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.

Use Feng Shui to Increase Your WFH Productivity

When the world went into lockdown last March, most of us couldn’t have anticipated how long we’d be working remotely. Perhaps at first you set your laptop up at the kitchen table. Then months stretched on, so you invested in a real desk, an ergonomic chair, maybe even a monitor. Now we’re ten months into COVID, with some offices in D.C. expected to remain closed through June, and many companies allowing permanent WFH or other flexible arrangements. If your workspace still feels less than ideal—whether it’s distracting, agitating or just plain dull—it’s time to get serious about your setup. Enter: the harmonizing practice of Feng Shui.

We talked to D.C. based Feng Shui expert Stacy Scott about how you can apply the principles of Feng Shui to reinvent your home office and thereby shift your work life. Scott takes a person-centric approach to the philosophy that’s grounded in personal transformation and intentionality. “What we think, believe and strive for really comes out through our home,” she said. “You’d be amazed how many people are mismatched.”

The first step in upgrading your home-office Feng Shui: Assess what kind of energy you’re seeking in your work space. Write it down and meditate on the way your current office space is making you feel. What are some of the qualities that your WFH space is bringing up for you? What is the most dominant emotion that you feel working from home? And then, how do you want to feel in your workspace? We all want to enhance our productivity, but there are different paths to get there. Some of us need to get charged up, while others need to reduce stimulation.

Based on your findings, Scott has ideas to get you started on making practical changes to refine your home-office Feng Shui.

For more calm and groundedness...

As Scott explains, the energy of work (yang) and the energy of rest (yin) don’t always play well together. She suggests one practical way to invite calming yin energy in is through simple color changes. “In Feng Shui, browns, yellows, peaches and pinks are aligned with earth energy, especially in pastels.” If you can’t paint your walls, you can always swap out the chair that you sit on, or buy a new rug that you place under your desk. Also, be mindful about your home office furniture arrangement relative to your door. “You never want your back to a door,” said Scott. “When your back is exposed, it actually raises your limbic system and results in a low level state of fight or flight.” If you can’t arrange your desk to face the door for any reason, or you prefer facing a window, consider investing in a mirror to allow you to see your door, or place a bell on your door that would alert you if someone were to enter. Even if you live alone, this can support a more calming energy.

For better focus and motivation...

As Scott explains, it can be helpful to have objects around that remind us of how far we’ve come and where we hope to go. “Hang things up on the walls that keep you motivated. Hang up your degree, your accolades or awards you’ve gotten.” If you’re having a hard time focusing and your space is either impermanent or part of another mixed-use area of your home (such as a desk in your bedroom, or a corner of your living room or kitchen) double down on your focus by simulating some sense of boundary between your work and the rest of the area. Scott advises her clients to do this with three items: a shoji screen or other room divider, a rug and a plant. “Go with a palm tree or something that grows up and has a little bit of movement to it,” she said.

For inspiration and creativity…

If you often feel stuck or creatively blocked in your current workspace, it might be worth evaluating your clutter situation. “Decluttering is one of the toughest challenges you can take on because it brings up emotions we often would rather not deal with,” said Scott. “Making space in your home truly helps you make space for growth and new perspectives in your life.” Of course, we can’t avoid all clutter, and there’s no sense striving for perfection in terms of organization. But decluttering allows you to uncover what exactly is behind your need to hang onto certain items. Consider that the concern, “What if I need this someday?” is strongly connected to a scarcity mindset. When you can trust that you have all that you need, and are willing to let go of “what ifs,” you can gradually shift to a mindset of abundance, which tends to foster creativity.

Don’t forget to check back in after you’ve made changes. “I don’t think we always realize just how much we are energetically tied to our space,” said Scott. “When something starts to not feel great, you can shift the energy around to then shift the energy in your body.”

Here are some more tips on working from home.