Bite Size Workouts—Three Moves to Strengthen Your Core
Building a strong core isn’t about having a six-pack. Your core is the glue that holds your upper and lower body together, and the stronger the glue, the less likely you are to get your body in a sticky situation. When your core is strong, you’ll have better balance and stability, good posture, and a healthy back.
All summer long, we’ll be checking in with some top fitness instructors in San Francisco who will lead us through a few simple exercises to set us on the path to a more energetic life. This week, Tommy Stracke from Barry’s Bootcamp demonstrates three moves for a strong core.
Sun Basket’s staff nutritionist Kaley Todd introduces our new Lean & Clean menu plan
Summer is a time when I like to refresh my commitment to eating healthy and feeling great. Sun Basket is making it easier than ever with our new Lean & Clean meal plan.
Lean & Clean takes a balanced, modern approach to weight management. We’re focused on the good stuff, using the delicious, seasonal ingredients you’ve come to expect from Sun Basket. Our recipes are high in protein and fiber, with nutrient-dense organic vegetables and top-quality proteins to give you sustained energy, stabilize your blood sugar, and leave you feeling satisfied.
At about 550 calories per serving, with no gluten, dairy, or added sugars, Lean & Clean is designed to help you eat cleaner, feel lighter, and keep it up for the long term. And like always, you can choose any recipes you like each week, regardless of your meal plan.
Need more motivation? Get your partner, family members, or a friend on board—it’s easier to live a healthier lifestyle with a partner in crime. My husband and I love preparing our Sun Basket meals together, and as the weather warms up, we look forward to long after-dinner walks with our new son and puppy. We hope you’ll join us on the path to good eating and a more healthy and satisfying way of life.
Our Five Favorite Nutrition Apps
We could all use a little help when it comes to sticking to a healthy lifestyle. Now your phone can also function as your personal nutritionist. Sun Basket’s team of dietitians offer up their top picks for the best nutrition apps.
Lifesum
If you’ve been procrastinating on keeping a food or fitness journal, this app makes it easy to develop a daily log that will give you a comprehensive view of your health choices. You’ll also find tips on how to support a healthier lifestyle beyond counting calories. Lifesum’s social media integration option allows you to connect with friends to share progress and motivate one another.
Honey
When it comes to connecting with a registered dietitian without visiting the doctor’s office, Honey is a sweet option. Scan through a list of dietitians who specialize in your areas of interest, like sports or pre or postnatal nutrition, and follow their daily nutrition tips, product and service recommendations, and new research. Leave your questions in the Honey Pot and the app’s dietitians will share their answers with the community in “bite of the day” notifications.
HealthyOut
For those nights when you’re not eating a Sun Basket meal at home, the HealthyOut app helps you choose a restaurant that can deliver the kind of good-for-you food you’ve become accustomed to. Enter your location and your dietary restrictions—like gluten-free—and the app will tell you which dishes at nearby restaurants meet your needs. The app also offers ways to modify a meal to fit your dietary needs once you’re at the restaurant.
HealthWatch 360
A team of nutrition scientists designed this app, which lets you enter your personal health goals, including nutrition, exercise, and sleep quality, and track your performance. The app’s algorithm generates a plan based on your data and monitors your health journey. One of the most comprehensive apps available, HealthWatch 360 provides personalized reports that detail your nutritional status and offers tips to help you meet your goals.
Today
Perfect for those looking to make an overall lifestyle change, Today helps you establish, organize, and track new habits. Hoping to increase your daily water intake or incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet? Today breaks down these goals into smaller, more manageable steps to help you stay on track and develop healthy habits. The streak calendar allows you to see how long you’ve stayed on track with your goals, keeping you motivated.
Sun Signs—June 2017
With the two upbeat planets in a happy, healthy place this month, moving forward and feeling good—especially around love, relationships (and yes, weddings)—really is in the stars. If you can work around Mars, the planet of get-up-and-go in Cancer, the sign of just-want-to-stay home, June may turn out be one of the best months of the year.
By Lisa Awrey
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Your crackling wit and crackerjack intelligence is front and center this month. Just ignore the surface fuss because the motherload that feeds both your creativity and love life is coming from a much deeper place. Freedive into your unconscious and come out with the gold. Then you’ll be able to turn your creative ideas into income and more long-term security.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) As soon as your remodel gets back on track, head off to the spa with your core council for a soak. Fill up your reserves as you tap into the communal wisdom. It’s okay to let your vulnerability hangout; you’re realizing that emotional intelligence is your true gift and not a weakness.
LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Go tell it on the mountain, Leo, or simply from your front porch. You’ve got the best stories and your neighbors will be all ears hearing about some sweet career success. By month’s end, your attention turns inward, where seeking new ways to prove yourself may be more gratifying than the sound of applause.
