Traveling Nutrition Challenges or Creativity? You Choose!

Traveling puts a new perspective on the day to day. Along with new sites, meeting new people, and maybe dealing with language and culture differences, one has to face different habits and practices when it comes to food and eating. Out of the entire month of March, I've spent all of 2 nights at my apartment (I just cringe when I think of that fact and my LA rent...ughhh). But, the lack of time in LA, has lent itself to the adventures of 10 days in Italy, and I'm currently finishing up a 19 day work assignment in Rockford/Chicago, Illinois.

When it comes to your nutrition, living out of a hotel, hostel, or spending an entire day on an airplane or wandering airports, creates either challenges or lends a hand to a creativity, depending on how you want to look at it. Sometimes healthy options are not readily available, and you are forced to make the best choice that you can, or you must give yourself full permission to embrace the experience.When you are constantly on the go, it's hard to plan ahead with your meals, but there are some simple things that you can do, that will save you time, money, and the headache of finding yourself starving, and nothing available to eat.

Here are some tips for when you are on-the-go:

• Pack raw almonds in your carry-on bag. Protein and healthy fats keep you satisfied.



• LaraBars are awesome; easy to pack, all raw, and contain lots of fiber.



• Drink water! It's soooo easy to let yourself get dehydrated when traveling. Take an empty Klean Kanteen with you through security and fill it up on the other side. You save money and help reduce environmental impact.



• Eat as balanced as possible when you are traveling. You feel more jet lagged and tired when you are just grabbing candy and sweets.



• And probably the best tip, and I'm serious when I say this because I've learned from experience; Tortillas are awesome to have in your bag when you travel! It's so much better than the Kraft packaged snacks that Southwest dishes out or the snack packs that you pay a pretty penny for. Take Justin's individually packaged Nut Butter's with you or individually packaged hummus, or of course, I just eat tortillas straight. When you leave for the airport, take your tortillas out of the freezer, and when you eventually reach your destination, just put them back in the fridge...that's if there are any left after that 10 hour flight:)

Tortillas took a trip to Whistler, B.C.

Best Mountain Snack EVER!

www.thebesttortilla.com

Catch The 96

Did you know that it takes Safeway just one week to do as much business as Whole Foods does in 30 days, or what Wal-Mart does in 60 seconds? Often, when talking with people about our tortilla company, there eyes light up, and they'll say, "You know what you should do? You need to get into Whole Foods!" This is a little humorous, because they will make the statement with the conviction that the idea has never surfaced ever before.

We have a healthy product, that has a niche in Whole Foods or Trader Joes, but our tortilla is also for those that have never stepped foot into a Whole Foods Market. There is a thriving industry outside of the growing 108 billion dollar organic and health market. 96 percent are currently not buying natural, organic, or healthy products. Now the question is, why spend all the energy and effort marketing to 4 percent when there is a huge potential of people outside of that need to be reached?

These people that fall into that 96 percent may not be engaged in the natural or organic markets, not because of disinterest, but because of mis-information, cost, convenience, or dare we say, taste? We are firm believers that healthy products don't have to taste like health (i.e. cardboard tortillas or tasteless entrees). What's great is our tortillas can fit into both the health food markets and the mainstream markets, and the plus side is, we don't have to educate people on what a tortilla is, because everyone has heard of a tortilla.

Zappos has created a thriving business of selling shoes, along with other items, online. Shoes, historically, are a product that people want to try-on, but Zappos has skirted that issue through free returns, great customer service, and their tag line of "selling happiness." Some companies are capable of telling consumers what they need, for example, take Apple. No one knew they needed an iPad until Apple told them, and iPod is now synonymous with MP3 player. These companies have not followed the historical way of business, but have created a better way that works. This is something to admire.

An idea for us is to heavily market Created Whole tortillas through our online store. When you think of where to buy whole wheat tortillas, the first place probably is not cyberspace, but why not? It's convenient, cuts out costs that the consumer won't have to pay for, and at this point gives us more of a direct relationship with our customers. We hope to be the Zappos of online tortilla sales while developing devoted followers like Apple.

