New Organic Juice Bar Seeks to Change the Way You See Food

It’s no surprise that eating healthy isn’t easy. In a society where a  smoothie with 55 grams of sugar seems like a smart option and 1,000-calorie salads are the norm, making healthy decisions can prove to be difficult even for the most ripe of health nuts. Wouldn’t it be nice if companies were willing to be honest about the nutrition of their products, instead of masking themselves behind the latest health trends? Well one local company is taking the first step in the movement.

b Bar, an organic “vitality” bar set to open in Del Mar in November, is gearing up to do more than serve smoothies. The shop is seeking to change the way people think about their diets and overall health, its owner said. It will offer cold-pressed organic juices, homemade soups and fresh salads, as well as a unique menu of cleanse programs.

“b Bar is the place you want to be,” owner Lisa Odenweller said. “A place to be radiant, be kind, be healthy and be beaming. It’s not just about the food; it’s about how you think and how you experience life. It’s a juice bar, but it is unlike anything anyone has seen.”

Odenweller, who also owns Beaming, has been offering unique cleansing programs in the area since November 2011. She spread her message initially through word of mouth. Her first cleanse garnered the attention of 92 participants and she has since had more than 500 clients take part in the experience. Always a generally healthy eater, Odenweller got the idea to turn her ideas into a business while in the midst of her own health struggles. After attending an event where a cancer survivor spoke about using food as her medicine, Odenweller had an epiphany.

“During her speech I was so inspired and I said ‘wow, that woman is beaming,’ not knowing what I even actually meant by that,” Odenweller said. “I got her book and after reading it I thought, ‘how do I share this?’ It doesn’t come in a pill, it’s about how we treat out bodies and it’s an actual choice that we have the power to make.”

So Odenweller set out to share what she learned, reading up on organics and other health topics, reaching out to others in the field who had inspired her and building a program based on long-term health goals, not short-term weight loss. The result was Beaming’s five-day, signature raw foods cleanse which launched in November 2011. And has since taken place seven more times.

Now Odenweller is ready to bring her product and her food philosophy to a storefront. She teamed up with renowned raw food chef Matthew Kenney to create a unique menu of smoothies, juices, salads and more for b Bar.

All of the ingredients used in the products are organic from the vegetables to the almond milk, which is fresh squeezed. b Bar will also be home to possibly the first and only hydraulic cold-press juicer in San Diego County, a unique element that extracts more nutrients and enzymes from vegetables and also allows the juices to last up to five days.

“It’s not about cleansing it’s about everyday life,” Odenweller said. “It’s about coming [to b Bar] and having organic juices and beautiful salads and some raw foods. For me, it’s about simplifying our lives. We want to know that what we’re doing is good for us but we’re so darn busy. I created b Bar because I wanted to someone to create that for me, and I think there are many more like me who want something like this.”

Her programs go beyond gluten free and fat free. They contain super-foods such a maca, spirulina, camu camu and more. Not sure what any of those are? Odenweller wants to teach you. b Bar will have in-store iPads that will offer educational information on nutrition, exercise and other health-related topics. For Odenweller, it’s not just about making smoothies, it’s about a much larger picture.  

“For me I am most passionate about the education,” she said. “If I can get people to understand and become more aware of what they’re having, how you can have better choices, eat raw foods and still have it taste delicious, that’s great. It’s exciting for me to see those transformations.”

And Odenweller, who is a mother of three kids, hasn’t forgotten to stay in touch with the kids’ palettes. She and Chef Kenney have worked on signature drinks that are “Beaming-kid approved,” offering low-sugar items that can please even the youngest family member.

The location of b Bar is currently being remodeled to match the unique theme of the company. According to Odenweller it will have a take-out café feel, but will also be welcoming for people who want to relax and have a healthy experience.

Price points for the juices and smoothies will range anywhere from $6.50 to $14, depending on the type and number of ingredients. Cleanses are customizable, with varying prices.

“We’re bringing a concept to San Diego that is totally unique,” she said. “We chose to start in San Diego as opposed to anywhere else because the reality is that everyone wants to be beaming like we are in San Diego. I’m excited to open up possibilities and inspire people to take control of their health.”

b Bar will be located at 2683 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, across the street from Flower Hill Promenade.