Blends with Benefits
The perky host had made it seem so easy.
Maybe it was your chardonnay-induced haze or maybe it’s because everything looks simple at 2 a.m., but despite the infomercial’s promise, things aren’t going too smoothie with your new Miraculous 12-in-1 Drink Master.
Two broken blades, three jammed buttons and one volcanic explosion later, and you realize that it’ll be miracle if your latest late-night impulse buy manages to make anything other than a new hole in your wallet.
Your sweet dream of fresh, homemade fruit drinks are down the drain, literally.
Luckily, David and Makani Clarke are ready to blend a hand. Two years ago the North Shore couple began whipping up organic smoothies with solar-powered blenders at the Haleiwa Farmers Market. Now, they’re also transforming locally grown produce into delicious concoctions six days a week in their new Haleiwa Town Center shop, Universe Juice.
Tune in to the Mint Sin, a refreshingly light-but-creamy blend of cool mint, bananas, soy milk, cacao nibs and grapes. Or, sip back and relax with the indulgent Toasted Monkey, made with chocolate, peanut butter, bananas, hemp seeds, coconut and soy milk.
But wait, there’s more. Universe Juice now also offers tasty, healthy snacks created almost completely from ingredients supplied by local small farms and businesses.
Order up a crispy waffle topped with decadent slices of toasted coconut butter from Naked Cow Dairy and lilikoi syrup from farmers market favorite, The Hawaiian Chef. Or, fill up on an avocado and fresh fig sandwich packed with local beets, cucumbers, greens and a cilantro pesto dressing.
Swing by after 5 p.m. and you can even snag a fresh awa drink served up on Universe Juice’s striking tree trunk bar.
Just what you need to exercise a little remote control.
Universe Juice is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily in the Haleiwa Town Center, 66-145 Kamehameha Hwy. The entrance is only visible from the parking lot next to A Scoop of Paradise. For more information, call 808.228.0491 or e-mail makani@universejuice.com.
