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

Vegan Spaghetti Carbonara (Creamy Coconut Leek Sauce)

—- The following post contains affiliate links, see disclosure page for details ——- 

I like eating creamy dishes – which is why I almost always have coconut milk in the house. It is no wonder then, that I had to find a replacement for one of my favorite pasta dishes – carbonara. Not exactly the most healthy meal in its original form,
but yummy enough to break all of the rules.
But now I don’t have to feel guilty about my creamy indulgence anymore because I came up with a carbonara that replaces the real thing. I hope you like it as much as I do, just one warning – it is addicting.

You will need:

1 package whole-grain pasta (you can use gluten-free, or regular whole-wheat, whichever you prefer)
1 leek
2 tablespoon of coconut oil
1 can (about 250 ml) coconut milk (for this do not use the low-fat variety – trust me on this, it is time to splurge)
salt, pepper, and ground nutmeg to taste

Preparation:
Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Rinse and set aside.
Meanwhile, cut the white part of the leeks in thin rings. Add the coconut oil into a deep pan, cook until the leek becomes
somewhat translucent, similar to cooking onions. Add the coconut milk to the leek and simmer for 5 minutes, or until
the leak becomes soft. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste.
Top your pasta with the creamy coconut sauce – and you are done!

Another simple, yet yummy meal, that is easy to make, and satisfying enough for a meat eater. If you are participating in the Meatless Mondays’ this is the perfect easy, and decadent meal for you, that keeps you full, energized, and will not make you miss the meat, dairy or any other animal product!
Variety: I have made a variety of this dish by adding broccoli instead of leek to the sauce. It is just as yummy!

CuliChef Silicone & Stainless Steel Spatula Available On Amazon Now

To make the creation of this dish even easier, and keep your food from sticking, use this great CuliChef Silicone & Stainless Steel Spatula that I have recently discovered. I love this heavy duty kitchen instrument, as it can hold some weight, does not stick and can handle heat up to 445 Degrees Fahrenheit (220 Celcius). I have become a fan of anything silicone when it comes to kitchen gadgets, and this spatula is no exception. It has a long handle, which prevents any splattering on your hands, which is great, especially when you are trying to teach children how to cook. As an extra bonus, I found it very easy to clean, no matter what sticky mess I made.  Try it out, it is available on Amazon now.

(Disclaimer: I have received the CuliChef Silicone & Stainless Steel Spatula for free in return for an honest and unbiased review. )

 

Have a wonderful day!

Claudia

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

 

 

 

4 Reasons Why You Should Eat More Raw Meals

This post contains affiliate links – as well as a vegan raw food recipe, so read all the way to the end!

I do not limit my diet to a particular lifestyle, may it be raw vegan, or otherwise, but rather optimize my food that fits my life, and health the best, as long as I eat 95 % clean. I do however add quite a few vegan raw food recipes into my diet, and that of my family with very diverse eating habits (my daughter is vegan, my son vegetarian, and my husband is on a diet to prevent blood pressure issues, while being neither). The raw food diet though, is a concept I have been familiar with since childhood, growing up in Germany. Rohkost or raw food meals were used to treat certain ailments, or just simply made as  a part of our meals. At least, is was in our family.

The cool thing is, that you do not need anything fancy to start incorporating raw meals into your diet, even though many recipes can call for spiralizers and special high-speed blenders. While these are all good to have, for those who want to start out, they are not something you need. Your normal everyday tools  appliances can get you started just as well.

So why should you try to get more raw food recipes and meals into your diet?

1. The nutrients and vitamins stay intact.The main benefit of eating raw is that the nutritional integrity of the food you are preparing stays intact. Cooking foods can  ( and usually does) destroy some of those vitamins, minerals and all of the good stuff you are trying to bring into your diet, by eating more veggies in the first place. None of that occurs when preparing your meals raw.

2. There is no long meal prep.  Most raw meals are rather quick and easy to prepare. So it is easily possible to prepare an entire meal for your family within ten minutes. How cool is that!

3. It is very portable. A bento box full of veggies, and prepared sauces or dressings is a very portable meal, that does not require a microwave or a stove to be enjoyed. Raw meals are perfect for the office, and can be just as balanced as a cooked meal if planned correctly.

4. Increased focus. Many people I have talked to, who added more raw meals to their diet have spoken about their increased ability to stay focused for a longer period of time. I agree with that experience, because when I make a point of incorporating more raw meals throughout the week into my life, my ability to stay longer on task increases noticeably. While I am not aware of a specific study validating that claim, it is my personal experience, and understandably so, considering that my nutrient intake has increased, which also affects brain function positively.

Wondering how to actually turn this into a practice, now that you know why you should?

You can start simple, by a large bowl of fruit for breakfast, or a variety of cut up veggies with your favorite homemade salsa
or hummus as a dip. But you can also make yourself a soup, if you have a blender, like this creamy tomato soup

Creamy Raw Tomato Soup Recipe (Vegan) 

You will need
4 tomatoes
2 medium carrots – peeled
1 to 2 celery
1 tablespoon of your favorite almond butter
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 -3 dried tomatoes (not in olive oil)
2 teaspoons of dried oregano
1 teaspoon of dried  basil
1 teaspoon of dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste
some water

Place all of the ingredients into a blender, adding water to it, while you blend it all up, until it reaches the desired consitency.
Place into your favorite bowl and granish with arucola, or parsely – whatever you have on hand.

