Posts

Easy Weeknight Meal Prep

, ,

Who knew that becoming an adult meant that you have to figure out what to eat for dinner every single night for the rest of your life? Add in a spouse and kids, and meal prep takes on a life of its own!

To make things less stressful, and to share a few of our family’s go-to options that don’t include pizza, I have compiled a list of awesome meals, snacks and more for you. Let me know what you decide to check out in the comments!

Nurture Life

We have found our new favorite meal service… and it’s for kids! Nurture Life offers a wide variety of healthy Baby, Toddler and Kids Meals that can assist with the busy back-to-school routine. If parents don’t have time (or the energy!) to create well-balanced lunches or busy weeknight dinners, Nurture Life’s nutritious ready-to-eat meals for kids is a convenient option. Grab the meals right out of the fridge to get the nutrition and quality of a homemade meal in just 1 minute. Heat it up to serve for dinner or pack it in a thermos and your kids are ready to go! Kids will enjoy the delicious meal and parents will enjoy the no-prep, no-stress mealtime win. My kiddos absolutely loved the Chicken Dumplings with Edamame!

Nurture Life also has school-safe, cookie-inspired snacks with little to no added sugar that are made with plant-based protein and other nutritious ingredients. A quick breakfast, an easy snack or a satisfying dessert. Mighty Bites are yummy and delish. Yes – I might have eaten quite a few myself, lol!

Fry’s Chk’n Nuggets

Have plant-forward kids at home? These plant-based nuggets from Fry’s are the perfect easy weeknight dinner option or plant-based protein after-school snacks! Each delicious Chicken-Style Nugget is carefully shaped into a bite-sized chunk and evenly coated with crumbs before pre-cooking. Serve with a green salad or steamed veggies for a simple, healthy meal.

True Made Foods

The Fry’s nuggets also pack well in a lunchbox, so you can add them into your child’s lunch for the day at school. Pack a few favorite dipping sauces, such as True Made Foods Mustard, Veggie Ketchup or BBQ Sauce, and you’ve even added some hidden veggies in for the winning combo!

Keen One Foods

Quick cooking quinoa cups from Keen One Foods are healthy, simple and satisfying… making lunch & dinner a breeze! Ready in just 7 minutes, each cup provides plant-based protein and a nourishing, hearty meal. These are great preparing the night before and adding into a lunchbox, too, when everyone is bored of sandwiches. Choose from 6 unique flavors, such as Garden Medley, Pesto Pasta (a kid favorite!), Jamaican Jerk, Chipotle, Harissa Red Pepper, & Thai Coconut Curry. An ideal pantry staple, Keen One Foods quinoa cups are Gluten-free, Non-GMO, Certified Organic and Vegan.  

B’Free’s Family Faves Bundle

All of BFree’s products are gluten-free, wheat-free, non-GMO and vegan-friendly! The Family Faves Bundle includes all family favorites that make back-to-school lunch and meal prep a breeze. The bundle includes Pizza Crust, Bake-at-Home Demi Baguette, Burger Buns, Panini, Pita and Sweet Potato Wrap. It’s easy to get the kids involved when making pizzas, wraps or sandwiches, too. You can check out their recipes section for tons of inspiration!

Maple Hill 100% Grass-Fed Organic Milk

Perfect for breakfast, tucking in lunchboxes or serving with an after-school snack or dinner, Maple Hill’s shelf-stable milk boxes make mealtimes so easy! Available in Whole Milk, 2% Reduced Fat Milk and Chocolate, the single-serve milk boxes don’t have to be refrigerated. We love that the no spill screw cap can be placed back on if kids don’t finish it all, so no worries about spills in the lunchbox or wasting food. The container is also 100% recyclable.

FILLO’S

If you love Latin American food but haven’t found the time to find the perfect recipe for pinto beans or black beans, we have found a delicious solution! FILLO’S is a line of vegan non-GMO beans and grains flavored with real sofrito that offers a shelf-stable, ready-to-eat meal option that is traditional, nutritious, and convenient. Inspired by family recipes to bring the traditional foods of the Americas to your table, the dishes are delicious on their own, paired with an avocado, served as a supper side, or with rice, which is how we enjoyed the Cuban Black Beans. The seasoning and spices are pure perfection! There are a large variety of flavors to try, including Cuban Black Beans, Peruvian Lentil, Puerto Rican Pink Bean, Tex Mex Pinto, Mexican Mayocoba Bean, Panamanian Chickpeas, Peruvian Quinoa & Lentils, Cuban Congri, Puerto Rican Arroz con Gandules, and Carolina Peas & Rice. The best part is that we can grab these easily at our local Publix when meal prepping for the week!

