Gastronome

(from left) Yoko Kaneshiro, Tommy Oh and Lehmann Kaneshiro

When I reflect on the past year, I can’t help but include many, many memories of food. In case it hasn’t already become obvious, a lot of my life revolves around food — trust me, I’m not complaining. So thinking about the new year gets me really excited because it also means the ushering in of new restaurants. It’s early yet to know just how many will open, but I’ve compiled a brief list of a few to be on the lookout for, including one that already is open. Check. It. Out.

JUGO LIFE

Having recently turned 26, a.k.a. the worse half of my 20’s, I’ve begun to pay closer attention to the choices I make. Slowly, very slowly, I’ve begun to care more about things I previously had felt were invincible, like my metabolism.

In an effort to face reality, I’ve been considerably cutting down on my biggest vice: sugar. Namely, juices.

Word of the opening of Jugo Life gave me a glimmer of hope. After trying it, I think I am hooked. As someone who has never been able to get into juicing, I finished two bottles in one day, and there were a couple of flavors in particular I’d like to order again.

It’s a first-time business venture for Tommy Oh, who was inspired by friends who had lost weight through juicing. A couple of months into it, a growing demand led Oh to team up with husband and wife Lehmann and Yoko Kaneshiro.

From the beginning, Oh heavily relied on social media to connect with customers, which is how I happened to find the business — Oh currently personally delivers bottles of Jugo to those who contact him. It was with the intention to specifically promote products on Instagram that inspired Oh to first think of colors before experimenting with recipes that would match.

My favorite, probably because of its natural sweetness, is Love — made with watermelon, pineapple, strawberries, fennel and lemon. It’s a light and balanced combination with a nice acidic bite from the lemon and pineapple.

Others, like Happiness (pineapple, apples, mint and lemon), also left memorable impressions.

At $9 a bottle, it may seem a little steep, but keep in mind that Jugo only utilizes organic and locally grown produce. And when you think about it, cold-pressed juices really require an overabundance of fruits and veggies to make even the smallest amount.

Soon, Jugo Life will officially open its first storefront at 2463 S. King St., in conjunction with CrossFit Kuleana. It also will offer raw foods. Customers also may use Jugo Life for cleanses. Its most popular one lasts for three days.

“It actually feels nice to help people, and it helps our lifestyle, too,” says Lehmann.

Oh, and its name?

“‘Jugo’ means juice in Spanish,” says Oh. “I just wanted something a little different.”

For more information on Jugo Life and for updates on its opening, visit drinkjugolife. com, find them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram @drinkjugolife.