Everyone eats, but what is the quality? —Grace Benjamin-Joshua

How did you venture into your business?

I started with N20,000 assisted with dedication, focus and resilience. I grew the company from selling spices ranging from jollof rice spice, pepper soup spice, fried rice spice, tumeric, etc. Early this year, I started processing green coffee, green veggies detox, fruit detox, moi-moi and akara mix, zobo juice mix, beetroot teas, etc. I also registered about 10 of these products with the NAFDAC.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I come from a humble background, but a large family, where I was like a mini nurse to everyone around; caring, using spices for healing, etc. My growing up was an interesting one; after my secondary school, before gaining admission into the university, I started the business of selling puff puff and zobo juice, while I helped my uncle rent and sell home video cassettes. I guess my multi- tasking started early.

Why are you so passionate about healthy and natural diets?

Yes , I believe in natural food and using God-given spices and herbs for healing. I believe everything God provided us as food or vegetables, eating them right is what we need in this present age where sickness and diseases are threatening the very existence of humans. Going back to our local food and vegetables without chemicals what so ever is the best way to stay healthy and sickness free.

Tell us a bit about your chemical free product regimen…

One of my best is the green veggies detox (tea). This product is in tea bag form which helps in detoxifying and has a lot of nutrients. It also is primarily sourced from vegetables which help manage high blood pressure, reduce blood sugar and also can be used for healthy weight loss because it contains vegetables like parsley, celery, lemon,  etc. I also produce beetroot tea, zobo juice mixes which are also available in tea bags and available in all zobo spices, including cinnamon, pineapple and oranges. Both are made both in powder form and also made in juice mix with dates (dabino) in tea bags. I also have moi-moi and Akara mix.

Our washed and spiced beans are cleanly prepared and packaged ready to be used.

The best part of all this is, all our products go through hygienic conditions, washed and dehydrated, saving all the nutrients intact.

All locally sourced?

Yes, they are locally sourced. Nigeria is blessed with good soil and food.

So what particular fruit is best for healthy living?

Depending on what you buy, if it is not helping you live healthy, like reduction of blood pressure, reducing of blood sugar, it will help with healthy reduction of weight.

Is it necessary for every person to watch what they eat/drink?

Yes, very necessary, as most times, we feed ourselves with chemically infested food, also known as junks. To live healthy, you must be conscious about it. Watch what you eat each day.

Nigerian foods are basically majorly carbohydrates, what can be done?

There are a lot of disadvantages eating a single class of food most times. Our bodies love variety, and it is said that variety is the spice of life. We are blessed with all kinds of food ranging from proteins to vegetables, juices, etc. Eating all these varieties is fun, so people should be adventurous with them. To live healthy, we need them all.

What makes your offerings unique?

As I have stated before, each Uregi product is embedded with rich antioxidants, most vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories. Vegetables are important sources of many nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamin A, and vitamin C.

Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Our juices and teas like the beetroots variant is packed with essential nutrients, great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. Beetroots and beetroot juice have been associated with numerous health benefits, including improving liver function etc

People use hibiscus (zobo) for conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, increasing the production of breast milk, infections and many other conditions like healing bleeding from nose, drives away weaknesses by providing energy and increasing blood circulation, boosts immunity by fighting disease-causing microorganisms, controls diabetes and aids fertility.

Challenges that you have faced?

I face a lot everyday; I started with a little amount of money and growing such company to its present stage is a lot.  We live in a society where it so difficult having support as an entrepreneur, but that is story for another day. I don’t have all of the machinery needed, I co-manufacture with another company and pay to rent the use of their machines. A ready market, funding, enabling environment, are my major challenges etc

Your future plans?

I look forward to farming most of the vegetables we use, having our own factory, having health classes to get people eat and drink healthy and producing on a larger scale.

Your favorite natural drink…

My favorite drink is what we make in tea form. Ginger tea with cloves, tumeric and lemon etc