Isn’t that the truth! The past few weeks have been the craziest of my entire life. My sanity has most definitely been put to the test. Nothing great ever comes easy, right? Even when running Alchemy Juice Bar + Cafe gets the best of me and all I want to do is scream into my pillow, I’m so beyond thankful that I’m doing exactly what I love. My career gives me such a sense of purpose. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world! 
So how did I ever get involved with Alchemy, you ask? Well, I met my great friend Abed in a nutrition class at Ohio State. We spent long hours studying carbohydrate metabolism and memorizing lengthy enzymes we could barely pronounce. In grad school, I started helping with the menu and serving at one of his family’s restaurants, The Crest. I met inspiring people like Dustin Brafford, The Crest’s executive chef, and even worked alongside him to create a five-course plant based dinner.
A&R Creative group, started by Abed and his brothers, is truly an incredible company. They don’t just create innovative restaurant concepts that thrive; they use their restaurants as platforms for social change. Not only do they foster relationships with local farmers while supporting the earth, the community, and the environment with their sustainability initiatives, but they also put Columbus on the national food scene. If you haven’t laid mouth on a wood-fired pizza from the new Market Italian Village, you’re in for a serious treat! 
They do a ton in this city, and they do it all so well. They empower me each day to step back and put others first.
So when Abed said he had a business proposal for me, I was floored. I knew I never wanted to work in a hospital, and in all honesty, I was really worried about not finding a job I was passionate about after graduating. It was like the stars were aligning. Alchemy was born!
Having the opportunity to help create a health food space from the ground up has been by far the most rewarding and challenging experience of my entire life. Everything from using recipes from this very blog to create the menu, negotiating with distributors and architects, and learning how to effectively run a food space has been nothing short of amazing. I always wanted to create a healthy restaurant but I never in a million years dreamed that I would be able to help make it a reality. 
But above all, what I’m most excited about is giving you all, giving the public, giving Columbus access to this delicious, healthy, sustainable food. Finding healthy choices when dining out can be a huge struggle. At Alchemy, our passion stems from our holistic approach to preventative health and food systems with a commitment to the earth and community. Alchemy integrates health care and wholesome food giving you a simpler path to a more nutritious lifestyle. 
Alchemy makes nutrition accessible. We want it to be a space where people can question nutrition and delve into conversations about how to better the local food system. As Alchemy’s Director of Nutrition and Communications, I also provide on-site nutrition counseling for those interested in a more personalized approach. The beauty of Alchemy is that we are all teachers and we are all learners. 
If you are interested in personalized counseling, I would love to work with you! I also teach Nutrition 101 classes at the Fitness Loft twice a month, so keep in touch on Facebook for updates!
So what exactly can you find at Alchemy? We offer cold-pressed juice made in house, smoothies, healthy sandwiches, salads, toast, snacks, soup, and full service coffee. Nearly everything is made in house, including our almond milk, almond butter, hummus, pesto, soup, salads, and chia pudding. We also sell lots of plant-based protein powder, grass-fed whey protein powder, house made chia pudding, locally made hummus, and some other great retail items. I like to think of it as fairly priced healthy food and drink that not only tastes delicious, but also nourishes the mind and body. You’ll also notice a minimalist, clean, modern aesthetic. And if that’s not enough, you can head up to The Fitness Loft, a beautiful new gym located right upstairs! 
While the menu has tons of plant-based and gluten-free items, we definitely have something for everyone, like the popular tuna kraut or jalapeño turkey sandwich. All of our options are loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables along with superfoods like micro kale, chia seeds, sprouts, raw cacao, goji berries, and acai. 
I’m clearly obsessed with the whole menu, but my favorite menu items are the avocado, toast, tuna kraut sandwich, banana avocado cacao acai bowl, pumpkin pie smoothie, and curried brussels sprout salad. 
Wondering what a typical day looks like? Read this post for a detailed description! I’m usually in to open by 5:45am. Sometimes I spend the morning prepping salads, pesto, hummus, and almond butter. I also usually help with making smoothies, toast, and acai bowls for customers. Then I prepare for my nutrition appointments for the day. We get pretty busy around noon, so I’ll usually hop in and help with the lunch rush. In the afternoon, I may talk to different distributors about products we need and brainstorm new recipes. Then I’ll work on next week’s schedule and prepare for other nutrition appointments or nutrition 101 classes. It’s super busy, and the time FLIES. Creating blog content ahead of time on my days off has been a life saver! 
So stop in and say hi! If you’re interested in personalized nutrition counseling, email me at [email protected] I can’t wait to see you at Alchemy!]]>
Landing My Dream Job
October 30, 2014
Beautiful!!! congrats love!
Thanks my dear!
