These days everyone is health conscious, but finding food that’s both healthy and delicious is no easy feat. Fortunately, Jersey City has House of Gains. Created by husband-and-wife team Chris Diaz and Brenda Barzola, House of Gains is a healthy free-for-all playground of protein bowls, veggies, and international flavors. We caught up with Chris and Brenda to find out how they’ve managed to make healthy taste so good.
How did you come up with the name House of Gains?
Chris: House of Gains is a name I gave our home a couple of years ago. I was heavily into working out at the gym and when I arrived home after a workout, I’d whip up some of my favorite dishes with a healthy twist to them. I’d take pictures of my food and upload them to Instagram and add “House of Gains” as my location.
When we finally started our business this year, it was difficult to come up with a name, but the words House of Gains meant so much to me that I decided to go with that.
The word “gains” in the fitness world usually means muscle gains or fitness goal gains. To me, “gains” means strength, growth, endurance, resilience, and more.
House of Gains also offers a meal delivery program. How did that idea come about?
Chris: Having my own restaurant has always been my dream. However, the meal delivery idea came to me a couple of years ago, due to my interest in fitness and eating healthier.
We aren’t your usual meal “prep” company. There is so much more to the House of Gains lifestyle and we hope to be able to continue to share that with our community.
What’s been your most popular dish?
Chris: The menu changes monthly, so we haven’t had just one. September’s favorite was our turkey meatloaf, sweet potato mash, and green beans. October’s favorite was the salmon and asparagus with cranberry and almond brown rice. November’s favorite is our spin on the “Halal Cart” — chicken and rice with our vegan white sauce.
We don’t want to stick to just one cuisine or meal because we are in love with so many.
House of Gains meals are clean and packed with protein, yet there’s also a big international influence. What inspires each month’s menu?
Chris: Eating healthy was never appealing to me because it just made the food look boring. I’ve been cooking and working in the culinary industry for over 13 years. Therefore, food could not be boring to me.
We are also major foodies, so we put a lot of thought into what we share with our clients. We love to serve some of our favorite cuisines and meals with a healthy twist. We customize certain things, like adding more veggies, having vegetarian options, and vegan sauces. We want to make sure we serve the same food we would want to be served. You can always find variety on our menu whether it’s online or at one of the markets we participate in. We think that’s what makes us who we are. We don’t want to stick to just one cuisine or meal because we are in love with so many. That’s why we like to say, “Your Gains, Your Choice.”
How long have you been Jersey City residents?
Chris: We’ve lived in Jersey City for over 25 years and can’t imagine our life anywhere else. We love most of the recent changes like “restaurant row,” the murals, the food truck hub, the farmers’ markets, the bike lanes, and how much culture and diversity our city still has. We love the sense of community we have and how so many people work together to make our city great.
We want to make sure we serve the same food we would want to be served.
Are both of you fitness addicts?
Chris: If addicts means we yearn to workout, then YES! However, starting a new business has left us with very little time to juggle our kids, work, home, school, and fitness. We are desperately finding ways to fit working out into our busy schedule. Incorporating fitness is a crucial part of our business vision and you will see that part grow with us within the next year.
What are your favorite”cheat” foods in Jersey City?
Chris: Orales’ pork belly tacos, pork belly guac, and their special frozen margaritas. Also, Left Banks’ Cypress Hill burger with onion rings and ranch dressing.
Brenda: Cactus taco, fish tacos, and tamales from Taqueria. And the Zucca pie from Roman Nose.
Aside from your website, where can we find House of Gains next?
Chris: We’ll be at Midnight Market on December 9th in the Harborside Atrium. Then at the JC West Side Holiday Craft Fair on December 17 and 18 at The Gallo Center at Lincoln Park.
(Photos: Miguel Saez, House of Gains)
