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Elegant estatejeweIrD and

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beautiful one—of—a—kind pieces can

be yours for less than you would imagine

Jessica's Natural Foods grows
with gluten-free products.

JUDY GREENWALD I SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

U owadays, we're much more

ti

conscious of food and its effects
on our well-being as we look to
achieve a healthier lifestyle.
Birmingham businesswoman Jessica
Tucker Mindell, 36, has built a thriving
company using this ideal, forming Jessica's
Natural Foods in 2009 with the mission of
rt
providing natural, gluten-free, oat-based
granola.
"I was inspired to start my business
because in 2008 my husband, Jeff, learned
he was gluten-intolerant, and we couldn't
find any gluten-free granola, his favorite
snack," she said.
Mindell, a University of Michigan
Jessica Tucker Mindell
engineering graduate with no formal food or
health training, said she loves to bake and
was passionate about healthy eating.
"After months of research and experimentation with alternate flours, gluten-
free oats and natural ingredients, I developed a successful baking process and
ingredient ratio that produced a richly flavored granola that was a hit with my
family and friends."
She started with five flavors, including chocolate chip, almond cherry and vanilla
maple and, in 2009, began commercial production in Chicago.
"I wanted my granola to be made in Michigan," she said, "but when I first
began operations, I couldn't find any places here that were gluten-free. Six months
later, I was driving back from Chicago in a snowstorm and realized staying out of
state wasn't working. In 2010, I was fortunate to find a new, certified gluten-free
facility near Grand Rapids that was a perfect fit, and I was able to move production
there around August."
When she first began, her granola was sold in only a few local stores in
Michigan. By 2011, her chocolate chip variety won a blind taste test in the Detroit
News, beating both local and national brands, some of which weren't even gluten-
free.
After five years, her all-natural, certified non-GMO, kosher/parve products are
carried in more than 200 Whole Foods stores in Michigan and nationwide. Other
Michigan retailers include Hiller's, Holiday Market, Market Square, Plum Markets
and Busch's.
Mindell travels to the west side of the state twice a year and keeps in contact on
a regular basis. Her office is home-based, and the expectant mother is facing the
demands of caring for her 31/2-year-old daughter and running her business.
"Sometimes it's hard juggling everything, but I love what I do, so it's a trade-off"
she said. "I don't sleep as much as I'd like to, and often work a couple of hours
in the evening after my daughter is in bed. It's going to be a challenge balancing
everything with two kids!"
Mindell said her daughter was the motivation for creating her latest product.
"My husband and I wanted to encourage our daughter to drink more milk and
looked for natural syrups to add flavor. We couldn't find anything with real
ingredients, so I created one with organic strawberry puree and another with
organic Madagascar vanilla extract," she said.
These newest products are now available at Whole Foods stores. The entire line
of Jessica's Natural Foods can be purchased online at www.jessicasnaturalfoods.
com .
"There's an ever-growing need for organic and gluten-free products," Mindell
said, "and I hope to continue to come out with delicious and unique foods that
help give people more tasty, enjoyable options."

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Estate Buyers

at David Wachler & Sons

R&R Jewelers-
Now located at
100 S. Old Woodward
Birmingham Ml 48009
248-540- 4622

100 South Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, MI

248.540.4622

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-5:30pm Thursday, 10am-7:30pm
Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday and Monday, Closed

1968050

•
Due to Freezing Cold, Snow,
and Extreme Winds, we have

$ EXTENDED

OUR

5

POSITIVELY
ENDS

RICH

FURS

Wednesday,
February 25

Not valid on prior purchases
or with any other offer

DETROIT
313-873-8300

BLOOMFIELD HILLS
248-642-3000

❑

1985450

Parking lots adjoining

February 19 • 20 10

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