Williams Lake resident Kimberly Kaytor knows full well the effects a healthy lifestyle can have.
Battling her own health issues that weren’t responding to western medicine, Kaytor began a three-month cleanse avoiding sugar, dairy, gluten, flour, meat and all refined foods, in a desperate attempt to get better.
Challenges of eating healthy presented themselves, and Kaytor quickly realized there was a lack of available wholesome fast food for anyone living an on-the-go lifestyle.
“At the time I was travelling a lot and during this time I realized the need for wholesome fast food,” said Kaytor, who moved to Williams Lake from Bella Coola in 2005. “I kind of knew the past 10 years that I wanted to do something different and something where I could do something positive for others and help improve their lives.”
Two years later, having overcome her own health problems, Kaytor decided to act on her observations.
“I started thinking: ‘What if I create a space where I can provide these healthy options for the other people who have the full-time jobs and the families and can’t take the time to cook this way, or to look into these types of things.’”
She opened Smashin’ Smoothies in the Sandman Complex, facing Save On Foods, in Williams Lake on Dec. 15, 2012.
Smashin’ Smoothies is a juice, smoothie and espresso bar utilizing fresh, organic produce.
Her business philosophy, she said, is to provide healthy and affordable products efficiently utilizing organic ingredients and non-refined foods.
“I do not use any chemical sweeteners or refined sugars,” she said. “We have organic coffees, we have juices, smoothies, we make our own chocolate sauce here for hot chocolates and we make our own chai tea. We also make snacks, energy balls and that kind of thing, and we have soups on every day for lunch.”
There’s literally a tasty, healthy option for everyone on the menu, she said, and adds they also carry a line of organic herbal teas from the U.K.
She also caters to anyone with food allergies or specific dietary needs.
Smashin’ Smoothies is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Kaytor said they will continue to extend their business hours in the evenings as the daylight grows longer.
For more information, or to check out daily specials, visit Smashin’ Smoothies by searching their name on Facebook.