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

5 Facts About Mortar And Pestles You Might Not Know

——– The following post may contain affiliate links ——————–

Mortar and Pestle are not a beautiful but also a functional pair of tools to have in your kitchen, especially if you do
a lot of cooking with herbs and spices. But as you already know, I always want to know more about the tools I use, so I
decided to dig up some facts about this interesting contraption you might not have known before:

5 Things You May Not Know About Mortar And Pestles

1. Did you know in some places there were used for meat preparation? Large stone mortars with wood pestles were used in West Asia to grind meat for a type of meatloaf called kebbeh as well as a type of hummus called masabcha.

2.Here is a non-food use of the mortar and pestle: It is traditional in various Hindu ceremonies such as weddings and
upanayanam to use the mortar and pestle to crush turmeric.

3. Mortar and Pestles are a big part of Thai history: The Thai mortar and pestle dates back to the Sukhothai period which was the 1st Kingdom that was founded in 1238 A.D. and was used to grind foods and medicines.

4. the results of your grinding depend on the material of the mortar and pestle. I will get more into the details of that
in a moment.

5. The oldest mentioning of the mortar and pestle stems from Ancient Egypt, in a medical manuscript called the
Papyrus Ebers, which dates about 1550 BCE.

What are the best Mortar And Pestle material for which use?

Ceramic:
stains easily used to create powdered substances

Stone/Granite:
very heavy, durable and sturdy, look for a not so porous mortar for best use. Good for general cooking uses

Wood:
best for griding seeds and salts. Do not use with moisture. Never leave in water so it won’t warp. Delicate.

Porcelain:
Easy to clean, usually dishwasher safe, need salt in order to make grinding easier. General household use

Marble:
the heaviest of them all. Easy to clean, very sturdy, easiest to use. does not absorb odor.

 

Maxam Mortar and Pestle Available on Amazon now

I was recently given the chance to review the Maxam Marble Mortar and Pestle, and here are my thoughts:

My first impression was, that is was as heavy and beautiful as I expected from a marble piece. Of all Mortar and Pestles, I prefer marble as the material, as it is the most functional, as well as aesthetically pleasing, allowing me to leave  in full display, rather than hiding it in the cupboard somewhere. The Maxam Mortar and Pestle is not exception to that rule. With a large bowl,  it is  wonderful to use for the larger patches of spice mixes I tend to make, cutting my work time.  It is almost completely white, with the slight colors I also expect and love from marble. The pestle rests well in my hand and is well balanced, which makes working with this item easier and more convenient. Overall I am very happy with this item, which is available on Amazon at a very reasonable price.

Disclaimer: I was given the Maxam Mortar and Pestle for free in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Stay tuned for some more interesting facts about every day items, you might not have thought about before.

This post is a part of the following blog hops:

Weekend Blog Party

Wednesday Blog Hop

Inspire Me Wednesday

Too cute Tuesdays

Amaze Me Mondays

Powerful Flashlights For Everyday Use – #BYB – Pack of 4, BYBlight Cree LED Flashlight Torch

————This post contains affiliate links, see disclosure page for details.———

I was looking for small, versatile flash lights after a few short but annoying power outages in our neighborhood.
The Byblight cree LED Flashlight Torch was exactly what I needed. Available in a 4 pack (for the price of one decent
flash light), I have now have a flash light in every bathroom, the kitchen, one for the living room. They are compact, fitting
in the smaller drawers without taking away too much space. They are made out of metal, no cheap plastic, that breaks after one drop, but that also makes them a little heavier. I do not like that their loop at the end of each flash light is really
small, only a small child’s hand could fit through them, so the loop is pretty much more for deco than practicality.

These are the specs:

Available on Amazon Now

Uses cree LED with a lifespan of over 50000 hours
– Max outputs a blinding 150 lumens
– 3 Light modes: Lightly press the button to switch in high, low and strobe
– Adjustable focus: Simply controlled by pulling the head
– Compact design for everyday carry and all kind of outdoor activities
– Solid state and ergonomic designed durable aluminum alloy
– Powered by 3x 1.5v AAA battery, easy-to-get, Not Included
– Pack of 4

Specification
* Powered By: 3 x 1.5v AAA Not Included
* Runtime: 10,000 hours
* Max Brightness: 150 lumens
* Body Material: Aluminum
* Dimension: 4.1″ (length) * 1.18″ (diameter)
* Net Weight: 3oz
* Color: Black

Overall I am very pleased with these four flashlights. If you are looking for inexpensive, small flash lights that are
going to last you for a while, these set is the way to go,
(Disclaimer: I have received this product for free in return for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own)

Dollar Store Quality At A Non-Dollar Store Price: Soccer Ball Necklace – A Review

This post may contain affiliate links 

I get quite a few products and books to review each week, for which I am very grateful for. But of course, not all of them
are going to be off the highest quality. And while I have no problem singing the praise for those who have done a great job with their products, books or services, I am equally as willing to write a neutral or negative review, when warranted.

