Recap: In August 2023, we decided to pause the company while we work with our US suppliers on labels and a process to sticker what we sell.
We needed our suppliers to start saying Yes (it's like say yes to the dress, but the dress in point in Canada). Then we need to work on the process and logistics and then finally bring them on to our store!
We also need to make sure this time around that we are slow, steady and profitable. What this means for you, is we will bring back one brand at a time, in smaller quantities. Our shipping policy is $7.99 flat rate and free over $150. I know that it may be a harder cart with a smaller selection, which is why we kept the flat rate shipping at 7.99.
We decided to have meetings with each owner / founder, one at a time. My heart was racing before these meetings because they had to say yes to Canada - which does require some extra work for them. While we can help them, there is some work they need to do on their own and some dollars they need to invest.
Kaizen Pasta said yes!
Keto Brick said yes!
JOI said yes!
The Keto Chow team said yes and they are progressing! There in progress! We expect to bring Keto Chow shakes back in 2024! If you have a flavour that you like, email us at contact@switchgrocery.com or post in our FB group - Switchers.
We also have some stock left of baking mixes, oat milk creamer, superfoods and salt, and are running a private sale. We are packing these orders ourselves and we're putting a SwitchGrocery sticker in every box when you order from this sale! Every things we sell from this stock goes directly towards Flip The Switch!
I am back on social media today! I love the What's In & What's Out trend for 2024 versus setting a list of goals!
Thank you for being here. Thank you for your support as we Flip The Switch.
Neha & Bryan
Check out our store here.
]]>
Effective now, everything is 30% off as part of this change. Update: we have now updated our store to 50% off! Prices reflect the discount. We are doing no refunds, exchanges or store credits as a part of this final sale. I'm so sorry but SwitchRewards are no longer able to be used as well.
In this blog post, I explain why this is happening and answer any questions I think you will have. If you prefer to watch a video, you can watch a 7 minute video where I explain everything.
SwitchGrocery was selected for a regulatory review.
The good news. We got through our audit. We have all the quality documentation from our suppliers that we need. We have strong internal controls at our warehouse in our receiving, pick and pack, and storage processes. We have a Preventative Control Plan in place that we are proud of. And we are proud to share with our customers we have a strong culture and commitment to food safety.
The challenging news. There is a federal requirement for bilingual labelling for food products, and many of the US brands we import do not meet this requirement.
Now, please note that we had always planned to continue to work with our suppliers to achieve this. However with rising costs, inflation, etc this was put on the back burner.
However, as a result of this audit and internal discussions, the time has come that this needs to be corrected going forward before we import products from the U.S.
We are in conversations with our suppliers. Some of them will be able to execute this change within 3 - 6 months. Some will choose not to sell in Canada as a result of the cost investment.
We are pausing our store for the next 3 - 6 months, as we work individually with our US suppliers and on the next stage of SwitchGrocery.
We also want to take this opportunity to
1. take a break
2. focus on a slower and more profitable comeback.
Why? Because we are seeing a significant impact on profitability where even by increasing prices, our cost structure (shipping, fulfillment, marketing) continues to increase.
I think that means coming back as a store with less selection and a slower pace.
Why was SwitchGrocery selected for this regulatory review?
Our understanding is that this enforcement was meant to happen in 2020; however with COVID-19, it was postponed. We understand that anyone who has an importer's license will be subjected to a similar review.
Why did the US brands not have this labelling in place?
I can't speak for US brands. What I can say is that the cost - benefit could contribute to such a decision. There is a cost of translation, review of the label for Canadian requirements, printing of labels, the labour to stick on the label. This has to be balanced with pricing and volume considerations.
We are in conversations with our US brands and they will work to correct labelling or make a decision to not sell in Canada.
What about the Canadian brands you carry?
We sell some incredible Canadian brands. Many of these brands are also sold in other stores or Amazon Canada. I ask that you continue to support / buy from them.
This is something I'm super sad about, but also realize that our U.S. brands do contribute a larger % of revenue, as many of those brands are carried exclusively by SwitchGrocery in Canada.
Where can I shop for the foods I want?
For US brands, you can contact them directly and they will give you an update on the label process and timeline. I know in ordering directly from the US, you can be served customs fees. I'm sorry but we are unable to help with that. Our preliminary estimates for label updates are 3 - 6 months.
For Canadian brands, you can use store locator and find a store near you, search on Amazon Canada or order from their site.
This is so unfair!
I agree. I don't think there is a level playing field for small grocery stores to compete with the larger grocery stores. We are an independent grocery store. We don't charge listing fees (i.e. a fee charged by larger retailers to carry products on shelf). All the brands we carry are small-mid size brands. The additional complication here is that label requirements do contribute to increased costs. With the current inflation, it is challenging for small - mid size brands to make this investment because ultimately someone has to pay for it.
I also have yet to understand why as part of USMCA (United States Mexico Canada Agreement, the new NAFTA, North American Free Trade Agreement), why there isn't alignment on labelling in all 3 countries to encourage free flow of goods across the borders.
I can spend time talking about the state of the food industry that I have had a inside out look at for the past 7 years.
Or I can look forward, work with our suppliers and do the best I can do with what I have. This is what I plan to do. Look forward. Flip the Switch.
How is your team doing?
SwitchGrocery is a family owned business and a small team. We are very sad that we have to pause our store. This decision was very hard to arrive at and it has impacted livelihoods and jobs. We know our team will be okay because they are smart, kind, capable and have learned an incredible set of skills working at SwitchGrocery that they will take to their next jobs.
How are your suppliers doing?
We are still having conversations with our suppliers as this all happened fast. It is sad, that is all I will say. A business is so much more than money - it is a network of people, materials, labour, dollars, taxes and pausing our store impacts this network.
How are you personally doing?
Thank you for asking this. First of all, I am personally so grateful to our customers. You have been with us for 7 years and we have built quite the business together. It's of mix of sadness and optimism. There's some frustration, anger, tears. There's also gratitude and hope. Every company goes through its own journey and this pause will be important for us as founders to evaluate our company and how we can come back stronger.
How can we support you?
There are 3 ways that you can support us.
1. We would love if you took advantage of our store pausing sale of 30% off. This will help us a lot! I would sincerely appreciate if you can share this sale as we post it on social media. Please note: We are doing no refunds, exchanges or store credits as a part of this final sale. I'm so sorry but SwitchRewards are no longer able to be used.
2. We would love for you to stay in touch with us. Here is our Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter accounts. Please pick 1 - 2 places to follow us where you live!
3. Come to our last Live Weekly show on August 15th, 2023. I'll be live on all platforms Tuesday 8:15pm ET / 5:15pm PT.
4. Be there when we Flip the Switch!
What's your plan?
We will sell down everything we have. Then we will pause the store. Work behind the scenes for the next 3 - 6 months with our suppliers and on our operations. Take a vacation maybe? I'll keep you posted.
Final thoughts
We are so grateful to the people who have stood by our company, supported our company, supported us as co-founders, attended our meetups, left us reviews, emailed a kind word, shown us patience. You have helped create a beautiful legacy and we are forever grateful to you. Honestly, we lucked out. We have the best customer friends.
Which is why we are so heavily motivated to come back. It's time to Flip The Switch!
Neha & Bryan
Shop our store pausing sale.
We love you!
Last Live Show with more details
]]>What do the people want? "Individual serving packets of oat milk?" "an oat creamer?" "Coffee creamer packets" The company, JOI has already made the best nut milk base (no refrigeration, long shelf life).
Now, they've come out with Single Serve, Oat Milk Coffee Creamer Packets and you can get it in a 10 pack!
Add one serving into 6 fl oz of coffee or into an espresso
- Mix 1 or 2 packets into 6 fl oz of water, stir or froth, add to coffee or espresso
Who should try this - Coffee Lovers, Tea Lovers, Matcha Lovers
If you love a bag of satisfying crunchy snacks, you will love this!
✅ no seed oil ✅ low sugar ✅ clean ingredients
"I loved the new hazelnut fudge squares! Great addition to the functional fudge line up. The roasted hazelnuts were a treat. It’s hard to find alternatives for hazelnut here, and this one is perfect. Thanks Alice for creating this new flavour!"
"Blume please make this a permanent blend! I say this in every review but honestly I think this is my new favourite. Nice and sweet with such a fun beautiful pink colour. I have tried it both hot and cold and it’s perfect both ways. Now to get some ice cream and try it in a milkshake. 😊"
New Flavour Release! This is a limited edition Summer Drink Flavour from Blume, a Canadian company that makes delicious caffeine free and dairy free lattes made with ingredients you can pronounce.
What does it taste like?
What does it taste like?
"Wow so in love with this flavour. It has to be my favourite so far. It tastes just like birthday cake but not too intense. I’ve had it both hot and cold…cold is sooo nice if you have a sweet tooth and want a little dessert in the evening! I’m going to have to order more before it runs out."
