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Your Juicy Life: Tales From A Newbee Faster

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We love hearing about people’s first-time fasting experiences, and for this month’s newsletter we lucked out when Charlotte Evans wanted to dish on her first ever three-day fast by offering a first-person account of her feels before, during and after.

People gravitate toward fasting for different reasons, and for Evans, boosting her health on the cusp of one pivotal year of healthful awareness was all the impetus she needed for three days of successful sipping. (That she fell hard for her new fave nutmilks didn’t hurt.)

Been thinking about a juice fast? Need a little push in the right direction? Fasting is easier than you think when you do it with us since TJS prides itself on the satisfaction each 16-ounce glass Singleton delivers…sip by beeautiful sip.

But don’t take our word for it….

In about 12 months I will turn 50. I’ve been anticipating this deadline birthday with special angst for some time now; but, a few weeks ago it occurred to me that I do have 12 months to prepare for the BIG 5-0—both mentally and physically—and perhaps I can use this milestone to my advantage and embrace it for health reasons. In fact, why not use my 50th birthday to signal the start of what an esteemed theatre friend called “the third and BEST act of the play that is my life?”

Come to think of it, don’t mind if I do.

The Juice Fast

Recent years of poor eating habits and a lack of physical activity helped to pad my waistline and drain my energy/ I knew I was going to need to start a comprehensive fitness routine to get back in shape, but the prospect felt overwhelming. That’s when I decided to throw my body a “fitness launch party” of sorts in the form of a three-day juice fast.The idea would be to strengthen my exercise and health resolve, jumpstart my nutrient intake and really (really) clean out my system.

It worked!

I set up my juice fast with The Juice Standard in Henderson on St. Rose Parkway and picked up my entire assortment of fresh, 100 percent organic prepared juices a few days later. The Juice Standard made sure my bottles were already sealed, chilled, and ready to go in a carrier bag they provided. (I’m a huge fan of convenience!) The juice was easy to transport despite the number of bottles. It included six different juice beverages to be enjoyed daily from sequentially numbered bottles to avoid confusion about which drink to have when. The Juice Standard employee who handed me my bottles told me they contained the nutritional equivalent of more 2-3 pounds of fresh produce per bottle.

Day 1

On the first day of the juice fast my body seemed appreciative. My taste buds were happy, my appetite was manageable and my energy level seemed fairly consistent.

The day went by quickly, and I went to bed not feeling deprived. In fact, I drank an evening drink on my cleanse program that was so unique and savory, I would describe it as liquid satin perfection with

a vanilla bean and cinnamon finish. The juice, called “Bee Magnificent,” is flavored and textured with ground cashews, dates and agave. I will definitely be picking up this “Magnificent” drink again based on my personal cravings.

 

Day 2

On the second day on the fast my taste buds seemed to have exploded! I woke up craving my morning juice fix and walked briskly to the refrigerator to get it. Who knew juice could taste so juicy, right?! I did, however, get very thirsty during the second day and made sure to drink extra water. I also chewed on crushed ice. I found myself at times feeling irritable when I was around foods that smelled good to me. Unfortunately, this was pretty much everything I smelled that day, including hot dogs at the gas station. I felt a little mentally foggy that night, but thank goodness I was able to enjoy another ”Bee Magnificent” evening beverage! I even started fantasizing about making ice cream or popsicles out of it.

Day 3

On day three I woke up energized, and thirsty. I decided to mix up my morning routine and put half of my “Bee Vibrant” juice, made with fresh lemon and cayenne, in a mug in the microwave. The “Bee Vibrant” juice is crisp and palate cleansing, and if you throw some extra heat on it, the cayenne comes alive. I did not notice until the third day that my sinuses were acting up. This may have been due to an allergy season, but I suspect my body was flushing out toxins as a result of the juice fast. By bedtime on the third day I was already making breakfast plans for the next morning because I could not wait to eat solid food again. My energy was high and I felt invigorated.

Overall, I consider the juice cleanse to have been a highly successful experience! I lost almost six pounds in three days, and cleaned out my intestines like I never imagined was possible. The juice itself tasted so flavorful that I would have chugged it without ever knowing or caring how healthy it was. Still, somehow knowing that the juice is so beneficial may have triggered a Pavlov’s dog response in me that continues today. Weeks after my cleanse was finished I caught myself looking up juice recipes and The Juice Standard’s hours of operation. I’m a devotee now as I see that juice has seeped into my subconscious. I’ll be back for more of my favorites (like Bee Energized!) soon

A Story Worth Telling #1

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Since 2013, one of NPR’s national affiliates (Boston’s WBUR) has really shined thanks to its “Kind World” project’s sole purpose: Making you feel good. Arguably, “forcing you to cry” might be a secondary, but mostly it’s to feel good.

In each artfully produced feature (and now a podcast you can subscribe to in iTunes here), everyday stories of good, and sharing, and warmth, are designed to evoke profound emotion in the listener by illuminating that each of us has the power to touch someone. There was #33 “Secret Sisters” about a gaggle of women who for a whole year, secretly helped a mutual friend mourn the sudden loss of her son by supporting her family to keep their head in the right place as they kept parenting their remaining daughter with love, light and fun. Then in #22 “So Chocolate Bar,” listeners were treated to a lot of audio from an ebullient elementary-age boy who raised money for his BFF—by writing and publishing a book!—to help pay for medical trials that might help cure his friend’s rare liver disease

(Book did well. Boy lived. BFFs had their first sleepover. Tears all around.)

Producer Erika Lantz knows how to craft a “driveway moment”—radiospeak for what keeps you in your car an extra 10 once you’ve hit where you’re going just to hear the end of a story. And with all the news that might be rubbing people the wrong way these days, any 10 extra minutes listening to a happy story is a welcome reminder that the world is inherently good. Life is good.

The Juice Standard is all about helping people achieve their optimum sense of good, too…good WHealth™, good self. Good stuff. So we’re launching a new format called “A Story Worth Telling,” where we’ll share our most favoritist, goodest interactions with you, our glorious bees.

Culled from conversations with our managers and our bees beehind the counter, these snippets reflect stories from our employees, who days in and out meet the raddest people (that bee you) who are willing to take a chance on cold-pressed juiceness as a potential holy grail of WHealth™. So the next time you come in and have a special interaction with someone, you just might see it come back to inspire others.

#PayItForwardBees

So, yes: “A Story Worth Telling.” It’s our new way to shine a light on TJS customers and their experiences, and a new way to let hear from TJS’s phenomenal colleagues who #WillWorkForJuice and the general satisfaction of making customers happy.

Time to park yourself with a Bee Happy and do just that.

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Story Worth Telling #1

“The Big-C Free” and “Love From Abroad”

As told by Ben Ream, manager at The Rose:

“A client visited our St. Rose Location recently and explained that she was sitting at the traffic light at Paseo Verde and St. Rose when she saw that we had a storefront which was advertising fresh, cold-pressed juice.

“She pulled straight into the business complex and decided to devote a few moments of her time checking out who we were and what our story was. As we built our customer interaction, she shared with us that not too long ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and that is how she found herself immersed in the juice community. She began to juice daily, as well as educate herself on plant-based nutrition. And after a short amount of time, was able to share with her family and friends that she was cancer free!

“Now, she continues to remain a loyal guest not only at The Juice Standard, but also in the Las Vegas wellness community. She now incorporates juice into her diet daily just because she knows and believes in the powerful nutrients of produce.”

As shared by Amber Cariker, TJS District Manager, who received this letter of appreciation along with Renaldo Brown:

Dear Amber and Renaldo,

I have just returned home to Canada from a lovely visit to Vegas and had the pleasure of “finding” TJS at The Cosmopolitan on our first day in town. I was actually participating at a women’s hockey tournament and appreciated the healthy, tasty juices which indeed provided improved cognition and increased energy! Hence, a visit to the juice bar everyday!

I am impressed with the story of TJS and the exponentially high standards offered in all areas of the business, including the desire to protect the integrity of the honeybee, the bee’s ability to synergize and contribute to the TJS philosophy of honouring community and communication.

Congratulations to you Renaldo and Amber as wholehearted Human Bees providing a plethora of knowledge regarding each product available. As I dealt primarily with you, Amber, upon our first visit, I would like to say your energy and enthusiasm is contagious—offered with transparency and integrity—which lead me to a thought I could not shake:

Las Vegas is blessed to have a company that is completely sourced locally and we, the traveler, have the opportunity to enjoy the TJS exemplary products while visiting your fair city!

