A new grab-and-go restaurant has opened in Durango, offering macro-friendly meals with a variety of options. The soft launch occurred on March 17, and the grand opening is scheduled for May 3. Nourish will also offer meal plans and nutritional education services.
Kristen Johnston decided to open Nourish after her husband experienced ongoing gastrointestinal issues. “He would spend every night on his belly facedown trying to get rid of the pain not knowing what to do,” said Johnston, the restaurant’s founder and owner.
Johnston’s husband saw a nutritionist who placed him on an elimination diet. He began to feel significantly better, leading Johnston to recognize the importance of nutrition and how food affects overall health. She believed Durango lacked an option for macro-friendly grab-and-go meals.
“Macro” is short for macronutrient ‒ carbohydrates, fats and protein.
Johnston works alongside Jamie Baker, manager of Nourish, and is nutrition coach. Baker become health-conscious about food after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 11.
“Here, when you come eat, everything is on the label. I don’t have to guess how much protein, carbs and fat are in it,” Baker said. “It saves me so much time, and my long-term health is going to benefit because of it.”
Baker’s mother also has diabetes and recently lost sight in one eye as a result. She sees how her mother struggles with the disease and is working to ensure her own long-term health is better.
Nourish, located at 2800 Main Ave., also offers a meal plan that works in conjunction with the grab-and-go meals. Customers can chose a 14-day meal plan, allowing them 14 days to pick up 14 meals. The option provides flexibility, allowing including the ability to pick up all meals at the beginning of the week.
Nourish is taking steps to integrate into the community. Johnston and Baker want residents to know it’s an affordable option. Nourish’s grab-and-go meals range from $11.95 to $16.95. Johnston and Baker aim to source as much local and organic food as possible without passing higher costs on to customers.
“Another thing we are looking to do is (have) satellite fridges,” Baker said. “A gym or hospital would get a fridge, and we would keep it stocked.”
Johnston and Baker not only want to provide people with macro-friendly protein-based meals – they also hope to educate the community about the health benefits. Johnston has launched “Nourishing nights,” a free educational session held at the shop.
“I have a year of guest speakers planned, which are health professionals from any sector of the health and wellness industry,” she said. “We want them to talk about a hot topic in their industry, to not only promote their business but to help them bring in new clients and educate the community.”
Guests range from a holistic dentist to a midwife who will speak about health and nutrition during pregnancy.
Nourish is also looking to be mindful about waste. Johnston and Baker are exploring ways turn leftover kitchen scraps into dog food.
“We eventually want to turn our scraps into human-grade dog food that we can sell for a lower price than what Farmer’s Dog usually goes for,” Johnston said.
Nourish will be offering a glass container option to further reduce waste. For a one-time $5 purchase, customers can receive a reusable container to bring back for future meals.
“Our grand opening is Saturday, May 3, and we will be doing giveaways, giving out free meals and free merch,” Johnston said.
ckabot@durangoherald.com
