Even if your favorite pastimes don’t include endlessly perusing health blogs, it’s hard not to spot the bright green juices that many Philadelphians are now toting around town.
“Juicing is a rising trend for local health enthusiasts, which allows [them] to get the recommended six to eight servings of fruit and vegetables per day,” says Amy Stratton, general manager of The Sporting Club at The Bellevue, which recently unveiled a health food and drink stand called the Fueling Station (224 S. Broad St., 215-985-4133).
Juicing’s benefits go far beyond its well-known detoxifying effects, and it’s becoming part of the daily routine of many city residents. “It’s quick, straight-to-the-bloodstream energy,” says Lauren Boggi, founder and CEO of Lithe (219 Cuthbert St., 215-625-4919). “You can literally feel the effects of it instantly.” She lists great skin, improved sleep, and a stabilized mood among its benefits.
The Fueling Station’s chef Sean Fitzsimmons says changing demographics are part of the reason for juicing’s surge in popularity: “As younger generations move into the city, there’s a higher demand for healthy options for a fast-paced urban lifestyle.”
Newcomer Sip-n-Glo Juicery (932 South St., 267-273-0639), whose offerings include the popular green drink One Love, is catering to that demand. For owner Kristin Lubsen, juicing has always been a no-brainer, but she is excited to see others catching on. “I used to be the crazy one who would carry around her weird green drink,” she says, “and now everyone around me can’t get enough.”