Check out these interesting articles:

The Future of Wellness: Lessons From The 96 Percent
A World of Consumers Exists Beyond Whole Foods Market

Order your tortillas online at http://www.thebesttortilla.com/

Tortilla Development

These days, there are a lot of things in the works for us. For Created Whole, it has been almost two years since our first production day, production that happened and for only a short while longer will happen at a small tortilleria, one that we don't own. To finally have purchased our own tortilla equipment is a huge and exciting step for us.

We've only just begun the journey, and at this point, our business is undergoing many changes. What we started out thinking, believing, and focusing on, has adapted and changed. We've tested the market and we have a different plan in how and where to market than when we started. It in a sense feels like we are only now launching.

There's interesting balance between feeling like Created Whole is not progressing and then questioning how we are going to be able to keep up. The growth of the company is insignificant in comparison to the growth that has been seen in our individual characters. God has been opening doors and events and situations have happened that only can be attributed to divine appointments.

To give a brief update on some areas we are working on right now is the manufacturing side of things, where a lot of work has to be done in setting up the factory. Working out supply and distribution. And the major area of focus is marketing. We are focusing on creating a better website, one that looks professional, credible, is easy to navigate, and has an awesome store front. We plan on relying heavily on online orders. You can see the website we have right now at www.thebesttortilla.com. We are also putting together press kits and marketing plans to get our name out there. And, we are looking for people with talents and skills that can be utilized in this growth stage of the company and that would be willing to donate their time and strengths on a volunteer basis. If you want to be part of the growth, let us know. Email Tim@thebesttortilla.com.

Logo Brilliance

We're excited because we finally have a logo!!! Yea! Gary Manly, who is a creative genius, designed the logo for us. Let us know what you think!

Where We Gonna Go From Here?

Mat Kearney sings a song, and there's a line of the song that repeats,

"where we gonna go from here"

That line has been repeating in my head all morning. As of now, the bakery doesn't want us to make tortillas there any longer. What I posted yesterday was more appropriate than I realized about trusting in God to bring us through "that great wilderness." Pray for our business, because it seems we are at an impass.

"And try Me now on this," says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."

Malachi 3:10

Now, I need to halt the tears, get myself together and go to work. Another Northwest Arkansas trip.

And The Winner Is...

Thanks to all of you that took a guess on how many tortillas were in the suitcase. Most of the guesses ended up being a significantly large number.

So the magic number was 24 dozen. I'm almost a little embarrassed because most of you think this business of flying tortillas here and there is a large operation. I should have made myself clear: the tortillas were in a carry on suitcase. You may think 24 dozen is a small amount, but let me tell you, that bag is SO heavy. I can barely lift that darn suitcase when there are that many tortillas in it. Thank goodness there are no weight limits for carry ons.

Anyway, there is a winner. Jessi guessed the amount exactly. Congratulations! You will receive your tortillas next week. And thanks again to everyone that participated!

One no Closer to YES

I glance at my watch. Ughh, two more hours. Looking up, I chirp, "Would you like to try a whole wheat tortilla? They're really good!" I'm like a song on repeat. That favorite song you unintentionally over play. Fantastic at first. Gets a little annoying after the nth play.

Sometimes they look at me and say "No, thanks." Sometimes they pretend I'm not there. Sometimes they think I say "Holy", and look at me with questioning eyes. Maybe "Whole" and "Holy" are interchangeable when a tortilla tastes this good.

I've developed a love and loathing relationship with Farmer's Market. I look forward to the social interaction. I like when people say, "These tortillas are so great!" I like that people are coming back every week for "their" tortillas. I like that I am part of this business. I like feeling like I have a purpose here.

On the other side of the coin, I have to get used to letting the "No's" go. Sales trainers say that one needs to be excited about each no cause that means one no closer to yes. I'm working on that excitement level. The gurus also tout putting a monetary amount to the No and mentally say, "Cha-Ching! Thanks for the no cause I just made money off of you." Right now, my thought process follows the path of, "Please! Can I just beat last weeks sales?"

I had a certain amount of "Yes-es" I wanted today, and I didn't get em' all. But, I did receive some. There are a handful of households in the Southbay that will be enjoying their first Created Whole tortilla dinner tonight. Cheers to that! It didn't rain today, and it was supposed to. Another plus. I made it through another market alone. Sigh of relief. We got our health permit for the next quarter. Fantastic! And, I'm given another week to prepare myself for all of next week's...

