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Healthy Eating Series: Snacks for Weight Gain

We spend a lot of time thinking about how to lose weight, particularly through exercise and healthy eating. But sometimes, the goal is the opposite: to gain weight, whether it’s because you want to add more lean muscle or gain poundage for athletics. So, what are the best kinds of snacks to eat when you want to gain weight?

Blueberry Parfait

The best way to add weight fast is by adding more calories to your diet. But that doesn’t mean you have to eat unhealthy foods. A blueberry parfait is a good example. Take one cup of vanilla Greek yogurt and add a half-cup of blueberries. Top it with granola or chopped nuts to add more protein, and top off with a drizzle of honey to add more calories.

Peanut Butter Apples

A simple high-calorie snack is to spread peanut butter on a few slices of apples. You’ll get plenty of great nutrients from the apples and good calories from the peanut butter. And it couldn’t be easier to put together – plus, if you put the peanut butter in a container, it’s a very portable snack.

Cottage Cheese and Fruit

The combination of savory and sweet makes cottage cheese and fruit a great snack. Select cottage cheese made with whole-fat milk in order to get the most calories; reduced or fat-free versions won’t do the trick. You can also top this snack off with some crushed nuts or granola for an added boost of protein, fiber, and calories.

Avocado Toast

The often-maligned but quintessential Millennial snack is actually a great choice when it comes to a high-calorie snack that is also delicious. Top a slice of whole-wheat toast with sliced or mashed avocado, then add toppings of your choice, like chopped nuts, cooked egg, poppy or sesame seeds, or even bacon. This snack is packed full of calories and healthy fats, thanks to the avocado, so it’s a great choice when you’re trying to add some weight.

Add Weight The Right Way

When you want to gain weight, starting to eat a bunch of junk food is not the right approach. Do it smart by adding calories to your diet through healthy snack options like those listed above.

Advice for First-Time Entrepreneurs

Everyone starts somewhere – even the most successful of entrepreneurs. If you’re just starting out on your entrepreneurial journey, it can be tough going. Read on for some simple but important advice for first-time entrepreneurs.

Know your market.

Whatever kind of product or service you plan on selling, it’s important that you have a thorough understanding of your market and where you fit into it. Research your competitors to find out as much as you can about what’s out there. What are they doing well? What could they do better? Keeping this information top-of-mind at all times helps you differentiate yourself in order to be successful.

Develop a powerful elevator pitch.

When someone asks you what your business does, you want to be able to rattle off a concise, effective elevator pitch in 30 seconds or less. If you run into a potential investor or a customer, it’s important to be able to explain what your business does, what problem it solves, and where you fit into your market apart from your competition.

Ask for advice.

Don’t be afraid to ask others for advice. Sometimes, we make the mistake of insisting on going about it all on our own – but asking other, more experienced entrepreneurs what they would do or how they would approach a situation can be invaluable. It’s also a great idea to have a mentor, even if they’re not directly involved in your field.

Don’t stop networking.

No good entrepreneur works in a vacuum. Networking is always a good idea – you just never know when you might end up talking to a new customer or investor. Whether it’s attending networking events, connecting on LinkedIn or other social sites, or meeting face-to-face at a conference, it’s important to ramp up your networking when you become an entrepreneur, not decrease it.

Don’t give up.

Our final piece of advice is also the simplest: don’t give up. Becoming an entrepreneur and being successful won’t happen overnight. There will be ups and downs, ebbs and flows, and it’s important to stay the course. Keep believing in your dreams and you will succeed!

Launch Your Entrepreneurial Journey With Us

Join the world of healthy vending by partnering with Naturals2Go. Contact our team today to learn more about what we do and how you can start your entrepreneurial journey with us.

Online Store Recommendations for Healthy Living

We all want to live and eat healthier. But not all of us have a healthy grocery store or fresh produce provider within driving – or walking – distance of our homes. And that means that not all of us have easy access to a healthy lifestyle. That’s where online shopping can help.

