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Healthy Living Habits As Told By the State of California

Californians sometimes get a bad rap — after all, the state is a mecca for hippie culture, surfer dudes, and Silicon Valley moguls. But when it comes to good health, California tends to be on the leading edge. The state ranks highly when it comes to healthy people, especially considering its massive size compared to much smaller states, and is often a leader in terms of environmentally conscious regulation. So what can we learn from the example of Californian

Tobacco Regulation

By now, everyone is well aware of the dangers that smoking cigarettes poses. All the way back in 1988, the state of California approved a proposition to tax cigarettes in order to fund a tobacco control program. A decade later in 1998, they banned smoking in public areas like restaurants and buses. Many states followed suit, and California became a model for public health initiatives like those that they passed on tobacco.

Cutting Air Pollution

California has a long history of doing their part to limit air pollution. It was the first state to ban a harmful chemical used in laundromats (perchloroethylene) and prohibit lead gasoline and require smog checks. California also recently passed a rule requiring more reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and the state is also committed to putting more zero-emissions vehicles in the hands of drivers.

Good Diet and Exercise

California residents tend to practice healthier lifestyle habits — the state ranks 10th in physical activity, fourth in healthy blood pressure, and fifth for a diet with high levels of fruits and vegetables. Considering that California is home to millions of people and is far larger in terms of population than many other states, those are very good rankings! Eating right and getting regular exercise are two of the best possible ways to maintain your health for the long term, so follow the example of Californians and commit to a healthy diet and exercise.

 

When you live in a healthy environment, don’t smoke tobacco, and consume healthy foods and exercise regularly, you’re putting your health first. And these are only three of the many examples of the ways Californians maintain their good health. It’s time to follow their example — start taking after the residents of The Golden State and see how good you feel!

Tips for Managing a Profitable Vending Machine Business

You’ve decided to enter the world of healthy vending — great choice! But as the owner of your own business operation, it’s up to you to make sure your business stays profitable. How exactly do you do that?

 

Let’s take a look at a few tips for making sure your vending machine business stays profitable:

Understand Your Market

First, you must understand the market in which you’ll be operating. Visit local retailers, malls, business centers, and other locations with vending machines to decide where you’ll fit into the picture. Of course, here at Naturals2Go, we have a leg up on the competition — most vending machines stock sugary snacks and sodas, and consumers are desperate for healthy options. That’s where healthy vending comes in to play!

Be Realistic

It’s also important for you to be realistic about profits, costs, and the time you’ll need to spend running your business. Make sure you understand your full financial situation ahead of time so you can predict what things will look like in the future. As far as time invested, it’s up to you to keep your machines stocked properly and collect the profits from each machine. But when it comes to tech support and product sourcing information, we’ve got you covered with our 24/7 operator support.

Choose Locations Wisely

In the vending machine business, location is king. You’ll find the most success when your machines are located in prime spots. And you’ll face stiff competition if you choose poor locations, like ones with minimal foot traffic or with heavy competition from another vending provider.

 

Once again, Naturals2Go can help. Our staff locators are the experts when it comes to locating your machines, and they’ll come to you in your city to scout locations and help you place machines in maximum profit-generating zones.

Scale as Needed

One of the great things about starting a healthy vending machine business is that you can scale up once you start becoming profitable. All you have to do is find more locations, place and stock your machines, and watch the profits start to roll in. And with a base understanding of your market and profits, you can add on as little or as much to your plate as you’d like.

 

Once you’ve achieved profitability in your vending machine business, your operation essentially runs on its own, and you can sit back and enjoy the spoils. Get in touch with Naturals2Go to learn more — there’s no sense in wasting time.

Do You Really Need to Drink 8 Glasses of Water Each Day?

We’ve all heard the magic number when it comes to drinking water: 8 glasses per day. Some of us probably drink less than that, and some may consume more. But what is the right amount for you? How important is water, and how can you go about getting the amount you need?

 

Let’s take a look at the factors determining how much water you need, and what you can do to get it.

