Ever since my escape from America in 2006, and since arriving on Saipan and launching my nomad travels, I’ve had a few milestone culinary experiences that stand out in my mind.

The first was finding a box of healthy, wheat-free, dairy-free cookies amid the sugar-laden treats at Joeten supermarket. Second, was discovering that the Payless supermarkets on Guam carried a range of health-food items including Ezekiel bread! (That was a game changer) which led to me having the good folks at Joeten order it for me here (as chronicled in the Bestseller bestseller Jamaican on Saipan, now available at Bestseller bookstore next to Joeten)

The third–which was actually in China–was discovering a vegan restaurant in Beijing during my first few days of being Jamaican in China! (as chronicled in Guess Who’s Coming to Dim Sum: Jamaican in China)

Fourth, was discovering the vegetarian paradise of Singapore!

Well, now, with Lara bars, Terra chips and soy yogurt available here on Saipan to satisfy my decadent packaged-food cravings, I’ve been content to continue preparing my own natural meals–whether in coffeepots or woks–as I’ve done for years.

Perhaps one of the last meals I’ll prepare for myself!

I’ll share a secret: The fact is, I’ve never actually eaten at a restaurant on Saipan. Well, actually, a few years I did have a meal at the now defunct Magic Lamp Restaurant because Victor and Linda were aware of the style and requirements of my daily diet and prepared something special that was not on the menu. Well that, my friends, may be about to change.

A few days ago, I discovered something that left me speechless! After returning from a two-year detour in New York, I discovered (thanks to my friend, Joe Hill) that Saipan has made a significant change. This change, I tell you, this newest milestone in culinary and dining experiences on Saipan may trump all others combined! Are you ready? Wait for it now.

A few days ago, during day 6 of my water fast, I discovered TROPICAL BLENDZ!!! That’s right! Tropical Blendz Restaurant/Juice bar on Middle Road. From the brief conversation I had with partner, Svetlana, they’ve been on island for about a year, opening up while I was gone.

So, what’s so special about a little juice bar cafe on Middle Road?” you ask.

Well, I’ll tell you!

This is not just any juice bar/health food cafe. They’ve got fresh juices using local fruits, protein and fruit smoothies with spirulina, moringa powder (malunggay), maca and other superfood names I never thought I’d hear anyone else utter here on Saipan! But that’s not all! They’ve got meals–veggie burgers, salads, soups, wraps and more! They’ve got desserts–wheat free, dairy-free, raw desserts! My heavens, I think I’m in heaven!! If I weren’t in the middle of a fast at the time, I would have purchased just about everything on the menu! Heck, I might be camping outside the door every night waiting for them to open up the next morning!

Svetlana, herself, is a raw foodist, so she understands the lifestyle of fanatic vegans like myself, and even takes it a few steps further by advocating enzyme-rich, uncooked, raw food for sustenance! Finally, (as a tear rolls down my cheek), someone who understands me!

This is the sort of establishment I’ve always wanted to see on Saipan. It’s the sort of restaurant I would open and run myself if I weren’t addicted to my nomadpreneur lifestyle running around Asia! I’d rather support them and share the news and encourage you to pay them a visit. Tropical Blendz is across Middle Road from Sugar King Park (the same street (Gold’s Gym and the park are on the east side of Middle Road, and Tropical Blendz is o on the west side)

The view from the inside

The view from the outside

Wow! All this excitement and I haven’t even eaten there yet! But that, too is about to change. Now that I’m going into Day 10 of my fast, and will probably start transitioning back to solid food over the next several days, I’m looking forward to writing another post about specific dishes! Get your cameras ready! If you stop by and see me there, you’ll get one of the only photos of me actually sitting and eating at a restaurant on Saipan! Stay tuned! More to come!