Patch Q&A with Grateful Juice Co. in Del Ray

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Grateful Juice Co. recently opened inside Junction Bakery & Bistro at 1508 Mt. Vernon Ave. Check out the Patch Q&A here with owner Kimberly Landini.

Q. Why did you start a juice business?

A. I’m passionate about the health benefits that come from drinking fresh juice daily. My goal was to be able to bring fresh juice to my yoga students after class, instead of them reaching for something that won’t really give them energy. I also wanted to increase their awareness, reduce inflammation, etc. It now goes beyond just my yoga students, but that is where the idea originated from. Additionally, My mother has always been a big influence in my life, and she embodied a lot of that. My mom had us shopping at health food stores before they were chic and cool. She’s been vegetarian all her life, so we followed that in our house as well. I grew up eating lots of fresh food, and learning about the importance of a primarily plant-based diet. She’s now juicing here with me at Grateful Juice Co.; she’s part of the juice team.

Q. How do you make your juices?

A. All of our juices are handcrafted, on-site. We bottle them individually.

Q. Where is the produce grown/purchased?

A. We do our best to purchase local produce when available. For instance, our juice, “Glow,” whose main ingredient is watermelon, comes from a local exchange called the Giving Tree.

Q. Can juices be customized?

A. Our juices are not made to order, however we can customize juice cleanses for our clients if they wish.

Q. What kind of container do you use for your juices?

A. Currently we use a plastic bottle. However, we are actively researching more earth friendly packaging to reduce our carbon footprint!

Q. What inspired the name of your company?

A. Two things, really. I’ve always been fascinated by the ‘60s: the music, the bohemian/free spirit way (the tie dye!). I’ve also always loved the Grateful Dead, so that was part of the reason for the name. Secondly, I incorporated the word grateful because I am, every day, so grateful for my life, for my friends and family, for my yoga school, and for my students. I do what I love every single day.

Q. Is there a juice that seems to be more popular than others?

A. Right now everyone is loving Wanderlust. It’s like a vacation in a bottle!

Q. Are your juices OK for all ages to drink? (young children?) Is there a juice you recommend for younger kids?

A. Obviously this depends on allergies, etc., but overall I would say that the best option for kiddos would be “Fresh.” It’s made with cucumber, celery and apple, so it’s full of greens and tastes delicious!

Q. Is it just produce that goes into the juice or what else can be added or do you add?

A. It depends on the juice, but we incorporate different extracts and superfoods (some are top secret!).

Q. What are the benefits of drinking juice?

A. The benefits are endless, really. They all have different properties that make them beneficial. For instance, anything with cucumber will be high in silica, which is wonderful for your hair, skin and nails.Ginger is a natural antimicrobial/antifungal, and works great for reducing inflammation. Our “Awake” Grateful shooter incorporates ginger and turmeric, which is awesome to have if you are experiencing any type of muscle tension (a lot of which is caused by inflammation). We also incorporate liquid chlorophyll into some of our juices, which is a natural internal deodorizer and blood cleaner.

Q. Do you help customers who want to go on a juice cleanse?

A. I’ve done many juice cleanses myself; there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. Honestly, a lot of people who do them don’t really understand what they are after. It should not be used as a means to lose weight. So, yes, I love to counsel people on how to do a proper cleanse that is good for the body.

Q. What flavor juices do you have?

A. See below:

2 oz. Shooters

Awake: Pure ginger, fresh lemon, turmeric extract; Uses: reduces inflammation and muscle soreness, increases brain function. (Not for the faint of heart!)

16 oz. Handcrafted Juices

• Energize: orange, ginger, cayenne extract, alkaline H2O. Uses: cleansing and detoxifying, stimulates circulation, can reduce muscle soreness
• Glow: watermelon, strawberry, lemon, mint. Uses: hydrating, electrolyte replacement, collagen boost, skin improvement
• Fresh: cucumber, Granny Smith Apple, celery, alkaline H20, liquid chlorophyll. Uses: a toxin flush; high in magnesium, potassium, and silicon
• Beta-c: carrot, ginger, lemon, alkaline H20. Uses: incredible source of Vitamin K, A, and C; great antioxidant
• Green Goddess: cucumber, celery, spinach, lemon. Uses: high in iron, silica (great for hair, skin, and nails)
• Wanderlust: melon, pineapple, lime, mint; Uses: high in silicon (awesome for skin), great for hydration. High source of Bromelain (from the pineapple core), which reduces excess inflammation in the body. High in vitamin C.
• Love: beet, apple, fennel, ginger, lemon; Uses: Immune boosting, high in potassium to support healthy nerve and muscle function, inflammation reduction, digestive health.
• Blue Majik: blue green algae, green apple, lime, mint sprig; Uses: energy boosting, increases muscle recovery, mental clarity

Q. Also if you could tell Patch readers a little bit about yourself and your background, that would be great.

A. Sure! I was born and raised in NOVA. I attended and graduated from Virginia Tech and worked in the financial world before leaving it all to open Zweet Sport and dedicate my life to teaching and practicing yoga. I opened my first yoga school in 2013 with my best friend and business partner, Marja Toan…. We now have a thriving yoga school, Zweet Sport Hot Yoga, as well as a personal training and boot camp facility, Zweet Sport Total Fitness. There are few things that I am more passionate about than yoga. The Grateful Juice Co. is an extension of the life that I want to lead (inside and out of the yoga room) and pass on to other people. My guru reminds me, and others, often about the importance of how we feel as we move about this planet. I know how the combination of the asana practice and the incorporation of juice (among other healthy choices) will only make myself and others feel so good. It’s a simple goal, really, but it is to share that feeling with others to inspire them, and to let them know it’s perfectly alright to feel like a glittery hologram when YOU take care of YOU.

PHOTO: Kimberly Landini, owner of Grateful Juice Co. Photo courtesy of Grateful Juice Co.