AlyssaFamous Juice Co., a SA based vegan juicery, has recently added CBD infused raw pressed juice to their menu. Research has shown CBD to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-anxiety properties without the psychoactive effects typically associated with cannabis. As someone who suffers from anxiety, I have become increasingly passionate about the CBD movement and what this means for people suffering from chronic pain, anxiety and depression who are currently taking numerous prescription drugs with negative side effects. Is it possible to aid the ailments of our suffering through plant based diets?
We sat down with Amos Lozano, owner and self-proclaimed JuicedUp Ninja, to chat about his company, his experience with juicing + cbd, and where he sees San Antonio’s future in the cannabis movement.
Amos Lozano
Twenty Something SA: What was the inspiration behind Famous Juice Co?
Amos Lozano: It all began in 2013 when I experienced the worst year of my life. I had just gone through a recent heartbreaking split up with my ex, shortly after I was arrested for possession of Marijuana, and my Health was in a steady decline that halted my entire life from years of Bodybuilding, Supplements, and loads of Processed Food. I was experiencing widespread muscle spasms, aches and pains that created tension headaches, brain fog, restlessness, insomnia, minor anxiety and depression. For that entire year I coudn’t workout or do anything active which was very difficult for me growing up a tumbler since I was 5, and playing football for 10 years. Over the course of the year I went to 5 different doctors and although the symptoms were similar to Fibromyalgia they couldn’t find anything wrong with me, which left me with no answers and no idea on how I would get through this. We tried many things to reduce the symptoms: electro therapy, massage therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture, muscle relaxers, and one doctor even prescribed me Xanax as a shot in the dark which I refused to take.
I began exploring holistic ways of healing my body online, and I stumbled across the documentary “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead” on Netflix. I had never even heard of Juicing before, but I thought, This make sense. Fruits and Vegetables in a liquified form so its easy for your body to absorb. Im gonna try this, what do I have to lose? I’ve already tried everything else.
I went on Craiglist, bought a used $50 juicer, a bunch of fruits and veggies and tried a 3 day juice fast. To my surprise the symptoms reduced significantly and I felt amazing once I got through the detox cravings. I thought maybe there is something to this, but maybe it will wear off and not be effective like the muscle relaxers. Two weeks later I tried a 7 day juice fast and I felt AMAZING! I had never felt that good in my life and all the symptoms went away during those 7 days.
Thats when I decided if I want to feel this good and have this energy and mental clarity this is going to have to be apart of my lifestyle. Something that I do everyday. So on January 1st of 2014 I decided to do a 21 day juice coupled with daily yoga and meditation and this transformed my life on every level of my being. Mentally, Physically, and Spiritually I become a new person. I went vegetarian following that fast for 8 months and now I have been a vegan athlete for over 3 years. People didn’t recognize me in public and I shared my experience on Facebook.
I had an overwhelming response from people calling me, messaging me, texting me and coming over to learn about what I had done to transform my health and life. It wasn’t until a few weeks of educating people about juicing and daily movement did I realize that I can make living making people juice and helping people experience the power of Raw Juice just as I had. I already juice daily might as well make extra for my friends and family.
When I started Famous Juice Company (then called Famous Transformational Juicing) in February of 2014 I had $29, and a $50 juicer and sold fresh juices to my friends and family in mason jars from my parents kitchen. As word of mouth spread, I got busier. Soon I became a member at local rock-climbing gym called The District where I began working shortly after. I started selling my juices here in 2015 and thats when things REALLY took off. After a year of that I needed a legit commercial kitchen and was approached by Chris at Munch On and Beyond, I moved in this Coop kitchen in 2016 and we have experienced nothing but growth. We recently upgraded our juicing equipment to handle to rapidly growing demand for Raw Juice and as of June 4th we transitioned back to The District into a bigger commercial kitchen space located within the gym right of Broadway. Soon we will offer superfood smoothies, and acai bowls at the front bar.
