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Elwood is proving to be the destination for trendy and exciting eateries, that are similarly focused on nutritious offerings. Joining the raw food-focused Combi and creatively inspiring Plain Sailing, a cafe of a different kind also calls this beachside suburb home. This is Life, Family Wellness Emporium is not only a health-conscious cafe and retail store, but it is also a wellness centre offering holistic services such as natural medicine, physical therapies and educational workshops and classes. For more information on what they’re all about, see here for my article on The City Lane.

With a head chef that is a trained nutritionist, you can trust the authenticity of their healthy focus. Where many cafes fall short and place a single vegan dish on their menu to call themselves ‘contemporary‘, This is Life succeeds by creating an entire menu that caters to most dietary preferences, with each of their dishes classified as being either gluten-free, paleo, low FODMAP, vegan and/or vegetarian. Additionally, those with no dietary preferences are catered for in the form of organic bacon, pulled lamb shoulder and sustainably sourced, crispy skin Atlantic salmon.

The extent of their dietary appeal may seem thinly stretched, but their innovative approach to the menu ensures customers remain intrigued and excited to try their offerings, with the use of organic and local produce, the vibrant array of flavours, and the skilful execution of the final product. Ingredients are carefully chosen for their natural healing powers and health benefits, proving that food that is good for your body doesn’t have to taste boring.

A relatively new dish that has been added to their recent Autumn menu, the Supergrain Quinoa with Organic Lamb shows off strands of lamb shoulder that have been rendered down to an incredibly tender consistency, whose expectedly rich flavours are contrasted by lemon myrtle, pomegranates, macadamia and a zingy, mildly-spiced harissa dressing. The addition of quinoa provides extra substance to this hearty salad, in addition to boosting iron levels, magnesium and antioxidants.

Supergrain Quinoa with Organic Lamb ($23.00)

Immune Boosting Waffles arrive as a savoury trio of beetroot and teff waffles, topped with crushed green peas and avocado, finished with leafy greens, roasted tomatoes, cashew cream cheese and finger lime. Boasting vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free elements to this dish, these are some of the fluffiest and lightest waffles you will have tasted, accompanied by a selection of ingredients that work together to enhance rather than overpower the waffles.

Immune Boosting Waffles ($19.50)

Items that have remained on the menu since their Summer inception are the Energising Bircher Muesli and the Happy Gut Bowl, both of which have proven to be favourites amongst their customers. The only sweet option on the menu (aside from the house made muffins and Pana Chocolate bars laid on the countertop), the Energising Bircher Muesli is naturally sweetened with a mixture of seasonal fruits, oats, chia seeds, Byron Bay paleo nut and seed mix, coconut yoghurt and citrus curd. Although potentially benefitting from a little more liquid infusion into the mixture on our second visit, our memory of this dish from our first visit remains relatively intact, encompassing a delicious cross between a crunchy muesli and a soft-textured chia pudding, complimented by the coconut yoghurt and sweet citrus curd binding the breakfast-y dish together.

Energising Bircher Muesli ($16.00)

The Happy Gut Bowl is similarly impressive, showcasing a bowl of brown rice, Asian greens, house-fermented vegetables, avocado and wakamae furikake, finished with a ginger sesame dressing. Presented similar to the on-trend poke bowls making the rounds in today’s cafe scene, the Happy Gut Bowl is loaded with plenty of gut-improving pre- and probiotics, facilitating reductions in stress and anxiety levels that can compound our day-to-day functioning. The cooking of the vegetables is faultless, taking them to the point of being edibly soft with some textural resistance, thus preserving their nutrient-rich properties.

Happy Gut Bowl ($18.50)

Other notable mentions include the Anti-inflammatory Turmeric Rosti (now promoted to being a dish in its own right, rather than as a side option on the previous menu), the Chilli Scrambled Eggs with cauliflower ‘toast’ (no longer on the menu, but positively added some excitement to the regularly-done scrambled eggs), and their Organic Medicinal Smoothies into which customers can add a choice of powder to boost the health benefits even further.

Chilli Scrambled Eggs (no longer on the current menu)

Antioxidant Powerhouse Smoothie ($12.50) (dragonfruit, maqui berry, banana, mixed berries, pea protein, pre and probiotics, coconut milk, coconut water) + Naughty & Nice Smoothie ($11.50) (banana, peanut butter, rice malt syrup, chia seeds, zucchini, coconut milk, coconut water)

Kids also get a weigh-in to the healthy food concept, with an Organic Beef and Vegetable Bolognese, Fluffy Scramble with Avocado, and Chicken Nutrient Bites, giving other kids menu’s a run for their money.

Sweet Potato & Turmeric Rosti (no longer available as a side on the current menu)

In their desire to establish a friendly and welcoming community of like-minded, health-focused individuals, This is Life emulates positivity in everything that they do. Whether it’s the nurturing services offered in their adjoining health and wellness centre, or the creatively inspiring wholefood cafe that initially greets customers upon entering the venue. Not only do they want to educate people on how to look after their bodies, minds and souls, but they also believe in empowering people to make the right choices, without compromising on enjoyment, satisfaction and human connection.

Note: I dined as a guest of This is Life Wellness Emporium. Thank you to the lovely Michaela and her great staff for their generous hospitality throughout our experience.

This is Life, Family Wellness Emporium 109 Brighton Road Elwood, VIC 3184 Ph: (03) 9531 5050 Email: [email protected] Hours: Sun and Tues-Wed 12-8pm, Thurs 12-9pm, Fri-Sat 12-10pm.