Are you ‘kraving’ something delicious and nutritious?

• Christa Thompson and Darla Dunn, owners of Krave

Christa Thompson and Darla Dunn, owners of Krave
• Krave is located on Main Street in Osakis

Krave is located on Main Street in Osakis

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Who knew a healthy meal choice could taste so good.

Krave Ultimate Nutrition is the newest addition to the eatery options in town.

Osakis natives Christa Thompson and Darla Dunn opened Krave on April 25 and their storefront specializes in serving up meal replacement shakes for weight loss and overall nutrition.

Thompson said, “People come in and say, “The shakes taste so good – it’s a bonus that they’re good for me, too.”

Krave offers 46 mouth-watering shake flavors, including: German chocolate cake, raspberry latte, French toast, lemon lush, blueberry muffin, turtle cheesecake, Butterfinger and much, much more.

“They taste a lot like a Dairy Queen shake,” Thompson said. “High school kids come over for lunch and after-school snacks. The shakes aren’t only for weight loss, they’re for all around nutrition, too.”

And here’s the best part – each shake averages about 200 calories each, packs in 24 grams of protein and serves up an abundance of vitamins and minerals.

The abundance of nutrients in each shake feeds your body’s cells and by feeding your cells, you’re healing your body, Thompson said.

Along with each shake, you’ll also receive hot or cold tea with aloe – the tea offers naturally occurring caffeine that has been linked to mental clarity and energy, according to Thompson. The aloe promotes a healthy digestive system.

Thompson’s story

Thompson’s personal story is what led her to Herbalife shakes and to open Krave.

Thompson’s daughter, Danza, was born a 23-week preemie and she suffered permanent nerve damage in her small intestine.

“We were told she couldn’t eat real food, she’d have a feeding tube and there was nothing we could do,” Thompson said.

So, she decided to try feeding her daughter aloe and it was the combination of starting her on aloe and making her home blenderized food that made the difference.

“Aloe is a natural healer and it started working for her,” she said. “It soothes the intestinal tract.”

Now, Danza is still fed through a tube, but Thompson said she’s off all medication and doing well, and Danza gets a shake every day, too.

Thompson said she doesn’t want people to think they’ll get off medications too by using the shakes, but said, “When you give your body good nutrition, good things will happen.”

Dunn’s motivation

Dunn said when she heard about the benefits of Herbalife shakes, she was immediately excited.

She wanted more energy to chase after her 15-month-old son.

“The product is awesome. I feel more energetic,” Dunn said. “Christa asked me to be her [business] partner.”

She said their business goal is to bring good nutrition to the community and inform people about the importance of proper nutrition and exercise for optimum health.

Stop by Krave

Dunn and Thompson said business is going really well and it’s been fun to see people excited about their product.

When you stop by, you’ll be asked to choose a flavor of tea (raspberry, lemon, peach, original or Russian) and whether you want it served hot or cold. Then, you have to choose a shake flavor – you’ll find a card at the front counter to mark down your choices and in a few quick whirs of the blender, you’ll have your tea and shake in-hand.

The women have created a comfortable, fun, café-style space for customers to enjoy their tea and shake.

Plus, their shakes cater to restrictive dietary needs, like celiacs, gluten-free and diabetics.

Krave will hold its grand opening on Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21 during regular store hours. They will offer free samples, prize drawings and special deals on punch cards.

Plus, Krave is organizing a weight loss challenge for the Osakis community starting May 25. It’s $35 to participate and winners will receive cash for their weight loss. Stop by Krave to register and learn more.

Krave is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

You’ll find Krave at 17 Main Street East in downtown Osakis and they’re on Facebook – search for krave ultimate nutrition.

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