Opened just this past month, please welcome Evolution to the Fillmore neighborhood.  A juice, smoothie and food bar, this spot could easily become an immediate staple in my weekly routine.

Owned by none other than…wait for it…STARBUCKS (yes, you heard me), this brand has been housed with their cold drinks as a healthy green juice option.  Now, they have opened four doors in the US (3 in Washington, one right here in SF) and are cashing in on the organic, gluten free and juice trend.

Want a peak at the menu?

• Cold Pressed Juices: using organic apple, greens, blueberries, beets, ginger, mint, and beyond.
• Hot Scrambles: featuring free-range eggs, quinoa, black beans, feta….etc.
• Non-fat greek yogurt, steel cut oatmeal, granola.
• Signature Bowls: Choose from lentils, wild rice, kale or quinoa, kale, and butternut squash.  OR build your own bowl, selecting from various gluten free grains, greens, and mix-in’s ranging from grape tomatoes, fresh herbs, grilled zucchini, mixed seeds and more.  Add a protein and choose a sauce.  Sounds right up my alley.
• Salads: long list of fresh vegetables and proteins

All menu items are totally reasonably priced.  The only thing they fall short on is offering all ingredients as organic.  Regardless, I am so excited to see how this place does, as it really supports the emerging trend of true whole food eating while showing people how delicious it really can be. LOCAL CHILLS!

On Fillmore and Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA.

Since I was thirteen years old, I have received highlights and all-over colors, unaware that the substance creating the fun blond hues or the rich chestnut reds was actually completely toxic to my body.

Along with other heavy metals and toxic chemicals, Para-Phenylenediamine (PPD) is the main ingredient found in most all hair dyes, whether it be in an upscale salon or out of a Walgreen’s box.  Also known as coal tar dye, PPD is used in creating rubber, photo developer, gasoline, ink, and textile dyes.   The only actual legal cosmetic use of PPD is hair dye, but interestingly enough, the FDA does not approve the substance to be applied directly to the skin.  Hmmm, I seemingly recall when I go in for a hair color or highlight, the dye is absolutely in direct contact with my scalp for sometimes up to 30 minutes.  Weird.

Along my health journey, giving up my hair color was one I struggled with.  But thank goodness for innovative people like Andrina, owner of Moxi Hair Salon.  This hair salon and spa is a true SF gem.  Moxi Salon uses all natural hair color, free of detergents, bleach, plastics, formaldehyde, parabens and sulfates.  And the final result is UNBELIEVABLE. Never have I had such rich, deep, natural looking color that barely fades and creates such a sheen and thickness to my hair.  Andrina is extremely talented, and has created an upscale yet calming environment within her adorable Union Street shop.

It’s pretty much a win win situation here.  Amazing cut and color, sans the stuff you would never ever ever ever voluntarily put onto your body if you knew what was in it.  I cannot recommend this place enough.

http://www.moxisalonspa.com/index.php

http://www.yelp.com/biz/moxi-san-francisco#query:Moxi%20salon

(Source: organicconsumers.org)

One of my favorite spots in the city: Cafe Gratitude in the Mission (also on Out To Dinner list from 4/25 post).  In addition to the menu being unbelievably yummy, 100% organic, and all grown from their very own farm in Vacaville, California, they also have an inspiring vision and purpose.  

The cafe is an avid supporter of local farmers, sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly products, and their ideas are centered around acceptance, gratefulness and generosity within their community.  Most noteworthy and signature to their cafe is their “Grateful Bowl”.  They created the menu item in 2009 in response to the widespread economic hardships in their community.  With a suggested price of $7, the bowl is actually donation only — asking those who can afford their meal to express gratitude and pay more than $7 when possible, helping the next customer who would otherwise be unable to afford a healthy meal.  

The bowl is delicious, as is pretty much everything on their menu; all vegan and free from refined sugars, wheat and soy.  Their organic wines and beers are phenomenal, and yesss, all desserts are organic and gluten free.  It’s such a cool place to support.  And it’s dangerously near my office.

(Source: cafegratitude.com)

Cooking at home gives you the satisfaction of knowing all ingredients of your meal, as well as where all of the food was grown/how it was raised, etc.  Unfortunately, I’m a big foodie and eating out is one of my favorite things to do.  SO…it’s quite luckily that I live in a city full of incredible restaurants who pride themselves on supporting healthy, clean produce and sustainable food and farming systems.  If I know a restaurant holds this of great importance, I can feel confident that the ingredients on my plate are free of added hormones, pesticides, chemicals or processed ingredients….and can scarf down without a care in the world.

Here is an extensive list of just some of the restaurants who support local, organically grown produce and offer humanely raised meats/freshest fish.  Basically, this is your SF city bible to eating out.

• A16 - Marina
• Alembic - Haight/Ashbury
• Americano - Embarcadero
• Baker and Banker - Lower Pac Heights
• Bar Jules - Hayes Valley
• Bar Tartine - Mission
• Beretta - Mission
• Blue Plate - Bernal Heights
• Cafe Gratitude - Mission
• Coco 500- SOMA
• Cha Cha Cha - Haight/Ashbury and Mission
• Contigo - Noe Valley
• Green’s Restaurant - Marina/Fort Mason
• Market Bar - Ferry Building
• Maverick - Mission
• Mission Beach Cafe - Mission
• Mixt Greens - Financial District
• Nopa- Western Addition/NOPA
• Olea - Nob Hill
• Perbacco - Financial District
• Quince - Financial District
• Range - Mission
• Roam - Cow Hollow/Marina
• Rose’s Cafe - Cow Hollow/Marina
• Rue Saint Jacques - Nob Hill
• Serpentine - Potrero Hill
• Slanted Door - Ferry Building
• Slow Club - Mission
• SPQR - Pacific Heights
• Spruce - Laurel Heights
• Tataki - Lower Pac Heights
• Terzo - Cow Hollow/Marina
• The Plant Cafe - Marina
• Universal Cafe - Mission
• Yield Wine Bar - Dogpatch
• Zuni Cafe - Civic Center

As a last note….if you’re at a restaurant where you are unsure of the quality of produce/meats, never feel awkward asking where the food came from.  ”Is your produce grown locally or organically?”  ”How was this beef raised?”  TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE.

(Restaurant list based on article in “Buy Fresh Buy Local: The Eater’s Guide to Local Food”. Bay Area, 4th Edition)

It’s pretty tricky to participate in any social/bar scene while still keeping your commitment to health, organic foods and sustainability.  Given my wine obsession, I was luckily introduced to a new spot right near my office.  It’s called ‘Yield’, it’s on 3rd street in San Francisco’s Dogpatch area, and it’s the city’s first eco-friendly wine bar.  Their rotating wine list is made up of organically and bio-dynamically grown grapes from wineries that strive to maintain the best practices in environmental sustainability.  Their pretty little plates of tapas style appetizers are all organic and sourced from seasonal, local crops.  Even their decor is made of eco-friendly materials.  Kudos to the guys that began this safe haven for health-conscious wine lovers…I desperately needed a place like this!!!!!!!

Check out this local spot: http://www.yieldandpause.com/aboutourwine/index.html