Charlotte Veggie

Benefits of Fresh Juice, Juice Bar CLT Discount Code, & My 1st GIVEAWAY!

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Yesterday marked one of the first private organized events that I was invited to as a blogger and “Charlotte Influencer” as it was honorably phrased. It took place at Juice Bar CLT. I was pretty giddy excited to be included and looked forward to networking with likeminded, creative, driven folks. Read on to learn why it’s a healthy step to incorporate fresh juices into your diet, a discount code for all of my readers for the month of January, and my 1st giveaway!

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Juice Bar is a successful fresh juice shop that recently opened two stores in Charlotte. They have multiple locations in the southeast and have plans to open many more locations throughout the rest of the United States in 2016.

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Juices, especially green juices, have the following benefits:

  • A convenient way to incorporate raw fruits and vegetables which are highest in the enzymes we need to absorb the maximum amount of vitamins
  • Juice’s liquid form itself is highly and quickly absorbed right into our bloodstream.
  • An efficient approach to getting in most of the recommended number of servings of fruits and veggies a day.
  • The vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients (give produce its color), are imperative for proper cellular function and disease prevention.
  • Plant based foods help bring the body to an alkaline state in which cancer and disease cannot thrive.
  • It’s just plain energizing; you’ll feel juiced!
  • Whether you have 1 juice a week or do a cleanse, your digestive system will get much needed rest. Remember, you gut houses your immune system and mood regulators.
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The local owners could not have been more hospitable and informative. Their mission is to spread and promote good health and they value and deliver warm, consistent, ever so friendly customer service.

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The evening begin with some mingling and then a New Year’s toast with a green juice. There were some hesitant green juice virgins skeptical of how something lawn colored could possibly be palatable.

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EVERYONE was pleasantly surprised and kept remarking on how bright and refreshing it tasted. It was the Sweet Greens which contains: apple, kale, cucumber, parsley, lemon, and spinach.

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There were samples galore and it was unanimously declared that although there were different favorites, everybody like everything. That’s amazing, right?

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More fun, colorful, juices and food samples followed as well.

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Superfoods salad was lightly dressed, tangy, and had varying textures from quinoa, greens, black beans, and more.

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The gluten free vegan sprout sandwich was so tasty and the bread was just right being soft but sturdy.

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They have a refrigerator that showcases all of the food from veggies and hummus to salad cups, spring rolls, sandwiches, homemade protein bars, packages of wheatgrass, local kombucha, and more. Everything is gluten free and vegan except for the yogurt.

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It was so fun to meet the people behind local publications, fellow bloggers, and some of my favorite Instagram handles! This is sweet Allie Papajohn of @eatdrinkclt. Four of the Carolina Panthers were there too but I didn’t get a photo op with them 🙁 – they can make it up to me by getting to the Super Bowl!

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It is easy to perceive a fresh juice or smoothie, generally costing $5-9, as an expensive treat. However, most juices contain anywhere from 8-12 fruits and vegetables a serving! Smoothies are great too usually containing 3-5. The Green Smoothie was the best I’ve ever had! Invest in your well being instead of at Starbucks. You will be surprised just how energizing these drinks are. In fact, they don’t recommend one right at bedtime.

For the month of January, if you mention the code CLTVeggie10, you will receive 10% of all of your purchases.
In addition, I am offering a one day juice cleanse for FREE to one lucky, randomly selected reader! This will include 6 juices and is valued at over $33. There is no better way to detoxify your body than doing a cleanse which can reduce your belly by removing bloat, improve your skin, better mental clarity, give digestive rest, an immune boost, and more. The rules are as follows:
  1. Subscribe with your email address in the box at the righthand corner of this site.
  2. Leave a comment under this post related to your experience or desire related to juices or juicing or why you need or want to try a cleanse.
  3. Deadline is Friday, January 8, at 12pm.
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The owners encourage and support networking throughout our community. They seek to fulfill their goal of using local goods as well. I was welcome to leave my cards and even to return to run a class there some time!

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{ 45 comments… add one }
  • Brad Mahan January 6, 2016, 4:56 pm

    Rajul how great health is coming rapidly to the Charlotte area! Being from California, I was used to juice bars, vegan restaurants, solely organic businesses. Definitely will stop by the Juice Bar. Hope you realize how great your blog is! The health information mixed in with great food ideas, recipes, and of course that smile of yours makes it an inviting place to go. Now if only I could cook better . . .

