Veyl Ventures

While contracting with this New York-based marketing firm, I wrote long-form email content to engage and educate current and potential customers around Veyl's health and wellness brands. Here you will find a few examples of that content.

Eating What You Love

Brand: NatureM.D.

Voice: Dr. Travis Stork

Subject Lines:

This one food could be the key to happiness
The secret to enjoying your diet

I’m popping into your inbox today, Mallory, to talk about a subject that most people would prefer to avoid.

I mean the dreaded D-word.

Yes, I’m talking about diet.

The word “diet” tends to make people recoil when it really shouldn’t.

Thinking about going on a diet conjures up this idea of giving up the things you enjoy, and joylessly choking down strictly-regimented “healthy” foods.

When you think of the word “diet,” it really just refers to the foods you’re eating on a regular basis. And that’s going to look different for everyone.

In my personal experience, the only way to have long-term success with maintaining a healthy diet is to actually enjoy the foods you eat.

In fact, research suggests that people are more likely to succeed in their dietary goals when they enjoy what they’re eating.

You see, when we experience something pleasurable, our brains release dopamine. It’s sometimes called the “feel-good hormone” because, well, it makes us feel good.

Dopamine promotes feelings of happiness and calm, like when you’re with family or good friends. It can also help you feel focused and motivated when completing a task.

It turns out that the effects of dopamine may be especially potent when it comes to food.

One recent study found that when people ate pasta—yes pasta!—their emotional responses were on average greater than when they heard their favorite song, or watched their favorite sports team.

(So maybe it’s ok to indulge every once in a while—dare I say, it might even be a good idea.)

It makes sense though, right?

When you enjoy your food, the happiness and calm produced by the dopamine release lets your body sink into “rest-and-digest” mode, so that you can make the most out of the nutrients from your meal.

Simply said, enjoyment doesn’t just make eating healthy more bearable—it could actually help you get more out of the healthy foods you do eat.

The trick is to find healthy foods that you love, so that you’re getting that pleasure from eating, while giving your body the nutritional value it deserves.

And remember that “healthy” here isn’t shorthand for fat-free or sugar-free. I’m talking about whole, unprocessed foods—the kind that don’t need an ingredient list.

The types of foods that you have access to on a regular basis may vary, but whenever possible, whole foods are what you want.

Here’s a wonderful thing: we live in a time when we have access to more food options than ever, which means that there are more ways than ever before to feed yourself foods that bring you joy while incorporating ingredients that nourish your gut.

Honestly, my dietary superhero is fiber. It keeps your gut happy, and leaves you feeling satisfied longer.

If you can find a version of what you love to eat that helps you get more fiber into your diet, then that’s a huge step in the direction of sustainable healthy eating.

Whether that’s a rainbow-veggie pizza on a whole grain, cauliflower, or other healthy crust, brownies made with almond flour and maple syrup instead of white flour and sugar, or a chickpea-flour pasta dish with sauteed vegetables and a zesty sauce—there are endless possibilities waiting to be discovered that are both healthy and delicious.

Think about it: we eat every day. Not only is it a requirement for survival, but food is also deeply tied to our relationships with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us.

We celebrate our holidays and important milestones with food. We give each other food to express love and care. Many people travel around the world for it.

Considering what a major force food is in our lives, there is truth to the saying, “you are what you eat.”

When we start treating food less like an enemy and more like a friend, we extend that same compassion to ourselves. And that, I believe, is the real path forward to better eating.

Let's get healthier one day at a time,
Dr. Travis Stork

SOURCES:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7751982/
2. https://internationalpasta.org/news/pasta-makes-you-happy/

Working Out Over the Holidays

Brand: L'Evate You

Voice: Dr. Basheera Ahmad

Subject Lines:

10-minute workout ideas to keep you healthy during the holidays
💪 Fit fitness into your busy holiday schedule

The holidays are in full swing, and I know how busy you’re going to be this year, Mallory!

Listen, I COMPLETELY get it.

Between holiday shopping, visiting loved ones, and all the other exciting activities that make this season so joyous, it can be tough to maintain your normal routine — including the great self-care habits you’ve worked so hard to build …

Including your daily workout.

But here’s the thing: this time of year, it’s more important than ever to stick to those good exercise habits.