"The vanilla smell will hit you the moment you open the bag!"
Why Blume?
If you haven't tried Blume, it's time! Blume has made incredible caffeine free dairy free blends. Check them out here. I love even blending them in my coffee some days.
✅ caffeine free ✅ refined sugar free ✅ certified organic ✅ plant based ✅ gluten free ✅ keto-friendly ✅ certified organic
Check out all our new launches here.
]]>You asked and we're delivering! We are constantly asked to carry more snack options on Switch!
So we're bringing Farm Girls newest cereal, a made in Canada keto friendly and sugar free Honey Nut O cereal!
Who should try this - this is for when you're missing that comforting bowl of cereal you loved as a kid.
If you love a bag of satisfying crunchy snacks, you will love this!
✅keto friendly ✅ low carb ✅ diabetic-friendly ✅ no seed oil ✅ no sugar
New Flavour Release! This is one of Keto Brick's most anticipated flavours. After how popular Blueberry Muffin was at KetoCon 2023, they went even further and created Banana Muffin!
What does it taste like?
Banana Muffins! Because of the Macadamia Nut Butter used in this, it's so creamy while not overpowering the Banana muffin flavour!
Why you'll love it?
This is for you if you love the comforting banana muffin flavour but without all of the other stuff that comes with them!
Watch Joe & Rachel from 2KrazyKetos try Keto Brick Banana Nut.
New Flavour Release! Keto Chow has come out with new versions of Strawberry & Vanilla!!!
What does it taste like?
These are creamier and an upgrade from the current strawberry and vanilla.
Why you'll love it?
EARLY REVIEWS - "I did a side by side of the shakes (vanilla vs vanilla cream, and strawberry vs strawberry cream) and they're both leagues different compared to the old formula."
"It's the perfect strawberry flavor imo - as a shake, it tastes similar to the nesquik strawberry milk (are those still available? I haven't seen them since I was a kid) which is pretty nostalgic too. As ice cream Chef's kiss."
Watch Chris from Keto Chow introduce Strawberry Cream and Vanilla Cream!
Shop all our New Launches here!
Thank you,
Neha, Brie & the SwitchGrocery team
]]>
You asked and we're delivering! We are constantly asked to carry more snack options on Switch. And we’ve been on a cracker bending spree of trying ALL the low carb crackers!
So we’re bringing to you tried and tasted Phat Crackers in 2 flavours: Original and Cheddar and a new tasting pack where you get 2 of each to try!
Who should try this - This is for the cheese lovers, gluten free, low carb friends.
If you love a bag of satisfying crunchy snacks, you will love this!
✅ gluten free ✅keto friendly ✅ low carb ✅ diabetic-friendly ✅ no seed oil ✅ no sugar or sweetener ✅ no junk ingredients ✅ woman owned
How to use:
Charcuterie board or clearly right out of the bag!
Find it here!
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you!
New flavour release: This is one of the most anticipated flavours! Birthday Cake. Just in time for the founder, Chris Bair’s birthday! This is a limited edition flavour - Birthday Cake and comes in single servings only right now.
The big question: What does it taste like?
“It smells like batter” “wow that tastes like you’re going to have an entire shake of licking the bowl while you’re making a cake” - Rachel from 2KrazyKetos
“It tastes like you took vanilla frosting and birthday cake and you whipped it up and turned it into a birthday cake” - Joe from 2KrazyKetos
“It tastes like frosting” - Serious Keto
Tasting Vibes: Vanilla, Sweet, Frosting, Cake Batter
Why you’ll love it:
This is a true summer birthday cake but in a healthier option!
Who should try it:
Cake lovers, Vanilla lovers, Frosting lovers, Cake Batter Lovers! Don't forget the whipped cream!
Live Taste Test:
Watch Joe & Rachel from 2KrazyKetos taste test the new flavour!
BONUS
We know you love launches together and if you have not tried Kaizen Rice, I have NO WORDS! Arash from ShredHappens on Instagram and TikTok, created long grain "rice" out of lupin flour. It's perfection, to the point it has sold out. We just got word our restock is on a UPS truck and it's officially in Canada, so it's back in stock!
Listen to Arash talk ALL about his pasta and rice below. We kept selling out of the pasta and so now we have more in stock to make sure we keep it for you!
We MAY have it back in stock by the time we launch on Thursday night, which means you can get birthday cake, crackers, rice ALL at once - sweet and savoury!
Stay tuned!
Thank you,
Neha, Brie & the SwitchGrocery team
]]>
Here's how it works:
Kaizen Food Company is THE low-carb pasta company that has taken the food industry by storm. They're committed to producing healthy and tasty pasta alternatives for those who want to lead a healthy lifestyle without compromising on taste.
Arash Hashemi is the co-founder of Kaizen Food Company, which specializes in creating innovative, low-carb, lupin bean pasta alternatives.
Arash is also a food and recipe influencer (@ShredHappens), as well as an accomplished Ironman triathlete.
Kaizen Food Company launched it's lupin flour based pasta in 2022 and has made, with the help of customer feedback, the closest low carb and keto friendly pasta alternative you can find!
Today, Kaizen Food sells 3 pasta shapes and one rice.
The pasta and rice low-carb and high-fiber content make it a great option for those following a keto or low-carb diet. Plus, it's kosher, vegan and vegetarian-friendly, so everyone can enjoy its delicious taste and health benefits.
Kaizen has JUST launched their new rice. This rice has it all, it's low carb and keto friendly, gluten free, vegan and kosher!
The rice comes in an 8oz bag, with 4 servings per package. Additionally, the product is Kosher certified, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
In recent years, more and more people have become conscious of their dietary choices and are looking for healthier options that align with their lifestyle. The rise of low-carb, plant-based, and gluten-free diets has led to a demand for alternative pasta options that can still satisfy cravings while adhering to specific dietary needs.
Kaizen Food Company's lupin flour-based pasta offers a solution for those looking for a healthy pasta option that is low in carbs, high in protein, vegan and gluten-free . Not only does it cater to those with specific dietary needs, but it also provides a guilt-free and nutritious option that people can enjoy without compromising on taste or texture.
By offering a keto-friendly, plant-based, and gluten-free rice and pasta alternative, Kaizen Food Company is contributing to the growing trend of healthier eating habits and catering to those who prioritize their health and wellness.
Find Kaizen Pasta and Rice here at SwitchGrocery Canada.
]]>This blog covers all the information about Keto Chow Chai Latte, what you need to know! It is available on SwitchGrocery at 7:30am on April 28th, Friday morning!
It has ACTUAL spices in it - nutmeg, all spice and cardamom to make the perfect chai flavour. Rachel is right, the chai spices have to be just perfect and the composition and quantities are important.
2Krazyketos Joe and Rachel worked on this flavour for 1 year!!!!!! They had to reformulate several times as there was an acacia shortage, a change to the magnesium in Keto Chow (which changed the taste again) and the testing of the spices was key!
According to Rachel - “I love chai lattes so for me this is going right in step with my love for coffee and chai but WITHOUT coffee or caffeine”
This is for all the chai lovers!
Coffee lovers can mix this in coffee it’s delicious!
Eggnog lovers will love this flavour!
If you don't like spice or chai, this flavour is not for you!
2Krazyketos tested it 4 ways - ice cream, melted butter, heavy cream, and wait for it - warmed up chai latte!
According to them, butter brings out the flavour, cream mutes the flavour a bit, the spices are amazing in ice cream. The BEST WAY they like Keto Chow Chai Latte is warmed up with whipped cream!!!
This is another key only 1 net carb per serving and 2 total carbs per serving!!!
Joe and Miriam from 2KrazyKetos talk to Miriam and Chris from Keto Chow about the work that went into building out this flavour!
You can shop Keto Chow Chai Latte Friday, April 28 at 7:30am in Canada. Available in single serves!
Absolutely!!!! We just launched 2 new cookies from Keto Kookie - Brownie Bae and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut and restocked our 3 pack best seller which has Stuffed Peanut Butter Cup, Red Velvet White Chocolate, and Half Dip Shortbread!
Read more about the launch here and shop Keto Kookies to add to your cart here!
]]>
The cookies are made right here in Toronto, Ontario, Canada by Keto Kookie Co. Lydia Girges started the business in January 2021 and Keto Kookie's signature is making ready to eat soft baked cookies and mini cakes.
Lydia has brought delicious, healthy cookies to the market that have incredible flavours like:
And today we launch 2 more delicious flavours at SwitchGrocery ready to eat Keto Cookies that will ship across Canada:
What makes Keto Kookie Cookies different?