How Much Water Do You Need?

Your body uses water for nearly every function, and your body will fail without it. The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer for how much water you need. But the eight-glasses-a-day rule is a good average to base things off of. Generally speaking, the amount of water you require depends on your particular circumstances — how active you are in a day, what the climate is like where you live, and your age and gender.

 

Your best course of action is to ask your doctor about a precise measurement of how much water you should consume in a day. Tell him or her about your personal factors — do you work outside in the sun? Do you have a chronic health condition? Are you pregnant? These kinds of situations can affect how much water you need.

Is There Such a Thing As Too Much Water?

Yes, there is such a thing as drinking too much water. It’s a condition known as hyponatremia, in which your kidneys can’t get rid of the excess water in your system, and it starts to dilute the minerals in your blood. But it’s very rare for a healthy adult to drink too much water and get to this stage. Generally speaking, unless you have a specific medical condition or are at particular risk for ingesting too much water, it’s not something you have to worry about.

How Can I Get The Water I Need?

Do your best to drink around eight glasses of water per day, or whatever precise amount your doctor recommends. If you don’t want to drink plain water all the time, you can switch things up with juice or smoothies — just be careful they’re not loaded up with extra sugar and calories. And certain foods like cucumbers, watermelons, iceberg lettuce are also very high in water content, so they’re helpful in this regard as well.

 

Want even more great insights into your nutrition and health needs? Check out the Naturals2Go blog.

Naturals2Go Named a Top Game Changer by Franchise Dictionary Magazine

Idaho Falls, ID – February 25, 2020 – Naturals2Go, a division of VendTech International, is a leading provider of healthy snack and beverage vending machines. They offer a rewarding business opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking to capitalize on the growing vending and wellness industries. The company has recently been recognized by Franchise Dictionary Magazine as a game-changing ownership opportunity.  

 

“We’re proud to receive this honor from Franchise Dictionary Magazine,” says Heath Falzarano, President of VendTech. “We have always believed that our success is driven by the success of our owner operators. We appreciate the recognition of the quality of the opportunities we provide by one of the leading publications in the industry.” 

 

Alesia Visconti, CEO / Publisher of Franchise Dictionary Magazine says, “Franchising itself is a game–changer because it allows people to step into business ownership quickly and successfully, and with support. Each step along the way is explained so people can enter business ownership without the stress of going it alone. A brand that makes our 100 Game Changer issue sets itself apart!” 

 

About Franchise Dictionary Magazine 

  

The Franchise Dictionary Magazine is a national publication that is a digital magazine with more than 250,000 readers and it targets prospective franchisees in an informative and educational format. It also is printed for numerous industry events and shows nationwide. 

  

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 30 years. Naturals2Go is an innovator in healthy vending and is the highest rated Vending Business Opportunity Company in the US 

 

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

 

 

 

How to Work Less and Have More Family Time

There are undoubtedly different motivations for different people, but one thing that almost everyone can agree on is that they want to work less and spend more time with the people that they’re closest with. For most of us, that’s our family! One of the greatest perks of becoming a healthy vending machine operator is that it’s a great way to work less and spend more time with your family.

Let the Machines Do the Work for You

What’s excellent about vending machines is that they’re literally built to serve as individual revenue sources without you doing much hands-on operation. You’ll have our help with machine placement — our staff locators will come to you in your city to make sure your machines are placed in the zones that generate the maximum return. Then, once the machines are set up, you have to make sure they remain adequately stocked, then sit back and enjoy the profits! That means that most of your actual working time is spent overseeing your operation, and you won’t have to spend time away from those that matter most.

Enjoy 24/7 Support

When you partner with Naturals2Go, you won’t be spending nights and weekends figuring out how to work or repair your machines. We’re here to help with all of that. Our 24/7 operator support gives you access to everything you’ll need to run a successful vending machine business, including tech support, product sourcing information, and lifetime coaching, just to name a few. That means you won’t be using up all of your free time figuring out technical problems or product numbers — you’ll be spending it with your loved ones.