Here are a few recommendations for online stores that facilitate healthy living:

Amazon Fresh

Already have an Amazon Prime account? Then you have access to Amazon Fresh. Upgrade for an additional $15 a month, and you can order produce, perishable groceries, and other items through the service. And you can find obscure nutritional items you probably wouldn’t be able to find on your local grocery store’s shelves. Of course, the big advantage is Amazon’s signature fast – and free – shipping.

Thrive Market

Use Thrive Market to gain access to discounted food, home, and beauty products. It’s a great way to try new nutritional foods, including fun snacks and fresh produce. You’ll also find sustainable meat and seafood options. The benefits of Thrive Market include automatic shipping and the ability to use filters to shop for a variety of diets and preferences – plus, using Thrive Market supports charitable causes.

Vitacost

Fresh groceries, snacks, nutritional supplements, cleaning supplies, pantry items… Vitacost, owned by Kroger, has a wide variety of great options for you to choose from (over 40,000, in fact). Their user-friendly site lets you find products easily, and there is automatic delivery and a free shipping option available. Plus, Vitacost runs frequent sales and discounts to help you save even more.

Misfits Market

Misfits Market connects directly with organic farmers and growers to “save” fresh, wholesome products that traditional grocery stores would reject for being imperfect. All you need to do is select the items for your box – it’s fully customizable, so you get to pick the fresh produce, pantry items, and even meats that you’d like. And because Misfits Market strives to use the most low-impact packaging possible, you can rest assured your investment is good for the environment.

Everyone Deserves Access To Healthy Living Options

With a variety of online options for healthy food and sustainable products, just about everyone can have access to healthy food options and other great products. Give the above options a try and see how you like them!

Spending Time With My Favorite Coworker – My 3-Year-Old

Wake up. Decide what’s most important in your life today. Determine your own schedule. Report to yourself. Spend precious time with loved ones. Teach valuable life lessons. Build a bond that will never be forgotten. Have some fun doing it all. Then repeat the next day.

That’s pretty much a day in the life of a Naturals2Go Owner-Operator. And…that pretty much sums up the day of Naturals2Go Owner-Operator Ryan Bishop of V3 Vending in Georgia.

Create Your Own Freedom

Ryan launched V3 Vending early in 2021. He wanted the freedom of setting his own schedule. He wanted to reap the rewards of launching and running his own business. He wanted to spend more time with his family. That investment is now paying dividends in a short amount of time!

On a recent morning, Ryan was able to take his favorite co-worker out in the field with him. “This morning I had some help from our 3-year-old restocking and cleaning of my vending machines,” said Ryan Bishop, Owner V3 Vending. “He had a blast sorting and counting all the products and even got to buy a Crunch bar with his own piggy bank money.”

After launching his business with the help of business consultant Eric Bauer at Naturals2Go, Ryan was able to have a machine placed in a high-traffic car dealership in Georgia. During his standard visit on-site, the team at the dealership loved seeing Ryan’s 3-year-old. “Thanks to the sales team for letting him ‘drive a racecar’ (new Corvette Stingray),” said Ryan.

Are You Ready for the Driver’s Seat?

Ryan and his son are truly living the American Dream and making memories all along the way. If you’re ready to take control of your schedule, be your own boss, and enjoy the fruits of your labor, contact Naturals2Go today. We would LOVE to feature your success story in the near future!

A Franchise for Veterans, Supporting Veterans

At Naturals2Go, we pride ourselves on providing an amazing business opportunity, a proven process, and ongoing support for budding entrepreneurs.

Over the years, we have found that military professionals and veterans are highly successful in this type of business. They often possess extremely transferrable skills gained in the military, that enable them to be successful business owners.

Here is why so many veterans are successful Naturals2Go vending business owner-operators:

Disciplined to the Core

As the owner of a business, no one is looking over your shoulder to make sure you’re doing the day-to-day tasks needed. Veterans have learned the importance of discipline and following a schedule. This is a key skill for running a successful vending business.

