The recently opened Django’s Organics is a green-conscious one-stop all-natural shop located in East Hampton. A go-to spot for healthy living needs, featuring a green juice and smoothie bar, Django’s specializes in carrying gluten-free, vegan, organic and natural products.

KDHamptons spoke with owner, Sarah Malone, covering everything from the muse behind the Django’s Organics name to a lunch menu fave inspired by an Oscar-winning actress and what sweet concoction can surprisingly cure summer allergies!

KDHamptons: How did the name of your store, Django’s Organics, come about?

Sarah Malone: I have 10 children and my eighth, Django (pronounced: duh-jane-go) was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in 2010. At the time of his death I was working as a clerk at a health food store but one of the last conversations I had with Django just weeks before he died was about my long-lost dream of owning my own store and he encouragingly said, “Just do it, Mom.” After his death, I made that my New Year’s Resolution for 2011…I saw the For Lease sign in the window in Maidstone Commons and immediately began collaborating with my fiancé’. We have been here since March doing something we love. Just being here, in this community, in my own store, my head is clearer and I have never felt healthier or stronger.

KDH:  What does organic mean to you?

SM:  Organic to me are products that are not “overproduced” meaning they’re not cultivated from soil that does not use pesticides & chemicals that destroy our food source. The Organic way of eating is chemical free.

KDH: Are your organic fruits & vegetables grown locally?

SM: Not at the moment because we have just made it through the winter season and I have only opened our doors this spring. But I do have plans to visit and develop relationships with our local farms like, Quail Hill Farm and EECO Farm. But I do carry Anke’s Fit Bakery goods. Baked in Amagansett, Anke’s creates items like delicious muffins, cookies & granola that are all natural and gluten-free. Also, they bake with sugar sources that are not refined—like agave.

KDH: What makes Django’s Organics stand out from the rest of the juice bars on the East End?

SM: Django’s is the only store in the Hamptons that carries Nature’s Sunshine Products. It’s a product line that I believe in. I would suggest their Sunshine Heroes children’s daily multi- vitamin. They are soft-chews and you usually find a large amount of sugar or fruit juice concentrate for taste in children vitamins–this line doesn’t have any of that. And I personally use their Natria skin refining serum year round. It works wonders and no one ever believes that I am 59yrs old! 

KDH: If you were stranded on a deserted island, which three Django’s Organics products or menu items could you not live without?

SM:  1. The Moms Smoothie. It’s made with Green Vibrant powder that contains all of the super foods like alfalfa & wheat grass combined with protein, almond milk and bananas.

2. We also have a chocolate protein shake made with Green Vibrant’s chocolate protein powder that I indulge in often

3. The Django’s Organics Asian Broccoli Slaw. It’s a light broccoli & carrot salad with the Gwyneth dressing- which was inspired by a recipe from actress/epicurean/Hamptonite Gwyneth Paltrow’s new cookbook, My Father’s Daughter.

KDH: Children tend not to like fruits & vegetables or anything that is considered “good for you”
Do you serve anything considered “Kid Friendly?”

SM: All children love smoothies. Probably because they get the same feel that comes from having ice cream, with it being frozen and all. Smoothies can be served with anything from peanut butter with almond milk to fruit with yogurt. The Mixed Berry smoothie seems to be a favorite for the kids, and moms like it because it contains Harvest Berries—strawberry, blueberry & raspberries–the mix has become very popular.

KDH: Finally, allergy season is upon us. Any suggestions for KDH readers?

SM: My children have teased me over the years that anytime they had any allergy symptoms or felt a cold coming on, I would always give them a spoonful of honey. And now they have passed this ritual on to their own children. What I have always believed in—is utilizing LOCAL honey to ward off allergic reactions. The idea being that local bees are pollinating the plants & flowers that are growing in your area. A spoonful of locally produced honey (Django’s carries Hamptons Honey) 3 times a day builds up your resistance to these allergens. Or, try Squeezing ½ lime into a glass of warm water & add a spoonful of honey. The lime rids the body of toxins and the honey works as a building block.

KDH: Who Knew?!

Feel free to drop-in to Django’s Organics and say hello to Sarah. She is always on hand to dole out advice & suggestions.

*Here’s an exclusive Django’s smoothie recipe that KDH readers can easily make at home:

The KDH Summer Smoothie: 1 cup frozen banana, 1 cup fruit juice and a scoop of rainbow vibrance!Location: DJango’s Organics
514 Three Mile Harbor Road, East Hampton; 631.604.1770
www.djangosorganics.com
Hours: Seven days, 9 a.m.– 6 p.m.
Summer Season: Seven days, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.