Kind Regards,

Cindi McNabb

On The Menu: Love Your Potions

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It’s February. And that means it’s the unofficial month of love.

(It’s also the shortest month of the year and typically the month where people with SAD—Seasonal Affective Disorder, and yes it’s really sad—have had it up to here with short days and chilly nights…all of which is why we choose to focus on the positive stuff-we-luv stuff.)

Last year we took what we thought was a pretty balanced look at the different kinds of love we Human Bees are capable of, through the clever lens of how easily we can love more than one TJS juice. (And we’re proud to say that a year later, a Google search will still render “polyjuicery” at the tippity-top of your search page…so cheers to us for making up a whole new word.)

This February? Keeping it a little lighter. Beecause there’s a lot going on in the world and sometimes your hard-working mind needs a hard-working break.

We’re still all about juice-u-cation…but this year? We’re gifting you a cheat sheet.

As you plan some sweet treats for everyone you Insta tag with #PeopleILove this month, remember they *can* taste ahmazing without being all processed sugar-laden (though there’s no replication for Brach’s conversation hearts…we know). Whether you’re still lovin’ on the winter-warmer sips you can still order off seasonal menus, or you need an edible warrior to push you through your workout, or something to spark yer sheets, or simply something sweet…here’s how to maximize the best of The Juice Standard’s menu of chocolatey, berry-ish and energy-inducing items to their highest, most love-potiony, aphrodesiacally inclined levels.

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Warm Up

Specialty Espresso Drink: Raw Cacao Mocha

  • Why? No lie: Our drinks are better than Sbucks because there’s no white sugar. Once you try it, you won’t deny it.

Specialty Espresso Drink: Bee Invincible

  • Why? Even creamier than Bulletproof® Coffee thanks to the homemade cashew cream, this could be a meal replacement and your a.m. wake-me-up. Pick it up and you won’t put it down.

Hot Cacao: L’Orange Cream Cacao

  • Why? Marcella concocted it. Jamie named it. Mallory photo’d it. Jen wrote about it. Plus, it’s chocolate and citrus. If you like those chocolate oranges at holiday times you’ll like this about a kajillion percent more.

Superfood Upgrade: Cayenne pepper

  • Why? It’s a spicy little number that’ll add eat but not flavor to anything you want, which means you could conceivably up the calorie-burning ante of even a glass of water…though we’d recommend smoothies, juices and even a Bee Happy nutmilk for a Mexican partido en su boca.

Work Out

Nut Milk: Bee Magnificent

  • Why? Why not? You’re magnificent, right? Well so is this vanilla, multi-nut-based milk. It’s got the goods to fill you up with healthy stuff after you burn-baby-burn. Not much not to love.

Nut Milk: Bee Legendary

  • Why? Who doesn’t want to feel like Barnabus Stinson. And for health accolades, read above and remember that Legendary tastes like a cold and creamy chai.

Nut Milk: Bee Happy

  • Why? Adult chocolate milk, Baby! One that’s healthy, thanks to the antioxidants in the raw cacao we use to make this post-workout wonder. (And remember: Buy this and you may also mix it with a lot of grownup things like we showed you in this post. A real multi-milktasker.)

Chewable: Chia seed puddings (any of them)

  • Why? If you love your time, you’ll love that after a workout (or just being out and about as a busy bee) any of our chia seed puddings are a plant-based, protein-packed meal on the go. Tasty enough for littles and satisfying for adults, you can’t go wrong except if you don’t eat them.

Superfood Upgrade: Raw cacao powder or nibs

  • Why? Filled with antioxidants, this natural mood elevator and anti-depressant is also the highest plant-based source of iron (more than kale!). And guess what? It tastes hella better than kale! So add it anything you can for some extra self-love in the health department.

Treat Your Sweet

Smoothie: Libido Lover

  • Why? This could easily bee filed under “Work Out,” too, since it’s so filling… but with a name like this, what’s not to love about its ability to rev up somebody’s engine? Chockfulla cacao, maca (read about it here), mint, and creamy avocado, this mint-chocolate-chippy smoothie increases the endurance and the libido at the same time. And we all know that’s good for increasing the sex. So. There you have it.

Smoothie: Bee Mine

  • Why? Even Forrest would agree this burst o’ berry flavor (strawberries, raspberries and goji berries) mixes with cacao maca, cacao nibs, cashews, Greek yogurt, agave, and banana, for a healthier alternative to a box o’ chocolates. Jenny would approve since it’s an aphrodisiac…though those two didn’t seem to have a hard time conceiving the little boy who could see dead people.)

Cold-Pressed Cocktail: Sex Panther

  • Why? Only at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas can you get this gorge pink drink of Bee Cosmopolitan, vodka and triple sec. Which is good, because when you wanna be one, you can literally go grab one when some hollers gettaroom. 

Hot Cacao: Some Like It Hot

  • Why? A spicy hot cacao needs no explanation. 

Hot Cacao + Superfood Upgrade: CBD(C) and CBD oil

  • Why? First: CBD oil is a near-odorless and tasteless superfood upgrade you’ll wanna consider giving your love if they need to relax, or increase their alertness, or for any of the other reasons we lay out in this article. And a hot cacao with CBD oil in it? That goes a step further to further your loving greatness.

5 From The Hi5e: Recipes We Love

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From time to time we run a feature with five items about one topic we think is tip-top relevant to your health, or your well being, or something solid funny, or info you just shouldn’t live without. Called “Five From The Hi5e,” the hope is to deliver the skinny on stuff you’ll find more than moderately rad. Like this featurette on how some of us TJS bees do our best to insert comfort into our lives during what’ll probably be the last legit month of winter.

Ed. note: This month? More than five. Couldn’t help ourselves. Sorry. Bonus for you.

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Jamie Stephenson (Co-founder/COO)

For Jamie, “soothe” is the word when it comes to winter care for her bod and belly that keeps her comfortable no matter then temps. “For my health, I drink juice daily (even at home); I love TJS’s Lipospheric vitamin C packs; and I love adding collagen to my coffee.”

As for her self care? Indulging in soft-spun natural fabrics like cashmere keeps her skin happy while sticking to beeswax candles (right?) scented with gardenia or jasmine sets the tone for any room she’s in. And her final tip? “I put coconut oil on the ends of my hair at night and wrap my hair in a bun. Then, I shampoo/condition as usual the next morning.”

If you’ve seen her hair you’ll start doing this, too.

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Mallory Dawn (Creative Director)

Mallory’s artistry isn’t limited to how she beautifies the TJS brand as her other pursuits include creating art for her #girlboss company Ice Cream and Cupcakes…and, making up recipes at home. This busy bee had these concoctions to share. One’s for when you’ve got a sore throat or sickness you just can’t kick. The other is a kickass hair tonic. (What’s up TJS girls and hair?!)

MD’s Garlicky Grateful

1) Mince 2 large cloves of raw garlic and let it aerate on your cutting board for 5-10 minutes (this activates the microbial properties of raw garlic). Then combine it with 4 ounces of TJS’s Bee Grateful.

How so simple? Garlic is powerful natural antibiotic and reported to be roughly one-fiftieth as powerful as penicillin. It’s also a known anti-fungal and anti-viral, so downing it as a preventative will keep the doc away better than a peck of apples…but you have to eat it raw. Garlic has a compound called allicin, AKA the “odiferous” oily liquid that seeps from garlic when you crush it. Cooking garlic kills allicin’s potent healing properties, but eat it raw and you could potentially stave off pretty much anything that could ail you.

Just be aware that breath and bod can emit garlic’s unique daresay “bouquet” long after you’ve swallowed. To be kind to those around you (and trust us…they’ll notice), here are some good n’ funny tips on how to beat g-breath. (Hint? Mustard. Who knew.)

MD’s Fantastique Tonique

“I have a homemade hair tonic I’m totally obsessed with: I mix 3-4 drops each of organic peppermint, rosemary and geranium oil with 6 ounces of spring water, and I put it into a small spritz bottle that I leave in the fridge.

“After showering, I lightly spray it directly into my scalp, massage it in for a few minutes, and using a wet brush, I brush my hair upside down.It’s done wonders for my hair’s volume and stimulating my scalp! Especially after years of extensions and working in the sun and heat!

