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How Factor Will Help My Brother Recover from Knee Surgery

Mary Zubritsky
ByMary ZubritskyMay 28, 2023 | 2 comments

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Every family has their own genetic health issues and one of ours happens to be knee problems. My grandmother had bad knees, my dad had to have his kneecaps replaced from running, my mom needs new knees (but she keeps delaying the surgery), and just a few weeks ago, my brother tore his ACL playing soccer. Now, my knees often crack and hurt from running as well, but I think my feet have taken the brunt of the impact, and they're scary.

My brother text us last week to let us know that he's having surgery this week and won't be able to play soccer or run for at least six months, and as a complete health freak and fitness fanatic, it's really going to impact his mental health. So, my dad offered to fly out to Las Vegas (that's where he lives) to take care of him before, during and after the surgery, but my brother said he doesn't want the extra company, and his friends will come help out. Does that mean he'll send them to Whole Foods, Sprouts and Trader Joe's every day to pick up his must-have supply of brussels sprouts salad, kombucha and low-carb snacks? Very doubtful. My dad, stepmom, mom and sister all gathered together a few nights ago to figure out how we could help him from afar, and I decided to send him a subscription to Factor for the month of February!

"Well, what is Factor?" they asked. Factor will send him chef-prepared gourmet meals that he can heat up in his microwave in two minutes flat. Crafted with fresh and healthy ingredients, these meals are cooked perfectly beforehand, and then shipped to his doorstep for an easy and convenient alternative to hobbling out to The Strip on crutches.

Does Factor Offer Meals He Will Actually Eat?

You know what they say... beggars can't be choosers. And well, my brother is PICKY with a capital P and he's a total health nut, so our tastes are not similar all. Since I know he's all about low-carb, low-cal, and freshness, I wondered if I could find meals to make him happy. Thankfully, Factor offers keto, vegan, vegetarian, and calorie smart meals in addition to all of the other options. Each week you can pick up to 18 chef-prepared meals from their weekly menu with 2-3 of their options changing on a weekly basis. This gives you the opportunity to re-order meals you loved and try new ones as they come out!

Factor delivers to all 48 lower contiguous states and your meals will arrive in a chilled box and packaged in recyclable materials. You do not need to be home to receive your box as your meals should stay cold in their insulated box for quite a while. And while they do arrive chilled, they are never frozen, so you can chill out knowing that you are receiving the freshest meals possible.

What Did I Order?

Since he'll be laid up for a few weeks with minimal exercise or movement, I made sure to stock up on meals that were heavy in protein, low in carbs, and closely followed the Keto Diet for the first week following surgery. Here are five of the items I chose.

The perfect balance between spicy and savory, this dish comes with a fire-grilled chicken breast—seasoned with jalapeño powder, smoked black pepper, garlic, and lime—and topped with pickled jalapeños, cheddar, and scallions. It’s served with a creamy cilantro-cumin sauce and includes a side of cauliflower rice infused with cream cheese, jalapeños, onions, and cilantro.

The perfect wintertime dish, even when it's a little warmer on the desert. This juicy pork tenderloin (brined with whole grain mustard, rosemary and apple cider vinegar) is sliced and served on top of creamy, cheesy cabbage that's sauteed with onion and comes alongside a serving of garlic butter green beans.

What guy doesn't love a good steak? Especially when it fits perfectly into the Keto Diet! This hearty beef tenderloin is marinated in roasted garlic oil, scallion, chives, and smoked black pepper, and then it’s fire-grilled and roasted to perfection. The filet is served atop a bed of savory parmesan-creamed spinach and it comes with a side of roasted broccolini and herb butter.

Since he loves spices, I ordered this beachy, low carb take on Baja fish tacos. The oven-roasted salmon is marinated in orange and lime juices and aromatic spices and served over spicy cilantro cauliflower rice. It also comes with a side of roasted broccoli topped with chili garlic butter and tangy jalapeño lime crema.

It's an Italian meal without the carb-heavy noodles! Factor chefs whipped up a creamy basil tomato turkey ragù, topped it with herbed ricotta for even more creaminess, and then added a parmesan walnut crumble for extra crunch. It also comes with a side of roasted zucchini with basil and kale pesto, and garlicky steamed spinach.

Can Factor Work for You?

Factor is easy and convenient, but sometimes convenience comes at a heftier price. If you're looking to feed a family, Factor may not be the best option for you ($$$$), but if you're busy with school, work and barely have time to think—let alone cook—then this pre-cooked weekly meal kit would work for you!

It's perfect for my brother because he won't be able to cook or run out for ingredients, and he'll probably be too hopped up on his antibiotics to think straight. Oh, if you know him, don't tell him I told the world about his surgery, or about the delicious meals coming his way!

Mary Zubritsky
Mary Zubritsky

If shopping were an Olympic sport, I’d be a gold medalist. And while my bank account often feels the crunch, I just can’t stop buying secondhand clothing and accessories, under-the-radar designer goods, stuffed animal unicorns (I have about 75), and toys for my pet bunny rabbit. After 20 years of city slicking in NYC and DC, I now have a car and love to tour the Virginia countryside looking for vintage shops, undiscovered wineries and breweries, historic sites, and Thai restaurants—I’m addicted to Thai food. I never leave home without a spare phone charger because I love horror movies and therefore have an irrational fear of being stranded somewhere with a dead battery. 


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2 comments

Jody

Mary this is comedy. I just finished eating the Jalapeno Lime Cheddar Chicken for lunch. Delish. This is the best prepared meal kit I have ever eaten. They are so good. I cook all the time so I am picky with takeout food.
I never had keto meals before but I just picked meals that sounded good. I don’t follow any type of diet either but enjoy getting my fill of protein for the day.

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Mary Zubritsky

Hi Jody! So, you loved it! That’s great. Keto definitely takes some time to get used to and Factor seems so easy. I’ll spare everyone his pics post-op. 🙂

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