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TJS Editorial: Coupling (With Kids) The Second Time Around

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What happens when you and your Exceptional Other aren’t the only considerations in your blossoming relationship? When your one-plus-one equals an immediate four (or five, if you count the on-the-periphery parent that helped make yours or your love’s children possible)?  

When it comes to coupling the second time around even simple math can be tricky math…but it doesn’t have to be. Especially if we’re willing to lean on the openhearted bees in our hives who are equally willing to share their been-there-done-that-and-here’s-how-to-nail-it perspectives.

So in the spirit of this, our back-to-school issue (#FallIsTheNewNewYearAfterAll) comes a narrative from TJS Content Director Jen Chase that might not have been possible without TJS Co-Founder Marcella Williams’ gorgeous advice in her June editorial on blended families.

Jen Chase, Jen Chase’s right hand, and the left side of Parker Corwin’s cheek. Kind of.

Two weeks ago, I posted that pic of my love Parker and me on Facebook with the following caption:

Who could’ve known that glances across a college acappella stage would lead to the love of my life. Anyone who questions life’s inexplicable tribulations: This.

(And since hashtags make me laugh…)

#WhatLoveLooksLike
#FinallyLivingOutLoud
#HeMakesTheBestEggs
#IAmTheLuckiest
#NotEngagedSoStopItGirls

As a stand-alone post it was a far cry from earth-shattering. Or so I thought. In my short 3 years on Facebook I’ve seen lots of folks post endearing pics of their significant others. At face value, I didn’t think mine would seem so special.

But it was.

…Far too busy figuring out how to say we were public, neither of us changed our status. Irony, oversight or totally unnecessary? Inquiring minds wanna know….

It was, because just as I’d carefully tappa-tap-tapped out my post seated so paper-close to Parker you couldn’t have slipped a sheet of Dunder Mifflin between us, he thumbed his side of our story on his iPhone. And in the aftermath of digi-inking the carefully chosen words we read aloud to each other before becoming Facebook Official, we received a ton of likes and some of the kindest comments imaginable from friends and fam who supported this very public yet very technical announcement that we are in fact a couple.

(And.good.effing thing we went public when we did. Because being overshadowed? By these two overachievers? #CantCompeteWithJamKat.)

On the surface our pic looked like two goofs in love. But the reality behind the smiles and social media was that they represented nearly 20 months of balancing a relationship we’d kept on the down-low with some and out loud with others. The “others?” Folks we’d methodically chosen to unfurl our relationship with: mums, sisters, BFFs you can’t hide jack from, and a few who could tell at first blush that after our starts and stops with pivotal people in our former lives, we’d quite obviously found our personal holy grails.

Meeting the girls? Priceless.

But the “some” who’d had zero idea that Daddy was dating? Parker’s daughters, ages 8 and 5. And they’re the “some” who made our e-reveals so sweet, since we wrote them the night of the day Parker painstakingly curated as the day to say that while Jen’s fun in a pool, a sucker for a “spa day” and the maker of uplevelled almond milk…”she’s not my friend; she’s my girlfriend.”

While our future talks had been appropriately tempered with both #daydreaming and #HopeForTheBestPlanForTheWorsting (as only the formerly spoused, difficultly uncoupled can relate to), I’d been readying for my hopeful new role for a long time. From child development blogs and evil-doer step-parenting articles to my mind’s constant screening of Stepmom, being 42 and still (yet?) not having my own child has made me highly attuned to absorbing all I can about co-parenting kiddos who aren’t mine.

I’ve known I have the tools: former nanny; younger sis with several significant special needs. I dated a wonderful man with equally wonderful twins. I love children and  know my proverbial mommy gene runs hot. But it’s never run hotter than during this relationship with the man I show daily, somehow, some way, that I was put on this earth to love him, admire him, respect him, and care for him. And, for his kids.

The girls didn’t seem to care that I traveled with Daddy to visit their grandmother up in Vermont without their knowing…but if they knew we were with horses, in the woods in winter? Might be a different story. #WhatHappensInVTStaysInVT

Don’t gag. Like most grown-ass women little girls I’d fantasized about my future love. Wherever we went, harps were gonna play, haters were gonna hate and we were finally gonna hear what it sounds like when doves cry. It took about a decade of significant loss—a parent; a marriage; intimate friendships and relationships—but I was gifted. And he’s dreamy.

It didn’t take long to become hard AF to temper waiting to game out what I could already picture as our family-of-four’s future. That is, until the perspective of Marcella Williams.

(And for those who knew I’d get here eventually, thanks for sticking with.)

When I met Marcella in 2013 I admired her graceful juggle of life, independence, #mompreneurship, and deep commitment to motherhood. And like the attuned confidante she is, she listened and advised on the topics she could tell were important to me…suggesting I get tested to ensure me girly pipes are whistle-clean in case having a baby is in my future, and not to forget adoption and fostering. Yaknow. Just in case.

Marcella’s advice always insinuated that “knowledge is power,” and that partner or not, a woman’s future is in her own hands. When she learned Parker was my future and that he has two little girls, our convos deepened. A step-mum and a birth mum, she’s also helped her own step- and bio-kiddos navigate their relationship with their new step-mum, too. And when she spoke, I soaked in her best practices for navigating what one day would become my blended little family:

Be forgiving. Be thoughtful. Be grateful. Be respectful. Be kind. Be patient. 

Followed by be patient. And more be patient. 

You can actually read her editorial about blended families right here. I’ve read it, like, 20 times, because it typifies the kind of co-parent I want to be for and with Parker; for his girls; and alongside the girls’ mum whom I’ve yet to meet. And knowing I can only control my behavior, I feel deep peace in knowing that already in the young history of this growing foursome, Parker and I are committed to showering the girls with as much positivity as possible as we show them that the addition of someone in their life doesn’t subtract someone else. In fact, joy multiplies when we groan-ups remember those tenets above and kick our egos’ collective ass.

I’m beeyond grateful I have a true north for my step-parenting compass and that I received it from a beeautiful woman who was willing to open herself to help open me. Marcella is why I wanted to share this with you. You know. Just in case you need it. Because as we like to say around here at The TJS (wait for it), #ItTakesAHive.

When littletons take the camera you never know what you’ll find….

When littletons take the camera you never know what you’ll find…take two.

 

In the last 20 months, building a relationship with the love of my life and preparing to co-parent beside him has at times broken my heart as much as it filled it. Lots of stealth tears. Intimate eyelid kisses. Pep talks. Kajillions of texts and memes to pave the way for it all to start coming together. And like Game of Thrones and killer pour-overs—#thingsworththewait—the girls’ well being had to come before our ache to spend more time together. It took faith. Lotsa fucking faith. Faith that wasn’t about staying positive until there was an outcome, but staying positive no matter the outcome.

And for us, the outcome’s still a-coming! We still live an hour and twenty apart but are committed to “more time together than not.” We’re super conscious of everyone’s need for Daddy Time (and the occasionally requested time with me…*blush*). And, we’re striving to see all sitches from all angles since we won’t be the only two parents in the game. But in this world that, in my opinion, views openheartedness as weakness—where success often means being tough, tired, busy, and worst of all, just a little bit hangry to get.shit.done—we vow to project love, and meeting each one of us exactly where we’re at. I want the girls to see Parker and me navigate our relationship and our corporation of four with genuine lightness, positivity, patience, faith, and respect. I want them to see us touch. Laugh. Kiss. Be silly. Be willing to drop everything for each another as fast as we’d drop it for them. I want them to see that I unabashedly love them. And when they’re old enough, I want them to understand it’s hella easy for people to profess love from proverbial rooftops (and for lotsa folks that works, so no judgment, Hunnies); but that in Daddy’s case, his forever keeping their best interest in mind and my implicit trust in him was the best and only path for us…20 months of waiting or not.