As it is in the case with this Silver-Tone with Black Crystal Pave Soccer Ball Pendant Necklace 18″, from Dee Zee Global. While it might make a cute everyday gift for the young girl who just started with soccer, it is more dollar store quality than what I usually see on Amazon. The pendant is rather light, and nothing special, the chain a standard stain of the same quality that will last for the few weeks it is meant to be worn anyway until it is tossed in the corner. It is not ugly, it is sparkly enough to get a young girls attention, but like I already mentioned, not above the quality I see in the local Dollar store.

Instead of giving your daughter, or anyone else this necklace, there are much prettier, and more high-quality options out there in the same price range.

Disclaimer: I was given the soccer ball necklace for free in return for an honest, unbiased review

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

 

5 Ways to Teach/Trick Yourself Into Drinking More Water

(Disclaimer: The following post contains affiliate links. I have received the ….. water bottle for free in return for an honest review. See Disclosure page for details)

I used to hate drinking water. I’d rather drink anything but, ranging from soda’s to coffee, to my beloved tea, just to avoid
drinking the cold stuff pure. While some of those count toward your daily needed water intake, pure water is still the best
for staying hydrated, so I decided to learn some tips and tricks on how to get more of that stuff I avoided into my system.

Here are 5 tips and tricks to help you drink more water on a consistent basis:
1. Post it notes
I am a believer in creating notes for myself – even if that sometimes means, I am getting weird looks by my family members, and those who have not been properly warned, but they are effective.
You can write simply “drink more water” on your favorite sticky notes, and tape it to your computer screen, your fridge, and your bathroom mirror – any of the place you might frequent, and glance at throughout the day.

2. Get a fancy, sporty or funny water bottle.
Having the water with you at all times minimizes your potential excuses, and making the water bottle something special makes it also a trendy accessory. From a stylish silver thermos water bottle, to the individually designed bottles from Zazzle, you can find something that fits your style and your needs.

3. Write down your water intake
may it be by using  apps such as Hydro Coach, or via an old-fashion journal, keeping track of how much water you take in is a combination of a reminder, as well as your own accountability partner. It also makes it easier for your to see when you have a harder time to keep up with your needed intake, and make adjustments to your routine, or add something to make keep drinking that good stuff easier.

Mason Jars With Straw Lid available on Amazon now!

4. Get yourself a straw
believe it or not, when you are drinking through a straw, you drink automatically more. You do not have to invest in these fancy glass ones , but if you use mason jars to increase your water intake, you can add these straw lids to them. I think they are cool!

5. Begin and end your day with water
Make drinking water the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing you drink at night. Centering your water intake around your already established routines makes it easier for you to remember – and create the habit of drinking water. Your body will thank you!

Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle from Steady Doggie Sports available on Amazon now!

 

Check out my favorite new 20 oz stainless steel water bottle from Steady Doggie Sports and Outdoors. Keeping my water cool and fresh for hours, while being handy and light enough to keep close. It is easy to clean (if you are disregarding the lid that includes the inbuilt straw) , versatile (first of al,l it has two lids, one with a built in straw, the other a standard screw cap, and second,  it will also keep my tea hot! ), and it is affordable. With the heat of the Las Vegas summer soon to be upon is, this water bottle  has become my new best friend. Holds 20 oz. I would not recommend it, if you are using it for smoothies, or any drinks that include pulp. As I mentioned, it has the second straw and spout lid, which would be almost impossible to keep clean, if used for a sugary, or thick drink, like juice or smoothies. I prefer to use it only for water, and for unsweetened hot tea. For everything else there are other, more practical bottles out there. On the plus side, there is no metallic aftertaste, like with many other stainless steel water bottles, and the lights are tight – I have had no problems with my water leaking while taking it with me for a walk with the dogs or to the gym.

 

This post is a part of the following blog hops:

What Are You Doing In March – Blog Hop

Frugal Friday Home Link Up

Share With Me Blog Hop

Inspire Me Wednesday

No Rules Weekend Party Blog Hop

 

Book Review: Got Luck by Michael Darling

 

Disclaimer: I was given this book for free in return for a honest review. This blog post contains affiliate links, see disclosure page for details

Title: Got Luck
Author: Michael Darling
Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Crime
Publisher: Future House Publishing
Rating: 2/5 Stars

The Premise:

Police-officer-turned-private-investigator Goethe “Got” Luck is known for rolling with the punches and never taking anything too seriously. When he picks up a seemingly dead-end murder case, his life begins to take a crazy turn. Shot at, chased by people he has never met, and attacked by an invisible liondog, Got quickly learns that there is more to this world than meets the eye.

He discovers the Fae. The Eternals. They who dwell in the Behindbeyond. Once, they ruled over ancient realms, but over the centuries, their power dwindled. Now someone wants to restore their rule and subjugate humankind. All it will cost is thousands of human lives.

The clock is ticking. Getting the world out of this one will take a couple friends, more than a few well-placed insults, and a whole lot of Luck.

