Birmingham’s Try It Raw Café Offers All-Organic, Mostly Raw, Entirely Delicious Foods and Drinks

Birmingham’s Try It Raw Café Offers All-Organic, Mostly Raw, Entirely Delicious Foods and Drinks

Birmingham’s Try it Raw Cafe Offers All-Organic, Mostly Raw, Entirely Delicious Foods and Drinks

17

JANUARY 2019

BY HONEY MURRAY

LBN Community Series
Birmingham

On Tuesday morning, while on her way to work at 7 a.m., Angela Doman realized she’d forgotten her lunch.

“Rather than stop and get junk food, I’m so glad that Try It Raw is here,” she said as she sipped a frothy green smoothie while waiting for her favorite to-go lunch: nachos that are made with cabbage chips, walnut meat, cashew cheese, avocado, “and all sorts of goodness.”

MICHAEL SEVERANCE

OWNER, TRY IT RAW

“It’s junk food that’s not actually junk food!” she smiles.

Doman, who has been a regular customer since Try It Raw opened in 2012, eats mostly a vegetarian diet.

“They are super-accommodating,” Doman adds. “There was a point a few years ago when I couldn’t eat anything solid, and Michael (the owner) would blend up a bunch of protein-packed, natural drinks for me.”

“Being flexible – and able to give people what they specifically want and need – is one of the best things about running Try It Raw,” says Michael Severance who, with his wife, Natalia Castro, and Marc Dobaczewski opened the unique, organic, vegan café on Maple Road in Birmingham.

“We have a customer from Flint who comes down every week to get her own custom salad and special smoothie,” Severance says. “And once, a visitor in town fell in love with our food and had the tacos, nachos, and burgers that she loved shipped – at a very high cost – to her home in Indiana!”

“Sometimes a customer will say, ‘I can only eat this or that kind of dressing. Can you make it?’ It makes you feel good to be able to do it, and sometimes what you create is so good that it ends up on the regular menu!”

“I’ve always been a very food-oriented person,” Severance shares, “and into all kinds of eating – especially healthy eating.”

In his late twenties, while working with Dobaczewski as a sushi chef at Clawson’s Noble Fish, Severance started making raw food at home.

“I think the first thing I made was a meatloaf out of walnuts,” he recalls.

“Once, a visitor in town fell in love with our food and had the tacos, nachos, and burgers that she loved shipped – at a very high cost – to her home in Indiana!”
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He was also playing in a band and considering a career in teaching.

“Even with lots of interests and ideas, nothing was going anywhere,” says Severance. “My wife realized I needed to choose a direction and focus on it, so we took a vacation to Miami to think things through.”

While there, they visited a tiny, raw foods restaurant.

“We loved it, and decided to open one, ourselves, in Birmingham. We came home, walked around the streets of Birmingham, and found this little place.”

Seven month later, they were open.

Severance continues to remain flexible, adding new items and services – like the two or three types of soups he now serves every day.

“I had to adapt my concept of ‘raw’ to include something that my customers really want, and they are enjoying our daily soups,” he says, as he adds freshly chopped onion and squash to his steaming, commercial Insta-Pot.

“This squash soup is extremely popular, and we’ll be serving green lentil soup with lemon, dill, and turnips, too. Sometimes, when my staff sees me walking towards them, they know I’ll be saying, ‘Chop squash, guys!’”

Other currently popular menu items include Caesar salad with cashew dressing, collard green-leaf tacos, avocado toast, the monkey milkshake (with bananas, dates, almonds, cinnamon), and a special for each day of the week: kelp noodles on Monday, lasagna on Tuesday, pizza on Wednesday, burger classic on Thursday, beet “rye bread” Rueben on Friday, Birminghamburger on Saturday, veggie sandwich on Sunday (though exact menu is subject to varying – and to selling out).

Smoothies, juices and sweet treats are also available.

“Celery juice is a big seller right now’” says Severance, “as well as our blend of celery, cucumber, kale, cilantro, lemon, and ginger.”

“Though I don’t get elaborate with desserts,” he says, “the desserts I do have, people like a lot — like our gluten-free cinnamon rolls and our cashew-based chocolate-banana cheesecake. We have a cheesecake every day.”

Try It Raw Café also accommodates deliveries and, with Birmingham’s traffic-packed Maple Road, they’re very willing to make a curbside (or behind-the-building), hand-to-hand lunch delivery.

“That’s another thing I love about having this business,” Severance shares. “We can always do new and different things to meet people’s needs!”

