Americans love the idea of fast food, but pay a heavy price in fat and calories.
Beyond Juice, opening recently on South Main, offers a solution. The "Meal in a Cup" is a blend of 19 vitamins, minerals and amino acids designed to provide a well-balanced, quick meal in a 20-ounce cup.
The formula is combined with fruits and other pure ingredients along with de-ionized flaked ice, so the "meal" can be assimilated into the bloodstream almost instantaneously.
"It's fresh fruit," explained Dr. Jane Churchill-Lappinga, a co-owner of Beyond Juice with daughter Beth Lappinga and Beth's fiancé, Chad Vigen. "It's not syrups or concentrates." No additives, preservatives or artificial ingredients have been added.
All but two of the smoothies are under 300 calories, Vigen explained. Each meal fulfills daily requirements for vitamins and minerals set by the USDA - with more fiber than a bowl of bran cereal.
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The Meal in a Cup is a fat-burner, Vigen explained, boosting the metabolism. The meals have no cholesterol and less than a gram of fat. The formulas target a variety of dietary needs.
"And they appeal to all ages," he said, from kids to the elderly, as well as those who've undergone bariatric surgery.
The selections range from Total Energy to Skinny Dip to Razzle Dazzle to the Ultimate Buzz.
The Meals in a Cup can be augmented with specialty formulas, such as The Morning After, For Women Only, Allergy Away, Total Recall (which boosts the memory) and Fat Burner.
Wheat grass - a one-ounce serving holding the equivalent of 12 servings of veggies - is also available.
Beyond Juice also offers made-to-order sandwiches and salads and five-star malted waffles for breakfast, earning rave reviews.
Sandwich ingredients include honey roasted turkey, white albacore tuna, egg salad, cheese combos, California veggies and more. These are topped off with homemade potato salad and a dill pickle.
A Greek salad, chicken and tuna salads as well as the traditional garden goodies await sampling.
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Homemade soups also sate appetites, with plans for bagels to be added to the menu.
Deliveries will be made within a five-mile radius until 5 p.m. But the schedule's flexible, Vigen said. "Just call in advance."
High-speed wireless Internet is also available.
Beyond Juice is celebrating a grand opening Friday and Saturday, with samples of sandwiches and beverages, as well as drawings for gift certificates.
Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The full menu is featured throughout the day.
Beyond Juice, located at 203 South Main, may be reached at 732-0422.
