Just in time for a new year and healthful resolutions, FOY Superfoods has opened in Downtown Mobile offering the food you need for a fresh start. FOY, which stands for Fountain of Youth, serves breakfast and lunch, sells nutritious meals to go, acts as a pickup spot for meal subscribers and operates as South Alabama’s first cold-pressed juice bar.
Though juice bars like FOY are few and far between in our area, they have become a fun and integral part of wellness regimens across the country. Cold pressing preserves the vitamins and nutrients in fresh fruits and veggies, as they are squeezed very slowly under pressure without applying any heat. What results is a raw, unpasteurized product that takes more than eight hours to produce. FOY presents their juices in shots, single servings or as a fully customizable juice cleanse program.
As for the breakfast and lunch options, the majority are paleo-friendly, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free and full of delicious superfood ingredients that your body will love. The meals are filling and satisfying, with options to add chicken or steak, heart-healthy avocado, quinoa, and nuts and seeds to a variety of rice bowls and salads. Avocado toast, soups, smoothies, acai bowls, energy snacks and gluten-free cookies round out FOY’s offerings.
Downtown workers can pop into the bright Bienville Square storefront for a cup of Carpe Diem coffee, a green juice and some nutty protein power pancakes to get their days started. Lunch is the cafe’s busiest time of day, but folks continue to roll in and out all afternoon for pick-me-up snacks or to grab a wholesome prepackaged take-home dinner for under $10.
FOY is the sister store to Balance, a nutritionist-approved cafe and subscription meal service based on Airport Boulevard at the Loop, that has been helping Mobilians eat healthier for the last three years. Husband-and-wife owners Liz Garza and John Smith launched their business after adopting a paleo diet and seeing a dramatic improvement in John’s diabetes. They have slowly been growing their business and a devoted following ever since. Liz says the couple is excited to now offer a dine-in option for Mobilians looking for something quick, affordable and nutritious. The Downtown location has foot traffic, but many customers hear about FOY through word-of-mouth and social media. “People are passionate about eating well and feeling good, ” she says, “and they want to share it with everyone they know!”
If your 2017 New Year’s resolutions include improving your health, make it easy on yourself and join the FOY movement. Leave behind the gluttony of the holidays one power bowl at a time!
On the Menu
Power Pancakes
Hearty and nutty pancakes, above left, made with almond flour and flaxseed, are topped with pure maple syrup or fresh fruit and honey. The pancakes also freeze well, if you want them to-go. Reheat in the toaster for a quick paleo breakfast at home.
Detox Super Bowl
A bed of chopped romaine or brown rice, above right, is topped with crunchy carrots, shredded raw beets, chickpeas, sliced almonds, Craisins and a ginger vinaigrette dressing. Add your choice of protein, and it makes a filling superfood lunch bowl!
Avocado Toast
Avocado toast has taken foodies by storm nationwide, and it’s finally making appearances on Mobile menus. The FOY version features toasty brioche bread from Warehouse Bakery in Fairhope topped with creamy avocado, a squeeze of fresh lemon, sea salt and chili flake. Additional toppings can be added to suit your diet and preference.
Grack
Granola without the grains, this addictive all nut and seed crunchy conglomeration makes a delicious Greek yogurt parfait or a perfect snack straight out of the bag. It is made with organic pumpkin, sunflower and chia seeds, unsweetened coconut flakes and raw honey for a protein-packed paleo treat.
FOY Superfoods • 119 Dauphin St. 307-8997 • Average entree price: $6.95
7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. M – F; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sa
text by Maggie Lacey • photos by Elizabeth Gelineau