Ability to Follow Process

Not only are veterans disciplined, but they understand the importance of process and following a plan. Naturals2Go provides a proven program for success that outlines everything needed to be successful. If you follow the plan, success follows – and military veterans typical thrive in this setting.

Leadership Abilities

Nearly every Military Veteran we meet has amazing innate and learned leadership abilities that allow them to be extremely successful business owners. Veterans embrace responsibility, are selfless, and will set an example for others to follow. These are all key traits in running a successful business.

Naturals2Go Supports Military Veterans

We are extremely proud to have several military veterans as part of our core leadership, training and consulting team. We’re grateful to have the opportunity to help veterans launch their own businesses and leverage the amazing skills they gained in the military.

If you’re exploring Veteran Franchises or business opportunities, be sure to talk with the business consultants at Naturals2Go to learn more about the support and proven program we can offer. Contact us today.

We are also proud to support great Veteran support groups and causes. Here’s a peek at some of our team members completing the 1776 Push-up challenge to help support the Wounded Warriors Foundation:

Vending Inventory Ideas by Location: Schools and Universities

Schools, community colleges, and universities have long been a great spot for vending machines. Busy students bustling this way and that, faculty and staff moving in and out, parents and other school visitors coming and going… there is certainly a lot of foot traffic at these locations. And with everyone on a tight schedule, many people are looking to grab a quick snack or meal in between classes.

School is back in session soon – it’s the perfect time to capitalize on this great location option for healthy vending machines. Here are some inventory ideas:

Dried Fruit

Students and faculty looking for a healthy but filling snack in between courses can rely on dried fruit for a tried-and-true option. Dried fruits like apples, bananas, or pears are no-mess and delicious, so they’re perfect for eating in between classes or even during a lecture. Plus, they’re non-perishable, so they’re a good investment for your healthy vending machines.

Granola Bars

Time is often limited when students or faculty are bustling between classrooms or separate buildings. And if there’s no time to head to the school cafeteria for a full meal, a vending machine is the next best option. Granola bars and other types of snack bars are consistently high-selling options because of their portability, low-mess, and filling nature. These bars are packed full of fiber-rich foods like nuts and oats, which help us to feel fuller faster. Plus, the protein of these foods helps to keep busy students and staff fueled up for their long days.

Healthy Chips and Pretzels

Chips and pretzels are a classic snack that are always good sellers in vending machines. Go for healthier versions of potato chips to include in your machines, including ones made without a lot of excess flavoring, fats, and sodium.

Packaged Salads

There is plenty of junk food rampant on school and university campuses. Some students and staff are looking for something a little healthier. Provide it in the form of packaged salads, which make for a great snack in between classes or a full meal during lunch hour.

Drinks

Drinks are always a high seller on college and high school campuses, too. Try including coffee drinks for the late-night study groups, sports drinks for the on-campus athletes, and juices for those early-morning classes after long nights.

Make Your Locations Count

Want to capitalize on the back-to-school rush? Allow Naturals2Go’s location procurement service to help. We’ll help you scout the top locations for machines in your area, including at local schools. Get in touch with our team today to learn more.

Healthy Eating Series: Foods for Muscle Recovery

If you’re exercising regularly, you’re putting a strain on your muscles – and that’s okay. That’s the point. But it’s also vitally important that you allow your body to recover, and support that recovery through the fuel you’re giving to your system. So, what are the best foods for muscle recovery? Whether you’re working out in the gym or going running, try these foods after your next exercise session:

Eggs

Eggs are nutrient-dense and therefore good for muscle recovery after a workout. The yolk is chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids like vitamin A and zinc. And the egg white is packed with protein to help build and recover muscles. Of course, since eggs are so versatile, you can enjoy them however you like – scrambled, sunny-side up, poached, hard-boiled, or as part of a salad or healthy sandwich.

