THIS NEW SMOOTHIE SHOP IN RED BANK OFFERS UNIQUE MOUTH WATERING COMPLETE MEAL SMOOTHIES, HEALTHY DONUTS, WAFFLES, AND NATURAL MEGA ENERGY REFRESHERS TO FEEL YOUR BEST

BY JESSICA JONES GORMAN • PHOTOS BY TOM ZAPCIC

As an executive, life, and career coach, Irina Popa has traveled the world extensively, helping thousands of people reach their maximum potential and live a happier, healthier, and more fulfilled existence. A former professional gymnast who multi medaled in a number of competitions throughout her career, the Romanian born athlete was mentored by Jim Rohn, a world renowned life and business philosopher who inspired her to dedicate her life to helping others. Along with her husband and business partner, Daniel Ardelean, Irina has spent the last 14 years working with corporate and celebrity clients at her wellness centers in New York City and Beverly Hills, and now the duo is bringing their wellness philosophy to Red Bank.

“Everything we did in New York and Beverly Hills, we brought here the same love, the same passion,” she noted. “I literally treated everything with the same hustle and sense of community. Our products are unbelievable, our food is delicious, and our staff is warm and welcoming. Every aspect of this business makes you feel good, both inside and out.” Titling their business Good Vibe Nutrition, Irina and Daniel blended the services they offer in health, wellness, and nutrition to create a menu full of healthy protein smoothies, donuts, and waffles.

“I am a nutrition and wellness expert, but I know nothing about building a recipe,” she said, laughing. “So my friend, Chia, takes on that role in this journey.” Vasilichia (Chia) Burdea, together with Daniel and Irina, crafted a menu of healthy complete nutrition meal smoothies and coffee, plus delicious natural mega energy refreshers, fat blasters, beauty collagen drink shots, and sports performance nutrition drinks. Protein mini donuts and waffle triangles supercharged with 34 grams of plant protein and only 271 calories are among the top sellers.

The husband and wife power team and Chia scouted locations in New Brunswick and Princeton before finding the shop’s current home on Red Bank’s Front Street. “We ended up in Red Bank one evening after scouting the entire center NJ, thanks to the suggestion of my mentor, William Erwin,”
explained Irina. “We chose Red Bank because I wanted to open a smoothie shop only in a location where I would find a penny on the ground, and we found two pennies on the ground close by the shop.”

Nicole Spread

Good Vibe became an instant hit, particularly with what the owners call the “TikTok crowd.” “These teenagers love our smoothies, waffles, donuts, and refreshers,” said Irina, describing the shop’s most popular items. “One client, Juliana Connors, came in one day with her friend, Helena Stoever, and made a TikTok video with the refreshers they fell in love with right away, and because of their beautiful personalities and love for our boutique shop, all their friends started to come in. As a thank you, we decided to ask Juliana to choose her favorite flavors and create her own refresher, then we named it ‘Juju’ after her.”

At only 20 calories each, the refreshers are packed with all the highest quality B vitamins, a rare Aloe Vera extract, and a scientic blend of four teas made from hand-picked leaves, while the smoothies are 200 calories or less, taste like ice cream, have a low glycemic index sugar, and are stocked with high quality plant protein plus 45 essential vitamins and minerals. Each shake is a full meal that won’t cause bloating or afternoon fatigue. In fact, Good Vibe’s menu offerings are carefully crafted to restore energy, clarity, and focus.

“Guests are invited to come in and create their own drinks. This menu is made to reflect the tastes of our community. I wholeheartedly appreciate and welcome everyone’s advice and suggestions. Our mission is to help people live a happier and healthier life, but we cannot accomplish that alone, we need your help.”

Good Vibe Nutrition
4B W Front Street, Red Bank / 732.456.8190 /
goodvibenutrition.com