Meal Prep Made Easy – Portion Control Containers by PrepRx

The following blog post is a sponsored post

As I have mentioned before in this blog  I deeply believe in meal planning, not only because it much
more convenient for our family of different food preferences, but because it is easier to make sure we all have access to
healthy food option at all times. So when I had the chance to receive the “7-Pack of Reusable Portion Control Meal Prep Food Containers” by PrepRX,  I was eager to try them out

Here is what I found:
Pro:
Tight seal lids. I have had no problems with spillage whatsoever even after taking it with me just about anywhere.
Perfect fit for the microwave. While other meal prep boxes are often a little too large for smaller microwaves, Not this one,
It’s almost square design making it a perfect fit
Easy to clean – while they are really easy to clean by hand, I especially love that they are dishwasher safe, saving me
not only time via the meal prep, but also in the clean up
Freezer safe. Perfect for leftovers or prepping ahead!
Easily stackable – they truly do not take away much space in my already cramped kitchen. Perfect.

Con:
When they say tight lid, they mean tight lid! Sometimes it is hard for me to open those containers, and even harder for my 12-year-old.

If you love meal prep, take lunch to work with you, and want to stay overall healthy, these containers are for you.
I love filling them with already cut up fruits and veggies, making sure that when I am getting hungry, I am not grabbing
for those snacks that are not so good for me. what is not to love? Available on Amazon now! 

Product Dimensions are 9.8 x 4.3 x 5.9 inches

Made out of FDA-Certified BPA-Free Polypropylene

How To Accommodate Different Food Tastes And Needs – 7 Tips

— This blog post contains affiliate links ——

We are a miss-matched family when it comes to our eating habits. My daughter has an illness that gets aggravated by some food additives, and she is a Vegan. My son is a vegetarian, my husband a dedicated meat-eater, but who needs to watch his blood pressure, and I, well I am healing my thyroid naturally – that means no soy or soy products, and a long list of other foods, including some veggies, I should and will not eat. (I wrote more extensively on my allowed and disallowed food list here) Oh, and my dogs are allergic to commercial dog food, so I cook for them as well. Tired yet? I am.

Making meals that all of us can enjoy is a challenge. My over-the-road truck driving husband, is thankfully cooking mostly for himself, when he is driving, making food prep at least meat-free. That leaves us three people and the three animals. Thankfully the cat can (and will) eat whatever I put in front of him.

So what do we do to make it all work?

1. We meal plan. Once a week, my daughter and I create a meal plan for our entire week. We have some go-to recipes, but are always searching for something new, and are not afraid to look at foreign language websites to get inspired. Which also makes for a great homeschool lesson.

2. We look for or I create our own recipes that are easily adjusted (from vegan to vegetarian, or the other way around). I have shared some of these recipes on this blog, and will share some more on occasion.

3. We communicate. There is no shame in speaking up and saying that one of us did not like a meal or an idea. Suggestions on how to make a meal easier or better are always welcome and openly encouraged. We are a team here.

4. We have meals, where we share our space but not the same meal. Use today, as an example. All three of us had Mexican food. My son ate a bean taco, my daughter a tofu,carrot and cabbage quesadilla, and I ate a Mexican style zucchini wrap. It was relatively easy to adjust for our individual tastes, and most importantly we still had a complete meal as a family. (My husband is currently driving over-the-road, otherwise, he would have joined us with a traditional taco)

5. We are not afraid to try new things. None of us are afraid to try new recipes, flavors, and techniques. The kids are used to our trial and error system, and will speak up when something did not work for them.

6. We do not expect perfection. I am not a Five-Star chef, and I did not grow up cooking vegan or even vegetarian meals. Because of that alone,I do not expect that every meal will come out as planned. Letting go of creating that perfect meal, made my life a lot easier, and cooking a lot more stress-free.

Meal Prep Containers By Prep RX Available on Amazon

7. We use meal prep containers. I have a collection of meal-prep containers in different sizes, some with sections, others without. Not only do they make it easy for me to make meals ahead, freeze, and then reheat in the microwave, but they also make wonderful containers to prepare healthy snacks for each of us. Mine often contains a boiled, egg, veggies, and maybe some cheese, while my daughters will be filled with some nuts, veggies and an individual container of hummus.

