What is considered healthy? Do a quick search online and you’ll be greeted with multiple articles, podcasts, food services, and recipes that claim to be healthy. But are they really?
This is what the Baron Method, a nutritional and coaching food education firm by Harvie and Eizza De Baron, has been trying to assess. What started as a two-person team has evolved into a company that boasts of multiple clients and patients.
Why is that so? Because it is simple, it works, and it can change lives. They believe that food is medicine and that it can help heal the body. The logic is simple: Choose quality ingredients, prepare them at home, and in the process of following protocols, you give your body the fighting chance to perform at its best and then heal itself.
But can we agree on one thing, healthy or not? We don’t always want to cook at home and we don’t always want to plan our meals in advance. Sometimes, it’s not even an issue of want, but just that we really can’t. Eizza and her Baron Method-charged household feels the same way. “Sometimes, you just want to order in.” This eventually led to a new venture with the rest of the team.
The perfect partnership
Enter chef Robby Goco—the man behind Cyma, Souv by Cyma, Green Pastures, Cangrejos Locos, and Calle Brewery—who met Harvie through one of his restaurants.
Harvie was such a regular customer that it was inevitable for the two to meet. Harvie then introduced the Baron Method to Goco and he started following the program right away.
“I lost a lot of weight and had a better mood as well. My wife, Aliza, and our kids joined in. The best part was when I saw one of my daughters, who has food allergies, finally enjoy her food,” he says.
“[Sourced Kitchen is] for people who want something new aside from the low-salt, low-sugar, ‘artificial-sweetener-is-the-path-to-healthy’ type of thing. This is a fresh take on what real healthy food is,” says Eizza De Baron.
Goco was no stranger to various diets but he was happy with the Baron Method because he was able to eat carbs—good carbs eaten at the right time. “I didn’t feel deprived. Rather, I feel full and satisfied. I felt more energetic and that I was investing in my health.”
“Last year, Harvie approached me and mentioned that he built a commissary and would like me to lead it,” shares Goco. “I saw how beneficial the Baron Method was with my family and would love [for] other families to experience the same.”
Then, Sourced Kitchen: No-Compromise Cuisine was born, targeted to anyone who truly values their health. “Someone who doesn’t just look at calorie counting as the end all, be all for being healthy,” adds Eizza. “Or even for people who want something new aside from the low-salt, low-sugar, ‘artificial-sweetener-is-the-path-to-healthy’ type of thing. This is a fresh take on what real healthy food is.”
Developing flavors and the menu
When we hear that a dish is healthy, we already have a few reservations such as “Oh, it’ll taste bland,” “It tastes like cardboard,” and “For sure I won’t be satisfied.” But you’ll be surprised by Sourced Kitchen.
“We’ve seen so many food deliveries out there that claim to be healthy, but they starve you, which is not good for your health. They just adhere to antiquated thinking when it comes to nutrition that healthy means no oil and no salt, without looking at the quality of the ingredients,” says Eizza.
“Most of our ingredients are sourced locally, like coconuts and rice,” Goco shares. “We utilized ingredients that boost immunity such as ginger, turmeric, and lemon; and removed ingredients that cause inflammation such as gluten, dairy, and soy. You’ll be surprised that our food has no soy products yet is just as flavorful.”
Again, we see the philosophy of Baron Method at play—food as medicine and in this case, supplements to great health.
“I would describe the menu as ‘flavors of the land,’’’ says Goco. “The flavors are familiar, and mostly Southeast Asian. I’m especially proud of our Hainanese chicken and rendang.” This alone already tells you that there will be no scrimping on quality and taste with such complex dishes on the menu.
“Most of our ingredients are sourced locally, like coconuts and rice,” Robby Goco shares. “We utilized ingredients that boost immunity such as ginger, turmeric, and lemon; and removed ingredients that cause inflammation such as gluten, dairy, and soy. You’ll be surprised that our food has no soy products yet is just as flavorful.”
“Hawker cuisine tends to focus on what’s available in abundance around them, travels well, and always packs a flavor punch. I approached this menu the same way but following the Baron Method,” he explains.
Browsing their menu made my mouth water. Items like birria beef tacos made with organic ingredients and grass-fed beef? I was completely sold. They also have shawarma rice dishes with the choice of beef, chicken, lamb, or when you can’t decide—all types of meat.
“The items are designed to travel well, stored in the refrigerator for a few days, and then reheated,” says Goco. The current menu features full meal sets that are good for four to five persons. “Unlike many healthy food delivery options available that serve one person’s meals for a day, ours is meant to be shared with your entire family, so they become part of your journey towards better health.”
Safety protocols and practices
In the middle of the pandemic or not, Baron Method and now, Sourced Kitchen, always follow strict protocols for food preparation. “Our meats, fruits, and vegetables are ozonated,” says Goco. “In a nutshell, these ingredients are submerged in water with an ozonator machine, then contaminants such as microbes and trace pesticides float to the surface to be discarded. Ozonating not only cleans our ingredients physically and chemically, but it extends the shelf life of food as well.”
“To sanitize our equipment, we use a solution of chlorine dioxide. Chlorine dioxide is a food-grade, non-toxic, eco-friendly antimicrobial solution,” he adds. And of course, the entire time they are fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.
The future is ‘healthy’
“With the pandemic predicted to persist for another few years, healthier food delivery options will only keep growing. People want the convenience of having food delivered to their homes yet still have the food contribute to their overall well-being,” says Goco matter-of-factly.
“I’d love for this concept to grow, and eventually have its own physical store. But for now, we’re excited for everyone to try it out. We’re starting off with morning and evening juices (another Baron Method staple), and the family meals. Once this takes off, we’ll expand our product line to better cater to the growing needs of our clients.” Sourced Kitchen is available through organics.ph, an online store that features Baron Method-approved items.