As hard as we try to instill confidence in our children, it can be difficult to maintain a healthy self-esteem ourselves. We might feel competent in certain areas of our lives. We could even have a certain air of superiority in other areas. However, beneath all of this bravado, lurks our insecurities about our self-worth. Thoughts of “if they only new the truth, they would be disappointed” are commonplace.

Next time you are feeling this way, a visit to Café Gratitude may be in order. The Café Gratitude is a vegan restaurant using “the finest organic ingredients to honor the earth and ourselves” and their motto is “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Everything on the menu from the appetizers, entrees, drinks and desserts is an affirmation.  

If you wanted a blood tonic consisting of kale, beet, celery, apple and ginger, you would order “I am worthy”. An appetizer, great for sharing is the “I am abundant” - a sampler plate (of eight affirmations: I am Happy, Giving, Exciting, Honoring, Opulent, Relishing, Insightful, and Thriving!) consisting of sprouted almond hummus, Asian kale-sea vegetable salad, hempseed pesto crustini, spicy cashew nacho cheese w/ flax chips, olive tapenade, buckwheat crackers, spring roll and a mini bowl of the house soup. Yummy!

For my main course, I will have the “I am cheerful” - a sun burger of sprouted pumpkin seed-walnut burger served open-faced on a sweet onion sunflower bun with Romaine lettuce, sliced tomato, onion, catsup, pickles, and a side salad.      

For dessert, I’ll have “I am precious”, an African Rooibos tea renowned for its beneficial antioxidants, minerals & vitamins with fresh lemon & ginger juice, honey & cayenne in hot water with the “I am cherished” a cashew cream cheesecake with almond-date crust and “I am magnificent” a chocolate mousse. What? I couldn’t decide.

When your server delivers your meal, she would say, “You are worthy, you are abundant, you are cheerful, you are precious, you are cherished, and you are magnificent”. Sometimes, this may be hard for us to hear. However, if you hear it often enough from others as well as yourself, you will start to believe it.
 
It is never to early to start kids on affirmations. Their offerings for children are “I am a winner”, I am a star”, I am a hero”, I am incredible, I am berry awesome fruit & yogurt cup”. Imagine how much confidence kids would have when they reach adulthood if they were constantly saying (and eating) such powerful meals.

Next time you are in need of a serving of self-worth and can’t visit a Café Gratitude (they are all located in California), Café Gratitude has a cook book for sale at their website (link below) so make make yourself a nice meal and rename what’s for dinner! You are worthy!