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.

Why you should be eating cherries this season

The beginning of June is always marked with bright bursts of color of the local season. Baby vegetables, salad greens, and berries are all hitting a stride. Eating colorfully is always easiest in the summer months!

My favorite part of living in a warmer region is the bounty of seasonal fruits and vegetables (let me tell you the DC farmers’ markets outshine those in upstate New York). Eating seasonally helps the local community and also allows you to eat produce at its nutritional and flavor peak. Not only are in-season fruits and vegetables more delicious, they also help quench your body’s seasonal needs: summer produce (berries, watermelon, cucumber, etc.) is full of water to help hydrate and cool your body as the temperature climbs.

Growing up, summer was always greeted with a bowl of bright red cherries on the dining table—these would carry over to the living room, packed with a lunch, or a handful on the way out the door. It’s safe to assume that this post is dedicated to the almighty cherry!

Cherry season usually spans from late May through July. This is always dependent on when cherry flowers bloom, and this year (especially in California) blooming happened quite late and pushed back peak harvest season. Hang tight, folks!

These tasty sweet gems are full of incredible nutrients. Cherries are a great source of anthocyanins, a class of compounds that give them their bright red color and also possess antioxidant properties. These compounds also have been found to slow down glucose production from complex carbohydrates, lending themselves to a healthy glucose regulation.

Cherries are alkaline in nature, meaning that they can come in handy when your gut is a little too acidic (which often manifests itself as indigestion). Although, it should be noted that symptoms of indigestion could also be caused by low stomach acid. Be sure to check-in with your doctor to understand the cause of your tummy aches before you take any action! A study also showed that the consumption of cherries reduced exercise-induced muscle pain and soreness. Cheers to anti-inflammatory properties!

Despite their sweetness, cherries rank low on the glycemic index, meaning that there’s no need to worry about spiking your blood sugar levels. Similarly, cherries have a relatively low caloric content (less than 100 calories for 1 cup of cherries, which is about equal to 20 cherries).

Cherries also provide a natural way to help with some sleepless nights. Another study showed that eating cherries or drinking a glass of tart cherry juice before bed increased average sleep time by around 1.5 hours.

Don’t forget to get your cherries while they’re in season! But don’t fret, their nutritional and healing properties still apply to their frozen, dried, and juiced forms (preservative-free, of course)!

Although I prefer to eat my fresh cherries by the handful, this classic Clafoutis recipe is one that I adore. I also enjoy tossing dried cherries on top of any salad as a perfect addition of tartness and sweetness! And finally, for when the weather inevitably reaches a temperature I was not blessed to withstand, a classic cherry lemonade!

PS: Here’s an easy way to pit your cherries! You can thank me later :)