Starting off smoothie

New catering, sandwich business exercises healthy options

MOSES LAKE — Tod Haneberg's new business is all about healthy.

Haneberg, a partner in Anytime Fitness, was concerned when he heard rumors that the space next to the new gymnasium was going to go to yet another fast food establishment.

"I'd really like people to eat a lot healthier, and that's really the main reason why we kind of opened," he said. "I kind of put my foot down and said, 'No, we don't need that. We don't need another fast food or unhealthy.' I don't want my members of my club to walk outside and see nothing but fast food in front of them. I want them to have a healthier choice."

So Haneberg opened up his own establishment, one which offers catering, a deli and a smoothie bar.

Tasty Original Delight's (Tod's, for short) launched July 13 in its location at 619 N. Stratford Road, Suite B. The operation offers delivery, and an opportunity to receive e-mails or faxes heralding the daily special.

Menu options include wraps, sandwiches, salads and an espresso bar, although Haneberg said the new business' highlight is the smoothie bar.

"We offer all-natural fruit smoothies," he said. "What we're all about is healthy. Even the breads that we use, I think the sourdough is the only one that isn't low-carb."

Haneberg got the idea after news items claiming natural fruit smoothies are replacing the all-American milkshake, which are high in fat and have more calories than the smoothies, which use non-fat milk, non-fat yogurt and real fruit.

"The real only sugar is in the fruit," he noted. "They're not as sweet as people think, but we do have flavoring if you want to sweeten it up a little bit. But most people just want the natural fruit smoothie, because they want a healthier choice."

A 10-year resident of Moses Lake, Haneberg said the town has been craving a smoothie bar. He's starting off slow with the business, employing two people and a catering director. The catering operation can serve anywhere from two people to more than 500, he said.

"I would really like to see people eat a lot healthier," he said. "I don't want to be one of those places that is slammed all the time, but I do want to be able to expand to offer … some take-home meals, lasagna platters, spaghettis, meatballs, noodles, those kinds of things."

The business also hopes to eventually offer soups.

Haneberg said his interest in health stems from hearing of the "tragedies" of obese youth not used to the healthier diets offered while he was growing up, with more home-cooked meals instead of stopping off to grab a greasy burger.

"Eating healthier is just going to help my business next door to have people see results, and that's what it's about," he said. "People join the gym because they want results. They want to live longer, they want to lose more weight. This gives them an opportunity to do that and succeed in their fitness goals."

It will also help Haneberg make more money, he notes with a laugh.

"That's the goal, of course, to make money in a business," he said, "But I really want to see people eat healthier and live longer."