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PlanetBox Lunchbox Review & PlanetBox GIVEAWAY!!!

March 2, 2013 by Jackie Ritz

…and the winner is……….. Lisa D. Lisa you have been notified!!! Congrats and thank you everyone for entering!!!

 

I can’t say enough good things about the PlanetBox lunchbox. And if you follow me on Facebook, then you see all the healthy lunches I post using our PlanetBox lunchboxes. They are an eco-friendly way of packing healthy lunches for your kids…and even for yourself! The PlanetBox is made of stainless steel which doesn’t smell, doesn’t stain, and doesn’t have any toxic chemicals in it. It’s so easy to clean and it’s also dishwasher safe. The little compartments are the perfect size for little hands to reach in and grab something healthy.

I love making my daughter’s lunches so much that I created a Pinterest page that has pictures of all the different, healthy lunches that I make. My daughter has The Rover PlanetBox. It comes with a large, stainless steel bowl and a smaller bowl. Here’s a few of my daughter’s lunches I have made with The Rover PlanetBox:

See the big dipper bowl and the little dipper bowl? They don't leak AT ALL!
See the big dipper bowl and the little dipper bowl? They don’t leak AT ALL!

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Not too long ago, PlanetBox announced that they had created a larger lunchbox for those with bigger appetites and larger serving sizes. The PlanetBox Launch system is 30% bigger than the Rover and has a tall, stainless steel dipper for dips and sauces, a magnet set for the outside, a glass Satellite Dish for re-heating foods, as well as a really neat carry bag.

PlanetBox gave me this Launch System to use and review and, let me tell you, I am in LOVE! I have been so caught up in making food fun for my daughter, I didn’t know making food fun for me would be so exciting! If you work and pack a lunch, have older kids who eat a little bit more, or pack a lunch for the hubby…this is the lunchbox for you. PlanetBox, also, recently launched a Plan-It-Box, which is a web-based app meal planner.  This meal planner is awesome and it lets you share your lunches with other users and get ideas to plan healthy lunches for your kids!

Let me show you a few things I love about this new Launch PlanetBox…

It comes in a cute carry bag that you can swing across your body.
It comes in a cute carry bag that you can swing across your body.
The outside magnets come off and can be swapped out for other styles! Kids love this!
The outside magnets come off and can be swapped out for other styles! Kids love this!
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The Launch comes with a big dipper for salad dressings, nut butters, and sauces and a glass container that can be taken out and heated up!

 

See! This is the coolest thing...the glass container comes out to reheat leftovers!
See! This is the coolest thing…the glass container comes out to reheat leftovers!

And here’s The Launch in action…

Lots of room!
Lots of room!
Fits my healthy, Paleo lunches!
Fits my healthy, Paleo lunches!

Pretty cool, huh? Well, if you like The Launch, then I have GREAT news for you!!!!!! PlanetBox has offered to giveaway ONE complete Launch System to a lucky winner!!!!!!!!!

Here’s a few ways to enter to win a FREE LAUNCH SYSTEM (open to US residents ONLY):

1. Go “like” PlanetBox on Facebook and tell them, “The Paleo Mama sent you“. Leave a comment ON THIS BLOG POST saying that you did.

2. Go “like” The Paleo Mama on Facebook. Leave a SEPARATE comment saying you did (or do already).

3. Subscribe to The Paleo Mama’s blog. Leave a separate comment saying you did (or do already).

4. Share this post on Twitter or Facebook! You can share it once a day till the giveaway ends. Come back and say you shared it (each day).

That’s it! You have the chance of leaving 4 SEPARATE comments with bonus entries everyday you share this.

(Giveaway ends: Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 9pm. I will use a WordPress plugin, “And the winner is” to choose a comment at random. Good luck!)

 

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: bento box, dairy free, giveaway, gluten-free, healthy lunches, lunchbox, paleo, planetbox

Raw Strawberry Ice Cream (Paleo, Dairy-free)

March 1, 2013 by Jackie Ritz 2 Comments

I’m in the middle of The 21 Day Sugar Detox so I did not eat this…I have had it before, but not right now. I’m being a good girl! But my kids ate it and loved it! Actually they had the soft, smoothie part of it for breakfast, and then later after it was frozen, they had the ice cream.

An ice cream maker is optional. I didn’t use one this time, but I have in the past. Enjoy!

Raw Strawberry Ice Cream

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Ingredients:

1 (15-ounce) can of full fat coconut milk

2 cups of fresh or frozen strawberries (if using an ice cream maker, you won’t have to wait for the mixture to chill if you use frozen)

1/4-1/2 cup of honey or maple syrup

3 PASTURED egg yolks (this recipe is raw, so please use farm, fresh eggs)

1 ts of vanilla

Directions:

Place all the ingredients in a blender and puree till smooth.

Pour into your ice cream maker (if using one) or pour into a bowl (if not using one).