So many core relationship values go unlearned until the ink’s long dried on a divorce decree. But if we can model love for our kids from the get-go so they may learn to apply, appreciate, give, and demand love and respect from their first coupling or marriage, not their second or third, we groan-ups have a shot at changing what love looks like. In our case, now that the girls know Parker and I are a team, they’re finally getting to see what I’ve known since my reconnecting with their father 18 years after we first met singing at Wheaton College (the one in Massachusetts): I was made for him, and he was made for me.

So were they.

#WhatLoveLooksLike

 

 

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A Story Worth Telling: News…From You.

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While we here at The Juice Standard sure love our buzzy mascot, we’re all about helping our human bees achieve their optimum sense of good: good WHealth™, good self…good stuff. Earlier in the year we launched a format called “A Story Worth Telling,” where we share our most favoritist, goodest interactions with you—our glorious bees—about you…our glorious bees.

Whether we hear ’em through TJS District Manager Amber Cariker and the TJS managers and beehind-the-counter bees she supports, or they come in here through our site, these snippets reveal stories from you and yours, and how you’re all so very willing to lean into cold-pressed juiceness as a potential holy grail of WHealth™.

(And we purposely say “potential” because people can get so damn itchy get about medical claims and all….)

Got some feedback of our own? Wanna #PayItForwardBees? Go to our website and share yer thoughts here at our comments page. Write TJS’s Content Director, Jen Chase, even. We’d all love to hear how we can better serve you…or simply hear some of your juicy love.

Love, TJS

INSPIRING STORY OF THE SUMMER

Hello.

I woke one morning passing blood to find out I had large kidney stones. I went to my doctor, where I also out also that my blood sugar was in the mid 300s.

I had also been told before by my doctor that I had Type-2 diabetes but I never did anything about it. I found myself falling asleep after eating and waking up not remember falling asleep, all due to high blood sugar. I was referred to The Juice Standard by a person I met at the dog park one evening, so the following morning I went to the location in Green Valley. I met a young man employed there name Ben, and he recommended that I drink greens. And I decided to do more of a master cleanse-type of cleanse with the greens.

I started out with five a day for the first five days, and then I dropped down to two a day. And I brought my blood sugar down from the mid 300s to 107 in around 2 weeks. I went to my doctor, and she said to continue doing what I was doing. I never took the Metformin she prescribed, and she said not to take it and instead, continue doing the cold-pressed juicing.

I want to thank the two owners of The Juice Standard, and Ben from the Green Valley store, for saving my life. I lost 36 pounds during my first 30 days and I’m continuing to feel better than I ever felt. My diabetes is gone, and my stage-3 kidney disease is gone. I have sent several friends there recently and they all can’t believe how good they feel when they drink cold-press juice.

Thank you again.
Kurt B.

COMPLIMENTS THAT MAKE US BEAM

Hi!

We recently visited your location at The Cosmopolitan and we can’t stop thinking about the delicious juice and the great experience we had. We live in San Diego and we would really like to be a part of your business. Are there any opportunities to assist you with opening The Juice Standard here?

Dawn L.

…Funny how a year ago I looked forward to going to Vegas to get drunk and party with my friends, now I look forward to the juice. Absolutely delicious!

Anonymous

AWESOME JUICES! DELICIOUS!!

YOU REALLY NEED TO HAVE ONE OF THESE PLACES IN THE BAY AREA!!

ASAP!

Anonymous

Is your juice available anywhere else in the country? I’m from TN and visited Las Vegas back in June. I can’t believe I paid $12 for a bottle of Bee Royal, but it was worth every penny. I crave it now and wish I could order a case of it.

Anonymous

TJS Events: Oh, The Places We’ll Go….

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Worker bees can’t stay in the hives all the time, right? Gotta get out there and spread #NewsYouCanUse about what we’re doing behind the scenes. So since all cold-press and no cold-play makes our bees super dull, we’ve got some outside events that’ll bring us closer to our greatest commodity: You.

Aug. 17, 2017

On this day, TJS will provide juice tastings and vegucation to some 300-400 attendees of the Healthy Body, Mind and Soul event at Mountaintop Faith Ministries’ three-day Women’s Conference, “Activate Your Power.” (You can learn more about it by clicking here.)

 

July 12, 2017

And as we rearview mirror to last month real quick…there was some happy TJS news to share when The Juice Standard was honored to accept TMG Entertainment’s 2017 Silver State Award for “Best Juice Bar.”

How’d we do it? Thousands of juicers had cast their votes among some pretty heavy-hittin’ juiceries, and we were grateful to have been grouped along with Juice NV, Pressed Juicery, Fruits and Roots, and Elevated Juice. And while there could only be one winner, we were super proud it was us.

But there was more to the story than just #TJSForTheWin.

If you’re familiar with our Facebook page (and seriously, Bees, you are, right?), we shared this story last month but it bears repeating.

Sophia working her business face with style with mum, Marcella Williams.

The night of the awards, TJS Co-Founder and COO Marcella Williams took a super special guest to accept the award on the company’s beehalf: her daughter, Sophia. And while the schmooze and schpiel factor was in overdrive—participants from across Nevada’s wellness community excitedly sharing their products and success stories with all who’d listen—a night that could’ve overwhelmed Miss Sophia and her first award event (!) turned her into a prideful, seasoned pro by night’s end as Momma Marcella watched her little girl blossom with each new person she met. And like a bee to blossoms, Sophia navigated each booth, table and rep with the grace of TJS’s very best worker bee…making her momma proud to watch Sophia’s confidence unfurl.

So, Bee Parents: Don’t underestimate the hidden beeauty in gently nudging your littleton outside their comfort zone. Confidence can be cultivated in the darndest of places…even at a red-carpet awards events, dressed in pretty purple frocks on their birthday. (Wink.)

Congrats, Sophia, for helping TJS add even more meaning to an award we’re proud of!

(And if you didn’t click on that Coldplay link way up above, this is why you should always click on TJS links:)

 

Friends Who Juice: Malik Hansbrough

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The numero uno compliment we hear from fanbees (after folks shine on our recipes, natch) is about our customer service…and if there’s a worker bee beehind the counter who takes his making-people-happy skillz cray serious, it’s this guy.

A Las Vegas native who chose to make the city his forever home (and yes, there’s a goodly lot), Malik Hansbrough has brought more than his youth and vibrancy to his post at The Juice Standard. Working both sides of the counter both making product and serving it, Hansbrough is a head-down hard worker… but this youngest of six sibs and longtime church volunteer really shines when his mission is working with customers…leading them (as he poetically puts it), “on a journey of delicious and organic fuel for the body.”

And the former green-juice face-maker now proselytizes more than just the morals he was raised with: Seeing juice as a path toward total wellness has helped Hansbrough change his old wicked dining ways. A  jokester who doesn’t hide the things that make him happy (Walmart’s really your fave place, Dude?), we here at TJS are grateful to have such a mindful, wholehearted bee in our corner to preach the good word of good health…which we all know is available to anyone and erryone, one Singleton at a time.

Praise bee to Malik. Meet him.

All About Malik

I’ve lived in Las Vegas since… July 7, 1993, because I was born here.

I can remember when I decided I wanted to start my adult life here. It was…the year 2011, directly after I finished high school

…and what appealed to me about living in Vegas was…the fact that this place is my home, and home is where the heart is. I could never see myself living anywhere else but good old Vegas.

In my experience, the biggest misconception about living in Las Vegas is…that we only have the Strip to offer. Somehow, tourists have the idea that all the citizens of Las Vegas live in one of the many hotels on the Strip.

