When most kids are going off to college they are most concerned with whether or not they will make friends, get good grades or like their first roommate. If you asked anybody about my biggest concern, they’d know exactly what it was: not having a kitchen. As someone who lives to make healthy meals, I had no idea what I was going to do in the dining halls. Even worse, USC is notorious for their lack of dining hall options, and this definitely proved true.
A few weeks into school I was going crazy eating lettuce with cucumbers and peas everyday for lunch. Walking off campus to grab food wasn’t much of a better option; USC, like many colleges, is in a food desert (aka there is a lack of fresh food options within the immediate area.) Sure, I could eat pizza from four different places in a given week, but that’s not my idea of a good time. I needed a way to find nutritionally complete meals that were delicious and didn’t require me to Postmates every single day. A few weeks into first semester I found the answer: Sakara Life.
Sakara is a 100% plant-based, organic meal delivery program offered all over the country. They really focus on the nutritional quality of the meals, but definitely don’t compromise for taste. Seriously, the food is insanely good. You don’t just have to take my word for it; Sakara has been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, and goop. Sakara is even loved by celebrities like Victoria’s Secret Angel Lily Aldridge and Gisele Bündchen. After stalking Sakara on Instagram and meeting a representative of the company at a pop-up event, I was convinced I had to try it.
Sure, I could eat pizza from four different places in a given week, but that’s not my idea of a good time. I needed a way to find nutritionally complete meals that were delicious and didn’t require me to Postmates every single day. A few weeks into first semester I found the answer: Sakara Life.
If you live in Los Angeles or New York the meals will be hand delivered by Sakara couriers overnight and dropped off at your doorstep. If you don’t live there, don’t fret because Sakara has a nationwide program in which the meals are sent by FedEx. In my case, I live in LA but had to have the meals FedExed so they could be delivered to my dorm building, as the mail stop is closed overnight (this is a long story, but trust me on this one… if you are confused just email customer service at Sakara because they are AMAZING.)
On the nationwide program you have the option to choose 3 or 5 days a week, with three meals each day. Each day contains a rose water, a bag of tea for in between each meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a chlorophyll water to end off the night. Breakfasts are usually something sweet like blueberry quinoa pancakes or a chocolate muffin with salted “caramel”, and lunch and dinner are always different, but will always have a base of greens. Getting your “daily greens” is a staple of the Sakara way of eating. At first it might seem like a lot, but the dressings for the salads are so delicious you’ll never get bored. Each meal comes with a description of what makes it so special, so definitely don’t miss out on reading these. Taking the time to learn a little about what your food is doing for you connects you to the meal and allows you to appreciate it, a key principle in mindful eating.
Basically, Sakara takes a lot of the struggle out of getting diverse, nutritionally complete meals in school. Not only will your brain be better fueled to handle your classes, but you won’t have to worry about where you’re going to get your next meal. Pro tip: Make sure you still socialize with friends and go to the dining halls occasionally. Meals are one of the best chances you have to connect with your friends and meet new people.
Getting your “daily greens” is a staple of the Sakara way of eating. At first, it might seem like a lot. But the dressings for the salads are so flavorful that you’ll never get bored. Each meal comes with a description of what makes it so special, so definitely don’t miss out on reading these. Taking the time to learn a little about what your food is doing for you connects you to the meal and allows you to appreciate it, a key principle in mindful eating.
Ready to eat better than you ever have? Head to Sakara’s website to check it out and use this link to get $50 off your first order.