![Quantcast](http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-GS-HF4BKvzCmv.gif)
![After Losing Her Mom To Cancer, This Woman Quit Her Job And Opened A Juice Bar](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMjYxMzY3OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTc2Nzk2NzI1MH0.RcBC9D5TjIFRYINS_6eZ6oqiEPOwjCNLM1iFr8JOpw4/img.jpg?width=980&quality=90)
After Losing Her Mom To Cancer, This Woman Quit Her Job And Opened A Juice Bar
Oftentimes it's life's wake-up calls that lead you to your purpose.
Losing a job, hitting financial hard times, or even encountering a health scare can unexpectedly lead you from a moment of tragedy to a lifetime of triumph.
For Jerri Evans, founder and owner of Turning Natural juice shops, it was her mother's diagnosis of breast cancer that lead her to a lifestyle that would not only impact her family, but the thousands of customers who filter into her stores daily.
I first learned about Jerri after she supplied an array of her signature juices at a Toyota Green Initiative VIP dinner during the Broccoli Festival in Washington, DC. After hearing a snippet of her story, I knew I wanted to learn more.
I caught up with Jerri via phone on an early Friday afternoon as she navigated from one of three stores in southeast Washington, DC to the other just fifteen minutes away. “The free time I do get is driving from store-to-store," she admitted to me, hinting at her hectic schedule that often accompanies being an entrepreneur. Not that she's complaining, though. Because when you're in a position of service the reward comes not with the amount of sleep you get, but in the amount of lives you change.
As the closest sister to her mom, Jerri's mother took note of the lack of improvements that came with watching her sister go through chemotherapy and other unsuccessful treatments. When she was diagnosed with her own bout of breast cancer, she chose another route to her healing. “She took a holistic and alternative approach to it mostly because she saw how things didn't work for my aunt, and how chemotherapy and all of the different treatments that they were shoving down people's throat to those who had cancer just really wasn't the best option."
Growing up in Southeast D.C. the idea of healthy eating was unprecedented. Though her mom made sure her and her brother always ate something green, she counteracted the “healthy" with the typical diet of a community flanked by liquor stores and carry-out shops—chicken with mambo sauce, honey buns and fruit snacks from the corner store, and hot sausages and pickles from the neighborhood candy lady.
While there are many stories of cancer patients never being made aware of alternative options for treatment, the doctors at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Chicago did well to inform Jerri's mother of how much her diet was contributing to her declining health. Foods filled with added sugar, processed foods such as lunchmeat, and genetically modified organisms (GMO) such as corn and soy products all played a role in the development of cancerous cells. "I will never forget her doctor asked her, 'Do you want to survive? You have to want this more than what I could do for you.' And of course if you ask any cancer patient the answer is yes."
After her mom returned from the Cancer Treatment Center she decided to no longer feed the cancer, but to starve it altogether. “She realized that if she was going to beat cancer it was solely going to be up to her and the things she consistently did, and she became very aggressive with the transition."
Jerri came home one day to find her fruit snacks and honey buns tossed out, and shopping trips to Costco and Safeway soon replaced by ones to Whole Foods. “We're like whoa, lady, we don't have cancer, why do we have to eat this? But ultimately she was just teaching us that it's a lifestyle. It's not about what you have to change; it's about making that change now.
"It's not about what you have to change; it's about making that change now."
For nine-and-a-half years Jerri's mother successfully fought against cancer by replacing the standard American diet with one filled with organic fruits, vegetables, whole foods, and juices, which she often shared with family and friends who would come by the house. But in 2010 she lost that battle, and Jerri's world came to a halt.
At the time she was working in Atlanta at Lockheed Martin where she oversaw the building of weapons for F-22 fighter jets. Shortly after the news of her mother's transition, she quit her job. "I did absolutely nothing for about two years; I just traveled. I bought any and everything that I could. I had a closet full of unhappy because I just wanted to feel something again, and my mom and I were extremely close. All of my friends were like well what's next, what are you going to do? And I just didn't know, and I didn't want to do anything. I just wanted to be unhappy because that was just the safer place for me and the most normal thing.
