Category: <span>Opinion</span>

Beecause Closure: Hello, Instagram; Goodbye E-Newsie and Jen Chase.

April 2, 2018 By Jen Chase

Jen Chase here…TJS’s content director. And it’s with a pinch of sadness, a cup of half-hearted cheer and a 16-ounce TJS Singleton of cold-pressed positivity that I write you for the last time as the voice of this very special company.

After 5 years of working with Jamie Stephenson Goguen and Marcella Williams —penning and editing original words for everything from TJS’s tagline and standards to website content, Facebook posts, op-eds, invites, bios, signs, menu descriptions, e-newsie articles, and print ads that have helped create a company persona as compelling as the Queen Bees’ drive to WHealth™-up Vegas one juice at a time—TJS is tweaking how it communicates with you, its dear bees. And moving forward, the bulk of its energies will be poured (heh) into growing the TJS Instagram account, where TJS can showcase the beauty of its daily cold-pressing labor and all the glorious bees within its hive.

As companies grow (four stores in as many years!), so grows clarity about which efforts offer the best ROI (for our purposes here, our bees’ “return of interest”). And since this company intersects Vegas’s wellness and dining industries—industries that at times shine brightest when more lenses and fewer words tell a product’s story—TJS is dimming the lights in one deli case so it can turn ‘em up in another in hopes that you’ll get even more from the brand.

Moving forward, TJS invites you to bee a part of its thousands-strong hive of Insta followers—and if Facebook is your social flavor of choice (even though it’s hella harder these days for businesses to find their way into your feed)—you can absolutely still find TJS there, too…but the blog The Humble Bee and its sister e-newsie, “From The Humble Bee,” will no longer, well: bee. It’s Jamie’s and Marcella’s hope to pour their efforts into other juicy avenues as they improve upon the brand you’ve come to crave (and sorry not sorry I just can’t help myself from penning those ~~pour~~ poor puns).

As for me, I’ve deeply loved writing you through this company’s wholehearted platform. From funny to food-for-thought features, TJS gave me the freedom to tackle topics that made me proud to associate them with this brand….

• In Polyjuicery: Bee In Love With More Than One , I used the punny veil (okay I’m done now) of how harrrrrd it is to pick a fave TJS juice as a way to discuss polyamory and society’s shifting perspectives on love and marriage.

Polyjuicery: Bee In Love With More Than One (juice…or, person).

• The following year, I got to work with TJS COO and Co-Founder Marcella Williams on an inspirational editorial where she shared her personal account of what it was like to mindfully bring together different corners of the same family—hers— in, On Blended Families: They Take A Hive.

Marcella and her family, Christmas 2016. (l-r) Marcella; Sophia (9); Damian—on top (8); Maximus—on the bottom (8); and Drew (17).

• And last summer, Marcella’s words were the basis for my own navigation into the waters of a new family of my own with this man, which I wrote about in Coupling with Kids the Second Time Around.

Marcella’s words continue to guide me as I create a life with someone who chose me to partner into his second-time-around fam.

From helping parents get kiddos to drink green juice by giving it a funny name, to rounding up spend-worthy favorites in articles like this guide to fly honey products, to shining TJS’s star in my first feature for Mastercard™, to interviews with TJS honey supplier—local company Annsley Northwest Naturals and its owner, Dee Drenta—I’ve used my two decades in journalism and my Master’s degree-smarts for TJS good, not evil. (My last feature about TJS’s involvement with Sofar Sounds was pretty fun to write, too.)

Since I met Jamie and Marcella in 2013, my personal passions have often mirrored TJS’s standards: eat for health more than not; bee good to and for the environment we live in; and value time, energy and people…not things or circumstances. I’ll miss contributing to this brand, but I’ll treasure the joy of using my words and ethics to wholly support something I believed in: a company founded by two women who are leaving their hometown WHealthier than they found it.

It’s been dreamy writing for you, dear bees. Thanks for the acceptance you’ve shown this brand’s beeautiful little voice, and for the respect and virtual high-fives you’ve given my creativity and effort. It will be remembered.

With gratitude and love, jen.

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TJS Juice Hacks: Hacks Are Where It’s At

October 4, 2017 By Jen Chase

#ThinkOutsideTheBottle

Honestly? That’s what we want you to do. To think outside the ~~box, er~~ bottle. #RethinkWhatYouDrink. Take what you know about TJS products and deconstruct them juuuuust a little…Singleton by Singleton. Sip by sip.

