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We all know we should be eating more fruits and vegetables. Beyond the obvious health benefits that come from eating more fruits and veggies, research has shown high plant- and fruit-based diets can lower the risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease, to name a few.
In recent years, a growing number of health-conscious individuals have emerged with new ways to eat, drink and make sure our bodies are getting the nutrients they need. But when you have a hectic schedule and little time, what you eat results often from a mindset of convenience instead of health consciousness. The idea of eating healthy is ideal, but in a constantly moving grab-and-go society, it can be hard to find quick, quality, healthy food.
A fresh fruit and vegetable cocktail from your local juice bar may just be the answer.
Pure Health Lounge [99 Audubon St., New Haven, (203) 624-0316], a health conscious franchise, serves a variety of quick healthy smoothies, freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juice known as "squeezes," sandwiches and wraps, perfect for the busy health-conscious foodie.
"I wanted to contribute positively to society," says Ray Sbrega, owner of Pure Health. "Anything having to do with health, I want to be a part of."
The energetic nature of both Sbrega and his staff — and the green, bright atmosphere of Pure Health — embodies the juice-centric cleansing trend many healthy diet advocates swear by.
Pure Health makes juices from a variety of fruits and vegetables including apple, cucumber, carrot, kale, spinach, celery and spinach. Sbrega says most of the options can be sampled and mixed together in any variety. Count this as one large serving of vegetables and fruits, loaded with vitamins and enzymes.
"There's lots of sampling here," says Sbrega. "Most of the time people who are against trying a drink at first will sample it and say, 'Oh, wow, I had no idea it would have tasted like this.' Once people try something, I know I'll get them to come back."
Unlike supermarkets that sell pre-packaged fresh fruit and vegetable juices, what juice bars like Pure Health offer is a juiced-to-order experience, free of added preservatives post-bottling. What they squeeze is what you get.
For other juicy businesses visit Edge of the Woods [379 Whalley Ave., New Haven, (203) 787-1055, eotwm.com] and Red Lentil Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurant [25 Temple St., New Haven, (203) 891-7105, theredlentil.com].
READ MORE OF THE NEW HAVEN ADVOCATE'S ANNUAL MANUAL 2012