MEEFERS - Nature's Health Food & Cafe

Although we’ve patronized health food stores and cafés in the past, they’re not a retail category we’ve ever gone out of our way to seek out. But we must admit that the more we’re made aware of the effect the things we put in our mouths have on our health, the more we think twice about what we eat. After making the Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market a healthy habit as a more-than-viable choice to the chain grocery stores, we were led to discover yet another option.

While looking for bee pollen (which we had read might help enhance our energy levels, but sadly discovered we are both allergic to), we discovered a wonderful outlet that lives to serve the health-conscious consumer in Palm Springs. No, it’s not new. It’s actually been around for years. But while perusing the shelves, we realized, hey, there really are a lot of things here that we use. And it was nice to encounter potentially healthier alternatives.

One of the biggest draws to this business is the amazing food served in the café. One hundred percent meat-free (although you might never realize it from the many dishes that offer soy alternatives) and almost exclusively vegan (truth be told they will serve eggs and cheese, but they’re not listed on the menu), the choices are vast. “Sunshine Breakfast” (served all day), soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, thin-crust pizzas, vegetarian burgers, Chinese- and Mexican-style entrees, and a la carte items such as sesame corn chips and fresh salsa, rice, and steamed veggies are just the beginning (main courses $6.00-$10.00, sides $2.00-$6.00).

Recently we pored over the menu board and opted for a “Brook Special Healthy Wrap,” a combo of Un-Ham, Un-Turkey, Fakin’ Bacon, lettuce, tomato and Veganaise that was so good it shocked us. (Remember, we are unabashed meat-lovers!) We also tried the “Teriyaki Tofu Stir-Fry,” which tasted so amazing we would never have guessed it was vegan. So much to eat, so little time…

To complete a meal, or as an afternoon diversion, try a so-tasty-you’ll-forget-it’s-healthy smoothie (starting at $5.50), one of the many items from the specialty juice bar ($4.00-$5.50), a “shot o’ wheatgrass” ($1.75), or something from the Organic Espresso Bar ($1.50-$3.40). You can also imbibe the café’s exclusive 9.5 ph Kangan Water (free in the café while shopping or dining, available for sale by the gallon for take-home). Kangan Water?! Yes. A special water system has been installed in the restaurant to create variations in the ph of available tap water. Produce used in the café is rinsed at the lower value of 2.5 ph, while the water used for cooking and drinking is raised to over 9 ph. We wouldn’t have believed it if we hadn’t tried it, but the elevated alkalinity really does make Palm Springs already very drinkable tap water taste even better. And judging from the steady stream of customers who filed through the doors on our last visit, regulars seem impressed enough with the stuff to lug out huge jugs of it.

The store side of the business is chockablock full of all things “health store,” including bazillions of bottled vitamins, supplements, herbs, and tonics, as well as more soy products than most people would ever believe exist. Also available are a full line of organic vegetables and a wall-full of bulk bin items sold by the pound. With knowledgeable and solicitous service, an inventory that can’t be beat, and food that will make your tummy smile, you can’t go wrong at Nature’s Health Food & Café.