VegFest and Meeting Dr. Myers

As a relatively new employee of Nature’s Express, it was so exciting to have been invited to work at VegFest in San Francisco over the weekend. I was also looking forward to the day because I was finally going to meet our founder and owner Dr. Carl Myers. The day did not disappoint! The morning started off with Molly and I arriving and setting up the Nature’s Express booth among all the other incredible displays and vegan enthusiasts. Soon Dr. Myers arrived and greeted us warmly. He was scheduled to give and hour long talk on the benefits of the vegan lifestyle and diet. I was impressed by his and his wife’s open and loving demeanor. Molly attended Dr. Myers talk and then returned to watch the booth so I could attend a talk given by John Robbins.

John Robbin’s eloquence and style pulled his audience into a wonderful sort of warm cocoon. I was inspired and felt an immediate sense of community in the room. It made me realize that our true equity is, now more than ever, sharing that sense of community by exchanging ideas, supporting healthy choices for the body and the environment, and doing it with ease and tenderness for one another. As you may be able to tell, I left the auditorium beaming. I was smiling because I realized how lucky I was to be working with other vegan food enthusiasts and people who shared similar values and goals; that of sustainable living, making the healthiest dietary choices and generating positive, smiling vibrations.

Finally today, when I was back in the restaurant, Dr. Myers came in to visit and see how all of us were doing in Berkeley. Many of our customers had the chance to meet and talk with Dr. Myers since he made himself available throughout the entire lunch hour rush. I observed many happy conversations and new bonds being made here in our local health conscious community, where by the way….all are welcome vegan or not.

I for one, look forward to hearing from all of you and sharing the incredible experience that is Nature’s Express; Fresh, organic, tasty vegan food prepared by a new breed of business people empowered by shared humanistic goals and values!!

Get to know us!!!! #001

Hey everyone! While you are dining at Nature's Express do you ever notice that our staff is a little bit... different than most fast food places? When someone says that food is made with love usually they are kidding. But here, we are serious! That's because at Nature's Express we embrace each other's unique styles, talents, and characteristics... and use them to make our food as epic as it is. In fact we are so proud of each individual that we will be putting out a mini profile/interview each week so that you can get an insight as what makes us...us.

SO without further ado- I give you our first profile... SUE!

Name: Hey yeah, I'm Sue.
Position: I'm a Cook... or really a Jill of All Trades.
Work Music Preferred: I tend to listen to "Trashy Euro Dance Music" and Classical of course! I love Beethoven!
Work Age: 7 months!

If Sue were a menu item what would she be? I would definitely have to be a Spicy Hawaiian Burger with the new ORIGINAL Patty.

Why did Sue apply to work here? I used to do Collections- and it was depressing to TAKE from people every day. So I decided I wanted to do something that gives back... and this was it.

What does Sue want to be when she grows up? I wanna be a Mad Scientist- evil laugh, crazy glasses... the works!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrwPDRcGk60

Healthier High-Rollers

HE strolled in... cool, nonchalant, acting like it was simply another regular day in Berkeley CA. A lady by his side and a wallet in his fist, he posed for a moment to scan our menu as if he had no idea what to order. With a nod he decided and leaned over the counter slightly...

"I'll have a mixed berry smoothie, no banana, extra ice. Also a mango smoothie with just a touch of blueberry." He flashed a payment card at me, and I swiped it swiftly- ignorant of what was about to happen.

The monitor hummed a silent undertone... the grill sizzled and crackled in the background... voices floated in musically through the door...

Then SUDDENLY pastel confetti flew through the air! Fireworks blasted through the white-lit ceiling showering us with heat and color! Everyone sitting outside suddenly exploded through the door cheering and yelling "HUZZAH HUZZAH!" The world seemed to be celebrating in our shop- but why???!!!

My heart was pounding with excitement and fright as I tore his receipt off the feeder. My hand trembled awkwardly as I straightened out the piece of paper to review it... then suddenly it all made sense. This customer wasn't just any customer.

He was Peter the Magnificent! High-Roller! He had just barely gotten 250 points on his Nature's Express card!! Which meant that he was suddenly entitled to receive a $25 gift card from us.

So okay it didn't quite happen like that- but it SHOULD everytime. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Nature's Express card it is really simple. Any time you come into Nature's Express and make a purchase we swipe the card and you collect points. When you get to 250 points you get a $25 gift card. FREE! SMILE INCLUDED! (Maybe even a high-five...)

So if you are a Frequent Flyer of Nature's Express... and you want to upgrade to being a High-Roller like Peter the Magnificent, be sure to ask for a card next time you come in.

By the way, we asked Peter the Magnificent:

If you were a Nature's Express food item which would you be?
Signature Salad with a Hummus Wrap and a Maple Coconut bar of course!

What about YOU? What would YOU be??