Focus on What Really Matters

When you operate your own vending machine business, you’re acting as your own boss. That means you’re able to set your own hours and take care of things when you have time, not when you’re forced to. What a great way to free up your schedule and focus on what matters: spending time with your loved ones.

 

There are more important things than work. By starting as a healthy vending machine operator, you are allowing your operation to run on its own and simply serving as the oversight. That lets you spend your free time focusing on what’s most important to you.

So, what are you waiting for?

Naturals2Go Voted Business Opportunity of the Year 8 Years Running

Idaho Falls, ID – February 13, 2020 – Naturals2Go, a division of VendTech International, is a leading provider of healthy snack and beverage vending machines. They provide entrepreneurs with an opportunity to enter the growing and popular vending and wellness industries. The company was once again voted business opportunity of the year by members of the Franchise Brokers Association.  

 

 “We’re honored to be recognized by franchise industry insiders,” says Heath Falzarano, President of VendTech. “Members of the Franchise Brokers Association are experts on which franchises provide a true business opportunity. The fact that they have singled Naturals2Go out for the last eight years shows that we are making a significant impact on the industry.”  

 

About Franchise Brokers Association 

The FBA was founded in 2008, on the mission to provide ongoing support and assistance for business growth for the members of the Association. The FBA is a membership-based organization founded in 2008 to raise the standards of broker/consultant-based franchise sales. Our members include Franchise Brokers, Franchise systems and vendors that maintain a high level of education and service within the industry. 

 

 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 30 years. Naturals2Go is an innovator in healthy vending and is the highest rated Vending Business Opportunity Company in the US 

 

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

 

 

Quick, Easy, and Healthy Meals

In today’s busy world, you rarely have time to cook a full-course meal at home. But you don’t want to take the easy way out — and the unhealthy way — by getting fast food for lunch or dinner. That’s where quick, easy, and healthy meals come in. By having a few meals that are simple and easy to prepare in your bag of tricks, you can feed you and your family something that you can feel good about.

 

Let’s take a look at a few quick and easy meal options that provide some health benefits, too.

 

Soups

The great thing about soups is that they’re incredibly versatile. You can make any soup that you and your family enjoy. Vegetable soup, taco soup, bean soup, noodle soup… the list goes on and on. And it’s effortless to add in plenty of healthy veggies, as well as things like quinoa and lentils for added protein.

Simple Pastas

Consider some simple pasta dishes for a reasonably healthy meal that couldn’t be quicker and easier to pull together. Pairing pasta with a simple tomato sauce or even an avocado cream sauce for added health benefits makes for a quick weeknight meal that the whole family will love. You can also swap out typical pasta for whole-wheat pasta or even zucchini noodles to make the dish even healthier.

Tuna or Chicken Salad Sandwiches

You can make tuna or chicken salad even healthier by swapping out the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt. It’s a much more healthy option, and it tastes great. Most of the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen — you’ll need some dried cranberries or halved grapes to take the recipe up a notch. Check it out here.

Honey Salmon

If you and your family are fish fans, salmon is one of the best — and healthiest — options you can go with. It’s incredibly heart-healthy and tastes great when paired with any number of other ingredients. Salmon baked with honey and fresh herbs, for instance, is incredibly easy tasty and couldn’t be easier to make — just sit the ingredients together in foil and bake.

Black Bean Tacos

Taco Tuesdays are fun for the whole family, and it doesn’t have to be an unhealthy dinner. Fresh taco shells loaded up with black beans and fresh veggies make for a tasty meal, and it only takes minutes to prepare the toppings.

 

Making meals at home doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be quick and easy and healthy to boot! Get started today and see what you can come up with.

Why Do You Work? How to Identify the Purpose Behind Your Career

At Naturals2Go, we encourage our vending operators to consider the “why” behind what they’re doing. Far too often, individuals don’t think about why they’re doing what they’re doing — they simply do it, day after day. But thinking about the purpose behind your career, and what you want to achieve and how you want your legacy to be remembered, is very important.