The thing I secretly (or not-so-secretly) love most about living here is...the size of this place: It is very small, which is great on gas: Nothing is out of reach since you don’t have to drive more than 30 minutes to get anywhere in the city.

If I had to pick a daily mantra or a quote I try to live by, it would be...“Fear God and keep his commands.”

A favorite Vegas spot that never gets old is…Walmart. It has everything I could ever want in life and more.

If I had to pick a theme song for my life it would be…the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers theme song, without a moment’s hesitation.

Malik and his wife, heading toward some quality time with family. Sabbath is sacred to the Hansbroughs, and in today’s busy lifecycle, it’s an admirable time-out tradition they protect so they can focus on themselves, their family and their spirits. (Naturally they *must* drink juice on Sabbath, too, right? Say we’re right, Malik!)

A person who inspires me every day is…my wife. She is my best friend and she inspires me to be a better a version of myself each and every day.

The way she inspires me is…by not letting me make excuses. She holds me to my word on everything which has molded me into the person I am today.

Something people would be surprised to know about me is…I keep the Sabbath day every single week.

This is how I like to spend my free time: Preaching God’s word to any and all who give me the opportunity. I also like to play basketball with my brothers, and spend quality time with my immediate family and my wife.

The worst hack-job pronunciation of my name I’ve ever heard is…“Moo-Lake.” (I know, it’s terrible right?)

Malik On Work

I work for The Juice Standard. When people ask me what I do, this is how I explain my job: My job is to introduce people to the unknown side of eating healthy and living a healthy lifestyle. I take them on a journey of delicious organic and beautiful fuel for the body.

What appealed to me about working for TJS was...that I could be a vessel through which the extremely important knowledge of how to treat your body could be conveyed, and that I’d be able to create bonds with others through nutrition.

Since working for TJS, the most surprising thing I’ve learned about myself doing the job that I do is…how terrible my eating habits were. It was truly embarrassing.

The most exciting part about my job is…seeing people walk away happily educated and newly motivated to start a new journey in life…after experiencing just a few tastes of our product.

Best thing I’ve heard a customer say about TJS juice is…“You guys are lifesavers.”

Most awesome thing I’ve witnessed on the back-of-house staff side of working at TJS is…seeing 10 to 15 smoothies be made with love (and the same time) and presented to our guests quickly and efficiently.

When I’m not working at TJS there are other creative endeavors I love dabbling in, like…singing, writing and drawing.

The advice I’d give my younger work self is…to be the hardest worker in your establishment at all times, no matter what the circumstance.

Malik On Health In LV

Ever the volunteer, Malik (far right) is pictured with his church brothers James and Ronnie at a cleanup for Las Vegas’ City Hall Community Cleanup in 2015.

In my opinion, the biggest change in Las Vegas’ healthy-living scene in the last few years has been…the presence of organic juicing. Everyone, all of a sudden, now has taken a big interest in the juice life.

No matter how busy I get at work, this is what I do to make sure I eat well during the week: Prep my meals at home, and only eat what comes from my own living space. This is a great way for me to avoid eating fast food and sugary snacks to suppress my hunger.

The fruit(s) or vegetable(s) you’ll always find in my kitchen are...bananas, asparagus and broccoli.

My don’t-even-think-about-judging-me-guilty-pleasure food is…macaroni and cheese, straight from Mom’s kitchen.

The health habit that gets me teased the most is…exercising.

Malik On Juice

The person who introduced me to cold-pressed juice was…my best friend James Dixon.

The first time I drank green juice, I thought it was…mortifying. It was like nothing I had ever tasted before.

The reason I started drinking cold-pressed juice was because…I wanted my body to perform to the best of its ability.

The reason I kept drinking cold-pressed juice was because…I saw the results in a shockingly short amount of time and I started to find cold-pressed juice delicious.

True or False: “Making juice at home is a royal pain in the tail.” True

True or False: “A ginormous perk of my job is free juice.” True

The reason I like TJS’s cold-pressed juice is…because I know exactly what’s in it, as well as all of the health benefits. There is no fine print. We are up front about it all and promote it proudly.

My advice to a newbee juicer is…make sure to properly cleanse your body first. It’s important to get as much of the bad stuff out of there as possible and then begin the process of putting healthy juice into your body.

Bee Wanderlusty: Coastin’

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We’re continuing our annual recs for desert-leaving trips between now and Labor Day (beecause though it bee August, there’s still.so.much.time. to get your vacay drive on!)

This feature? Shares the gorge coasts of Oregon and Cali from a bee in our hive who knows ’em well: TJS District Manager Amber Cariker. 

What kind of traveler would be down with these choices? “These places connect me to the Earth, and to a community of people who are present and open-minded,” says Cariker, who’s managed the beejesus out of TJS’s three locations for the better part of a year. “I am very interested in cultivating growth in my life, and I feel an overwhelming sense of connectedness to spiritual environments. Now, I think these places run slower than the average vacation, but for the right vacationer or family, I feel these places will also help people slow down, oberve more, appreciate the stillness, and explore the unknown without fear.”

(What she said.)

Wanna slow down? In her words, here’s Cariker’s turn-by-turn account. And since, around here, if Cariker says it we beelieve it, we’re going out on a limb to say we think you should, too.

California

Avila Beach=Slice of Amber Cariker’s Heaven.

Avila Beach 

Take Avila Beach Drive to San Luis Bay Drive and then take the street for See Canyon. You should have an off-road vehicle, but let’s just say it’s been done in a Honda civic.

“You’ll drive through windy roads of rich color—trees and lush tall golden grasses—until you come out into Los Osos Road where you’ll find a treat….

Montana De Oro

The Spanish translates to “Mountain of Gold.” And from Los Osos Road, you’ll drive all the way to the end and exit at Montana De Oro. Quite a long drive, but there is an area that becomes very wooded. You’ll park and use the man-made wooden stairs to begin a trek through the trees into the forest. Staying on the trail, you will come across a rich, dark brown sand that will then lead you to a slivered opening of ocean rocks and a beautiful quiet state beach. Bring a blanket and a picnic. You won’t want to leave.

Shell Beach.

Shell Beach

A beach…with cliffs? This is THE place to watch a sunset. But you should also visit in the morning when the tide is down, and collect some pebble-like beach sand to build your at-home terrarium. The post-vacay high you feel from seeing that sand will take you back to Shell Beach with every glance. #NaturesGiftShop

Joshua Tree

Pappy and Harriets in Pioneer Town (Insider intel? Take Pipes Canyon road to get here).

So, nostalgia. I grew up dancing next to my parents on the planked hardwood floors, and the walls are cement with colored bottles in them like an old biker cantina! Harriet used to make all the food and desserts from scratch and when Pappy passed on, she sold the business to a Power Woman couple. They have gone on to turn it into an amazing music venue where Paul McCartney played last year, and they are about to have some amazing upcoming concerts: Bonobo, Iron & Wine, City & Colour.

Pioneer Town was a product of the early Western movie genre. Gene Autry helped the making of it, but it never really made amazing movies. Pappy and Harriet’s is the landmark of the Pioneer Town, but go and you’ll also be able to “walk the town” and soak in the western buildings. To think they’re now having contemporary concerts under the stars….

The Art Queen

Green enough forya? Photo courtesy of Tumblr.

Want some kitch in Cali? Head to “The Art Queen” and walk to the back of the Museum of Crochet, a sprite little building shaped like a lime-green viewfinder. When you see a key in the door, turn it. Go inside. You’ll find it filled with vintage crochet animals and sundries that’ll surely make you smile.

Sam’s Spa in Desert Hot Springs

In the heavenly place, mineral pools and soaking tubs are surrounded by grass and a man-made lake with fish and birds. Plus, there are peacocks that roam around the pools while you’re hanging out.