To meet their own needs for fresh produce and other supplies, Try It Raw uses some of this area’s most trusted wholesalers.

“Our organic produce, year-round, comes mainly from B & B Organics, and Cinzori Farms provides our spring and summer stock. Our packaging and disposable goods, of compostable materials, are from Greensafe Products in Detroit.

“And,” Severance continues, “you’ll taste the difference in our cold-pressed juices because we use a Norwalk juicer.”

In addition to providing his home-grown menu (which is 100% gluten-free, with no cross-contamination), Severance enjoys being part of his community. He will be giving a presentation at Birmingham’s Baldwin Public Library on Thursday, January 31, from 7-8 p.m. titled, “Eating Healthy with Try It Raw.”

“I will always remain flexible,” says Severance, “and looking to provide a service people need that maybe no one else is doing. We find where we fit and say, ‘I can try it! I can do it.’”

213 E. Maple Road
Birmingham, MI  48009
248-593-6994

tircafe.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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LATEST ROYAL OAK POSTS

Troy – January 16, 2019

Troy – January 16, 2019

Athletic Shoe Clinic

Physical therapist Ann Katchke will help you match your foot arch with the appropriate athletic shoes. Learn about your arch type, different athletic shoes, how to purchase the appropriate athletic shoes and avoid poor alignment to avoid common foot injuries on Wednesday, January 30, 6 to 7 p.m. at the Community Center. Click for more information.

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Troy Chamber Presents Eastern Market CEO

On Friday, January 25, the Troy Chamber will host their first CEO Series event of the year featuring Dan Carmody, President of the Eastern Market Corporation. The event will take place at Hilton Garden Inn from 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. and includes a sit-down breakfast.

In his presentation, Carmody will discuss the role of Eastern Market in fostering a stronger regional food economy in SE Michigan. While many people have family connections to the long history of Detroit’s venerable public market, few understand the pivotal role the market is playing in building a more robust food economy in the region. Demographics and changing consumer preferences are ushering in a new era in our food economy and Eastern Market has developed strong programs to incubate and accelerate new food businesses while retaining and attracting more established ones.

“Eastern Market has become a major attraction to the Detroit area,” says Ara Topouzian, President and CEO of the Troy Chamber. “It has also played a vital role in incubating new business and helping several small businesses flourish in the metro area.”

In addition, Carmody will provide an overview of the market’s food access programs and work that Eastern Market Corporation (the non-profit that operates the market and serves as the economic development organization for the Eastern Market District on behalf of the City of Detroit) is doing to preserve the legacy of the market area in the face of a tsunami of real estate investment.

The cost is $24 for Troy Chamber members and $30 for non-members and includes a sit-down breakfast. Register at troychamber.com/events. For more information call 248.641.8151 or e-mail theteam@troychamber.com.

Not in Our Town

Troy-area Interfaith Group, the Troy Police Department, and KYND (Know Your Neighbor Daily) invite you to attend their Martin Luther King, Jr. Day program – Not in Our Town, featuring screenings and discussion of “Manhattan Beach” and “Class Actions–Students Stand Up to Hate and Bullying.”

Participants will have a chance to view the documentaries, hear reflections from local leaders, and share ideas for actively reducing intolerance and promoting peace on Monday, January 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Troy Police Department. The program is suitable for ages 12 and up and is free of charge. Register online or call 248.524.3542 by January 17.

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Trivia & Brews: Gilmore Girls

Show off your Stars Hollow knowledge on Monday, January 28 at 7 p.m. at Granite City Food & Brewery.  Meet for dinner with your team of up to 6 people to prove you’re a true Gilly. Enjoy food specials and prizes. Bring your library card to earn bonus points. Register at troypl.org/calendar or by calling 248.524.3534.

Need a Ride?

Troy Medi-Go Plus is a non-profit providing door-to-door transportation for Troy residents ages 60 and up or for adults with disabilities ages 18 and up. Fare is $2 each way. Boundaries: North: Auburn Road including Barclay Circle; South: 12 Mile Road; East: Mound Road; West: Southfield Road, Adams Road. Reserve rides in advance by calling 248.457.1100.

SMART Connector is a curb-to-curb, advance reservation service providing transportation within a 10-mile radius of your start point. For medical trips, passengers may call 866.962.5515 up to six days in advance. All others may call up to two days in advance.