YESES!!!

You Can Win Free Tortillas!!!

You know that game people play at parties or family-get-togethers where you guess how many jellybeans are in a jar? Well, how bout' a little twist on that game...

How Many Tortillas Can a Flight Attendant Fit in a Rollerboard?

This is the actual image of my little Briggs and Riley rollerboard chalked full of Created Whole Tortillas.

So, for all of you tortilla lovers out there, this is the task:

1. Take a guess of how many Whole Wheat Tortillas (just tell me how many dozen) were in this suitcase
2. Email your guesstimate to createdwhole@gmail.com, along with your address.

The person that either hits the number right on, or is the closest, will recieve 2 dozen Created Whole Tortillas FOR FREE!!!!

Rules include:

1. Tell all your friends
2. 1 guess per person
3. Guesses must take place on or before, April 1st, 2010. Winner will be announced April 2nd!
4. There will be only 1 winner so if more than one person has made the same numerical guess, the email that was received first will be taken.

Have fun!!!

Nature's Food Market & Juice Bar

If you are wondering where you can buy your Created Whole Tortillas, you have options. Besides buying online, fax, or at farmer's market, you can swing by Nature's Food Market & Juice Bar. Located in Bakersfield, California, husband and wife team, Wendy and Chuck Naus opened their market in the hopes of reaching the community through providing healthy alternatives. Wendy loves to make raw vegan desserts, and these sweet treats taste AMAZING. At the market you can also enjoy fresh fruit or vegetable juices, while buying foods to stock your pantry. You can find Created Whole Tortillas in the freezer section, but be sure to look in the refrigerator for the veggie wraps that Wendy makes fresh daily. Combined with a fresh squeezed juice and raw dessert, your tummy will thank you:)

A Votre Sante

It's a fact that Created Whole Tortillas are essential for your health. Whole Wheat is one of five foods that you should eat everyday. When you eat refined white flour products, 90 percent of the nutritional value is lost, so it's important to choose whole grain foods whenever you can. People are concerned about watching carbs, because one diet or another has said carbs cause weight gain. First of all, your body needs energy in the form of carbohydrates to get through your day. And to end any confusion about carbs and weight gain, a recent study shows that a diet abundant in whole grains actually flattens your abdominal region by reducing fat storage in your stomach area. So eat your whole grains, and we say, "What better way to get your essential servings than from tortillas?"

Whole grains also contain fiber, and fiber is an important part of a healthy nutrition plan. Fiber helps reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and blood cholesterol levels, improves proper bowel function, and keeps you satiated longer. Recommendations say that adults need to consume 20-35 grams of fiber per day. Created Whole Tortillas are a good source of fiber, with 5 grams per serving.

To help you out with increasing your consumption of whole grains and fiber, you will find a few ideas below on how you can use tortillas at anytime of the day.

Breakfast
Tofu Scramble Breakfast Burritos

• 1lb firm tofu
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 2 tsp liquid aminos or soy sauce
• 1 tsp parsley flakes
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp tumeric
• 1/2 tsp celery salt.
• Created Whole Tortilas
• Avocado
• Salsa

Rinse and drain tofu. In a bowl, mash tofu with a fork. Mix in other ingredients. Simmer on a non-stick sprayed skillet for about 20 mins, stirring frequently. Put avocado slices, tofu scramble in a whole wheat tortilla. Add salsa if desired. Serves 4.

Lunch
Wrap-a-Tillas

For a quick lunch, warm a whole wheat tortilla on the stove. Spread with hummus and fill with your favorite veggies. Things like shredded carrots, spinach, avocado, sprouts, mushrooms, TJ's veggie meatballs are great in wraps. Great served with soup.

Dinner
Tortilla Tacos with Veggie Fajitas

• 1 cup mock duck or reconstituted soy curls
• 1 TBSP soy sauce or Bragg's liquid aminos
• 1 TBSP lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 cup sliced onions
• 1 cup green peppers, chopped
• 2 TBSP oil
  
  Rinse mock duck and drain well. Tear into pieces. Place in bowl with soy sauce, lemon juice, seasonings, and sugar. Marinate for desired amount of time (best if 1 hour or longer). Saute onions and green peppers in oil. Add mock duck mixture and cook briefly until hot. Serve as tacos with tortillas and salad. Also, great with brown rice and refried beans.

