The reality of being stuck at home with no access to a gym or exercise equipment has left many people feeling unhealthy and out of shape. Naftali Abenaim, CEO of Mocha Hospitality Group and former spin instructor, can relate. Since the COVID-19-imposed lockdown, he has struggled to stay in shape and eat right, a challenge he believes many others are facing as well. This, he said, was the impetus to launch Mocha Bar + Bowl, an ultra-healthy juice boutique offering customized cold-pressed juices and acai bowls.
“People are tired of staying home and feeling unhealthy,” he said. “They want to get back on track.”
A juice cleanse is a great way to begin.
What makes cold-pressed juices so exceptional is the method by which they are made. The process, which relies on pressing the fruits and vegetables instead of blending them, ensures that the important nutrients and enzymes are not sacrificed due to the heat of a motor and friction.
At Mocha Bar + Bowl, juices are made with a high-end french press and stored in glass french bottles, not the BPA plastic ones that most juice bars use.
Juices are created from a variety of fruits and vegetables including apples, kale, spinach, cucumber, carrots, celery, lemon and ginger.
“There are more ingredients packed into these juices than the average salad,” said Abenaim, who encourages customers to chew their drink. “It sounds strange, I know, but you want to make sure you chew your juice with each gulp because when you do so, you activate the secretion of saliva and enzymes that prepare your body to absorb the nutrients that are in the juices.”
Top juice picks include Run For Your Life, a combination of beets, watermelon, lime and ginger. A customer favorite is Black Magic, which contains activated charcoal that can capture, bind and remove 100 times its weight in toxins. For an extra twist, customers can add plant-based green boosters named energy, glow and immunity.
“Each juice is made to order and is the closest thing you are going to get to a raw, pure vegetable or fruit,” said Abenaim. “The coconut water is natural and refreshing and actually tastes like you are sipping on a fresh, young coconut.”
Juicing allows other organs in the body to release toxins that build up over time. After a cleanse, most people report increased levels of energy, less bloating, clearer skin and overall improved auto-immune health.
For some, cold-pressed juices are an efficient way to get the vitamins and nutrients their body requires. Juicing, however, is not a lifestyle, said Abenaim, who is happy to work with customers or their nutritionists to develop a customized cleanse specific to their needs.
Also on the menu are delicious and healthy açaí bowls made with natural sweeteners and premium ingredients. After extensive research, Abenaim discovered that açaí varies in quality and texture and is often loaded with excessive amounts of sugar.
At Mocha Bar + Bowl, Abenaim steers clear of any added sugars or hidden sweeteners. Mouthwatering options include Magical Nutella, Monkey Bar and Jaguar, all so beautifully presented, they’re almost too pretty to eat. An assortment of toppings and fruits are available and all bowls are pareve and keto friendly.
“From a health and wellness perspective, I am happy to recommend many of Mocha’s detox blended drinks as well as the açaí bowls,” said Steve Szklarz of the Sadkhin Diet Program in Englewood. “As per the actual Sadkhin Program, açaí and all fruits that are being used in the bowls are legal and recommended on the program, as well as honey, chia seeds and flax seeds.”
As a special introductory offer, all açaí bowls are currently $10. For a full menu please visit Mochabarbowl.com. To place an order online go to https://direct.chownow.com/order/4359/locations/5656.
Mocha Bleu is located at 1399 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck and operates under the strict supervision of the RCBC.
By Andrea Nissel
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