As you know, even as little as 30 minutes of exercise per day can help you maintain higher energy levels and better mental health, in addition to strengthening your body.

And you NEED that extra energy and strength this time of year!

So what can you do to ensure that you don’t lose all that amazing progress during the busy holidays?

Here are a few tips that I, as YOUR trusted wellness advisor, stand by to help you stay in shape this season:

First, remember that mornings are your friend.

Most of your holiday plans are going to take place in the afternoons and evenings, right? So take advantage of those peaceful mornings to start your day off strong with 30-60 minutes of exercise.

Is your schedule too packed for an hour-long gym session or lengthy living room yoga classes? A short workout is better than no workout at all.

Try to squeeze in just ten minutes of cardio at home, or a quick jog around the block before or after work.

Multiple short-burst workouts throughout the day are a great way to stay active without placing a burden on your already packed schedule.

Any activity is better with a good friend by your side, so find a fitness accountability buddy.

Whether you’re making plans to meet up at the gym, or simply checking in with each other daily, it helps to have a friend who knows and supports your fitness goals.

Plus, it makes it more exciting — which is really important, too, if you're going to stick to the routine!

Finally, making a general effort to move more throughout the day can help you keep your energy up AND support your weight loss goals.

Throw on some music and bust out some squats while you do the dishes, or power-walk your way through a shopping trip — get creative, and make it fun.

Just like that, you can strengthen your body while completing your daily tasks.

Among all the joy and activity that comes at the end of each year, it’s important to prioritize our own well-being.

I know we can do it, Mallory, by having a plan to stay on track even in these busy times!

Yours in wellness,
Dr. Basheerah Ahmad

New Year's 2024 Sitewide Sale: 2nd Reminder

Brand: NatureM.D.

Voice: Brand voice

Subject Lines:

20% off sitewide — your road to wellness starts here
This one decision could impact your whole year

It's time to transform your wellness journey, Mallory.

We're here for you every step of the way, starting with the best sale we could muster up to kick off 2024. There is still time to get in on these savings, but it's ticking away fast!

Get 20% off sitewide on NatureM.D products to support your 2024 wellness goals!

Be sure to use code NY2024 at checkout to score your discount on amazing NatureM.D. essentials like GutRhythm. For the first time ever, you can stock up on this groundbreaking formula at an incredible limited-time price.

With its two-part daily routine designed to balance your gut microbiome, GutRhythm has been formulated with powerful ingredients like Metabolaid and Zinc to promote healthy metabolism and support weight management — and that’s just scratching the surface.

Start your morning with GutRhythm’s Daytime Detox, a delicious berry-flavored drink that gently stimulates your gut and provides a fiber-rich infusion to help you manage cravings throughout the day.

When you’re ready to turn in for the night, don’t forget your Nighttime Recovery, a once-daily capsule formulated with postbiotics to nourish your gut and set you up for digestive success.

And both the Daytime Detox and the Nighttime Recovery contain our proprietary GutRhythm compound designed to give you around-the-clock digestive support.

With these GutRhythm secret weapons combined, there’s no stopping you on your quest to cultivate a healthier Mallory.

Our customers can’t stop raving about GutRhythm.

Verneal, 60, shared, "The berry drink is delicious, and my husband and I look forward to it every morning. I lost 10 lbs in 3 weeks - I couldn't believe it. We both also noticed an improvement in energy, bowel frequency & discomfort too. Highly recommend!"*

Becky, 53, expressed her joy, saying, "My daughter just got married, and I wanted to look and feel my best. This product came at the right time. I felt more even-keeled, and there were noticeable differences to digestion, elimination, and bloating."*

Their stories are just a glimpse into the transformative power of GutRhythm. Join Verneal, Becky, and countless others who have unlocked their potential.

You have the chance right now to experience these remarkable benefits for yourself! For a limited time, we're offering a special deal on GutRhythm, along with all our other great NatureM.D. products in our New Year's Sale.

Don’t miss out — save 20% on GutRhythm and other NatureM.D. essentials with code NY2024 at checkout!

With a deal this great, supplies may not last long. Grab yours now before they’re gone!

Thank you for allowing NatureM.D. to be your partner on the path to wellness.