Fatty Fish

Salmon, trout, sardines, and other fish with a high healthy-fat content are full of omega-3 fatty acids, which boost muscle growth and fight inflammation. Fatty fish also contains lots of protein, which facilitates muscle repair. The experts recommend about 1.8 to 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids after exercise in order to promote good muscle recovery – you can easily achieve this by eating some cooked salmon or trout after a workout.

Cherry and Pomegranate Juice

Tart cherry juice contains a lot of plant compounds called anthocyanins. These nutrients have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can reduce soreness after a workout. In this way, cherry juice can aid in muscle recovery and help you feel less sore a day or two after you’ve worked out. Pomegranate juice is similar – it contains polyphenols, which also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Starchy Vegetables

Vigorous exercise depletes your body’s glycogen, which is the stored form of glucose. Since this compound is important for athletic performance, replenishing it through food is always a good idea. Starchy veggies like potatoes or butternut squash have lots of healthy carbohydrates, so they work well for this purpose. Combining these veggies with a fatty fish or some eggs is a good way to get both the protein and carbohydrates your body needs post-exercise.

Recover The Right Way

After your next workout or run, give these foods a try. It’s so important to provide your body with what it needs, even after your exercise is over!

Transferrable Skills That Are Perfect for a Vending Business

Are you thinking of embarking on a journey in the healthy vending industry? It’s a great time to do it. But what if you don’t have any experience in food service or vending? That’s okay – there are plenty of transferrable skills out there that many people have which are perfectly suited to the vending business.

Let’s take a look at some transferrable skills perfect for the vending industry:

Business Skills

Analytical thinking, knowledge of sales tactics and revenue metrics, marketing skills… all sorts of business skills can be a great help when entering the healthy vending space. The more business acumen you possess, the more prepared you’ll be for the ins and outs of entrepreneurship. In fact, these skills can be applied to a wide variety of industries – the healthy vending industry is set up perfectly, though, for your knowledge to make a difference.

Communication

In almost any business venture, communication skills will play a key role. Communicating with suppliers, customers, tech support… the list goes on. When you’re able to connect with people and communicate clearly and concisely, good work gets done. If you’re not a good communicator, things start to get missed and your business suffers.

Problem Solving Ability

Let’s face it: in any business, sooner or later you’ll have to deal with some kind of problem. Whether it’s a missing shipment, a machine that needs a replacement part before it can start operating again, or a customer complaint, any business owner needs to have the problem-solving skills necessary to approach a situation, think of solutions, and work on solving the issue. The better problem-solver you are, the better business owner you’ll be.

Adaptability

The ability to adapt to changing circumstances is a great quality to have in life, and in business ownership. As an entrepreneur, you’ll be well-served by being flexible. From changing locations and inventory type to ebbs and flows in demand, having the ability to calmly and seamlessly adapt to changes – especially unexpected ones – is a great skill to have in the vending space.

Learn More About The Vending Business

Want to learn more about becoming an entrepreneur in the healthy vending machine business? Talk to a member of our team to get started. Contact Naturals2Go today.

Naturals2Go Adds Paul Ihn to the Dream Team

In an effort to provide the best possible support to Owner-Operators, Naturals2Go has assembled a group of the industry’s top experts. This already deep bench of talent just got deeper with the addition of Paul Ihn who was recently named Vice President of Product Strategy and Operations.

“We have invested heavily in both our vending technology and our leadership team,” said Heath Falzarano, President of Naturals2Go. “Our goal is to match Owner-Operators with the best business processes, the top minds and leaders in the vending space and a rock-solid plan to quickly launch and scale a successful business.”

This amazing new addition to the leadership and coaching team at Naturals2Go was recently featured in Franchise Dictionary Magazine:

Interested in Starting Your Own Vending Business?

Naturals2Go offers a proven process with a history of success. And, you gain access to industry-leading innovators like Paul Ihn and the rest of the consulting team to ensure your success. Contact Naturals2Go today to learn more.