 

 

Beth Robinson

Beth Robinson

City News Editor

To share your news, announcements, and events, please email citynewseditor@localbiznews.net
Royal Oak – January 16, 2019

Royal Oak – January 16, 2019

Chuck Stokes to Speak at MLK Event

The communities of Berkley and Royal Oak will honor the life Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for the third annual Day of Service on Monday, January 21 at Royal Oak High School. The event will begin at 7:45 a.m. with a light breakfast, followed by keynote speaker Chuck Stokes, WXYZ editorial & public affairs director and talk show host, and inspirational performances by students. Admission is free with the donation of one or more of the following items:

  • Gallon Ziploc bags
  • Bar soap
  • Full-size shampoo
  • Full-size conditioner
  • Lotion
  • Liquid body wash
  • Washcloths
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Socks (children and adult)
  • Deodorant
  • Toilet paper
  • Playing cards

Following the morning program, volunteers can participate in several onsite and offsite projects.on Wednesday, January 9, from 5 to 9 p.m.

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Helping our Furry Friends

The Royal Oak Animal Shelter works to provide a haven for lost animals or animals given up by their owners, to reunite lost animals with their human companions, and to provide the best possible adoptions of available animals into the homes best suited to their personalities. The Animal Shelter Committee will meet on Thursday, January 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Police Conference Room.

Get Outside and Get Involved!

The Royal Oak Nature Society is a non-profit volunteer organization established to protect, promote, maintain and improve Royal Oak’s two nature parks, Tenhave Woods and Cummingston Park.  They are also in the process of developing the Royal Oak Arboretum, behind the Royal Oak Senior/Community Center. They have a number of great opportunities to get involved.

Patrolling the parks:

This is a good activity for families/friends to do together. It entails:

  • Cleaning up litter
  • Walking the trails and reporting obstacles blocking them
  • Walking along the Tenhave fence line to report fence breaches or gaps under it

Participating in park maintenance projects:

Volunteers must be high school age or older.  This is a good choice for community service. Volunteers help by:

  • Assisting in the battle to remove invasive species
  • Maintaining a path inside part of the Tenhave Woods fence line and repairing fence breaches
  • Keeping trails clear of encroaching weeds
  • Removing fallen trees and branches from the trails and fences
  • Lining trails with logs

Email Michelle Watson for more information or to volunteer.

If you are interested in leading nature walks, email Bob Muller.

To lend your talents to the Nature Society’s fundraising, communications, stewardship, education or programming efforts, call 248.246.3380.

Welcome a New Business

Located on Royal Oak’s charming Main Street, Hyatt Place Detroit / Royal Oak is just steps away from Stagecrafters, Royal Oak Music Theatre, and Emagine. Join the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon-cutting for the new Hyatt Place on Thursday, January 17, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Grief Support Group

If you or someone you love needs a safe and supportive environment to express feelings and better understand the grief process, there is a grief support group at the Senior Center on the 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month at 10:30 a.m. This service is offered at no charge to anyone mourning the loss of a loved one. The group will be facilitated by Claudia Been, MA, Grief Support Manager at Hospice of Michigan, Oakland County, State of Michigan Licensed Counselor and Social Worker. There is no fee.

Beth Robinson

Beth Robinson

City News Editor

Birmingham – January 16, 2019

Birmingham – January 16, 2019

Birmingham Public Schools Supports Disaster Relief

As part of its observation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Birmingham Schools are collecting items for DRAW (Disaster Relief At Work, Inc.) to help them provide relief services to communities around the United States hit by natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes and tornadoes. DRAW first response teams help survivors sift through the remains of their homes to salvage valuables, move trees that have fallen and blocked them in their driveway, or just sit and listen when they need it. The materials they use for salvage are packed in five-gallon buckets for delivery to disaster sites.

During the January 21 day of service, students in grades K-12 and their families will pack buckets for DRAW, make animal toys for a local shelter, assemble care kits for the homeless and help with other caring community projects. Registration is required. Sign in begins at 9:00 a.m., and the program begins at 9:30 a.m.

Groves Performing Arts Company Fundraiser

Go to the theater to help the Groves theater program. Discount tickets are now on sale from Groves Performing Arts Company for Rent at The Fisher Theatre, Tuesday January 8 to Sunday, January 20 and The Phantom of the Opera at The Detroit Opera House, Thursday January 24 to Sunday, February 3. Tickets can be purchased at broadwayindetroit.com/givesback.

Eating Healthy with Try it Raw

You can experience delicious and healthy cuisine from Birmingham’s own Try It Raw at the library on Thursday, January 31, from 7 to 8 p.m. Find out exactly what “raw” food is and why more and more people are eating raw. For more information visit baldwinlib.org or call 248.647.1700.

