Hibiscus Brew JRINC

When it comes to flavor and quality, the HLS Hibiscus Brew JRINC is unlike most of the conventional teas. Made with only four ingredients; purified water, fresh brewed hibiscus leaves, organic lime juice, and organic cane juice, the Hibiscus Brew has a unique, but delicious taste, with absolutely no chemical additives. The hibiscus leaves are known for their crisp, sweet flavor, their pleasant fragrance, and their ancient detoxification properties.  In addition, hibiscus is rich in Vitamin C, contains enzymes that assist in weight loss, and has proven to significantly lower high blood pressure. Overall, the great taste and health benefits of the hibiscus tea makes it far more valuable than most traditional teas. Like all of our JRINC flavors, the Hibiscus Brew can be found in any one of our HLS locations. 

Rahfeal Gordon @ HLS Montclair

Under that red Philadelphia Phillies hat is motivational speaker, author, and entrepreneur Rahfeal Gordon hard at work, enjoying one of our signature breakfast wraps @ HLS Montclair.

The "HLS" Pineapple Ginger JRINC

The HLS signature "all natural" Pineapple Ginger JRINC is one of our most popular drinks. Staying true to the Just Real Ingredients - No Chemicals identity, the Pineapple Ginger has only five ingredients; purified water, pineapple juice, ginger juice, organic lime juice and organic cane juice.


Pineapple is high in anti-oxidants, an excellent source of minerals essential for energy production, and contain protein-digesting enzymes that aids in digestion in the intestinal tract.


Ginger contains very potent anti-inflammatory compounds, vitamins and minerals that boost the immune system, and enzymes that reduces the severity and duration of nausea and vomiting.

The Pineapple Ginger JRINC is served fresh everyday exclusively at our Maplewood and Montclair HLS locations.

Wheatgrass

Most of you probably already know about the nutritional value of wheatgrass. But for those of you who don’t know “what” it is, “how” it works, or “why” hear at HLS we searve it fresh, everyday, we wanted to share a little about some of its many health benefits. But before we do that, it is important to note that wheatgrass juice is most beneficial when it is “fresh”. There are some juice bars that have their wheatgrass juice delivered. This is a no no since most of the nutritional value is lost when it is not fresh. At HLS we grow, snip, and juice our “own” wheatgrass, assuring the highest quality, and maximising its nutritional value. We believe in the health benefits of wheatgrass, and encourage all those looking for a shot of energy, a dose of vitamins, or detoxication to come in and have a shot today. 

(Photo: HLS grown wheatgrass)

Health Benefits of Wheatgrass

1. Health Benefit of Wheatgrass #1: Wheatgrass Builds Blood: Many health experts including Dr Young (pH Miracle) and Steve Meyerowitz (Nature’s Finest Medicine) have highlighted that the chlorophyll molecule in wheatgrass is almost identical to the haemoglobin molecule in human blood. The only difference is that the central element in chlorophyll is magnesium and in haemoglobin it is iron.
   Due to this inherent similarity the human body can easily transform chlorophyll into haemoglobin increasing the red blood cell count as well as the blood’s capacity to deliver oxygen and other nutrients to the body’s cells (Hagiwara, 1985) .
   Chlorophyll has been shown to build red blood cells quickly, normalise blood pressure by dilating the blood pathways though out the body, destroy poisonous carbon dioxide, release free oxygen and promote higher metabolism and stimulated enzyme systems. On top of all of these benefits, consuming chlorophyll from wheatgrass is a highly effective way to alkalise the blood and energise the body! 
2. Health Benefit of Wheatgrass #2: Wheatgrass Cleanses the Body: Wheatgrass is an extremely beneficial food in terms of both its cleansing capabilities. The contents of wheatgrass juice and powder (green drink) are reported to be within the region of approximately 100 separate elements with scientists dubbing it a ‘complete food’. According to ‘The Wheatgrass Book’ (Wigmore, 1985), just 140g of fresh wheatgrass offers the same nutritional value as over 3kg’s of fresh green vegetables! Wheatgrass is a great source of vitamins B, C, E and carotene which are hugely effective in destroying and eliminating free radicals and cleansing the body. Wheatgrass is also highly regarded for its ability to cleanse the blood, organs and gastrointestinal tract.
   Because it is also high in saponin, wheatgrass offers excellent support to the lymphatic system, helping to carry away hundreds and thousands of toxins from the cells of the body. Kulvinskas (Survival into the 21st Century, 1975) wheatgrass helps to ‘detoxify the body by increasing the elimination of hardened mucous, crystallised acids and solidified, decaying faecal matter…It is the fastest, surest way to eliminate internal waste and provide an optimum nutritional environment’.
   These are just some of the cleansing benefits of wheatgrass, and I have barely scratched the surface with regards to listing its nutritional content. Put most simply, whether you are looking to undertake a formal cleanse, or simply try to add more nutrition to your diet – these reasons alone are enough to consider adding wheatgrass to your daily lifestyle.
3. Health Benefit of Wheatgrass #3: Wheatgrass Has High Amino Acid Content:: You may have heard the expression before that – amino acids are the building blocks of protein. They are absolutely essential to our growth and cell regeneration. It is the astonishingly high amino acid content in wheatgrass that is leading to many bodybuilders and gym-goers incorporating fresh or powdered wheatgrass juice into their daily routine. Wheatgrass juice is a complete protein and contains, amongst others, the following amino acids: arginine, serine, absenisic, lysine, aspartic acid, glycine, alanine, methionine, leucine, tryptophane, phenylalanine, and valine.
4. Health Benefit of Wheatgrass #4: Wheatgrass Fights and Protects Against Illness: Organic wheatgrass powders and juices are an extremely effective way of boosting the body’s immune system to fight against and recover from illnesses and ailments. Wheatgrass is a great source of beta carotene, contains most of the B vitamins and vitamins C, E, H and K, and also contains over 90 different minerals and 19 amino acids. It also contains several active enzymes which play a major role in breaking down fats, undertaking biological functions and assist hugely in weight loss. Of the 90 minerals found, many of these are very alkalising and include calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and iron. Many of the health benefits of wheatgrass stem from the fact that it is a living food. Being highly anti-bacterial, consuming wheatgrass will help to alkalise and detoxify the lymph and blood cells, helping the body to rebuild and transport toxins out of the body quickly and effectively.
   Again, coming back to the chlorophyll content of wheatgrass – this can protect the body from carcinogens more effectively than any other food. Studies conducted on animals have shown that wheatgrass consumption has reduced the absorption of a number of very serious carcinogens whilst strengthening cells, detoxifying the liver and neutralising polluting elements within the blood.