Beecause a hack-is-a-hack-is-a-hack. And a hack (as we ‘splained in our cray-informative feature last month) is something you do in an effort to improve something…even if that “something” is you. You usually drink something cold? Warm it up! Steam it! Or do the reverse and order that Bee Invincible or Raw Cacao Mocha, throw it in the fridge and enjoy an icy treat whenever you’re ready.

Honestly, the possibilities are endless. But for this month’s purposes, we’re starting easy with a hack that anyone with a microwave (or a saucepan) can do…

Bee Royal Gets The Royal Treatment

Bee Royal. So much more than a cold, cold-pressed juice.

For as long as we can remember we’ve been lovin’ on the versatility of our Bee Royal.

Made from three delicious little ingredients—apple, lemon and extra ginger (and, yes: the Southern Nevada Health Department made us say “extra” since Royal’s got so much of-a da-spice…)—while this baby’s scrumptious cold, from the get-go, our bees have been…

• Heating this one up during cold-and-flu season

• Steaming it for a delicious non-caffeine warmer-upper drink, any time of year; and…

• Using it as a mixer in upleveled cocktails.

It’s a rare day that any of our juices or nutmilks are only used in one way. That’s why we wholly support hacking any and all of our offerings so you can get the most out of your purchases…not matter what time of year you buy (or sip).

Got some hacks of your own? We’ll be adding these in dribs and drabs to our social media and right there on these pages, so keep an eye out so your belly will be satisfied.

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

September 7, 2017 By Jen Chase

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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TJS Editorial—On Blended Families: They Take A Hive

June 2, 2017 By Jen Chase

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:

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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Your Juicy Life: Tales From A Newbee Faster

March 3, 2017 By Jen Chase

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 50^th 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

5 From The Hi5e: Recipes We Love

February 1, 2017 By Jen Chase

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.

_________________________________________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________________________________________

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!

_________________________________________________________________________

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?)

_________________________________________________________________________

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.

5 From The Hive: Nate Roybal

January 8, 2017 By Jen Chase

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.

Five From The Hive: Your Questions Answered

August 31, 2016 By Jen Chase

From time to time we’ll be running a recurring feature pulled straight from the wholehearted comments and questions you Bees submit to info@juicestandard.com (and if you didn’t know you can reach out and touch us there, now you know).

Called “Five From The Hive,” we’ll take your thoughts and pose them to Those In The Juice Standard Know—founders, managers, directors and the like—so we can give you the skinny on the issues that are important to you.

To kick us off, we’re starting with the No. 1 thing you juice-drinking Bees ask about besides #BeggarsGonnaBeg for recipes:

Shipping.

Whether you live in nearby Cali or a faraway Carolina, the most consistent Q we field is how to get our goods to your ‘hood. Beelieve us: We’re thankful for the juicy love! But most of the time we end up having to bee big fat disappointers as we get truthy about our policies. And to set the record straight, The Juice Standard’s Co-Founder and CEO Jamie Stephenson answered some hard and fast ones about TJS’ plans for quiet world juice domination…even if only in Las Vegas.

1) What’s the hardest thing about shipping cold-pressed juice?

There is nothing “hard” about shipping juice. It’s just that juice as fresh and unadulterated as The Juice Standard presses means our juice is incredibly bioavailable and is a powerful source of phytonutrients…but it’s not very shelf stable. Why? Its raw; we make it fresh every single day; there’s no pasteurization; no exposure to ultraviolet lights (UV); no use of high-pressure pasteurization (HPP).

Since we cannot monitor the temperature of the juice during the shipping process, we feel very concerned about what a customer on the receiving end would get: In the shipping process, juice could be subjected to dramatic temperature swings which could lead to someone getting sick. And that flies in the face of our mission, which is to serve juice that enables one to get or stay well.

2) Why does it seem like some companies ship and some don’t?

Some companies pasteurize, UV, or HPP their juice. We don’t. [Ed. note: Want to really get you geek on? Read this white paper that summarizes 92 studies about the effects of UV and HPP on cold-pressed juice.)

3) Is it possible to ship non-HPP juice across the country? What does it take and would it be totes cost-prohibitive for folks in, say, North Carolina, to buy TJS from Las Vegas?

Last we checked it cost over $90 just to ship the juice overnight. We recommend Bees in other states that don’t have access to organic, fresh-pressed juice to learn to make their own. We suggest Norman Walker’s juice press, the Norwalk. It’s the best.

4) If the No. 1 question to the TJS website, blog or Facebook page is whether we ship, the second most-asked question is whether Bees can bring a TJS franchise to their part of the country. What say you, Boss?

There are currently no franchising opportunities at this time.

