Juna Alawadhi is a charismatic figure that we recently came across in our research into more healthy eating options here in Kuwait. Little did we know at the time that we were meeting someone not only passionate about healthy food choices, but central to the movement in Kuwait overall. An ambassador for Food Revolution Kuwait, a certified holistic nutritionist, and member of the American Association for Drugless Practitioners, she is busy getting the word out on good food and healthy lifestyles, long before she even steps foot into the restaurant she co-owns with her sister. Jadi Morgen, recently featured here in our Gluten Free article, caters to the health conscious market with wholesome, organic, and natural meals, rarely found elsewhere locally. More importantly though: it is her labor of love.
In fact, the only thing that it seems she values more than her place in the delicate local ecosystem of healthy living, is the family that gave her the foundations to understand food in such positive regard. Whether gardening their own plants and vegetables with her mother as a child, or playing fun but healthy food based games with her dad (an apt trick in which one has to name the nutrients in their lunch-funny though it may seem, it is tough to argue with the results), to even witnessing the organic food legacy that her own sister Jumana has pioneered locally—she feels blessed to have learned so much from those closest to her. With a firm resolve and passion to pass this healthy food edification on to others, she is aiming to help Kuwaiti locals, one meal choice at a time. We catch up with her in this months Up Close and Personal to see what makes her tick.
bazaar questionnaire:
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Perfect happiness is being in love with everything you do in life: to appreciate the simple things in life; to be aware of your purpose and aim in this life, and strive daily for it.
What is your greatest fear?
Losing sight of what is important and taking advantage of what’s given.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Being a perfectionist 🙂 I need to do everything myself, I sometimes forget that I have a team that I can delegate things to.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
When people deny themselves the best healthy lives that they truly deserve. Healthy lives are key to true happiness.
Which living person do you most admire?
I am blessed to have great people around me that I can look up to and admire. But if I have to choose one person, I am going to have to go with my big sister Jumana. She is my inspiration and my ultimate support. Her way of life motivates hundreds of people.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Food. I love trying new things and experimenting! Whenever I am traveling, I stop at as many farmer’s markets and food stores as possible looking for new ideas; whether vibrant vegetables or fresh fruit, I find it inspiring.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“U ok?” and “Thank you”
When were you happiest?
I am happy when I am around my loved ones, I am happy when I am giving a lecture and I see how I am making a difference, I am happy when I am in the kitchen cooking. Simple things make me super happy.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would like to be able to play a musical instrument.
What would you consider your greatest achievement?
Finding out who I am as a person and what my passion is. The fact is, we normally go on in life searching for our identity and our passion. I love how sometimes what we are looking for can actually be a very simple thing that we overlooked because we were looking for something so grand. Finding your passion is the greatest achievement of all.
Where would you most like to live?
Home. Home is where love, harmony, and happiness reside.
Juna can be found most days at Jadi Morgen 2571 0196 or online at www.jadimorgen.com. Follow her on Instagram: @jadimorgen or email: jm@jadimorgen.com