If not using an ice cream maker, freeze till firm.

Enjoy!

 

Filed Under: My Recipes Tagged With: dairy free, gluten-free, ice cream, paleo, strawberry ice cream

Spaghetti Squash Goulash

February 27, 2013 by Jackie Ritz 8 Comments

This is extremely hearty and extremely delicious! I am in heaven with this bowl of Spaghetti Squash Goulash sitting in front of me. My kids devoured it and hubby had thirds, so I think that is another one for Mommy! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do. This is a HUGE recipe, so, please, divide and conquer if you need to. I usually make the full recipe and freeze half. Or I take this recipe to a pot luck since it serves 6-10 people.

Spaghetti Squash Goulash

_MG_4800

Ingredients:

3lbs of ground beef
2 onions, diced
3 cups of stock (I usually use my homemade chicken stock, but you can use beef stock too) or water
1(29 ounce) can of tomato sauce or homemade marinara sauce
1(29 ounce) can of diced tomatoes
4 cloves of garlic, minced
3 bay leaves
2 TB Italian Seasoning
3 TB of Coconut Aminos (soy sauce)
1 TB of Seasoned Salt (I use this homemade version)
1 ts salt
1 ts pepper
1 ts garlic powder
1 large or 2 small Spaghetti Squash*

Directions:

1. In a large Dutch oven or pot, saute the ground meat over medium-high heat until cooked through.
2. Add the onions to the pot and saute them until tender; about 5 minutes.
3. Add 3 cups of stock (or water), tomato sauce, tomatoes, garlic Italian seasoning, bay leaves, Coconut Aminos, salt, pepper, seasoned salt, and garlic powder. Stir well and then cover the pot and cook for 20 minutes of medium-low heat.
4. Turn the heat to a simmer and cook for another 15 minutes.
5. Remove pot from heat and cool for 15-30 minutes.
6. Either stir in the cooked Spaghetti Squash or just place the mixture on top of the squash on a plate.

*While you are making the goulash mixture, cook the Spaghetti Squash in the microwave or in the oven.

**I served this with Almond Bread.

_MG_4805

Filed Under: 21 Day Sugar Detox, My Recipes Tagged With: dairy free, gluten-free, goulash, paleo, primal, recipes, spaghetti squash

Review: Rich Food Poor Food

February 23, 2013 by Jackie Ritz Leave a Comment

I just finished reading Rich Food Poor Food, The Ultimate Grocery Purchasing Sysytem (GPS) and I, absolutely, loved this book. I kept thinking how overdo a book like this is for the real food junkies. We all have seen these “Eat This Not That” books all over the market and all they do is advocate eating GMO, processed junk food while leaving out important information.
However, the authors, Jason & Mira Calton, have put together a very practical book, leaving nothing uncovered!  The first 40 pages talk about all the harmful ingredients that are allowed by the FDA to put into our food. I was amazed how many things are actually banned in other countries, yet they are allowed in our food here in the US. The one that scared me the most was Azodicarbonamide. This bad boy is banned in Australia, the UK, and most European countries. In Singapore, you can get up to 15 years in prison if you use it as an ingredient. But, here in the USA, this chemical is put into BLEACHED FLOUR!!! WTF?!?! While other countries have to wait a whole week for flour to naturally whiten, the USA just puts Azodicarbonamide in the flour. You can find this ingredient roaming around in Stroehmann’s Breads, Betty Crocker Suddenly Salads, Country Hearth Breads, Hungry Man Dinners, and Entenmann’s Baked Goods. 

Is this book Paleo or Primal? Actually, Rich Food Poor Food suggest you eating a Primal/Paleo diet but then goes on to recommend the best whole grains, rice, legumes, and beans available. I actually kind of liked that they did this because so many people who switch to Paleo do better off easily transitioning into it.  Jumping into being completely Paleo is VERY difficult, and even more difficult with families. And, also, so many Paleo families, like mine, are not even 100% Paleo. So, for me, I liked seeing the healthiest rice options, and the healthiest wheat options because we do enjoy rice on occasion. Rich Food Poor Food taught me that brown rice isn’t always better than white…and when at a restaurant, it’s best to pick the white rice. Why? Well, you will just have to get the book and find out. 🙂

Rich Food Poor Food dummies down the supermarket for you. Gosh, I remember the first time I shopped Paleo at the supermarket. I must have looked like a lost duck. This book would have saved me a ton of time…time spent reading ingredients, googling ingredients, and getting frustrated at all the ingredients on a package. This book tells you flat out which hot dogs, fish, condiments, dressings, spices, nuts, drinks, meats, eggs, and dairy products to buy (and so much more). Over 350 individual brand products are included in this book. This is the “Eat This Not That” book for the Paleo, Primal, or Real Foodie!!!

photo credit: Mark's Daily Apple
photo credit: Mark’s Daily Apple

The Grocery Purchasing System (GPS) guide is great because it recommends brands that are clean, organic, and manufactured with the healthiest standards. It teaches you how to avoid misleading packaging by suggesting the top quality brands with the top quality ingredients

If you have been eating Paleo/Primal/Real Food for years and years, you will still learn a lot of useful information from this book. I learned that Gouda cheese has the third-highest source of elusive vitamin K2, supplying nearly 100% of your daily requirement in a mere 3.5-ounce serving. Only natto, a Japanese fermented soybean dish, and goose liver pate’ surpass it! So, I learned to reach for the Gouda if we are going to indulge in cheese!

