Nutrition in Motion is a diet meal delivery service-designed to help busy people lose weight and get healthy. The meals are made with fresh and natural ingredients, and are delivered right to the client’s doorstep-and their online meal selection means you can tailor the diet to your taste, while they tailor it to your weightloss needs. Rebecca Malen is the VP of Nutrition in Motion.

What does a typical Thursday look like for you, starting from when you wake up – to heading to bed?

Thursdays I get to sleep in so it’s probably my favourite day of the week. I’m up at 6:15 am, shower and eat breakfast while watching the news.
Leave for work around 7:30ish to stop at the grocery store by 8am. From 8-8:20 I shop for ingredients that are needed at the kitchen. By the time I get to work it’s usually around 8:45. I use Thursdays as my catch up day so I’ll start with emails and messages which of course continue throughout the day. Mail, bills, cheques follow as well as the staff schedule for next week. I have my to do list so whatever hasn’t been checked off is what I’ll keep myself busy with for the rest of the day in-between client calls and emails. I leave the office around 6 and if I’m not exhausted I’ll meet up with friends for dinner. Home around 9:30 pm to watch TV while doing my nightly exercises which consist of sit-ups, push-ups and light weights. 11 pm I’m in bed reading for 10 minutes before falling asleep.

What was your first job out of school?

Out of University was NIM!! But my first job ever, aside from babysitting of course, was working at a loot bag store creating and selling loot bags. When NIM was first getting started with our meals, we included a small bag filled with tea, a knife, fork and napkin. I used to sit for hours putting together these bags. At this time I realized that every job, no matter what and how menial you think it is, provides you with unique skills that will benefit you in the long run. I can’t tell you how beautiful those bags were!

What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?

Being available 24/7, being organized, and people skills.

What do you love most about your career?

That I can see what I’ve helped to create and grow every single day. I also love helping people lose weight, which is something that we can all relate to and struggle with on a daily basis. I really enjoy the fact that I’m there with them through their weight-loss journey. My favourite calls are from clients who are so happy because they can now fit into their old clothes, and of course, their favourite jeans.

Do you have any warnings?

Be prepared to make work your number 1 priority.

If you could try a different career on for a year, what would it be?

It’s a tough question because there are so many things I would love to try. However, because I’m inside all day and live for the outdoors I would love to try landscaping for a year. The closest I’ve come to it so far is a vegetable garden that I started on my roof.

How do you prepare NIM’s healthy meals?

The meals are prepared in our in-house production kitchen located in Concord. To prepare and deliver fresh food the kitchen stays open 7 days a week. Our team of chefs come in each day to prepare and package the meals that are then delivered to our client’s homes all across Ontario and Montreal.

Where do you look for creative menu inspiration?

Well, most of our inspiration comes from eating out, visiting fine food stores and researching unique and healthy recipes. We then bring our ideas to our head chef who recreates what we have described in collaboration with our nutritionist so that it fits in with the NIM program.

What are some of your favourite recipes?

This is a tough one as I love so many, but if I have to choose a few, I would say the orzo salad snack which is made with fresh peppers, green onions, goat cheese and pine nuts. One of our new recipes which I am obsessed with is the Butternut Squash Soup. I also really enjoy our Mango Burgers, Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken and the Buttermilk Cinnamon Waffles.

What is the story behind Nutrition in Motion?

To give you the short story, it was my business partners Cliff Peskin’s idea to start a diet meal delivery service. 5 years ago, as I was saying goodbye to his brother who was going off to school, Cliff started talking about the business that he wanted to start. I was extremely interested in health and nutrition and so I asked him if he needed any help. He did and so we launched the company together and here I am today!

What food could you not live without?

I hate to say it but dairy! I would be so sad if I ever became lactose intolerant. I do try to limit my intake, but to me a little parm on my whole-wheat pasta makes a world of difference.