By Marley Bonacquist-Currin
The bright colors and brilliant names are attractive in and of themselves. But what really draws people to The Smoothie Shoppe at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market is the energy of the owners.
Rich and Laura Holoday started The Smoothie Shoppe in 2014, and joined Saratoga’s Saturday market this summer. Their goal is to create a sustainable enterprise that can feed a community. For them, smoothies are a delicious, nutrient-packed choice.
“We wanted to fill a need,” said Rich Holoday, as he blended pre-frozen strawberries, banana, peaches, and goji berries into a 20-ounce Righteous Red smoothie. “Something like this wasn’t really available at a lot of markets.”
Smoothies are a cold drink of blended frozen fruits, juices, yogurt or nut milks that often are enhanced with the nutrient-rich ingredients known as superfoods. Unlike many smoothies sold commercially, the Holodays do not use ice or water to blend their drinks. The entire beverage is like a cup full of fruit.
Quality ingredients are a priority for the Holodays. They use GMO-free fruit and vegetables and Certified Organic superfoods. Their smoothies are 100% vegan and gluten free and a healthy, delicious option for people with dietary restrictions.
Farmers’ market regular Candice Lawrence is among The Smoothie Shoppe’s fans. The owner of a dog-walking business, she often begins a long day of walking with a Muscle Monkey shake with an extra scoop of a vegan protein powder.
“They’re wonderful,” she said as she put a straw into her 16-ounce shake, which included almond milk, banana, peach, peanut butter, flax seeds, rolled oats, cinnamon, and agave. “So good for you, too.”
Rich Holoday discovered smoothies several years ago while experimenting with recipes that would support his vegan lifestyle. The diversity of smoothies inspired him to envision a business and when Laura became pregnant, she pushed Rich to act on his dream. They wanted their child to grow up in a world filled with healthy food and love, and knew that in order to give that world to their children, they needed to help create it themselves.
For them, farmers markets were appealing because they could bring a product to people, giving them delicious and nutritious eats while they shopped.
Visit the Saratoga Farmers’ Market from 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at High Rock Park. You also can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
The Summer Solstice
Recipe provided by Rich Holoday
Serves 3
Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market
- 8 oz watermelon, cut into pieces (or substitute another fruit as watermelon will be in season soon)
- 3-4 mint leaves*
- ½ a lime, freshly juiced
- 1 cup strawberries, frozen*
- ¾ cup pineapple, frozen
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp coconut flakes
Instructions
- Using a blender, puree freshly cut watermelon into a liquid.
- Add all remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Drink up!
