When I met Carla Riley - Mastermind behind the company Keep Kitchens, I was literally drooling from a) hearing her talk about her amazing business and how she's helping people live happier and be healthier, and b) hearing her talk about HER FOOD! Seriously, her eyes lit up and everything.
There's nothing I love more than brilliant business women who take an idea, no matter how afraid they are, how many people try to stand in their way, or how many times they try to talk themselves out of it, and make it a reality.
Carla's idea for Keep Kitchens was born out of her love for amazing food, and her desire to call the shots in her own life after being in the 9 - 5 world for way longer than she wanted to be.
Keep Kitchens is meal prep solution that designs food around your preferences and diet. They help the busy and the hungry eat the food they need to feel best, while keeping those taste buds happy. Feast your eyes on these bad boys...
Carla and I ended up meeting at the perfect time as I was just about to begin my 30 day detox plan using the nutrition line from Arbonne. On my plan, real, whole food is the basis, vegan is encouraged, and gluten + dairy free is a must. I have to say that my biggest challenge when it comes to eating well IS the prep - so when Carla said "I can do that for you!" I was SUPER excited. I had a week's worth of meals that lasted even longer and fed multiple people. They came complete with fresh made sauces, smoothie starters, instructions and Tupperware to boot.
One of the things that makes this gal awesome and separates her from the rest, is that Carla is excited to hear when someone is trying to go paleo, or vegan, or gluten free. She sees her business as a way of helping people transition into new ways of eating AND/OR as a way to help the busiest person in the world still eat (and feed their family) well - all while being super knowledgeable on all types of diets. She's pretty much the best at everything ever food related.
My personal faves - Matcha Energy Balls and Roasted Veggie Hash with Avocado Sauce - OMG.
When I sat with Carla over our dinner at Fresh, we also spoke about a big passion for her, which is helping busy women hold it all together. She mentioned that many women see cooking for their family as a concrete responsibility that if they can't fulfil, they feel as though they have failed as a wife/mother. I wasn't shocked to hear this, but I was encouraging to her belief that helping a woman keep it all together so that she can have a moment to breathe or perhaps indulge in some self-care, was an important piece of empowering women.
As we talk about often in many of our events - being in control of YOU and where/when you spend your time is so key to feeling in control of your life and future. Granted, when children are in the mix, things get a little harder....but I still think we can all make choices that make life easier and more pleasurable for us. This includes hiring Carla to come into our home, cook amazing, healthy meals, clean up and leave us with a fridge full of meals and a life full of simplicity.
So - at the end of the day Keep Kitchens is an amazing, very affordable and super delicious way of saving time, staying healthy, and keeping you happy. I'm not sure why anyone would NOT want to have Carla in their kitchen once a week? Even Mamma Colalillo was impressed, and that's INSANELY tough to do. Just look at that clean plate!
If you're interested in hearing about how Carla can help with all your yummy needs - visit her website and fill out a questionnaire. She'll send you a sample menu and a quote...who knows, you may never have to cook AGAIN!
In Happiness and Health,
Natalie
