The latest entry in the Eat Your Words contest:
Have you had a culinary experience lately?
I mean, a real experience?
An experience that allows you to possess a range of organic cuisine, an enriching holistic philosophy, and a certain Tao-like charm?
I had such an experience this afternoon, and boy, is my body feeling fine. Truly. Life Alive, an “Urban Oasis and Organic Café”, is just such a place. Located in downtown Lowell, in the midst of an art-abundant, cobble stoned neighborhood, Life Alive is the answer to anyone in search of a healthful, delicious, and hearty menu. Heidi Feinstein, Creator and Proprietor, began this small and thriving café a few years ago, and has achieved a marked success, with an offering unlike any in the area before. Along with the influx of young families and artists of all kinds, Lowell has welcomed this precious and scrumptious pearl with open arms. With my four-year old and six-month old in tow, I traipsed into Life Alive for lunch.
The menu is quite breathtaking, and perhaps a little daunting for those not used to purely vegetarian fare. There is a huge nod to the vegan diet, but there are a couple of dishes that include cheese, and there is hard-boiled egg offered as a side. I absolutely adore “The Goddess,” their signature dish. This is a heavenly (no pun intended!) mixture of smoked tofu, brown rice, steamed carrots, beets, broccoli, and greens, with a wrap or not. The Ginger Nama Shoyu dressing is to die for. It’s somehow light and rich at once, and has just the right balance of spicy and sweet. I’ve literally dreamed about it. And yes, they do have a wrap for children, aptly called “The Child”, which consists of peanut butter and strawberry jelly wrapped in a whole grain tortilla. But I’d just like to note that my little boy loved “The Goddess” so much, he gobbled it up. The smoked tofu was such a hit, that he asked for some in a side dish. Speaking of sides, the menu cleverly offers side recommendations with each dish.
These recommendations can range from squash, hard-boiled egg, and avocado, to raisins, garlic, and flax oil. One recommendation for “The Seeker,” a wrap that consists of Spring mesculin greens, garlic-lemon hummus, granny apple slices, cashews, cucumber, shredded carrots, sunflower sprouts and a dollop of Ginger Nama, suggests the patron try a side of Be Here Now by Ram Dass – indeed a fine side to sink your teeth into if you are seeking any kind of truth! The café also offers a multitude of homemade juices and smoothies, as well as teas, coffee, and a wheatgrass drink. Many of the juices boast fruits and veggies alike all in one glass, and pack a punch enough to keep you going for a week. To the smoothies, you may add “nutri-boosts” such as flax, whey protein, bee pollen, green tea powder, and more. Life Alive also sells organic products to include body care, perfumes, supplements, herbs, candles, incense, dry goods, as well as books and CDs. And Life Alive offers workshops in healthful cooking, safe cosmetics, and whole food nutrition, to name a few. Swing by this groovy slice of heaven, and you’ll see just what all the hub-bub is about!
Mary Duquette
see original article here