*Companies generously provided samples for this article. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.*

/by

In Mom’s Kitchen: Dinnerly

, , ,

It is back to the busy school season routine, with homework, activities, lunch box packing and dinner planning in full swing! I don’t know about you, but time seems to go quickly at this time of year, and I find myself stretched in so many directions! It is so important that I provide my family with healthy meals, but meal planning can be tough. Luckily, I was recently introduced to Dinnerly, which is perfect for busy families like ours, and it’s the most affordable meal kit on the market!

At only $5 per meal, DINNERLY is half the price of other meal kits, making it particularly attractive to young families who want to cook more at home or who want to try meal kits but find them cost prohibitive. Dinners are quick & simple, with only 5 steps and a maximum of 6 ingredients per recipe. Plus, Dinnerly is paperless, and you simply go to their website to view the recipes that you were sent that week!

We had so much fun trying 3 unique and healthy recipes with Dinnerly during the first week back-to-school… Red Pepper Flatbread, Za’atar Chicken, and the Beef & Broccoli Noodles.

Our favorite was definitely the Za’atar Chicken! Accompanied by a fresh cucumber and tomato salad and toasted bulgur wheat, it was flavorful, tender and healthy! Best part – it only took 30 minutes to make from start to finish! It reminded me of all the delicious Za’atar bread I enjoyed growing up as an expat in Saudi Arabia.

Each week, you choose the menu items you wish to make that week with your family. They have so many interesting choices that it was hard to pick only three! You can view more menu items here: https://dinnerly.com/menu

*Dinnerly generously provided a week’s worth of meals for this article & review. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.*

/by

In Mom’s Kitchen: Emmy’s Organics Coconut Cookies

I am always on the lookout for a healthier treat for my family, and these little bites of organic goodness definitely fit the bill! I have seen Emmy’s Organics Coconut Cookies tucked in the bins at Starbucks and have always wanted to give them a try… so when asked to try all 4 of their delicious flavors, I jumped at the chance!

IMG_5657

Emmy’s Organics Coconut Cookies are made with clean, organic ingredients like fair trade cocoa powder, and contain zero artificial ingredients or coloring! They are certified USDA organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, vegan and paleo-friendly, making them an ideal little snack!

Available in flavors like Dark Cacao, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Vanilla Bean, Lemon Ginger and more, these superfood snacks are great atop smoothies, yogurt, or as a yummy bite straight from the bag.

IMG_5658

Emmy’s are also the perfect size for summer travel and can be found at Starbucks stores nationwide — making them an ideal on-the-go vegan or paleo option!

We loved the simplicity of the vanilla flavor, which reminded me of traditional shortbread with a hint of coconut! If you have little ones like I do, make sure they eat those over a plate as they are soft and can be a bit flaky.

To learn more about Emmy’s Organics Coconut Cookies, visit emmysorganics.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this article. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.*

/by

In Mom’s Kitchen: Junkless Chewy Granola Bars

,

If you’re like me, you are always searching for healthier versions of your family’s favorite snack foods… and Junkless Chewy Granola Bars definitely deliver! Upping the YUM factor considerably, we are now stocking our pantry with these delish chewy granola bars!

Chocolate Chip Junkless

These family-friendly, better-for-you snacks that are minimally processed, contain no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives and are Non-GMO Project Verified. Produced by Junkless Foods Inc., the bars are made with less than eight ingredients. No junk, and they taste good!

Portfolio

Junkless Chewy Granola Bars are available in 4 flavors you and your kiddos will love, including Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, 100% REAL Strawberries and Cinnamon Roll. The Chocolate Chip flavor is my little guy’s favorite, and I find the Cinnamon Roll to be almost sinful!

The bars are perfect for lunch boxes or tossing in a diaper bag, purse or backpack for an emergency snack.

Ernie Pang, who used to do marketing for Kellogg’s, came up with the idea after he and his son were grocery shopping and Michael asked about the lengthy list of hard-to-pronounce ingredients on the side panel of a frozen food product. Ernie thought there had to be a better way!

Junkless Chewy Granola Bars are available nationally on Amazon and in select grocery stores around the country. Learn more at junklessfoods.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this article. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.*

/by

In Mom’s Kitchen: Organic Nearly Naked Popcorn from Popcornopolis

,

Calling all popcorn lovers! If your family is anything like mine, popcorn is a staple for movie nights at home! We love snuggling up on the couch with a big bowl to share, while the toddler runs circles around the living room as we watch the latest flick. With a massive family size bag – there is (hopefully) enough for everyone!

Popcornopolis - organic nearly naked 14oz_costco_1

Organic Nearly Naked Popcorn from Popcornopolis makes enjoying popcorn deliciously easy! With only 38 calories per cup, Nearly Naked Popcorn is popped in coconut oil and expertly salted to taste. For me, as a total health nut, this fact alone makes this a top pick for my family!

