Shake It Up! A Delicious, Nutritious and Convenient Addition to Healthy Lifestyles
Article by Sue Baldani
Photography by James Williams
Originally published in Brentwood Lifestyle
It’s never too late to get in shape and follow a healthy lifestyle. Brentwood Nutrition, which opened in March, helps customers stay the course.
“We have meal replacement shakes that are high in protein, low in carbs and low in sugar,” says owner and former firefighter/paramedic Chad Clarke. They are also low calorie, he says, but keep you full and satisfied with amazing flavors, such as Banana Pudding and Snickers.
In addition to the shakes, Brentwood Nutrition has loaded energy teas with fun flavors, including strawberry and watermelon. “They’re full of antioxidants, vitamin B6 and B12, and have guarana for mental focus,” says Chad. “They are also thermogenic, contain no sugar and have only 24 calories.”
Sara Buchanan, a local fitness trainer and Chad’s girlfriend, also helps manage the shop. “We both have a passion for fitness and prioritize fueling our bodies after workouts,” she says. “You need to fuel your body with good nutrition and high protein to reach your fitness goals. Even if you don’t want to build a lot of muscle, to lose fat or tone up you have to build some.”
Adds Chad, “What everybody struggles with is the diet part and we bring the convenience. You can come in and be out of here in a couple of minutes with your healthy shake and your energy tea. Then go walking, maybe add 10 minutes to walking your dog, or get out there and be active with your kids.”
Being a trainer, Sara finds people overanalyze things when it comes to getting into better shape. “It’s really just as simple as getting in a 45-minute workout and it doesn’t always have to be high intensity, but just getting your body moving for that boost of metabolism, that boost of energy. It’s also getting that protein in, getting nutrients in, because the workout is maybe 7% of the work. You can’t outwork a bad diet.”
Brentwood Nutrition is for everyone, says Chad. “All body types, all ages. It’s for your mental health as well. Working out is beneficial mentally and physically and having a well-balanced diet means you’ll feel so much better. There’s a whole other life out there for you to live.”
“It’s also about living longer, living healthier and being able to walk a block without being out of breath, or keeping up with your children or grandchildren,” says Sara. “Fitness and being healthy is not a fad. It’s not a race or sprint to your goals, but more like a marathon — a slow steady pace of living a healthier life.”
To pick up one of these delicious shakes or teas, and find out more about healthy living, visit Chad and Sara at Brentwood Nutrition or go to their Facebook page.