Hello, neighbors! I'm Heather Golden Ray, a restaurant owner and vegan entrepreneur. My vibrant seven-year-old daughter, Bowie Golden Ray, and I are loving life here in the Hill Section of Manhattan Beach. Bowie is a first grader who brings boundless energy and joy to our home. She’s a shining ray of light.

 

Despite the challenges she has faced, she is the most thoughtful, kindhearted, and loving child I have ever known. When we see spiders in the home, she takes them outside to let them live in peace. Kindness is a core value in our home, and she lives and breathes it. She's an excellent reader, gymnast, songwriter, and loves to help me in the kitchen!

 

 

My journey to Manhattan Beach began after the 1994 Northridge earthquake, which condemned our family home in Sherman Oaks. My family moved here, and it quickly became our cherished home. After graduating from Mira Costa High School, I attended San Francisco State University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Science. Following college, I worked for TreePeople, a non-profit organization.

 

I met my husband, Josh, on a blind date at Michelis in Hollywood, and it was love at first sight! We lived in Atwater Village for eight years and welcomed our precious daughter, Bowie. Tragically, Josh passed away in 2020, prompting Bowie and me to return to Manhattan Beach for the support of our family and the healing embrace of the ocean. Being close to the beach has been a huge tool for healing from the life changes we faced. I hold the beach so close to my heart.

 

 

My younger sister, Jenny Engel, and I have always been close, more like twins than just sisters! We decided to become vegan 24 years ago because of our deep passion for preventing animal suffering, promoting a healthy body and mind, and living sustainably. Our parents always encouraged us to work for ourselves, so we started teaching vegan cooking classes in 2007 out of a little apartment we had in Silverlake.

 

Over time, our classes kept selling out, and we eventually opened a cooking school in West Hollywood called Spork Foods. We taught for 15 years, both home cooks and chefs, and then decided to do what everyone told us never to do—open a restaurant! In August 2023, we opened Hey, Sunshine Kitchen in Culver City, and we haven't looked back. We're a plant-based, all Non-GMO fast-casual concept, and we recently won the number one woman-owned restaurant in the country on Yelp. You can find us at Hey, Sunshine Kitchen.

 

We're Moms on a mission to preserve this planet, save animal lives, and promote human health. One of our initiatives at the restaurant is to help save pollinators. Bee and butterfly populations are in decline, and our Pollinator Monday initiative seeks to help. We've partnered with Friends of Ballona Wetlands to support pollinator conservation. On Mondays, we give complimentary pollinator-friendly plants to guests who purchase a meal, helping to create a more sustainable future.

 

 

Every morning, I wake up around 5 am and take a walk on the beach, grounding myself for the day and taking time to meditate. I love our beaches and the ocean so much. I often collect trash during my walks to keep our beaches clean. Bowie and I love volunteering at the South Bay Parks Conservancy, where we remove non-native plants and replace them with native species to help pollinators thrive. We also work on the Hermosa Greenbelt and at Wilderness Park. Volunteering is fun and critical to rehabilitation, and we enjoy giving back to the community.

 

We cherish each day and don't wait for birthdays or holidays to celebrate. Time with family—my parents, my sister, her husband, and their two children—is how we celebrate every occasion. It is the joy of my life.

 

Living within walking distance to the ocean is the greatest gift. The freedom I feel when I see the ocean before a big busy day at work is incredible. I take the calmness with me on my commute and while working with customers. Breathing in our beach air is my favorite part of living in this neighborhood.

 

The South Bay is filled with so many gems, which I am grateful for! We love looking through the telescopes at Madrona Marsh, learning about space when the sun goes down. For birthday gifts, we visit Deep Roots for native butterfly and bee plants. We love Wilderness Park and have camped there on a few occasions. The little botanical garden inside Polliwog Park is a favorite spot, and we often sneak into the meditation garden at St. Joseph Spirituality Center off Pacific Avenue.

 

We frequent Rabano for their Tofubello Sandwiches, Tacolicious for their Soy Chorizo Tacos, and Pura Vita for their delicious Carbonara. Paradise Bowls' smoothie bowls are a must, and Anthony Morris Salon is my go-to for outdoor haircuts with wind chimes and hummingbirds overhead. Pages Bookstore is our spot for any book or gift we need, and we love supporting small shops.

 

 

Be sure to say hello to me when you see me and Bowie out and about. We would love to meet more friendly folks here in the neighborhood (and that means you!). Or follow me on social media at HeySunshineKitchen.