Empowering Punch's healthy meals to-go
By Ken McEntee
Time is often the biggest barrier to healthy eating.
Even for people who are dedicated to fitness, laments Danyl Scianna, who, with her husband, Paul, owns Empowering Punch, Strongsville’s unique boxing-based workout center.
That’s why Danyl and Paul recently introduced Healthy Meals by Empowering Punch. The nutritionally planned, chef-prepared meals can be simply popped into the microwave for an efficient, delicious lunch or dinner, Danyl explains.
And you don’t have to be an Empowering Punch member to buy them.
“The idea originated from our personal training clients,” Danyl recalls.
“They all get their own nutrition plans that work for them, but the struggle for many of them was that they work all day, then come to class, and by the time they get home they don’t feel like cooking. Some of them don’t have time to get to the grocery store. And others just aren’t sure what foods they can pair together to meet their nutritional needs. So we solved all of those problems by cooking for them. Now, they can pop a Healthy Meal into the microwave for less than two minutes and they’re ready to eat and relax.”
Lemon Pepper Chicken with Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli
The idea came to fruition to meet the needs of avid gym-goers however, it’s perfect for any health conscious individual with a busy schedule. The deliver-to-your-door prepared food business is exploding in popularity because of the convenience factor.
“We couldn’t agree more” Danyl attests, “but we tried several of them in our research and were left hungry every time. The difference in our meals is the freshness and definitely the size.”
Danyl and Paul started by partnering with a local chef.
“It is important that our Healthy Meals are delicious and made fresh from the best ingredients,” Danyl emphasizes.
Romano Tri Color Pepper Crusted Cod with Caramelized Carrots with Sugar Snap Peas and Orzo
“Nobody wants to eat boring food. Many people who want to eat healthy can easily get into a rut of chicken and brown rice, or fish and broccoli every night. They get tired of the same foods and inevitably binge on unhealthy choices. So now they have a beautiful selection of chef-prepared entrees with a variety of pairings, seasonings and sauces.”
To date, the chef has created 60 different taste-tested and FDA approved recipes, all of which are made according to strict nutritional parameters, Danyl says. That means they aren’t loaded with sodium and preservatives, like the frozen lean meals you can buy at the grocery store.
Chicken Marsala with Rice Pilaf and Green Beans
“I am not tempted to have a quick, unhealthy meal when I am short on time,” says Empowering Punch member Nancy Rudolph.
“I can just pop the Healthy Meal in the microwave and two minutes later I am eating. It’s a quick and convenient way for me to stay on track with my eating. Being a mom with a crazy schedule, I love that I always have a healthy option in the refrigerator for lunch or dinner.”
Sample dinners, which can be viewed and ordered online, include Cabernet demi-glace beef tips with asparagus and rice, or barbecue glazed salmon with broccoli and sweet potatoes. All entrees are available in lunch and dinner portions, and cost between $8.99 and $13.99—consistent with what you might spend picking up a pizza or a bag of greasy burgers and fries.
“At first I was hesitant to order thinking it would be too expensive, but then I tried some and loved them,” says Jennifer Crupper.
Grilled Shrimp Remoulade with Couscous and Broccoli
“The cost became a non-issue when I looked at what I was spending on take-out and fast food. I work very long hours and sometimes weekends. The last thing I want to do when I get home is cook, which means I would eat lots of take-out or fast food. Now I spend less on junk food and eat much healthier.”
All of the Healthy Meals include a protein, a vegetable and a carbohydrate, Danyl says.
“We have chicken, pork, beef, salmon, cod, shrimp and two vegetarian options,” she says.
“All meals are fresh, not frozen, and can be refrigerated for five days. And we don’t skimp on portions. A lot of ladies buy the lunch portions for dinner.”
Meals can be ordered online or in person at Empowering Punch by 2:00 p.m. on Saturday for pickup at Empowering Punch the following Tuesday.
“Meals are all freshly prepared on Mondays and delivered to us by noon on Tuesday,” Danyl says. “Of the 60 entrees we have available, we rotate a selection of about 12 choices every week.”
Allyson, a nurse, says the Healthy Meals by Empowering Punch have helped to make meal prepping “a breeze.”
“Not only am I eating healthy but I’m also eating so many more varieties of foods that I wouldn’t normally be making,” Allyson says.
“I work long shifts that switch from days to nights. I was spending countless hours every week meal prepping for the days I had to work and it was taking away time from my family. These meals are delicious and I can change them up as often as I want so I don’t get complacent with eating the same things over and over again.”
Empowering Punch, located in Strongsville’s Southpark Mall, offers a variety of fitness classes, but its unique Fitness Boxing classes are what make it different from any other facility in Northeast Ohio, Danyl says.
Empowering Punch is located in SouthPark Mall, next to Dick’s Sporting Goods. You can get more information—including some success story bios—by visiting EmpoweringPunch.com, or you can call them at 440-572-2270.