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Marcella Williams (Co-founder/CEO)

For our multitasking mum of three who beeautifully balances her TJS duties with arguably her most important job, Marcella’s comfort comes from keeping her brood (and herself) healthy. On her list? One old-timey remedy, and one for the modern age: Good ol’ fashioned chicken noodle soup, and TJS’s shot flight.

If you haven’t indulged in a TJS shot flight yet they’re potent, 2- to 3-ounce designed to be a simple and fast addition to your health protocol…whether as a preventative, or as a something you take once you’re already a little under the weather. TJS serves three recipes, which can be enjoyed individually or in succession: the Wellness Shot, Flu Shot and E3LIve® Shot. (You can read more about how good they are for WHealth™ here in this Vegas Seven feature from last year.)

Bennie of the shots? You can indulge in them at any time of day…though some bees like to one-and-dun-’em first thing in the morning.

As for Marcella’s shout-out to chicken noodle soup, if you haven’t tried your hand at making homemade broth for said soup, read below because our last installment has a recipe for that, too. (Nice segue, huh?)

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Jen Chase (Content Director)

Jen’s diet of choice comprises nearly no meat and nominal grains, but like Marcella, her go-to food for when she’s a sickie or wants to throw comfort on someone else in a hurry is homemade chicken broth with bites of teensy-cut pasta…think orzo, stars, alphabet letters, or pastina.

Note: Her all-time fave plant-based broth recipe is this tried-and-true from the New York Times, and it’ll make you forget you ever ate chicken. But when only chicken broth will do, here’s Jen’s no-measure Kitchen-Sink Broth:

1) Remove the meat from 1 store-bought rotisserie chicken (preferably organic and without hormones…you know the drill), and save for other uses. Then, into a stock pot add the chicken carcass (with skin) along with two celery ribs, two carrots, one large onion, and one small handful each of whole peppercorns and whole cloves.

(Optional Awesome Add-Ins? A handful of whatever fresh herbs you have on hand—even fennel fronds; if you happened to have made a pre-cooking cocktail with freshly squeezed lemon, throw in half a retired lemon rind (seeds and all…they’ll strain out); and if you freeze your Parmigiano rinds when your cheese is gone—and here’s why you must!—add a healthy hunk into your broth too. Adds killer taste.)

Then, add to the lot enough cold water to cover (4-6 cupsish) and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer for about an hour (longer if you want stock, less time for broth).

When done, strain the liquids from the solids and add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. At this point you can cool the broth to congeal it and scrape away the fat. When you want a bowl o’, comfort, cook pasta on the side and add it to your soup serving, finishing it off with coarsely grated parm, hot red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

Friends Who Juice: Shannon McBeath

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Want two words to sum up Shannon McBeath, owner of Las Vegas’s new The Ride Premium Indoor Cycling studio (and not-so-closet fan of TJS nut milks?) “Smart” and with “heart” come to mind (…with a side of great arms, a strong Mommy Gene, admiration for her husband, and a near-insatiable bent toward giving of all kinds). Yeah, we know that’s more than a couple accolades, but while McBeath’s driven by her pretty head and kind ticker, the other wholehearted things about her fall into place…making her the picture of well-roundedness.

Schooled  in the fine art of hospitality (and it is an art, dontchaknow), for nearly three decades as a Las Vegan, McBeath has balanced family and health while maintaining a rewarding career she’s now stepping back into. And she’s doing it in a way that honors her crazy commitment to her WHealth™ and wellness, and her dedication to helping others achieve their own goals. That she loves The Juice Standard juice is just a bonus.

Shannon On Shannon

I’ve lived in Las Vegas since…1989.

I can remember when I decided I wanted to start my adult life here. It was…1986. Growing up in Dallas, Texas,  I decided I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and pursue a career in the hotel industry. I attended SMU for my first 2 years of college, always with the intention of transferring to University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) to complete my bachelor’s degree in hotel administration.

 …and what appealed to me about living in Vegas was…one of the best hotel schools in the country!

In my experience, the biggest misconception about living in Las Vegas is…People that aren’t familiar think there is no life outside of the strip. I am insulted while traveling with people’s negative reaction when I mention I live in Las Vegas. I often find myself defending our wonderful community of over 2 million residents!

The thing I secretly (or not-so-secretly) love most about living here is…the weather (minus summer) ☺

If I had to pick a daily mantra or a quote I try to live by, it would be…Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.

A favorite Vegas spot that never gets old is…The Cosmopolitan!

If I had to pick a theme song for my life it would be…Happy by Pharrell Williams.

A person who inspires me every day is…my husband (The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas CEO Bill McBeath).

…and the way they inspire me is…he’s the most balanced and intelligent person I know.

Something people would be surprised to know about me is…I used to teach Catechism.

Shannon On Work

In my work world this past year...my partners and I founded The Ride Premium Indoor Cycling Studio, but before that I spent 21 years as a stay at home mom and philanthropist.

Let me tell you a little about my background: After earning a degree in hotel administration from UNLV in 1991, I was hired into the Management Associate’s Program at The Mirage. After an extensive 18 months of training in every department, I was offered a position as Leisure Sales Manager.  After spending 5 years in the hotel industry, I decided to take on the most rewarding job there is…stay-home mom to two amazing daughters.

What prompted me to open The Ride was…a desire to bring quality upscale boutique fitness to Las Vegas (and to keep busy as a soon-to-be empty nester!).

Multiple choice: 

  • A) “I am a kickass bike rider”
  • B) “Training wheels are my friend.”

…A!

My first business mentor was…my father.

…and this is what I learned from him: Do what you love and it will never be work.

The most surprising thing I’ve learned about being my own boss is…being my own boss!

…and, the thing I’m most proud of is…never giving up on my dreams!

The advice I’d give my younger work self is…you can do anything you set your mind to!

Philanthropy and volunteering are a huge part of my life. Here’s why: For the last 21 years, I have volunteered in various capacities for numerous charitable causes in the community. I have served on the Foundation Board for Opportunity Village for the past 7 years including the executive and nominating committees.  Also, I opened the Las Vegas chapter of Shoes That Fit and operated it for 5 years, providing new shoes for needy school children.

The most life changing and rewarding volunteer work I have ever done was…going to Guatemala last year on a mission trip to build a house for a homeless family.

My favorite way to give back to my community is…supporting as many causes as possible with my time and/or financial support. I’m excited to launch The Ride Cares this year: we will be supporting various causes in the community by hosting charity rides throughout the year.

My favorite Las Vegas charities are…Opportunity Village, Stillpoint, Make A Wish,  Three Square, Communities in Schools, and Keep Memory Alive.

My advice to someone who feels they don’t have time to donate but they want to do something is…the smallest contribution of time or money can make a huge difference in someone’s life.

Shannon On Health

In my opinion, the biggest change in Las Vegas’ healthy-living scene in the last few years has been…healthier choices for groceries and dining. (But still not enough!)

No matter how busy I get at work, this is what I do to make sure I eat well during the week: Make a healthy shake every morning and cook healthy Paleo dinners as much as possible. Also, I highly recommend Sun Basket organic food delivery.

The fruit(s) or vegetable(s) you’ll always find in my kitchen are…apples, bananas, mangoes, kale, spinach, and peppers.

My don’t-even-think-about-judging-me-guilty-pleasure food is…red wine (it’s a grape right?).

The health habit that gets me teased the most is…my religious 6-day-a-week workout regimen.

The new years’ words of encouragement I’d give someone who is looking to get into cycling (or any other health regimen) are these: Never let intimidation prevent you from trying something new. Get into a routine and stick with it…you WILL see results! Just remember: DIET is 80 percent!

Shannon On Juice

The person who introduced me to cold-pressed juice was…my 21-year-old daughter!

The first time I drank green juice, I thought it was…interesting!

The reason I drink cold-pressed juice today is…for its energy and vitality.

Yes or No: “I love juice so much I make it at home.” YES

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

The reason I like TJS’s cold-pressed juice is because…it is so delicious! LOVE the cold-pressed cocktails at The Cosmopolitan….

The funniest thing that ever happened to me while drinking juice OR when one of us was doing a juice fast, was… I have done TJS’s 3- day cleanse twice. I’m not sure there is anything funny about going three days without eating, but all I can say is the nut milks got me through it! (BTW…I highly recommend the cleanses and felt great after!)
My advice to a newbee juicer is…try nutmilks first and you will be hooked!

