categories like “shake, rattle, & roll” (for smoothies and shakes) and “toss'n & turn'n” (for salads), the latest lunchtime café introduces something new to the edible mix.

attracted to raw foodism after meeting the motivational anthony robbins, the restaurateur/certified colon hydrotherapist establishes her cozy eatery for both practicing raw foodists and for those daring to dabble.

the mentionable robbins, popular for the documentary simply raw: reversing diabetes in 30 days, influences many by his life-changing recap over the trials and successes of a group of everyday americans who experienced the healing results of 30 days eating just raw foods, which included a rapid cure for type-2 diabetes.

chavarria, an activist for delving deeply into pure, raw dishes, packs nutritional, energizing entrées at her 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. café, which produce a healthful punch—much more than those seen in their cooked counterparts. tackling everything from a filling olive burger plopped on flavorful onion flatbread to zucchini ribbon pasta dressed with sauces like cashew alfredo or tomato basil, the options are crunchy, captivating, and well worth the trip.

raw can roll also trots a gorgeous assortment of finger foods, including dipping starters like ever-changing salsas, authentic guacamole, and sprouted sunflower hummus, all paired with veggie crisps and red pepper corn chips. booming options of the kale, asian chop, or garden salads are sure to please, too, as they are seen as unforgettable varieties of some of the area's best blended bowls.

( all photographs by amy strauss. )

however, what makes the nearby niche-market café an “experience that you will remember” is the luxurious lineup of dressings and condiments, allowing you to refreshingly splash sweet purées of citrus ginger, carrot ginger, creamy tahini, and sweet basil balsamic onto your popping platter of uncooked paradise.

but, when you're speeding out the door, after deliciously dancing within the raw food movement at the area's first appropriate eatery, you may consider treating yourself to dessert, after all. offering daily specials premiering on their in-house board, your meal's sweet ending has never been this guilt-free. from coconut milk cream pie, to raw chocolates and chocolate almond macaroons, each step toward embracing the life of “living foods” reflects chavarria's conscious cuisine—as seen enjoyable bite-after-bite.

raw can roll café is open tuesday through saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 38 old swede road in douglassville.

(freebie alert ! comment on this story to enter for a chance to win one main double delicious dish from raw can roll café. please include your e-mail address in the comment. this contest ends the 19th of september. good luck !)

for more opportunities to gush over good
eats, visit amy’s foodie blog online at 

applesandcheeseplease.blogspot.com.