5) We know you can’t totally spill the beans, but inquiring minds wanna know: Does TJS have any plans for shipping?

No.

Juicing Across The Map

August 2, 2016 By Jen Chase

Vegas is often called the Entertainment Capital of the World, and though it’s got a vibe and vocab all its own (day clubbing, anyone?) something it has in common with other international city destinations is this: Smart locals know when to stick around, and they know when to go. And each summer, go-time is August.

It’s a common custom across large swaths of Europe. Italians leave their homes, jobs and shops to head for the water, and you’ll even find streets amid the City of Lights a little more dim thanks to locals seeking beyond-the-borders respite before school and university bring on the fall.

In Vegas, we leave for another reason.

It’s so damn hot.

It’s not like that’s news—summertime’s hot, right?—but like childbirth and getting dumped, the human spirit knows how to block pain. But for when we do remember the sear of Nevada’s sun on our skin, cooler climes are in order. So, we go. Maybe you go, too? If you do, and if you love juice like we do, working your healthy lifestyle into even your vacation time is primo. So here’s short list of places we love to hit when we get the hella outta Dodge. And if you have suggestions, start a convo at our Facebook page. We’d love to hear where your juice cravings take you.

Jamie Stephenson (TJS Co-Founder and CEO)

A Jamie fave: Glacier Ginger (Whitefish, Mont.)

Why?

“Glacier uses organic ingredients that are sourced locally, since there is quite a bit of agriculture in the area. Its ginger is nice and spicy, and super delicious in the “Mule Kick Shot”…a combo of fresh ginger and lemon juices, with a sprinkle of cayenne over the top (aka, a TJS Wellness Shot). Also, juice is made on the spot using the centrifugal juicing method, and Glacier also make many flavors of craft ginger brew including lime and cherry. This place is a definite go-to, after a Glacier Park hike or local Whitefish craft beer-night!”

Marcella Williams (TJS Co-Founder and COO)

A Marcella fave: Butcher’s Daughter (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Why?

“Butcher’s Daughter is where the farmhouse meets Venice Beach, and everything that’s right in the food world is caught in between. Like so many people probably will this month I recently had the privilege of escaping the Vegas desert heat for just a couple days. The struggle about traveling, for me, is that not only am I a health-conscious eater, but I am usually am traveling with my three niños who are far pickier than I am…and in a different way.

“We stumbled upon The Butcher’s Daughter after a relaxing afternoon on the beach. With sand still in my toes and salt water in my hair (which made it look fab, by the way!) we walked into this restaurant eyeing a table on the patio that looked out onto Abbot Kinney Boulevard…which just happens to be the street-of-all-streets to wander around on in Venice. The menu was vegan with some vegetarian options…and I loved the fact that this pro-life animal house had no fear of cracking an egg over any dish including my spaghetti squash carbonara.

“Classic carbonara calls for cream (heavier the better) egg, cheese, and of course, pancetta or some other form of Babe. If you asked me a month ago if this dish could be pulled off without bacon grease I would’ve laughed…but Butcher’s Daughter nailed it. I could taste the love in these dishes.

“We also had the stone oven pizza with arugula, pears, gorgonzola, and a touch of spice with red peppers. The flavors blended together very well, as most would imagine. We also ordered the smashed avocado crostini because of our love for functional fats. (I actually have a Pinterest board dedicated to avocados…but who doesn’t?)

“Aside from the fabulous food, Butcher’s Daughter’s juice menu is what really impressed me. It serves very unique concoctions, and with an Asian theme throughout, it uses ingredients like lemongrass, kefir lime leaves and even yuzu in a few juices. Jamie has wanted me to play around with yuzu before but sourcing some of these ‘off the beaten path’ ingredients gets tricky when we only source organic and, live in the desert. I left feeling nourished and inspired. I look forward to my next beach getaway and the wonderful flavors that follow in southern California.

Mallory Dawn (TJS Creative Director)

A Mallory fave? Mother’s (Barcelona, Spain)

Why?

“I was in Barcelona earlier this year. And on a rainy day, when I kept getting lost trying to find a famous magazine shop, I smelled cinnamon and honey…and wandered into Mother’s. Turns out they had just pulled their homemade granola out of the oven (which I purchased along with a veggie bowl and some juices). I sat in the shop, talking to the owner about the importance of educating consumers and the responsibility we each shared, being the first juice shops in our respective cities. Everything about Mothers’ brand and intention reminded me of TJS, and I was so happy to be led astray in my search.