We tried many different cookies before launching these. They key is the innovation in different flavours. Stuffed Peanut Butter actually has stuffed peanut butter INSIDE it (this is Bryan's favourite!). Half Dip Shortbread is Neha's favourite. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut - like WOW! These are innovative and as Neha likes to call it luxurious flavours and Lydia really wanted people to FEEL like they are eating a true real dessert.
Are Keto Kookie cookies healthy?
With ingredients like almond flour, coconut flour, Keto Kookie cookies are sweetened with erythritol and stevia. Healthy is in the eyes of the beholder but Lydia’s mission was to make delicious cookies without flour or sugar.
Will Keto Kookies cookies increase blood sugar?
We encourage everyone to test their own blood glucose / blood sugar after trying the cookies. As someone with a1c in the pre-diabetes range, Neha has tested her blood sugar using the Abbott Freestyle Libre and her blood sugar was within range. However, everyone has a really individual response to different kinds of foods and so we always ask anyone with pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes or Type 1 diabetes to test their blood sugar 1 hour and 2 hours after eating a Keto Kookie Cookie.
What’s that cooling taste in my mouth when I try the Keto Kookie cookies?
That’s the erythritol. Yes it’s a cooling effect but it’s also what gives the cookie the no sugar added benefit. If you are not used to that, these cookies may not be here for you.
Can I eat Keto Kookie cookies every day?
Yes! Absolutely. Each cookie ranges from 2 to 5 net carbs. Some customers love to slice or enjoy ½ a cookie at a time.
Who is Keto Kookie Co and Lydia?
So glad you asked. Read more about them in this Toronto Sun Article. Keto Kookie and SwitchGrocery are female owned and operated and we're really proud of that.
Where can I buy Keto Kookie cookies?
You can buy Keto Kookie cookies here at SwitchGrocery. We ship them to your door!
Lydia also has a local shop in Etobicoke where you can find her cakes and more desserts!
I want to watch a live taste test before I buy?
You are in luck! Neha interviews Lydia and taste tests all 5 flavour live. Watch the video below.
]]>
truLOCAL is a subscription box that delivers locally sourced meats to customers across Canada. With a focus on convenience, quality, and customization, truLOCAL has become a go-to for people who want to enjoy delicious, healthy meat without the hassle of grocery shopping or worrying about where their food comes from.
We've asked truLOCAL and other customers and the #1 reason people stick with truLOCAL is the convenience. You can set up an order and never think abouy it again - get your meats delivered right to your door every month.
But convenience and quality aren't the only things that make truLOCAL stand out. Their customization options allow customers to change their box every month, ensuring you always get the meats you want. And by supporting local farmers, truLOCAL is not only delivering quality products but also helping to support local communities.
truLOCAL was one of the first online meat delivery Companies in Canada, they were the original and they still do it the best. They also have an amazing selection of meats, whether it's organic, grass fed, wild caught fish and more. By sourcing meats direct from local farmers in Ontario, Alberta and BC, truLOCAL is able to make sure you get the highest quality freshest meat while supporting local.
truLOCAL offers a huge selection of high quality meat products sourced from local farmers in Ontario and Alberta.
Here are some of their most popular options:
From Ontario:
From Alberta:
Just like everything today, food costs have gone up. truLOCAL has made an effort to keep prices stable because you spend enough. With the option to change the contents your box monthly and change your delivery timing, this customization is a huge benefit to make sure you can make the most delicious foods.
Check our what others think:
"The meat is top-notch and the customer service is even better. I love that I can customize my box and change my subscription as needed."
"The quality of the meat is amazing and it's so convenient to have it delivered right to my door.”
truLOCAL is a great option for Canadians looking for high-quality, locally sourced meat delivered right to their doorstep and we are so excited to partner with them to introduce more Canadian's to this awesome company!
]]>Whether you want something crunchy, sweet or salty we got you covered. Nobody does diabetic snacks like we do and we test all our products to make sure that they don't have a major impact on our blood sugars.
Keep in mind that different foods affect everyone differently and you should always monitor your blood sugars to see how new products affect you personally.
What do we mean by a healthy snack? The term healthy can mean a lot of different things to many people.
As someone with diabetes the number one thing we look for is something that does not spike my blood sugars. Or, if it does spike my blood sugars, my numbers go back down to baseline within an hour of consuming a product.
So we look for something low in carbohydrates and has zero to a small amount of sugar per serving.
Secondly, we also look at calories, fat and protein. Sometimes we need something high in calories and fat to help us stay satiated for a busy day or a long workout.
Sometimes we look for something high in protein for after a long weight lifting session.
In any case, we got healthy snacks for type 2 diabetes, here are just a few of our diabetic snacks that we think you'll love.
All these crunchy diabetic snacks also hit the salty flavour profiles.
Eve's Crackers are delicious crackers that pack the crunch and flavour you want without all the other stuff!. When you want something crunchy and need something you can also scoop into your favourite low carb dips, Eve's Crackers are going to hit the spot. We have 3 different flavours like Black Sesame, Chili Pepper Pumpkin Seed, Cracked Pepper and Savoury Sunflower.
Snacker Yogi puffed lotus seeds are the perfect crunchy snack. Simple ingredients, low carb and so delicious! I would say the closest snack that would describe the texture of these delicious salty snacks would be popcorn. Definitely a healthier popcorn and diabetic snack. Made from lotus puffs and come in 3 flavours: Cheddar Cheese, Indian Spices and Turmeric.
Experience the goodness of puffed lotus seeds with anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric! Turmeric has a warm and earthy flavour to it and has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine as it is high in antibiotics! Enjoy as a delicious snack on its own or add some melted butter for an extra kick!
Whisps are the perfect diabetic snack, whether you're keto, low carb or just love delicious food! Whisps are made from 100% cheddar cheese, nothing else! They are made from rBGH-free milk and baked into the Whispy deliciousness you'll love!
Individually oven-baked, hand crafted cheese crunch batches, perfectly aged containing premium ingredients and baked for that savory crunch you love. Perfect snacks for a low carb diet and diabetic friendly diet.
Whisps come in 4 different flavours like Parmesan Cheese, Asiago & Pepper Jack, Cheddar Cheese and Tomato Basil.
Farm Girl Nut Based Cereals are the perfect crunchy snack that also hit's those sweet and salty notes. If you love eating cereal you will want to indulge in a bowl, without those empty carbs.
It’s perfect as a keto or low carb snack to eat on it's own, with milk or topped with Greek yogurt! It’s a must have in your pantry for a delicious low carb and diabetic snack.
We have 5 different flavours for you: Brown Butter Strawberry Banana, Ketomix Cinnamon Maple, KetoCrunch Salted Caramel, Chocolate and Cinnamon Banana.
Keto Bars makes super delicious bars with high quality ingredients. Why these bars? Purposeful and functional ingredients compared to other bars on the market with ingredients you may not recognize. The best snack for diabetes that I feel safe to enjoy because of the simple ingredients and clean ingredients. There is no cleaner low carb bar.
They come in a variety of flavours like: Chocolate Peanut Butter, Mint Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond or you can purchase all 3 flavours in a Variety Pack.
Mindful Monk Fudge Squares are the perfect low carb keto friendly heavenly chocolate treats. The most indulgent diabetic snack made with natural ingredients.
Mindful Monk was created after the founder went through health issues and learned about the impacts of sugar on our bodies. As a result, Mindful Monk was born! These delicious, handcrafted fudge squares use clean ingredients and are perfect for those on a keto or diabetic diet, or if you just want to reduce sugar in your life!
Diabetes can be challenging especially when you want to enjoy a snack without feeling left out. With these diabetic friendly snacks you can enjoy yourself without the stress of having those sugar highs and lows while keeping your levels steady. Don't forget that different foods affect everyone differently and you should always monitor your blood sugars to see how these snacks affect you personally.]]>
You can easily take them with you on the go, melt them down and turn them into bark. Our kiddo loves them too.
We have sold many Keto Bricks to Canadians, and in this blog, we wanted to share some news on pricing from Robert aka Keto Savage creator behind Keto Bricks. Then we'll get into pricing for Canada.
"I want to be brutally honest with all of you... When Crystal and I started the company back in 2018, we had no idea what we were doing. We made more mistakes than we would care to admit, and we learned a TON in the process. We had no idea how to price the Bricks, and we started off losing money as a result. As we grew, we could purchase ingredients in bulk and turn a profit. However, that profit has since diminished as all of our ingredient suppliers, shipping providers, and even software costs have increased over the past several years.
Since our inception in 2018, we have never once increased our prices on you. However, that doesn't mean our costs haven't dramatically increased during that same period. I've fought tooth and nail to keep our prices the same. I've invested a ton of my personal savings to keep our Brick prices stable, hoping that our downstream supplier costs will return to normal. Unfortunately, our ingredient costs, shipping costs, and software costs will not go back to normal. Everything keeps getting more expensive.
