A little over a year ago Larry Phillips, owner of Yogo Mojo, and his brother, Kevin Motes, went to a yogurt shop in Tucson, Ariz. This was when they both decided Grand Junction could use a frozen yogurt store. With that notion Yogo Mojo was born.

Motes opened up shop in Denver in May and Phillips opened up in Grand Junction on the first floor of the North Avenue dorms. Its grand opening was only a few weeks ago, and it quickly became a hit with Colorado Mesa University students. Phillips explained the best parts of owning a frozen yogurt place.

“I like interacting with people, and particularly kids. Yogurt shops are fun for kids,” Phillips said. “Self service makes it even more fun and interactive for customers, employees and kids.”

Because of his love for interacting with customers, Phillips decided to give a Powerpoint presentation on the benefits of eating frozen yogurt. The presentation was on Tuesday night in the second floor lounge of North Avenue.

Phillips’ presentation described the healthy benefits of yogurt. Yogurt may help prevent osteoporosis, reduces the risk of high blood pressure, discourages vaginal infection, helps one feel more full, and helps burn belly fat. It also helps other gastrointestinal conditions such as diarrhea, constipation, lactose intolerance, colon cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease among others. Non-fat yogurt has twice the amount of calcium and one half the fat as ice cream.

Fermented milk is the primary ingredient in yogurt. The milk and other ingredients are heated to 115 degrees, which helps destroy pathogenic bacteria. While the mix is at 85 degrees, it is inoculated with .01 percent of yogurt cultures and is slowly cooled to 32 degrees. The yogurt gets its unique flavor from bacteria strains that make up approximately .01 percent of the ingredients. The yogurt is never truly frozen, but contains ice crystals.

“I like how it’s kind of different than just normal ice cream, and it’s easier to eat for those people who are lactose intolerant,” freshman Shayley MacQueen said.

mschreib@mavs.coloradomesa.edu