“Later in my trip, during my travels back through Spain, I found Teresa’s Juicery. The outpost is located inside the popular shop, Flax & Kale. It has a wonderful selection of organic juices thanks to founder Teresa Carle’s more than 35 years of recipe-making experience. And it shows: You could literally satisfy any taste craving with her assorted menu. (The juice called “Party Recovery” with its purified water, beet, honey, strawberry, coconut water, and hemp seeds) is basically just an extension of any party!)”

Jen Chase (TJS Content Director)

A Jen fave? Cocobeet (Boston, Mass.)

Why?

“I grew up outside of Boston, along Massachusetts’ south shore. After a few years of enjoying a West coaster’s life, though I’m back in New England, a lot of my work remains Vegas based, with my most inspiring being writing and editing for and with The Juice Standard. I’m thankful for my dual-coast work, but with my natural (obsessive?) allegiance to Marcella’s and Jamie’s recipes, the culinary thing I miss most about Las Vegas is not having access to what I ~~totally unbiasedly~~ objectively and humbly beelieve is the best collective juice menu, ever. Thankfully, I discovered Cocobeet in downtown Boston, and its product, mission, dedication to organics, and overall mindset is the closest I can get to TJS’s when life is more Beantown than Sin City.

“The juice world is a lot smaller than you’d think, and the first time I hit Cocobeet, I met co-owner, Onur, and explained what I do for TJS. He knew a little about Vegas’ cold-pressed juice scene and the more we talked, the more names we both recognized. Then came my money moment: When I got home and dove into the stash I’d bought, I finally felt a little less winsome for my TJS faves—Bee Resilient, Bee Happy, Bee Chill—because I had new ones to love: Green Monkey, Chocolate Power Mylk and Watermelon Quench. Cocobeet does it right by pressing every day (like TJS); by committing to organics (like TJS); and by being completely transparent about why sometimes certain flavors can’t be pressed if an ingredient can’t be bought organic (that’s how we roll, too). Cocobeet is even morphing into more and more chewables (um, like who?), which makes every trip feel hella like home to me…even when my heart’s juicy home is 2,735 miles away. But who’s counting.”

Enhancing My Reverence for Nature at The SnowMansion

June 30, 2016 By Jamie Stephenson

Sunset at The SnowMansion.

For two weeks, I spent my vacation time at The SnowMansion, north of Taos, New Mexico, for a permaculture design course. Permaculture—derived from the two words “permanent” and “agriculture”—is a philosophy based on the concept of producing an abundance of food in a manner that won’t run out while at the same time, creating little or no waste. It’s derived from the template of nature: she produces in abundance, and rarely produces waste…for the benefit of us all.

Throughout the course I asked myself, “How can The Juice Standard provide abundance in the Las Vegas community while minimizing waste?” It’s so simple: We can maintain THE highest standards in the industry (i.e., “Only ORGANIC food is served here”). We can (and do) operate with the utmost integrity—the people who work with us want to be here, and they want to learn and grow to be stewards of quality in service and in personal growth. And we can, do and will continue to steward the health of our citizens by serving THE highest-quality medicinal food.

The right thing and the hard thing are often the SAME thing. We take our bottles back, sanitize, and re-use them, just like restaurants do. YOU help us to do this, and we thank you for your help.

Below is a snippet of my two-week journey to a land of extremes…Taos, New Mexico.

The full moon on the summer solstice… June 21, 2016.

This is an example of a “bee garden.” Bees tend to gravitate to blue and purple flowers. Their eyes have a type of color spectrum that draws them to the color. Through their eyes, they see patterns on those flowers that point to where the nectar is. Then, they stick out their long bee tongues and drink the flowers’ nectar.

Honey bees return with tummies full of nectar that will be dried by the beating of thousands of bee wings. This turns raw flower nectar into raw honey.

Bees are statically charged thanks to the rapid beating of their wings. When she mounts her flowers, her positively charged body attracts pollen instantly. She collects it into pouches seen here, and hands it off to her sisters as protein-rich “bee bread.”

Raw goats milk, along with a bit of culture and rennet, covered and left for 18-24 hours, then strained through cloth and a colander, yields the most gorgeous raw cheese! Serve cheese with homemade berry or chili sauce. Fresh tomatoes from the garden are served with Brigid’s fresh raw honey, backyard lavender, and her famously simple raw goat cheese. Backyard to patio table: hyper local, uber fresh and nourishing for the body and soul!

Backlit honey bee.

Harvested lavender can be consumed fresh or dried. Lavender for tea, cheese and aesthetic beauty. Chamomile picked and dried for afternoon tea.