This leaves our company with three options:
1) Go out of business
2) Decrease the quality of the Bricks so that our prices can stay the same
3) Maintain our high-quality standards and charge more for the Bricks.
Truth be told, I don't want to go out of business, and I can't justify decreasing the quality of the Bricks because that would totally go against my values and why we created this business to begin with! As such, our prices will slightly increase..."
- Robert aka Keto Savage
We completely understand the rationale behind the Keto Brick team's decision and we hope our Customer Friends understand. We pay the Keto Brick team a wholesale price for the Bricks which has now increased, and then customs duties, shipping fees to us. And then of course our own warehouse costs.
This means unfortunately, we will have to increase our prices. We hope the value that Keto Bricks bring to your life stay and we will continue to find ways to save whether that is buy more save more (all orders over $450 get 10% off now) or value packs.
The price will increase from $16.99 to $18.99. For one week, from April 2nd to April 9th, we will keep the price at $16.99 if you'd like to pick up some Keto Bricks.
On April 9th after our sale ends, we will release new value packs for Keto Brick which will correspond to the Buy More and Save More philosophy. A larger order for us saves on shipping, packaging costs and you can share in those savings with us!
Grab some Keto Bricks at the $16.99 price for 1 week!
]]>Tissue, please! We are unbelievably honoured and touched to have been featured by truLOCAL, a company that we admire and value so incredibly much.
Getting your hands on locally-sourced, clean, and high quality meats (e.g. hormone- and antibiotic-free, grass-fed beef, and wild fish), fruit, vegetables, sides, and more without even leaving your home, has never been easier! truLOCAL is an amazing and innovative meat delivery service that lets you shop for clean, local protein online, delivered straight to your door.
Canadian Customer Friends, their services are currently available in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, with plans to expand all across Canada!
truLOCAL and SwitchGrocery go way back. It started when we googled local meat delivery companies and Marc (one of the co-founders) showed up at our door with our first box. From then on, we’ve remained so full of admiration with truLOCAL as we built our small businesses with aligned values and then now, navigating COVID-19.
1. The vision - To better convey our deep appreciation for truLOCAL, we visit our commitment to our Customer Friends. Our goal is to bring you great products we fully believe in, in the fastest way possible.
2. The change - The other side of this mission is, put simply, to disrupt the food industry. The food industry is dominated by large distributors, making it extremely hard for small businesses to share their products with us. We found that small suppliers make very innovative food products with a lot of care (which is why the big players often end up buying them out). Similarly truLOCAL found that farmers are the strength in their communities and care about the animals they raise and their customers.
truLOCAL nailed writing about our mission and values:
“[...] we truly admire the tight-knit community of “customer friends” that Neha and SwitchGrocery have fostered. This is a company that not only puts great products, from interesting suppliers, in the hands of consumers who may otherwise not have had that exposure – they’ve built a movement around it.”
We gravitate to truLOCAL and their team because they share our goals and values. The founders place so much emphasis on supporting and uplifting our community. They are disrupting the food industry not just through their convenient and quick delivery, but also by being TRANSPARENT about their supply chain. They connect you straight to the source of your meats -- to the farmers -- and beyond that -- to the butchers and the delivery drivers.
It took a pandemic for many of us to realize the VALUE of what we have in our own communities and the IMPORTANCE of uplifting these local businesses. truLOCAL has been ahead of the game for online convenience and shopping local, all of which makes for a stable supply chain that can support an entire community. Nothing beats the sense of personalization and care that comes with small, local businesses. I love their post-it notes.
So what happens when you combine truLOCAL with SwithGrocery? DELICIOUS food, made and curated with SO MUCH CARE!
Pairing the locally-sourced proteins from truLOCAL with the flavourful low-carb, keto-friendly, sugar-free, gluten-free, and preservative-free (all of the free!) spice blends from Jaswant’s Kitchen, we’ve created an array of crowd-pleasing, family-friendly eats!
Want to up your BBQ game? Check out our BBQ recipes!
Craving low carb and keto-friendly Indian takeout? We gotchu!
There is nothing more fulfilling than supporting and partnering with a company that understands and cares about community as much as Switch.
As small businesses tackle the next challenge, how to support the Black Lives Matter movement, truLOCAL established an Equal Opportunity Grant for black founders. It's easy to talk the talk with black screens but they are walking the talk and setting the standard for other small businesses to take on this movement. The grantees have incredible businesses:
Girls Gang Strong - is tackling bullying by providing a subscription box with 5 - 8 curated products for girls of all backgrounds and races to empower themselves, and love themselves.
Ohh Foods - is making snacks that are free of the top 10 allergens, bringing awareness to food allergies. This is true #inclusivesnacking
BLISS Skateboard Shop - only skateboard shop in Windsor-Essex County! Military woman, mom and skateboarder extraoardinaire owned.
Soungui Fitness - is uplifting and empowering youth in the Black community by teaching physical, mental and spiritual health, more important than ever during COVID-19.
In addition to everything that truLOCAL already does - delivering locally sourced meats to homes during COVID-19, the founders prioritized the Black Lives Matter movement, mobilized and executed (probably at night!) to make a change. They are a true inspiration.
There are few companies that truly care -- about partnerships, about their Customer Friends and the community -- and truLOCAL is 100%, one of those companies.
To learn more about what truLOCAL stands for and to place an order from them, head over to their Canadian website or their US website.
Read the full blog post truLOCAL wrote about us!
]]>NEW: What's the reason for increasing free shipping from $100 to $125?
Once you get to free shipping, we cover 100% of the shipping cost. At an average of $18 per order, it's easier for us to cover that cost if the order value is higher. Many of our customers place orders right above $100 right now, and $125 will give us some more margin for shipping.
Why is the $7.99 flat rate unchanged?
We want to do anything we can to keep costs as reasonable as possible and for our customers friends who want to place a "top up order" or new customer friends trying SwitchGrocery for the first time, our customers have REPEATEDLY told us they appreciate the $7.99.
In 2021, we offered free shipping as a test for all orders. This had some cool results that it lowered the bar for getting smaller items to try from SwitchGrocery, BUT it also increased the number of smaller shipments. The smaller shipments cost us as much in shipping as the product and are almost always at a net loss to the company. Unfortunately, this is not sustainable. This is why, our only ask for the $7.99 shipping fee is that the order is over $50.
Orders under $50 will have a shipping cost of $19.99.
NEW: You are adding in a 10% off automatic discount for orders over $450. Why?
Anytime we have a larger order, that helps our company because we use one box, less packaging materials, one shipping fee. We wanted to share this with our Customer Friends who have the cash flow to be able to place larger orders. You get this discount AUTOMATICALLY! No code is necessary.
Plus you know we love reducing our waste and saving our brown unsexy paper!
WE SEE YOU! Some online grocery stores do not ship to Remote Areas in Canada and even specific provinces. It's REALLY important for us to be able to service all Canadians and we pride ourselves on this. Shipping to you costs us approx $50 - $60 in some cases.
Our recommendation to you is order less frequently and a higher cart size. This will help you and us save on shipping fees and we can then cover more of the shipping costs through your order size.
Orders < $99, shipping is $29.99
Orders $100 - $249, shipping is $19.90
Orders Over $249, shipping is Free
I place a lot of online orders and my views about shipping fees have changed.
I commit to you that we DO NOT make money on shipping. We never have. We accept it as a cost of doing business.
Please email me at contact@switchgrocery.com if you have any questions.
- Neha, co-founder, SwitchGrocery
Keto Brick is a popular, high-quality, keto-friendly nutrition bar that has become a staple in the ketogenic community. But what makes Keto Brick special is not just the delicious nutrition bar itself, but the people behind the company. In this blog post, we'll explore the founders of Keto Brick, Robert Sikes and Crystal Love, and the story behind why they created the company.
Robert Sikes is a competitive bodybuilder and a passionate keto enthusiast who, along with Crystal Love, a registered nurse and fitness enthusiast, noticed a gap in the market for a high-quality, keto-friendly nutrition bar. They were frustrated with the lack of options available for people following a ketogenic diet and decided to create Keto Brick.
Keto Brick was founded with the mission of providing a high-quality, keto-friendly nutrition bar that could support the keto lifestyle. Robert and Crystal knew that people following a ketogenic diet needed a convenient and delicious option that could help them stay in ketosis while providing essential nutrients for the body.
The first iteration of Keto Brick was created in Robert's kitchen. He used high-quality, keto-friendly ingredients like grass-fed butter, MCT oil, and collagen protein to create a delicious and nutritious nutrition bar. The response from the ketogenic community was overwhelmingly positive, and Robert and Crystal knew they had something special on their hands.
Today, Keto Brick is a successful small business that offers several different flavors of their nutrition bar, all of which are made with high-quality ingredients and are keto-friendly. Robert and Crystal remain involved in every aspect of the business, from creating new flavors to interacting with customers.
