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UFC Hall of Famer Rashad Evans Joins Naturals2Go as Owner-Operator and Professional Athlete and Business Ambassador

BUFFALO, NY – November 22, 2022 – Naturals2Go, a division of VendTech International and a leader in the healthy snack and beverage vending industry, is pleased to announce the addition of former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Hall of Famer and ESPN Analyst Rashad Evans. Evans has joined the Naturals2Go leadership team as a professional athlete and business ambassador and is also the Owner-Operator of his own healthy vending business.

“When I first had the opportunity to meet and talk with Rashad, I was immediately impressed with his vision.” says Heath Falzarano, President of Naturals2Go. “From the moment we first met, Rashad’s passion for personal growth and helping the community radiated. As he shared his history and his goals for the future, there were such strong correlations to Naturals2Go that we both realized there was a natural fit.”

As Naturals2Go’s Professional Athlete and Business Ambassador, Rashad will be actively involved in helping other athletes and aspiring entrepreneurs make the transition to business ownership. His dedication and passion for helping others find purpose in the next phase of their life will allow others to follow his path to business ownership.

“Near the end of my professional fighting career, I realized I didn’t have the same drive and passion for fighting that I once did,” says Rashad. “You begin to doubt yourself and there is a void created. Some may slip into depression, and I realized that I needed to fill that competitive void and find myself again.”

After retiring from professional fighting, Rashad joined forces with former Pro-Bowl NFL Quarterback Jake Plummer and advocate and educator Del Jolly to launch the functional mushroom company UMBO. UMBO produces a full line of functional mushroom foods and supplements created to fuel focus, energy and recovery.

“It was through UMBO that I first had the opportunity to meet Heath, the President of Naturals2Go,” said Evans. “As we talked, I realized we both shared the same passion and drive for helping others. I was drawn to Natural2Go’s mission of helping others achieve their goals, to find their ‘why’ and to fuel their passion. I’m so excited to start my journey of helping others fill their competitive void, find their purpose, and help their communities live healthier lives.”

Whether looking to make the transition from professional sports or Corporate America to running your own business, the team at Naturals2Go is well-suited to support that journey. Rashad joins a team of more than 70 people at Naturals2Go focused solely on helping motivated professionals fulfill their dreams of business ownership. With a proven program of success and the most-awarded vending business opportunity, the team at Naturals2Go is ready to help.

About Naturals2Go

Naturals2Go is the healthy snack and beverage division of VendTech International, a trusted partner helping the entrepreneurial minded startup businesses across the world for over 35 years. Naturals2Go is an innovator in healthy vending and is the highest rated Vending Business Opportunity Company in North America.

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If you would like more information about Naturals2Go, email referrals@naturals2go.com or visit Naturals2Go on the Web at www.naturals2go.com.

Are Side Hustles Worth It?

Today, we hear a lot of talk about the “side hustle.” And for many, a side hustle – adding another source of income in addition to your main source – is a great way to make ends meet, save money, and create opportunities for yourself. But are side hustles really worth it? Is it something you should consider?

There is no right answer to that question. The truth is that side hustles can be very worth it for some people, and they’re not so worth it for others. Let’s take a look at some advice regarding side hustles so you can decide whether it’s the right choice for you.

Don’t overwork yourself.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when adding a side hustle to their work lives is letting it take over. If you work a 9-to-5 and then have to work all night at your side hustle, you’ll quickly become burnt out. Then, you won’t be very effective at your full-time job or your side hustle, and it won’t benefit you at all. Make sure to keep work-life balance in mind when considering a side hustle; make the side hustle work for your lifestyle, not the other way around.

Make it scalable.

If at all possible, choose a side hustle that is scalable. That means it has the ability to grow or shrink as necessary depending on your wishes and needs. If your hours get cut at your main job, you can ramp up hours with your side hustle. Or, if you need to cut back on the side hustle and focus more on your full-time work, you can. Having this kind of flexibility built in is extremely helpful.

Choose something you like.

Don’t make your side hustle something you dread or don’t interest you. There’s no sense in making yourself miserable. Ideally, you want your side hustle to be something you enjoy and are interested in. Then, if you want to turn your side hustle into something more, you can – or you can keep it as the alternative source of income if you’re happy with it.

Your New Side Hustle Awaits

If you’re looking for a great side hustle option, Naturals2Go is the perfect opportunity. Or, you can make the switch and become a full-time vending machine owner/operator like many of our current operators. One of the great advantages of our program is that it gives operators the flexibility and scalability to work as little or as much as they’d like.

