Serendipity Nutrition: Seven Fast Facts
When it comes to Serendipity Nutrition, a new shakes-and-drinks shop on Ogden’s 25th Street, let me explain what it isn’t. It’s not a smoothie bar, as its drinks don’t contain any pureed fruits as you expect in a typical smoothie. It’s not a juice bar, as there are no pulverized carrots, spinach, wheat grass or fresh-squeezed fruit juice.
In my Standard-Examiner story, I explained that Serendipity drinks rely mainly on protein powders, flavorings, and nutrition supplements called “boosters.” There’s no fresh food, “so there’s no waste,” pointed out co-owner Shamra Ward of Pleasant View.
1.There are several types of drinks — protein shakes, “teas,” and protein-enriched iced coffee.
The shakes are thick and creamy, with decadent-sounding flavors such as “Butterfinger,” “Banana Cream Pie,” “Brownie Cheesecake,” or “Peanut Butter Oreo.” But they’re higher in protein, with a lot less fat, calories and carbs than a fast-food milkshake. They’re sweetened with stevia, a plant-based sugar substitute, and include a choice of a nutritional “booster” such as collagen, probiotics, fiber, nitric oxide, or an “immunity” supplement.
A 16-ounce Serendipity shake ($8) is 200 calories, 24 grams of protein, 20 grams of carbs, and 4 grams of fat. In comparison, a 16-ounce plain vanilla Dairy Queen shake is 520 calories, 19 grams of fat, 73 grams of carbs, and 13 grams of protein.
“We mix and match the flavors, and name them what they taste like, so we are a healthy option,” said Shamra Ward. So the Butterfinger shake has the buttery-toffee flavor, but no real Butterfinger candy in it.
They’re almost like a real shake, but with more of a “healthy” taste. Shamra Ward and her daughter Tabi Ward refer to them as a “meal replacement.” For an even more indulgent feel, you can get a “deluxe” shake ($11) with a base of “cookie dough.” It’s actually flavored protein powder thickened to a dough-y texture to scoop with a spoon.
2. The “teas,” ($5-7) are more like flavored soft drinks, but without carbonation or sugar. They also contain at least one nutritional “booster.”
“We wanted a solution for something like Fiiz or Swig, but healthy,” said Shamra Ward. “These are sweetened with stevia, so there’s no sugar crash at the end.”
“We’re like Harry Potter, we get to create drink potions,” said co-founder Tabi Ward. “We’re always making up new ones.”
Tie Dye Vibes is a colorful mash-up of orange, green apple, blue candy, fruit punch and collagen booster.
3. Some — including the Blue Raspberry Colada — are “energy” drinks, containing caffeine, guarana, ginseng, L-Taurine, and vitamin C and B vitamins. The Mega Teas contain 160 milligrams of caffeine — quite a buzz when you consider that an 8-ounce cup of coffee has around 95 milligrams of caffeine; and 24-ounce mug of Diet Coke has 92 mg of caffeine.
For some, caffeine isn’t a problem. Others find it makes them jittery or they can’t sleep. Here’s some general advice from New York University nutrition professor Marion Nestle. “Caffeine perks up your central nervous system and makes you feel more alert, energetic and cheery,” she writes in her book, “What to Eat.” “Take in more than your personal limit, however, and you may feel nervous, shaky and sleepless. The more caffeine you drink, the more you become accustomed to it, and the harder it is to give up.”
4. Many of the ingredients from the Herbalife Nutrition company. Some people — especially in Utah — are triggered when an “MLM” (multi-level marketing) company comes up. But, I visited this store twice, and NOBODY tried to talk me into joining, selling, or having anything to do with Herbalife. I was the one who had to ask if they used Herbalife ingredients, and I only asked because a friend brought up Herbalife on Facebook. She has also bought shakes at Serendipity a few times, and no one tried to recruit her either. So I’m personally not worried about the MLM thing.
As with all nutritional supplements, it’s a good idea to research the health benefits and risks before making them a routine. I know very little about nitric oxide, or what goes into the “immunity” booster. But I’m cost conscious, so at $5-11 per drink, I’d probably get one of these drinks as an occasional splurge than a daily basis. I see them as a great option when you’re craving a sweet treat, without worrying about the calories, sugar and fat.
5. The colors and flavorings are added separately to the teas for visual effect, but should be mixed together to get the full flavor of the drink. The Wards offer this tip: with the lid and straw on, gently blow through the straw so the liquid bubbles and mixes everything together.
6. Serendipity Nutrition was so named because Shamra and Tabi Ward consider it serendipity — a chance stroke of fortune — that got them into their business. Last year they both lost their jobs when the Covid pandemic shut down the family’s audio-visual business, where they had worked for 22 years. Suddenly, they had to figure out a different way to support themselves.
Tabi Ward’s sister-in-law has a similar shakes/drinks bar in Layton called Creating the Habit. They decided to do something similar.
Last October, they found an ad listing the space at 274 25th Street, which most recently housed A Good Life Café, and they opened in November. The building’s colorful history includes a stint as a brothel on the second floor from 1906-1912. They opened Thanksgiving week.
7. So far, Serendipity is mostly a take-out shop, without booths where customers can leisurely sip and chat together. When Covid restrictions ease up, the Wards may install bar tables along the walls. Meanwhile, on Saturday mornings before the shop opens, there’s floor space for Shamra to teach her DanceFit class.
Customers can call or text ahead with drink orders. Although 25th Street parking can get congested, Shamra Ward noted there’s free parking in the back of the building, and people can enter the back way to pick up their drink, or have it delivered curbside.