  • Brad January 6, 2016, 5:22 pm

    Finally…. I have heard SO many great things about Juice Bar, I can’t wait to try it! Knowing about the benefits of juicing for sometime now, it is nice that I don’t always have to make it at home to get what I need. Thanks Juice Bar!

  • Bailey January 6, 2016, 7:02 pm

    Wow very informative article! Especially since I have put on some unwanted holiday pounds and I’m looking for some easy and healthy ways to lose some weight!!!

  • Dana January 6, 2016, 7:04 pm

    I love being healthy. And have been interested in learning what drinking juice can do for my body. Your blog is awesome thank you so much for sharing this information.

  • Kelly Gasper January 6, 2016, 7:44 pm

    Would love to give juice cleanse a try!

  • Jaime Pearman January 6, 2016, 7:49 pm

    Would love a cleanse ;o) I have never done one & would love to try especially after this holiday season. I have only been to the Juice bar once– but loved the green smoothie that I got. Have tried to make at home, but doesn’t come out well at all at home. Also have loved following your blog Rajul, plan to try some recipes soon.

  • Christina Kindel January 6, 2016, 7:59 pm

    Love the idea of including so many nutrients in one drink. That is great for busy moms like me. They sound delicious!

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:29 pm

      Yes, exactly! I think you will really like the Juice Bar and all of the options. You will have an energy boost to help deal with your 3 little ones!

  • Katie DiVito January 6, 2016, 8:00 pm

    Great info, Rajul!
    Love Juice Bar! Found a coupon a while back in one of those “Value Pak” mailings and I went to check it out. Very nice place. I ordered “Ginger Greens”. Delicious!
    How great that they offer a juice cleanse. I’ve “cleansed” with juice a couple times and felt fantastic.

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:28 pm

      Those coupons were fantastic! I love all of the options and the Ginger Greens too. So good to hear about your cleanse experiences.

  • Jen January 6, 2016, 8:02 pm

    Would love to check out the Juice Bar, I think most people are up for a cleanse this time of year! Would love to win!

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:27 pm

      Please try it – we can have a Juice Bar date 🙂 Remember to use the discount code!

  • Sarah Morgan January 6, 2016, 8:16 pm

    JM and I have been thinking about a cleanse and we just don’t have the heart to take on the Whole 30 right now, I think a juice cleanse would have a similar effect without the extra food-prep time. I’m in!

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:26 pm

      Congrats on being the randomly picked winner Sarah! You have a great point!

  • Sarah January 6, 2016, 8:29 pm

    I believe in the power of juice! It has made me feel so much healthier. Thanks for spreading the word Rajul! Great post.

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:25 pm

      Thank you Sarah and your feedback is helpful to many!

  • Christine January 6, 2016, 8:43 pm

    Just feeling super lucky today! And I love the juice bar!

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:25 pm

      That’s a wonderful way to feel! I wish I could have given away more! I’m glad you have tried Juice Bar and liked it.

  • Karen January 6, 2016, 8:49 pm

    Oh, how my body needs this after the holidays! My husband and I have both been thinking about a juice clense, but didn’t know where to start. Thanks for the info. I’ll definitely have to check out Juice Bar!

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:24 pm

      I relate Karen! Let me know if you try the cleanse and how it went for you.

  • Kathy Snyder January 6, 2016, 9:07 pm

    Would love to win a juice cleanse, great way to start off the new year to feel healthy.

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:21 pm

      It was hard that I could only pick one winner! I hope you will still give it a try with the discount code 🙂 I’m going to try one too since I gave mine away!

  • Amy January 6, 2016, 9:09 pm

    I love Juice Bar and their Mean Green w/jalapeño is the best!!

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:21 pm

      I haven’t tried that one yet but will on your suggestion! I did do the Sniffle Stopper shot with cayenne pepper 😮

  • Judith Voglesonger January 6, 2016, 9:39 pm

    I want to WIN!

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:20 pm

      It is was so hard having to pick only 1 winner 🙁 Please still check out the Juice Bar and use the discount CLTVeggie10 all of January!

  • Allie January 6, 2016, 10:03 pm

    Love this and learned lots! Going to try the Juice Bar ASAP!

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:19 pm

      Thanks Allie! I think you will enjoy Juice Bar.

