Smoothies & Juice Bars to Help Jump Start Your New Year

New year, new you! After a December of indulgences, many people are looking to reset come January. Whether that’s starting a new exercise routine, getting in your steps, or cleaning up your diet, January is the time for new beginnings.

A great way to jump start your health journey this January is by visiting one of the locally owned smoothie shops or juice bars in the region. From Auburn to Placerville, Davis to Sacramento, there are numerous spots where you can get freshly whirled smoothies and just-pressed juices, plus healthy fruit and grain bowls. Following are our top picks.

Photo Courtesy of Cap City Squeeze

Cap City Squeeze | Downtown Sacramento

Located in Downtown Sacramento, Cap City Squeeze features cold-pressed juices and plant-forward smoothies using high-quality, organic ingredients. Popular menu items include detox blends, immunity boosters, and energy shots. They also have cold brew powered with add-ins like probiotics and collagen, plus power bowls.

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Three Ladies Café | Davis

This longtime Davis staple is a favorite stop for a healthful bite. Smoothies, bowls, juices, and wellness shots are just a few of the things you’ll find here. Popular smoothies include mango strawberry, matcha spinach banana, and dragon fruit pineapple, or you can build your own with dozens of ingredients. Beet juice, carrot juice, and green juice are also on the menu.

The Healthy Habit | Auburn

Wholesome smoothies, fresh juices, and nutritious bowls are the specialties at this café in Auburn. They have various juice blends available, including lemon turmeric with cayenne; beets, apple and ginger; and plain celery. They also offer açai bowls with toppings like dragon fruit, goji berries, and cocoa nibs.

Photo Courtesy of Healthy Blendz

Healthy Blendz Café | Elk Grove

Healthy Blendz, located in Elk Grove, has a wide range of smoothies, juice blends, and wellness drinks designed to support an active lifestyle. Immune-boosting juice, meal-replacement smoothies, and protein shakes are just a few of the items on the menu here. They also serve tea and energy drinks, all made from all-natural ingredients.

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Blend | El Dorado Hills

This friendly spot in El Dorado Hills has a wide range of smoothies, shakes, teas, and other drinks. Protein shakes, made with grass-fed whey, include indulgent flavors such as chocolate brownie and piña colada, as well as açai and tropical greens. They also have boosted teas, green tea with fruit flavors, energy boosts, and kava drinks.

Photo Courtesy of Vibe Health Bar

Vibe Health Bar | Sacramento & Folsom

With locations in East Sacramento, Oak Park and Folsom, Vibe Health Bar is a popular spot for those looking to amp up their nutrition. They’re known for their organic, cold-pressed juice, but they also have healthful smoothies made from fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and plant-based milk. You can also build your own açai bowl.

Sun & Soil Health Company | West Sacramento

Located in West Sacramento, this local café features cold-pressed juices, health shots, smoothies, bowls and more. Juices include unique blends such as apple, cucumber and spinach; carrot, ginger and turmeric; and beet, carrot and apple. They also offer healthful teas in flavors like peppermint ginger and chamomile lavender.

Photo Courtesy of Açai Haus Café

Açai Haus Café | Roseville

Located in Roseville, this superfoods café has everything you need for a healthy lifestyle: fresh squeezed juice, juice blends, smoothies with or without protein, and build-your-own bowls with ingredients like oats, chia, bananas, strawberries, and toasted coconut.

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The Corner Spot | Placerville

Vitamin-loaded teas, protein-loaded smoothies, pre- and post-workout shakes, and loaded bowls are the specialties of this locally operated café in Placerville. Need an extra boost of protein? They also have protein donuts and protein coffee.  

Photo Courtesy of Açai Garden

Açai Garden | Arden Arcade

Organic, gluten-free, and dairy-free foods are the name of the game at this popular spot in the Arden Arcade area. Green juice, immunity shots, recovery shakes, and smoothies are just a few of the items available here. They also offer bowls made with fruits, veggies, and granola.

Common Ingredients in Smoothies & Juices

• Pitaya: Also known as dragon fruit, it is a bright pink tropical fruit rich in vitamin C and fiber. It is often frozen, blended, and used as the base of pitaya bowls.
• Açai: Native to Brazil, these small, purple berries are high in antioxidants and are believed to aid in heart health.
• Goji berries: Typically eaten in their dried form, these sweet-tart berries are used in traditional Chinese medicine to support immunity. They are rich in vitamins A and C. 
• Spirulina: This blue-green algae is known for its high protein content and antioxidants. It is believed to provide immune support and help the body detoxify.
• Turmeric: A fundamental spice in Indian cooking, turmeric is a bright orange root that contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory that is said to support overall wellness.
• Maca: Native to the Andes, this root vegetable is used in powder form. It is believed to support energy, stamina and hormonal balance.
• Chia seeds: A staple of Aztec and Mayan diets, chia seeds form a gel-like texture when soaked, typically referred to as chia pudding. They are high in fiber and omega 3s.
• Kava: A root grown in the South Pacific, Kava is typically prepared as a tea. It has been used for thousands of years for its calming, stress-reducing effects.
• Coconut Water: Not to be confused with coconut milk, coconut water is the liquid found inside young green coconuts. It is rich in electrolytes and is used for hydration.