Find out more about our business model and get in touch with the Naturals2Go team to learn more about our program.

How to Stick to Healthy Eating During the Holidays

Big family meals, a constant rotation of sweets, unhealthy snacks at parties… the holidays can prove a difficult time of year to maintain your healthy eating habits. You’re not alone in the struggle – plenty of people struggle to stick to diets and healthy eating goals during this time of year. The question is, how do you combat it?

Here are three tips for sticking to healthy eating during the holidays:

Plan Ahead

Plan ahead whenever you can to minimize the chance of cheating on your diet or overindulging in an unhealthy choice. Bring a healthy appetizer or meal to share if you’re heading to a holiday party. Knowing you have that option can be a great help. If you’re traveling during the holidays, bring healthy fiber-heavy snacks along to help you feel full with minimal intake. Nuts, protein bars, and jerky are all great options.

Keep Treats Out of Sight

If you have unhealthy snacks or treats in your home, you don’t have to throw them away – try putting them in a cabinet where you can’t see them. The “out of sight, out of mind” method works for many people to curb cravings. Of course, you can’t always avoid unhealthy foods, especially during events like the workplace holiday party or a big family meal. In these instances, do your best to avoid the unhealthy choices if you can, or bring along a healthy option for yourself to give yourself an outlet.

Stay Active

Remember: Eating well is only half the battle when it comes to healthy living. Maintaining an active lifestyle and exercising regularly is also very important, and that’s all the more true during the holiday months. Keep up with your exercise routine – it will make you feel your absolute best during a tough time, and it can help offset some extra calories if you do decide to indulge a little in a less-than-healthy snack or meal.

This Holiday Season, Feel Good About What You’re Eating

Use the tips above to maintain your healthy eating habits as we move through the holidays. And keep in mind that a little indulging here and there isn’t the end of the world – the important thing is that you don’t make it a routine. Focus on spending quality time with your loved ones and get ready to be laser-focused on your healthy habits in the New Year.

How to Be Financially Independent

The term “financial independence” doesn’t have one specific meaning. It can mean different things to different people. Some think of it as making ends meet; some would say financial independence is being able to pay your bills and live comfortably while saving for retirement.

Whatever financial independence means to you, we can all agree there are a few key components involved in achieving it. Here’s how to be financially independent:

Be Debt-Free

You can never be truly financially independent when you’re saddled with debt. The first step toward becoming financially independent is to pay down debts – if not to be completely debt-free if simply to have a low amount of debt that is easily kept under control.

Become debt-free by creating a budget and sticking to it. Develop a debt-reduction plan that includes payment times and amounts. If your income or expenses change, adjust the plan accordingly.

Break the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle

If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, something will need to change before you can get back on the path to financial independence. The first step is to reduce expenses where you can. Take a look at your monthly spending and determine what’s necessary (bills, food, etc.) and what might not (dining out, movies, etc.). Cut back where you can.

If you’ve already cut back on expenses or you can’t trim anything else, you could consider getting a second source of income. A part-time job or freelance work can help give you the extra income you need to move toward an independent future.

Create a Nest Egg

Whether it’s a simple savings account or a formal retirement plan, creating a nest egg – and contributing to it as regularly as you can – is the third important step in the journey toward financial independence. It’s all about putting some of your earnings toward your future success and happiness. It’s very important that you resist the temptation to borrow from this nest egg, though. Otherwise, you’re only shooting yourself in the foot.

Become Financially Independent With Naturals2Go

If you’re looking for a new opportunity that allows you to achieve financial independence, you’ve come to the right place. Naturals2Go gives you the chance to become your own boss and break the cycle – and becoming an entrepreneur in the healthy vending space helps you pay down debts and contribute to a nest egg for the future.

Contact the Naturals2Go team today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your goals and get started.

Healthy Eating Series: Quick Dinner Recipes

If you’re like most people, you have a lot going on in your life. Between work, family obligations, appointments, hobbies, friends… it can feel like there’s not much free time to do anything at all, much less cook a healthy dinner. But if you rely on take-out or fast food too many nights a week, your health can really start to suffer.

The solution? Quick, easy-to-prepare dinner recipes that the whole family will love. Try these ideas when you’re short on time but still want something easy and healthy:

15-minute Garlic Butter Chicken

This delicious recipe stays low-carb by using cauliflower rice. And because cauliflower soaks up the juices of the cooking chicken, you can rest assured it’s tasty enough for even the pickiest of eaters. All you have to do is cook the chicken in a mix of spices while you’re preparing the cauliflower rice, and you have dinner on the table in 15 minutes.

