How many calories are in a typical meal?

We believe strongly that the quality of the inputs is far more important than the number of calories in a meal. All calories are not created equally (that’s old science) and different foods affect our biological systems (hormonal, metabolic, etc.) in different ways. In our experience, fixating on the number of calories tends to do more harm than good for the average person trying to reach their health and fitness goals. We believe that the simplest and most effective way to reach your goals is to focus on eating real (not processed) food that is prepared from clean and wholesome ingredients. Instead of focusing on the numbers, we want you to focus on how our food makes you look, feel and perform.

Are all of your meals gluten free?

Absolutely. Though not everyone has a gluten intolerance, research has shown that more and more people have gluten sensitivities (without even knowing it.). We also focus on using clean and wholesome ingredients rather than processed foods, which makes avoiding gluten far easier. In addition to a completely gluten-free menu, our menu is also dairy- and egg-free.

I live an active life. How do I know I’m getting enough protein?

Don’t worry, we also live active lives. But to be safe, we have partnered with a registered dietitian to ensure that not just each recipe is well-balanced and carefully composed, but also that each daily menu is thoughtfully structured to maximize nutrient density and diversity.

Will I lose weight on one of your meal programs?

Our programs are designed to provide you with all of the nutrients you need to live an active and healthy lifestyle. We carefully craft each recipe and structure each day’s worth of meals to ensure that you’re looking, feeling and performing your best – both mentally and physically. For some, this may mean shedding a few excess pounds. For others, this may mean providing an adequate balance of nutrient density and diversity to fuel your days. In any case, you can rest assured that by living the V+B life, you’ll be eating delicious, nutritious, well-balanced meals. But hey, if that’s not enough, you can always walk/run to our production facility to pick up your meals yourself (no charge).

Are all of your ingredients certified organic?

Depends. Do you work for the USDA? (Joke). We believe more in working with farmers and growers who utilize sustainable and organic farming practices than in working strictly with those who are certified organic. For many small, local farmers and growers, the official organic certification process is simply cost prohibitive and too time consuming a process to undertake. We partner only with those who share our high standards; those willing to work longer hours to protect the land and the plants and animals on which we all depend. Ultimately, our philosophy on this topic is simple – we strive to establish lasting relationships with good people who are doing great things.

Sustainable Halloween Tricks

Halloween coincides with a lot of waste from the individual candy wrappers to the outfits to the decor. Here are some tricks to make the day a bit more sustainable.

1. Costumes

Discarded Halloween costumes generate about 4 millions pounds of plastic waste! Instead, get creative and make your own or trade with a friend! If you do have to buy new, buy items that you will wear all year.

2. Treats

Opt for local products with minimal compostable or recycleable packaging. A study from Duke University found that Hershey Kisses produce the least amount of waste. See our blog article on Trick or Treating for more tips!

3. Trick-or-Treat Bags

Use a reusable grocery bag, a pillowcase, even a backpack instead of a plastic bucket that will end up in a landfill after only a few hours of use.

4. Pumpkins

Source from local farms to support local business and to minimize the carbon emissions from their transportation (pumpkins are heavy). If you carve your pumpkins, toast the seeds or make pumpkin bread!

5. Compost

Pumpkins were found to generate a billion pounds of food waste each year so don’t forget to compost!

6. Walk

Avoid driving if possible. Walk around your area to get some exercise and meet your neighbors!