In conclusion, Rich Food Poor Food by the Calton’s is a gem to ANYONE! It’s more than just a book, it’s a guide that you will want to keep around for a long time. There will be many times when you will need to pull out this guide to see if something is questionable or not. It’s nice to have a real food guide that I can trust, a guide that takes my concerns into question, and a guide that knows the best foods I can give to my family.

Thank you Jayson and Mira Calton for writing such an informative book!

Buy this book today!!!

Filed Under: reviews Tagged With: dairy free, gluten-free, paleo, primal, rich food poor food

Green Bean Amandine

February 21, 2013 by Jackie Ritz 1 Comment

One of my most favorite possessions is the homemade cookbook that my M0m made for me. It is filled with recipes that bring me back to my childhood and leave me thirsty for more.

One of my favorites is her Green Bean Amandine. Perfect timing to pull it out because I had just bought a huge bag of organic green beans from Costco!  The gravy that this recipe makes is so amazingly delicious!!!!!!! I’m seriously drinking the juices!

Green Bean Amandine

_MG_4776

Ingredients:

  • 1TB Butter/Ghee
  • 3lbs Green Beans
  • 3 cups of homemade chicken stock
  • 1/4ts pepper
  • 1/2 ts salt
  • 2TB arrowroot
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2TB fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup sliced toasted almonds

Directions:

1. Melt the butter/or ghee in a large skillet over medium/high heat. Add green beans and saute for 5 minutes.

_MG_4763

2. Add stock, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

_MG_4769

3. Combine arrowroot and water, stir well. Stir the arrowroot mixture into the green bean mixture.

4. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute stirring constantly.

5. Remove from heat, stir in the lemon juice and sprinkle with almonds!

Yield: 8 cups

Filed Under: My Recipes Tagged With: almonds, arrowroot, dairy free, gluten-free, green bean amandine, paleo, recipes

Day #3 Paleo & Vegan Take on 21 Day Sugar Detox

February 20, 2013 by Jackie Ritz 1 Comment

The 21-Day Sugar Detox

Day 3 started today and my Vegan partner and I are doing good! I do have some fogginess going on, but that’s about it. I have not cheated and can’t wait till I start feel energetic again. They say day 3 and 4 are the worse and then you get a second wind.

My monthly friend came to visit me and I’m craving chocolate and popcorn like I always do during this time of the month. How fun to be detoxing and be on your period, huh?!?!

I have still been using my eMeals Paleo plan during this detox. It has been GREAT and 100% 21 Day Sugar Detox approved! In the past, I have seen some recipes with honey or maple syrup, but not this week or last. And adding honey or maple syrup is always optional. 

Here’s a snippet of what April and I have been eating on a day-to-day basis:

Paleo Jackie – I am doing Level 3 Athletic Modification

Breakfast: 3 egg omelette with spinach; topped with avocado & salsa

Lunch: Moroccan Meatballs (from Well Fed), carrots and almond butter, and half a banana

Dinner: Big Meatball salad and green beans on the side.

Snacks: Caramelized Coconut chips (from Well Fed)

Drinks: Water and Coffee with a few TB of full-fat coconut milk

Moroccan Meatball Salad and garlicky green beans
Moroccan Meatball Salad and garlicky green beans

 

Vegan April – doing Level 3 Vegan/Athletic Modification

Breakfast: Vega Sport Shake with flax and almond milk

Lunch: Sweet potato, vegetable skewers, and a salad

Dinner: Quinoa with kale, carrots, and mushrooms, tossed with balsamic vinegar

Snacks: carrots and cashews

Drinks: Tea with some almond milk, water, and black coffee

 

Supplements I take:

1. 1000mg Krill Oil

2. 8,000iu Vitamin D3

3. Women’s Prenatal Vitamin (no, I’m not pregnant but I am child-bearing age)

4. Digestive Enzymes: to find

5. FiberBlend to aid in detox

 

Who else is doing the 21 Day Sugar Detox? How is it going for you?

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: 21 Day Sugar Detox Tagged With: 21 day sugar detox, dairy free, emeals, gluten-free, paleo, primal, vegan

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Hi, I'm Jackie Ritz and welcome to The Paleo Mama! I'm a published author, certified herbalist, and voracious researcher of natural medicine and nutrition. I'm glad you're here and I hope you stick around for awhile!

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