5 From The Hive: Nate Roybal

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Five questions. Five answers. One topic.

From time to time we run a feature we think is tip-top relevant to your health or your well being (or, something we think is solid humor you just shouldn’t live without). Called “5 From The Hive,” the hope is to deliver the skinny on stuff you’ll find more than moderately rad. 

Since it’s the start of a new year and we’ve got all the warm feels about the internal team that helps us do what we do, this featurette shines a light on Nate Roybal, a front-of-house supervisor who’s worked with us for just shy of 2 years. In what feels like no time at all, he earned himself a hallowed rung on the TJS ladder for his golden palate: he helped develop our Honey Nātado bevvie that launched last year to the delight of mouths across Las Vegas as well as other recipes across the brand. (Plus, like many of his TJS colleagues, Roybal’s positive Yelp reviews shows his passion for TJS products come with a healthy dose of personality, warmth and that guiding hand our bees have become known for).  

We love highlighting our colleagues beehind our counters, beecause our bees make their work more than a j-o-b. Below, Roybal shares his knowledge and personal journey toward WHealth™ and glowing self with the kind of friendliness we all want to see out there in retaildom. And we’re glad he’s on our team.

Here are Nate’s “5 From The Hive.” 

TJS: Tell us a little about your background. What brought you to TJS; what in your past history—personal or professional—made you think you’d be a good fit for our juicy lifestyle; and what do you do day-to-day at TJS?

Nate: Well, I was at a point in my life where I was smoking a pack a day, had terrible sleep cycles and horrendous eating habits. I felt I looked like shit, and felt worse then I looked.
Now: I had heard about The Juice Standard before and thought it was a cool idea for a business…especially in this city where health is not something that is taken into consideration very often. So when I happened upon an ad on Craigslist one day saying the company was looking for employees, I just had to go for it. It wasn’t just because I loved the idea of working for new, budding, local company, it was a way out of my then-current health nightmare. (It didn’t hurt that I had 10-plus years in customer service.)

TJS: You’ve been such an integral person here at TJS that a drink was named after you (the Honey Nātado…and it’s delicious). What was the impetus for the drink and the others you’ve helped concoct? What in your personal background led you down your own path toward recipe development and, as you probs know we like to say, “WHealth™ and glowing self?”

Nate: “Hi, I’m Nate, and I’m a coffee addict.”
I’ve always worked around coffee, and I’ve always drunk coffee, so when it mixed with my constant need to be making something or creating something, I just went nuts. Luckily the drinks I’ve developed have been met with some pretty positive reviews. I wouldn’t say that I had set inspirations for the drinks that I have made, but I guess it’s moreso that I can’t shut my brain off, so my head is constantly going through different ideas and combinations that can prove to be awesome…or really bad. Thankfully none of the horrible ones snuck through.

TJS: In your opinion, what’s something you wish people thought of more/did more to help their own health? And what’s the thing in your own life that you rely on most to keep yourself balanced?

Nate: I wish people would be more open minded—more willing to reach outside their foodie comfort zones (and the nonsense that many pill-pushing pseudo doctors tell them) and realize that the best doctor/pharmacist is good ol’ Mother Earth.
I am not balanced in the least—it’s a Looney Tunes cartoon on speed, 24/7 in this head—but what keeps the voices at bay is doing anything creative… drawing, sculpting, writing, making new recipes, etc. I love making and creating things. Am I good at it? That’s not the point. The point is to do it for myself. That makes it much more rewarding.

TJS: What do you think it takes to proverbially “bring it to the counter” at TJS, so to speak? What seems to make customers so comfortable in our stores? You mentioned your customer service experience: Think it helped shape you into the salesperson/educator you are today? Basically…what’s your secret to connecting with our Bees?

Nate: I just like being real with people and for people to be real with me. I like joking with people, and usually it opens them up to have a better time…which makes me have a better time. Life is too short to be serious. Plus, I love passing on the knowledge of nature’s awesome benefits and what it gives our bodies and our souls.

TJS: When you’re talking about TJS, what do you like to tout the most? What does the company do that makes you most proud to be a part of it? What do you think sets TJS from the rest?

Nate: I’m proud that we have an unwavering commitment to our customers’ health, and I’m proud of the quality of our products. We put those first, always and forever.

(And we know this is number six, but inquiring minds wanna know: What’s your fave juice?)

WHealthy™, all the way.

TJS News: Our Year In Review

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Haters gonna hate, Bees, but if you know The Juice Standard, you know that’s not our jam.

Peaks and valleys prevailed in 2016, for sure…but in these early new-year’s days of self reflection, we’re unabashedly proud of what we accomplished last year, and most of it had to do with your support.

How? Think about it: Like plants, puppies and our BFF’s endless obsesh with Wentworth, things grow when they’re fed. And as with those three awesome things, thanks to your passion and pride for TJS products made from 100 percent organic produce (and our team’s dedication to ensuring everything you sip and chew is as delish and delish can be), when you’ve wanted more, we’ve given more.

Simba. Mufasa. It’s the circle of life, Bees.

In the opening of one of the articles in December’s newsletter we hinted at our inception story. And because we can be suckers for those TV retrospectives that kick off a new year, here’s a glimpse of what went down the TJS way last year in hopes it’ll tantalize you to stick with us as we bloom and blossom in 2017.

 

January

In the first clip of the year, the Las Vegas Review Journal included TJS in its roundup of juiceries to celebrate Fresh Squeezed Juice Week (which this year falls on Jan. 23, so get ready). Also in January, we lifted the cone of silence on what had been worked on for months: the makings of a new TJS at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. February was shaping up to be a stellar month….

February

Yep: February brought the opening of The Buzz—what we affectionately call our location at The Cosmopolitan. Seemed like a fantasy—bringing cold-pressed juice to the Strip that was pressed that very morning at 5 a.m.—and in short order we were totally welcomed by the morning crowd, pool crowd and Marquee crowd looking to imbibe a little differently.

In February we also got a little shout out from Al Mancini at Vegas Seven for something we hold near and dear: TJS’s shots and how amazeballs they are at fighting the cold and the flu. (I mean we know this stuff, but having it promoted by others is bomb.) And for something totally fun and different, our co-founder and CEO Jamie Stephenson was a guest on this rockin episode of the Downtown Podcast (which you can enjoy on YouTube).

Proud? The way she commanded that stage? You bet. Look at her.

March

March marked a few shifts for TJS, especially in the kind of info we decided we wanted to bring to you, our bees.

For starters, we used our newsletter space “From The Humble Bee” to explain our shift toward calling our juice cleanses juice fasts, instead.  (Don’t remember? Read about it here.) And March marked our first time delving into what at the time seemed like a relatively quiet convo that was mostly taking place behind closed doors.

Bathroom doors.

In Poo and You, through great graphics and straight talk we edged toward making our gut-health—and the ever-present notion that what goes in must come out and it shouldn’t be embarrassing when it does—seem not so taboo.

TJS also got its first national press hit (thank you MasterCard™) when we were recognized as a notable juicery in the increasingly WHealthy™ city of Las Vegas (#ItTakesAHive) along with friend Shane Stuart, now the owner and founder of Panacea.

It was a good month.

April

April was big for one delicious reason: TJS started hyping the cold-pressed cocktails launched and served at The Buzz at The Cosmopolitan (and only at The Cosmopolitan). In the piece Less Is More, we announced that from April on, bees looking to marry taste and WHealth™ could do it with cocktails made from the most luscious mixers on the Strip: our made-fresh-daily juices and nut milks pressed from 100 percent organic produce.

  

May

May brought us a chance for members of the TJS Team—founders Marcella Williams and Jamie Stephenson; TJS’s Creative Director Mallory Dawn; and Content Director Jen Chase—to shine a light of mother-lovin’ love on the women who helped shape us in this, the first, first-person narrative feature in our newsletter. We used the feature We Are Motherlovers to also salute the Las Vegas mums who choose to make TJS a part of their parenting prowess.

June-July-August

Despite its rich pool life, summer in Las Vegas is the slowest of the seasons beecause it’s so damn hottt, so our focus was on maintaining calm, coolness and getting the hell outta dodge. The calm was introducing you all to maca, one of our fave adaptogens; Juicing Across The Map showed off where we like to go for juice when the going gets steamy in the city; and our Summertime Slimdown gave you the skinny on how to stay just that by chewing and sipping your way through our menu.