Peacocks, people. Peacocks. Need I say more?

Portland Oregon

Sauvies Island. Beeauty just beeyond Portland.

Sauvie Island 

This slice of heaven is great for two reasons. First: berry picking! (Entire pick-your-own flats for only $12-$15…in a place like this.) Second? Walk the aisles of lush fruit trees before heading to your next (and last) stop: The river. A river, you ask? Yes: Sauvie Island is the largest island that runs along the Columbia River…which, you can get to from the main road. If you choose to drive to the river (and I absolutely think you should), take a blanket and lay beside it. And don’t forget your parking pass for the day. I doubt you’ll want to leave.

The Overlook Park

Second on your Portland Nature Itinerary? Overlook Park.  (“Skidmore Bluffs” is also what I’ve heard it called). Many years ago, a family allowed its back yard to be turned into a park. It is now open to the public, and at first glance you feel like you’re entering a grassy field where an umbrella of a tree drapes over a bench overlooking the city, a forest park, bridges, and train tracks. But really, it’s so much more. #SeeingIsBelieving.

Where to eat, you ask? Dove Vivi features cornmeal-crusted pizza with toppings like sautéed red onions

#CouldItBeMagic? At Dovi, we say yes.

and corn and roasted poblano peppers. And Por Que No?—which, mind you, you’ll never find without at least a 30 minute wait—is beyond colorful and layered with art and lanterns and serves luscious agua frescas (cantaloupe, papaya+coconut, mango+lime, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera)…among other delicious bits. Definitely get the chips and salsa and sample the eclectic menu…especially veggie options like the seasonal taco. (Last one I had was beet, turnip, pumpkin seed, and rutabaga. A-m-a-z-i-n-g!)

Want some shoppin’? Hit Paxton’s Gate. There’s one in San Francisco, too (the original location), and no joke: #FavoriteStoreInTheWorld. It’s like the Natural History Museum…but a shop: taxidermy; bones; gardening supplies; dehyrdrated seeds and pods; books on making your own products; science; and odd collections of amazing things.

Ingredient Spotlight: MCT Oil=Superfood for a Super Summer

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Hiya, Bees!

So, since we’ve still got another month left of Summer 2017, who doesn’t want a lil’ more energy for work and play? Right: No one…and precisely why we’re highlighting a superfood upgrade that is continuing The Juice Standard’s juicy journey toward #MissionNutrition (and #HellaFunDaysAndNights), by being a naturally occurring energy source that can be seamlessly—tastily!—added to any of our juices, smoothies, nut milks, and hot cacao and specialty espresso drinks.

(And even if the mere thought of a hot bevvie makes you sweat, for the days when your office AC is JACKed…you’ll thank us for this. You really will.)

For years, NOW has been a popular entry-level brand for folks dipping their toe in wellness waters.

MCT oil is clear and flavorless, and can be added to everything from beverages to salad dressings (seriously: sub out your olive or flax oil at home with one of the brands we mention at the end). MCT stands for “medium-chain triglycerides”—also referred to as “medium chain fatty acids”—and to fully appreciate TJS making MCT oil an available upgrade, we’re gonna vegucate you a little about different fatty acids and how they can benefit our health.

All Fats Are Not Equal

Fats are classified as one of three types depending on their chemical structure:

  1. Short-chain (meaning the fat has a structure with five or fewer carbon atoms);
  2. Medium-chain (the fat has six to 12 carbons); and
  3. Long chain (it contains more than 12 carbons).

Now. When we’re talking MCTs, there are four types:

  1. Caproic acid (abbreviated as “C6” which means it has six carbons);
  2. Caprylic acid (C8);
  3. Capric acid (C10); and
  4. Lauric acid (C12).

Truth? All you need to know is that the fewer carbons in an MCT, the faster the carbons are absorbed by the body. We’ll explain why that’s important next.

So…Why Fatty Acids? And Will They Gimme Me A Fatty A(ss)cid?

(Cute.)

Well: It’s all about energy, Bees! When digested, fatty acids are used as energy…and what dictates how our bods break down fat is the fatty acid’s structure.

Most dietary fats that comprise standard American diet are long-chain triglycerides, and because of the many carbons in a long-chain triglyceride, our body has to do some hard w-e-r-k to digest it. But that’s where the awesomeness of MCT oil comes into play:

MCTs’ fewer carbons mean our body can break down the fatty acids fast…allowing them to passively diffuse from our GI tract to our bloodstream where our liver converts them to energy really quickly.

The Amazing Metabolization of MCTs (And Other Cool Bennies)

Bonus? Instead of metabolizing through digestion (like other fats), MCTs are taken straight to the liver where they act similarly to carbohydrates by providing instant and sustainable energy. But it’s not just the energy you get that’s interesting. MCTs improve blood sugar regulation (yay!), improve metabolism (especially fat metabolism), they may improve thyroid function, and they improve appetite regulation.

The most common whole-food source of MCTs is coconut oil: About 65 percent of its fatty acids are considered medium-chain. Palm kernel oil and full-fat dairy are two other food sources of medium-chain triglycerides. But nothing says energy-lovin’’ like a pure MCT oil, and that’s what TJS is bringing you.

Enjoying MCT Oil at TJS

Wanna feel the effects for yourself? Ever hear of the Bulletproof® coffee phenomenon? It’s a riff off an ages-old Tibetan drink called “yak butter tea” that uses yak butter the way Westerners use typical dairy in our coffee. (Tibetans have more yaks than cows so they turn yak milk into butter…butter that can be kept shelf stable for up to a year if wrapped properly.)

“Buttered coffee” became all the rage when a bee named Dave Asprey researched the tea he tried on a Tibetan trek. After understanding the energy it gives Tibetans living and working the land in high altitudes, he learned that yak butter tea is super high in—say it with us—MCTs. Once back in the United States, to mimic the Tibetan drink’s health bennies he combined a serving of freshly brewed coffee with a tablespoon of coconut oil (which you now know is high in MCTs and lauric acid and rootin’-tootin’ tasty). He also added a tablespoon of grass-fed butter or ghee (close cousin to that yak butter…and, very tasty) to create “buttered coffee.” When you blitz it all up in a high-speed blender, the coffee froths like a latte. And it’s just as creamy, without the dairy.

It’s true: From chocolatey cacao drinks to espressos (even all our icy sips), MCT oil can go into any of ’em.

There’s a lot of info on the Internets about how the oils combine with coffee’s caffeine to slowly release energy rather than in a typical surge or crash. TJS’s Bee Invincible is Marcella’s own riff off Bulletproof® Coffee, but for a super-simple recipe without sweeter or cashew cream, add a tablespoon of our MCT oil to your coffee and we’ll blitz it up for you. It’s also terrific in smoothies.

Seriously: Especially in coffee, you’ll be rewarded with an effect you WILL feel—and the feel will be like there’s rocket fuel in your system. And really, who doesn’t want that?

Curious? Try our MCT oil. We think you’ll be glad you did.

Insider Intel

Curious about MCT oil but aren’t sure where to begin? There’s a lot on the market. Here are a few to check out:

• This brand has been ’round for ages and the price point is usually friendly.

• This is Asprey’s “octane oil” that he sells for your cuppa. We’ve sampled it, and it’s as colorless and odorless as the rest.

• Whole Foods’ trusted 365 brand jumped into the market last year. It’s pretty much avail across the country, now.

Shout Out to TJS Manager Bean Ream for handily helping us compile this MCT goodness!

 

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Friends Who Juice: Amber Cariker

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Meet Amber Cariker.

When retail is in your soul and you’ve worked for some of the spendiest names in spendom, where do you take your career? For Amber Cariker, The Juice Standard’s district manager, the answer wasn’t up, but in.

