During the summer of 2017, Brittany McDermott dealt with stomach pain after every meal, she recalls, and it was getting worse.
After missing her 24th birthday party because she was sick and a trip to the hospital from an unexplained allergic reaction, Brittany says, she wasn’t sure where to turn. She watched a documentary promoting a plant-based lifestyle and, that same day, decided to embrace the change. Brittany’s husband, Jacob, followed suit.
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“Our puffiness went away, [Jacob’s] acne went away, and my stomach pain was gone in three months after going plant-based,” Brittany says.
Today, the couple is serving up healthy dishes to the community at J+B Wellness (5055 State Rte. N, Ste. 109), a new café in Cottleville, which specializes in smoothie bowls, as well as sandwiches, cold-pressed juices, overnight oats, and more. Brittany recently shared insights about the new business and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
What is J+B Wellness’ mission? We want to lead the way to give people a healthy, convenient option. That way, they can come and grab healthy, quality food that grows from the earth. Everything we use is whole plant foods. We hide nothing; we’re transparent; we share the companies we use. We even go as far as using biodegradable cups. As vegans, we really care about the environment.
What would you recommend for someone who is struggling with gut problems or generally wants to lead a healthier lifestyle? I think our lifestyle can overwhelm people sometimes, because they forget how long it took us to get here… When I first started, it was just about making one small change. What is one thing you can do each day? How can you get more veggies in your day? More fruit? Whole plant food carbs are what give us the energy to feel so good.
How would you define wellness? Wellness is about how you feel on the inside, meaning using plants and food as medicine to heal the body, as well as understanding yourself, being in tune with yourself, and connecting the mind-body-soul. How you feel every single day—it should be an overall great feeling if you’re giving the body what it needs.
What are the most impactful lessons you’ve learned along the way? Listen to your own body. If you’re in tune and truly listen, your body will tell you what works and what doesn’t. This is how I’ve gotten to where I am today, feeling the best I’ve ever felt.
