October, 2008

Today marks the end of our first full week of being open and I would like to say a big thank you to those that have helped us over the last few months.

Chris Fogerty with Fogerty Builders of the keys has been instrumental in getting the interior refit ready in time. We were looking for a builder that had knowledge and interest in ‘green building’ so we were very excited when we were introduced to Chris who just so happens to be the only ‘green builder’ in Key West. He has always been passionate about green living and recycles everything from his job sites as well as using as much sustainable materials as possible. He is responsible for all the new construction work inside and outside and he built our counter out of reclaimed Dade County pine and bamboo. For more information on green building call Chris at 305 3041115.

Mike the founder of Trashed in the Keys (a non for profit organization working hard to bring awareness to the importance of staying environmentally friendly and clean) is responsible for building our composting unit and our rain barrel. He believes in a grass roots movement of people and businesses willing to do what must be done to help our Island, shorelines, inlets, harbors and outlying islands stay clear of trash. This involves composting, recycling and preserving water and energy. Mike is getting ready to open an environmentally friendly store selling his custom built composting units, rain barrels and everyday environmentally friendly products. For more information call Mike at 305 4340058 or visit www.trashedinthekeys.com

Scott McCollum at 901 Signs, directly opposite us, did all the signage for us and after only being issued our building permit to put the signs up at the last minute, they did a great job of getting everything ready in a very short space of time – 305 294 0411

Paradise Plumbing fitted our water filter and did some other plumbing work that was needed. They were extremely quick and efficient and came out immediately one morning we had a water leak. We highly recommend their services. 304 294 0843.

Brian Roy is responsible for our landscaping, clearing out our planters and replanting a variety of edible plants and herbs. Brain grew up on an organic farm and studied design and horticulture. His company specializes in everything from entire garden design to garden maintenance. 305 849 2527

A big thank must go to all our friends who did everything from help paint, run run errands and even fly out from the UK and central PA to offer a helping hand!

I would also like to thank HARC for their support in allowing us to make the changes we asked for.

And of course thank you to everyone that supported us this week; the neighborhood, locals and tourists.

We look forward to growing the business, serving healthy food and creating a community environment!

After just over 2 and a half months we have officially opened for business! Without any big announcements, we opened for lunch yesterday, just in time for Fantasy Fest week!

For now, our hours of operation will be:

8am – 7pm
Monday – Saturday

And we will begin delivery in the next few weeks.

So if you are in Key West come down and visit us!!

Water is just water right….? Wrong! Just like a sommelier understands his wine and a barrister understands his coffee, we understand the difference in water.

The human body is made up of more than 70% water. The blood is more than 80%, the brain more than 75%, and the liver is an amazing 96% water!

In fact the human body is a water machine, designed primarily to run on water and minerals. Every life-giving and healing process that happens inside the body happens with water. Therefore the quality of the water we drink is very important.

The function of every cell in the body is controlled by electrical signals sent through the nervous system from the brain. Nerves, in reality, are an elaborate system of tiny waterways. If the fluid inside the nerves thickens due to dehydration or is contaminated with synthetic chemicals or toxic heavy metals, the vital signals can get distorted.

Considering the major role that water plays in the function of the brain and nervous system, its purity is possibly the most basic and essential key to healthy longevity. Proper digestion and nutrient absorption depend on a healthy intake of water. In order for our bodies to get the nutritional value from the foods and supplements we eat, we must consume plenty of good water. Since sugars and carbohydrates are absorbed more rapidly, even a slight degree of dehydration can cause us to get calories without nutrition from the foods we eat.

Our energy level is greatly affected by the amount of water we drink. It has been medically proven that just a 5% drop in body fluids will cause a 25% to 30% loss of energy in the average person. Water is what the liver uses to metabolize fat into usable energy. It is estimated that over 80% of the population suffers energy loss due to minor dehydration. An increased intake of healthy water will help metabolize and shed stored fat resulting in more energy and less fat.

Because we believe strongly in the importance of quality water we have installed what we believe is one of the best water filters on the market. This filter filters all our water so not only do we drink it, all our produce is washed in it and even our coffee is made with it. We chose this filter because, unlike many other filters on the market, it goes above and beyond the minimum requirements of a water filter, has undergone years of research and development, and filters out all the chemicals and toxic substances found in most tap water yet leaves the essential trace minerals behind. And it just tastes great! So yes there is a difference in the taste of quality water! Come by and try for yourself…!