After years of mighty success helming stores of high-end brands, Cariker claims that life felt on the half-full side. After committing to some soulful switcheroos, fate led her straight to the hiring table across TJS co-founders Jamie Stephenson and Marcella Williams…and so far it’s been a match made in juicy heaven as Cariker has used her boundless energy and business acumen to help TJS deepen its public outreach into the hearts (and bellies) of Las Vegas’ health enthusiasts.

A pint-size pixie with a bionic heart, Cariker casts sunshine on everyone from the folks who walk into our stores to our blessed bees that buzz beehind the counters. Bonus? She’s never met a green juice she didn’t like. Do we have Cariker’s sweet momma to thank for her palate? Survey says she’d slurp something she didn’t like if it meant selling on beehalf the company she loves…and boy, if that doesn’t spell #ItTakesAVillage, we don’t know what does.

So…meet Amber Cariker. And while you’re at it, next time you see her at a store, thank her. Most likely she made getting your order a little easier, in ways you’ll never know. (We may not, either….)

ALL ABOUT AMBER

I’ve lived in Las Vegas…off and on since I was little. I formerly moved here when I was 8. Since then I have lived in California, Texas and Oregon. I most recently moved back from Portland in March 2012. (Vegas has a way of pulling you back in. Plus my Momma is here.)

I can remember when I decided I wanted to start my adult life here. It was the year… 2014, I was sick of living a toxic lifestyle, and I wanted a job that matched how I wanted to live my life, not how I was living it. I always seem to associate a lot of my happiness with what I am doing for work since I am a work-a-holic. (Literally.) During my early 20’s, I was sort of lost—partying and living free-spiritedly—and I decided I wanted to learn more about nutrition, plants, flowers, the desert, wood, conversations, the present, and mindfulness.

What appealed to me about living in Vegas was…my Momma lived here, and my Pops lives near Joshua Tree, Calif. It felt right to be close to home, and when I started to appreciate the outer beauty of Vegas away from the nightlife and partying, I found a new way of partying. What intrigued me was the forest, Cold Creek, Nev., where the wild horses roam, off the path trails in Red Rock.

In my experience, the biggest misconception about living in Las Vegas is…that everyone who lives here maintains 24/7 availability. Even though the city runs 24 hours, it is important to find your core values and un-plug every once in a while. The other misconception? That everyone in Vegas is superficial. Some of my closest friends, who I would call my “tribe” or “village,” are from Vegas. We can pick up wherever we left off, even if months go by.

The thing I secretly (or not-so-secretly) love most about living here is…the heat. The desert.

People who know me well know that I’m super close to my sister. Her name is…Stephanie. I love her with all my heart. But the thing that drives me nuts about her is… she lives so far away, in Rosario, Argentina.

(…and the thing she’d say about me that drives her bonkers is… I never make time to visit!)

If I had to pick a daily mantra or a quote I try to live by, it would be… “Bringing sunshine to people’s lives”

A favorite Vegas spot that never gets old is… Cold Creek, Nev. If you go up early enough in the morning, or as the sun is setting, you usually can catch the wild horses walking along the desert.

If I had to pick a theme song for my life it would be… Tycho by Spectre.

A person who inspires me every day is… my sister, Stephanie.

…and the way she inspires me is: She runs her own business in South America. She is committed to inspiring people to take part in their culture, and she hosts things like: book clubs, “bar-lingual” (a hopping around of bars), and walking or bike tours in her city of Rosario. She has two young babies—both are bi-lingual and play soccer—and she teaches English, does yoga, and plays guitar. She’s just amazing.

Something people would be surprised to know about me is… I collect dead things. (Hahahahaha! The whole company laughed when we introduced a new employee and they were waiting for me to say that and I didn’t!) I am a geek for natural history…like, when you were a little kid in a museum. I love taxidermy, bones, insects, wood grains, plants, and cacti.

I don’t have a ton of free time but when I do, this is how I like to spend it: Hiking, gardening and cooking.

AMBER ON WORK

I work for The Juice Standard as the company’s district manager. When people ask me what I do, this is how I explain my job: Usually, I get asked if I am the owner  (I think this is because I am a Chatty Cathy and love to talk all things TJS), so I usually say: “NO I am not the owner…but I wish I was because this is a pretty amazing company!”  Right now, I assist in being whatever role the company needs me to be in: hiring, development, networking, eventing, and being an awesome support system for everyone on our team.

What appealed to me about working for TJS was…the company’s transparency, ethical practices, and its fresh, organic product – product that’s really organic, not just partially.

The other factor? Jamie and Marcella. I fell in love with them during our first meeting. How they speak, listening to their ideas and needs, hearing their passion, seeing their investment in people that are already on their teams….They painted this beautiful picture that expanded the Las Vegas community and its culture.

When it comes to managing or working in retail, this isn’t my first rodeo: I got my first job at a store when I was 15 years old, when I supported my sister where she lived in Avila Beach. She managed a cute little coffee shop called The Steaming Bean and Tea Leaf, and it was a place where they served yerba mate (my favorite thing in life); made fresh sandwiches (think fresh-baked croissants with feta, sunflower sprouts, cashews, cucumber, and cream cheese). Seriously? I want one right now.

After that I worked for Aveda for close to 8 years in Texas, Oregon and Nevada. Then I went on to work for companies like Lush Handmade Cosmetics and Ted Baker.

One of the things about working for big brands that I loved was… that 4 weeks of vacation…unpaid or paid. (Ha: No s#@t!)  I learned a lot about structure and problem solving without becoming frantic. I learned a lot about tools, and how to use them with your teams to be more successful.

Something about working for big brands that I loathed was…how larger companies lose sight of their bottom line: the people. Most of us can all agree we have had leaders who didn’t care about us as people. What’s worse is when large corporations have district leaders and executives who are snotty, entitled or pretentious. They never know who you are or what you look like, and your usual contact with them comprises their telling you that you didn’t perform well enough, or that you could have done better…and there is no checking for clarity or development beyond that.

Best perk or discount I ever had thanks to one of my jobs was…Aveda: 74 percent off plant- and flower-based beauty product…are you kidding me? (Die-hard Aveda girl over here…)

Since working for TJS, the most surprising thing I’ve learned about myself doing the job that I do is…not necessarily surprising, but more like an aha moment: I was told long ago that I wasn’t a very present person. I am one of those people who seems like they’re in dreamland or daydreaming (or, talking up a storm), and since I have worked for TJS, being around Jamie, Marcella, and our team, has really taught me the importance of conversation, communication and present listening.

The most exciting part about my job is…meeting new people and sharing our story! Jamie and Marcella’s story.

Best thing I’ve heard a customer say about TJS juice is…that it saved their life. Andrea Millsap, whom I believe you interviewed in last month’s newsletter… she was told she couldn’t get pregnant because of her Lupus and she did!

Most awesome thing I’ve witnessed on the back-of-house staff side of working at TJS is…everyone singing and dancing to Tupac. Everyone is always joking and talking while they work. Very hard and consistent workers in our kitchens and on our teams….

True or False: “The most challenging part about my job is deciding whether to valet or self-park at The Cosmopolitan when I go visit The Buzz…because like butter and bacon, valet makes everything better.” True…hahaha! But I have never valet’d

The advice I’d give my younger work self is…Take that harsh constructive criticism and look at it as a challenge. Don’t become defeated. Don’t give up. And don’t ever let anyone tell you that you talk too much or have too much energy, because it’s usually what lands you a job in the future.

AMBER ON HEALTH IN LAS VEGAS

In my opinion, the biggest change in Las Vegas’ healthy-living scene in the last few years has been…not only are we now seeing new healthy options bounce onto the scene, but we are seeing local, smaller run businesses trying to bring culture into the city.