Source: http://www.energiseforlife.com/wordpress/2009/05/22/wheatgrass-health-benefits/

Lunch @ HLS Montclair

You will meet some of the most beautiful people at HLS, and we do our best to serve them foods that are of the highest quality, an atmosphere that is cool and comfortable, and service that is second to none. This is one of our regulars enjoying one of our signature wraps and sweet potato fries at HLS Montclair.

Just Real Ingredients No Chemicals @ HLS

J.R.I.N.C. (Pronounced Drink) Juices are HLS's signature "all natural" drinks, made using the purest ingredients, and none of the additives found in most beverages. In fact, J.R.I.N.C. is an acronym for Just Real Ingredients No Chemicals. We believe that there is no need to add chemicals to assure great taste, especially since nature provides us with all of the ingredients we need to not only enjoy, but also maintain and improve our health. 

J.R.I.N.C.'s are sold "exclusively" at our Maplewood, and Montclair locations, and include the following flavors: Mixed Berry Lime, Kiwi Green Tea, Pineapple Ginger, Mango Passion, Strawberry Lemonade, Lousiana Lemonade, Summer Tea, and Hibiscus Brew. 

Doing Lunch @ HLS Montclair

Dennis Maurice Dumpson (left), Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche (middle), and Dreena Whitfield (right) hanging out @ HLS Montclair.

Dennis Maurice Dumpson is the author of the book "What My Colored Eyes See".

Tiffany Aliche is the author of "The One Week Budget"

Dreena Whitfield is the CEO and Senior Publicist at WhitPR

Breakfast = Good Health

Here at HLS we know that breakfast being the "most important meal of the day" is more than a cliche. In addition to the energy needed to perform throughout the day, a "healthy" breakfast aids in the maintenance of weight loss, and is critical for focused thinking, concentration, and mental endurance. All breakfast foods are not created equal however.

To get the full benefits of breakfast in the morning, it is important to eat foods that have all of the nutrients the body needs to maintain a healthy balance of energy and satiation until the next meal. If the body is feeling tired, and hunger takes over an hour or two after eating, the body did not receive the nutrients needed to endure. This could equates to low performance at school or in the workplace, and possible weight gain, as the desire to eat more to compensate could contribute to bad eating decisions throughout the day.

To receive the energy needed in the morning, the body needs foods that contain carbohydrates. The most beneficial carbohydrates are complex, and unrefined. The simple, refined carbohydrates lack essential vitamins and minerals. Many of the breakfast items on the HLS menu contain complex, unrefined carbohydrates such as our multigrain pancakes, and oatmeal dishes. Foods that are low glycemic index carbohydrates, such as our sweet potato home fries, releases energy slowly throughout the morning, which helps the body to endure until lunch time.