Check out Paul Stamens TED Talk, “Nine Ways Mushrooms will Save the World.” Did you know that mushrooms have taken over Chernobyl? The Albert Einstein School of Medicine finds that mushrooms, “have the capacity to use radioactivity as an energy source for making food and spurring their growth.” (Nuclear waste-metabolizing FUNGUS. Is that not insane!? Nature….)

Scot and Rachel drill 20-25 holes into these freshly cut Aspen logs. Fresh lumber that hasn’t been treated is key as the wood itself is the food source for the mushrooms.

We opted for the edible Blue Oyster variety.

This is an example of what these Aspen logs will look like: japantwo.com

Cob is an extraordinary building material made of four simple ingredients: clay soil, sand, straw, and water. It is foot-mixed and feels a lot like cold dog poo between the toes. Since it’s NOT cold dog poo, however, it feels WONDERFUL! This elicits a reversal in aging while simultaneously softening the feet. (BONUS!) Cob structures act as thermal mass, heating you in the winter and cooling you in the summer.

I made new friends! Pictured left to right: Nile, Miles, Emery, Paloma, Rachel, Kelly, Judy, Kim, Alex, Chris, Cecil, Scot, Teresa, Rebecca, Stephanie and Jamie.

We Are Motherlovers (plus…a #TJSMomsForJLo Promo)

May 3, 2016 By Jen Chase

Whether it was your mother, your grandmother, a teacher, or a trusted mother figure, this time of year makes us reflect on the women who raised us to bee the Bees we are today. We say it all the time but it bears repeating: #ItTakesAHive. That’s why we’re thankful to the moms out there who gave us wings (…and why some of us can’t wait to onpass them to our litteltons, when it’s time for them to flee the hive).

Below, TJS’s Co-Founders, Creative Director and Content Director (Jamie Stephenson and Marcella Williams; and Mallory Dawn and Jen Chase, respectively) share thoughts and memories about their mothers…the stuff they gleaned from them; the stuff they hope they give back to them; and the ways in which being a mom has moved some of us like nothing else in life could.

Jamie and Mia, and Being Led Down the Garden Path (…Literally)

For as long as I could remember, my mom was a single mom working at least two jobs. It wasn’t until I was 17 that she met Walter, and it was then that I saw her soften into what it felt like to be a woman who could enjoy a life lived with a little more time for her pursuits. He allowed her the time to explore her cooking and gardening skills. Both were parts of her life that would give back to him (and all of us) for many years to come.

I’ll never forget the day I went to their home for dinner. I was 22. Mom handed me a set of kitchen shears and a paper-lined colander, and asked me to go into the yard to harvest our dinner salad. I was freaked out.

“We can’t eat that! We grew it!” I said.

Her reply? “Exactly. We grew it, and it’s the very best. Now hurry up.”

Later at dinner, my mind was blown. Those leaves were delicious and tender, and they’d been growing in her garden just minutes before. That was the day the proverbial seed was planted in my mind—that the power of fruits and veggies—fresh, raw and powerful—was truly food for the body and soul.

Thanks Mom.

Thanks Walter.

Shit Jamie’s Moms Says:
“Eat your veggies, they’re good for you.”
“Maybe. In the future.”

Marcella: On The Inexplicable Joys of Motherhood

I will never forget the day my ex-husband and I decided we were ready for a baby. A month later we were expecting, and I knew it was a little girl. I could feel it in my gut. I could actually see her face in my mind… her warm smile, her kind eyes. I knew her name, envisioned her laughter and could not wait to finally meet her.

She changed my life in so many ways. It was not until I knew I was pregnant did I start to really be conscious about what I put into my body. It began with increasing my fruits and vegetables and minimizing anything processed or refined. I wasn’t just feeding myself, I was literally creating another human…a human who would grow to be a thriving toddler, an energetic child and eventually a young adult. She needed the best quality foods and nutrients I could give her in this most crucial time of development.

They say love is a verb, and though I couldn’t voice it to her yet, I could show her love in the best way I knew how.

I remember sitting in History 102 class and was about 15 weeks along when I felt the first kick. People say it feels like butterflies, but this was just little bit stronger. I pushed on my stomach right where I felt it and she kicked back! We went back and forth a few times and I started to tear up. My professor looked at me kinda crazy. He must have thought I had a soft spot for the roaring 20’s and The Great Gatsby—and I did!—but the welling of my eyes came from my first interaction with my beautiful baby girl.

I remember reading all of those baby books and about how she was developing, and the minute I knew she could hear my voice, I began to sing to her. I sang anything from lullabies to random love songs. One song in particular was You Were Meant for Me, by Jewel. I will never forget the first time I sang it to her at five weeks old, she looked up at me and smiled her very first smile!