I will introduce you to one of my recently acquired containers in more detail in an upcoming review soon, meanwhile, you can check them out on Amazon – Spoiler alert: They have a tight seal, and are wonderfully stackable, I love them! 

Question: How do you plan your meals? Do you meal prep? I would love to hear from you! Just leave a comment below!

 

Vegan Coconut-Curry Rice with Snap Peas

Curry, rice, and coconut are a inseparable stable in my kitchen, and especially when I am cooking vegan meals. With these simple ingredients, anyone can create a flavorful plant-based dish, that is healthy, filling and will satisfy even the
meat-eaters. I do not like bland food, and there is nothing bland about this quick, and cheap meal.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of rice (choose your favorite – for this dish I make it either with brown rice, or Basmati, depending on
what I have in the house)
3 cups of water
1/4 cup of raisins (optional)
1/2 cup of raw unsalted nuts (you can use walnuts, cashews or Almonds for this dish)
1 can of coconut milk
1 package (which is about two large handfuls of snap peas, trimmed)
curry powder, salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Prepare rice according to the direction on the package. Add the coconut milk, the snap peas, the raisins, nuts and
spices to a large pan, allow to simmer for 5 minutes or until the snappeas are tender. You can add as much curry powder
as you like, we like it a little bit more spicy, so we add more. It also depends on what curry you use.

Serve immediatly.

Enjoy!

As I mentioned on my facebook page, and previous blog posts, Creative Live is conducting a free 30 Day Genius interview series, It began today, with Mark Cuban, the owner of the Mavericks, Multi-Billionaire, and a member of the Shark Tank television show. Today, he spoke about passion, hustle, out-working and out-learning others. If you have not signed up for this free series, that you can watch anytime, you should do so now. The list of the upcoming geniuses, artists and creatives is extensive and includes the most prominent in their  field. And best of all – it is totally free!

This blog post is a part of the following blog hops:

Making Monday’s Marvelous

Amaze Me Mondays

Family Fun Blog Hop

Farm Girl Friday

No Rules Blog Hop

Inspire Me Wednesday

Let’s Talk Mommy Blog Hop

6 Raw Vegan Food Blogs You Should Check Out Right Now!

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Happy Belated Earth Day!

Keeping  ourselves healthy, and taking care of the planet can be achieved  by being very selective about what we eat. I have written before about the reasons why raw vegan dishes are a great option for everyone, even if you are not going fully raw, or even fully vegan. During my search for recipes, I have come across quite a few wonderful blogs, 6 of which I want to share with you today. Enjoy!

Julie’s Raw Ambition – A beautiful blog, filled with recipes and some tips, like her recent post on gardening. Well written, and very informative.

Raw Loulou –  There are a lot of recipes to explore – and I mean a lot, from breakfast to snacks, you name it, you can find it here.

The Rawtarian – looking for more than just recipes, but a community who is willing to teach you how to explore this way of eating? Then the Rawtarian is right for you. There are beautifully photographed recipes of course, but there is so much more, so I would suggest that you make some time to dive into this great and large site.

Awesome To Be Rawesome –  confused by some of the ingredients that are asked for in vegan and or raw cooking? Check out Awesome To Be Rawesome for tips on how to use these ingredients to their fullest, and also join a community of people who are interested in the same. A great place to find advice and also wonderful recipes.

Raw On 10 – food and wellness – this beautiful site showcases how food can heal you, and that on a budget. What is not to love!

Sweetly Raw –  the site for raw vegan desserts. If you have a sweet-tooth, like I do, you really should check out this beautiful site. Imagine eating decadent sweets, that are actually good for you? Oh, yeah!

Feeling overwhelmed by all of the tools and gadgets you might need to make raw foods? Actually, you only need two to make most of the recipes you see on the above blogs. I highly recommend getting a high-speed blender (such as the Vitamix), and a good table top spiralizer.

Briefton 5 Blade Spiralizer Available on Amazon now!