Beautiful!!! congrats love!
Thanks my dear!
Congrats! What an exciting business you’re running–it definitely shows that hard work DOES pay off 🙂 My bestie lives in Columbus so the next time I visit we will have to stop by!
Fabulous! Can’t wait to see you there!
Congrats! What an exciting business you’re running–it definitely shows that hard work DOES pay off 🙂 My bestie lives in Columbus so the next time I visit we will have to stop by!
Fabulous! Can’t wait to see you there!
I’m so happy that you have this opportunity. It’s such a perfect fit for you. You are SO right about the healthy, read food options for eating out being limited. Almost non-existent around here. Y’all need to expand to the Dayton/Cinci area!!
I would LOVE to expand!! You have to come visit if you’re ever in the area!! You’d be in heaven 🙂
I’m so happy that you have this opportunity. It’s such a perfect fit for you. You are SO right about the healthy, read food options for eating out being limited. Almost non-existent around here. Y’all need to expand to the Dayton/Cinci area!!
I would LOVE to expand!! You have to come visit if you’re ever in the area!! You’d be in heaven 🙂
How perfect and exciting girl!!!!
Thanks, Brittany!!
How perfect and exciting girl!!!!
Thanks, Brittany!!
If I’m ever in Columbus, my first stop will be Alchemy! What a beautiful establishment! It must be so amazing to work for a company that holds your same values, and to be in such a positive environment! Serious beat hugs, girly! You’ve worked your booty off and you deserve this happy life you’ve created for yourself! Now take a vacation and come visit me!! 😀
Juliaaaaa I would literally cry if I saw your beautiful face walking in the door!! I would make you slurp free smoothies ALL DAY LONG. XO
If I’m ever in Columbus, my first stop will be Alchemy! What a beautiful establishment! It must be so amazing to work for a company that holds your same values, and to be in such a positive environment! Serious beat hugs, girly! You’ve worked your booty off and you deserve this happy life you’ve created for yourself! Now take a vacation and come visit me!! 😀
Juliaaaaa I would literally cry if I saw your beautiful face walking in the door!! I would make you slurp free smoothies ALL DAY LONG. XO
So excited for you, Alexis! Can Toledo be next?! 😉 Hope to stop by soon – will def say hello!
Thanks, EB! Come say hi!
So excited for you, Alexis! Can Toledo be next?! 😉 Hope to stop by soon – will def say hello!
Thanks, EB! Come say hi!
Glad to hear that you found something that you are passion about, and can do it as a job. How exciting! The place looks great!
Thanks, Lacey!!
Glad to hear that you found something that you are passion about, and can do it as a job. How exciting! The place looks great!
Thanks, Lacey!!
WOW! Your dream job is amazing! Thanks for sharing and for inspiring me to continue to pursue my dream job. If I’m ever in the area, I know where I’ll be having lunch. Congratulations!
I would love to have you, Pragati!
WOW! Your dream job is amazing! Thanks for sharing and for inspiring me to continue to pursue my dream job. If I’m ever in the area, I know where I’ll be having lunch. Congratulations!
I would love to have you, Pragati!
So excited for you! It sounds absolutely perfect, and like the total opposite of working in a hospital 🙂
I love it so much because it IS the opposite 🙂
So excited for you! It sounds absolutely perfect, and like the total opposite of working in a hospital 🙂
I love it so much because it IS the opposite 🙂
That certainly does sound like a DREAM job!! I wish I lived closer to you so that I could visit!
You would love it so much!!!!
That certainly does sound like a DREAM job!! I wish I lived closer to you so that I could visit!
You would love it so much!!!!
I am so excited for you!! I hope I find my dream job one day… it sounds a lot like yours! It takes so much drive and ambition to do that, I am in admiration!!! xo
Awww thanks, Cassie! You are going to find the perfect job, I guarantee it!!
I am so excited for you!! I hope I find my dream job one day… it sounds a lot like yours! It takes so much drive and ambition to do that, I am in admiration!!! xo
Awww thanks, Cassie! You are going to find the perfect job, I guarantee it!!
Well this is just flat out AWESOME and freaking inspiring! You go girl! XOXO
Thanks my love!! XO
Well this is just flat out AWESOME and freaking inspiring! You go girl! XOXO
Thanks my love!! XO
Wow! Such an inspiration. This literally looks like a dream come true. It’s clear how much hard work you put into making this a reality so congrats – I only wish I was closer so I could stop by, this sounds like my perfect cafe <3
Georgie, come visit!!
Wow! Such an inspiration. This literally looks like a dream come true. It’s clear how much hard work you put into making this a reality so congrats – I only wish I was closer so I could stop by, this sounds like my perfect cafe <3
Georgie, come visit!!
