By Denise Ortuno-Neil
It’s a lifestyle choice people are turning to more and more every day. Eating heathy options infused with superfoods is not only a trend, but a way of life. Now opened in Palm Desert, Bowl of Heaven, owned by franchise owners Mickey and Rachel Thomas, will be providing the highest level of ingredients to customers seeking healthy food enlightenment led by the Acai Berry super fruit.
The focus of the Thomas’ was not necessarily to seek out a business opportunity when they were driving through Rancho Santa Margarita, California two years ago. But when they grew hungry and were turning their designation towards a healthy meal, a quick Google search led them to just that, and then some. The couple immediately fell in love with the unbelievably fresh taste of Bowl of Heaven. Upon their return home to the Coachella Valley, Rachel took to researching the company, and soon after, started the process of becoming one of the company’s newest franchise owners.
If Mickey and Rachel Thomas’ name sounds familiar, it’s with good reason. Mickey Thomas is the lead singer for Starship, formerly known as Jefferson Starship. Thomas joined Jefferson Starship in 1979, after prior success with The Elvin Bishop Band. Eventually, Jefferson Starship was renamed Starship, and went on to record numerous hits which include, “No Way Out,” “Sara,” “We Built This City,” Oscar nominated, “Nothings Gonna Stop us Now,” plus many, many more. Rachel managed merchandising for the group, traveling with them on their rigorous tour schedule that the group still maintains today.
The couple’s schedule has changed since acquiring their new franchise. As Mickey Thomas still travels with the group, Rachel has found a comforting pace opening their Bowl of Heaven, “I really love it, it’s a great experience…we have the best team working with us,” said Rachel. The couple moved to the Coachella Valley in 2004, and are delighted to start their Bowl of Heaven business here, “We love the weather,” she said. With their dogs, family and new business, they are elated.
Bowl of Heaven comes from the creative design of Brandon Beazer and Dan McCormick. It all began when Beazer was attending the University of North Shore in Oahu. He fell hard for the delicious Acai Bowls, which years later would lead him to move past his original goal of entering into the medical field, and onto a whole different adventure.
After introducing Dan McCormick, a well-known entrepreneur of businesses geared towards nutrition, skin care and anti-aging, to the Acai culture, the two embarked on making the super fruit and other co-staring highly nutritious ingredients available to the masses through Bowl of Heaven.
Since opening their first Bowl of Heaven location in Rancho Santa Margarita in 2010, the company has grown to 13 locations, including one right here in the Coachella Valley. Their Palm Desert location is in the University Village Plaza off of Cook and Gerald Ford.
Bowl of Heaven strays away from the other health food related restaurants. When asked what makes them stand out, Rachel answered, “Definitely the MAQ 7 set us apart.” The MAQ 7 may sound like the newest in private jets, but it is actually a concentrated blend of the most powerful super fruits around. Their proprietary blend is led by its namesake, the Maqui Berry, followed by Acai, Alaskan Blueberry, Gac, Cili, Siberian Pineapple and Goji Berries. All of the ingredients in the MAQ 7 hold valuable nutritious properties that are extremely beneficial to all around health. The MAQ 7 is added to Bowl of Heaven creations, making their bowls and smoothies healthy beyond compare.
Menu offerings at Bowl of Heaven focus on Bowls, Smoothies and Juices. Acai Berry is the main attraction in their Bowls and Smoothies. The Acai is blended with other fresh, frozen and exotic fruits. Their recipes do not add any ice, dairy or processed sugars. The Bowls are then topped with varied toppings. There are 10 different specialty Bowls to choose from, and of course, customers have the option of creating their own. It is clear that Mickey and Rachel Thomas love all of their menu items, “It tastes delightful and appeals to everyone’s palate,” said Rachel. But they do have their favorites.
Rachel leans towards the Lime-a-Licious (organic Acai, Strawberries, Pineapple, Blueberries, Peaches, fresh Lime, organic Coconut water-MAQ 7, topped with organic Hemp Flax Seed, granola, Coconut, Strawberries, Blueberries and honey). As well as the Red Zinger (organic Acai, Mango, Pineapple, Blueberries, Raspberries, fresh Lime, fresh Ginger, organic Coconut Water-MAQ 7, topped with organic Hemp Flax Seed, granola, Dark Vanilla Belgian Chocolate, fresh Raspberries and honey). Mickey enjoys the Peanut Butter Bowl (organic Acai, Banana, Strawberries, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Almond Milk-MAQ 7, topped with organic Hemp Flax Seed, granola, fresh Banana and honey).
Smoothies include the Berry Blast, Peanut Butter Blast and Popeye Blast. For Juices, customers can choose from 6 combinations such as the Heart Beet, Hulk-n-ator and Root Boost. Bowl of Heavens prices are very reasonable, with bowls from $7.49 to $12.99, and Smoothies from $6.49 to $8.50.
The newly established Palm Desert location will be having their Grand Opening on Saturday, May 27th, 2017 from noon to 4pm. The Grand Opening will have mini-bowl giveaways, raffle prizes and live radio DJ entertainment by Classic Rock, Q102.3.
There is no doubt that a vast amount of people are turning to a healthy eating lifestyle. Mickey and Rachel Thomas’s newly opened Bowl of Heaven franchise, provides a direct way to increase nutrition featuring the delicious Acai Berry and other super fruits and veggies right here in the Coachella Valley.
“Our Bowl of Heaven app is your Stairway to Heaven.” Download now and skip the line. For more information visit www.bowlofheaven.com.