A nutritional breakfast is key to an overall healthy diet. Our breakfast menu contains most of the essential nutrients needed to jump start your day. Our breakfast platters, breakfast wraps, multi grain pancakes, whole wheat french toast, oatmeal, and breakfast sides provide many of the nutrients needed for the energy, and fullness factor needed throughout the morning. Eating healthy is the key to a high quality of life, and we are dedicated to giving you healthy eating that taste great.

Ginger

For some of our regulars who routinely come in for the "ginger shot", the health benefits of ginger is no secret. Nevertheless, we wanted to highlight just how remarkable this spice really is. Keep in mind when reading, that ginger has been used for its health benefits for more than 5000 years. In addition to the ginger shots, HLS includes ginger in many of its dishes, in our Spicy Icy Smoothie, and in our Pineapple Ginger J.R.I.N.C., which is HLS' s signature "all natural" juice drink. Come on in and "experience" why we believe eating healthy is not antonymous with fun and delicious foods. 

Ginger 

One of ginger's most touted health benefits is its ameliorating effects on digestive ailments. It can help digest fatty foods and break down proteins. It is excellent for reducing gas. Many people report that it will also relieve nausea, and can be effective in treating morning sickness as well as motion sickness.

Ginger can also help reduce inflammation. So it can be used to treat any disease that is caused by inflammations such as arthritis or ulcerative colitis. Some studies show that it can even help inhibit the replication of the herpes simplex virus.

Being a warming herb, ginger can help knock out a fever. This property also makes it effective in stimulating circulation of the blood. It can also help relax muscles around the blood vessels and is said to help prevent blood clots from forming. The warming effects make it a natural decongestant as well as an antihistamine, making it the perfect remedy for colds.

Recent studies show that ginger might also have a role in lowering LDL cholesterol because the spice can help reduce the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed. It has also been shown in animal trials to help slow or even prevent cancerous tumor growth.

Gingers healing properties come from it’s volatile oils, gingerols and shogaols, which are also responsible for it’s pungent taste. The oils cause more digestive enzymes to be produced which helps with the whole digestion process and neutralizes the acids that can cause nausea, cramps and even diarrhea.

Source: http://www.indepthinfo.com/ginger/health-benefits.shtml 

Anatomy of a Genius

If any of you has ever visited the HLS website, you should be familiar with the highly celebrated masterpiece A Love Supreme, by the legendary Jazz giant John Coltrane. To call this piece a "classic" would be somewhat of an understatement. Consisting of four parts; Acknowledgment, Resolution, Pursuance, and Psalms, A Love Supreme is more of an experience than a song. In its entirety, it is 30 minutes long, with each track blending perfectly into a concise, and technically pleasing work of art. It is no wonder why A Love Supreme is listed amongst the greatest albums ever recorded.


The innovations that went into A Love Supreme was ground breaking, indicative of the pioneering saxophonist who composed it. Throughout his illustrious career, Coltrane established himself as one of the most creative Jazz musicians ever to record. Regarded by most as a Jazz legend, and by some as a Jazz god, Coltrane inspired musicians all around the world. Though A Love Supreme was recorded just three years before his death in 1967, it lives on, highlighting the genius, and deep spirituality of its creator. It is indeed a true musical masterpiece, a proof of perfection. 

Breakfast with The World Famous Dr. Bob Lee from WBLS @ HLS Maplewood!

On Tuesday, March 8 Dr. Bob Lee from 107.5 WBLS stopped by the HLS Maplewood location to promote and have breakfast. The visit was broadcast live on WBLS during the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show. 

Dr. Bob Lee can be heard on 107.5 WBLS weeknights from 12am-5am, where he does his "Daily Dose" series tackling health issues which affect the community. Lee has interviewed such musical greats as Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Luther Vandross, Jaheim, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Kenny “Baby Face” Edmonds, the O’Jays, Wynton Marsalis, Whitney Houston, P. Diddy and Jill Scott, among many others.

Lee also appears frequently in the Harlem community as the host of live music and other events, such as Harlem Summer Stage and classic soul programs at the Apollo Theater featuring Regina Belle and Jeffrey Osborne. In addition, his strong ties to the community are reflected in his many charitable endeavors. Among other activities, Lee is a founder and board member of the Make The Grade Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that provides mentoring and aid to school children. Lee also helps college students interested in radio careers by serving as a mentor for "Table for Two," a weekly music program which broadcasts from WLIU 88.1 FM radio in Brooklyn and which is staffed by interns from Long Island University. 

Source: http://wbls.com/pages/5180367.php

Emeka (HLS co-owner) & Dr. Bob Lee 

Dr. Bob Lee talking over what "was" one of our delicious breakfast dishes.

Dr. Bob Lee finishing up his breakfast after a long night on the radio.