Ultimately the inspiration for starting FJC is providing my community and San Antonio with convenient access to high quality Raw Juice so that they can boost their veggie intake and begin healing their bodies just as I did. I want to share my passion for plant based lifestyle and movement with San Antonio. Our goal is to reverse San Antonio’s reputation as an unhealthy city into one of the fittest cities. We want to inspire the city to Eat Plants, Move Often to create of Family of JuicedUp Ninjas.
20SA: Why did you want to incorporate CBD/Hemp Products into your Shop?
AL: A goal of ours to offer fresh raw cannabis juice to SA, unfortunately unjust laws prohibit that so for now we offer CBD infused Juices. I am very passionate about cannabis and particularly hemp. I am actually in the process of starting an hemp apparel company as well called Emjayze Hemp apparel.
The cannabis plant has so much to offer us on so many levels aside from recreational and medical use, it has amazing nutritional profiles, can be used as sustainable clothing, building material, biodegradable plastics, paper, biofuel and even cleans and returns nutrients back to the soil.
We offer CBD to legally offer the benefits of the cannabis to our community, while also educating to help #EndTheStigma surrounding cannabis. We want to teach people that it isn’t just about getting high. In fact there is almost nothing more American than Hemp.
Fun facts about hemp:
-Christopher Columbus ropes and sails were made from hemp fiber
-In 1607 it was required for colonist to grow hemp, and you could even pay your taxes in hemp
-The original Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper
-The first American flag was stitched with hemp fiber
-Henry Ford built the Model T to run on hemp biofuel and some of the door panels were made of hemp plastics
-The first Levi Jeans were made from hemp
20SA: Do you have any personal stories with plant based medications you’d like to share?
AL: As mentioned in question one, juicing fruits and veggies helped my body detox and heal from the inside out from a crippling neuromuscular condition. I also used and regularly use essential oils, and CBD.
I recently went through knee surgery to reconstruct a torn ACL during a Ninja Competition during that recovery process I used a variety of cannabis products to effectively managed my pain and inflammation and reduce the use of the prescribed narcotics.
20SA: Why do you think theres still a large stigma associated with cannabis products?
AL: Its simple: Ignorance.
People are simply uneducated when it comes to cannabis. And everyone is so focused on marijuana as a recreational and medical drug, that they don’t even know about hemp, which is where the most value lies with cannabis.
We just need to educate people on cannabis, and live a lifestyle that helps end the stigma, which is what my clothing brand will help to do.
20SA: Where do you see SA in the future in relation to cannabis?
AL: Theres some really exciting things happening in SA related to cannabis and its been amazing to watch. I see SA really pioneering a cultural change here in Texas with more and more cannabis related businesses starting to pop up. I’m working with Austin based Lazy Daze Counter Culture to bring the Hemp and Garden show to SA, which we think will be great to help educate and showcase local cannabis businesses.
20SA: What do you say to people who are weary to try CBD for the first time?
AL: I educate them. Most people are concerned with laws, so I educate them on the difference between Hemp CBD and Marijuana CBD, and also about the system in our bodies (Endocannabinoid System) that has evolved to bind with Cannabinoids from CBD. Once people realize this doesn’t get you high but gives you a lot of great benefits they are usually on board.
20SA: Oh and one last question – how was American Ninja Warrior?!
AL: Amazing! I competed on season 9 right here in San Antonio and it was such a fun experience, but also very intimidating. I felt ready physically to take on the course, but I really under estimated the mental challenge. It was one thing to do the obstacles in a gym in your comfort zone, it’s a whole different ball game at 3 am in front of a crowd, on stage with all the cameras, and flashing lights.
In training for this season 10 I tore my ACL and Meniscus and had to have surgery which kept me from competing this year, but I have been rehabbing and you havent seen that last of The JuicedUp Ninja on the Ninja Warrior course.
Famous Juice Co. is located at 13469 Wetmore Road (near McAllister Park) and is open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 6pm. You can also keep up with Amos personal journey by following him on Instagram at @eatplantsmoveoften!