No matter how busy I get at work, this is what I do to make sure I eat well during the week:  I think about meals and what the leftover options look like. I literally steam artichokes four times a week and eat them with a little bit of soy sauce, lime juice, garlic powder, and salt. It’s so delicious.

The fruit(s) or vegetable(s) you’ll always find in my kitchen are… Valencia oranges, limes and lemons (citrus fruits are my favorite). Love berries, too. Always making agua frescas in my Vitamix.

My don’t-even-think-about-judging-me-guilty-pleasure food is… nachos with freshly sliced jalepeños but with real cheese!

The health habit that gets me teased the most is… I swear your hair grows like a miracle when you drench it in olive oil straight from the kitchen cabinet. I apply, then shampoo and condition about three times per week.

True or False: “Thanks to Facebook we hear you recently made cashew cream for the first time and that it.kicked.ass.” Hahahaha! TRUE. I have taught myself to make so many things with cashews since working with TJS.

AMBER ON JUICE

The person who introduced me to cold-pressed juice was… my Momma. Her very first job was in Yucca Valley, Calif., where she worked at Sue’s Health foods, and she got that job in order to buy herself a Champion Juicer which still sits on our counter to this day.

The first time I drank green juice, I thought it was… amazing. I never struggled drinking juice. I knew how good it was for you without the research.

The reason I started drinking cold-pressed juice was because… to get my nutrients. (Hello, 3.5 pounds per bottle of greens?)

The reason I kept drinking cold-pressed juice was because… it made me feel more alive. More centered, more focused, less stressed. It made me feel motivated. And it helped me sleep through my nights, eliminated my acne and helped my hair grow!

True or False: “Making juice at home is a royal pain in the tail.”  True: I never make it at home. But, I also would never buy it from anywhere that uses high-pressure processing (HPP) now that I know the difference between fresh and processed juice. I want my juice made fresh today, please…not 15 days ago and then packaged and delivered under the notion it is fresh.

True or False: “A ginormous perk of my job is free juice.” Huge bonus. I literally make sure I get my greens every day!

The reason I like TJS’s cold-pressed juice is because… it’s fresh; truly 100 percent organic; and it has a mission that is committed to integrity and transparency.

My advice to a newbee juicer is…take a deep breath and take small bite-size chunks out of all the knowledge you’re about to absorb. I usually tell them give it 6 months until they feel like a pro!

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Ingredient Spotlight: The Thrilla of Vanilla and its Sad Organic State

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Organic vanilla is having a moment, and unlike the actual Thrilla in Manila between prize scrappers Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, not much cheering will emerge from this story.

As of this writing, the world is massively short on organic vanilla beans, making them massively expensive. The cause? To understand…a short ag-lesson.

Similar to harvesting things like saffron threads and poppy seeds (not to be confused with milk of the poppy, for all Game Of Throners), vanilla beans are one of the most labor-intensive foods on the planet, according to this June 17 NPR feature. Orchids produce vanilla bean seeds, and if flowers are not naturally pollinated (and in some parts of the world they are not), pollination must be done by hand much like how U.S. crops have needed help from pollination farmers in light of the bee plight.

From pollinating, to harvesting, to soaking, to all kinds of other ing-verbs that have to happen to result in a vanilla bean being born, the months-long manual labor exceeds most expectations and leads to why vanilla is so damn ‘spensive. As a result, a whole lotta fake vanilla started being made under the not-so-crafty name “vanillin,” which smelled good yet tasted like bunk…but was so much cheaper than the real stuff, it was a way for butchers, bakers and vanilla-stuff makers to flavor their goods without going broke. But when more and more companies started opting for all-natural flavors, vanillin was out and vanilla was in…except that there haven’t been enough orchid plants to support the world’s craving for chocolate’s cousin.

Add to all the above an organic designation to the mix, and prices really skyrocket: In the last few years, it’s all but quadrupled.

#DilemmaOfVanillicPorportion

So, what’s The Juice Standard been doing about v-beaning products with the quality of vanilla you’ve come to depend on? In days of recent past, organic vanilla beans have been so hard to source, the only sub deemed suitable by Jamie and Marcella has been conventional vanilla beans (…beecause even liquid organic vanilla extract can’t compare to the warm depth lent by a bean, the whole bean and nothing but the bean).

“It was a difficult decision to switch to conventional, especially beecuase we have built a business whose cornerstone is using organic produce 100 percent of the time,” shares TJS Co-Founder and CEO Jamie Stephenson.

Nothing shows off our vanillovin’ like our nut milks, and Bee Magnificent is da vanillabomb.

“We felt, however, that we would be doing our clientele a bigger disservice by not providing the quality our products are known for—especially our creamy nut milks—beecause even we love seeing those floating vanilla-bean specs as we sip! That’s why after interviewing many of our customers, we learned they would rather we inform them of our choice to use conventional vanilla beans rather than simply discontinue product, or move to extract.

“We value 100 percent transparency…and clearly, our customers do, too.”

That said, last week, TJS caught a beany break when Jamie and Marcella found organic vanilla beans priced at 40 percent higher than typical organic pricing, but far less than recent costs for conventional vanilla beans. Course, the world’s still in a shortage, so TJS can only tap this source for six weeks until the farm we’ve partnered with runs out, too…but at least that’s six more weeks of vanilla bean specs as we’ve all grown accustomed.

Our point in all this sharing? Like Jamie says, TJS hearts transparency, and having these worldwide convos close to home is important in our adult understanding of where our food comes from, and it’s important if we wanna help the littletons in our lives to better understand why global warming; supply and demand; and taking care of Mama Nature is so important to the food we eat, too.

As for vanilla, we’re gonna keep bringing you the good stuff as long as we can. And when the big-O runs out, we’ll move to conventional for as long as it takes before we can get back on track. And as long as you can see those bitty brown flecks of goodness in every nut milk you open, know that we’re looking out for the best interest of your tastebuds, too…one nutritious sip at a time.

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Menu Update: Newz About Booze

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Love The Juice Standard’s cold-pressed cocktails at our location at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (which we affectionately refer to as “The Buzz?”) So do we, and we’re not the only ones: we’ve been thrilled that they’ve gotten press like this love note from Vegas Seven, this one from Las Vegas Weekly, and this one from VegansBaby.com, and we’re more thrilled that our fanbees have kept these drinks on their tongues since we launched ‘em last year.

Last year. Has it been a year already? While #TimeFlies means that’s kinda cray, we’ve got news about a handful of new cold-pressed cocktails on the menu, as well as a few changes to a few tried-and-trues you might want to know about as this summer gets her rightful start.

NEW

Chill The Eff Out.

Chill The Eff Out

Fuhgetabout chocolate and peanut butter, beecause these are the two next great tastes that taste great together. Combining Bee Chill (watermelon-cucumber-lemon) with Effen’s™ Cucumber  vodka and ginger beer makes for a refreshing bevvie that’ll keep your cool no matter how hottt Vegas is outside.

 

The Pineapple Express. Don’t leave The Cosmopolitan without one.

Pineapple Express

For you savvy-sav bees in the know, this has been on our secret menu for a while but we’re making it available for all the world to sip: Bee Grateful (carrot, pineapple, apple, ginger, lemon), vodka, ginger beer. Period, end of recipe.

 

 

 

SLIGHT-OF-HAND CHANGES

Shake Your Money Maker

Know our WHealth Maker? The drink with Bee WHealthy™, vodka and ginger beer (see a theme here? Our bees love it, and we love to keep our bees happy…) well this is the same drink, new name. #Catchy.

