The story of one woman’s journey to create a restaurant designed for love and healing.
In a happy beach town on the California coast you will find an amazing restaurant founded from healing and mother earth perfection. Introducing The Source Café and Ms. Amber Caudle, owner, chef, and wellness food extraordinaire. Amber knows first hand the brilliance of self-love and eating well. I loved watching her talk. She has the rapid speech and exuberance of a person thrilled by her craft.
Before I tell you all about my kindred spirit and inspirational food healer. Let me first give you the scoop on the Source Café. Wherever you are in the world, this place is worth the drive (or even the flight!). The Source Café exemplifies the best kind of wellness eating; casual, healthy, and amazingly tasty. Imagine walking into an adorable little shop, complete with outdoor tables in the California sunshine, fresh juices, and amazing desserts tempting you from every angle. Heaven, right? Well almost. It seems heaven has layers. The Source will take you to even greater heights. Because all this deliciousness is non-GMO, organic, frequently gluten free, and even paleo. Score!!! Now that we have crossed the pearly gates imagine food nirvana. A sandwich with flax bread (What??? You mean someone makes that other than me AND at a restaurant!). Chocolate chips cookies that are grain free and contain no processed sugar?! Not one speck of icky GMO’s! Juice to heal your thyroid and turmeric tonic that help with inflammation! Whoa. I cannot believe someone created the restaurant of my dreams.
Recall my kindred spirit? Well it seems Amber and I also channel the same desires for love, healing, and healthy eating. Amber’s journey began by cooking with her grandmother. A self described obsessive kid she was cooking gourmet dinners for her family by the age of 12 and knew that her life’s journey was to be all things culinary. As we often speak about at LoveSelf, life’s greatest rewards often come from life’s greatest challenges. While working as a successful executive chef, Amber found herself facing numerous health challenges. She speaks openly of her sugar addiction, of thyroid challenges, weight gain, painful joints, and a life not fully lived. She always knew there was something more. Yet, she didn’t know what that meant or even how to manifest this vague knowing. One day, and quite divinely inspired, she found herself taking a leap and booking a fasting retreat in the desert. Amber describes being “ripped wide open” and “a heavy chain being lifted off”. For six days she cried and knew that everything beautiful starts emerging when you allow yourself to feel. It was as if a reset button was hit and she woke up to self love.
Her love and passion are in her food and everything she does. So is her moxie. After returning from the journey that changed her life, she learned that a friend had a restaurant space for sale. “I want to buy it”, she heard come out of her mouth. Her friend said yes, her family supported her, and 31 days later a restaurant was born. Did you read that right? 31 days? After 18 hours a day and a vision, complete with the team she trusts and adores, The Source Café was born.
Amber sources organic ingredients, is a regular at the farmer’s market, and is constantly experimenting with new wellness ingredients. She tells me about her latest love for yam smoothies and brought me that day’s creation… almond balls. Imagine almond butter with flax, coconut, and raw cacao. They are so delicious I had to stop myself from acting for a dozen.
I asked Amber about her advice on how best to love ourselves. Once again our kindred spirits emerged. She spoke of following your heart and gratitude. We suggest listing five things everyday you are grateful for and five things you love about yourself. Adore!
Oh and one more suggestion. Stop by The Source Café. Grab a snack and a juice the color of the sunset. Walk down to the beach and know that every moment of your life is beautiful.
Amber created for us the best paleo oatmeal I have ever had! Recall that yam smoothie? Check it out.
