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Health & Fitness

Healthy & Gluten Free Treats At Velvet Yogurt/Active Culture Cafe

My kids love frozen yogurt and for years our favorite place has been Velvet Yogurt in downtown San Clemente.  The girls received some wonderful news the past week and we wanted to celebrate with some delicious yogurt.  It is a good thing I had noticed they had moved across the street and had a new name too!

Velvet Yogurt is now housed in the Active Culture Cafe and offers so much more than just their awesome yogurt.  They have a complete menu offering healthy and nutritious salads, wraps, acai bowls and breakfast too.  Everything is organic and when appropriate, is labeled gluten free, soy free, vegan or raw.  

The girls only wanted their yogurt (who can blame them?).  The yogurt is all gluten free, and they chose flavors like birthday cake, brownie and raspberry, topped with chocolate chips, sprinkles and gummi bears. The self serve toppings are always well maintained near the register, but do be aware that there is a chance of cross contamination with the spoons if someone move one from say the brownies to the gummi bears.

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Although the location changed, I am happy to say the best yogurt in town is still the best yogurt in town.

A worker passed me with a breakfast bowl for a customer and I knew I had to try it.  Filled with brown rice, black beans, cheese, eggs, salsa and avocado, it is as beautiful as it is delicious.  It is also very filling.  I had my girls help me finish it.

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I was impressed with the quality of the food and the thought and care that went into the menu.  I would have liked to have seen some gluten free options for the wraps or for the burger buns.  Next time I look foward to indulging in the Hanalei Acai Bowl which includes organic granola, coconut, pineapple and bananas.

This cute shop on El Camino Real is a perfect place for a quick, but healthy bite.  The vibe is casual, happy and friendly.  There is an additional location in Laguna Beach.  Check out their menu and locations at their website. Active Culture Cafe.

Here are my marks for Velvet Yogurt   (1-10 with 10 being highest)

  • GF Menu Selection: 8      
  • Service: 9      
  • Food taste:  9      
  • GF safety: 9

Eat drink and stay GF!

Erica is a local mom with three young children, ages 7, 10 and 12, who lives in San Juan Capistrano.  A part-time working gal and a full-time mom, you can see what her family is up to with her Slice of Orange blog.  Follow her on Twitter and Instagram@SliceofOc





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