I never want to be a celebrity, but I love getting the celebrity treatment – like swag bags, cool fitness classes, personal trainers and “personal chefs”. When I get healthy, delicious, (reasonably) low calorie meals delivered to my door, I feel like a celebrity. The husband may be more inclined to say “spoiled brat” but I prefer celebrity. I had a few friends recommend that I check out Factor 75. Factor 75 is a Chicago company that delivers fresh, nutritious meals to you. You can order from their menu of paleo, vegetarian, low-fat, low-carb or gluten-free meals on a weekly basis. They have recently expanded into the greater “Chicagoland” area.
I like Factor 75’s perspective. They say:
“According to recent research, 75 percent of your fitness results come from what you eat. Factor 75 Meals are designed to deliver a perfect balance of nutrition and taste to enhance performance.
Available at participating health clubs and fitness centers, or delivered to your home or office, Factor 75 is as convenient as it is healthy.
Factor 75 is not a diet. We believe nutrition and healthy eating should improve your quality of life and be enjoyable. Our approach alleviates the hassles by taking care of planning, preparing and delivering your meals so you have more energy and more time to enjoy what matters to you most.”
Factor 75’s founder, Nick Wernimont was a young, active business man with lots of extreme hobbies who needed something to maintain his health. He was run down and realized that he needed better foods and a better diet to keep up his energy and performance. He hired a personal chef to help. Once he saw results, he decided to launch Factor 75 to share his findings with a broader audience.
I ordered twice from Factor 75. The first time was before the elimination diet and the second time was after. I tried: Butternut Squash Lasagna (No pasta – Paleo, GF – $10.95 Medium), Detox Salad with Chicken (GF, Paleo, Low Carb – $10.95 Medium), Shrimp and Okra Stew with Quinoa (GF, Paleo, Low Carb – $10.95 Medium), Salmon with Summer Lentil Salad (GF – $11.95 Medium) and a Teriyaki Chicken that is no longer on the menu. The dishes are offered in Medium or Large size and the nutritional information and ingredients are clearly listed by size.
The order comes in a reusable bag that you can leave for them to pick up with your next order. The packaging is also reusable (plastic containers). All of the items are clearly labeled with nutrition information.
All of the food is fresh and tasty. As for the individual items:
- It will come as no surprise if you know me that I love love love the Butternut Squash Lasagna. The only bummer was that it has onions – which I have eliminated from my diet. Both times, I ordered two. The second order, I picked the onionos out of one and then gave the other one to my friend, Olivia. Olivia liked it and thought it was a great way to eat healthy in a pinch. She thought it needed something to punch it up (more seasoning). In the spirit of full disclosure, Olivia is an amazing cook and would probably never in a million years have her healthy meals delivered. That said, she said that this was comparable to getting prepared foods at Whole Foods and super convenient.
- The Detox Salad with Chicken is great. It is light and tasty and well proportioned. I always add more veggies (and could probably make this one myself).
- I liked the Salmon with Summer Lentil Salad. The salmon was fresh and cooked as I like it and the lentils were very light and tasty with a taste of fennel. I was not sure what was in the dressing so I did not eat it (I was worried about eggs or milk). I bet it would have been even tastier with the sauce.
- The Shrimp and Okra Stew with Quinoa was fresh and tasty and a well proportioned – though I would have liked more shrimp, too.
- The only item I would not reorder was the Chicken Teriyaki because there were not enough veggies and too much rice.
- There are many other items I would like to try after the elimination diet ends (if I can add back in dairy/eggs/beans.) Nick also told me that in the future that may allow some customizations/substitutions.
All in all, I am a big fan of Factor 75. Why? The service was great and they contacted me after my first order to ask how I liked everything. The food is healthy, fresh and tasty – you can eat right with no extra work. The business is local. They are very responsive. It could not be more convenient — I live in a doorman building so I don’t even have to be home when they come. The delivery is free and the prices are reasonable. The only bummer was that a few ingredients (like onions) weren’t listed which is tough if you are on a restrictive diet like I am right now. That too shall pass!
