Kid’s Corner: How to make a Dinosaur Garland
How To Make a Sign From Your Sun Basket Box
Turn your Sun Basket into an Art Basket
Sun Basket’s Justine Kelly Shares her Strategies for a Smooth Start to the School Year
Summer is winding down, and Chef Justine is getting back into a routine with her daughter, Stella. Here are her tips for meal planning, back-to-school shopping, and enjoying the last few days of the season.
Get back on schedule
About two weeks before school starts, I gradually shift Stella to an earlier bedtime. I make sure that she gets to bed about 15 minutes earlier every night for two weeks so that she’s well-rested and ready to learn when the first day of school comes.
Inventory our lunch supplies
In preparation for packing a lunch every morning, I inventory all my reusable containers. I make sure I have matching lids for every piece, recycle anything that’s cracked, and upgrade our supplies as needed.
Make weekly meal plans
A few weeks before school begins, Stella and I sit down and decide which Sun Basket dinner, snack, and lunch options she’s excited about. I know from experience that she’s more likely to eat a lunch that she has a say in making. And this year, with our new unlimited dinners option, we can select meals for nearly every night of the week. And then extras for lunches if I know we’ll have a particularly busy week. Planning, shopping, and cooking together are some of the ways we stay connected as our schedules get busier.
Clean out the closet
Stella and I save an afternoon for sorting through her clothes. We find the ones that no longer fit and donate them, then we make a budget and go shopping for anything new that she needs.
Squeeze the last bit of fun out of summer
I always try to make sure we have a little extra fun planned in the last few weeks before we get back to our routine. I may sneak out of work to pick Stella up early from camp so we have time for a long hike with the dog. On another day I’ll plan an evening picnic with my sister and nieces. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. We just like to have some time to spend together.
GORP, aka Good Old Raisins and Peanuts, is an easy-to-make, healthy snack.
Whether you’re camping in the wilderness or taking an urban hike, GORP (aka Good Old Raisins and Peanuts) is an easy-to-make healthy snack. But GORP doesn’t mean only raisins and peanuts. You can add all sorts of dried fruit, seeds, nuts, and other nutrition-rich foods (even a bit of dark chocolate). Mix and match your favorite ingredients to make your own combinations. Happy Trails!
Nuts:
Almonds
Cashews
Brazil Nuts
Peanuts
Seeds:
Sunflower
Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds)
Dried Fruits:
Raisins
Banana chips
Coconut flakes
Cherries
Cranberries
Apricots
Nectarines
Mangoes
Blueberries
Other ideas:
Chocolate chips
Granola
Popcorn
Yogurt chips
Argentina Meets Korea in Sun Basket’s Crazy Good Kimchi-Chimichurri
When you saw kimchi chimichurri on next week’s menu, you may have wondered how Korean fermented cabbage ended up in a steak sauce from Argentina. Thanks to the imagination of Chef Justine, and executive R&D Chef Alan Li, and with some guidance from our favorite kimchi producer, Sun Basket’s kimchi chimichurri was born.
We spoke with Chef Justine about the inspiration behind the star component of our Pork Chops with Kimchi Chimichurri and Sweet Potato recipe:
Mother-in-Law’s kimchi has become our go-to brand. It’s vegan as well as paleo (the sugars in the ingredient list are converted to lactic acid during fermentation, reducing the carbohydrates in the cabbage) but most importantly, it’s the most delicious kimchi we’ve found.
Kimchi chimichurri wasn’t our innovation. Alan and I found the idea in Mother-in-Law’s cookbook, The Kimchi Cookbook: 60 Traditional and Modern Ways to Make and Eat Kimchi. We gave it the Sun Basket treatment by adding lots of fresh cilantro and lime juice to lighten up the pungent fermented cabbage. It may not seem like Argentinian and Korean flavors would work well together, but both countries eat a lot of grilled meats, and their flavor profiles meld well with each other.
If you’re unfamiliar with chimichurri, it’s a traditional herb sauce from Argentina that’s served with the country’s famous grilled meats. It’s typically made with finely chopped parsley and oregano, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and vinegar. We chose cilantro for this recipe because it goes so well with the salty, spicy Asian flavors in this dish. We’re always looking for ways to make our food taste bolder and brighter.
Facebook LIVE—August 9, 2017
Watch Chef Jeremy Armstrong and the impressive Elazar Sontag, author of Flavors of Oakland and upstate NY resident, spice up the kitchen with Buffalo Chicken Wings with Mixed Vegetables and Ranch Dressing. Hosted by Sun Basket’s Head of Content, George Nachtrieb, and Alicia Egan, Social Media Associate.
Ever want to know the origin story of Buffalo wings? Or the health benefits of chile peppers? Well, here’s your chance!
Tune in next week, as Sun Basket Sous Chef Josh Liebeskind channels the Pacific Northwest with some salmon burger pro tips.
The Perfect Super Bowl Chorizo Chili
Meet Lauren Asazawa – Coder, Climber
Our Five Favorite Meditation Apps
When it comes to healthy living, we often tend to focus on our physical health, but our mental health is just as important for optimal well-being and happiness. One of the best ways to promote mental health is through meditative practices. Studies show that meditation can reduce stress, anxiety, promote self-awareness, emotional health, and can even support memory and longevity.
Similar to healthy eating, there is no one size fits all approach to meditation either. Explore, experiment, and discover what works for you. Remember, meditation is called a “practice” for a reason. Treat this time as your mental “recess” and find a daily practice that relaxes and recharges your soul.
Lindsey Kane, Sun Basket Director of Nutrition, shares some of her favorite apps for slowing down and living in the moment.
Guru in your pocket
Learning to meditate is intimidating, which is why Headspace strips it down to the basics. A free version of the app takes you through a ten-day series of meditations. If you want more, join the thousands who subscribe for access to programs focusing on health, happiness, work, and even sports performance.
Free
5-star user rating
Requires iOS 9.0 or later
Compatible with iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Android.
Let it go
With guided meditations ranging from 3 to 25 minutes, Calm features week-long programs that are geared toward finding ways to cope with everyday stressors like work and family obligations. The app includes meditations for anxiety, concentration, happiness, and self-esteem that remind you to breath more and worry less.
Free
5-star user rating
Requires iOS 9.0 or later
Compatible with iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Android.
Crowdsource your calm
Insight Timer is home to thousands of guided audio clips uploaded by meditation instructors. If you don’t feel like doing a guided meditation, the app provides a timer and ambient sounds so you can get zen all on your own.
Free
4½-star user rating
Requires iOS 9.0 or later
Compatible with iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Android.
Don’t forget to relax
Working from a checklist of options describing your emotional and your physical state, Stop, Breathe & Think will suggest meditations based on your individual needs to help you get back on track. Some exercises are as simple as counting breaths.
Free
5-star user rating
Requires iOS 8.0 or later
Compatible with iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Android.
Inner peace for all ages
The things that stress us out change as we get older, so The Smiling Mind divides meditation programs up by age. This app uses guided meditation to improve your mental health when you pack to go to college, train for a marathon, or settle into a new job.
Free
4-star user rating
Requires iOS 8.0 or later
Compatible with iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Android.
Recent Comments