The founders of Keto Brick, Robert Sikes (@KetoSavage) and Crystal Love (@LadySavage), saw a need in the market for a high-quality, keto-friendly nutrition bar. By using high-quality ingredients and staying true to their mission, Robert and Crystal have created a successful business that is loved by the keto community. Order your Keto Brick today and enjoy the many benefits of this delicious, high-quality nutrition bar.
]]>
SwitchGrocery has made Top 15 in Canada for the Odlum Brown Pitch 🎉 It's all thanks to your continued support. You've supported our shop, shopped with us repeatedly and I appreciate you!
The Semi-Finale is TODAY and Neha will be pitching our company to win $30,000! We would love to have more Google Reviews for the judges to read as more eyes will come on SwitchGrocery.
You can watch the Semi-Final live here - link to register.
1. We'd like to increase Google reviews to over 250
At January 26, 2023 - 206 reviews. 44 to go!
2. Increase Product Reviews to 4,000
At January 26, 2023 - 3,813 reviews. 187 to go!
These reviews increase our ranking in the Google Search Engine, help the judges learn more about our company through your eyes.
Google Reviews
Leave us 1 google review.
Head on to this link.
Product Reviews
Leave us 3 product reviews.
Head to actual product page you have bought:
- Click on Reviews
- Click Write a Review
- Use the email you order with and this way you can earn points!
Bonus: Below is a list of products where we need more reviews
Burlap & Barrel Single Origin Spices
Keto Chow - especially new flavours
Mr. Tortilla Low Carb Tortillas and Chips
If you haven't tried these, seriously any other brand that you LOVE, please leave 3 product reviews. We're trying to focus on products where we have less than 3 reviews or 0 reviews.
What do I say in my reviews?
The more specific the review, the bigger the increase in our ranking on Google.
For google reviews, we would love of you can comment on:
- What you LOVE about SwitchGrocery
- Your experience - shipping, delivery, emails, chats with our team
- Your favourite products
- Recipes and Blogs that you've found helpful
- If you follow us on IG, FB, TikTok, our FB Group, Linkedin
- If you watch our Weekly Tasting Show
For product reviews, specificity - how the product helped you or what you enjoyed the most about it. There's also options for photos.
But - do not aim for perfectionism - short specific reviews are fantastic!
Enter Code
Once you are done these reviews, please use code mayswitchwin for 5% off your next order!
Thank you so so much! I want SwitchGrocery to become a household grocery store name in Canada and I KNOW we can do this. You make this possible.
We appreciate you!
Neha
If you like these reflection blog posts, I'd recommend reading 2023 Goals for my goal :)
]]>This is my first beach vacation in 4 years, since before I was pregnant and I'm so excited.
I went live talking about my experience and blood sugar on vacation, so you can watch the show below and/or continue reading for a summary!
1. Wear an Abbott FreeStyle Libre. No Abbott has not sponsored this blog post, in case you are asking. Wearing a blood glucose monitor is a game changer because this alone will give me information that I can act on right away. It's okay in submerged water for up to 1/2 hour and I have swam with it, showered with it. Generally, I place it on my upper shoulder which is mostly above water in a pool or lazy river.
2. Skip breakfast when it feels natural. I generally skip breakfast at home, so I would get a coffee with heavy cream from Starbucks and enjoy that. I can also add some fat to my morning coffee to stay fueled and energized.
3. Keep breakfast low carb - When I do enjoy breakfast, I plan to keep it low carb and get myself a LOT of energy. Breakfast is an easy meal to keep low carb including if you are vegetarian. Eggs, Tomatoes, Veggies, Omelettes.
4. Walk after a high reading - After a meal with carbs and/or sugar, I will go for a long walk because this tends to bring my blood glucose down faster.
5. I will try as best as possible to not have late night snacks - This advice goes against #2. If I skip a fast and enjoy a full complete breakfast, a lunch and dinner, I am generally NOT hungry at night. If I am hungry, I will opt for 3 meals per day. I will respect what my body feels like doing.
6. Can I drink alcohol with prediabetes? The answer is yes I can and yes I do, BUT it has an impact on my blood glucose personally. I have also learned that the liver has to first process that alcohol before it can go back to fat burning. I am also a parent of a young kiddo on vacation and I have significantly reduced my alcohol consumption as a result of that (his wake up time doesn't change if I drink). I plan to only enjoy a drink 10% of the time. During the day, I plan to stick to ice coffees.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar to blunt the blood glucose impact - I plan to take ACV with me (let's hope it doesn't break on the flights) to take before a meal where I know I will be indulging in carbs and/or sugar to help blunt the blood sugar impact. I REALLY LIKE Pineapple Collaborative Apple Cider Vinegar you guys - it doesn't sting your throat, it's high quality and tastes like apples!
8. I plan to get LOTS of movement - swimming, slides, climbing up stairs, beach, paddle boat, walking. I am not planning any official workouts, but if I need it or my body feels like moving, I will hit the gym. This will definitely help keep my blood sugars stable - I always see a rise during exercise and dip after.
Because I wore an Abbott Freestyle Libre, I actually was able to track my blood sugar. Here are my top observations about snacking, blood glucose, vacationing with diabetes.
#1. My resting blood sugar (at night) and fasting blood sugar and travel day blood sugars were naturally higher
#2. My blood glucose since vacation has been atypically high. Even my blood sugar during the night has been much higher than before I went on vacation. I am now fasting to bring it down.
#3. Desserts I took like the Keto Bark Recipe REALLY helped and travelled well in my suitcase. Coco Polo chocolate bars helped too! I would have taken much more for a 7 day vacation
#4. Day 1 - 4, I followed most of my tips. Coffee with heavy cream, a salad lunch and a dinner where I ate protein first and dessert from the snacks I brought
#5. Day 5 - 7, I definitely wanted more dessert and carbs. These are days I enjoyed some dessert, a sushi / seafood dinner, more refined carbs.
#6. Walking, skipping breakfast, and skipping alcohol (other than 1 glass in 7 days) really really helped manage my blood glucose and also bring down my blood glucose after a meal faster
#6. Stress on vacation and heat plays a definite role in higher blood sugar levels.
#7. Coming home to no food - Because we forgot to put all the food we prepped in the fridge, coming home to no food was really difficult and extended the amount of days I was eating out into Day 8 and 9.
#8. My Abbott Freestyle Libre ended on Day 4 and I did not put one on again until the travel day. I think this would have helped me manage my blood sugars. Note: water and swimming did not affect my FreeStyle Libre. I had a patch/cover on and did replace it 2x.
#9. What would I have changed? Taken more dessert options and likely dialed down carbs and sugar on Day 5 - 7. I would have had food for when I came home.
#10. I did not take Apple Cider Vinegar as planned and in retrospect - I would have taken it.
Is true balance achievable? This is such a philosophical question. We definitely have a tendency to celebrate with food, focus on food on vacation. Personally for me, I need to redefine what true balance means and find other ways to enjoy a vacation than just food. For me, the impact on my blood sugar and the stress that followed the vacation - was very very challenging.
I hope this blog post helps you plan for your next vacation whether you have diabetes, gestational diabetes or pre-diabetes. For top foods to take with you on vacation and mindset, click here.
]]>This one is for all our dairy-free, low carb, protein lovers!
Keto Chow Core is the newest line of nutritionally complete meal replacement shakes designed for optimum nutrition, with minimal fuss. It uses beef protein isolate, along with high-quality vitamins and minerals, and allows for flexible sweetener options.
You can easily mix one (or several) up with water and your choice of fat to create a filling meal that’s perfect for when you don’t have the time, supplies, kitchen space, or whatever to cook a traditional meal.
Key highlights
1. This is Dairy Free! Instead of milk protein isolate, this uses beef protein isolate instead of milk protein isolate
2. Flexible Sweetener Options. You can choose between having it pre-sweetened with a special Stevia blend, or getting it with NO sweetener so that you can add one of your choosing (or not!). For the unsweetened option, you can vary the amount of sweetener.
3. Different Taste. Keto Chow Core does not taste the same as Classic Keto Chow. It tastes BETTER than other Chocolate Protein Shakes and Meal Replacements on the market. In the founder Chris & Miriam's words, "let Keto Chow Core shine for what it is".
4. Flavours: The only flavour available right now is Chocolate. Depending on response, the team will consider more ioptions.
5. Why did the Keto Chow team release Core? The team wanted to create an option that would be available to people with different sweetener preferences and dietary restrictions. Some people have a physiological or an idealogical response to sucralose and some people cannot withstand dairy.
6. Mix Well: You need to add warmer water (60 degrees) for this to mix well, or you will get clumps. If you use a blender bottle, use very warm water OR use a blender.
