Raquel Pasillas reached a point where she realized she was selling baked goods and offering protein shakes in her downtown Seymour shop.
Raquel’s Bakery was a popular stop for people to pick up cookies, cupcakes, Hispanic desserts, doughnuts and more since opening in the summer of 2017.
Later in the business, Pasillas added protein shakes to the offerings.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
She eventually decided something needed to change.
“I think what made me mostly change was that first, I was getting in bad health, and I started drinking the protein shakes while we were here and we started even offering it to people,” she said.
“But it was awkward because bakery and then protein shakes. Sometimes, (customers) would buy a protein shake and a doughnut,” she said, smiling.
Running her own bakery resulted in her working a lot of hours, too.
“I think a lot of what was going on with me was that I got really exhausted,” Pasillas said. “The bakery, it’s like a very tough thing. I’m still a mom of an 8-year-old girl, and she was always complaining how I wasn’t home. I had to be here a lot of hours, so I never thought about that at the beginning.”
In April, she closed Raquel’s Bakery and reopened in the same location as Seymour Healthy Zone.
That was during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We didn’t switch because something was wrong. It’s just I think I got exhausted and I needed a change,” Pasillas said. “When we were in quarantine, I just got my head cleared up and said, ‘I’m just going to go for the protein shakes, and I’m going to do just healthy stuff.’”
Because of the pandemic, customers couldn’t come into the store at the beginning, so Pasillas decided to offer curbside pickup. That went over really well.
Since restrictions have been lifted, customers can come into the store to order and take it to-go or sit at one of the tables inside.
“There’s nothing in Seymour like this, and we’ve been very successful. We are more busy than the bakery,” Pasillas said. “I think a lot of people are trying to be healthier, trying to take care of themselves. We have a lot of people say they are happy that we are here. A lot were sad about the bakery (closing), but they still say they like to come for the new things.”
Seymour Healthy Zone’s menu consists of protein shakes, protein coffees, teas, energy tea bombs, protein-packed waffles and crepes.
There are more than 50 flavors of Wow! Shakes, which have 250 to 300 calories, 24 grams of protein, 21 vitamins and minerals, 15 to 24 grams of carbohydrates and 10 to 22 grams of sugar.
“Because it’s a full meal, it’s like a meal replacement,” Pasillas said. “Somebody that’s watching their blood sugar, they are trying to get on a healthy path, protein shakes offer all of the vitamins you need in a whole balanced meal. It has little calories, so you can take it as a meal if you’re watching your weight. If you want it as a snack, you can have it as a snack.”
The protein powder is based on a soy protein and comes from a company that has 40 years on the market, she said.
There also are naked shakes that are just the protein powder in a variety of flavors. They have 145 calories, 10 net carbs, 4.5 grams of fat, 5 grams of fiber, 21 vitamins and minerals and 24 grams of plant-based protein.
The flavors of the Wow! Shakes and naked shakes can be mixed and matched, too.
Pasillas said they make both kinds of protein shakes with water, so that’s good for people who can’t drink milk. They also add Stevia and Splenda as sweeteners and sugar substitutes.
“Some people are soy intolerant, so we have another one that is based on rice and peas,” she said. “If people are used to it, it’s good for them.”
The protein coffees include iced coffee (house blend, caramel or mocha) and frappuccinos (caramel, s’mores or mocha). Ice coffee has 100 calories, 15 grams of protein and 2 grams of sugar, while frappuccinos have 215 to 230 calories, 30 grams of protein and 4 grams of sugar.
With teas, there are herbal tea with aloe (5 calories, sugar-free and hot or cold in seven flavors), aloe, tea and shake (aloe and tea flavors with a naked shake flavor) and tummy tuck tea (cinnamon tea, mango aloe and apple fiber).
The tea energizes and boosts metabolism, and the aloe soothes the digestive system.
Seymour Healthy Zone’s energy tea bombs also are popular among customers. They have less than 25 calories, are loaded with vitamins B and C, are sugar-free and come in a variety of flavors.
Pasillas said they are good for people on the keto diet because they are very low on carbs and calories and have no sugar.
“We use concentrated green and black tea, so it’s like a very concentrated tea,” she said. “We mix it with the other ingredients.”
Rounding out the drink options are loaded teas. Acai berry is a sports drink that enhances hydration with 320 milligrams of electrolytes, and hot mama consists of collagen, zinc and biotin and supports hair, skin and nails.
Both of those types of tea also include aloe.
If you’re hungry, you can order protein-packed waffles in the morning. The vanilla, cinnamon roll and banana caramel flavors are gluten-free, and there also is a cookie monster flavor. Sugar-free whipped cream, chocolate drizzle and syrup are used.
The waffles have 217 to 300 calories, 24 grams of protein, 15 to 20 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fiber, 9 to 15 grams of sugar and 8 grams of fat.
Also, crepes are offered all hours. The thin pancakes come with bananas, strawberries, blueberries, caramel syrup and whipped cream. They have 188 calories, 12 grams of sugar, 5 grams of carbs, 8 grams of fat and 21 grams of protein.
Soon, Pasillas said she’s going to add protein doughnuts to the menu.
The store’s hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
All of the employees are independent, Pasillas said.
“While they are working, they are making their own money, and they are happy with what they are doing,” she said. “I’m the business owner here, but it’s like we are all independent. If I work, I make the money. If they are working, they make the money. If they just want to work four hours, they are welcome to work four hours.”
Pasillas finds herself working less hours with the new business model.
“The bakery was a lot of expenses, and you need a lot of help,” she said. “With this change, it’s totally different.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Seymour Healthy Zone is at 228 S. Chestnut St., Seymour.
Hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
For information, call 812-680-4177 or visit facebook.com/seymourhealthyzone.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What do you like at Seymour Healthy Zone?
Heather Lewis: The turtle cheesecake protein shake is Tyler’s favorite. I like the coconut one they have. Ellamae likes their kids aloe refresher.
Becky Schepman: I love the protein waffles, and I also grab the pineapple upside down protein shake for lunch sometimes. Great place. So glad to have them.
Kristen Koerner: Strawberry limeade tea bomb.
Christie Senn: Banana caramel waffles and the blueberry muffin shakes are the best.
Sarah Bevers: Orange berry quench tea bomb. Delicious and gives me a boost.
Kelsie Rieker: The banana caramel waffles and naked shake are awesome. I also love the hot mama tea bomb.
Brandy Hampton: My nutritionist told me to try them last year. Quick, easy, nutrient-filled breakfast or snack when you are craving a pastry snack or trying to skip the breakfast drive-thru sandwich, and they are yummy. I like them all, but cinnamon toast crunch and lemon pound cake are my favorites. So many detox and energy options to add in, as well. Can’t speak highly enough about the genuine kindness of the family running this business. They gave really helped me stay in a healthier journey this year, too.
Jodi Tiemeyer: Waffles are amazing. I’m not sure how their whipped cream is sugar-free because it’s delicious.
Hillary Toppe: Turtle cheesecake shake.
Karla Bohle: Love the protein coffees. Salted caramel and s’mores frappes.
Tara Sutherland: I had the protein waffles. They were delicious. Also had an iced coffee. The protein was a bit strong tasting in it for me, but I enjoyed trying something new.
[sc:pullout-text-end]