Organic Nearly Naked Popcorn from Popcornopolis is:

100% American Grown Corn
Non-GMO Corn
Certified Gluten Free
No Added Preservatives
No High Fructose Corn Syrup
No MSG
0g Trans Fat
Popped in Coconut Oil
100% Whole Grain

For all of you with Costco memberships, Organic Nearly Naked will be in Costco stores from March 13, selling for $5.39 a bag. From April 19 – May 13, the cost will drop to $3.49. It’ll be the perfect time to grab a few bags for spring & summer fun!

Interested in learning more about Popcornopolis? Check out their website at Popcornopolis.com, and connect with them on social media.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/popcornopolis/
Instagram: @popcornopolis
Twitter: @popcornopolis

*Company generously provided samples and images for this article. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.*

/by

In Mom’s Kitchen: Twinings Tea

,

What a cold spell we have been having in FL this January! Luckily, I was sent some delightful new teas from Twinings! It is National Hot Tea Month, so what better time to celebrate and cozy up with a favorite cup of tea…and learn a little more about the origins of Twinings!

Twinings Herbal Tea_Lemon Delight

The Twinings story began in 1706, when Thomas Twining opened the House of Twinings in the old Tom’s Coffee House in London. More than 300 years later, the vision of one man – to sell only the finest teas, herbs and infusions available – remains.

Twinings still sells tea from Thomas’ original shop, but now tea drinkers in more than 115 countries around the world can enjoy 200 varieties of Twinings tea. I found a link to the original shop here. Wouldn’t that make a fun stop if we were to travel to this area of London?

Herbs have a long history of documented use tracing back to Ancient Egypt, Ancient China and to the beginning of Ayurveda science in India. Herbal tea is not actually tea, because it is not made from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Instead, other common names include infusion and tisane.

Twinings Herbal Tea_Buttermint

Herbal teas can be made from any combination of flowers, leaves, seeds, roots, citrus or berry fruits, herbs and spices – which is why the number of unique blends available is virtually limitless. Camomile, Peppermint, Ginger and Hibiscus are some of the most popular ingredients used today.

The latest blends of Herbal Teas in the Twinings tea chest are Lemon Delight, Berry Fusion and Buttermint, which were sent to me for review!

Twinings Herbal Tea_Berry Fusion

I found the Lemon Delight to be uplifting and refreshing, perfect as a morning pick-me-up! The Berry Fusion is a fantastic tea anytime of the day, and makes a lovely choice after dinner when you are craving something sweet without the calories! Before bed, try Buttermint, a smooth and creamy fusion of vanilla and peppermint.

All teas have an SRP of $3.19. In addition to the new teas mentioned above, Twinings has a line of Organic & Fair Trade Certified Tea! Plus, how cute is this… they even have Tea Mail™!

You can learn more about Twinings and their extensive list of over 50 teas at TwiningsUSA.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this article.*

/by

In Mom’s Kitchen: Viva La Mamma

,

As a busy family, we are always seeking healthy, nutritious and quick meals…because when our kiddos are hungry, they let us know it! I keep snacks on hand in the car, in my diaper bag, and backpack so that I am prepared to hand out mandarin oranges, bananas, granola bars, squeeze pouches, and crackers at a moment’s notice to my little snackers! So when dinner time rolls around, as much as I would like to have spent my time preparing amazing meals, as I love to cook, I sometimes do not have the time or energy to do so after working all day and caring for my children.

Viva La Mamma Pesto

Enter Viva La Mamma! This brand new line of fresh, refrigerated pasta from Fratelli Beretta has made quite a difference in our home! Two minutes and just like that…dinner is ready! In the two minutes it takes to microwave the main course of choice, I can cut up some fresh fruit, add organic yogurt to the plate, and have drinks on the table. We didn’t have time to hear ‘is my dinner ready yet’ as dinner was prepared that quickly! Win!

Viva La Mamma Ingredients

With 6 delightful, delish pasta dishes to choose from, Viva La Mamma uses only fresh, simple ingredients like tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, basil and ricotta cheese to make true authentic Italian pasta dishes. They are fresh, never frozen…and the difference is in the texture of the pasta, which is al dente, and the stand out flavors of the dishes.

Our kiddos clamored for more Amatriciana Ziti Pasta, as well as the Alfredo Ziti Pasta, and I loved the Pesto Fusilli Pasta! My hubby enjoyed the Bolognese Ziti Pasta. Additional dishes include Tomato & Ricotta Penne Pasta and Carbonara Penne Pasta. All are unique and very tasty! The dishes need to be kept refrigerated, and even come with a handy fork & spoon on the top of the box for meals on-the-go!

Viva La Mamma Logo

To learn more about Viva La Mamma, visit their website.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this article. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.*

/by

In Mom’s Kitchen: Sunrays Mandarins

,

Last week, my little ones came down with a horrible cold virus, and almost like magic, I received a big bag of fresh, juicy Sunrays mandarin oranges to try in the mail! We pulled the bag out and immediately started snacking… my little guy noshing on at least three by himself! Easy to peel and sweet, the Surays were such a huge hit that they were gone within a day!