Dr. Bob Lee in the WBLS Hummer displaying a HLS signature all natural juice; Kiwi Green Tea J.R.I.N.C.

Brown Rice vs White Rice

The difference between brown rice and white rice is not just color! A whole grain of rice has several layers. Only the outermost layer, the hull, is removed to produce what we call brown rice. This process is the least damaging to the nutritional value of the rice and avoids the unnecessary loss of nutrients that occurs with further processing. If brown rice is further milled to remove the bran and most of the germ layer, the result is a whiter rice, but also a rice that has lost many more nutrients. At this point, however, the rice is still unpolished, and it takes polishing to produce the white rice we are used to seeing. Polishing removes the aleurone layer of the grain-a layer filled with health-supportive, essential fats. Because these fats, once exposed to air by the refining process, are highly susceptible to oxidation, this layer is removed to extend the shelf life of the product. The resulting white rice is simply a refined starch that is largely bereft of its original nutrients.

Brown rice as an excellent source of magnanese and a good source of the minerals selenium and magnesium. The complete milling and polishing that converts brown rice into white rice destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half of the manganese, half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids. By law in the United States, fully milled and polished white rice must be "enriched" with vitamins B1, B3, and iron. But the form of these nutrients when added back into the processed rice is not the same as in the original unprocessed version, and at least 11 lost nutrients are not replaced in any form even with rice "enrichment."

Source: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=128

HLS Family

Some of our favorite customers enjoying lunch at the HLS Montclair location. 

HLS Sweet Potato Fries

12 Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

1. Immunity: Being very rich in beta carotene, which is a major anti oxidant, apart from vitamin-C and B-complex, iron and phosphorus present in them, sweet potatoes are excellent immunity boosters.
2. Inflammation: Like the common potato, sweet potato also has anti inflammatory properties, although it does not belong to the family of common potato. This is primarily due to presence of beta-carotene, vitamin-C and magnesium. It is equally effective in curing internal and external inflammations.
3. Asthma: The sweet potato is effective in curing congestion of nose, bronchi and lungs, thereby giving relief in asthma. Its typical aroma helps in this.
4. Bronchitis: The concentration of vitamin-C, iron and other nutrients help curing bronchitis. The sweet potatoes are believed to be capable of warming up the body (may be due to the sweetness and other nutrients). This property also is beneficial in bronchitis, apart from its property to ease congestion.
5. Arthritis: Beta-carotene, magnesium, zinc and vitamin-B complex, among others, make sweet potato a helping hand to cure arthritis. The water in which the sweet potatoes are boiled can be applied externally on joints too to ease pain in arthritis.
6. Digestion: The fiber content of sweet potatoes is higher than that of common potatoes and it tastes good too. When these two factors are combined with other minerals like magnesium present in sweet potatoes, it makes an excellent facilitator for digestion. Sweet potatoes are easy to digest too, since they mainly contain starch. They are soothing for the stomach and intestines too.
7. Cancer: Beta-carotene, the champion anti oxidant and anti carcinogen, the pigments responsible for the color of the peel of the sweet potatoes and vitamin-C, are very beneficial for curing many types of cancer, mainly those of colon, intestines, prostrate, kidneys and other internal organs.
8. Water Balance: The fiber or roughage present in sweet potatoes helps retain water. This maintains water balance in the body.
9. Stomach Ulcers: Sweet potato has a soothing effect on the stomach and intestines. The vitamins (B-complex and C), beta carotene, potassium and calcium are very effective in curing stomach ulcers. Moreover, the roughage in sweet potatoes prevents constipation and resultant acid formation, thereby reducing the chance of ulcers. The anti inflammatory and soothing properties of sweet potatoes also reduce the pain and inflammation of the ulcers.
10. Diabetes: Contrary to the popular belief, the sweet potatoes are beneficial for diabetics. Amazingly, they are very effective in regulating blood sugar lever by helping proper secretion and function of insulin. Of course, that does not mean that diabetics should eat them indiscriminately. The idea is that they can replace their rice or carbohydrate intake with sweet potatoes.
11. Weight Gain: This is easily understood. The sweet potatoes are sweet as well as contain very good amount of complex starch, apart from healthy vitamins, minerals and some proteins too. Moreover, they are very easy to digest. Thus they provide a lot of energy and are excellent bulk builders. Those suffering from inferiority complex due to their bones visibly sticking out of their skin, will welcome this news, without having any risk any side effect, which most of the synthetic bulk building dietary supplements run.
12. Other Benefits: They are effective in quitting addictions like smoking, drinking and taking certain narcotics. They are good for the health of arteries and veins, as they protect their walls against hardening. The high concentration of beta carotene (an alternative of vitamin-A) and phosphorus are excellent for ocular and cardiac health.

Source: http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-sweet-potatoes.html