love HelloFresh

 Got my first delivery from HelloFresh today. HelloFresh delivers fresh meals to your home.  Each box has 3 meals, enough for 2 people.  I believe they have a 4 serving option as well.  They supply the fresh ingredients, recipe cards, and you make the meal.  The only ingredients you'll need from your kitchen is oil, butter, salt & pepper.  A healthy, fresh dinner doesn't get any easier than this.

Delivered today, to my front porch 

 Everything is packed neatly and cushioned on the side.  Ice packs are on the bottom. 

3 recipe cards and 3 meal packs.  Included are two other bags, one for "Pantry" items, and the other for "Fridge" items.  No need to measure a thing. 

I'm making our first meal tonight, Eggplant Parmesan Stacks.  Recipe cards include photos of each step, along with calorie and nutrition information. I chose the vegetarian box.  The classic box includes meat/seafood recipes. 

 About 30- 45 minutes, dinner is done.  I probably could have been done in less than 30 minutes, however I was multitasking and doing a few other things.   Our meal was wonderful! The serving size was generous for 2 people. In fact I had sauce & lots of cheese left. 

 

I love HelloFresh!  Although I feel it's somewhat pricey at $59 for vegetarian and $69 for the classic box, I would purchase it again.  The price includes shipping, and what you pay for is the convenience.  And heck, it's a lot of fun!

 

Use this HelloFresh coupon code for $20 off your first box: NJ6VTX 

coconut oil . . . the all in one product

 I LOVE coconut oil!  I can't emphasize this enough.  Not only is it great for cooking, it's incredible as a skin and hair care product.  Yes, I use this on my face!  My love of coconut oil started 4 years ago during a trip to Tahiti.  While in Bora Bora, I tried monoi oil, which is made from coconut oil and Tahitian gardenia flowers.  Monoi oil, a beauty staple in Tahiti, works wonder on your face and body.  I will save that subject for a separate future blog post. 

 

Coconuts are not only nutritious, the uses and benefits of coconut oil is limitless - heart healthy, fight off viruses, boost thyroid function, increase metabolism, increase digestion, reduce cholesterol, protect hair against damage, moisturize skin, boost brain function, eye make up remover . . . and on and on and on. Although coconut oil contains saturated fats, the benefits are typically outweighed  (unless you need to limit your saturated fat due to health conditions). 

 

We use coconut oil mainly for cooking, (we use other oils as well), and smoothies.  I use it on face as a moisturizer.  In colder temperatures,  it will turn solid (as shown below). 

 

When selecting an oil, you should choose an organic, raw, unrefined (virgin version, not the refined kind).  These are typically more expensive, but worth the benefits.  I typically choose a brand that meets these requirements, and buy it when it's on sale.

 

We're big fans of young coconuts.  The young coconuts are not the fully matured brown coconuts, they are white on the outside.  We use the meat and water in smoothies, and various recipes.  The coconut water is amazingly loaded with electrolytes. I have also made coconut milk using the young coconut, although it's quite a process. I'll save the young coconut subject for a future blog.

the burger to tofu evolution

OK, so it been a while since I last posted . . .

 

blog before: Back when I started the burgers to tofu blog 2010, it was more about exploring and learning how to eat healthier.  I was concentrated on one concept – eating healthier food.

I started the blog when I realized I had to get healthy.  I saw many around me becoming sick and being diagnosed with various diseases. I began to question why so many people are being diagnosed with cancers, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, etc. Although I realize one can’t totally prevent diseases, I do believe we can make choices better with our food and environment, that can reduce our risks. 

 

At some point, I got busy, lazy, and stopped posting to my blog.  I am proud to say, although I stopped posting, I still continued down the road to being healthy. And oh, how I have learned so much over the past years!
 

blog now:  We are all busy, and I do fall off the wagon from time to time.  I currently need some inspiration to keep me on that health wagon.  This is what why I am revamping and restarting my blog, and renaming it the burger to tofu evolution.

 

The inspiration for my original blog name came from my desire to eliminate greasy burgers in my diet, and replacing them with tofu.  Ha!  I have now come to realize, that no matter how unhealthy a greasy burger is, my love for it will never allow me to totally eliminate it. 

 

Today my blog is about more than just healthy food.  It’s about adapting a healthy lifestyle, a holistic approach, including well being, exercise, body, mind & spirit.  It's about an evolution (process of slow change and development).

 

what else have I been doing these last few years?
 

•  I have made the choice to replace harmful chemicals in my everyday products, by experimenting and substituting with alternate products.
• I have made the choice to become active again.  I have started to run again, and frequent the gym a few times a week.

what foods do I eat?
When I made a decision to try to become healthier, I experimented with a variety of food eating concepts such as vegetarian, vegan, raw, cleansing and juicing.   What I have found works for me - is a little bit of everything.  Although I admire those who are able to eat vegetarian or vegan, that is not me.  I have found myself to be more successful, using the 80/20 rule, and all things in moderation.

80/20 rule, all things in moderation:

I need to be clear than I am not perfect.  Yes, I still love a greasy burger, and tend to get off the wagon here and there.  I have come to terms that.  I am human, and one has to enjoy life too. I LOVE food, and I love most all types of food.  I try to follow the 80/20 approach to wellness.  Eat healthy 80%, unhealthy 20%.  This allows me to enjoy that greasy burger in moderation.

 

who am I?
 I look at myself as an average joe.  My  career is not in the food or healthy industry -  I’m an architect.  And,  growing up, I was the pickiest eater, and I HATED vegggies.  Now, I will pretty much try anything (except bugs), and I LOVE vegggies.  Crazy, huh?  I, like most women, would love to be thinner, and struggle with my weight from time to.

 

no expert: I want to be clear, I am by no means, a food & health expert.  Nor, do I believe just because one eats healthy and practices particular principles, it qualifies them to become on expert. 

 I’m just sharing what I have learned, my experiences and my beliefs.  That’s it.  Knowledge is power  . . . let the journey begin