Sophia Maria was born on July 12, 2006, 8 pounds, 3 ounces and 21 inches long. I knew I loved her before I met her but never could imagine how much you could truly love someone unconditionally…until 6:30 p.m., when she laid on my chest for the very first time. Watching her grow over the years has been a blessing that so many people do not get to experience. I live each day with gratitude, trying so hard to make each day count and live in the present.

Shit Marcella’s Moms Says:

(To my little brother:) “If you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie and wipe the seatie.”

“It’s too quiet.”

“Can I pee in peace?”

“Take pictures because it’s gone in a flash.”

“Because I said so…that’s why!”

Mallory and Mimi: Childhood Lessons Enrich Long Into Life

My mother was a teacher while I was growing up. A lot of my friends knew her (and, her large collection of colorful high-top Reeboks). She taught my brother and me a lot of lessons, but one in particular has completely affected my course of life.

You see, growing up I knew my parents were “hippies” because they listened to The Beatles, wore tie-dyed clothes, told us stories of protests they attended at Edinboro University and other rebellious behavior from their younger years. At the same time, they also encouraged my brother and me to create a life we loved, and to love all living things. My mother, unbeknownst to my lack of musical skill, even encouraged us to start a band together.

For the longest time, I thought that these impressions my mother left on me were things all children got from their parents. In fact, it wasn’t until I started sharing this one lesson in particular that I realized that not everyone grew up with parents like mine.

This lesson started in my earliest childhood. I remember coming home from school worked up and complaining about something that had happened (and, about the person who was to blame). My mother said to me: “Mallory, I want you to think of 10 reasons why that person did what they did to you, and none of your reasons can be about you.”

Of course I attempted to use the “They don’t like me,” “They’re mad at me” arguments, but she’d catch me every time, reminding me those were reasons that in fact included me. Sure enough, by the fourth or fifth reason (“They got a bad grade”; “They were feeling sad”; “They got yelled at by their parents,” etc.) I had settled down and actually felt empathy for the person I was upset with.

My mother had me practice this skill throughout elementary school, junior high and high school. So it became natural for me to “step back” from situations that rattled my copacetic bubble, and to mentally address at least 10 reasons why someone could behave in a way that was void of me. Today, I still make those mental lists as I consider what someone who upsets me may be dealing with. Maybe they had a rough drive to work; maybe they couldn’t get their child/pet to eat or potty that morning; maybe money is stressing them out; maybe they’ve lost someone they love; maybe they just woke up on the wrong side of the bed….And maybe—just MAYBE—their behavior has nothing to do with me.

It’s much easier to feel peaceful and calm when you feel a connection to others. My mother’s lesson taught me how to feel connected to anyone, no matter the situation. Today, I love sharing my experience with others because I know the power it will create in their lives and attitude if they choose to hone the ability to understand and empathize with the feelings of others.

Shit Mallory’s Moms Says:

“But are you bleeding?”

“You are my sunshine.”

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Jen and Heidi: Sacrifice Leads To Mother-Daughter Soulmates

Before she was my sister’s mother or mine, she was Heidi Ange Morris. Ange wasn’t for Angela but Ange, with an a sound like in hand. Heidi was because her mother loved the book. The Morris was from a man whose liquid demons pissed away the love he could’ve long enjoyed from his wife and kids but couldn’t. And Chase was from the man who blessed her with her children.

Motherhood hasn’t been my mother’s easiest-won gift, but she’d probably say it’s her life’s greatest. And fortunately, because she shares herself freely beyond the boundaries of blood, her mothering has been a gift to others. As a longtime elementary school teaching assistant, I’ve watched her foster deep relationships with younger colleagues. My lifelong girlfriends have turned to her during times of painful coming-outs, or when they needed care for their children when their own families were miserably unsupportive. My high school sweetheart and his wife are wholeheartedly friendly with her. She’s that mom. And growing up, despite a few naturally occurring blue periods in the lore of estrogen-heavy households, I deeply knew I was lucky.

I wrote most of that recalling our relationship from my youth through college years. But if you’re lucky to have been raised by certain parents, under certain circumstances, a paradigm shift can happen in your 30s if the proverbial shit hits your fan and you start grasping for their experience-based guidance. Maybe we hope their Smart Genes will save us from stupidity, but around 30-something is when you realize your parents are real adults with real-life chapters…and that maybe they really do understand, because they’ve experienced similar challenges long before you did. In my case, one lived out West before admitting like Dorothy that there’s no place like home (…in Massachusetts). One was married when the two of them fell in love. One had a mid-life crisis and lived in a hotel for a week. One lost a business, mojo and life way too young. Both of them had to navigate raising a special needs infant beside a typical toddler. And ironically, neither ventured far from their own mother. Least never for long. They made all these disparate parts of their lives work, coming together to be the kind of parent I often wish I was.