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Who’s Hungry?

Birmingham’s favorite dining event is almost here. Birmingham Restaurant Week will be January 28 – February 1 and February 4-8. Take advantage of specially created menus from Birmingham’s top chefs. Enjoy three-course lunches for $18 and three-course dinners for $36. Visit BirminghamRestaurantWeek.org for a list of participating restaurants and menus. To make reservations, contact the restaurants directly. Remember, the first two hours are free in all parking decks.

Birmingham Pride

Four years ago, Greenfield’s LGBTQ parents wished to bring families from around the district together for informational meetings and monthly social gatherings. They continue to find ways to be inclusive of the district’s diverse families. Everyone is welcome at their monthly meetings and social events:

Meetings – Greenfield Media Center

Monday, March 4, at 6:30 p.m., guest speakers – BPS counselors Sherree Wilson and Nicole Festian

Monday, May 13, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Review mission statement

Social Events

Tuesday, January 29, at 6 p.m. – Skate World of Troy

Friday, May 31, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. – District end of year picnic at the playground at Greenfield

Camp & Resource Fair + Microbusinesses

Friends of Different Learners will present the 17th annual fair at Groves High School on Saturday, January 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  This fair for families looking for camps and programs that accept children with special needs in both self-contained and inclusion environments.  Local Micro/Small Businesses founded by the special needs community will be selling jewelry, cards, ceramics, calendars, gifts and more at the fair.  Last year, 75 organizations participated in the fair and over 150 families from the tri-county area participated.  For more information about the Camp Fair or Friends of Different Learners visit friendsofdifferentlearners.org

 

 

Beth Robinson

Beth Robinson

City News Editor

Clawson – January 16, 2019

Clawson – January 16, 2019

Pizza, Pasta and Piazzas

Three years ago, Valentina Sassi moved to Michigan from Torino, Italy’s fourth largest city and the country’s chocolate capital. On Wednesday, January 23 at 12:45 p.m., Valentina will talk about Italy’s geography, history, traditions, cuisine, and lifestyle at the Clawson Senior Center. Call 248.583.6700 to register.

Need a Ride?

The city of Clawson and Beaumont Health support a transportation program to help Clawson seniors get around. Transportation boundaries are Long Lake Road to the north, 11 Mile Road to the south, Ryan Road to the east and Southfield Road to the west. The extended boundaries are for medical appointments only and include South Boulevard to the north, Nine Mile Road to the south, Van Dyke Avenue to the east and Telegraph Road to the west.

Starting in February, transportation anywhere other than to the Clawson Senior Center will $4 per round trip. Ride tickets are $4 each or four rides for $15 and may be purchased from a driver or at the Senior Center.

Spring, Baseball and Softball are on Their Way!

Get ready to play ball! The Clawson Youth Baseball and Softball League has begun registration for the 2019 baseball and softball season. The league provides youngsters opportunities to develop sportsmanship and athleticism, while participating in developmental and competitive play. Children can enjoy friendly competition with neighboring cities, while preparing for junior high and high school competition.

League format: CYBSL Softball divisions plan to continue with the current inter-league format that involves a partnership with ROSL, Madison Heights Softball, and other neighboring cities.

Divisions for beginners: Divisions for young children are co-ed and begin with t-ball for ages 4-5, developmental machine pitch for ages 6-7, and competitive machine pitch for ages 7-8.

Competitive baseball and softball: For athletes beyond age 8, Pee Wee ages 9-10, and Farm for ages 11-12.

For baseball, call Jeff Gaglio at 586.295.9014 and for softball, call Todd McMillan at 248.854.6733.

Is Clawson Your School of Choice?

Clawson Schools has program openings for developmental kindergarten through 7th grades and 9th and 10th grades. Applications will be considered through Friday, January 25, 2019 at 4:00 pm. Requirements for the Clawson Schools of Choice program:

  • Students must reside in the Oakland County Intermediate School District.
  • If a student is receiving special education services, an Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.) and MET must accompany the application for Schools of Choice.
  • Falsification of requested information may disqualify a student from being considered for admission or may result in removal from Clawson Public Schools if enrolled under false information.
  • Students who have been expelled at any time from any school district or convicted of a felony will not be considered for admission.

For questions regarding Clawson’s Schools of Choice program, call Jill LaPine, Enrollment Secretary, (248) 655-4417.

Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor