Caroline Brennan

Q: Why did you decide to found The Sprout, a grab-and-go, organic and vegan cafe and juice bar in Mount Pleasant and downtown Charleston that is committed to earth-friendly foods and sustainable practices?

A My husband and I created a way to marry not only each other, but also our passions and talents. We realized we wanted to go into business together when we were living and working in San Francisco. I had been a schoolteacher, then a yoga teacher and then the store manager of the first lululemon athletica in San Francisco. Mickey was enrolled in the California Culinary Institute to continue his education after receiving a B.A. in hotel restaurant management and running his family's restaurant for 10 years. We worked hard and really enjoyed learning and being together. Joining our talents in order to continue our careers and spend more time together was the seed of The Sprout. When we began to write our business plan, we developed our mission statement: Our mission is to raise the level of health

in the world. This is our compass. I ask myself if each new thing we take on will raise the level of health in the world.

Q: Are you a vegan or vegetarian? If so, when did you make the transition and why?

A: Before moving to Charleston, I was pesco/lacto vegetarian (I ate dairy and fish, but no eggs or flesh). I made this choice in 1999. I have had a mostly vegan diet since beginning to practice and learn more about yoga at the Jivamukti School in Mount Pleasant. Originally, my dietary choices were based on health reasons and how I felt. Through the process of opening and running The Sprout and my developing knowledge of yogic philosophy, my dietary choices are still nutritionally rooted, but now I have an ever-evolving understanding of the rights of all beings on the Earth. When I ask myself the question, "Will this food choice raise the level of health in the world (for all beings)?" I find my choices are vegan, and it feels really right.

Q: What do you feel are the benefits of eating raw and organic?

A: Raw or living foods are rich in nutrients that are easy for the body to use and break down. Living foods can be the most powerful agent of health and healing in your life. When you eat live/raw and organic foods, your body has a surplus of energy. Digestion generally takes up to 70 percent of your energy every day. This is the amount of energy it takes to create enzymes to break down food. Living or raw foods have those enzymes already available. When your body does not have to supply an energy source for digestion, a natural boost of energy occurs followed by much-needed healing. Live, organic foods allow your body to do what it does best, so you can be your best.

Q: What would you suggest to people trying to incorporate "raw food" into their daily diet?

A: I live by the 80/20 rule. Eighty percent of the time, I make great choices: all organic, vegan, variety, balanced, high energy food. Twenty percent of the time, I am with family and appreciating the love in the food being presented to me, enjoying travel, at a concert or whatever life brings to us. No guilt, just choices. Figure out how you are living. Adjust the percentages to make your life right for you. Another thing I recommend to people is to try something new, healthy, organic and vegan every week, maybe two times a week, maybe every day for lunch. Notice how you feel with the changes you implement. Above all, do something. There are no magic bullets. It will take everyone making many small changes. Pick a plan to increase the level of health in your world.

Q: In addition to your cafe, you also offer personal "green" lifestyle consultations. What do you hope to accomplish by providing this service?

A: To raise the level of health in the world through one-on-one consultations or group speaking engagements focusing on simple changes we can all implement to collectively live more lightly on the Earth. Being a consultant provides me the opportunity to embrace all the teachers who come before me -- customers, clients, friends and family -- my community.

Q: You are currently offering free initial Food Service "Green" Consultations to schools, churches and businesses (who have food services, i.e. cafeteria, food court, office kitchen, etc.). Why should these organizations take advantage of your service?

A: Both Mickey and I feel like we would like to offer this initial food service consultation to get various organizations started with making simple changes that will create a huge impact. There is nothing more powerful than giving.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: All things Mediterranean.

Q: What is the most popular item on The Sprout's menu?

A: "Live" Tortilla Chips, The Sprout Veggie Burger, Proberry Smoothie, The Green Machine juice and E3Live shots.

Q: While many boast the benefits of soy, The Sprout's menu items are soy-free. Why is that?

A: We do have a couple of items that have soy. We use local soy that is grown and processed right outside of Atlanta. If they don't have it, we don't make those items. This is part of our commitment to local, high-quality, organic ingredients. The soy industry is dicey. There are GMOs (genetically modified organisms) to watch out for, massive farming with companies who have questionable practices, and soy is an extremely overused food. Soy is in everything. Read your labels. Soy is great in moderation, like most nutrients, but it is also high in estrogen. Some people experience sensitivities to soy and may think it is a hormonal issue. We want to show there are a variety of nutrients to choose from when you are choosing vegan and organic.

Rene Smith