 

Here are three questions to ask yourself to identify the purpose of your career.

What is Your Ultimate Motivation?

It’s essential to think about your ultimate motivation when it comes to your career. This can be many different things for different people. Some people want to make a lot of money. Others simply want to be financially comfortable and provide for their families. For many, it’s not about the money at all — they want to do something they enjoy, or they want to know that their efforts are making a real difference in the lives of others. Whatever your motivation is, it’s important to take some time to think through what you want to accomplish through your career, and then consider how a career in healthy vending can get you to those ends.

What Kind of Lifestyle Do You Want?

Another consideration to make when it comes to the purpose behind your career is your personal lifestyle. Do you thrive working as a part of a team and putting your efforts toward an ultimate goal? Maybe you work best as a solo act. Perhaps you have experience coaching others, or you prefer to work in a more behind-the-scenes role and use your knack for logistics.

These kinds of considerations can clue you into what kind of lifestyle you want your career to afford you. Do you want the freedom of being your own boss? The chance to get out there in your community rather than sitting behind a desk all day? A career in healthy vending might be the perfect choice.

What Does Your Future Hold?

Last but not least, think about where you want your career to take you, and in what kind of timeframe. There’s no sense in starting a career in healthy vending without considering where you want to go with it. Whether you wish to operate a few local machines and be comfortable in your retirement, or you want to expand your reach to several cities and towns around you, there are plenty of possibilities as long as you know what you want.

 

Want to learn more about the healthy vending machine business and how it can help you achieve your career goals? That’s where we come in. Contact Naturals2Go today to get started.

Health Food Trends: Is Romaine Lettuce Safe to Eat?

It seems that romaine lettuce is in the news quite frequently these days. Over the past few years, E. coli contamination has plagued the leafy green vegetable, even prompting the FDA to encourage all romaine lettuce in the United States to be thrown out in 2018.

 

Why does this keep happening? And is romaine lettuce safe for you and your family? Read on to find out more about E. coli in romaine lettuce and whether or not you should be clearing out your vegetable drawer.

 

The Source of the Contamination

One problem with the romaine lettuce issue — and one of the reasons why it keeps happening — is that it’s not entirely clear where the contamination is coming from.

 

Most romaine lettuce sold in the U.S. comes from two growing areas: the Salinas Valley in California and the Yuma, Arizona growing region. It’s suspected that contaminated agricultural water in these areas is what leads to the outbreaks. And seasonal factors might play a role: E. coli is carried naturally in cattle, deer, goats, and feral pigs, and these animals may transmit the bacteria more during certain times of the year (fall, in particular).

 

Another problem is that romaine lettuce, or any type of lettuce for that matter, isn’t typically cooked. It’s simply eaten raw. If a strain of E. coli is found in meat, it’s probably killed off when the meat is heated for cooking. But that step doesn’t happen with lettuce, which is one of the reasons the contamination can spread.

 

Is Romaine Lettuce Safe?

So, is romaine lettuce safe to eat? For the most part, yes. The FDA advises consumers that romaine lettuce grown outside four Salinas-area counties (Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and San Benito) is safe to eat, as is hydroponically grown lettuce. And improvements in labeling and tracking technology has made it possible to trace the contamination back to a single region. So it’s likely that the lettuce you’ll purchase at your local store has been completely vetted for safety. Still, you’ll want to try to confirm where the lettuce came from before purchasing.

 

What Are Some Alternative Options?

Of course, another option is to avoid romaine lettuce entirely and opt for another healthy leafy vegetable. Kale contains all sorts of beneficial nutrients; collard greens are rich in Vitamin K, carbohydrates, and protein, making them perfect for a post-workout snack. And arugula is a tasty veggie jam-packed with vitamins and minerals to boost your health.

 

We’ll just have to wait and see if the E. coli contamination problem continues to plague romaine lettuce. In the meantime, be careful about what you buy — and consider some delicious and nutritious alternatives.