Great news, Chicagoland readers! Nick is also offering Erica Finds’ readers a free GFB -Gluten Free Bar and Brad’s Raw Kale chips with the code ERICAFINDS.Factor 75 also has a CARA Discount! CARA members receive 10% off their first order. Enter CARA10 in the referral section in order to receive that offer. Note: these may not work at the same time latter code is ~$10 value.
Please note: This post was not sponsored by Factor 75. I was not compensated and I paid for all of my meals. Factor 75 offered a special promotion for my readers. All opinions are my own.
Back to School Deals and Summer Clearances abound! Check out:
- For all back to school and other shopping, don’t forget to check ebates for cash back AND coupons. Need a gift or just need to treat yourself. Get 6% cashback plus 15% off on Spa Finder Wellness Giftcards with code AUGUST15 through 8/31/2013. That’s $85 for $100 massage and then you get $5 back from ebates. That is $20 saved and a better massage earned! (click through from ebates to activate cash back and the discount code)
- Also, if you are an American Express Membership Rewards member, save 30% on Amex Gift Cards with points and on many vendors at Shop Amex through 9/30!
- Gilt City has a 50% off on cool water bottles from KOR, Over 70% off on prints from Printcopia, 50% off on prints from Instathis and more great local and national deals, too! (plus an additional 4% cash back from ebates – don’t forget that!)
- Enter to win a trip for 2 to NYC or other great prizes from Peanut Butter and Co and others in the “Cook Amazing! Be Amazing!” Sweepstakes.
- Check out summer clearance prices at modcloth. Super cute stylish clothes at up to 70% off!
- Another great warehouse sale is happening at The Clymb! 70-90% off and more great daily sales, too!
- Get 25% off on unique and/or personalized gifts at Cafe Press with code RUNNER25.
- Get 20% off on Juice Beauty products at Beauty.com this week only!
- In NYC:
- Save 50% on rockclimbing at Brooklyn Boulders – 10 classes for $99 from Puls’d.
- In Chicago:
- get $10 off on the Crosstown Classic 10K on September 28th with code BATTLE10K.
- Gilt City has a great deal for new customers at Power Sculpt Fitness in Lakeview (kick butt workouts – new customers only), 50% + off of massages and other services at Studio Within Salon/Spa in Lakeview and more!
- Travelzoo has $39 for dinner for 2 with 2 margaritas at Zapatista in the South Loop.
Still Available:
- Get $10 off any purchase of $100 or more at TOMS through Sept. 3 with code TOMSBTSSPECIAL.
- Buy One Get One for Half Off with the Famous Footwear Back To School sale. Rewards members take an extra 20% off. Non-members take an extra 15% off. Print your coupon HERE to shop in-store sale 8/8 – 8/17.
- Try all natural and cruelty free cosmetics from Pacifica and get 40% off Lotus Garden Value Collection. Free shipping on orders over $50, too!
- Buy one get one half off and an extra $5 off for back to school at Shoe Carnival! Take $5 off of your purchase of $39.98 or more. Enter SAVE5 at checkout online or bring printed coupon to a store near you! Ends 9/1/2013. Note: Cannot be used on prior purchases, refunds, exchanges or gift card purchases. One coupon per transaction. Offer subject to change without notice.
- 20% off all regularly priced items at ShoeMall.com through Aug. 20, plus free shipping; enter TAKE20
- $15 off Any Combination of Two Pastas, Baked Pastas or Entrees at Buca di Beppo with this coupon
- Check out great back to school deals at Eversave!
- Get first month free on Love with Food box with code FBGIFT.
- Get discounted gift cards for your favorite stores plus $5 off $75 for new customers at Raise with code RAISE75AF.
- Hey Chicagoland eaters, Meez Meals is expanding delivery area from Naperville to Waukegan and all Chicago zip codes. To celebrate they are offering 50% off through August 31 with the code GROW50 and referred by Erica Agran. (Not in Chicago? Get 30% off on your first Blue Apron Delivery!)
Have a great day! I am doing a second running form workshop today with some other runners and bloggers. What are you up to this week?
PS. Don’t forget to check out our awesome Honey’s Runners raffle to support the American Cancer Society. Only $5 to enter, 100% match to $2500 and GREAT prizes (2 new winners just picked!) and don’t forget to enter my MILA chia giveaway, too – LAST DAY for MILA!