“I just wanted to be unhappy because that was just the safer place for me and the most normal thing."
It took her mom appearing to her in a dream to pull Jerri out of her slump. “She was standing in my door while I was in my bed and she was like, 'why are you so broken?' And I'm looking at her like really, you're really asking me this? And she said, 'you're obligated to continue creating.'"
Jerri wasn't sure what her next steps were, but she knew she had to get back to her hometown of D.C. Once she relocated she realized that though she wasn't overly passionate about juicing, she had an obligation and love for helping people. She continued what her mother started years ago, which allowed her to fulfill both the part of her that wanted her mother's legacy to live on while inspiring others to live healthily.
With just $300 and a newly purchased juicer from her cousin, Jerri launched Turning Natural out of her kitchen. At first she started with just doing juice cleanses, which she offered to friends and family. But word spread of her healing beverages and soon people were looking for individual juices that they could consume outside of a cleanse. “Now people want individual juices, and I was not about to deliver individual juices because it just didn't make sense. And so I said okay, now we may need to look into getting a space."
Jerri, admittedly, was nervous about opening her first juice bar in what she calls a food desert. The USDA defines "food deserts" as areas in inner cities or rural areas were low-income residents have less access to affordable healthful foods. Though she knew the healing power of her juices, she wasn't sure if a community that was used to Popeye's and corner stores would be willing to shell out $6 or more on her healthy drinks. She considered opening the shop in a more health-friendly area, like Georgetown, but decided that her own people should have the opportunity to live a better lifestyle just as much anybody else. "I felt convicted. How dare I take something that my community not only needs but also deserves to another community that it's normal? Let's bring that normalcy in our own space."
Today, Turning Natural is successfully feeding and empowering the community with healthy alternatives. Walk into any one of her three shops and you'll see knowledgeable staff members educating customers on their menu items that feature fun and relatable names such as the Green Latifah and Swizz Beatz, as well as a full salad bar, and vegan and vegetarian food items.
For cancer patients, she offers juices for free.
"You just see the life come back into them. They feel hopeful again. They feel like they're aren't many plans out there for people with cancer other than just conventional medicine and so when we do the juicing they come back and they say my energy is much better, I don't feel as fatigued, and even though I'm still not eating, I feel nutritionally balanced because I'm getting all of the nutrients that I need in this juice. Those stories are very, very encouraging and it makes those difficult days a little bit easier."
Jerri hopes to open more stores in the DMV area and entrust stores to dedicated staff that's committed to her vision to build upon her mom's legacy. While she never imagined that she would own juice bars, it's possibly the very thing that's saved her life just as much as others.
“It makes me very emotional that people trust me with their health and that people believe in the vision, they believe in my mom's story. And I'm extremely grateful for that."
- Turning Natural ›
- Turning Natural - Home | Facebook ›
- Turning Natural - 131 Photos & 129 Reviews - Juice Bars ... ›
- Turning Natural (@turningnatural) • Instagram photos and videos ›
- Turning Natural - 31 Photos & 29 Reviews - Juice Bars & Smoothies ... ›
- Turning Natural Juice Bar Jerri Evans | POPSUGAR Fitness ›
- Turning Natural - 45 Photos & 63 Reviews - Vegetarian ... ›
- Turning Natural juice bar and vegan restaurant to open in Shaw ... ›
- about — I Love Juice Bar ›
- I Love Juice Bar | The Nation's Best Juice Bar Franchise ›
- Our Team — I Love Juice Bar ›
- The Refugee Juice Bar Owner Who's Defied Pretty Much Every Odd ... ›
- Making A Healthy Profit In The Juice Bar Business ›
Kiah McBride writes technical content by day and uses storytelling to pen real and raw personal development pieces on her blog Write On Kiah. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @writeonkiah.
