Food

Are you still trying to decide which of South Florida’s meal delivery services is right for you? If you haven’t already taken a hard look at Fresh is Better (FIB), consider this a wake up call, because the masterminds behind this tasty meal delivery service are doing something right. We tried a few delicious meals from Fresh is Better and here is what we think.Favorite MealHands down, the Chicken Pie with Roasted Veggies was our favorite. We weren’t quite sure what to expect when we saw it on the menu, but after one bite we were hooked. It should be no surprise, because FIB puts time and attention into every meal, using only the freshest, most flavorful ingredients. They use colorful seasonal fruits and vegetables, fish caught from Florida’s waters, and proteins that are pasture fed and antibiotic free. You can choose from four different meal plans – Traditional, Paleo, Vegetarian or Gluten Free.Least Favorite MealIt’s hard to pick a “least favorite meal” because they were all actually quite tasty. If we had to choose, it would be the Turkey Omelette Roll. Eggs are hit or miss when reheated, and while we actually quite enjoyed this delicious breakfast, it wasn’t our favorite from the week.Delivery ExperienceFresh is Better was delivered promptly as promised every morning. The super friendly team member from Fresh is Better, Carlota, arranged everything, and checked in to make sure the experience was enjoyable. What was really great is that not only are the meals prepped the night before and delivered daily to ensure the food is always fresh, they are packed in compostable containers that combine convenience with sustainability. It’s great seeing a company focus on their environmental footprint.Our RecommendationWe highly recommend giving Fresh is Better a try. Plans start as low as $30 a day, and if you use the code “stayfit305” at checkout, you can save 15% off your order.

Are meal delivery services really worth it? That was one of the many questions I set out to answer when I gave Deliver Lean a try for 10 days. South Florida has a number of meal delivery services to choose from, but Deliver Lean ranks among the top selections. So why are so many people choosing to order from Deliver Lean? Let's find out.Meal SelectionAs with most meal delivery services, you are able to choose each individual meal you will be delivered ahead of time. Deliver Lean boasts an impressive 96 different meal selections each week in four different meal plans - The Classic, The Paleo, The Vegetarian and The Vegan. For my 10 days, I chose to select all Paleo meals with as many different meal options as I could. Trust me, the food was so appetizing on the website, it was much harder said than done.

‍Day 1

‍One of the many reservations I've always had about meal delivery services was how would it work delivering to my apartment vs a house? Do I have them leave it at the desk? Do I have them deliver it to my door? What if someone takes it while it sits outside my door? All of these questions were answered in Day 1 when I received a phone call from the Deliver Lean Customer Service Representative. I feel bad for forgetting her name, but she was probably the nicest Customer Service rep I've ever spoken to in my life. She kindly explained the delivery team had issues accessing my building. After a quick 5 minute phone call, instructions were updated, and there was not a single issue with the deliveries after that call. They delivered right to my door every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning with no issues.

‍Day 2

‍A Cranberry Orange Almond Scone is not something I would typically order for breakfast, but once again, for the sake of variety, I selected as many different options as I could in the 10 day period. This scone was delicious, and came with Cultured Coconut Yogurt with Blueberries and Mango.

‍Day 3

‍I was already getting used to seeing the delivery bag waiting outside my door each morning, and since it was Friday, this one was packed with an entire weekend’s worth of meals.  What’s great is that each meal has a label indicating the day and meal you selected it for in case you forget. It really makes organizing and planning that much easier.

‍Day 4

‍The weekend’s are dangerous for me, because if I am going to have a cheat meal, it’s going to be then. Deliver Lean kept me on track throughout Saturday with Scrambled Egg Whites with Sauteed Kale & Tomato with Chicken Apple Sausage.

‍Day 5

‍It was a typical Sunday morning in Miami, so my natural instinct post-workout was, “Where am I going for Brunch?” This week was different because I already had a meal waiting for me at home. On the menu was Grilled Chicken Paillard with Provencial Tomato, Corn & Bell Pepper Salad & Lemon Thyme Reduction.

‍Day 6

‍Monday’s dinner was really delicious. Basil Coconut Chicken with Roasted Spaghetti Squash & Baked Tomato.

‍Day 7

‍The surprise meal of the entire week was definitely the Gluten Free Arepas with Braised Mojo Pull Pork. I don’t know why, but this was one of my favorite meals. I highly recommend this one.

‍Day 8

‍After a week, I started noticing a few things. I wasn’t as hungry as I thought I would be. I eat a lot of food. Healthy food, but a lot of it. When weighing the cost of a meal delivery delivery service, I’ve always thought I would have to buy some additional food as well, so it never really made sense. I was proven wrong. I didn’t need extra food at all. The portions were just right, and I was getting exactly what I needed throughout the day to keep going.

