DONUTS
! GO PRO
Howdy Nutrition takes the guilt out of satisfying one ’ s sweet tooth
By ABBY GRACE COOPER
Shortly after Iris Marie had her third child , she felt out of shape and lacked energy . “ The more kids you pile on , the more energy you need to keep up with them ,” she says . That changed when she was introduced to Herbalife , a worldwide nutritional and weight management company , and completed health challenges that motivated her to live a healthier lifestyle . “ Not only did I get results physically , but I got results mentally . I got the energy I was looking for and it was something that felt doable as a mom .”
The more active Iris became , the more involved she wanted to help others improve their health and fitness goals . When she and her husband Fernando Ruiz moved to the Bryan College Station area shortly prior to the pandemic , they felt isolated from their new neighbors . Their solution was to start their own business that would incorporate health and wellness . “ I felt that this would be an awesome way to get to know my community and bring something to the table as well ,” Iris says .
This challenge birthed the idea for Howdy Nutrition , a home business that offers healthy meal replacement shakes , energizing refreshers , iced coffee , and protein donuts and waffles .
Howdy Nutrition combines healthy ingredients with different nutritional supplements and protein powder to create housemade recipes . Customers have the option for curbside pick-up from her home or free delivery . Iris hopes to eventually expand to a storefront business .
Howdy Nutrition offers 10 flavors of their speciality protein donut , called a pronut . Similar to a classic donut shop , a single , double , half-dozen , or full-dozen pronuts can be purchased to satisfy one ’ s morning sweet tooth . Iris uses monk fruit sweetener , coconut flour , and almond flour in her recipes to make them healthy and guilt-free . “ My kids actually prefer them now and think that regular donuts are too sweet . It ’ s a nice thing as a parent to have the option to give your kids and yourself — something we want while not having to feel guilty about the ingredients ,” Iris says .
The entrepreneur is in the process of perfecting and introducing baked goods , such as protein cookies and bites , to Howdy Nutrition ’ s menu to provide more of a snack option , in addition to the featured smoothies , which serve as meal replacements . Currently , anything on the menu can be prepared gluten-free .
Iris has enjoyed establishing a business in a college town that swaps a guilt-filled snack for a healthy option and has also encountered a lot of mothers who feel the same way she did prior to making a lifestyle change . “ Not only can I reach college students with the nutrition aspect of it , but I can help fellow moms who need this energy , who need this health boost , whose kids want to go to the local donut shop for breakfast ,” she says . IN
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