I became interested in this book, because the above blurb sounded like a pretty cool premise, promising a fast pasted, interesting story with a  twist that is not your standard fair for a fantasy/crime novel. But sadly,  I was disappointed. To be honest, I really do not like 1st person narratives. It is rare that books written in this particular  form are something I can lose myself in, so I had a bias from the moment I actually received the copy. For a first person narrative to be great, I have to connect deeply with the main character, and that connection has to happen rather quickly, in order for me to see the story through their eyes and enjoy the view. That rarely happens.

But, because I have been proven wrong before, I stuck with it and read the book to the end. I was not proven wrong. The plot itself seems a bit confusing at first, not finding much flow until the second half of the book, by which time, I would have already stopped reading, would I not have made the commitment to finish reading the book. While the second half was a little bit more entertaining, it still took me longer than usual to get through, simply because I had to drag myself back to the story, rather than being pulled in. With the immense amount of competition of great indie fantasy Authors now available on Amazon, a novel has to be special to stand out of the crowd, and I am sorry to say that this will be lost in the shuffle. Not my cup of tea.

The Most Detailed Book On The Subject, I Have Read: Elevator Speeches That Get Results

Disclaimer: I have received this book for free from the publisher in return for an honest review. The following post contains affiliate links, see Disclosure page for details. Don’t miss their special coupon and discount deals below!

Book Title: Elevator Speeches That Get Results

Author: Dorothy Tannahill-Moran

Publisher: Introvert Whisperer

Genre: Non-Fiction/Business/Self-help

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Written in a delightful conversational tone, Elevator Speeches That Get Results, is a very detailed an informative book on the art of creating effective elevator speeches. This is not a book for someone who is looking to master the short sales pitch, rather a book that allows the reader to learn how to introduce themselves and their brand effectively and quickly, making a great conversation starter, as well as getting people’s interest in your expertise/niche. It is longer than most books in this price range, which surprised me positively.
With the Author’s straightforward style, there is little fluff in the book, so you do not have to navigate through a ton of personal anecdotes that take away from the actual subject matter.
Overall a great book on elevator speeches.

———

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Book Review: Delicious DIY Coffee Recipes That Will Impress

(Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links, see Disclosure page for details)
Book Review: Delicious DIY Coffee Recipes That Will Impress and Bring Out the Home Barista In Everyone: The Home Barista Series: Volume 1 (Delicious DIY Coffee Recipes … In Everyone:The Home Barista Series)

Author: Cut To The Chase Media

Genre: Cooking, Beverages

Rating: 4/5 Stars

The unusual recipes absolutely sparked by attention, especially with ingredients like Nutella and KitKat, which – for a chocolate lover and coffee addict like me, is like a dream come true.
At 22 recipes, this book is way too short, though. From a cookbook, I expect a few more recipes. Also, while some people might like the fact that it has no fluff, it does not even contain any information about the Author, and barely an introduction.

Overall the concept and the recipes are great, and well thought through, but because it was so short, I was somewhat disappointed.

You also may like:

B130 DeskPro Coffee Maker
 my personal favorite machine, when I want a quick cup of coffee.

A Gift I Did Not Know I Needed – Herb Scissors

 

Disclaimer: The following post is a sponsored post and contains affiliate links. I received the item for free in return for an honest review. See disclosure page for details

We use a lot of herbs and spices in our daily life. From making our own spice mixes to creating our own tea blends, making our own sauces, and cooking for friends, I spent a lot of time cutting up rosemary and chives, basil and oregano. While a proper kitchen knife is a fine enough tool to get the herbs and spices needed in a proper size, it is not as convenient and fast as the Five-Layered Herb Scissors from Marky Products. Armed with that surprisingly heavy, sturdy and sharp tool, I “cut” my prep time to a few seconds, slicing through anything needed to make the perfect spaghetti sauce and all of the fresh herbs needed for our salad dressings.

Five-Bladed Herb Scissors from Marky Products

Yes, the herbs get stuck in between the five blades, but thankfully the product comes with a small, green “comb”, which cleans between each blade, making the cleanup also a quick action. The five-layered herb scissors are one of those products, I did not know, I needed until it arrived at my doorstep.

Let me give you a quick review summary:

Pro:

1.  Sturdy, heavy duty scissors, that are easy to handle and feel comfortable in my hands.

2. the scissors are comfortable for both right and left-handed people (me), as well as people with bigger hands (my husband)

3. Cuts the cooking prep down to a fraction of the time

4. cleans easy,  due to the cleaning tool included with the scissor purchase

Con:

1. the cleaning tool is another little thing that is easily lost in an already full gadget drawer. It would be even better if the cleaning tool would attach somehow to the scissors for a more convenient storage.

Overall I highly recommend the Five-layer herb scissors from Marky Products as a great addition to a household that cooks a lot, and is into clean, fresh cooking that includes a lot of fresh herbs.

You can purchase the useful herb scissors on Amazon today, and get free two-day shipping with Amazon Prime!