While handheld spiralizers are fine for small jobs, I suggest getting a table top spiralizer. My favorite one is the Briefton 5 Blade spiralizer, which makes everything from curly fries (when not eating raw), to zucchini pasta (for those raw days). My favorite feature is how easy is is to clean – the entire thing is dishwasher safe, which is wonderful. It is quite big, once assembles ( the machine needs some assembling before your first use, but it is easy to put together – if I can do it, you can), but not big enough to be a nuisance. I would not want to be without it. But, as a parent I should warn you – this is not a kids toy – the blades are very sharp. Kids should be used to handling machines with sharp parts before using this spiralizer, and should be supervised.

(Disclosure: I have received the Briefton 5 Blade spiralizer for free in return for an honest and unbiased review).

 

Vegan Pink Curry Recipe With Red Beets

Finding something to make for lunch that we can all eat safely, and that fits our different lifestyle choices can be challenging. So I like to experiment not only with different techniques, but also with flavors. which sometimes works, other times ends in total disaster – oh well. This recipe was inspired by my search through German vegan blogs, where someone used a lot of red beets, sometimes in combination with Indian flavors. Which in turn sparked my creativity, and made me come up with this now  family -tested and approved, Pink Curry Recipe With Red Beets. (I love cooking with coconut milk!)

 

Pink Curry Recipe With Red Beets.

 (feeds 2 hungry people) You will need:

1 large or 2 small fresh red beets, cleaned, peeled and diced into small cubes

1 medium size leek, cut into thin rings

1 small onion, finely diced

3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into bite size pieces

1 can of organic coconut milk (our can was 13 oz)

2 cups of veggie stock – use your favorite kind

salt, pepper and curry powder to taste – I like it a little spicier, so i tend to add more curry and pepper, but how much is totally up to you.

Olive oil

Instructions:

Add olive oil, leeks, and onions into the pan, cook until translucent. Add the veggie stock, potatoes, beets, coconut milk and spices, stirring well to combine. Bring to a simmer. Add more spices if necessary. Cook at medium heat for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until all vegetables are done, stirring often during the cooking process.

Serve hot.

______________________________________________

Simple, isn’t it? Yet it has such a wonderful combination of earthy flavors, and powerful spices that made it so delicious, even my husband, who is a dedicated meat-eater did not have a choice but to enjoy. A perfect recipe for anyday, or your Meatless Monday meals.

Have a wonderful, and healthy day!

Claudia

 

P.S. No time to shop and plan a meal? Check out SunBasket’s Vegetarian Menu for this week here! Includes a yummy Lentil dish, that is absolutely delicious and soy free! Also available are gluten-free, and paleo meal options. Find out more here

 

 

 

5 Facts You Might Not Know About Bento Boxes

The following post may contain affiliate links

Bento boxes are all of the rage, ranging from adorable boxes for children, to elaborate stackable wooden boxes,
with beautiful decor. Originating from Japan, they are a wonderful way to store and transport food wherever you go.

But how much do you really know about these traditional Japanese food boxes? I have collected 5 Bento facts you might not know, just for you:

Source

I have collected 5 Bento facts you might not know, just for you:
1. Bento actually means convenience. And that is exactly what they are, a convenient way to take food with you, with
practical compartments keeping your food separate and clean.

2. In Japan you can be served Makunouchi Bento at a restaurant. These meals come arranged in elegant lacquered boxes, and are often very elegant.

3. There is such a thing as bento art. Featuring elaborate designs – cute, filled with humor, or just simply weird – Hongkiat
features a few of these well-designed bento art pieces. Check out the Starbucks bento box, which is my personal favorite

4. The difference between a bento box, and a lunch box is,…. well there is not any, because essentially a bento box is a
lunch box used in Japan. The biggest difference is probably, that a lunch box does not have to have separate compartments to be a lunch box, while a bento box usually has at least two compartments.
5. Great for eating healthy – bento boxes, because of their separate compartments allow for portion control. This is
especially great for those who are trying to reach their goal weight, or trying to ensure that they are consuming a balanced
meal. Use the largest compartments for veggies, and the smaller ones for proteins, starches, and even desserts.