And beecause Vegas is nothing if not built on the ol’ “and-not-or” concept, to create a little party-esque buzz of our own, August brought us our first ever Customer Appreciation Night, where we served sips and bites and had Daniel Park play for all to enjoy.

September

Two words were the highlight of September: Robin Leach. (Okay, five: Robin Leach and Marcella Williams.)

Every summer, Mr. Leach travels to faraway lands leaving his column space in the Las Vegas Review-Journal open for hand-picked space fillers. Last year it was Jamie. This summer, Marcella revealed her touching come-to-juicing story by way of motherhood in this first-person narrative all about her.

We also got our first Thrillist hit thanks to prolific Vegas writer Rob Kachelriess, and we were thrilled that the beeautiful-in-and-out Ms. Andrea Bennett at Vegas magazine sought TJS fit to add to her list of ways to #DetoxBeforeRetox in Las Vegas. #Proud.

Even more pride-worthy was the massive overhaul to the TJS chewable menu which now features avo-breads, updated chia seed puddings and more plant-based sweet treats that help balance your desires for food that tastes good while it’s doing good.

It was a super-good summer.

October-November-December

Fall is one of the most amazing food-and-drink times in Las Vegas, beecause creative culinarians and mixologists like Marcella and her Bee Team have to balance our near-intrinsic humanoid bent toward fall’s root veggies, warm spices and pumpkin-all-the-time ‘tude no matter how temperate the weather stays.

This fall marked the return of last year’s Harvest Spice Bee Invincible; a host of delicious hot cacao drinks that blow the tops off conventional hot chocolate; and with the legalization of marijuana, we juice-u-cated you bees about the benefits of CBD oil…our most recent superfood upgrade that can now be added to juices, nut milks, cacaos, and espresso drinks, at both of our neighborhood stores.

The end of December brought other clips, too. Jamie and Marcella were invited to be interviewed for the venerable business e-newsie published by Crain’s where they shared an experience in small-business ownership (a BFD for women in a predominantly male-oriented pub). And Women’s Health magazine highlighted TJS as a great tool to have in your toolbox for staying fit in Las Vegas.

So, yes: It was an amazing year of firsts…new stores, new menu items, new courage to lean into the hard discussions, new partnerships, and new friends.

Honestly, sitting down with a calendar and reflecting like this, month by month, is something we all can do when we need a gut check about our accomplishments…and it doesn’t always have to be in January. Large companies do it all the time to evaluate, but a personal check-in—or one for a growing business like TJS—is sometimes exactly what you need for a little self-soothing gratitude, as well as for planning your company (or life’s) next steps.

One thing’s for certain: It would be zero fun to do all this without the support, feedback and juicy love all the bees that visit us at The Rose (St. Rose Parkway), The Hive (on Ft. Apache) and The Buzz (at The Cosmopolitan). We only exist beecause of you, and we’re thrilled to see what 2017 will bring.

Friends Who Juice: Wicked Creative’s Lauren Cahlan

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Look at her. Seriously: Just look at.those.photos. Now go back and look at ’em again and realize that Mrs. Lauren Cahlan is every bit golden on the inside as her flaxen hair reveals, with plenty of smarts to support her sexy, and humor to balance it all beeautifully.

As she describes in this first-person narrative that ran in the Las Vegas Review-Journal this summer, growing up in Oklahoma at the heels of her pageant-winning mother, Little Lauren aspired to follow in mum’s heels. It was a dream realized, earned and appreciated in 2016, when she was crowned Mrs. Nevada-America…but this bee’s so much more than what you see. A wholehearted marriage, passion for her job and a strong sense of giving back fill up Cahlan as she works as a senior account executive for one of Vegas’ busiest public relations firms.

Beauty, brawn and brains…and, a juicer? Checkeroo. Meet Lauren Cahlan.

Lauren Cahlan, Mrs. Nevada-America 2016

A LITTLE ABOUT LAUREN

I’ve lived in Las Vegas since… June of 1997

I can remember when I decided I wanted to start and keep my adult life here. It was the year…2012—I had just graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno.

          …and what appealed to me about living in Vegas was…the abundance of job opportunities and low cost of living.

In my experience, the biggest misconception about living in Las Vegas is…that everything revolves around the Strip. There’s much more to living here than just hotels and gambling; however, we’re blessed to have some of the world’s best dining, entertainment and shopping—so I would consider it a perk!

The thing I secretly (or not-so-secretly) love most about living here is… so many restaurants! I’m a self-proclaimed foodie who LOVES to dine out!

If I had to pick a daily mantra or a quote I try to live by, it would be…

You can never be overdressed or overeducated.—Oscar Wilde

A favorite Vegas spot that never gets old is…Marche Bacchus: Love the brunch and ambiance!

If I had to pick a theme song(s) for my life it would be…Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield.

A person who inspires me every day is…my husband, Shaun.

…and the way he inspires me is…I have a bad habit of procrastinating at times. He is one to set his mind to something and will get going right away until a task is finished. His self-discipline and motivation are inspiring to me. Plus, he’s easy on the eyes. Lucky me!

Something people would be surprised to know about me is…I’m a direct descendent of the second signer of the Declaration of Independence, Josiah Bartlett.

ABOUT LAUREN’S WORK

Let me tell you a little about my background: I graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in journalism with an emphasis on public relations and advertising, and a minor in political science. Upon graduation, I started at Wicked Creative public relations as an account coordinator and worked my way through the ranks. I’m now a Senior Account Executive overseeing 20 or so clients and a team of six people. I work with an array of dining, entertainment, fitness, and nightlife clients. No two days are ever the same here at the office!

Because of the nature of public relations, my days can vary a ton. When people ask me what a typical day might look like, this is what I say: HA! That is an understatement! A day could range between two extremes…one being sedentary at my desk answering emails and leading conference calls, and the other could be getting a call that I’m needed on camera to film an episode of Wahlburgers with Mark Wahlberg himself. (Yup…that really happened.)

My first mentor was… Jennie Miller

           …and this is what I learned from her: Jennie was my first supervisor at Wicked. The lessons I learned from her are countless—and I still think about ways to channel her guidance when handling a situation.

In my opinion, the most unusual thing about working in PR here in Las Vegas as opposed to other U.S. cities is…it’s definitely a 24-hour town. I could be staffing a 5 a.m. news segment with a client, or we could be handling a 1 a.m. celebrity red carpet. Hopefully not on the same day, of course.

          …and the most awesome thing about doing this work, here, is… Because Las Vegas is a global epicenter of world-class dining, entertainment, shopping, and gaming, as PR people we are exposed to some of the coolest clients around. Doing PR in a place like my hometown of Oklahoma City, for example, would have been great…but it wouldn’t have been the same experience that I’ve had here.

The thing I love most about my job—what really gets me up in the morning—is…the thrill of a great placement. There’s nothing like the feeling of seeing hard work come to fruition!

Ever wonder why we’re called “Wicked Creative?” Here’s the scoop: When Wicked’s president and founder, Stephanie Wilson, set out to start her own business, her former business partner was from Boston—hence the “wicked” reference. And, we pride ourselves on creativity…so Wicked Creative is the perfect fit!

Best perk about my job and/or the coolest thing that’s happened to me because of it is…That’s “perks,” with an “s”: Stephanie is a true believer in a positive work/life balance, so we are gifted with ample time off to decompress and unwind. Plus, I’ve been given quite a few opportunities to travel for (super cool) work events to places like New Orleans, New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

One of the coolest experiences I’ve had was working with Terry Bradshaw to promote his show My Life in Four Quarters, which premiered at The Mirage in 2013. To plug the show, I helped arrange an L.A. media tour, which included a stop at The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, among other outlets. Hanging out with Terry and Jay (who donned his signature all-denim look) was unforgettable!

True or false: People in PR consider themselves part of “the industry” in Las Vegas: True…and false. We work closely with the industry crowd, but we aren’t there to experience the day-to-day.

In my opinion, the biggest misconception of non-industry people about people who work in the industry is…that industry people just party all the time. It’s tough work out there!

Today, my favorite way to give back to my community is…I’m actually the reigning Mrs. Nevada-America, so I’ve had the opportunity to work with a ton of amazing causes like Special Olympics, Best Buddies, The Shade Tree, and more. One of my favorite experiences was organizing a book drive for Spread the Word Nevada earlier this year to help promote childrens’ literacy. At Wicked, we often donate PR services pro-bono for local charities, so it is wonderful to give back in that way.