‍Day 9

‍Dinner included Mexican Beef Tenderloin Strips with Peppers, Red Onion, Blistered Tomatoes, Plantain Mash & Grilled Cilantro Lime.

‍Day 10

‍After 10 days with Deliver Lean, one of the biggest things I took away from the experience is their attention to detail with everything, especially food quality. There wasn’t really a bad meal. They were all tasty. For everyone meal prepping every Sunday (myself included), this was a great break, and even gave me some ideas I can cook on my own. I highly recommend giving Deliver Lean a chance.Save 15% off your Deliver Lean order when you use “STAYFIT305” at checkout.

Earlier this month, popular juice spot, Raw Juce, opened its 4th location in Aventura, right next to the Aventura Mall on Biscayne. Juices, cleanses, shots, smooth-e-lixers, acai bowls and more are all on the menu, making the location and must try.Raw Juce is on a mission to make people feel and live better. So naturally, all ingredients are organic and locally sourced so food can be delivered in its most natural form. Raw Juce’s cold- pressed technology guarantees maximum extraction without pulp. Each fruit and vegetable is pressed individually and bottled with no additives or preservatives. The philosophy of Raw Juce was primarily founded on the premise of communal practices. Supporting over 50 community events monthly (at no cost to partners), Raw Juce believes heavily in the power of giving. From early on, Raw Juce founders, Jeff Levine, Steve Shaffer and Barry Rabkin were committed to building a community-centric brand from the inside out. Rabkin states, “We believe that giving back to the community, starting with our team members, creates dedication. Not only does our team (mostly 20 somethings) learn the mechanics of ourbusiness but we offer a diversified program that helps with personal betterment and a vision for their future.”

Forgo McDonald's and Taco Bell. Former Miami Heat player Ray Allen and wife Shannon are opening Grown, a new fast-food concept in South Miami (8211 S. Dixie Hwy.) this March.Developed by the couple, Grown is said to be "real food, cooked slow, for fast people," meaning it fuses a farm-to-table concept using organic, local, and nutritious ingredients with the essence of a fast-food locale. “Grown was born out of frustration,” Shannon says. “At home, I do my best to prepare delicious, nutrient-dense meals for our five children, including our son Walker, who is living with type 1 diabetes. Like most busy families, we juggle homework, after-school sports, and everyday commitments — we live in our cars. I had an aha moment where I realized I couldn’t sit around helpless waiting for someone else to create a fast-food option that met our family’s dietary needs."To help conceive Shannon's idea, the couple organized a team of experts to build Grown from the ground up. Dubbed the "kitchen cabinet," the health-knowledge squad that worked with the pair includes Michael Rose of Rose Capital Advisors; Tara Mardigan, director of nutrition at Fruit Street Health and former team nutritionist for the Boston Red Sox; Asha Loring, executive director of Health in the Hood; Faheem Mujahid, a trainer and holistic lifestyle coach; Sally Sampson, founder of ChopChop, a family-oriented cooking magazine; and Gabriele Marewski, founder of Paradise Farms Organic in Homestead.Todd Kiley, previously of Boston’s Legendary Restaurant Group and Rainforest Café, will be the eatery's executive chef. He, along with Ray and Shannon, crafted an easy-to-navigate menu highlighting organic and locally sourced foods. Though dishes are made in a healthful way, they're still approachable and appetizing to adults, children, and families.Using an open-kitchen concept, the restaurant will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner plates ranging from $4 to $18 and all made from scratch daily. Menu items include small-batch soups, salads, sandwiches, and wraps; gluten-free baked goods; and customizable cold-pressed juices and fruit smoothies. There will be family-style meal options too. All dishes will be available for sit-down, take-out, and through its full-service drive-thru. Guests can eat in the 38-seat dining room or on the patio, which seats up to 42. For private luncheons, dinners, and small parties, Grown offers a space dubbed the "Kindergarden," which will also house special events such as nutritional workshops, cooking classes, and wellness demos.The 1,900-square-foot space will also include an urban rooftop garden, which will produce a variety of fruits and vegetables that will be used for the eatery. Chefs will transport the greenery to the kitchen using a dumbwaiter system. This article originally appeared in Miami New Times by Clarissa Buch.

Meal Prep. Let's be honest, it can be a chore. The most satisfying part of cooking a week's worth of meals all at once is being able to post the end result on Instagram letting everyone know you just completed #SundayMealPrep. However, it is a very necessary part of maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle. If you seem to be short on time these days, Miami has an abundance of healthy meal delivery services so you don't have to sacrifice nutrition for convenience. We've rounded up some of the top options for you to choose from.

