March 28, 2024

Green Leaf Cafe

Oct. 19, 2008
The owner of the Green Leaf Cafè is on a mission: “It’s a way to express my passion of creating a healthier nation, even if it starts with one community at a time,” said Beverly Tarlton.
In a quest to serve her customers the best in organic cooking, Tarlton traveled to Hawaii, California and North Carolina to study menus and recipes of other organic eateries before opening her restaurant. “We cater to carnivores, vegetarians and vegans. All of our foods are all natural, local and/or organic,” Tarlton said.
Beverly’s health was, at age 35, deteriorating.
“I was overweight and having problems sleeping, always tired, and with neck and back pain,“ she said. “I was suffering from sinus problems as well. When I visited my family physician he could find nothing wrong at all and recommended some Western medicines for treatment of allergies. I was not comfortable taking synthetic medications to only mask the problems and cause other side effects like stomach upset and headaches.”
Tarlton decided to start researching her own ideas, accruing more than five years of science, medicine and holistic health studies. Today, she is a holistic health consultant with her own practice, Leelanau Wellness & Nutrition, located in Suttons Bay.

TEACHING NUTRITION
Tarlton often teaches nutrition in the local community schools, the Friendship Community Center in Suttons Bay and the Grand Traverse Band of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians in Peshawbestown. She also hosts food cooking demos, sharing her knowledge of how to eat healthier and smarter.
“I feel the place to begin is to know your food source by reading all of the ingredients of what you are putting into your body,” she said. “I wanted to share my food recipes and knowledge of what chemically enhanced and genetically modified foods and their side effects do to our body.”
Eager to share her new-found beliefs, amazing weight loss, healthier body and sense of spirit with others, Tarlton decided to open her new café at the Michigan Traders general store, overlooking Little Traverse Lake on M-22 in Maple City.
Preparing fresh organic foods is not only her passion, but that of her children as well. Most days inside the Green Leaf Café, you will find Beverly Tarlton, chef and her children, chef Markus Tarlton and Drew Cody, on food prep. On weekends you may find bus boys Cameron and Trey Tarlton, or sister Jordyn Barrick serving as a hostess. Accompanying the team is pastry chef Ann Preibe RN. Serving as the ‘Sandwich Master’ is Don Preibe PhD, Ann’s husband.

HEALTHY MENU
Tarlton is adamant about using healthful ingredients.
“I absolutely never, never use high fructose corn syrup, no MSG, no growth hormones, no aspartame -- just great-tasting nutritious food. I am having a blast meeting great people. It is an honor to teach people about what foods can do to help or harm our body. Some of the foods and their additives are what is killing us.
“My goal is to support the community, teaching them -- especially our youth -- about proper nutrition and good taste,” she added. “Yes, they can go hand in hand. To be on the Green Leaf Café list, your food must be ‘Beverly Approved’ by being completely chemical, pesticide, and hormone free. “It must be 100 percent local, natural and/or organic.”
The café serves Pleva’s tasty turkey sausage, uncured turkey bacon, local, all-natural grass-fed beef, marinated tofu, uncured pepperoni, and Boar’s Head all natural maple turkey breast. These are complemented with an all-natural cheese selection of feta, mozzarella and Boar’s Head provolone, cheddar or parmesan. Tarlton’s sandwiches are made with the area’s the bread from local companies including Bay Bread Company and Stonehouse Bread.

STANDOUTS
A must-to-try is Peshaba’s cherry chicken salad, made with local dried cherries, natural white chicken breast, homemade soy garlic-herb mayo, broccoli sprouts, organic grape tomatoes, and organic romaine all on multi-grain flax bread. It is a knock-your--socks-off upscale retake on the ordinary chicken salad. (available at Peddling Beans in Lake Leelanau, too).
“I made the chicken salad recipe in honor of my great-great grandfather, Chief Ben Peshaba,” Tarlton explained of her Native American roots. “He worked on local cherry farms in both Leelanau county and on the Old Mission Peninsula.” Peshaba’s photo is in the archives at the Leelanau Historical Museum in Leland.
“The sandwich’s healing qualities are due to the fact that flaxseed and dried
cherries are antioxidants, the broccoli sprouts are high in sulforaphane, a substance that is said to have anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties which eats cancerous cells. The fresh garlic we add is a natural antibiotic. our all-natural chicken provides protein. You’re not only enjoying the great flavors, but you feel great too!”
Bev’s Berry Salad is another favorite consisting of organic salad greens, cucumber, tomato, avocado, grilled tofu, broccoli sprouts, carrots, dried cherries and cranberries with Balsamic vinaigrette toast and Redhead’s hummus.
Looking for a hot sandwich? Try the Hansen Foods Panini, made up with maple turkey, provolone cheese and uncured turkey bacon on grilled parmesan bread. Tarlton serves all local natural Highlander (raised by West Windy Ranch in Leelanau county) beef burgers, Redheads Veggie burgers and hummus. Another must-try is Maui Dreams, a homemade pineapple-mango salsa served with organic corn chips. Tarlton cooks up amazingly tasty soups and surprise menu items to keep her happy customers coming back.
You will find a great variety of salads and breakfast items like Sleeping Bear Cinnamon French Toast, Breaking Fast Burrito and organic oatmeal. There is also a wide menu selection for both vegans and vegetarians, and offering (upon special request) gluten free sausage and pancakes.
Or maybe you just want to stop by for a great local cup of organic and fair trade coffee from Leelanau Coffee Roasting or Higher Grounds Coffee. Match that with Tarlton’s large selection of homemade baked goods, all made from scratch (with organic, unbleached flour, organic sugar and natural sweeteners like agave and stevia).
“We use organic dark chocolate in our amazing ‘Fudgy Brownies’ and in our (made fresh daily) baked scones we use local peaches, cherries, blueberries and apples,” said Tarlton. “Our ice tea is made fresh everyday of black and green tea for high antioxidants and has a splash of citrus juice for natural sweetener and helps the metabolism function properly.”
While there, visit Michigan Trader’s with its many locally-made products including wines, organic sulfite-free wines, organic beer, local maple syrup, camping supplies and more. In season, visit The Ugly Tomato (located on the property), for fresh produce and flowers.

The Green Leaf Café is located between Leland and Glen Arbor (inside Michigan Traders ) at 497 E. Harbor Highway (M-22), Maple City. Open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays/winter hours now thru May). Phone (231) 228-7045.




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