How a Veteran Uses Thrive Market to Feed Her Six Kids Healthy Meals

The Thrive Gives program is one of the initiatives we’re most proud of at Thrive Market because it helps us deliver on our mission to make healthy living easy and affordable for every American family. New to Thrive Gives? It’s simple: For every paid member who joins Thrive Market, we provide a free membership to someone in need—primarily teachers, students, low-income families, veterans, and first responders around the country.

This month we’re introducing you to Thrive Gives member Karyn, who’s a veteran and mother of six. She and her husband Ben (also a veteran) live in the countryside, so ordering from Thrive Market makes it easier to access healthier options—especially school snacks. Meet Karyn on our Thrive Member’s Spotlight on IGTV, and read on to learn more about her story.

1. What’s the biggest impact Thrive Market has had on you and your family members?

Thrive Market is an easy, cost effective, and fast way to have healthy products delivered to our door! Many of the products we order aren’t offered at our local store, so it’s nice to try something new, especially from a company that cares so much. I’ve experienced excellent customer service every time I’ve had to contact them.

2. Tell us what inspired or motivated you to share your experience.

We appreciate Thrive Market because it enables our family to make healthier choices. Eating healthy food and using natural products is important to us, and that’s the kind of lifestyle we want to encourage our kids to have as they grow up.

3. If you weren’t ordering from Thrive Market, how would you shop for healthy food?

We live in the country so we try to eat off the land as much as possible—this includes harvesting vegetables from our garden or a local crop share. My husband, Ben, is the co-owner of a
sheep solar grazing company, which gives sheep an area to graze while keeping the solar panel fields from getting overrun with vegetation. He’s also an avid sportsman, so we’re able to eat farm-to-table often.

4. What makes up a typical Thrive Market order?

We often purchase baby products, school snacks, skin care, and cleaning products. We love Seventh Generation, Dr. Bronner’s, and Thrive Market Goods.

5. What happens when a box arrives at your doorstep?

The children are thrilled! Many times the delivery man is met in the driveway with hoots and hollers. The kids love getting things in the mail and can’t wait to see what was ordered.

6. Describe a typical day of how your family eats or prepares meals.

I majored in Community Health with a concentration in Wellness and Health Promotion, so I typically focus on preparing whole foods that are plant-based. We eat a lot of vegetables and unprocessed foods, and the children enjoy being mini sous-chefs!

7. What’s one healthy living tip you swear by, or one that has changed your habits or outlook for the better?

Healthy eating is a lifestyle, not a fad or diet plan. What you put in and on your body impacts how it functions, and how you take care of your body now definitely determines how well it will age in the years to come! With little eyes watching us, we try to set a good example and practice what we preach. We love the saying, “you can’t count your days, but you can make your days count.”