Grow in Wellness is always on a mission to find a great local Juice Bar because most places suffer from a lack of organic ingredients. Well, along came Sejuiced Superfood Juice Bar to our local Corona Del Mar community. Once I met founder/owner Kelly Meeker, and learned that Sejuiced strives for all organic as much as possible, I immediately became a regular customer and big fan. They offer super healthy, all organic, cold pressed juices, smoothies, salads and more.

After speaking with Kelly, I completely understood her passion to do the right thing in providing the best superfood smoothies and cold pressed juices to her customers. I feel confident that her careful sourcing of organic, raw foods and ingredients is both unique and commendable. They also provide all glass bottles for their juices and other various products, not only for environmental reasons, but also for our health. Almost 95% of the Juice Bar competitors use BPA free plastic bottles for their cold pressed juices. It’s also great to know that Sejuiced pays their customers to return the glass containers for recycling.

Another secret about Sejuiced. . . while most places just offer the same packaged bars that you can find anywhere, they have "raised the bar" with the most amazing healthy treats they call “naughty desserts”. They’re all made in-house with 100% raw ingredients and use only natural sugars such as dates, honey, dried coconut, cacao, agave or stevia. These are indulgent desserts that you don’t have to feel guilty about eating and yes, they’re actually good for you.

(review originally posted 12/8/16)

Some of the most delicious things I’ve eaten were from menu descriptions that didn’t tell the whole story. Spend some time at Seabirds Kitchen and you’ll know what I am talking about.

The menu offerings are created from organic, plant based and seasonal ingredients that include a wide variety of flavors and, whether you decide to eat lunch or weekend brunch, nearly everything will make your taste buds happy. They use organic ingredients as often as possible; always local, in season, fruits and vegetables, too. They skip the inflammatory oils and instead use rice bran oil and filtered lemon water for cooking and steaming.

Let’s talk taste! The Old Town Grilled Cheese is so delicious, it’s hard to believe that it’s dairy free. The perfect blend of cashew “gruyere”, basil avocado sauce and “provolone” grilled between two slices of sourdough, it gives a whole new meaning to comfort food.

The Burnt Brussels Sprouts are roasted with garlic, lime and dijon and their organic broccolini has its own flavorful twist with the addition of pickled peanuts. The Butternut Enchiladas are tasty as is the Sourdough Flatbread which is simply topped with squash blossoms, garlic chili oil and maldon salt. BUT, the show stopper (as far as I’m concerned) is the Beer Battered Avo Taco. I first tasted these from the Seabirds Food Truck and fell in love at first bite. These beer battered, fried avocados with lime, cabbage and creamy Seabirds sauce are my favorite menu item and one of their most popular as well.

Seabirds also offers fresh kombucha that is locally made and on tap (this is also on the menu with ice cream as the Cha Cha float and in the Cha Cha Mosa with a splash of prosecco) and they have craft beers, too.

If you already like vegan food, you won’t be disappointed in what Seabirds has to offer, and if you are not yet a believer that recipes made without animal products can be delicious and satisfying, then go out on a limb and give Seabirds Kitchen a try. The hardest part will be trying to decide which menu item you like best.

Locations: South Coast Plaza (Crystal Court), the LAB in Costa Mesa and Long Beach.

(review originally posted 8/11/16)

Sejuiced Organic Juice Bar

Seabirds Kitchen Review