Mum has devoted her life to making my sister’s life comfortable. And as my parent, she’s been selfless; honest; and at times, her advice has been so right as effing rain I’d swear she was a seer. But most important, as she’s balanced motherhood and personhood (and isn’t it amazing that as kids we don’t really see our parents are “real” people?) she raised me with love. Boundless. She is my friend, my comfort, my confidante, my heart. She doesn’t like what I eat but loves what I cook. She rarely finds what I find funny but finds me funny, which is 10 kinds of awesome since hers is a laugh I seek. I choose her company and she chooses mine. And if I’ve learned anything from her, it’s strength. Strength by example. I don’t display her gumption on the reg, but I’m glad it’s in my marrow. Somewhere.

The picture above was from before Heidi Chase was anyone’s mother. It’s a candid from a shoot where she was asked to model hairdos. Frankly, it embarrasses her because she’s incredibly shy—she was 20s-ish, maybe?—but man, I love her look. Quiet and sophisticated. Soft. Eye makeup just so, always and still. She wasn’t thinking about doling out Erin’s seizure meds or worrying if I’d smile again after my marriage ended. It was just her, back when it could be. And the pic drives me to be a daughter that gives her moments of her past life in this one, where she need only think of herself. Like kajillions of adult kids like you or others who have been raised by amazing people (blood variety or not), I’m grateful to be my mother’s daughter, to have her as my friend, and to be allowed to be hers. Because that stuff is never a given, but a blessing to be earned on both sides.

Shit Jen’s Moms Says:

“I wish I liked to eat what you eat.”

“You’re so much like your father.”

“The grass is always greener….”

Now ABOUT that promo….

Mother’s Day 2016: #TJSMomsForJLo

It’s true. TJS wants you to celebrate Mom’s Day with JLo.

And no, we’re not sending her to your house. (Fo sho we’re rad but not *that* rad.) Read to the end, though. This deal’s still the goods….

For everything the mother figure in your life does to keep yo’ shit in line, we’ve got quite possibly the best booty-shakin’ promo of all time. (At least for the first quarter of 2016.)

Since TJS is all about maintaining WHealth™ on the inside and out, we like encouraging you Bees to push your personal healthy-choice envelopes. And since occasional incentives are swell, here’s a doozy.

Ready?

We wanna see you and your three-day fast bottles! Why? Beecuase we frikkin’ heart you, and we want you Bees to have a little extra pusha-push-push to enjoy one of our crazy-delicious three-day juice fasts. We honestly think you’ll love it enough, you might make it a tool in your healthy-living toolbox every quarter or so to improve your WHealth™ and glowing self. So we seriously hope you’ll do this:

1) From now through 31 May, show us your prettiest Instagram pics(s) of you and your three-day fast. And in the comments of your pics, use your very best words to express one of the following thoughts:

Your best “Shit Moms Says” advice (and it doesn’t have to be from your own Moms—it can be from a mother figure in your life). What’s something Moms says that makes your eyes roll? Belly laugh? Heart sing? Do tell.
Best thing you’ve learned from Moms or your moms-ish figure.
Your fave thing about being a moms yourself…either to your own littletons or littletons in your life whom you cherish.
What’s something you’ve vowed to do when you become a parent someday?

2) Hashtag all that with #TJSMomsForJLo.

3) Wake up June 1 and hope like hell you were picked to win two tix to JLo’s June 8 performance at PH (“Planet Hollywood,” if you’re not local).

And that’s pretty much it.

Deets:

* Gift value is at about $517. (Thought you’d like to know.)

* Must you take Moms? No. But if she’s likes JLo you’ll be Kid of the Year. ’Til 2019.

* The show is June 8. That’s the only date. It may not be changed. It may not be exchanged. Do us a solid and don’t ask, beg or plead for another option. We cry when friends cry in front of us.

Play fair. Good luck. And go Moms. (You, too, JLo.)

PolyJuicery: BEE In Love With More Than One.

February 4, 2016 By Jen Chase

Bee Pure, Bee Resilient and Bee Grateful are three different and swoon-worthy juices that will provide a day’s worth of delicious nutrition. While society pushes us to vary what we eat—and it’s pretty much a necessity for maintaining a balanced diet—who’s to say that same need for, er, “variety” isn’t applicable to other areas of life?