My current favorite bento lunch boxes are these NimNik Kitchenette 3-Compartment Bento Boxes. Easily stackable, these three compartment boxes make it easy to transport a well-rounded lunch to the office, but are in my house mostly used for meal-prep. I like the prepare my healthy snacks and meals ahead of time, knowing that if I have the convenience of filled bento boxes at my fingertips, I am less likely to reach for an unhealthy snack. They are perfect for holding cold
lunches, such as sandwich and salad lunches, my favorite vegan wraps, or especially for a raw meal, like zucchini noodles with raw tomato sauce, with space left for some no-bake cookie balls, and fruit!. They come in a pack of ten, with a black bottom and a see-through plastic top, and are easy to clean. I love that the lid fits very tightly upon the box, making sure that there will be no mess, during transport. They are not of the thickest material, so I would not abuse them, as
it is possible with some other sturdier bento boxes, but I have had neither breakage or leakage issues with them, and we
have put them through the family test.

You can find the NimNik Kitchenette 3-Compartment Bento Boxes on Amazon right now!

 

Want to see how bento boxes can be used for a healthy, vegan meal prep? Check out one of my favorite YouTuber “Mind Over Munch” create Vegan Bento Boxes!

Disclaimer: I received the NimNik Bento boxes for free in return for an honest review

 

Wordless Wednesday: Wellness

 

This blog post is a part of the following blog hops:

Spring Digital Link Up

Wordless Wednesday (1)

Wordless Wednesday (2)

Wordless Wednesday by XMasDolly 

What Are You Doing In April – Blog Hop

Extra Veg – April Linky

Be Inspired 

Hypothyroidism: Which Foods To Eat, And Which To Stay Away From

Disclaimer: The following post contains affiliate links. Experiences and opinions are my own. See Discloser page for details

Thyroid Support Available On Amazon Now

Hypothyroidism is often called the silent epidemic. Hard to diagnose, until the symptoms are in a stage you can no longer ignore, they can represent any number of other diseases. It took me to have a goiter (an enlargement of the thyroid, visible on the neck), to realize I had the disease. I had previously explained my increasing acne, hair loss, and sudden weight gain away, by a lack of discipline, and something that might just happen to me. The fact that I always am cold is just another quirk that made me, me. I was wrong. I had hypothyroidism.

Thankfully, once diagnosed there are a variety of treatment options you can discuss with your holistic health care provider. I have decided to go the natural route and began by adjusting my diet to support my thyroid. Allow me to share some of my findings with you.

Foods that negatively affect thyroid function (hypothyroid issues only) , and therefore, can increase or create a goiter are on my “not to eat list”

1. pine nuts
2. peanuts
3. cauliflower
4. broccoli
5. kale
6. millet
7. spinach
8. soybeans (and soy products)
9. peaches
10. pears
11. rutabagas
12. turnips

Those should be only eaten in moderation, and only if cooked, as some health care providers think that cooking them will kill their goitrogenic properties. I have eliminated them completely, which is personally the best course of action for me.

Foods to add to your diet:

1. Eggs
2. dairy
3. shellfish
4. seafood
5. olive oil
6. nuts (no peanuts)
7. parsley
8. whole grains
9. whole wheat bread
10. winter squash

You should also increase your consumption of foods containing the following vitamins and minerals

1. zink
2. B2
3. B3
4. B6
5. B12
6. A
7. E
8. C

Because fluoroid can have negative effects on the thyroid I cook only with filtered water. Keep in mind, that black and green teas also contain fluoride

So far, this course of action has had a positive impact on my overall well being, and I am able to stay off medication, as long as I make a continous improvement.

Question: Do you have a disease that you control or improve with the help of dietary changes?

Disclaimer as required by law: Please make sure you check with your health care professional before making any dietary changes. This article only contains a personal account for what works for me, and is for educational purposes only)

Read More On The Subject:.

Hypothyroidism Diet: Natural Remedies And Foods To Boost Your Energy And Jump Start Your Weight Loss

.Available On Amazon Now!

5 Reasons To Make Your Own Spice Mixes

Ever thought about making your own spice mixes? Thought that this was a little too daunting of a task? Think again. Creating herb and spice mixes is easy, inexpensive and efficient, as well as a fun activity you can do together with your kids.

But besides that it is a creative activity, that goes beyond a home economics lesson, it is also a great way to keep artificial by-products out of your families reach.

Do you have family members with food allergies and chronic diseases, like I do? Then you really should consider making your own mixes.

