We're Slammed

That's why we haven't updated the blog. We'll try to add new posts this weekend. 

We've learned a lot. We have a backlog of posts.  Stay tuned. 

Final Inspection Passed

We open tonight if we can figure out how to use the cash register. 

Opening Menu

We just completed our first training session with our employees.  The input from our employees have been very helpful and we've adjusted the opening menu based on their suggestions.  

Each drink is 24oz.  Most drinks contain 8oz. of ice, 8 oz. of fruit(s), 4 oz. of liquid (soy, carrot juice, orange juice), and a banana.  That's 3-4 servings of fruit/vegetables in each smoothie.  (To employees: remember 8-8-4 and a banana). 

Strawberry-Mango: 1 cup strawberry and mango, 1 cup ice, 1 banana, half cup orange juice
Strawberry-Mango tart: 1 cup strawberry, mango, and lemon, 1 cup ice, 1 banana, half cup orange juice
Mango-Pineapple: 1 cup mango and pineapple, 1 cup ice, 1 banana, half cup carrot juice
Mango-Azuki: 1 cup azuki, half cup mango, 1 cup ice, 1 banana, half cup soy
Strawberry-blueberry tart: 1 cup strawberry, mango, and lemon, 1 cup ice, 1 banana, half cup orange juice
Strawberry-Kale: 1 cup strawberry and lemon, 1 kale leaf, 1 cup ice, 1 banana, half cup carrot juice

---------
Sin Menu

Bacon Milkshake: 5 scoops vanilla ice cream, touch of heavy cream, half cup soy, 1 bacon (or 2?). 
Mango Milkshake: 1 cup mango and lemon, 3 scoops of ice cream, half cup soy

----------------------------------

We think 8 menu items will be manageable to start.  We'll increase menu offerings to twelve. 

Menu - Week 1

Strawberry-Mango Smoothie: half cup strawberry, half cup mango, half cup vanilla soy, one cup ice, one banana

Blueberry-Mango Smoothie: half cup blueberry, half cup mango, half cup vanilla soy or milk, one cup ice, one banana

Watermelon-Mango Smoothie: One cup watermelon, half cup mango, half cup carrot juice, one cup ice, one banana

Mango-Carrot Smoothie: One cup mango, half cup carrot juice, one cup ice, one banana

Strawberry-Kale Smoothie: One cup strawberry, two kale leaves, one cup ice, half cup carrot juice, one banana 

Jalapano-Yam (or Sweet Potato) Smoothie: One jalapeno, one cup yam, slice of lemon, one cup carrot juice or soy

Mango-Azuki Smoothie (protein shake): 1 cup azuki bean, 1/2 cup mango, 1 cup soy, 1 banana, 1 cup ice

A slice of lemon can be added to any of these to add tartness.


Sin Menu
Bacon Milkshake: Two slices of bacon, one cup vanilla ice-cream, 1/2 cup heavy cream, one cup soy or milk

Mango-Lemon Milkshake: Half cup mango, slice of lemon, 1/2 cup heavy cream, one cup soy or milk
------------------------------------------------------------------------
We'll update this post with nutrition data (ahem, Wan).  We'll explain the "sin menu" in another post.

Note: Banana is used not only for its potassium, but also as a way to make the smoothie creamier.
Note: Matrix Whey Protein and Creatine can be added for $1, each.
Note: We're trying to add Odwalla Orange Juice to the menu for those who prefer sweet smoothies.  

Dress Code

The purpose of our dress code is to ensure that our employees express our brand -- affordable and convenient nutrition and healthy living -- while maximizing employee efficiency and safety. 

* Wear clothes that maximize efficiency.  For instance, if it's more difficult to climb a ladder to reach something while wearing dress shoes than while wearing sneakers, then wear sneakers.

* Wear clothes that maximize safety.  Don't wear flip-flops or sandals if you're concerned about getting your toes stepped on.  When it's busy, toes will likely be stepped on.  Do your best to minimize injuries. 

*Wear clothes that express simplicity.  Our goal is to get people to believe -- vis-a-vis our products --  that nutrition and healthy living can be had by living simply, and not by living extravagantly. 

* Look at how Asians dress.  Do the opposite of whatever they do.  Avoid the high maintenance look. 
-------------------------------------
Specific Recommendations:

* Wear form-fitting clothing.  Avoid baggy and tight/revealing clothing.
* Wear little or no make-up and jewelry.
*  Wear clothes that won't offend customers.  Don't wear anything that expresses a political view-point or attacks/promotes an organization. 
* Avoid clothes that display a brand.
* Don't look sloppy (avoid baggy clothing). 
* Keep hair tied back, kept out of face and eyes (this could be a health code requirement)
* Keep fingernails well groomed - short and clean.  Avoid using nail polish on fingernails.

We may add to this post in the future.

Plumbing Inspection Passed

We learned that we don't need a backflow system for an air-cooled ice-maker (required for a water cooled ice-maker).  The backflow system cost us $600 to purchase, install, and test.

The inspection took 5 minutes.

We're frustrated because we wish our plumber would know more about backflow systems and ice-makers to build an argument to the city against having a backflow system.  Most construction contractors don't think it's worth challenging a city's requirements.  They're afraid to piss-off city inspectors .  

Based on our experience with building a house, city requirements can be successfully challenged without damaging anyone's reputations.

This experience is a reminder that we need to ask contractors why something needs to be done in a certain way.

Final inspection on Tuesday.  If we pass that inspection, we'll open Tuesday afternoon.

Application Question - Round 2

Write a play featuring the following -- Bacon, Yam, Jalapeno, and Mango.  (Inspired by Cooper Union School of Architecture).