For Mark Jasso, healthy food should never feel like a punishment.
As the owner of Mark’s Mindful Meals, Jasso is on a mission to prove that eating well can be satisfying and convenient.
“Healthy food doesn’t have to taste bad,” he says. “I want to give people options that don’t push them away from healthy food.”
Jasso prepares made-from-scratch meals using whole, nutrient-dense ingredients, offering everything from meat-based dishes to vegan alternatives. He avoids seed oils, relying instead on coconut, avocado and extra-virgin olive oils, and minimizes gluten and refined sugars. When sweetness is needed, he turns to natural options such as maple syrup and honey.
His philosophy is also personal. Jasso’s father moved in with him in 2021 while dealing with significant health issues, including five years of dialysis. After living with Jasso and eating his food, his father’s health improved dramatically.
“He would have been gone years ago,” Jasso says.
That experience reinforced something Jasso had already been learning through years of cooking, studying nutrition, and practicing yoga. A certified yoga instructor, he also has explored Ayurvedic principles of healing.
He believes the digestive system plays an important role in how people feel, which is why he focuses on foods that nourish rather than overwhelm the body. He also encourages people to break out of routines that have them relying on fast food and highly processed meals.
“Sometimes you get in this rut and you’re eating terrible food,” he says. “You have to get a grasp on that, even if it’s just for a few days.”
During 25 years in the food industry, Jasso has helped open several restaurants. He previously operated a pizza truck near Raised Grain Brewing Company. But after becoming a father and experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, he began looking for something different.
He wanted to be his own boss, set his own hours, and create a business that allowed him to put more intention into his food.
That vision became Mark’s Mindful Meals, which opened last fall. Jasso currently does everything himself, from shopping and cooking to packaging and deliveries. Ordering opens Wednesday at 6 a.m. and closes Saturday at midnight. He cooks Monday and delivers Tuesday to a regular customer base.
Portions are designed as a substantial meal. Meals typically range from 700 to 1,000 calories, with approximate calorie and protein counts included. For families, he can package meat separately from vegetables. Prices vary.
Even the packaging reflects his philosophy. Jasso chooses recyclable containers that can be microwaved, helping reduce unnecessary waste.
Community is another important ingredient. Jasso regularly shops at farmers markets, including markets in West Allis, Shorewood and Wauwatosa, supporting local farmers and businesses while reducing the distance food travels. In winter, he supplements with organic ingredients and local produce.
Now, he is collaborating with Revival, a Brookfield gym opened by his cousin Jeff. Jasso sees the partnership as a natural fit and appreciates the community the gym is working to build. Members receive a discount on his meals, and a dedicated walk-in cooler allows customers to pick up orders.
Ultimately, Jasso sees Mark’s Mindful Meals as more than a meal-prep service. It’s an opportunity to make eating well easier—and more enjoyable—for people who may not have the time to prepare nutritious meals themselves.
“I put a lot of intention into my food,” he says.
For Jasso, that means creating meals that are thoughtfully prepared, made with quality ingredients and, above all, something people look forward to eating.
To learn more or order, visit marksmindfulmeals.com.