Name(s)?
John and Pema Schott
Where do you live?
West Miami, close to the Gables
Where are you originally from and what brought you to town?
I was born in Cartagena, Columbia, and Pema was born and raised here. I came from Cartagena right after high school – looking for a different world, opportunities and the American Dream.
Please share about what you do for a livelihood or what keeps you busy during the week?
It varies a lot, I work in the wellness field. I do body work, specializing in trigger point and myofascial release. I do Iridology – which is the study of the Iris. And, I do wellness coaching – with detox programs. I am currently opening a new space to consolidate all the things I do.
How often do you come to the market?
We try to go every Sunday, but definitely 2-3 times a month. We were there every Saturday when you were in the Gables.
Do you have a market ritual? If so, please describe.
Actually, we go to you first. We love to get our fix of smoothies and then to see what other things you have going on. I’m a big fan of sapote (nispero) – it’s my favorite fruit…and papaya. Whenever you have those, they are my go to.
What’s your favorite thing to buy at LNB Grovestand and why?
I like the Sapodelicious. That’s my favorite. One of my sons likes the rainbow – which is a combination of all three. My daughter, wife and other son like the Sapodelicious too. They’re all great. We love all of them.
What’s your favorite thing to buy at other stands at the market?
We walk around. We’ll get some raw honey, we’ll see Lamoy to get some raw foods, and then pick up a few things like produce here and there.
What is the market missing?
More organic food, like you guys. More unique food offerings that are artisanal and not pizza and things you can find anywhere.
A favorite activity I enjoy with my kids?
My kids are 8, 5 and 3 – and I have a 4’th one that’s about to come any day now. We like to go to the market, to parks, to the beach. Once or twice a week its nice to watch a family movie together. It’s intimate and fun.
Favorite market story:
I set up a booth, years and years ago, at the market with shakes with magnesium and other things. It’s a good memory.
What do you like to cook at home?
It varies. We do a lot with vegetables. We make cauliflower rice and mash. I make a signature dish with sweet potatoes and turn them into linguini. We’ll use portobello mushrooms and farm fresh eggs. We do a lot of home cooked from scratch meals.
For special occasions, I go to:
I took my wife to Ghee for Mother’s Day. It was pretty good.
What’s the area’s best-kept secret?
I would say getting coconut water by the gallon or half at Palacio de los Jugos. Not a whole lot of people know about it. I’ll take them glass mason jars and they pour the coconut water right into them.
The most romantic spot around:
I would say, just past the Key Biscayne bridge – at sunset.
What are your hobbies?
I take care of three kids so that doesn’t leave much time for hobbies. I enjoy reading and listening to podcasts. Podcasts are a form of education for me. Because I’m driving a lot, and my time for reading has diminished, podcasts let me catch up.
Do you own your own business or offer a service? Would you share a pitch about yourself or company with the community?
Our new store, Juniper Cafe and Wellness, is a consolidation of all the holistic lifestyle practices that I’ve acquired throughout the years. It’s a center with a healing room, a full elixir/smoothie bar and a little bit of food. Going back to the idea of the elements – it’s a nature-based approach to wellness and health. My goal is that we provide an opportunity for people to get a high-quality education, good food and a home style meeting when they come in.
It’s on the corner of 16th street, and SW 67th Ave. We are hoping to have a secret opening next week.
Is there a question that you would like to ask the community?
Not so much a question, but a challenge to look deeper. An invitation to have some form of self-awareness of who we are and who you are as a person and how we can integrate ourselves as a community and tribe in this different world that we live in.
If you would like readers to be able to contact you, how should they get in touch?
schotthealth.com