Dessert

• Tortilla
• Margarine
• Cinnamon and Sugar
  Place tortilla on skillet over medium heat. Spread margarine on one side (the upside), and then sprinkle tortilla with sugar and cinnamon mixture. Heat until crispy. Enjoy!

California Dreamin'

A common question you guys ask us is, "How did you come up with the idea of starting a whole wheat tortilla company?" Well, besides tortillas being a 6 billion dollar a year industry, read on, and you will find out.

Brenda started cooking healthy meals long ago. It's a known fact that she made Vegan "hot" and Carob "cool." Obscure health foods that one can now easily find on every grocery store shelf were staples in the Mulder household back in the 80s.

Trendsetter Brenda, whipping up a concotion in some nice duds

Tim was all about having a healthy lifestyle. Fresh air, exercise, water, rest (can we emphasize REST?), and nutrition. He too, helped in the kitchen. Tim and Brenda made a great team!

Jumping for en-JOY-ment:)

When Tim was growing up, he and his older brother, Steve, would have burrito feeds. Tim and Steve love burritos. When they were in high school and college, they would go to Taco Bell and each would order 1 of EVERY item on the menu. (The menu was a lot smaller back in the day, but still...)

Since Tim is a thinker, he figured if he created the MOST amazing, BEST tasting tortilla in the WHOLE world, he could have all the burritos he would want for the rest of his life.

What Tim looks like when he thinks

And that's the shortened version of how the dream was born in the little agricultural farm town of Shafter. Nothing compares to Shafter, and nothing compares to 100 percent whole wheat, Created Whole Tortillas.

California Dreamin' in Shafter Paradise:)

It's Called Dedication

How do you start a start-up company when you already have full-time lives?

It's Called Dedication...

Tim: Pilot. Aircraft Mechanic. Church Leader. Daddy. Tortilla Maker.
He's finally flying again...A LOT! I think he said he's flown 24 out of 30 days or something ridiculous. When he's not flying, the planes always seem to need some sort of repair. It's normal for him to be in the shop till midnight. Then, there are the church commitments, and people always over at the house. It's something he enjoys, and it's wonderful. So, is there time left for tortillas? Well, funny thing. He not only can create tortillas, he has this uncanny ability to create time.

Brenda: Nutritionist with 3 part time jobs (does that math even add up? I thought part-time is assumed to be a 1/2 deal). Business owner. Flight Attendant. The glue that holds the family together (that's a full-time commitment in itself). She's been in Salt Lake since February 1, in Flight Attendant training. Tim and I feel a little lost without her. She's shining, getting 100 percents on all her tests. She has 10-12 hour days, and she stays up late every night studying. Graduation is next week. Way to go Mom!

Me: Flight Attendant. Figuring out life (does that count as a full-time commitment?) I'm the one out of the team that has time on my hands, stuck in LA. A great place to be stuck: 75 degree days in February, 2 steps from the beach. I have my road bike, my beach cruiser, my books, and my cell phone always by my side, just in case "they" call. That call, to fly, only happens 4 times a month. Pretty nice, huh? Getting paid for hanging out at the beach. My challenge, is deciding when and how I will dedicate more of my time to tortillas.

This is how 100 percent Dad, Mom and I are behind this company...

It's called dedication when Brenda drives 2.5 hours, leaving at 4am, to get to Redondo so she can help me with Farmer's Market, so I don't have to run the booth alone. And, she worked at the hospital the night before till 11p.

It's called dedication when Tim flys all day, wakes up at 2am, drives down to Redondo to help with the market, and LOVES every minute of being there. And, every time, he even makes me a lunch. (Can I here an Ahhhhh?)

It's called dedication when we approach a potential market and we're told, "There's no space." So, we go back. And we go back. We go back until they say yes.

It's called dedication when people say they don't want to sample a tortilla, and we say, "They're really good!!!" They change their mind to a purchase.

It's called dedication when David takes his time to run the production operation.

