Being locked up at home and unable to travel at will has been a challenge for us at My Beautiful Belize. We miss the flights over the blues of the Caribbean Sea. We miss the sights of a city fast fading in the rearview mirror as the green carpets of Belize’s lush jungles roll out in welcome.
However, it’s been exciting watching people reinvent themselves and adapting to the new norm. We are so excited for Belize once again! What incredible people she has! From beauty products, cured meats, shopping and delivery services, incredible desserts, body and bath care, unique clothing, gourmet food and drink items, there is a bounty of unique Belizean wares to choose from. What is also impressive is the aesthetic that goes along with the product. Smart packaging, logos, whip-smart online advertising strategies, all with a healthy dose of Belizean-ness. That Belizean vibe just can’t be missed…it’s in every post. Friendly, engaging, sharing – tagging each other, giving a shout-out to those entrepreneurs working to keep the economy going. It’s a thing of beauty, and I’m (again) so inspired to share a few of my favorites with you!
Today I present to you Healthy-Eats Belize, a one-man show intent on providing tasty, healthy meals among the plethora of baked treats!
Part of the movement sweeping across social media seems to be quarantine fitness. People may have started off baking comfort foods and treats, but eventually, as the lockdown dates kept moving further and further into the future, many started to focus on health. But simply exercising isn’t enough – any weight loss expert will tell you, diet is the most important part of a lifestyle change. On Ambergris Caye, we have someone who made it his mission to improve his health, and in the process, improve that of others too! Danny Medina has created Healthy-Eats Belize, and he is making people healthier and happier one beautiful dish at a time.
Ironically, I know of Danny because of his utterly decadent cheesecakes, so it is quite fun to see him marketing healthy food. Danny stands out because of his approach to his product. Whenever we bought a slice of cheesecake, it was a work of art – beautifully decorated as if it were a whole cake. You get the impression that Danny was ensuring his craft was 100% visually edible, no matter the occasion, and his healthy dishes are no exception.
A diet often brings up ideas of fish or chicken with some limp vegetables on the side, or a green salad with some type of protein tossed over it. Danny opted to make his lunches tasty and beautiful to look at. He’s gotten glowing reviews from happy, loyal customers and Danny is thrilled to see his start-up business grow with each week. “I returned from Europe with a few extra pounds, having indulged in the local cuisine,” he shared. Deciding to make changes to his diet, Danny set about working on balanced, nutritional meals packed with flavor that would keep him full for longer.
Having grown up helping his mother in the kitchen, he says he observed her techniques and used it as a base to develop his own unique style and taste. “School was also a great learning curve – I studied a food and nutrition course and this gave me the basic foundations I needed.” Using his experience and his preference for flavorful meals low in bad fats and carbohydrates, Healthy-Eats Belize was born. “The feedback we have been getting is outstanding, everyone who has tried our meals have loved it and have loved the unique concept we have brought to Belize. We are seeing many people looking to our meals to help them make subtle, but impactful lifestyle changes,” says a happy Danny.
Health-Eats Belize is anything but boring and bland! Having tried his delicious creations – both cheesecakes and a bright, refreshing watermelon chicken salad – I can attest to the excellent flavors that he imparts in each meal. “Healthy-Eats is here to stay,” says an excited Danny, “We want as many people as possible to make the switch to an overall healthy lifestyle.” He has vowed to never compromise on quality, calculating balance, flavor and portions in each dish. For $15, Healthy Eats Belize takes the guesswork out of eating healthy, and you get yourself a hearty platter of goodness. What else can one ask for? Oh, right, free delivery island-wide, and even a free iced tea with each meal! Check out Healthy Eats Belize on Facebook, and pick your choice of delicious to start that health journey!