7. Consistency: This is more liquidy than "milkshake-ey" Some people really prefer that
8. Lasts in the fridge up to the same time as Classic Keto Chow - 6 days.
9. Dairy free fat options: You need to add atleast 10g of fat to get the benefits of the shake. Dairy free fats can be melted coconut oil, avocado oil, melted clarified ghee.
If you want to learn more about Core, watch this video by the founders Chris & Miriam below. This will recap questions like:
1:39 What is Keto Chow Core?
3:05 If you want to you can use regular Sugar.
5:37 It doesn't mix the same
6:48 How does the taste measure up?
9:43 How long does it last in the fridge?
You can also read a detailed blog post about Keto Chow Core here from the founders. This covers the comparison to the existing Keto Chow shakes, how much sweetener to use, best way to mix and FAQ's.
Milk and Cookies is Cookies and Cream, but taken to a whole new delicious level! Aaron @a.d.keto has tried it and here's his review
Keto Brick is a high performance food made for people who follow keto or want a quality, delicious and easy to eat food for when they're on the go, or just too busy to make lunch.
Milk 'N Cookies - the name says it ALL!!!!! It's a childhood nostalgic favourite. This replaces the original Cookies and Cream and is creamier, smoother, made with grass fed whey protein and cacao butter. Aaron says it best - the Keto Brick team now has the consistency of the bricks down to a science and this flavour is a clear winner!
Enjoy it on it's own or try it melted into bark!
Neha does a live taste test of the Keto Chow Classic and the Keto Chow Core - sweetened and unsweetened. Watch below!
We would absolutely love if you would give us a follow where you live and this way you'll get a reminder for all our live shows!
YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, Facebook
Shop Keto Chow here.
Shop Keto Brick here.
]]>
This is my first beach vacation in 4 years, since before I was pregnant and I'm so excited. We are off to the Caribbean.
Is true food and fun balance achievable when it comes to a vacation? Should I follow a diet while on vacation or during the holidays, special events, while travelling? This is extremely personal. On a recent interview with Robert from Keto Savage, he recommended understanding yourself - "when it comes to nutrition and food, some people are better suited to be moderators and some people are better suited to be eliminators? I would never want to give advice that's suited from one to the other" He also goes on in the interview to say you have to do what works for you.
I personally am a moderator, especially on vacations. If I restrict myself too much, I go the other way, and food also takes up too much of my brain space. However, wearing an Abbott Freestyle Libre, I am also going to see the impact of everything I eat on my blood sugar in real time. This can be a useful tool in that sense but the other side of it is you definitely will see the impact of everything you eat as a moderator.
My mindset going into this vacation is important. Here are my thoughts:
1. I want to have fun. After 3 years of not travelling and a global pandemic, and my first vacation with my kiddo, it's just time for me to have a good time. That can mean the pool, the beach and food! If there is a dessert I like, I will try some of it or all of it depending on my mood.
2. I want to respect my diagnosis and where I am right now. I have pre-diabetes and I am insulin resistant at this time. I'm okay to take some steps to scale back on sugar and carbs.
3. Movement - I want to move a LOT on this vacation and I know that movement, especially morning movement brings down the "dawn effect" for me which is the rise in blood sugars in the morning.
4. I don't want to obsess over my food choices. I want to keep it simple.
1. Dessert - There will be no sugar free dessert available to me on the resort. This is the most important thing to take with me, and I plan to take chocolate. Mindful Monk are fudge squares and Coco Polo is sugar free chocolate.
2. Meals - There are 2 keto friendly meal options that will save $ on my eating budget on vacation, also keep my blood sugars in check but also give me satiety and something delicious. Keto Chow Meal Replacements and Keto Brick meal supplements.
3. Lots of Water and high quality salts - I'm taking a SwitchGrocery blender bottle with me for my water and electrolytes. I'm also taking Redmond Real Salt or Keto Chow electrolytes with me to mix in for electrolytes.
Another electrolyte tip I have is by Megan Ramos from The Fasting Method, who recommended keeping salt flakes under your tongue (unprocessed natural salt) and Vancouver Island Real Salt Flake Sea Salt flakes are UNBELIEVABLE for that.
4. Starbucks Drinks - There's a Starbucks at the resort and I'm bringing Sweet Monk monkfruit sweetener with me. Just 5 drops and I'm in heaven.
5. Bars - I LOVE Keto Bars! They don't melt on the go and have only 5-6 ingredients, you can pronounce them and they are a huge hit with our kiddo.
6. Savoury Snacks - Mr. Tortilla Multigrain or Chile Limon Chips, Whisps Cheese Crisps, Snacker Yogi Puffed Lotus Seeds, Pili Hunter's Pili Nuts. Pili Nuts are super nutritious, filling and the highest fat, lowest carb nut out there AND sustainably sourced.
These are all great low carb savoury snacks to keep for a day on the move.
Other meal ideas
- I will request Berries and Cream or Yogurt for Dessert where possible. This should be available at the fruit stations at a buffet.
- I will bring nuts for an easy nutritious grab and go.
- Lots of water - bring a Yeti or Swell bottle to carry around.
- Night Time snacks - There is a nespresso in our room, so I will ask for decaf pods and cream to enjoy a nightcap.
Is true balance achievable? It totally remains to be seen. I will wear the Abbott Freestyle Libre, so we will know real statistics from my vacation week!
Follow us for food tips and diabetes updates where you live: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
I did a LIVE RECAP SHOW on after I got home from the Caribbean about the impact of vacationing in the Caribbean on my blood sugar. Find that episode here.
If you are planning a trip, you can find all our Snacks here, Protein here, and Electrolytes here.
]]>1. It was hard - It was the year of price increases, shipping, supply chain issues and having challenge keeping things in stock. We saw volume declines due to price increases / budget pressures for families / changing trends back from e-comm to in person.
2. Innovation exists - In spite of that, we found and partnered with new brands and deepened relationships with the brands we carry ❤️
We launched many new brands in categories that did not exist on Switch - pasta, wraps, ready to eat cookies for example.
3. Don’t wait for the right moment, just start - I wrapped up 41 episodes of the Weekly Show that kept me inspired for our why and connected to our customers.
4. If you want to go far, go together - I DM’d customers and YouTubers asking them for help and they said YES! They gave me & Switch energy and love and support AND our customers helped us thrive ❤️
5. Recognition - It’s important to know and practice speaking our company’s story and why - which is why this Top 15 recognition means so much to me.
We made Top 15 in Canada for the The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch. We have a fantastic mentor assigned to us through this program. 2 iconic Canadian CPG companies - Blume and SmartSweets were past winners We pitch in Feb 2023!
This recognition is really important if we want to become a household name in Canada and continue on our path to becoming Not a Small Business.
1. Explore Unusual Partnerships:
In 2017, I was terrified of competition.
Now, I am excited. The fact that there are other online low carb grocery stores means great things - that online independent retailers have a space in the grocery space.
Well, I want to talk to the people behind these stores.
SwitchGrocery is not alone in facing opportunities and challenges. This means I am ready to be generous in sharing all our wins, things we are doing that are working well for us - with our competitors.
This is the ultimate mental growth for me - realizing that there is room and space for all of us. So this year I plan to reach out to our competitors, customers, coffee shops, bakeries, our suppliers, influencers to collaborate and partner much more than we have done in the past.
2. In Person Events:
Did you know that Switch was KNOWN for events? We held in person events in Vancouver and Toronto on low budgets and provided Starbucks coffee.
I miss those face to face meetings with our old and new customers and supporters because it connects me and our team to our why.
Our goal is atleast 2 in person events in 2023. Event planning is not my strength you guys, so I'm lucky to have Brie on our team!
3. Grow Financial Sustainability:
We did the grow at all costs approach when Facebook/Instagram ads were good. No I don’t regret it because we have amazing customers today that have stayed with us for years after finding us through a Facebook ad 💛 But as we all know, ads are not as effective anymore. We will continue to put resources towards reaching people organically in 2023.
This year specifically we need to take continued steps to improve Switch’s P&L and Cash Flow. That includes a mix of revenue and costs. I want to stay in the game, and if that means difficult decisions, we gotta do what we gotta do.
We covered all this in last week's live show if you'd like to know details about any particular one, here's the video below!
None of this would be possible without our amazing customers, vendors, suppliers, team members and supporters (you know who you are). If you are reading this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and would absolutely love to
We would love to have you on this bIf you found this helpful, I would absolutely love if you would give us a follow where you live. YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, Facebook
- Neha & the SwitchGrocery team
We love providing quality content, recipes, and information to you so you can live your best life! We put together a quick round up of our top 5 blogs posts that Customer Friends loved the most.
Here they are:
How to Order Keto at Tim Hortons
How to Order Sugar Free and Keto at Starbucks
How to Order Low Carb, Keto at Restaurants
Intermittent Fasting Guide with Megan Ramos
If you're looking for even more helpful, insightful video content, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for live interviews and tasting shows.