It's called dedication when Tim has to fly at 4am, but stays up till 1am because he has to set up the recipe, mill the flour, and make sure that David and I will be able to handle production without him.

Seeing my Dad so incredibly enthusiastic about this company, even through hiccups and stress, is inspiring and motivating. Seeing my mom sacrificing her time to help us grow is an affirmation. Our team is crucial to our success. It's about being dedicated together, encouraging, supporting, and making sacrifices. We know it's worth the dedication.

Small Beginnings

Check Us Out!!!

The New Year has once again inspired us to take Created Whole Tortillas to a whole new level. This week we have been working on a press release that you can read by going to Bakersfield Life Online.

Also, a really exciting development for us is being part of the Redondo Beach Farmer's Market. Starting next week (if we get our LA county health permit by then) we will be a regular fixture.

Kara had talked to the manager of the RB market over a month ago, and at the time, the manager did not have a space available. Just this morning Kara decided to contact her again coming from a bit of a different angle. When people try the tortillas, it's assumed they will love them, so Kara took a pack to the market today to give to the manager. Kara talked briefly to the manager, gave her the tortillas, and Kara said she would be in touch in two weeks. Well, not even 4 hours later, the manager calls and says, "We have a spot for you, and you can start next Thursday. Your tortillas are great by the way..."

OF COURSE THEY ARE GREAT!!!

See you in Redondo Beach:)

Seasons of Change

Hey Friend,

Wow! Has it really been since July that we have posted some news on the blog? We are still excited about our vision with Created Whole. Right now we are in a season of decision making on how to proceed to build a successful company. Changes are happening at the bakery which may change production for us. We remain unworried and unfazed. Change can bring so many blessings. One must just be willing to adapt and accept the changes. I've been thinking a lot recently about where to take our baby company in 2010 and beyond. There are multiple answers to that question, and we will need to take some time to more thoroughly explore the options.

Tonight I read Jeremiah 29:11-14: "For I know the plans....plans to prosper...plans to give a hope...plans to give a future." For 2010, I'd like to claim the prosperous promises and apply to my life as well as the life of the company.

Happy Holidays,

-K

Want to Know What's Been Happening?

Many apologies for not keeping the die hard Created Whole Tortilla fans updated. Here, dear friends is the Cliff Notes version of what has been happening with the company:

1. Soquel Campmeeting- Spent 10 days sampling Created Whole Tortillas. Tasters found the tortillas great paired with Soy Curls. Yum!

2. Currently, Created Whole is offering Free Shipping for orders. Go to http://www.ordertortilla.com/.

3. Over the past month of Kara's new job as a flight attendant, she takes sample packs when she flys. The flight attendants and flight crew LOVE em'! She's realized that she always needs to be ready on reserve days with her uniform pressed and her tortillas in hand:)

4. Tim has been perfecting the website, coordinating production, and working on vendor agreements so that you can have Created Whole Tortillas at a store near you!

Why Tortillas?

People inevitably ask, "Why do you want to, or why are you starting a whole wheat tortilla business?" This idea of selling homemade, whole wheat tortillas was birthed over a year ago, but due to timing and other pressing crises, the tortilla didn't make it into the production stages. Over a year later, the tortilla is back at the forefront of the thoughts of my Mom, Brenda, Dad, Tim, and I (call us "The Three Amigos").

We, The Three Amigos, stew over how to get this product to market, and during these conversations, I doubt, thinking, "We wanted to do this last year, so what is going to make this different this year? Why will it work now?" The fear brings on discouragement, and I question if this is really the route God wants us to take. Interestingly, I was reading my Bible, and I came across this passage: 2 Corinthians 8:10-12. I blinked a couple times, wondering if I had read the verse correctly. I was so impressed that God was speaking directly to me. He was addressing my fears, knowing my thoughts, and seeing my heart. He cares. Not only about this tortilla venture, but about all ventures.

From the research we have conducted, we are confident that this business will be successful for many reasons, some of which include the following:

• There is a need to improve the currently available whole wheat tortilla products.


• Tortillas are one of the fastest growing grain products on the market.


• People want convenience food items that are both healthy, affordable, and great tasting.


• Timing of entry fits in with 2009 Trends.
  
  
• Positive response from test markets.