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
'Love Island USA' Star JaNa Craig On The Reality Of Black Women On Dating Shows
Love Island USA just wrapped up its sixth season, and it has been the talk of the town. According to Nielsen, it's the No. 1 show on streaming, proving it's just as entertaining as the UK version. One of the reasons this season has been successful is due to the authentic relationships formed between the islanders in the villa.
You have the sisterhood between Serena Page, JaNa Craig, and Leah Kateb, aka PPG, and the real relationship moments between couples like Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, who were named the winners of this season. The other finalists include Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi, Nicole Jacky and Kendall Washington, and JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez.
While JaNa made it to the finale with her boo Kenny, her journey in the villa was far from perfect. Viewers saw the Las Vegas native get her heart stomped on a few times after many of her connections didn't work out.
At one point, it even looked like she was getting kicked off the island. While she had a lot of support from people watching the show, it was clear that she was in a position that many Black women on reality dating shows find themselves in: not being desired.
It has been an ongoing conversation among Black women watching reality dating shows as we see time and time again that non-Black women or racially ambiguous-looking women are often chosen over Black women, especially dark-skinned women. In a discussion with Shadow and Act, JaNa opened up about the support she received from viewers.
@cineaxries i love them 🤧 #janacraig #janaandkenny #loveislandusa #foryou #peacock #loveisland #janaloveisland #xybca #kennyloveisland #janaedit #loveislandedit #janaedits #loveislandusaedit #viral #loveislandusaseason6 #foryoupage #peacocktv
"You know what’s so crazy? I’m so grateful, because when I got my phone, the way they’re making us The Princess and The Frog…I felt honored. I will be that beautiful chocolate queen if I need to be. And the comments like 'beautiful chocolate girl,' I’m like, all Black women are beautiful. There’s the whole light skin versus dark skin, which breaks my heart. I just really don’t understand that, but I will take pride and represent us well," she said.
She also candidly discussed her experience as a dark-skinned Black woman on the show. JaNa and Serena had been in the villa since the first episode, and they were the only dark-skinned Black women there. As new men aka bombshells came into the villa, they found themselves not being wanted by many of them.
"Me and Serena literally had a heart-to-heart before Kenny came in and she’s like, I just don’t think it’s fair that the Black girls don’t get enough fair chance.' Every islander that came in, we were not their top pick. And we just [thought], maybe because we’re Black girls, and the dark-skinned Black girls. It sucked," she said.
"I’m like, 'Serena, we know what we bring to the table. We’re great personalities. A guy’s going to come in for us.' That’s when we manifested what we wanted, and that’s when I manifested Kenny."
@ashleyvera__ We love to see it 🥰 #loveislandusa #loveisland #loveisland2024 #janaandkenny #loveislandseason6 #peacock #realitytv #fypage
After many failed connections, Kenny came in and immediately turned JaNa's experience around. America watched the model get the care and attention that she deserved.
"I’m not going to hold you. When I was in the bottom for a quick second, I’m like, ‘There’s no way America doesn’t [ride for us]. I know Black America had to ride for me, but maybe because I’m a dark-skinned … hmm … maybe … you feel me? And you saw the Casa Amor lineup. Beautiful, beautiful light-skinned [women]," she said.
"We looked at each other like, 'Damn, Love Island did their big one with this. And every single Casa Amor girl was like, 'You girls are gorgeous, you guys are stunning.' They expressed love. You guys are beautiful and it felt good."
Although she and Kenny came in third place, JaNa is happy that she got her man in the end. "I think the thing I’m most grateful about is the fact that this is a beautiful love story like you guys complement each other and there’s no hate toward the skin color. It’s all love and support. I love that more than anything," she said.
"That’s why I was like, 'I won,' even though I didn’t win. And the fact that Serena won, we were like, 'Yeah, run that.' Either way, we won. And I love the support from all communities."