*Read Part II of this Guide Here*

1). Deliver LeanDeliver Lean is a powerhouse, offering over 96 different menus items for you to choose from weekly. Simply choose your delivery frequence: daily, bi-weekly, or monthly, your meal type: Classic, Paleo, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free or Organic Protein, and you are on your way to receiving healthy and fresh meals at your doorstep.

2. Fresh Meal Plan

Fresh Meal Plan is the delivery service of choice for many of South Florida's fittest. The Miami Dolphins, I Am Crossfit and Orange Theory Fitness are all powered by Fresh Meal Plan. Choose from Paleo, Traditional, Vegetarian, Pro-Preferred or Contest Prep.

3. Catered Fit

Catered Fit has five different meal plans to choose from: Smart, Athletes, Vegetarian, Paleo and Pescetarian. Don't forget to try their juices supplied by Cold-Pressed Juice.

4. Fit 2 Go

Fit 2 Go is a great option for the professional living a hectic life. This pay as you go option is flexibile, customizable, and allows you to change meals without any additional cost. Try one of their meals, salads or wraps all based on a heart smart diet.

5. FIB Delivery

FIB (Fresh is Better) Delivery is powered by local farmers and food sources. Antibiotic and hormone free meats, wild-caught fish from Florida’s waters, and nutrient-dense fresh produce are what you can expect with FIB. They also place an extra focus on packing your meals in compostable containers that combine convenience with sustainability.

The food you eatbefore and after exercising is crucial to get the most out of your workouts,and to stay on track with your fitness goals. Pre-workout: You’re fueling yourbody up. You need to prep it for the physical stress you’re about to put itthrough. Post-workout: You need to replenish your body so it can recover andrebuild from the workout you just crushed. 

Resilience CBD, a CBD brand designed specifically for athletes, has a growing library of healthy recipes that incorporate their CBD. Not only do they taste great, but they also add an extra anti-inflammatory boost that you may not be getting enough of otherwise. Below are a few great pre/post-workout recipes to get you started!

PRE-WORKOUT: Orange Honey CBD Overnight Oats

Unless you eat a few hours before working out, you should try to stick to something on the lighter side, that’s also high in carbs. Oats are especially great pre-workout food because they release slowly, keeping your energy levels high throughout your whole workout. The CBD oil is an awesome addition to keep you focused and feeling refreshed after. If you’re a morning gym-goer, this is perfect to grab on the go.

Ingredients: 

½ cup oats
½ cup preferred milk
1 mL Orange Rise CBD Oil
1 tsp raw honey
½ tbs peanut butter for an extra protein boost
1 or ½ banana

Instructions: 

Add oats, followed bythe wet ingredients into a bowl or glass. Stir lightly so the Oats arecompletely wet.

Store in your fridge overnight. Top with bananas and/or other fruit in the morning.

*Yields 1 largeserving* 

POST WORKOUT

Eating immediatelyafter a workout is a must. You need to restore your depleted glycogen levelsand load up with protein so you are able to recover and build muscle. 

Recipe: Strengthening CBD Smoothie

Smoothies are a quick, easy, and effective post-workout meal. This one is packed with protein and stabilizes your sugar levels, while the CBD works to fight inflammation. The greek yogurt also makes for a creamy, indulgent treat!

Ingredients: 

1-2 scoops vanilla protein powder
½ cup preferred milk
¼ cup chopped peaches
¼ cup mango
1 banana
1 mL Citron Zest or Orange Rise CBD Oil
1 tbsp hemp hearts
¾ cup plain or vanilla greek yogurt

Add ingredients to a blender, mix, and voilà!

*Yields 1 largesmoothie* 

Recipe: CBD Lemon Pepper Chicken Bowl

If you’re feeling something a little heavier than a smoothie, this easy meal provides an awesome source of recovery boosting nutrients that work with the CBD to promote muscle growth and healing, so you can go just as hard in the gym tomorrow.

Ingredients: 

1 chicken breast
¾ cup broccoli
¾ cup chopped zucchini
¾ cup chopped brussel sprouts
1 mL Citron Zest CBD Oil
1 tbs olive oil
¼ lemon
⅔ cup cooked quinoa
1 tsp salt, pepper, lemon pepper
1 tsb lemon juice

Instructions: 

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste until cooked through, about 5-8 minutes
2. Set chicken aside. Cut half of your lemon into thinly sliced pieces.
3. Add veggies, CBD, and thinly sliced lemon to the pan. Stir and sprinkle lemon pepper, salt, and pepper.
4. Turn skillet to medium-low, add quinoa, the juice of the remaining lemon, and the chopped chicken.
5. Stir until fully mixed, and pour into a plate or dish.

*Yields 1 largeserving*