We'd love for you to follow our business journey! Follow us at our LinkedIn page for real behind the scene business stories coming in 2023.
]]>We've listed a variety of places that are low carb, Keto-friendly restaurants that offer options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Check out our list of Keto Fast Food Hacks to help make your low carb lifestyle as easy as possible.
]]>
Click here for Pita Pit locations or Build Your Own Meal to customize macros
A go-to @pitapitcanada favourite is a large chicken Caesar salad with extra bacon, spinach, tomato, green pepper, cucumber, red onion, sprouts, cheddar cheese, and Caesar dressing. It’s Renee’s mighty Caesar which is the best Caesar dressing!
Calories: 505
Net carbs (estimate): 7g
Another option including chicken breast salad but with steak added as the double meat. If you can’t decide, just get both! Add in iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, olives, green peppers, cucumbers, onion, and sprouts with light ranch dressing.
Calories: 375
Net carbs (estimate): 8g
Chicken Souvlaki Salad
This is a fresh and crisp Keto salad that features spinach, cucumber, green peppers, olives, and tomatoes and Greek salad dressing.
Calories (estimate): 380
Net carbs (estimate): 5g
Click here for McDonald's locations
Try the Greeking Out salad from @mcdonaldscanada that features couscous as a low carb salad option. You can also opt out of the couscous to reduce carbs.
Net carbs (estimate): 16g with the couscous
6g with dressing, without couscous
TIP: Skip the pita crisps and ask for grilled chicken instead of crispy
Click here for Wendy's locations
Try the Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad from @wendyscanada. Ask for no croutons for an easy option to keep this salad extra low carb.
Calories: 420 (salad), 110 (dressing)
Net carbs (estimate): 13 net carbs
The Grilled Caesar Salad with chicken from @wendyscanada is awesome for a fresh lunch or dinner option. Ask for no croutons for an easy option to keep this salad low carb.
Calories (estimate): 500 (salad), 180 (dressing)
Net carbs (estimate): 15g
No bun is no problem! Simply ask for a lettuce wrap or just the burger on its own. This burger comes with the patty, cheese slice, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, and mayonnaise.
Calories (estimate): 290
Net carbs (estimate): 2g
Click here for Swiss Chalet locations
“Quick lunch at @swisschaletca with a full plate of protein, veggies, and some Chalet Sauce that kept it low carb.
Lunch can be a double leg dinner from @swisschaletca. Grab a side garden salad (pick off the carrots if you don't want the additional carbs) with Caesar dressing.
Optional: Add a side of pesto mayo bacon and Chalet Sauce.
Net Carbs (estimate): Chicken - 0g
Sauce - 100 ml or 6 tablespoons - 5g
Click here for Boston Pizza locations
A great option if you’re out and about at @bostonpizzacanada is the Chipotle Chicken Club (no bun) with a side Caesar.
TIP: Another meal idea from Boston pizza is the Tacos (minus the tortillas) served on a side garden salad. Super yummy. I have the chili dressing on the side and dip my fork into it! A nice break from the Caesar.
Click here for Jimmy The Greek locations.
Greek salad with a chicken skewer but can also get the roasted chicken legs which are equally delicious (plus more fat)!
Click here for Kelseys locations
@kelseysrestaurants Caesar salad, no croutons, with extra bacon and salmon is so delicious and will leave you completely satisfied. You could also very easily make this dish at home - even add in some nuts from Pili Hunters for a carb free addition.
Contributed to by: KetoinCanada
Joanna is a low carb, Keto lifestyler (it's not a diet!) from Ontario, Canada. She is a mum of 2 really cute kids AND 2 furbabies! With work and a whole bunch of responsibilities, she found it difficult to make herself a priority after having children. She started following a Keto lifestyle on December 1, 2016 and created her Instagram account @ketoincanada to get accountability and ideas from others following the Ketogenic diet.
One of the things I have LOVED about her is that she is able to stick to her lifestyle with a packed schedule and on the go! On a visit to the warehouse, I found myself finding THAT post on her Instagram with her favourite Pita Pit salad because I know she's done the hard work to figure out macros! So, we stalked her Instagram and tracked down her favourites restaurant hacks and estimated net carbs where possible! You can visit Joanna's website here
Contributed to by: Sugar Free Brie
Brie has been following a Ketogenic lifestyle since 2017. She spends her free time baking up new Keto creations, hitting the gym, volunteering for a variety of professional associations, or enjoying the outdoors with her partner and fur baby Penny. Brie took her passion for media and marketing and made it into a career despite the downfalls of economic struggles during 2020.
You can check out her Instagram or website here.
And, if you want to see what you can buy that helps you on the go, check out our awesome low carb, paleo, Keto snacks collection. It's our top visited collection in 2020 for on the go, social distancing and work from home life.
]]>If you follow a low carb or ketogenic lifestyle, struggle with insulin resistance, or are simply concerned about your blood sugar levels, chances are you have heard about fasting. Chances are you also have lots of questions surrounding fasting and how you can feasibly incorporate it into your every day.
We are fortunate here in Toronto to be home to The Fasting Method, a program co-founded by Dr. Jason Fung (aka THE fasting guru) and Megan Ramos, designed to naturally treat weight and other metabolic related issues through various fasting protocols.
One of our most popular local meetups included an all-star team with whom we got to dive into all things fasting, low carb, keto, and more! If you weren't able to attend or maybe want to review the information, the event was recorded and you can watch the video on YouTube! We summarized our Top 5 Takeaways (and one bonus!), just for you!
If you have never fasted before, your “fasting muscle” will likely be weak at first, but the more you train it, the stronger it will get! Just like you can hurt yourself if you go to the gym and overdo it too quickly, the same can happen with fasting… you must exercise that fasting muscle first!
The goal is to gradually build that fasting muscle! Take it slow, assess, and re-adjust.
Do not jump into a fast after over-consuming carbohydrates!
Why not? Consuming a higher carb intake can dysregulate hormones and lead to increased water retention (not ideal conditions for fasting).
It is possible to fast too much! We are a highly adaptable species, and can therefore also adapt to fasted states. Too much of a good thing is not optimal either… always change it up!
IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR GOALS!
Women get great results, the same as men! The trajectory, however, may look a little different:
Contrary to popular belief, some sweeteners (e.g., stevia, erythritol, etc.) can actually increase insulin and blood sugar. Psychologically, sweeteners also perpetuate sweet cravings. Your relationship to sweeteners with ultimately depends on your own metabolic profile: individuals who are more insulin-resistant are likely to have more issues with sweeteners.
Bottom line: everyone is different! The best way is to test blood sugar levels and ketones before consuming the food, and then again two hours after. Experimentation is key!
Free Resources!
The Fasting Method team has put together an incredible list of free resources and we reviewed their new website and picked their top 5 blog posts.
Oscar, better known as @ihackeddiabetes, is an avid fasting enthusiast, a recipe creator and makes awesome videos on TikTok and YouTube. Oscar was diagnosed with diabetes 10 years ago and began following ketogenic diet. He fell into fasting by watching Dr. Fung’s videos on YouTube, quickly becoming a fan of both fasting and The Fasting Method. Oscar identifies as a recovering carbaholic and diabetic and has used many of the fasting principles to help him with his own journey.
Megan Ramos is the co-founder and Program Director of The Fasting Method, a clinical researcher and an authority on fasting.
Andrea is a physician assistant who specializes in family medicine, a nutritional coach with The Fasting Method, a membership program curating incredible food businesses in Canada. Andrea has personally followed a ketogenic and low carb diet since 2014 and began experimenting with fasting protocols in 2016.
Cooking and baking take up a large portion of my time, so trying to make my own low carb eggnog or Baileys, usually doesn't make the cut
This year is going to be different!
Keto Chow has 3 limited edition flavours that are perfect for the holidays! Here's what we're using as substitutions for Christmas 🎄
Add this to your coffee with a hint of whiskey and it's like the REAL thing!
This one is self-explanatory! Just add water and maybe some rum if you're keeping it "traditional" 😉
You can even try this Eggnog Creamer recipe - click here!
Make your own latte at home and save yourself the 38g of sugar in the Starbucks drink 😳 Add this to coffee or enjoy it on it's own!
There are 2 BRAND NEW flavours from Keto Chow this year that are perfect for the holidays: Pecan Sticky Bun and Maple Waffle! Check out the other Keto Chow flavours that are available HERE!
]]>We have 4 new and exciting launches (2 sweet and 2 savoury) coming to SwitchGrocery in Canada! There are low carb, Keto, dairy-free, and gluten-free goodies coming your way.
Why You’ll Love It
This new flavour from Keto Chow in Canada has been a collaboration in the making for over a year! This collab with Steve of Serious Keto was developed from his love of pre-keto “pecan sticky buns and candied pecans at a fair”. This new launch tastes exactly like a Pecan Sticky bun in a shake! This is like reliving lazy Saturday mornings baking at Grandma’s before Christmas (minus the actually sticky fingers and floured nose).
