Karma Foods

“No Meat, No Wheat,” proclaims the menu of Karma Foods, a new cafe in Brewster on Route 6A, adjacent to Snowy Owl Coffee roasters.

What awaits your palate is far more complex than that succinct description. Brian Aussant, who recently opened the eatery with his wife Coree, says, “What we hope to achieve is a place where you can find food that tastes good, and is gluten free and vegan, but we’re also very aware of nutrition and what foods work well for each chakra. We want to offer meals that are very healing with the hope that we can share this knowledge with those who may be unaware.”

The Aussants left a similar business they owned in Western Massachusetts to make the move to the Cape with their family. Presently the food establishment occupies the left side of the Karma building, housing a kitchen, a grab-and-go baked goods case, an order and pick up area, plus a few countertop seats for eat-in guests.

Karma serves breakfast from 9 a.m. and lunch entrees (that make for a nourishing dinner later) until 5 p.m., and a brunch from 9-2 on Sundays. Just steps from the front door is a courtyard for al fresco noshing when the weather allows. Stroll out a bit farther and you will find a well-tended garden, still yielding a late season bounty of kale, Brussels sprouts and spinach in these cooler months.

On a typical day, breakfast could be a waffle bowl filled with yogurt and fresh fruit or granola, or a custom smoothie of freshly-juiced fruits and veggies with a slice of Coree’s coconut banana loaf or pumpkin seed-studded bread. For lunch Karma ladles out at least one freshly made soup every day, but Brian’s goal is at least two.

Karma has an array of lovely salads and from-scratch dressings in unique flavor combinations that mingle with changing seasonal ingredients. Grains like quinoa and couscous and roasted vegetables du jour are staple offerings that can be ordered a la carte, or may be included in some of the daily specials like the recent kale, broccoli and roasted tomatoes over basmati rice served in a lemon ginger sauce.

Originally trained as a raw chef at the Living Light Culinary Institute in Fort Bragg, California, Aussant says, “We’re completely gluten free and most options are vegan, but we can add eggs or cheese on request. Many dishes are cooked, but we have salads and other raw options with ingredients like freshly sprouted seeds when available.”

In addition to a complete line of herbal teas, Karma also serves elixirs and tinctures that can be beneficial to certain people. Freshly-juiced wheatgrass is an option, as are nutritional add-ins to smoothies such as acacia powder, digestive enzymes, hemp seeds, maca and spirulina. Brian says, “We want to help individuals eat well and healthfully despite allergies and other concerns.”

Getting a feel for the Cape and learning about its local farms has helped the couple meet their goal of serving about 80% organically-grown produce, and they are enthusiastic new members of the local chapter of the Buy Fresh Buy Local network. “I’m very attuned to the freshness of the ingredients, and very thoughtful about what I create to maximize the clear flavors of what’s been harvested each day,” says Brian. “It’s about eating seasonally, and choosing well, like including just a pinch of Himalayan sea salt, which contains many beneficial nutrients.”

Once they obtain permitting from Brewster, Coree Aussant will bring her personal flavor to the studio in the other side of the building. Named Karma Wellness, she will offer yoga, meditation and physical fitness classes providing respite for body and soul.

With a mission to become a wellness resource on the Cape, Karma hopes to partner with other local mindful businesses in presenting forums and workshops that inform us about caring for and nourishing our minds and bodies. October 26th marked Karma’s first workshop event, a Welcome the Harvest Season Night of “green” drinks, a collaborative effort with fellow local business owner Dave Scandura, of Edible Landscapes, located nearby. Scandura spoke about permaculture and community outreach. The Aussants previewed their upcoming yoga and wellness studio.

Like the overarching name of their venture, Karma, the Aussants believe that when we put effort into the good food we eat and how we treat our bodies and spirit, a more healthful quality of life will follow.

Karma Foods and Wellness
2628 Main St (Route 6A), Brewster
508-896-8804 / karmafoodsandwellness.com
Open Wednesday-Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday from 9am-2pm