Biz Q&A: Juice2Live Lives to 'Boost' for Health

Every week Plainfield Patch profiles a new business that has chosen to call Plainfield home.

Business name:

Address: 14200 S. U.S. 30

Owner’s name: Anthony and Gladys Hawkins

Phone number: 815-230-2500

Web site: facebook.com/juice2live

Opening date: Nov. 19, 2011

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Type of business: Fresh-made smoothie and juice bar

Q: Why did you choose Plainfield?

A: "We have lived in the neighborhood for seven years. We love the community and thought that we should bring juicing to our own neighborhood first before expanding. Moreover, we see Plainfield as just that - a plain field, with plenty of space and opportunities to develop."

Q: What is an interesting fact about Juice2Live?

A: "We specialize in providing a variety of fresh, all natural, whole food-based, great-tasting smoothies, vegetable juices and fruit juices. The drinks are prepared without syrups, additives, or sugar and are low-calorie, low glycemic index, non-GMO, high-fiber, energy-enhancing, probiotic, heart-protecting, disease-fighting, cleansing, fat-fighting and packed with essential vitamins, minerals, phyto-nutrients, and antioxidants. We 'boost' their smoothies with one or more of their meticulously-selected and powerful, raw, vegan, organic superfoods. These 26 superfood supplements include cacao, acai, goji, mesquite, raw vegan protein and much more."

Q: Who was your most memorable customer?

A: "April, the owner of Alice ll Hair Salon in Bolingbrook. She has inspired us with her unwavering support!"

Q: What’s one thing people wouldn’t expect you sell at your business?

A: "Freshly made green smoothies and juices, because the typical juice bar provides water-downed drinks, with syrup and some stale produce on the side."

Q: Tell us about your passion about fresh and natural juices to the human body.

A: "Blending one's food is the optimal method to ease one's digestion. Cleansing and rebuilding results in the self-healing of the body, and prepares it for a lifestyle of health and enjoyment. Once the body is cleansed, it is able to absorb the nutrients in the food you consume. As the living foods lifestyle is followed faithfully and patiently, deficiencies in the body will be taken care of and the body will then be able to correct itself. With a changed lifestyle and acceptance of eating for nourishment one can perfect health."

Q: Tell us about your vegan lifestyle and how that affected your desire to start this company.

A: "Gladys and I decided to become vegetarian over 15 years ago after watching several senior family members succumb to diet-related diseases, such as high-cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. Our lifestyle has since evolved to include vegan-raw nutrition. After experiencing the spiritual and health benefits of the vegan-raw way of eating, juicing and blending fresh produce, and taking several vegan-raw culinary courses, we felt compelled to bring the lifestyle to the community."