After losing 90 pounds together, two Gillette brothers created Bonji Bowls
After losing 90 pounds together, two Gillette brothers created Bonji Bowls
Chris Pedota, Morristown Daily Record
From meat and potatoes to fruit to a plant-based diet, two brothers changed their lives with the help of an acai bowl. Now they want to change the lives of others for the better.
Brian and Danny Bongiorno didn’t really like fruits and vegetables, but after gaining weight in their teenage years, the Italian-American brothers decided it was time to change their eating habits.
Her journey to a healthier lifestyle turned into a business – Bonji Bowls. Along the way, they also encouraged family members and their community to lead healthier lifestyles as well.
“We had Italian restaurants all over the place and we never really had a strict diet as kids,” said older brother Danny, 25. “We didn’t know how to eat either, you know, we just stuffed our faces.”
Growing up, the brothers were high school football players and used to carbohydrates, eating their mother’s homemade Italian dishes, and filling their “faces” with anything they craved. By the time they got to eighth grade, Danny weighed 210 pounds and his brother Brian weighed 270 pounds. After graduating from high school and quitting soccer, they realized they needed to change their eating habits and lead healthier lifestyles.
“We had cereal in the morning, then a sandwich for lunch and you know, a burger for dinner,” said Brian, 22. “At least in our position, we just didn’t know anything else.”
Her urge for a healthy lifestyle didn’t come by itself. it was “love at first taste” after her sister introduced them to acai bowls.
After trying the fruity bowl, they discovered that healthy food tastes good too.
Instead of eating ice cream and fudge, they made their own acai brews that included almond butter on fresh fruit. They started eating more fruits and vegetables and exercising in the gym. Danny lost 75 pounds and Brian lost 50 pounds.
“Our sister dragged us to a juice bar about 30 minutes away from us. We got addicted to it [acai bowls], but [fruits] never been in our diet, “Danny said.” But we didn’t have to force down raw kale and chicken to have a healthy meal. “
The Bongiorno brothers developed a range of Acai Bowls and opened Bonji Bowls in 2017. Their juice bar-café in the Gillette neighborhood of Long Hill Township in Morris County serves their selection of acai bowl mixes, smoothies and juices. From the original acai flavor to coconut, pitaya, passion fruit, lychee, and dark chocolate chips, their vegan and dairy-free acai shells are a healthy alternative they wish they’d grown up with, the brothers said.
Born and raised in Long Hill Township, the brothers said the community welcomed their cafe “enthusiastically”. Her biggest customers are teenagers and children who bring their parents to try an acai bowl.
“We’ve built a really big customer base with parents and their younger children,” said Brian. “For some of them, it’s the first time they have an acai bowl, and that’s because the kids dragged their parents.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the brothers expanded their business to Shoprite locations in Bergen and Hudson Counties and Rockland Counties in New York. They said they never thought their lifestyle changes would lead them to start their own business, but they are grateful for the community support they have received. They are also grateful to their family who also changed their eating habits after losing weight.
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“We pride ourselves on being a family business where people love to spend their time and we’re grateful for the support we’ve received from our friends and family in particular,” added Brian.
The Bongiorno family still meet on Friday evenings to enjoy a “cheat meal” and their mother’s homemade Italian dishes. For them, living a healthy life means “taking baby steps” and losing weight is “a journey of a lifetime”.
“Don’t blame yourself for liking, okay, I ate a super healthy diet and I’ll start keto tomorrow because it’s just one meal at a time,” said Brian. “If you’re not perfect at eating, don’t get ready.”
Bonji Bowls is located at 977 Valley Road in the Gillette neighborhood of Long Hill Parish.
Jessie Gomez is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com and NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: jgomez@gannettnj.com
Twitter: @jessiereport
source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/from-nj-brothers-shop-to-shoprite-shelves/
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