Wishing you the best of health,
NatureM.D.

*Disclaimer: Weight loss results of up to 1-2 pounds per week will vary based on starting point and commitment to a healthy eating plan and exercise. Real customers are used and compensated for sharing honest experiences. Extreme results are not typical.

Grapefruit 101

Brand: NatureM.D.

Voice: Dr. Travis Stork

Subject Lines:

Why is grapefruit so healthy?
3 reasons to eat grapefruit this winter and one reason to avoid it

Do you eat with the seasons, Mallory?

Planning your diet around seasonal fruits and vegetables isn’t just a great way to save money at the grocery store—it also gives your taste buds great experiences to look forward to throughout the year.

That’s one of the reasons I love winter. Even after the holidays are over, there’s still something to celebrate.

That’s right, it’s citrus season!

This is the time of year when citrus is in abundance, so right now is the perfect time to sip some fresh-squeezed orange juice, try some lemony chicken, or make a beautiful citrusy salad.

Can you tell that I’m excited?

Today, though, I want to talk about one specific type of citrus: grapefruit.

You may have heard grapefruit mentioned in connection with dieting and healthy eating. But why is it considered so good for you?

This rosy tropical fruit has certain potential health benefits that its citrusy cousins lack. And the truth is, we’re not really sure why.

Grapefruit, you see, was an accident.

A cross between a sweet orange and a citrus fruit called pomelo, grapefruit was first discovered around 200 years ago in Barbados—though this is just when the word “grapefruit” was first recorded. Chances are, it existed for quite a while before that.

European settlers had been planting citrus trees all over the Caribbean as far back as the early 1600s. Because citrus trees easily swap genetics when planted close together, many citrus hybrids sprang up during this period.

Grapefruit would go on to become one of the most popular of these hybrids.

It’s easy to see why. While its aroma is all sweet, its flavor is bright and complex with bitter undertones—though modern grapefruit tends to be sweeter and mellower than it was even a couple decades ago.

Like other citrus fruits, grapefruit is loaded with beneficial fiber (good for your heart and gut) and vitamin C (an antioxidant that supports immune health).

But where it shines in the citrus family is its vitamin A (beta carotene) content. Vitamin A promotes eye health and has antioxidant properties.

Eating a whole grapefruit can give you over half of your recommended value of vitamin A. An orange may only give you about 4%.

Grapefruit also contains other beneficial nutrients, like potassium and lycopene, in smaller amounts.

Drinking grapefruit juice can give you some of the same nutritional benefits—but you’d miss out on the wonderful fiber and nutrients from the solid parts of the fruit. Therefore, opt for the whole fruit whenever possible.

But what about the grapefruit myths that have made the rounds in recent years?

One myth promoted by some fad diets is that grapefruit is a fat burner. This just isn’t true.

What is true is that grapefruit is low in calories and high in fiber and water content—so eating it helps you feel satisfied and hydrated. That’s just a sensible food choice.

Grapefruit can vary in flavor and quality. I prefer the pink and ruby-red varieties for their flavor and nutritional value.

Here’s a tip for choosing a good one: a ripe grapefruit will have a softer rind when you squeeze it, and a pleasant floral fragrance if you sniff it.

There are so many great ways to enjoy grapefruit, too. The most traditional is to cut it in half and eat it with a grapefruit spoon. But it can also be broiled, or added to salads, smoothies, or even salsa. I like cutting my grapefruits in half and drizzling some honey over the top before digging in with my spoon.

Or, simplest of all, just peel it and eat it in segments like you would an orange.

Now, it’s true that research has shown that certain compounds in grapefruit may interact with some medications. If you are taking any medications, be sure to speak with your doctor or pharmacist before spending your grocery budget on grapefruit.

In most cases, though, eating grapefruit is a great way to add incredible flavor to your winter diet while reaping some really amazing nutritional benefits.

Here’s to a lovely citrus season.

Let's get healthier one day at a time,
Dr. Travis Stork

PS - Have you joined the NatureM.D. community on Facebook or Instagram yet? It’s a great way to stay connected and you never know when I might show up with more tips and recipes.

Sources:
1. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/grapefruit-history-and-drug-interactions
2. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/grapefruit-benefits