Organic Goodness in Every Bite

Soul juice, goddess salad, whole wheat quesadillas—those are just a few of the menu items you’ll find at Conscious Creations, a new organic café located at 1121 Soquel Avenue in Santa Cruz.

Owner Joshua Keen Server previously made the farmers market circuit preparing his fresh, tasty dishes for hungry shoppers. But he grew weary of having to “set up camp everyday,” and when the space on Soquel Avenue became available (which includes a serene outdoor dining space in the back), he made his move.

Server created his menu based on the foods he likes to eat and what’s available at the markets.

“My menus change depending on what’s being harvested that week,” Server said.

And the dishes at Conscious Creations are filled with the color, flavors and textures of fresh veggies and other ingredients.

Server’s rendition of a quesadilla is light yet satisfying. The whole wheat tortilla (yes, whole wheat, but not heavy or overly grainy) has just the right amount of Jack cheese and finely diced carrot and yellow and green bell pepper. It came with a side of “salsa fresca,” an unusual and yummy combo of tomatoes, grated carrots, fresh roasted padrón peppers and cilantro, all mixed with an aioli/chipotle dressing.

The salad that came with the quesadilla tasted super fresh with summer tomatoes, a variety of greens and parsley all tossed with a light vinaigrette and topped with crunchy whole wheat croutons.

That soul juice mentioned earlier? A delicious and beautiful blend of peaches, mango, strawberries and lemon—truly soul-satisfying.

Check out Conscious Creations for some delicious food you’ll not only enjoy, but feel good about eating, too!

FYI: Conscious Creations is open Tue – Fri 9am to 3pm and 5:30 to 9pm; Sat 8am to 3pm and 5:30 to 9pm; and Sun 8am to 3pm.