Watching her mum Jill Barnhart win the Mrs. Oklahoma-America title in 1993 was one of many moments where Cahlan knew she wanted to compete. In her interview with the Review-Journal, Cahlan remembers: “[My mother] toted me around to appearances, and I watched her give back to our community. She was, and is, my greatest role model.”

The advice I’d give my younger work-self is…Don’t sweat the small stuff, and ask for help! I started at Wicked at a very young age, just fresh out of college. Because of that, I often felt like I had something to prove, and asking for help was a sign of weakness. Through the years, and with the support of my supervisors, I’ve learned that asking for help is imperative, and encouraged!

A 5- or 10-year aspiration of mine is… In 5 years, I’d love to start a family with my husband, Shaun. He’s incredibly supportive of my career and would be an amazing support system when it comes to balancing a career with a family.

The thing I’m most proud of that I’ve accomplished at Wicked Creative is… We worked on a celebrity event/grand opening that was the most challenging—and in the end, most rewarding—experience of my career. There were a ton of moving parts and extra hours spent, but it was all worth it. We ultimately won a PRSA “Award of Excellence” for our work on the project.

LAUREN ON HEALTH + JUICE

No matter how busy I get at work, this is what I do to make sure I eat well during the week: Meal prep! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t always have a ton of time to spend all day cooking for the week ahead. When that is the situation, I make sure I’m armed with Trader Joe’s salads that I can easily grab and go when in a hurry. I also like to individually package my snacks and fruits/veggies so that I can avoid hanger at all costs.

The fruit(s) or vegetable(s) you’ll always find in my kitchen are…broccoli, berries, bananas, sweet potatoes, and apples!

The health habit that gets me made fun of the most is… my incessant FitBit obsession. I do walks around our office building at least three times per day so I can stay competitive in weekly challenges with friends. Every step counts. Even if it’s to the office candy bowl for leftover Halloween goodies (…whoops).

Yes or No: I love juice so much I make it at home. NOPE: that’s why I need The Juice Standard in my life.

True or false: Making juice at home is a royal pain in the tail. So true!

The person who introduced me to cold-pressed juice was… Stephanie Wilson— she was a fan of The Juice Standard from the start. She got our whole office hooked!

The first time I drank green juice, I thought it was…interesting. It definitely grew on me, but not going to lie—it took a bit of time!

The reason I drink cold-pressed juice is because…the health benefits are undeniable, and for busy bees on the go, there’s no easier way to get the nutrition our bodies need.

The reason I like TJS’s cold-pressed juice is because…it’s so tasty, and ALL organic, all of the time! I go for a Bee WHealthy™ when I need a quick hit of nutrition. If I’m feeling indulgent, I order a Bee Magnificent. Still healthy, but…Oh. My. Gosh. Soooo. Good.

True or False: My liver is for cleansing so I don’t believe in no stinkin’ fasting: False—I’m personally a fan of doing a one- or two-day cleanse every so often. I like to hit the “reset” button—especially during the holiday season.

The longest juice fast or cleanse I’ve ever done is…3 days. I know, that’s beginner status. : )

This is how I incorporate cold-pressed juice into my lifestyle: I like to replace a meal very so often with an ice-cold, organic juice. It’s so easy to do and definitely more tasty than trying to quickly eat a stale granola bar in the morning. Plus, I like to think a green juice will help off-set a glass of chardonnay after work. Juice now—wine later.

The funniest thing that ever happened to me while drinking juice OR when I in fact was embarking on a juice fast, was… As you may know, the color of beets aise quite…vibrant. While enjoying a Bee On Point at home, my inquisitive kitten Remington started chewing on my straw when I wasn’t paying attention. He was so smitten with the flavor (rightfully so) that he decided to pull the straw right out of the juice, leaving a trail of beet-colored drops in his path on our very light-colored tile. Lesson? Don’t leave your juice unattended around curious furry friends.

My advice to a newbee juicer would be… start slow. I didn’t love green juice when I was a newbee, so I started with the fruity flavors and nut milks. After a while, I gave Bee WHealthy™ a try and I’ve never looked back!

TJS Feature: The ‘Bee Inspired’ Gift Guide

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Well hi there, Bees, and welcome to The Juice Standard’s first-ever holiday guide! With a nod toward our favorite honey-making mascot, bee goods ain’t all we got…but from bee-inspired wares to #shoplocal hotspots we think you’ll heart, we’re sharing a few of our fave ways to mindfully (and playfully!) show you care this holiday season.

FOR A NESTING BEE: 

What: Hand-painted octagonal side table with bee motif in chalk and milk paint

Where: The Painted Cupboard

Contact: Artist Lucia Corwin (Facebook message her at @thepaintedcupboardVT; email at luciacorwin@gmail.com; or call 802.843.5158)

The Painted Cupboard owner/artist Lucia Corwin.

Why Buy? Continuing a lifetime of creating beauty with her hands (after a long romance with latex), artisan Lucia Corwin broke up with the toxins in her former favorite medium and fell in art-love with a whole new technique: chalk and milk paints. Exploring the intricacies of layering paints and colors, she opened The Painted Cupboard and now fills custom orders and sells her wares in local shops to folks who have equally fallen hard for the technique as much as she has.

“Annie Sloan chalk paint: The colors…and the aging you can achieve are just wonderful,” sighs Corwin, who has lived across New England and is now based in Grafton, Vermont. “I also use Miss Mustard Seed’s milk paint because I like the crackled goodness you get from layering it. [Both] are very low in volatile organic compounds (VOC), they’re all natural, and when it comes to painting furniture, the paints provide endless opportunities for creating washes, glazes and distressing…the interesting detail that can enliven antiques,” she says.

Corwin’s work through The Painted Cupboard has crackled open more than just specked, distressed layers on the large- and small-scale pieces she’s building a business around. It’s opened a whole new chapter in her life. At a time when some busy bees start thinking about winding down, this former librarian—who later raised Alpacas after gracefully raising two now-grown children on her own—is now plugging into the heart of why she craves getting lost in painting that little bee as well as her other treasures.

“I love gift giving,” she gently admits in a phone interview with TJS. “I love buying gifts, and I love figuring out what someone would love. With my furniture, hopefully someone is so pleased they will hand it down [in their family] or gift it as a gift themselves.”

Adding she’s “had a blast trying to get into somebody’s mind to figure out what would give them pleasure,” it’s the pleasure Corwin gets from repurposing something from junky to pretty that fills her up, and gives her the leeway to explore her creativity…even if she needs the occasional do-over. “With chalk paint, there’s a sense of freedom,” she says. “You can just keep painting it over and over….”

(And who doesn’t love a do-over…especially when the result’s so damn nice?)

This octagonal side table is one example of furniture on which Corwin’s sweet little bee can be stenciled. Custom orders fit for a queen bee’s hive (or anyone else’s) can be shipped anywhere in the country.

Corwin On That Bee: “The Royal Bee is a French motif, but I like the simple bee, because I love bees! I like putting it on small tables because they’re just so useful and they can go anywhere.”

Insider Shopping Intel: Corwin accepts commissioned work, so if you like that bee and want it on a tray, a set of chairs, a side table, or any other piece, she’s an expert antique explorer who can hunt down exactly what you’re looking for, and then buy-paint-ship it where you wish.

 

FOR A HONEY-LOVIN’ BEE

What: Annsley Naturals Southwest raw local (to Las Vegas)honey

Find It: At local Whole Foods and Sprouts

Why: For years, Annsley Naturals Southwest has been TJS’s honey of choice, as well as the local purveyor we’ve proudly bought from (you can read about our relationship here).

Knowing our passion for turning to honey and bee pollen for fighting local allergies, it’s especially important to know where your honey’s from, Honey. And if you live in the Las Vegas Valley, buying from Annsley takes the guesswork out of wondering where all that gooey gold is made.

When it comes to honey, “local” means it comes from the same region where you live so that your body can reap the bennies of bees’ pollinating the local plants in your area. For locals in Las Vegas, Annsley’s honey comes from hives in and around the Mojave Desert and offers a flavorful bouquet, texture and color thanks to the Mojave’s wildflowers. That variety is also what makes it so good for Las Vegans with airborne allergies.