NON-BOOZY CHANGES

  • Our smoothie the Libido Lover is now the Sexy M.F.
  • You can now get collagen and MCT oil superfood upgrades at The Buzz.
  • Love our Kale Granola Salad? You’ll still love it with its new name, “Baby Kale Salad,” with granola. (See? Same, yet different.)
  • Chloro-Water will be available at our neighborhood stores only
  • Chai-Chia Pudding and Choco-Mint Chia are no longer available

Yep: Lotsa updates. Know what we still serve, though? Juice. All day, erryday. So come enjoy.

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TJS Travel Edit: Bee Wanderlusty—LA

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Nope: Bee Wanderlusty’s not a new Singleton (though it should be, right?).

No, Dear Bees. This is better.

See, summer solstice was but a blink ago yet Vegas is bees-knees deep in obscene heat. That means it’s time for The Juice Standard’s annual summertime get-the-hell-outta-dodge suggestions for non-desert trips you can sked between now and Labor Day with peeps you’ve deemed travel-worthy.

(You do have folks you’d bee willing to travel with, right?)

To kick off a few non-desert travel articles, we’re starting with by far the easy-peasiest local(ish)drive: LV—>LA.

To the rest of the world, Los Angeles may be a backdrop for all-things glitz and glammy, but when desert heat hits friggin’ 118, La La Land’s cool is the one we crave…both in vibe and thermometer.

Carrie Stamps: Our in-house graphic design and LAexpert extraordinaire.

So this month, sharing a litany of her fave LA haunts is TJS’s Carrie Stamps—owner/founder of Vegas-based Scaled Design Studio—whose graphic-designy nose for style, beauty, function, and fun helps guide her to the goods in LA and beyond.

“Los Angeles is an easy destination for a weekend getaway,” says Stamps, who along with TJS Creative Director Mallory Dawn is charged with designing our dedicated inbox e-newsie, From The Humble Bee, and with making TJS print and digi-collateral look luscious.

“After a 45-minute flight from Las Vegas (or a short 3-4 hour drive), LA’s temperature drops 20 to 30 degrees and offers vibrant city life mixed with beach life.” 

Stamps is always looking out for local favorites and hidden gems (“I love the outdoor hikes, beach activity, restaurants, museums, culture and walkability in West Hollywood—WeHo—and I’m such a foodie, I have one million restaurant recommendations!”). Her best insider intel for experiencing any city? “Get out and see and do! Walk the streets. Get lost. Try something new and different.”

Don’t mind if we do, PrettyGirl. Below are places Stamps has deemed worth visiting over and over…no matter how you like to spend your time.

Get to the Griffith at night.

For Love Of The Great Outdoors

Hikes? In a city? You bet, says Stamps. “City hikes like Runyon Canyon and the Hollywood sign get crowded and touristy, but they are a worthy view. However…hiking to Griffith Observatory overlooks all of LA. A sunset hike is a real treat when it’s dark, you’ll see all the city lights for as far as the eye can see. For a real dose of Mother Nature, Topanga State Park just above Malibu is a short drive.

Broad+Museum_la_jeff+koons_la+museums_what+to+do+in+la_flowers_fun+things+to+do+in+LA_yayoi+kusama_art_art+exhibition+in+la_fashion+meets+art_fashion+blogger_Savvy+javvy_lichtenstein+art_infinity+mirrors_broad+infinity+room

Boldly hit the Broad.

For The Love of History

Hardly mere collections of old dusty stuff, LA museums are as varied as wallet-busting retail on Rodeo. “The Broad, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, and The Getty offer worldly art and culture,” suggests Stamps. “The Museum of Ice Cream is a sweet treat, and The Getty is even free!”

Say yessabel to Ysabel.

Get Into My Your Belly

Beehold this summary of Stamps’ faves and you’re welcome in advance.

Get Outta My Your Belly

What goes in must come out, right? LA is notorious for its beautiful people…and how do they get their beauty? Exercise. While a fave activity is simply renting a bike on the beach in Santa Monica or jogging the beachy boardwalk from Marina del Rey, to Venice, to Santa Monica, these brick-and-mortar haunts are 100 percent Stamps-approved:

For The Love Of Nightlife

Living in Las Vegas has taught Stamps a thing or two about what appeals in a club. Rest assured these are top-notch pics for hottt (er, cool?) LA nights. #StilettosNotRequired

Piñata District doesn’t disappoint.

For The Love of a Weekend Market

“Melrose Place Farmer’s Market and Melrose Trading Post are great things to see and do on Sundays!” says Stamps, adding that not-to-miss sights also include Grand Central Market and Piñata District in Downtown LA.

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TJS Editorial—On Blended Families: They Take A Hive

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Memorial Day may bee the unofficial start to summer but we all know what really kicks off this season: the last day of school.

With today’s family as hexagonal as a honeycomb as opposed to old-school triangle or square, there can be many more personalities to traverse beyond mom, dad and kids during these seemingly endless wonderful weeks of vacation. From potential step-sibling rivalry to navigating niceties with your former spouse’s new one (#CoParentWithoutStepMurder), building a blended family with grace is certainly the #ParentingGoal but it’s not always easy…or is it?

Can building a blended family really be as easy as keeping an open mind, respecting all the parents involved and always keeping the needs of the children front and center? It can…but it takes work; patience; and maybe even some presents (though not for the fam member you might think).

To honor the onset of this, the Season of Together Time, this beautiful first-person account written by TJS COO and Co-Founder Marcella Williams shines a light on her personal experiences with her own children, and what it takes to bridge the byways of today’s blended family.

In May 2004, I found myself married and soon realized it was a package deal since, overnight, I became not only a wife, but a mother…and a stepmother at that. I had entered my stepson Drew’s life when he was just 5 years old and was even there for his first day of kindergarten, yet I had no idea how to be a stepmom since I was just learning how to become a wife. Luckily for me I had the best teacher: Drew’s mom, Kelly.

Marcella and her family celebrating Christmas—together!—in 2016. Pictured (l-r): Marcella, Maximus (8), Damian (8), Sophia (9), and Drew (17).

You always hear the drama-filled stories of blended families and thestruggles that ensue. But this story is different. This one is filled with love and gratitude, and I’m hoping it will act as a reminder that it doesn’t ever have to be ugly between birth parents and stepparents unless a family chooses it to be. And I can tell you from experience that ugly serves no one…least of all, the child.

Shortly after the wedding, we were settling into our new house…adding all of the finishing touches that turn a space into a home. While I was adjusting to new surroundings and new roles, I began to wonder if I would be a good stepmom. I wondered if I had the empathy, patience and kindness I knew it would take to be the kind of caretaker that Drew deserved. So when I was in doubt, I chose to look no further than toward the one who brought him into this world.

Honestly, I felt so lucky that I even had the inclination to do it! Kelly was one cool mama and we instantly became friends. And it was through that friendship that we were able to be the best moms for our son. (Because that’s exactly what he became the day that he and his father and I married: “Our” son.)

Together we discussed schools, homework, bedtime, and even had great communication about disciplinary actions. In other words, if Drew was grounded because he did XYZ at my house, the same rules applied in Kelly’s home, and vice versa. When we began to notice some missteps in his personality—a little more argumentative, a little less attentive at school—together, we quickly ascertained that what Drew needed was structure. Going back and forth mid-week between her home and ours wasn’t what he needed, and without second-guessing it for a moment, Kelly volunteered to let Drew stay with his dad and me Monday through Friday (which instantly made life easier on our boy since school was around the corner from our house).

Faces of well-adjusted happiness: Marcella’s family. Pictured (l-r): Damian (8), Drew (18), Maximus (8), and Sophia (9).

This move impressed me beyond measure, because in one swift decision Kelly proved herself secure enough to put aside her ego for the sake of what was best for Drew. Her grace and mental agility proved to be one of many lessons I learned from her and called upon as different situations unfolded during our evolution as a blended family.

