Acai fruit Bowls, Smoothies, Cold Healthy Drinks!!
Our menu was inspired by our lifestyle in Hawaii, and our desire to share it with our local community!
Big Island Bowls was created by myself (Kelly Hazouri), and my partner (Brendan Schneck). We were best friends at Flagler College; then ended up together years after we graduated. This is our story of taking the road less traveled, discovering our authentic selves and following our bliss.
After years of friendship, but only two weeks of dating, Brendan and I moved to Hawaii together. Sometimes you just have to have a little faith in things, trusting that if you take the leap the net will appear. We would be working for a company called Pacific Quest, which was a gardening therapy program for at risk youth.
Once we arrived in paradise, we needed a way to get around & explore the islands. So we bought a blue Bronco...from a guy we met in a bar, (I don't recommend this). We traveled all over in "Big Blue", soaking up the scenery, tasting the salty air, and relishing the magic of the Island.
In our culture the media teaches us that greed, money and materialism is the only way to happiness. That your worth & success is measured by your bank account and social status. We refused to subscribe to this belief system. We wanted more out of life, a sense of purpose, fueled by passion. A word to today’s college students: Nothing will ruin your twenties like thinking you should have it all figured out. Don’t settle for a job out of fear or security. Ignoring your passion is slow suicide. Never ignore what makes you feel happy to be alive. Mold your career around your lifestyle, not your lifestyle around your career.
It was both life changing & liberating to be living out of a backpack. To no longer care about what you were wearing or what you owned. All that mattered was collecting adventures & experiences, not things. People from all over the world end up in Hawaii, they say the Island draws you in to teach you the true meaning of life. I believe this to be true.
While Brendan & I were embracing this new soul quenching lifestyle, we also adopted an array of healthy practices. We instantly fell in love with both the Hawaiian culture and their cuisine, which would later become the foundation of our new business.
When we weren't traveling, Brendan & I were teaching our students at Pacific Quest the lessons they would never learn in a classroom. Our education system is so focused on teaching kids "How to make a living”, but not how to make a LIFE. These teens were able to gain the tools necessary for building a happy life, while also learning healthy coping skills and proper stress management. The program was centered around the mind body connection and the importance of balancing both. Brendan & I also taught our kids how to farm organically and to think about food differently. America's food supply is so toxic from poisonous chemicals and GMOs, that it is actually banned in 38 countries! Every time you buy organic, you're persuading more farmers to grow organic!
Acai is a delicious and nutritious stable in Hawaii, and this superfood quickly became a part of our daily diet. When you eat better, you look and feel better! Our lives changed in two very profound and meaningful ways in Hawaii. First by feeding our bodies with only the best natural fuel and foods. How making this a lifestyle can not only change your body, but your mood, outlook and health. The second was experiencing a true sense of purpose through empowering our students and guiding them towards a happier, more authentic version of themselves. While in Hawaii we discovered our true calling: providing people with the tools they need for a happy and healthy life.
When we moved back to St. Augustine, we created Big Island Bowls. The concept was born from our desire to share all of these wonderful experiences and tastes with our own community. Brendan & I want to start a positive shift within our local food culture by creating a business that makes people both healthier and happier. Big Island Bowls is creating this shift by making healthy food quick, easy, and delicious! When you eat better, you look and feel better! We specialize in organic Acai fruit bowls and cold healthy drinks. Big Island Bowls only uses 100% organic and fair trade certified Acai for our menu and the health benefits of this "Super food" are almost endless. Acai is nick named the "Beauty Berry" due to its unmatched level of antioxidants and free radicals, giving you glowing skin at any age. It promotes natural weight loss, boosts your energy levels, burns more calories, improves your immune system and also lowers your blood pressure and cholesterol. Our Acai bowls are all made fresh to order, and our menu is all gluten free and naturally vegan. No preservatives, additives, artificial flavors or dairy. We also have an array of fresh fruit, and healthy toppings for even more added nutritional benefit. Our custom made Acai bowls are sure to become a staple in your active and healthy lifestyle, come by and try one out today! Good food, made by good people :)
What sets us apart from other establishments is our dedication to the mind body connection. We want you to have a delicious healthy meal, while also feeling happy & uplifted! What started out as random acts of kindness has turned into the heartbeat of our business. One day I crafted a (Happy Affirmations Box), just hoping I would be able to brighten someone’s day. I had no idea those simple words of love and encouragement would resonate with so many people. Creating a beautiful space for people to share their stories. We are all different and yet the same. We all want to feel seen and heard. That we matter. Big Island bowls strives to feed both your body and soul.
Our custom made Acai bowls are sure to become a staple in your active, happy, healthy lifestyle! Come by and try one out today! Good food, made by good people!
If you work really hard, and you are kind, amazing things will happen! Enjoy our labor of love and go find your bliss! ~ Brendan & Kelly