 

What: Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm

Find It: Where drugstore items are sold (i.e., Target, grocery stores, Walgreens, etc.)

Why: Unlike other lip lubes and balms, this iconic balm by the iconic honey-driven Burt’s Bees company, will give your lips a healing, sealing, waxed-in coating that’ll keep moisture in and dryness out. The stickiness is an acquired feel if you’re not used to it, but those who love swear by its long-lasting hydrating superpowers.

 

What: Handmade Ceramic Honey Pot

Made By: Beehive Handmade

Why: This husband-and-wife design duo located in Bristol, Rhode Island, creates ceramics (among other things) that are hardy enough to withstand the daily wear and tear of its wares. Especially darling to us is Beehive’s honey pot, of which we think even Pooh would greatly approve.

Beehive Handmade is on display and for sale in Westport, Mass., at Deedee Shattuck Gallery. Wares can be found in fine galleries across New England and can be purchased on the Internets.

 

Where: Planet Homestead

Buy What?  Adorably playful bee jewelry, mugs and sundry wares for every fan in your hive.

Why? As the name suggests, Planet Homestead prides itself on purveying fine, homesteady wares from its home base in the great state of Utah. Items are curated by owner Caroline, who leans toward items that reflect many of the animals and things she holds dear on her family farm.

Insider Shopping Intel: For the farm- or bee-lover in your tribe, you can practically shop local even across the Internets at this comfy site with the homespun pics that make you feel like pouring a cuppa with Caroline.

FOR A #SHOPLOCAL BEE

What: Self-love your skin (or giving the gift of smooth) with gift certificates or product from this local-to-Las-Vegas waxing salon.

Where: The Birthday Suit

How To Shop: On the Internets, or in person at these locations here.

Why You Should Indulge: Beautifying for the holidays is hard work. Painful work, too, if you don’t know what you’re doing. While you’re give-a-give-giving to everyone around you, consider a little pampering for yourself (or get a gift card for someone hairy you love) at this salon that specializes in a luxe, azure-blue custom-blended wax designed to excel at lower temps that are easier on the skin…even in your most tender places.

Insider Shopping Intel: Few salons use all-natural products to fight little nasties like ingrown hairs, but The Birthday Suit’s self-professed “hero” product is a serum that fights hairs while being gentle to the most sensitive skin. Check out the line here.

FOR AN ARTSY BEE

Shop Here: My Modern Met

What Makes This Site Special? Founded in 2008, this site shines a bigg-ass light on amazing artwork and the artists creating it. Priding itself on not just telling other people’s stories but giving artists a platform to sell and share their work—and, to tell their own story—MyModernMet.com has become a reliable source for people seeking beauty in typical and non-typical places, and at the holidays and every day, TJS thinks that’s just rad.

Annnd What Exactly Should I Buy? These amazing lights look like everyday shapes when they’re off, but turn ’em on and they morph into whimsical wall animals. We think they’re delightful for a child’s room and playful enough for the living room of every adult kid in your life (including yourself).

Designer Chen Bikovski designed these “Popup Lighting” to mimic the pop-up books from our childhood. This design features a peacock’s body by day, and its plumes the moment the switch is flipped.

FOR A PHILANTHRO-BEE

Presents don’t have to be one-and-dones. Donating to an organization is a gift that keeps on giving and is especially perfect for when your Secret Santa draw is Uncle Silas who just bought another island last week, blows his nose with Benjamins and not-so-secretly wants for nada.

  • Kiva (Remember college, when Grandma would send you a $20 and expect it buy food for a week? Well these really are loans that save lives.)
  • Heifer International (Like the site—and Sade—says, this is no ordinary love gift.)
  • Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (Will the pipeline go through? Won’t it? Here’s how to donate directly to the tribe juuuuust in case things turn around from recent reportage.)
  • KNPR (With all the fake-news reportage lately, people are talking more than ever about the need for unbiased, well-reported content. Do you listen? This is Las Vegas’ local station but consider donating wherever you live.)
  • Shade Tree (This longtime TJS fave org gives women and children a place of safe respite during crises of all kinds. Its vision? “Self-reliance for every woman and child.” And-how.)

TJS Menu: Bee (Plant-Based) Good This Holiday Season

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The end of a calendar year gets us all reflective about where we are and where we’ve been, and for many of you Bees out there who have been enjoying our fare but might not know our whole story…sure, we started as only a cold-pressed juicery, but now we offer so much more.

Throughout our menu incarnations, one thing has remained the same: Taste is tantamount, and has to support our recipes and health goals. In a season of indulgence that sometimes sees a tossing of our will (or a lack of support for those of us with chosen and mandated eating styles and diets), we’re here to shine a light on all The Juice Standard offers that will esPECially support our beloved plant-based Bees who choose a vegan lifestyle.

Whether you’re eating for yourself or looking to take treats to the vegan-leaning diners in your world, here’s what we’ve got to offer you below.

TJS Mini-History

Once upon a time in the not-so-distant 2013—in a city built on the back of gambling, Liberace and the promise of a solid $2.99 chicken dinner—  TJS co-founders Jamie Stephenson and Marcella Williams (CEO and COO, respectively) opened The Juice Standard as Las Vegas’s first cold-pressed juice bar serving juice, nut milk and superfood smoothies made from only organic produce.

In 3 teeny years, TJS grew in a great big way, expanding to locations in Henderson, Summerlin and at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (smack on the Strip, Yo), each serving the juicery’s signature raw and unpasteurized sippables to thirsty health seekers. Juices and nut milks were now being pressed fresh daily, as in every morn. Smoothies were whirring up on the spot with only organic produce, right down to the locally roasted espresso beans in TJS’s hot bevvies.

TJS turned into a sipping oasis for people who were already healthy, as well as those seeking it…for vegetarians, vegans and Anyone Formerly Known As An “Arian” Who Now Prefers Just Being Called An “Eater.”

From Sips To Solids

But after a few years of drinking euphoria, something lucky happened for the health-minded folks of the Las Vegas Valley who still valued chewing (“chewarians?”) as much as sipping. And they were rewarded when TJS started growing its menu of “chewables”—sweet and savory foods that are decidedly not liquids.

Bonus? For those who live in the true space of eating vegetarian or vegan, they soon learned that many of TJS’s menu options are in fact as plant-based as they come. Some are even raw.

Growing Plant-Based Fans, An Item At A Time….

Today, whilst a few dairy items pepper the menu—there’s Greek yogurt in Marcella’s addictive tzatziki spread, and grass-fed butter in some of the hot specialty espresso drinks (“buttered coffee,” anyone?)—they can be swapped for coconut yogurt or ghee. Plus, for TJS’s dedicated vegan diners, the raw and local honey in our made-to-order chewables, hot beverages and smoothies may also be replaced with agave.

What does that mean for the Las Vegas Valley’s plant-based-eating fiends…especially at this time of year, when sweet treats can cause cravings that can’t always be met while dining out (or looking for tasty fare to bring to holiday gatherings)? If they find an item that’s free of dairy and honey, they can bet their vegan heart they’re eating compassionately for their body and the environment.

So as this season of giving and receiving hustles along, we’re proud to shine a light on our menu, and to remind that in addition to any TJS’ cold-pressed juice and nut milk that doesn’t contain honey (and many don’t), for some sweet and savory treats so delicious you’d hardly miss the dairy, TJS recommends trying on these plant-based items on for taste….

ACAI CRUNCH
Like acai bowls? Ours comes vertical—served straight up in a smoothie cup—and is layered like a luscious parfait. A refreshing, fruit-forward acai base is made from blitzing only raw coconut water and frozen acai purée, which is then topped with sliced banana; raw, unsweetened coconut flakes and raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds). This is a meal, Bees, and so filling, it might count for two!

GREEN & GOOD SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIE
Filled with coconut water, kale, banana, agave, avocado, and spirulina, this is a plant-based potion that at 250 calories will also leave you plenty of room to enjoy holiday treats while staying true to your healthy mindset.

THE BFF
You’ll totally be chillin’ with this recipe 4-eva, with its tropical flavors and measly 320 calories. Containing cashews, pineapple, coconut flakes, banana, kale, avocado, agave, and alkaline water, start (or end) your day with this smoothie and you’ll have the energy to holiday party into your night with a clear, plant-based conscious.

