Summer’s coming. So is the beach. You have a problem. It’s not that you look bad. You just need to start looking after yourself. Eat organic, cut back on the refined food and maybe even eat some more of the green stuff.

Meet Paul Raff, he’s the owner of Mayver’s Health Foods; a local family company that offers natural, table-spreads made from just one, pure ingredient. He’s offered to point us in the right direction when it comes to sourcing healthy food in Melbourne.

Lentil as Anything | Three locations – St Kilda, Abottsford and Footscray | lentilasanything.com/
These guys offer all vegetarian meals while supporting the local community at the same time. Their produce is from Ceres; an organic urban community farm right around the corner and they even use organic soap and washing liquids. Situated in the old Abbotsford convent, this not-for-profit restaurant serves their meals for donation only and the people watching is as much fun as eating the food.

The Green Grocer North Fitzroy |217 St Georges Road Fitzroy North | thegreengrocer.com.au/
A grocer and café all in one, this place is hard to beat. They even have a wine shop. All the produce is organic and the food is tasty and modern. Breakfast is particularly good and a great place to go and sit in the courtyard and read the newspaper at the weekends.

The Green Refectory | 115 Sydney Road  Brunswick | (03) 9387 1150
Travel a little further and head to Sydney Road in Brunswick where you’ll find this trendy, modest little café. A great spot for lunch, the food here is inexpensive and the staff friendly and casual. The all-day breakfast is a winner and their coffee, baked goods and desserts offer a cheeky afternoon treat.

Glo Health | 358 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick| glohealth.com.au
Over the other side of town in Elsternwick is Glo Health another café that doubles as an organic grocer and a natural therapy clinic. Serving delicious organic and biodynamic food, Glo Health also offer gluten and dairy free specialty dishes. Try the vegetarian breakfast on weekends until 2pm and their delicious freshly squeezed juices.

Loafer | 146 Scotchmer Street, Fitzroy North | loaferbread.wordpress.com/
Another North Fitzroy institution, Loafer is the place to go for naturally leavened organic bread. All their products are made on-site and their hand-shaped sourdough breads are made using certified organic stoneground flours are unbeatable. This bread is amazing! Loafer also makes pastries using all certified organic eggs, sugar and flours but you have to get in quick before the sell out.