Marcela's Fitness Food Celebrates Its One-Year Anniversary; Mexican-American Chef Marcela Perez Trims Houston's Waistlines with Gourmet Ethnic Cuisine

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 2006--Marcela's Fitness Food (http://www.marcelasfitnessfood.com) celebrates its one-year anniversary this June as Chef Marcela Perez's delicious meals help keep Houstonians slim and energetic. To help people incorporate a healthy diet into their increasingly hectic lifestyles, Chef Marcela has cooked up a menu of Mexican and American cuisine designed to please the palate without harmful additives such as salt or sugar. Her goal is to help clients lose or maintain their weight while increasing energy levels with gourmet meals made from the finest ingredients. Marcela's meals are low-fat with no salt or sugar added, made fresh and packaged daily.

The idea for Marcela's Fitness Food started simmering when Marcela, a graduate of the Art Institute of Houston's Culinary Arts program, concocted a low-sodium, low-glycemic diet for her parents. With the help of Marcela's tasty recipes, her parents lost weight and experienced increased energy levels. Urged by family and friends who all enjoyed and benefited from her gourmet meals, Marcela opened her kitchen to Houstonians in 2005.

“Foods that contain saturated fats, high sodium, and high sugar”

"I've always had a passion for cooking and a strong desire for people to be in their best shape of their life. Creating fresh meals prepared with low-glycemic index ingredients, no dairy products, no salt nor sugar added and still making it taste 'sabroso' is the perfect crescendo to an ever evolving career," says Marcela.

Marcela's meals are balanced using a ratio of 40% protein, 40% carbohydrates, and 20% fat. Each item is low-sodium and dairy-free, with a low-glycemic index that helps maintain consistent, healthy sugar levels. The menu incorporates a variety of savory entrees and satisfying snacks, including vegetarian and vegan selections, with specialties incorporating foods from Marcela's ethnic heritage such as Napoles (cactus) wraps and her fabulous Chicken Mole. What's not on the menu? According to Marcela's website: "Foods that contain saturated fats, high sodium, and high sugar" are excluded. Marcela's Fitness Food also offers customized plans for clients based on their specific nutritional needs.

Marcela's Fitness Food is available at her main kitchen, located in the Heights, Houston, where meals are delivered daily. Meals are also available from Fit Athletic Club of River Oaks (www.fitathletic.com) and Robeks (www.robeks.com). Visit Marcela's Fitness Food's website at www.marcelasfitnessfood.com for more information.