 

 

If you are feeling more adventurous, check out this book by a wonderful Youtuber named Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram, also known as Raw Food Kristina. I absolutely adore her tips on raw foods, meal prep, her raw vegan recipes and now her book, which is a Bestseller on Amazon – for good reason. A great book to start your journey on eating more raw – get it today! Ranging from savory to sweet, there is something for everyone in her book!

The Fully Raw Diet available on Amazon now! 

 

Check out the following blog hops to connect with other bloggers, foodies and more!

Fun Friday Favorites 

Friday Home Link Up

Friday Finds And Favorites

No Rule Weekend Blog Party

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!

Nettle – An A to Z Challenge Post

N is for Nettle:

This herb is a powerhouse both culinary as well as medicinal, that is often overlooked by the general public. Nettles, or stinging nettles should be pre-cooked, unless you use them as a tea, and be handled with gloves at all times. The younger the leaves, the more tender the result, which will be similar to that of spinach.

Matches well with: cheese, cream, tomatoes, eggs and onions

Healing Properties: In Germany, this herb is valued highly for its healing powers, sold there as an herbal drug to aid in the relief of rheumatoid arthritis. Its power lies also in relieving symptoms of allergies, without all of the side effects that standard medication brings with it. External uses include skin problems, gout, neuralgia, and hair problems. I drink this tea personally to prevent symptoms of my chronic anemia.

Magical properties: strengthens willpower. If sprinkled around the home, it wards off negativity.

If you enjoyed this post on Nettle, why not check out my book

“Mixing Spices: A Flavorful Guide to Creating Awesome Herb and Spice Mixes”

on Amazon Kindle today! 

Lemongrass – An A to Z Challenge Blog Post

L Is For Lemon Grass

Another plant that is often used in Thai and Indonesian cooking, lemon grass has a delicate lemony flavor. The inner core is tender and can be chopped similar to scallions. The outer part can be used for flavoring in teas and soups.

Matches well with: pork, shellfish, chicken and in soups

Healing properties: it has pain relieving properties, because of its ability to alleviate muscle spasms. The vapor of lemon grass is inhaled, to aid in calming and removing fever. Great for sore throats.

Magical properties: psychic opening and cleansing

Thank you for reading my Herb and Spice themed A to Z Challenge! If you enjoy cooking with herbs and spices, check out my latest book “Mixing Spices – A Flavorful Guide to Creating Awesome Herb And Spice Mixes” on Amazon Kindle for only 2.99 or FREE on Kindle Unlimited! 

The herbs and spices featured as a part of this series are available via our sponsor Kaina Organics! 

Kaffir Leaves – An A to Z Blog Challenge Post

K – Is For Kaffir Leaf

Kaffir leaves are sometimes called lime leaves, but are not to be confused with European Lime – which is more commonly known as Linden.

Matches well with: Thai and Indonesian cuisine, stir fries – remove after the cooking process or use it ground

Juniper Berries – An A to Z Blogging Challenge Post

I am a little behind on the challenge this week, so I will post two times today, once more in the afternoon to get caught up. My daughter is getting ready for an out-of-state prom, and I am sending her half way across the US today. Lots of stuff had to be done. (Who thought it could be so tough to find matching shoes, to fit her designer dress?)

But let’s get back to herbs and spices:

J is for Juniper Berries

Juniper Berries are actually not berries but part of a specific pine cone, that take up to two years to mature. Used widely in cooking, this spice has to be removed from the finished meal, similar to the Bay Leaf.

An essential ingredient in the creation of gin.

Matches well with: game, rabbit and hare. Use sparingly

Healing Properties: One compound of the spice contains terpinen-4-ol which stimulates kidneys and works as a diuretic. Because of its antiseptic properties, juniper aids in healing urinary tract infections, and bladders tones. It also lowers blood sugar.

Magical Properties: burn for magical protection. Juniper oil works well in workings that supposed to increase money and prosperity

Enjoy!

Ginger – An A to Z Challenge Blog Post

G is for Ginger:

Did you know that it takes 9 months for ginger to reach maturity? Not until the flowers appear, the tops have begun to die, is the ginger ready to be harvested.

Matches well with: chicken, chocolate, fruit, rice and tomatoes

Healing Properties: aids against nausea, colic, menstrual cramps, travel sickness and bloating. More recently it has been also used for joint problems, due to its anti-inflammatory properties

Magical uses: personal confidence, prosperity and success. A very powerful token, that can be used in amulets, mojo or medicine bags to strengthen and for protection

The following video shows how easy it is to make a Lemon-Ginger-Honey base for a healthy tea, that aids you with relieving cold symptoms.

If you enjoyed this post, check out my book

“Mixing Spices – A Flavorful Guide To Creating Awesome Herb And Spice Mixes”

Available Now!