Baked Salmon

Salmon is one of the healthiest fish varieties out there – it’s full of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients. Plus, it’s very easy to prepare and tastes delicious! This baked salmon recipe can be paired with any kind of healthy veggie side dish you like, from asparagus to broccoli and anything in between. And you can switch out the butter for olive oil to make things a little healthier when preparing the fish.

Creamy Pasta Primavera

Who doesn’t love a comforting pasta dish every now and then? Pasta primavera is one of the best pasta choices when you’re looking for something healthy, simply because it’s packed with delicious fresh vegetables. And it couldn’t be easier to make – simply sauté the veggies in oil, then stir in the cheese, pepper, and cream (swap heavy cream for low-fat half-and-half for a healthier option). Then, stir in your cooked pasta and you’re done.

Beef Pad Thai

That’s right – it’s entirely possible to make a delicious and quick pad Thai in the comfort of your own kitchen. The trick is finding a store-bought pad Thai sauce that isn’t ultra-high in sodium. Once you have that, the combination of beef, fresh veggies, and healthy rice noodles couldn’t be easier – or tastier! Find the recipe here next time you’re looking for a great Asian dish the whole family will love.

Dinner Can Be Quick AND Healthy

When you’re in need of a quick dinner that is healthy, too, don’t turn to take-out. Try one of the above recipes and see how it goes over at the dinner table.

How to Find a Job With Flexible Hours

While the pandemic wasn’t the sole cause of what’s been dubbed The Great Resignation – factors like retiring Baby Boomers and lack of workforce participation also contributed – it certainly accelerated the change. But The Great Resignation might be more accurately named The Great Re-Evaluation. And one result of this phenomenon is that more people than ever want flexible working hours.

What is the Great Re-Evaluation?

Once the pandemic hit full force, a cultural shift happened. Many of us realized that the fragility of life could be suddenly – and deeply – transformed by forces that we couldn’t control. That, coupled with the shift to work-from-home for many of us, resulted in a new trend: People reassessing their desires and thinking about what work really meant to them. Now more than ever, people are thinking about their purpose, about what work means to them and how it fits into their lives, rather than how they can live their lives based around work. For many of us, that meant freedom and flexible working hours.

What benefits do flexible hours provide?

It’s no wonder people want flexible working hours. It provides all sorts of benefits. A better work-life balance is one; people are less likely to get burnt out when they have some flexibility built into their schedules. Plus, you’re able to take care of life’s obligations much easier without worrying about strict work hours. You can take your kids to school in the morning, or schedule that doctor’s appointment, without fear of reprimand from your boss. If you have flexible hours and you work on-site, you can avoid the morning or evening rush hour commute depending on how you schedule yourself.

How can I find a job with flexible hours?

You can search for work with a company that offers flexible hours, yes – but another result of the Great Re-Evaluation was that many people decided to look outside of the traditional employer-employee box when it came to their work life. Sometimes, the best way to work flexible hours is to set them yourself by being your own boss. That’s why the entrepreneurial lifestyle suits so many.

Start Your Entrepreneurial Journey Today

Are you interested in having more flexibility and freedom in your life? Looking for flexible hours? The entrepreneurial path may be the perfect choice for you, and Naturals2Go is here to help facilitate that. Contact our team today to learn more about how we’re changing the world of healthy vending.

Healthy Eating Series: Foods That Increase Productivity

Ever wish you could swallow a magic pill and be more productive throughout your day? We’re probably still be a few years off from that – but there are certainly foods you can eat to boost your focus and productivity!

Here are five healthy choices to help improve your productivity:

Berries

Various berries – blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries – are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants have a whole host of benefits for the human body, including protecting against free radicals, boosting memory, and possibly even reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease as you get older. It’s a great portable snack to take with you to work if you want to be more productive.

Salmon

Salmon is chock-full of healthy fat, including omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are known for improving mental performance and can even help with depression. And the great thing about salmon is it’s very versatile; put cold salmon over a salad, put a salmon filet on a bun to make a salmon burger, or just eat it plain. The possibilities are endless. If you’re not interested in bringing leftover salmon with you to work, a fish oil supplement works, too – it’s probably the closest we have to that magic pill!

Nuts

Almonds, walnuts, pecans, and other common nuts aren’t just tasty. They’re an excellent source of protein, which gives you energy. More energy means more productivity. Another great thing about nuts is that they’re high in fiber, which helps our bodies to feel full. When you feel full throughout the day, you won’t stop as much for breaks or other snacks, increasing your productivity levels.