Oh wow this is awesome! Best of all I love that your career gives you a sense of purpose. That’s what I long for! Congrats on all the hard work paying off!! Best of luck in the weeks to come. I’d love to visit and will def. stop by for lunch if I’m ever in the area 🙂
Thanks a ton, Sam! Come and say hi!
Oh wow this is awesome! Best of all I love that your career gives you a sense of purpose. That’s what I long for! Congrats on all the hard work paying off!! Best of luck in the weeks to come. I’d love to visit and will def. stop by for lunch if I’m ever in the area 🙂
Thanks a ton, Sam! Come and say hi!
Could you have found any more perfect fit?! Congratulations, Alex! Alchemy sounds just like the kind of cafe I’d stop by. And then spend hours chatting about all things nutrition and gushing about the amazingness of almond butter. So basically, we need an establishment like that over here.
Thanks so much! Please come so we can chat about almond butter all day 🙂
Could you have found any more perfect fit?! Congratulations, Alex! Alchemy sounds just like the kind of cafe I’d stop by. And then spend hours chatting about all things nutrition and gushing about the amazingness of almond butter. So basically, we need an establishment like that over here.
Thanks so much! Please come so we can chat about almond butter all day 🙂
This is so awesome – I need to come visit!!!!!! I’m not that far. 🙂 xo
Come visit, Liz!! Snickerdoodle smoothie on me 😉
This is so awesome – I need to come visit!!!!!! I’m not that far. 🙂 xo
Come visit, Liz!! Snickerdoodle smoothie on me 😉
How awesome for you! I was just talking to a friend this evening about finding jobs we’re passionate about when we graduate in April. So inspiring that you’re living it 😀
I’m sure you’re gonna do just that!
How awesome for you! I was just talking to a friend this evening about finding jobs we’re passionate about when we graduate in April. So inspiring that you’re living it 😀
I’m sure you’re gonna do just that!
You are amazing my SFAW. We need to bring this to Aus.
Does SFAW stand for super fun awesome woman?
You are amazing my SFAW. We need to bring this to Aus.
Does SFAW stand for super fun awesome woman?
This look so amazing and I’m so thrilled for you! Now can you come to SF and open here too? 😉
Thanks, Brittany! Saf Fran here I come!
This look so amazing and I’m so thrilled for you! Now can you come to SF and open here too? 😉
Thanks, Brittany! Saf Fran here I come!
I LOVED reading this lady. I love what you are doing, you will be helping SO many people. The long days will be worth it when you see how many people your wonderful message reaches! And you have all the good stuff to keep you well and healthy 🙂
You should be so proud of yourself!! I would love to come to Alchemy. One day hey 🙂
Thanks so much, Lauren! I would love to see you there!
I LOVED reading this lady. I love what you are doing, you will be helping SO many people. The long days will be worth it when you see how many people your wonderful message reaches! And you have all the good stuff to keep you well and healthy 🙂
You should be so proud of yourself!! I would love to come to Alchemy. One day hey 🙂
Thanks so much, Lauren! I would love to see you there!
Alexis! WOW, this is really amazing. This blog post was so well written and inspiring! I wish you and your career all the very best! SO impressed!
Awww thanks so much, Mindy! You’re the sweetest! Miss you tons!
Alexis! WOW, this is really amazing. This blog post was so well written and inspiring! I wish you and your career all the very best! SO impressed!
Awww thanks so much, Mindy! You’re the sweetest! Miss you tons!
Love this! Congrats on following your dream! I sooooo wish we had a place like this in Cincinnati!!!! I’m a vegetarian and it’s so hard to find healthy options!
Awww thanks so much, Laney! Maybe we’ll bring one to Cincinnati 🙂
Love this! Congrats on following your dream! I sooooo wish we had a place like this in Cincinnati!!!! I’m a vegetarian and it’s so hard to find healthy options!
Awww thanks so much, Laney! Maybe we’ll bring one to Cincinnati 🙂
Wow,Alchemy sounds amazing! I love the philosophy behind it and hope that one day I could create a business of my own and be as successful as you.
Thanks so much, Linda!
Wow,Alchemy sounds amazing! I love the philosophy behind it and hope that one day I could create a business of my own and be as successful as you.
Thanks so much, Linda!
So so happy for you!
Thanks love!
So so happy for you!
Thanks love!
AHHHH what a fun job! Congrats!!! I don’t graduate until May, but you make me even more excited to be done with school!!!!
Thanks my love!!! You’re gonna do amazing things!
AHHHH what a fun job! Congrats!!! I don’t graduate until May, but you make me even more excited to be done with school!!!!
Thanks my love!!! You’re gonna do amazing things!