  • Melissa W. January 6, 2016, 10:27 pm

    Wow – I kinda want to fire up my blender right now and make a green smoothie. I’ve done “smoothie cleanses”, but not a juice cleanse. Would love a shot to win!

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:18 pm

      Do it! I find it is hardest but most important to keep up the smoothie and juice routine in winter.

  • Suzanne Crutcher January 6, 2016, 10:34 pm

    I had my first sweet green juice yesterday and it was delicious!

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:09 pm

      That’s great to hear! They can be yummier than people expect!

  • Serena Perlman January 6, 2016, 11:15 pm

    I can’t wait to try these juices. I have been a smoothie lover for a long time but I need to add a little variety to my routine and I think a green juice would be perfect. Now if only I can get the kids to drink a green drink!

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:08 pm

      I know what you mean; I’m a smoothie regular too. Smoothies are nourishing, require fewer ingredients, easier to clean up after, and have longer staying power. But I do feel just as nourished, more awake, and “cleansed” after a juice. As far as the kids, check out some of my non-green smoothies on this site and at Juice Bar, try Orange You Glad or Sweet Greens. If the green color is an issue, use a solid colored cup. That is what my sister did with my nephew.

  • Abbie January 7, 2016, 1:01 pm

    I dropped by Juice Bar a few weeks ago for the first time, and the staff was incredibly nice and the juice was delicious. So happy to have Juice Bar in the neighborhood!

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:06 pm

      I feel the same way Abbie. The service is on point and very friendly. The shop is very nice and the prices are good compared to other fresh juices in town.

  • Rachael January 7, 2016, 2:13 pm

    I am a recent college grad and just started my own business working from home (lots of long long hours!) I would love to have a juice “refresh!” my mind, body and soul needs this sort of thing to re-boot so I can go on to inspire my clients! Thanks 🙂

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:05 pm

      That is so inspiring! I admire that you are making your dreams a reality so soon after college. Many people, like myself, wait too long but it’s also never too late! I hope you will like the Juice Bar and can use the code for a discount this month. Best of luck with your business!

  • Ellie January 7, 2016, 4:46 pm

    I love that you are promoting Juice Bar!! I actually just got a job at the park road location so I’m very excited to taste test all of the drinks 🙂 I love the idea of a juice cleanse because personally I have been strugglingredients with gut health issues for years. I know now that anything with ginger is good for the tummy! So happy that nutrition has become a popular commodity in Charlotte!

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:02 pm

      How fun Ellie, can’t wait to see you there! You are so right about ginger and I’m proud of Charlotte too.

  • Karen Sharp January 9, 2016, 12:57 pm

    What an awesome way to start off the new year! I will definitely go give juice bar a try. Thanks for posting!

    • Rajul January 9, 2016, 1:02 pm

      You are welcome! You’re right, incorporating fresh juices IS a great way to start 2016 with a boost!

  • Christine January 12, 2016, 1:56 pm

    How often do you recommend drinking a juice? I saw an article that said you should eat your veggies over drinking then because of the amount of sugar in the drinks. What are your thoughts?

    • Rajul January 13, 2016, 5:18 pm

      Hi Christine, thank you for reaching out with this question. This is something I have given quite a bit of thought and research to over the years. Quite honestly, I avoided juices and opted for smoothies every time. The fiber retained in smoothies slows down the sugar absorption not to mention it takes less fruits/vegetables to make one and the clean up is easer! However, the more I have read about the gut – how it houses most of the immune system and mood receptors – the more I have realized the importance of true gut cleansing and rest. This can be achieved best in my opinion through easy absorption and digestion. That is something juice offers over eating a whole food. As far as sugar goes, I regulate that in my household both in added and natural sources. I opt for more veggies than fruits and read labels. My go to store bought green juice is Suja’s Twelve Essentials because it has the least sugar. When choosing a juice at a juicery, I pick one with fewer fruits and fewer high glycemic index ingredients. A juice with more greens and berries will be less sugar than one with apple, pineapple, orange, banana, etc. I have even asked how many apples are used in a glass for example and asked to replace one with a cucumber instead. I am not sure how many times to recommend having one but ideally, I think 3-7 times a week is great if possible. If you search my blog, you can read more about the glycemic index. I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any further questions.

      • Christine January 14, 2016, 12:11 pm

        Thank you for the feedback! I love juice– and the juice bar- and am glad I have more information about picking a juice! Thank you for your time answering! 🙂

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