By Kathy Chouteau
Richmond cannabis dispensary, 7 Stars Holistic Healing Center, is teaming up with Vegan Vibes/Vibras Veganas to host weekly pop ups with a Mexican and vegan twist Fridays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
In a statement this week, 7 Stars touted the partnership and raised awareness about the health and planet-conscious business founded by Marabella Zepeda. Ian Elwood, director marketing for 7 Stars, called Zepeda’s food “amazing.”
Zepeda serves up a menu of plant-forward favorites and Mexican staples like tacos, burritos and menudo.
She said she wants to “create food that nourishes and educates people in the East Bay, sharing the benefits of plant-based foods in a way that is approachable, fun and delicious.”
Zepeda, who was born in Mexico City and raised in Oakland, began converting some of her best recipes when she learned about the positives of a plant-based diet. Her first hit was her menudo dish, noting that—especially in winter—the hominy, chili and onions in her recipe “warm the body and soul.” Other plant-based crowd pleasers are Zepeda’s potato chorizo and chicken and beef-flavored tacos.
The Vegan Vibes/Vibras Veganas’ founder made the switch to eating a vegan diet along with her daughters, and coupled with her father cooking for the business, Zepeda considers sharing plant-based menu with the community “a labor of love.” She said “A huge part of the business is what I’ve learned from my parents.”
Zepeda said that her work is “about giving back to the community,” adding that she wants to help people change their eating habits and find healthy food. “I always say that you don’t have to pick between tasty and healthy, you can have them both!”
Aside from their ongoing pop-ups Fridays at 7 Stars Holistic Healing Center, Vegan Vibes/Vibras Veganas also has pop-ups at Unity Park and Jelly’s Place in Richmond. For its part, 7 Stars Holistic Healing Center aims to provide cannabis products that holistically address people’s symptoms, while also serving the community. Find the cannabis dispensary at 3219 Pierce St. in Richmond.