Who It’s For
Keto Chow is a delicious, simple and easy to use meal replacement shake made for low carb and keto/diabetic diets! It’s a complete meal replacement and is perfect for those meals that you just don’t have time to make. If you appreciate a nutty and seasoned dessert, this is for you! It’s super brown sugar-y, perfectly cinnamon-y, and just the right amount of nutt-y.
How to Use It
Make everything from waffles, to ice cream, to pudding, and the OG - a protein shake! You can create low carb desserts from any Keto Chow flavour. This flavour is already like a dessert in a cup, now you can use it for baking too.
Why You’ll Love It
Welcome to the holiday season with a LIMITED EDITION Keto Brick flavour available exclusively in Canada! For the first time ever, Keto Brick is incorporating erythritol which means it’s going to have a sweetened up element to the already delicious flavour of chocolate and mint.
Who It’s For
If you need a quick meal, snack, or boost of healthy fat - Keto Brick is it! With 1000 calories per brick, you can section these out to suit your low carb, sugar free lifestyle. If you love chocolate, then this flavour will be a hit. With the freshness of mint and the slight sweetness from erythritol, this exclusive flavour is for you!
How to Use It
You can enjoy this brick on it's own on the go or use it in recipes. Create mini fat bombs or melt it into bark.
Why You’ll Love It
Piccola Cucina does gluten-free wraps a little differently. These dairy free almond flour wraps are designed to be flexible enough to roll without breaking or falling apart and thick enough to not get soggy. Plus, they don't stick together!
Who It’s For
These wraps make living a gluten free, dairy free, or low carb lifestyle that much easier. Each wrap contains 2g of net carbs, 8g of fibre, and 6g of protein. These delicious wraps are certified Vegan, Keto-friendly, Dairy and Gluten-Free.
How to Use It
The light almond taste creates a perfect wrap for savoury or sweet fillings. Roll them up with some peanut butter and jam or add in your choice of protein and veggies for tacos and quesadillas. These wraps are neutral in flavour, that it takes on the flavour of whatever you put inside of it.
Each pack includes 10 individual, 7-inch almond flour wraps. Keep frozen for up to 18 months.
Why You’ll Love It
The NEW Fusilli Pasta is the best one yet and we are also going to offer a 5 pack so you can save! The new formulation has been refined by Arash aka @shredhappens - who is dedicated to continuous improvement. This pasta is high protein and keto friendly. It has 20g of protein and 6g of net carbs per serving, making it perfect for a low carb or gluten free lifestyle.
Who It’s For
If you want a healthy swap for pasta - YOU NEED THIS! It’s gluten free, plant based, and keto friendly. With only 130 calories in a serving and 15g of fibre, this fusilli pasta is great for dinner, meal prep, and more.
How to Use It
Make this pasta hot or cold! Stir in with marinara sauce or add in shredded cheddar for a keto mac n’ cheese. You can also add in veggies, protein, and dressing to make a low carb pasta salad. The options are endless!!
]]>
00 - 20:00 - We welcome the community, Switch Fam and chat about wins and challenges from the week
20:00 - I try Keto Kookies cookies. We talk texture, flavours and favourites!
32:00 - I try Keto Brainz Nootropic Creamer. I blend it in coffee and show you!
49:40 - I try Blume Holiday Drinks and you pick the flavour I tried!
Keep your brain sharp and primed for action with the Keto Brainz Nootropic Keto Creamer. Keto Brainz is a Nootropic Creamer that you can add to your coffee or tea (this is actually used in Keto Brick Nootropic flavour for added brain fuel). If you love a creamy coffee that will also give you brain-boosting effects while optimizing your liver's production of ketone bodies, this creamer is for you. Made with healthy fats like C8 MCT, organic coconut powder and 3 nootropics including L-Theanine.
Keto Kookie was created because the founder just couldn't find bakery quality cookies that were low sugar and low carb. They were always boring and she wanted exciting! These are mouthwatering cookies that are diabetic friendly and perfect when you want a sweet treat without the sugar overload!
If you were looking for a dairy free way to enjoy holiday lattes... Blume is it! With brand new flavours: Mint Cocoa, Nut Nog (Eggnog), Salted Caramel and Pumpkin Spice you can sip these vegan and low carb superfood blends by just adding water.
Keto Chow Mystery Flavour has launched!!!!
Get it on it's own or as part of our Keto Chow Holiday Bundle
There is a limit of 10 per order! The flavour name will be released December 1st, and all we can tell you that it is a sweet flavour, not savoury!
Where do I start?
Check out all New Launches here on SwitchGrocery Canada
]]>
If you are a customer, please join us Facebook Group - an awesome kind hearted group of people who support Switch and share knowledge!
]]>
We're so excited to be sharing some of our best selling products with Keto4All subscribers!
Keto4All offers a subscription service that delivers Keto products right to your door. It was started by Chris Appave who found a low carb lifestyle game changing for himself in 2017 (remember the old days when no one knew about keto?). Chris truly cares about his customers and is a teacher, so we are doubly excited to work with him!
Neha (our co-founder) just signed up for a 6 month subscription herself because it's nice to get a box every 2 months of keto snacks and foods to try. There are different plans - 12 month, 6 month and try once. I like that the price drops once you subcribe for a longer time. I also like that the box comes once every TWO months!
In the October/November box is a variety of products to suit your low carb lifestyle and we've included 2 of our best selling CHOCOLATE products for you to try: Keto Chow and Good Dee's Baking Mix.
If this review doesn't convince you, just wait until you try it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Chocolatey Goodness. Rich chocolate taste without being overly sweet or bitter. The chocolate flavour comes through no matter how you make it. It is delightful as a cold shake, delicious as a hot drink and delectable as an ice cream. If you are trying Keto Chow for the first time, be sure to put this in your first order, you will fall in love with this one and will want to make sure you have a good stock of it so you don't run out." - Vicky H
We are obsessed with Keto Chow and if you want to try more flavours, we have everything from Pumpkin Spice Caramel, Lemon Meringue, Peanut Butter, Raspberry Cheesecake, and more! CLICK HERE!
Never miss out on baking when following a low carb lifestyle thanks to Good Dee's Mixes, including this Brownie/ Cake Mix 😍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Exactly what you’re looking for. These are delicious. I couldn’t have found a more satisfying and delicious replacement. They taste and look so deliciously amazing that it’s astonishing to be just 1 net carb. Thank you!!!" - Savannah D
We love Good Dee's mixes and there are a variety of Keto-friendly sweet AND savoury mixes for you to try; Corn Bread, Carrot Muffins, Butter Pecan Cookies and so much more. CLICK HERE to shop!
If you need more Keto products for your lifestyle, shop our entire Keto Collection available to our Customer Friends 🇨🇦
And don't forget to check out Keto4All! Neha will unbox her next box soon, so please come join us on Facebook and Instagram!
In the post AND video, we were described so eloquently and perfectly as an online grocery store where you can get vegan snacks, keto groceries, gluten free baking, and they even mention coffee!
This would not be possible without all our Customer Friends, Vendors and Supporters voting for us, recommending us in all the business contests and grants. I appreciate you so so so much!
Watch the 1 minute video!
Today’s @UPS_Canada Small Business of the Day is @SwitchGrocery
— CanadianSME Small Business Magazine (@canadian_sme) September 9, 2022
SwitchGrocery is an online health food grocery store that brings innovative and delicious foods to Canadians faster than your local grocery store.https://t.co/PzzdtujLn0#shoplocalfirst pic.twitter.com/nAqycY2Pzf
We're on a mission to become a household name in Canada and it would mean the world to us if you could:
1. Heart / Comment / Like / Share this video on a platform where you live :)
- on Linkedin
- on Facebook
- on Twitter
2. Give yourself the biggest hug because every single kind thing you do, makes the biggest difference
]]>The Keto Chow team is also facing ingredient shortages - acacia gum is in small supply. Lecithin comes from Ukraine and helps the Keto Chow mix without clumping.
Therefore, on August 5, 2022, we will be raising the price of the large bags of Keto Chow by 12.5% for regular and 12% for premium to $134.99 and $139.99 ($6.43 and $6.67 per meal respectively). The individual meal packets will be going up to $7.99 and $8.49.
This isn't something we wanted to do, it really sucks. We recognize that many of our customer friends in Canada use Keto Chow for their day to day nutrition needs and we've tried to keep our prices down as much as possible, and even with this we are continuing to try to do that.
We will be continuing to offer bundle at discounted prices as well as continuing our flavour of the week. We are also trying to bring back subscriptions, we had to turn those off for Keto Chow due to a technical issue but are working to get those back available to you as well.
]]>