Strictly vegan restaurant Garden of Eatin’ located about a block east of Miami Edison High School is bordered by a fair amount of poverty, yet for those who live in this neighborhood and anyone who travels from beyond, Immanuel Tafari’s restaurant is a welcome refuge from the usual necessity of inquiries about ingredients. Immanuel has been vegan for 15 years, since the age of 20 when he became part of a sect of Rastafari known as the Nyahbinghi sect. They follow a very orthodox ahimsa (non-violence) lifestyle and live by firm moral values and standards, including no alcohol. An intentional keen awareness about themselves and the world is rooted into their lifestyle. Therefore, they welcome everyone with “greetings” or “blessings” because they feel the word “hello” which sounds excessively like “hell” and “low” is not a kindly-sounding expression. Immanuel grew up in New York. He described how his current lifestyle was partially influenced by the experience of watching elders in his family become ill from preventable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer. He recalled that they were always advised by physicians to cut back or eliminate animal products and to increase their consumption of plant foods. When he would bring a tray of vegetarian food to one of his dying relatives, they would beseech him to sneak them some meat. He said he always wondered why they didn’t eat right from the beginning so that they could avoid these illnesses.

Many chickens live freely around the property of the restaurant that has only been open for 6-7 months and Immanuel says that he often feeds them early in the morning after they descend from a night of sleep and protection in the surrounding trees. Unfortunately, he also mentioned that the stray dogs and cats nearby occasionally prey on the baby chicks. Once inside, a television screen is often used to play political or Rastafari documentaries. Immanuel said that he recently saw the movie Fast Food Nation and that he would eventually like to buy copies to give to others. I mentioned other documentaries of which he was unfamiliar but interested to bring in to further educate patrons.

Garden of Eatin’ opens bright and early at 7 am with a vegan breakfast that includes blueberry waffles, polenta porridge, roasted potatoes, and bagels with vegan butter or cream cheese. In addition to the standard fare of live juicing, veggie burgers, veggie kabobs, veggie tacos and veggie pizza, a daily special platter is also available ($5/lunch, $7/dinner). The platter includes soup, rice or grain, three stews, salad and plantains. Vegan desserts include carrot cake, raspberry ginger cake, blackberry cinnamon cake, and sweet potato pie and the cakes are often topped with soy ice cream. Water infusions of lemonade, sorrel, ginger, mauby, sea moss, or jasmine peppermint are also available. The day I visited the service and the food were outstanding. The soup was red bean with vegetables and the platter was rice with black beans and stewed vegetables, vegan "fish" patties, salad, and plantains. I had the spicy ginger lemon infusion and for dessert the raspberry ginger cake topped with a cookies and cream ice cream. Everything tasted fresh and delicious.

"The Organic Buying Club of South Florida currently contributes to the health of families throughout the South Florida area by making available to them fresh, superior quality, and certified organic produce at reasonable prices." That’s the quote right off of the flyer that Jayne Rosenbaum uses to promote the business that she began three and a half years ago. There’s more: "Mrs. Rosenbaum, a devoted wife and mother of two active children, was frustrated with the high prices and inconsistent quality of organic produce available in South Florida." Sound familiar? Haven’t we all experienced high prices and inconsistent quality when trying to find fresh, organic produce?

In my opinion, Ms. Rosenbaum is filling a niche and the bellies of happy families everywhere utilizing the convenience and the quality these coops offer. I should know. I joined a group two weeks ago because I thought it would be fun and perfect for the holiday season. Since then I have had the pleasure of experiencing a delightful assortment of the "25 to 35 lbs. of exquisitely fresh, certified organic fruits and vegetables" that, thus far, two shipments have afforded me. Fortunately, I was able to find a coop just two miles from my home which Dr. Maria Rodriguez of Hands of Life Chiropractic started. The system offers a unique pre-paid bi-weekly mixed variety share with an emphasis on leafy greens. All of the produce is certified through QAI the largest international certifier in the world. Jayne, and her husband Howard, also "take a strong stand towards global responsibility and are very selective in purchasing only items that come from sustainable farms that are socially responsible."

The coop consists of one host and fourteen additional members. There is a one-time registration fee of $20 which includes a canvas bag to use for pickups. Each approximately 30 lb. share is delivered every two weeks and costs $43, cash only in the exact amount. The host is compensated with a free share and a $30 discount can be offered for "helpers". My first shipment contained: oranges, bananas, plums, grapes, carrots, collard greens, leafy green lettuce, tomatoes, cauliflower, green peppers, mushrooms, and leeks. Last week the share included: apples, bananas, plums, kale, baby herb salad, carrots, eggplant, yellow squash, mini sweet peppers, and purple onions. For an added fee, additional items are also available such as: raisins, dates, coconut, walnuts, sprouts, coffee, olive oil, bread, green drinks, salt, cocoa powder, soaps and beauty creams. Although they also offer some meats and cheeses, a host is more than welcome to maintain a strictly-vegan group.

For more information, they have two websites:
organicbuyingclubsofla.com or jayroseorganics.com or you can call (305)868-2136.

This edition’s dining section features a centrally located vegan "hideaway" that’s been around for nearly 15 years. The Beehive’s Juice Bar, home to many in the Miami vegan community, is owned and operated by friendly Brazilian Carlos Schichi. It is tucked away in the back of the separately owned Beehive Natural Food Market. Carlos is an extremely warm and generous chef who delights in giving away samples of his new creations every day. His progression towards veganism began in 1983 but his skills as a gourmet chef date back even further, primarily in Italian and French cuisine throughout popular European countries. When I asked Carlos what prompted him to become vegan, he said it was a growing experience rather than one specific incident. He is extremely bright and philosophical and viewed the elimination of "blood" in the meals as a natural progression. He articulated what he considered to be the many benefits I’m sure many of you will relate to: higher energy level, more creativity and better clarity. He specifically noted man’s continual disruption of the ecological balance and cited India’s rat overpopulation dilemma which grew out of massive snake killings by fearful field workers. Now, he says, they are frantically importing snakes to try to eradicate the problem. He talked about how "human arrogance" often leads to shifts that are ignored even when dramatic changes, such as global warming, are taking place. Being the animal rights activist that I am, I was compelled to ask him how tuna on his menu fits in. I’m glad I asked. He said that when he took over the business, it was already being offered. Compromise is often a factor for staying in business. But besides that, he said, many of his customers bring a friend who might not be willing to try foods that are unfamiliar. It grants an opportunity to bring someone new in, who then partakes in the sampling ritual and … well, you know … "Hey, that tastes pretty good … what is it again?"

The Beehive will accommodate any vegan appetite. Smoothies abound with many choice nutritional additions. My favorite is the "Rain Forest", an unlikely combination of carrot juice, lime juice, avocado, banana and ginger. His daily specials are his unique creations and include lasagna, spinach cakes, and a Mexican three layer "tres amigos". A homemade platter of rice and beans with soup or salad for under $5 is a great deal. Although his specials are cooked meals, he also prepares customized raw food dressings for salad and offers various flavored dehydrated crackers. Saturdays feature a raw fruit pie. Over the years, many of the regulars have been trying to convince Carlos to open up a larger up-scale restaurant. I asked him if he was still open to ideas from investors. He said "always". In a society where vegan restaurants typically come and go, I asked Carlos how he has managed to stick around for so long. He said he sees the business as a great survivor based on above-average quality and service. I couldn’t agree more.

Beehive’s Juice Bar
5750 SW 40^th Street
(corner of Bird Road and Red Road)
Miami, FL 33155

Tel. (305) 663-1300
Hours of operation:
Mon-Sat. 10am – 7pm
Catering also available