 

PROTEIN POWER
As you’d imagine, this truly is a powerhouse filled with enough energy to replace a meal for even the heartiest eater. Contains cashews, hemp, flax, Powershake™ protein powder, Greek yogurt (sub out for coconut yogurt), dates, agave, pumpkin seeds, banana, and alkaline water. Calorie count: about 500 clean and healthy ones.

BERRY ANTIOXIDIZING
This fruit-forward smoothie is one more way to drink your produce and get plenty of the insoluble fiber into your system that will keep you filled and flushed in all the right ways. At roughly 300 calories, it contains cashews, acai berry, blueberries, banana, flax, goji berries, agave, and alkaline water.

VEGAN CHEESECAKE
TJS pinky swears you won’t miss the cheese in this oh-so-traditional-tasting cheesecake. A decadent cashew-cream base comes in two flavors—blueberry and pineapple—and delivers authentic taste atop a sweet, walnut-cashew crumb crust.

BEE INVINCIBLE
If you got on the buttered coffee bandwagon years ago you know that this creamy treat affords amazing taste and mouthfeel without the dairy (that is, if you order it with ghee and not grass-fed butter…which, lucky for you, TJS does). This treat is served as an Americano brewed from our Mothership Coffee Roasters beans and blitzed with coconut oil, ghee and agave for a totally plant-based bevvie. (Want it all spiced up? Here are the yummy deets.)

TJS HOT CACAOS
These newly launched healthy hot chocolate are 100 percent sublime with 0 percent guilt. Each is organic and deliciously vegan.

Some Like It Hot
Like your chocolate with some sweet sassy heat? This one’s perfect for chilly Vegas days or nights and destined to be drunk by vegans and non-vegans alike.

Ingredients (all organic):

  • Raw cacao powder
  • Raw agave
  • House-made cashew cream
  • Cayenne pepper

L’Orange Cream Cacao
As with wine and certain liquors, chocolate can elicit tasting notes of citrus…making orange a perfect addition to our base hot chocolate recipe. All TJS hot cacao bevvies are made with the highest quality raw cacao.

Ingredients (all organic):

  • Raw cacao powder
  • Raw agave
  • House-made cashew cream
  • Orange extract* (not a raw item)

CBD(C)
With CBD oil now on the TJS menu at our neighborhood stores as a superfood upgrade, this flavorless oil can up the health ante of any TJS specialty espresso or cacao drink. It blends deliciously well in TJS’s straight-up house hot cacao recipe by adding just the right amount of creaminess while delivering other healthy goods. (Read here for more about CBD oil, TJS’s other new menu addition.)

Ingredients (all organic):

  • Raw cacao powder
  • Raw agave
  • House-made cashew cream
  • 2Rise Naturals CBD oil

Juice For Health: Keep The Flu At Bay the TJS Way

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It’s the time of year again when we here at The Juice Standard start thinking about how to fight the flu with as many preventative ways as possible.

The ever-forever goal is prevention-prevention-prevention…but even the healthiest of us still get sick, damnit. But when sickie strikes, we don’t have to hit up the over-the-counter meds that mass-marketing media deems the holy grail of health.

Around here, we beelieve in treating proactively by eating proactively! So the next time you’re sick, try fighting the flu our fave three ways first!

1) Totally Turmeric Singletons

If you’re not taking it year-round as a preventative, November is definitely when we advise boosting the ol’ intake of turmeric. We tout turmeric as one of the most healing roots in rootdom thanks to its natural curcumin…known for how it can bolster brain activity (it’s a recommended diet addition for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and brain tumor patients). It’s also a known as a solid inflam tamer: Doctors who prescribe it as a natural alternative to ibuprofen (as in this reference from the New York Times) recommend doses of 1000-2000 mg/day.

For the sake of cold-pressed juicy convenience, these are the TJS juices and nut milks that deliver turmeric’s famous yellow punch. They’re an easy way to easily, sneakily get it into your system.

  • BEE ON POINT: (a blend of cucumber, celery, carrot, apple, kale, beet, dandelion, radish, lemon, ginger, turmeric and black pepper)
  • BEE TRUE TO YOU: (a sweet-yet-spicy juice with cucumber, lemon, ginger, turmeric, honey, and cayenne)
  • BEE WHEALTHY™: (our signature recipe featuring cucumber, celery, romaine, kale, apple, dandelion, parsley, lemon, ginger, and turmeric)
  • BEE LEGENDARY: (our eggnog-inspired nut milk made with raw cashew, raw Brazil nut, raw walnut, turmeric, ginger, vanilla bean, cardamom, nutmeg, clove, pink Himalayan salt, cracked black pepper, and raw local honey).

Turmeric-blog

2) TJS Juice Shots

Ever had one of shots? How about a shot flight? These super-strong doses of juices, herbs and spices are combined in just the right way to promote fast and full absorption of the good stuff in them. (And since much in nature works synergistically, you can bet Marcella and Jamie put hella effort into mixing and matching TJS’s organic ingredients just so.)

Want to read more about ‘em? Earlier this year Vegas Seven writer Al Mancini wrote a roundup of the good stuff Las Vegas serves to help fight the flu. For a quick glance of what we serve, see below. (Remember: They don’t call us a juice bar for nothing.)

  • WELLNESS SHOT: (a blend of ginger, lemon and cayenne pepper that boosts immunity with vitamin C; increases circulation with the pepper’s heat; and eases stomach discomfort thanks to the ginger’s digestive enzymes)
  • FLU SHOT: (raw apple cider vinegar, oregano oil, turmeric, and black pepper come together in a sip that’s pleasantly acidic and herbal…and thanks to that turmeric and pepper—and assuming you like Indian food—it’s faintly reminiscent of your fave yellow curry)
  • E3Live! SHOT: (with only E3Live® blue-green algae and coconut water, the algae contains some of the most concentrated amounts of protein known to the plant world and is known for increasing energy and balancing mood. The taste? Vegetal and grassy with a hint of the tropics. Think walking through a freshly cut yard while nursing a piña colada. Minus the pineapple. And the sugar. And, pushing a mower.

Shot-Flight

3) Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C Packs

To avoid illness, boost your immune system and even protect against germies during long flights or travel, our LiveOn Labs’ Lypo-Spheric vitamin C packs are a fantastic instant preventative. Each pack’s 1,000mg of vitamin C is quickly absorbed when dissolved in water, making it super simple to add to that crap water you get on the airplane instead of the bottle you had to dump during security.

lypospheric-vitamin-c-pdf1 vitamin-c

Menu Update: Hot Cacaos To Fuel Your Fall

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So last month, Marcella’s Harvest Spice Bee Invincible got all kinds of crazy media props (it’s bomb) for containing natural pumpkin (take that, Schmarbucks). This month? She’s got a handful of new hot cacao bevvies that are brewin’ like you’ve never tasted before.

Didn’t think hot chocolate could be good and good for you? Organic, raw and delish? C’mon, now. Remember who you’re talking to here.

raw-cacao

SOME LIKE IT HOT

Like your chocolate with some sweet sassy heat? This one’s perfect for chilly Vegas days or nights and destined to be drunk by vegans and non-vegans alike.

Ingredients (all of which are organic):

  • Raw cacao powder
  • Raw agave
  • House-made cashew cream
  • Cayenne pepper

L’ORANGE CREAM CACAO

Wine, chocolate and certain liquors are often described as having notes of this and that…including citrus. In this holiday-inspired cacaoction, Marcella developed a healthful liquid throwback to the old Terry’s Chocolate Orange Balls found on many a holiday table this time of year.

All TJS hot cacao bevvies are made with the highest quality raw cacao.

Ingredients (again…as we say in our standards, we can’t source organic, we simply won’t serve it):

  • Raw cacao powder
  • Raw agave
  • House-made cashew cream
  • Orange extract* (this item isn’t raw, FYI)

CBD(C)

With the rollout of both these new cacao drinks and our CBD oil addition to menu, you had to see this coming….Now, these two great tastes will go great together since the flavorless oil can be added to up the ante of any espresso or cacao drink that TJS serves. (Though we think it blends particularly nice in this straight-up recipe.) Note: The CBD(C) is only available at our neighborhood stores and is not sold at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Ingredients (organic, organic, blah-blah-blah…)

So here’s to the onset of the holiday season. Speaking of delicious balls (we were, weren’t we?), here’s a throwback to when John Francis Donaghy was blazing his acting path, pre-President Elect Donald Trump.

Take it away, Pete.