Full of Beans Kitchen 2024: “A Beaningful Life”

Narell Vasquez founded Full of Beans Kitchen to simplify incorporating beans into daily routines, inspired by their health benefits. Struggling to find clean, plant-based breakfast options, she and AJ developed a Pancake & Waffle Mix that combines the nutritional power of beans with convenience and taste. Together, they aim to make beans a breakfast staple while promoting healthy, hassle-free eating. DeliveryRank finds out more.

Narell, can you share more about your personal experience with the health benefits of beans and what challenges you faced when trying to incorporate them into your daily routine after moving to the US?

I come from a family with autoimmune diseases, and for a long time, I had symptoms that doctors couldn’t explain. After moving to the US, where processed foods are more common, my health began to decline—I felt strange, with joint pain and other issues. Frustrated by the lack of answers, I began researching and decided to gradually eliminate meat from my diet. In my search for the perfect protein,  I stumbled upon the amazing benefits of beans—rich in fiber and nutrients—and added them to my meals. 

My health improved, my skin cleared, and my digestion got better. Even my body composition changed. Eventually, I realized that preparing beans from scratch was time-consuming, so I thought, why not make them in batches and sell them to others? That’s how Full of Beans was born. This idea never came to market because one day I decided that beans have to be part of my mornings and I wanted to share that with the world. So, I pivoted to the product we have today. As I continued experimenting with different beans in search of the perfect pancake, I found fava beans, hidden somewhere in my pantry. Quickly, I recalled how much I loved their flavor and texture growing up in Ecuador, and that became the foundation of my product line."

How did the idea of creating a bean-based breakfast solution, specifically the pancake and waffle mix, come about, and why did you choose pancakes as the medium to introduce beans for breakfast?

I wanted to make beans part of my daily routine,and especially for breakfast. As someone who follows a mostly plant-based diet (but not strictly vegan), I struggled to find quick and healthy breakfast options that weren’t highly processed. That's when I thought, why not incorporate beans into pancakes? This way, I could get the recommended daily dose of beans (three times a day), get my protein and nutrition in a delicious and easy-to-make meal, essentially combining the best of both worlds.

How did incorporating more beans into your diet improve your athletic performance, and how did that inspire your involvement in creating a bean-powered breakfast product?

Before I added beans to my diet, I often felt tired and struggled to keep up with exercise. I knew I needed to stay active, but long runs or intense workouts felt difficult. After incorporating beans, I noticed a huge change— I was able to run with my Husky for 45 minutes without feeling tired, and I even went back to the gym, feeling stronger. I realized that adding more beans into my diet was making a significant difference in my energy levels and overall fitness.

What were some of the biggest challenges you both faced in turning your vision of making beans a breakfast staple into a reality, especially in a market saturated with processed plant-based options?

Absolutely, one of the main challenges we face stems from the common misconceptions about beans, particularly the fear that they might cause gas. These misconceptions can indeed make people hesitant to try our bean-based pancake and waffle mix. However, our sampling programs are crucial in addressing these concerns. Once people try our mix, they quickly see that it not only tastes great but also doesn't cause any discomfort, which really shifts their perspective. Additionally, these face-to-face interactions during demos give us the chance to share our passion for beans and discuss the positive impacts they've had on my daily life.

I realize that a big part of our job, especially here in the U.S., is educating people about the benefits of beans, and that's just part of the process when you're disrupting and innovating the market. 

Our mission to introduce beans as a breakfast staple clearly sets us apart in a marketplace crowded with overly processed plant-based proteins. We use clean, whole-food ingredients, relying on whole beans for protein instead of processed protein powders. This approach resonates strongly with plant-based eaters.

Beyond the plant-based market, we are also disrupting the high-protein industry with our simple, bean-based solution. We offer a new, natural, high-protein, and nutrient-packed choice for parents seeking healthier options for their children. What better way to make healthy eating fun and appealing than through pancakes or waffles? This approach allows us to connect with a broader audience and demonstrate the versatility and benefits of incorporating beans into everyday meals."

Your product emphasizes clean, plant-powered nutrition. Can you explain the nutritional benefits of your pancake and waffle mix, particularly the role of fava beans and added MCT oil in promoting a healthy start to the day?

When developing my product, I initially chose fava beans for their rich flavor. As I researched further, I discovered their impressive health benefits. Fava beans are particularly high in L-dopa, an amino acid that the body converts into dopamine, enhancing mood, energy, and motor skills—critical aspects of mental health. 

To enhance the effectiveness of L-dopa found in fava beans, I included MCT oil in our mix. This oil is known for its ability to provide quick, sustained energy, which can help optimize the body's use of dopamine, thereby supporting cognitive function and overall mental well-being. 

Additionally, I incorporated brown rice flour to ensure the mix is a complete protein source, providing all nine essential amino acids necessary for muscle repair and growth, with 15gr of protein per serving. This decision supports both mental and physical health comprehensively. 

Beans are the healthiest food on the planet, and I didn’t want to compromise their benefits with unnecessary additives or sugars. My vision was clear: make beans the main ingredient, keep it simple, and ensure it tastes great without losing any of its health benefits. I avoided ingredients like cornstarch and baking powder, which can introduce harmful substances like aluminum.

This focus ensures that every ingredient contributes positively, aligning with our mission to provide a nutritious, tasty, and straightforward breakfast option that leverages the natural benefits of its ingredients.

If you would like to find out more about Full of Beans, please visit https://fullofbeanskitchen.com/

Note: We are sold out on our website right now, but our products are available in some stores in the US. We are working to have our products available again in January and even plan to offer more flavors.