Spinach

According to research from Harvard Medical School, eating spinach can help slow the rate of cognitive decline and can help improve learning capacity and motor skills. Maybe that’s because this leafy vegetable is so full of healthy nutrients, like Vitamins A, C, and K as well as folate, potassium, and iron. Including spinach in your diet means you’re giving yourself healthy brain food.

Water

Okay, it’s not a food – but there’s no question that drinking plenty of water is good for your productivity. Every bodily function needs water to work. If you don’t get enough, your brain and main functions don’t perform as well as they could be. Boost your productivity and stay hydrated at the same time by consuming plenty of water throughout your workday.

Boost Your Productivity With the Power of Nutrition

Feeling sluggish at work? Want to improve your productivity and get more done? There’s no magic pill – but eating right goes a long way toward improving your brain’s function and being more productive.

Naturals2Go: Your New Career Partner

The working world has changed drastically over the past few years. As we’ve stated before, the so-called Great Resignation is really more like the Great Re-Evaluation – people are rethinking what they want out of work, and it’s changing the landscape for employers and employees, as well as entrepreneurs. People want freedom, flexibility, purpose… and you can get all that and more when you partner with Naturals2Go for your entrepreneurial journey. Here’s how:

You’ll reignite your purpose.

The Great Re-Evaluation caused many people to mull over their “why.” Why they do what they do, why they’ve chosen the career they’ve chosen, whether it’s really what they want to do forever. And that‘s a good thing. Partnering with Naturals2Go and launching your career in the healthy vending space is a great way to reignite your purpose for working – you’re helping people live healthier lives, for one, as well as supporting yourself and your family in a sustainable, smart way.

You’ll enjoy maximum flexibility.

Does being your own boss sound like a pipe dream? With Naturals2Go, it can be a reality. One thing the Great Re-Evaluation showed many people was that flexibility is not only beneficial but entirely possible. And a great way to achieve freedom and flexibility in your work life is by being an entrepreneur and running your own operation. You’ll own and operate your machines – you’re in charge of deciding what inventory to place in them and where they go.

You’ll enjoy constant support.

Just because you’re in charge of your vending machine operation doesn’t mean we’re not here to provide support. When you partner with Naturals2Go, you’ll gain access to resources like our location procurement service to determine the most profitable places to place machines in your town, lifetime coaching to help with any questions or concerns, and financing options to help get your business off the ground.

Make Naturals2Go Your New Career Partner

Are you rethinking your career path? Do you want to explore an exciting field and become an entrepreneur at the cutting edge of the industry? Naturals2Go is here to be your partner and advocate. Contact our team to learn more about the healthy vending machine industry and get started.

Easy Ways to Sneak Exercise Throughout Your Busy Day

If you’re like most people, you probably feel like you’re being pulled in a thousand different directions every day. Between work responsibilities, family obligations, appointments, friends… it’s hard to fit in exercise! If you can’t hit the gym every morning, you can still fit in bits of exercise throughout your busy day. Here’s how:

#1: Go for a walk

Walking is one of the best physical activities we can do for ourselves. It keeps the muscles limber and helps with blood circulation, among many other physical benefits. Plus, getting some fresh air and clearing your head is great for your mental health, too. Go for a walk on your lunch break at work, or fit in a stroll around the block before you leave in the morning. Or, make a point to walk the dog as soon as you get home for the day. Prioritizing a walk once per day will do wonders for your health and well-being.

#2: Park farther away

Whether you’re going to the office or the grocery store, parking farther away than you need to is another great way to fit in a little extra movement. That extra space for walking – or jogging, if you’re feeling up to it – isn’t much, but it’s better than nothing. Don’t look at parking far away as an inconvenience; look at it as an opportunity for additional exercise.

#3: Try a standing desk or mobility ball

Do you sit at a desk all day? Consider upgrading to a standing desk – evidence shows that standing provides multiple health benefits, including better circulation, better posture, and more. It can also help you feel more focused and alert. A mobility ball is another option to replace your chair. It forces you to use your core to balance, allowing you to get a workout in while you’re at your desk.

#4: Multitask

Do some curls with weights while you’re working. Jog on a treadmill while you’re on that conference call. Fitting in exercise throughout your workday isn’t as hard as you might think. You just need to find what method works for you and stick with it!

Don’t Let Your Busy Schedule Slow You Down

Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you can’t find time to exercise. It’s about fitting it in strategically in ways you might not have thought of before. That way, you keep up with your schedule while staying active at the same time.