This month, we honor variety of another kind: our ability to bee in love with more than one juice—and, daresay, one person—and beeing brave enough to explore it.

If you’re a person of a certain age, chances are you’ve run the gamut of relationships.

Maybe you’ve been in love, out of love, sworn off love, or don’t know if you’ve actually seen it.

Whether with men, women and/or both, maybe you feel like you broke love or love broke you.

Maybe, try as you did, you couldn’t connect with the face across the pillow that you chose for as long as you both shall live.

Maybe love’s not your gig, and maybe it’s all you ever wanted.

Maybe you partnered flawlessly and your other half died. Or maybe, when he or she walked out, the corpse left in their wake was you.

For centuries we’ve been conditioned to frame love and loss through a somewhat Colonial and Puritanical lens. But today’s truth is this: More and more people are exploring how to wrap their minds around giving love, seeking love and receiving it from more than one person at a time. And they’re pretty timid to admit it.

Cuddle Puddle

Beecause of this, for the 30- to 50-year-old demographic, bookstore shelves are thin from sales of titles that today’s women seem starved to digest: alternative relationships, polyamory, and the fact that some people’s capacity to love can be so abundant, the ages-old construct of monogamy—the choice to partner with one person at a time—doesn’t work for them.

Let that creep in a little:

Monogamy…feels off.

That may seem harsh, but we couldn’t mean less harm. Books like Esther Perel’s perennial Mating In Captivity, Sex From Scratch: Making Your Own Relationship Rules and The Ethical Slut (and don’t go judging a book by its cover because that last one is profound) are thoughtful and deeply researched missives about open relationships relative to polyamory, which the Polyamory Society calls “the non-possessive, honest, responsible, and ethical philosophy and practice of loving multiple people simultaneously.”

(Now let’s think about that concept for a minute as it applies to how we partner:)

The non-possessive, honest, responsible, and ethical philosophy and practice of loving multiple people simultaneously.

((And call us crazy, but shouldn’t all relationships be like that?))

Actually, the notion of not placing all of our love eggs in the basket of one person to carry is a lot like building a custom TJS Singleton Six-Pack. Sure, it’s safe to buy six bottles of the same juice, especially if it keeps you sipping within the lines of predictability. But what if your soul’s true palate points to not one, but three flavors that independently, symbiotically and chemically fill not just your TJS cardboard carrier but your heart, too? What if we weren’t afraid to admit that the ages-old definition of partnering with one end-all-bee-all person doesn’t work for everyone? Isn’t it possible it would be more fair to our partners if we sought some things from some and others from others, rather than expecting everything from one knight or princess? And what keeps us from being honest about expressing new thoughts about our needs…even if they shatter the status quo?

If we crave multiple people to fill our proverbial love tanks—if we believe that advice like this exists to remind that the human capacity to love is SO abundant that it explains how a mother can equally love each of her children—it may be time to better support one another as we reach for the courage to admit there’s no shame in feigning convention. It may help us force the question that if we have the capacity to love more than one person, and we seek a partner with the flexibility to explore this beautiful way of sharing a life with someone who’s likeminded, maybe together we’ll build bravery to talk about it. Seems like the above books and candid conversations is a pretty good place to start.

At TJS, juice is our one true love. And in this emotive month—and during these emotive decades in people’s lives as we swan dive into our own authenticity after a separation, an uncoupling or a death—there’s zero shame in saying, “Traditional relationships haven’t worked for me. I want more.”

This month—this Valentine’s Day—if you don’t have a “one love,” it hardly means you don’t have love. You can love more than one thing. Know why? Our one true love is that which we do in our lives for ourselves: our career and our parenting; our art; our juice…whatever. And while a handful of Team Bees waxed poetic last week about this very subject, Creative Director Mallory Dawn said it beautifully best:

Our one true love is simply that which moves us; and when we allow ourselves to love more than one person or thing, we invite more love to return to us.

(How does it get any better or less scary than that?)

So for all our talk about being kind to one another, this February (this life?) let’s baby step toward being kind to ourselves while exploring how freeing it could feel to own a face of love that works for us, not one that works for society. Let’s loosen conversations in our friendships and communities that explore just how much our hearts might grow if we drop the fear and inch toward what we think might be true for us…even if it’s not popular. Beecause while monogamy can be our life’s most precious gift if we’re blessed to find our “one,” if how you’ve partnered hasn’t felt quite right, it might be time to change the dance.