 

Allow me to present to you 5 reasons why you should make your own spice mixes

1. Store bought mixes contain modified starch which is often derived from GMO sources (not always), used a thickening agent

2. There are also hidden sugars – does anyone really need more sugar in their diet? The answer is surely no, especially when you or someone in your family deals with diabetes or other chronic illnesses

3. Store brands as well as national brands contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils – GMO derived trans fats from various sources, such as soybean oil, do I need to say more?

4. They contain MSG – MSG can be hidden under other names.

5. Often contains Hidden gluten – a dangerous situation for anyone with celiac disease

But where to find recipes? You can borrow my “Mixing Spices” book for free on Amazon Kindle Unlimited! A no-nonsense collection of mixes, which contains no fillers, unlike store brand ready-mixes. My recipes range from Taco Season to Goulash, and more adventurous recipes, that are easy to replicate, without the need for weird and crazy ingredients you can find anywhere.

Get it on Amazon now!

 

 

Store your spice creations in these beautiful containers, for an airtight seal.

Magnetic Steel Spice Rack by Home Basics, available on Amazon now! 

 

 

 

If you are looking for a non-expensive, but effective spice grinder, I highly recommend this little powerhouse:

Krups Coffee And Spice Grinder available on Amazon now!

 

 

 

 

The above blog post is a part of the following blog hops:

Share With Me

 

Winter Blues Wednesday

Inspire Me Wednesday

Talk Of The Town

The Creative Board

Tea Detox – Tips, Tricks And Tea Recipes

I am currently partaking in a short tea detox – not a total fast, but a week-long partial detox that includes only water, teas,
and restricted raw vegan meals. For someone who drinks an excess of 4 cups of coffee a day, I make it a point to do this at least twice a year, just to give my kidneys and entire system a break.

There are a few things to consider when thinking about partaking a tea-cleanse:

14 Day Teatox available on Amazon

1. some teas, especially herbal tea, s can have an adverse effect on any medication you are taking, including the pill. If you are taking any medication, always check with your holistic health care practitioner before going through with a detox, or which herbs you should stay away from.
2. Allergies – keep in mind that this is not the time to try out any new herbal or fad teas you have never tried before. As a person with multiple allergies, I highly advise against doing a tea-cleanse with ingredients you do not know how you will react to.
3. Kids should not do a tea cleanse. Don’t make this a mother-daughter experience, or place your entire family on your quest. This is a detox for you, your body has a different level of need, and tolerance than a child.
4. Stay away from artificial sweeteners – if you must sweeten your teas (and some fruit teas are pretty sour without some help) use honey, agave or another natural sweetener.
5. Stay away from teas with caffeine. Even if you have withdrawal headaches, you should really try to stay away from green and black teas as your withdrawal symptoms indicate a physical addiction. If you feel these symptoms, I highly recommend that you should stay away from caffeine for a longer period of time, than just the time of your cleanse, and later on to not drink more than 1 caffeinated beverage per day. The only exception to the rule is if you have chronic low blood pressure, then drinking a stimulating green or black tea can be fine.
Here are some of my favorite tea mixes to make at home for detox:

Tea mix# 1

3 tablespoons of rosehip
3 tablespoons of raspberry leaves
3 tablespoons of dried corn silk
add to 1 liter of boiling water – allow to steep for 5 minutes – strain, and drink warm

Circulon 2 Quart Teakettle – my favorite teakettle now available on Amazon

Tea mix # 2

3 tablespoon of dried dandelion leaves
3 tablespoons of dried peppermint
3 tablespoon of dried nettle

add to 1 liter of boiling water – allow to steep for 5 minutes – strain and drink warm

Tea mix # 3

3 tablespoons of dried lemon balm
3 tablespoons of rooibos
3 tablespoons of linden leaves

add to 1 liter of boiling water and allow to steep for 5 minutes – strain and drink warm

 

If you want to read more about tea-detox check out the following books:

7 Day Flat Belly Tea Cleanse available on Amazon

Tea Cleanse available on Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Always check with your holistic health care professional before undertaking any fasts or diets. The above article contains affiliate links, see Disclosure page for details

 

This blog post is a part of the following blog hops and link ups:

Manic Monday

Balanced And Healthy Living 

Inspire Me Wednesday

Let’s Talk Mommy