Cafe Verve

While most of us are living within the confines of a meal plan and getting most of our meals from the commons, sometimes it's important to treat yourself and throw some variety into your diet from some of the many mouth-watering restaurants in State College. Don't get me wrong, my previous blog post dedicated to healthy eating and creativity in the commons still reflects my conviction that it is possible to eat a delicious and nutrient filled diet daily, but I wanted to branch out a little and try some of the healthy spots of State College. With a little searching and the help of an Onward State article I came across by chance, I found my newest obsession. Cafe Verve.

It's admittedly become a little dangerous for my bank account because I am truly obsessed with this new little healthy eats wonder just a short white loop ride from my dorm. Cafe Verve is a new vegan addition to the diverse and delicious list of food stops in Penn State. Tucked right on Beaver Ave is the little green cafe with a modern earthy ambiance and a wooden bar-styled sitting area in the window that has become my new favorite study spot. The relaxing vibe of the Cafe and the friendly staff are amazing, but its the delicious and freshly made vegan food that makes this place truly special. The menu is overwhelming enticing with the endless lists of specialty coffees, smoothies, smoothie bowls, and unique breakfast and lunch items that are both sold all day (breakfast all day should be a normal thing everywhere honestly). I honestly just recommend taking a second to look through the menu yourself so you can really see where I am coming from here. Although it is a vegan restaurant, and that may make a lot of people turn the other direction, I think Cafe Verve defies the typical stereotype that vegan food is tasteless and lacks the good qualities of other foods.

While every time I go in I tell myself to branch out and try something new, I graze the menu as merely a formality because I know I'm going to end up with a smoothie bowl every time. If you have never tried a smoothie bowl, your first experience should most definitely be Cafe Verve because they are to die for. I even tell myself I will try a different variation of the smoothie bowl each time, but each time I end up sitting down with a large coffee and a "ravishing reds" bowl. It has a base of smooth and dreamy blended acai powder, frozen bananas, soy milk and agave topped with fresh strawberries, raspberries, goji berries, cashew butter, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds.

If you're looking to try something new here in State College or that menu makes you crave the yummy and nourishing creations of Cafe Verve I recommend trying it out! If you know of any other healthy food gems around State College I would love to hear about them!