As any swim-taxi-driving-soccer-practice-chauffeuring-stretched-to-the-max-parent knows, it’s hard to drive past drive-thru temptation. After a long day of juggling deadlines and taking kids hither and yon, the last thing you want to add to your to-do list is to make dinner. After all, the drive-thru is right there with a meal that promises to make your kids happy. Over time, though, that can be a recipe for dietary disaster.
But what if you could have highly nutritious, incredibly tasty, and completely effortless meals in minutes — hold the extra calories and wrappers in the backseat? Instead of leaning out your car window to grab a bag of fast food, you could swing by Project LeanNation at Harpers Station to stock up on chef-curated, ready-to-eat meals designed especially for you and your family’s nutritional needs. It’s that easy. And that good.
Opening this past April, Project LeanNation isn’t just for busy parents. And it definitely offers more than just healthy meals (but with both, boy, do they truly excel). At PLN, you’ll find a full menu of nutritional support. You can stop by and pick up a PLN meal à la carte, enjoy the grab-and-go goodness of healthy snacks, or get a protein shake freshly made from all-natural ingredients.
For those hungry to achieve a healthier lifestyle, a free PLN membership also offers tailored meal plans at a discounted price, one-on-one nutrition coaching, and state-of-the-art tools, including InBody scans that measure body composition for data-driven guidance. And it’s all served in a friendly, positive atmosphere where everyone’s welcome to come in, refuel, and reset.
“When people ask, ‘Who’s your target market?’ my answer is people who eat food,” says co-owner Jill Strasser, who runs the store with her son Christopher “Dif” Strasser. “This is for everyone. Our mission is to lower everyone’s individual barrier to access nutritious food … and for some people, that barrier is convenience.”
Counting Macros, Not Big Macs
As a mother of six, Jill knows what it’s like to be pulled in multiple directions. She’s had her share of shuttling kids around to a multitude of activities. Yet, over the years, a steadfast focus on health and nutrition has kept her firmly grounded. After discovering CrossFit, Jill deepened her training and eventually earned a certification in health coaching.
She even taught a course called “Elevated Wellness” at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, where students took goat yoga classes, played pickleball, and learned what “macros” really means beyond being the buzzword du jour on their social feeds.
“Macros” are macronutrients — protein, fats, carbohydrates. They’re the fuel our bodies run on. And Jill saw firsthand what happened when student athletes didn’t choose the right macros before they went out onto the field.
“I’d watch kids wolf down fast food before a game. Then, I’d see them getting sick on the sidelines later,” recalls Jill. “They’re missing the mark on understanding how to fuel themselves properly.”
Now, PLN offers a place where athletes from nearby high schools, including CHCA and Sycamore, often gather before or after a game to grab a protein shake or get a quick, healthy meal that can help them go the distance.
Providing that space for camaraderie and connection is part of the PLN mission for both Jill and Dif, who shares his mother’s passion for wellness and helping people. With a degree in social work and several years’ experience managing local gyms, Dif focuses on the operations side of the business. Whether it’s coaching members on wellness, representing PLN at fitness events, or creating charming, often humorous PLN social posts, Dif brings both energy and empathy as he leads their staff in building the PLN community.
Free Membership, Priceless Benefits
Jill, Dif, and all the nutrition coaches at PLN provide the kind of support that can make a difference for someone who wants to live a healthier lifestyle. Just ask Rachel Engel, who lost 15 pounds and 6% of her body fat in just two months.
“If you’re even a little curious, I’d encourage you to stop by, meet the owners, and connect with the team,” Rachel writes in her Google review. “They are truly wonderful people. They have cheered me on every step of my journey, and I am so grateful.”
Some members pack PLN meals for a delicious, nutrient-packed lunch, while others enjoy sitting down to a stress-free dinner at the end of the day. Wherever PLN meals fit into your weekly menu, they may be able to help trim down your food budget, too — as fast food and carry-out take a backseat.
Another customer, Rachel Dejti, shares more in her Google review, “Our food expenses are way down, and we’re eating so much healthier now.” Whether you’re time-starved, trying to eat healthier, or seeking a place where you’ll find encouragement at every step of your wellness journey, PLN Harper’s Point is here for you. And that includes a free consultation.
“We’re about relationships,” explains Jill, “because that’s where people are going to see the longevity in success.”
For Jill and Dif, creating a family of support is at the heart of their PLN mission.
ProjectLeanNation.com/locations/harpers-point-oh | 11373 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati | 513.390.4253
Our mission is to lower everyone’s individual barrier to access nutritious food … for some people, that barrier is convenience. When people ask, ‘Who’s your target market?’ My answer is people who eat food. This is for everyone.”
“I’d watch kids wolf down fast food before a game ... missing the mark on understanding how to fuel themselves properly.”
“We’re about relationships ... because that’s where people are going to see the longevity in success.”