Sunrays Bag 1

We are now big fans of Sunrays Citrus, as in addition to the mandarin oranges being absolutely delicious and sweet, they are non-GMO project verified, and all of the packaging used is recyclable! Talk about a win!

Plus… imagine if each bag of sweet and juicy mandarin oranges that you purchased helped to make the world a better place! Sound too good to be true? With Sunrays, that is their mission… to ‘snack with impact.’

Sunrays alone

What makes Sunrays unique in the marketplace is their incredibly strong charitable component, as well as their commitment to our earth. By combining forces with consumers, making it a team effort to help others in need, Sunrays makes a donation to Save the Children for every bag and box that they pack. As a mom, this is a company I can really get behind as this organization believes that every child deserves a chance to grow and thrive properly!

In a nutshell, the more people that snack on Sunrays, the more the company will pack and the more they will be able to donate! Working together, we can make a big impact in children’s lives while enjoying a fresh, healthy snack.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this article. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.*

/by

In Mom’s Kitchen: VeganSmart’s Gingerbread Granola

, , ,

Nosh on healthier holiday-inspired snacks through the holidays! Nutritious and festive, this Gingerbread Granola will have the entire family clamoring for more!

Gingerbread Granola

Ingredients

4 Cups of old-fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 Cups of raw pecans
1 Teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
1/2 Scoop of VeganSmart Vanilla
1/2 Teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon of ground ginger
1/2 Cup of melted coconut oil
1/2 Cup Molasses
3/4 Teaspoon of vanilla (“Mom” prefers Nielsen-Massey Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract)
1/3 Cup of chopped, dried cranberries
1/3 Cup of chopped candied ginger

vegansmart vanilla

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper.

Combine the oats, pecans, salt, VeganSmart Vanilla, cinnamon, and ground ginger into a mixing bowl. Stir mixture thoroughly.

Add the coconut oil, maple syrup, molasses, and vanilla to the mixture. Continue to mix together until fully combined.

Turn the granola mixture out onto your prepared pan and spread into an even layer.

Bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the granola from the oven and stir to make sure the granola cooks evenly. Place the pan back in the oven for 10 more minutes.

While the granola cooks, chop the dried cranberries and candied ginger.

After 10 minutes is up, remove the pan from the oven, add the chopped cranberries and candied ginger to the granola and mix to combine.

Let the granola cool for about 10 minutes before eating. As the granola cools off, it will continue to cook and may be wet at first, this is normal.

Enjoy gingerbread granola on-the-go or around the house as you celebrate the holidays this season!

*Recipe and image courtesy of VeganSmart.*

/by

In Mom’s Kitchen: Pure Spoon Fresh Organic Purées

, ,

As a busy momma, I love learning about the solutions other moms have come up with to meet a need or challenge that all parents face! One of the biggest challenges I have faced as a mom is finding the time to cook and prepare healthy, nutritious meals for my little ones. I am a big advocate for food as your medicine… that what you eat is so incredibly important for your health and well-being, and I have wanted to make sure my children have all started off on the right foot! Our fridge and pantry are always stuffed with organic, natural brands, tons of fruits & veggies, organic yogurt and cheese…but it was sometimes hard to make all of the baby purees and foods that I would have liked. Pure Spoon addresses that issue, head-on!

Pure Spoon avo pear

Pure Spoon is 100% fresh certified organic fruits and veggies that are cold pressed, cold packed and delivered to your door! As my little guy learned to self-feed with a spoon, he got to try delicious & nutritious flavors such as Butternut Squash, Apples and Oats, which he happily gobbled up!

What makes Pure Spoon stand out is that the company uses a process called High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP). Foods are placed into a high-pressure chamber that is flooded with cold water and pressurized in order to kill pathogens without heat, thereby retaining those fresh tastes and a maximum amount of nutrients. Plus, Pure Spoon was concerned with the lack of iron found in the food choices for young children/infants at the grocery store. They carefully included ingredients such as spinach, avocados, broccoli, and gluten-free rolled oats to add iron.

The difference shows in both taste and quality, and we are now huge fans of the line! There hasn’t been a flavor that my son hasn’t enjoyed, and our samples disappeared in no time!

Pure Spoon Butternut

Pure Spoon currently has the following flavors available: Apples & Broccoli, Blueberries, Bananas & Apples, Butternut Squash, Apples & Oats, Carrots & Zucchini, Creamy Avocado & Apples, Simply Apples, Simply Carrots, Simply Pears, Spinach, Pear & Bananas, and Sweet Potato & Apples. You can learn more on their website, https://purespoon.com/.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this article. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.*

/by