Fast forward to the following May. Mother’s Day was around the corner and when Kelly came to pick up Drew, she had a special present for me. It was my first Mother’s Day present, a Dooney and Burke purse which, until that point in my life, was the nicest purse I had ever owned. I was honored and shocked, to say the least. It was such a heartfelt gift that I still have because of the memory attached to it. She didn’t have to gift it. She didn’t even have to show me kindness, or go above and beyond to bridge gaps or pave roads for better communication. Yet she did. Why? Because it wasn’t about her or me, but about him, our son Drew, who is now 19.

Today, I strive to be similar and supportive for my own birth-childrens’ stepmom. I want her to know that I am rooting for her to succeed every step of the way. I know she has no intention of replacing me, or turning the kids against me. And I know this because I left my ego back in 2004.

But I also know this because I am confident in my role as their mommy. When my three children asked me if I was happy or sad that Baba (Greek for “Dad”) was re-marrying, I smiled with sincerity and assured them that they were so lucky, and that his new bride was just one more person to love them. This assurance helped them be more accepting of her. It helped the transition to be more smooth, and it minimized any extra stress they may have had during what society deems as an intrinsic time of challenging change.

People do not always remember what you said or did, but they do remember how you made them feel. I always work to ensure my kids know that they can express their concerns, their dreams and their struggles without fear of judgement or condemnation with me. With me, they have a kind ear and unconditional love.

So. If I could lend advice to my children’s new stepmom (or any new step- or co-parent), it would be this:

  1. Bee Patient. Great relationships aren’t built overnight. They take time, and an endless amount of compassion and nurturing (and that goes for both the co-parent/stepparent relationship, as well as the relationship between the children and new stepßparent). Count the mini victories rather than wait for the big reward. It could be a genuine smile from across the room from a child who is grateful to see you at their school performance, or their rush to you when they fall off your bike.(Also…bee patient in the warming up of your partner’s ex. Patience is very important at this time.)
  2. Bee Forgiving. When children go back and forth between homes it can take a toll on their spirit. There is generally a transition day or two where they need to adjust to your house rules. In a perfect world, both houses would have the same ones, but that is not always the case. Learn to work with your situation, not fight against it.
  3. Bee Thoughtful. When you make plans, whether together or apart from the stepchildren, think about how it effects the entirety of the group. Make sure your actions cannot be deemed as alienation. Put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself how you would feel. This goes for the children as well as any step-parents.
  4. Bee Grateful. The universe has blessed your child(ren) with more people to love them. While old wounds may not be healed, and words may have gone unsaid, your children have new beginnings and need your support to see the brighter side of the situation. They will look to you for guidance in these ever-evolving relationships. They will mimic you. So lead by example with a grateful heart.
  5. Bee Respectful. Do not bad mouth anyone in front of the children. Just don’t. It is very hurtful for the child to ever have to hear ill words about someone they love so much. No child deserves to feel that pain. Honestly, I can’t stress this enough other than to say just.don’t.do.it. Remember: The child will remember what they hear, and when they grow up, they will resent the badmouther, not the badmouthee.
  6. Bee Kind. And bee kind especially to yourself. Don’t buy into the whole “love them like your own.” That does not happen overnight. (Truth? Sometimes it never does.) You did not fall in love in a day, and you did not give birth or help conceive them. Allow time to play its role. Bee friends first. And do not beat yourself up if your “motherly” or “fatherly” instincts don’t kick in right away. Remind yourself that you are doing the best that you can, and trust that through consistency in your words and actions, you will in fact build bridges and mend gaps.

Together—collectively—we are raising the future leaders of this world, and that’s something that has never taken just one person. It truly takes a hive.

 

5 From The Hi5e: Summertime ‘Bee Inspired’ Gift Guide

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We bees know what we like when it comes to the hive-and-honey stuff. And with end-of-year teacher-present time just weeks away (and plenty of reasons to pre-stock hostess or birthday gifts for the summer), we’re having a little summertime funnertime with a roundup of beeautiful honey-inspired stuff we love.

Whether it’s for your face, your belly, your bod, or your walls, there’s honey- and bee-inspo all around. And we luv that, since, yaknow, we think bees are the proverbial bees’ knees.

(And hey: Since we can’t possibly try everything out there, if you’ve some things you want us to shine a light on, reach out and touch us by contacting TJS’s Content Director Jen Chase at jen@juicestandard.com and we’ll consider your suggestions. After all…#ItTakesAHive!)

May Lindstrom’s Honey Mud 

As creamy and dreamy as a TJS nut milk, this mud might be your new favorite way to get clean by getting dirty.

What? Daily wash and occasional enzymatic face mask for bees with temperamental skin.

Why? If your complexion requires orchid-like care, this magical mud is a gentle yet potent combo of raw honey with bee pollen and propolis; white halloycite clay; colloidal silver; and witch hazel, mixed with a variety of the most exotically concocted oils that smell like a cross between sweetly chocolated molé sauce and a rain forest. Made in small batches in Los Angeles by May Lindstrom (who created her treats to salve her own problem-child skin and now has a cultish following), when asked about the mud, the company’s wholeheartedly helpful Director of Care, Elena Alarie, wrote to specifically say that, “hormonally reactive skin will especially love the Honey Mud.” It’s divine.

Mike’s Hot Honey

This. This on everything. Use it. A lot.

What? Spicy honey made in Brooklyn, New York, by infusing the sweet stuff with chilies.

Why? “Sweet heat” at its finest, this crack-in-a-bottle truly is hella versatile. We like it for topping off avo-toast; dribbling it over nut-studded Greek yogurt; stirred into tea; and for drawing our initials on every blessed slice of our favorite well-done take-out veggie pizza.

 

Medicine Mama’s Sweet Bee Magic™

For when you want that one thing that does errything? Grab this.

What? An all-in-one balm designed to relieve skin irritations and is safe for the whole family.

Why? This one-‘n-done jar of goodness quiets the chatter of your noisy, over-stuffed medicine cabinet by replacing different lotions, potions and salves with one thing that’s safe for pretty much every skin issue. From being a regular old moisturizer to an ointment for burns, cuts, scrapes, buggy-bites, cold sores, and even sunburns, similar to May Lindstrom’s Honey Mud, Sweet Bee Magic™ also contains honey, bee pollen, propolis, and royal jelly…all of which, when combined, are incredibly healing.

Hexagonal Shelves by Grace Sarris

Grace Sarris’ hexagonal shelf, hung solo.

What? A set of five hexagonal-shaped shelves that are as useful as they are beautiful…especially for the bee-lover in your life.

Hexagonal shelves, grouped.

Why? Whether hung singly, in groups or all together, these shelves made from reclaimed wood by artisan Grace Sarris can be used to create an eye-catching focal point or as a thematic link connecting different rooms in a

house. Plus, they’re all the better for being sold in Sarris’ Etsy store, since we here at TJS love to #supportlocal. (The Internets is considered local, right?)

 

Bee Pollen by Moon Juice

Chewy, citrusy and kinda floral, this is the tastiest straight-from-the-jar pollen we’ve tried.

What? A month’s supply of jarred bee pollen, sold by veritable adaptogen alchemist Amanda Chantal Bacon’s California-based company, Moon Juice.

Why? This stuff? So not your mother’s bee pollen (and if you were fed this stuff as a kid it’s not your bee pollen, either!). With a consistency unlike most of what’s out there, Moon Juice’s bee pollen is chewy and almost citrusy with a floral nose (and yeah, sounds like we’re talking wine). We’d normally stick to local bee pollen for its allergy-fighting properties, but this stuff is so bomb—and, so rich with protein and vitamin B-everythings—we don’t care that it’s not from our neighborhood…we crave it straight from the jar.