VIRGO (Aug 23-Sept 22) You’re synthesizing everything you’ve learned and you’re ready to broadcast it. Earning money comes effortlessly; all you have to do is speak your mind. People are starting to listen; and your practical intelligence is starting to pay off. By month’s end you’re keen to nurture your friendships. As you connect with kindred spirits, you hone future hopes and dreams.
LIBRA (Sept 23-Oct 22) You’re being pulled in so many directions and have so many ideas, it’s hard to keep them straight. All the work and relationship building you’ve been doing the last few months is ready to move forward. Go ahead, take it to the next level. If you have any nagging health concerns, now is the time to be proactive.
SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21) Your ability to delve the depths of your unconscious lubricates the clockwork of your third eye, bringing some ease to your most personal (aka complicated) relationships. Carrying on multiple (as in, dimensional) conversations and communing with the unseen shines a light on shared resources and opens up the possibility for tax refunds or other settlements.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21) With so much forward motion in your friendship and relationship houses you’re making connections and feeling optimistic about the future. You’re also easing into your body more than ever and beginning to appreciate muscle joy. Toward the end of the month, that property investment you’ve been on the fence about could be a good idea, easing anxiety about your security.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19) With so much investment in your career finally coming to fruition, what’s a hard-working Sea Goat to do? Maybe it’s time to have a little fun. This is a good time to start practicing the Japanese art of Shinrin (forest-bathing), essentially a rejuvenating walk in the woods. Or signing up for that pottery class you’ve been wanting to take. Toward the end of the month, turn towards nurturing your intimate relationship and asking for what you want from it.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18) That tour of the decorator showcase house has you thinking about how you might infuse more color into your home. It may have to wait as you are antsy to be out and about in the world. Best to use your free miles before they expire. Traveling abroad makes home look better anyway. And now that things are moving forward again your attention turns to how you can take better care of yourself.
PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20) You will get a lot of pleasure out of puttering in your garden this month, maybe putting in some raised beds while chatting with friendly neighbors. The relationships you’ve forged begin to bear fruit. All this planting turns to nurturing creative projects or perhaps a new romance. Either way, you’re in the flow again.
ARIES (Mar 21-April 19) Your intimate relationships are back on track, and you’re ready to take things to the next level. If you’re looking for a partner, there’s no better time to find one. Things look good for a raise, too. If you’re not employed and want to be, it’s a great time to apply for a new job. Too much of a good thing is the only downside. You may have to be discerning.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Oh, you sexy bull, you’re looking and feeling good. Go ahead and ask your boss to bump up your salary; luck is on your side. By the time the bonus is in the bank, you have the energy to get a vegetable garden growing. Take an active role in improving your health; partnering with the right practitioner can help you root out any hidden problems.
illustration by @boccaccinimeadows
Make a Duct Tape Wallet
A duct tape billfold makes a great Father’s Day gift. Once you’ve made the duct tape fabric, the rest is easy. Colorful duct tapes can be found in art supply stores. For extra fun, fill Dad’s wallet with funny money and photos of you.
Materials
Duct tape in multiple colors
Scissors
Velcro, optional
1. Cut a strip of tape 7½ inches long and place it sticky side up on a clean, smooth work surface, such as a plastic cutting board. Cut a second piece of tape the same length and put it sticky side down on top of the first piece so half hangs off the first piece onto the work surface. Fold the sticky part of the first piece over the second piece and flip the pieces together so the sticky over-hang is now face up. Cut a third piece of tape the same length and stick it to the sticky surface of the second piece. Continue until you have a 7½-by-8-inch sheet of duct tape.
2. Trim the sheet so it is about 7 inches wide and 8 inches long.
3. Fold the sheet in half from bottom to top so it is now 7 inches wide and 4 inches long.
4. To make the pocket, cut two pieces of tape, each 4 inches long, and use it to seal the two ends closed to create a lengthwise pocket.
5. Fold in half horizontally and crease to create the wallet.
6. Decorate with more tape, if you like. To make the wallet more secure, stick small Velcro squares on the interior of each folded end.
7. Fill with photos and fun mementos for Dad to enjoy.
Sun Basket Hearts Beer
When Koji Hamada, Sun Basket’s data scientist, is not busy making sense of all our numbers, he’s likely either making (or drinking) beer. He’s also studying to be a cicerone (a beer sommelier). We gave him a bit of homework and asked him to pair some of his favorite brews with a few of the meals from our June 6 menu. We realize that grain-based beers are not part of a paleo or gluten-free diet, but if you’re not a strict follower you can find some fun pairings here to go with your meals.
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I’d choose either a pale ale or a brown ale to go with our Spicy chipotle turkey chili with jicama-radish salad. The mild bitterness of a pale ale cuts through the spiciness of the chili, yet the beer is light enough to leave your palate refreshed for the next spoonful. If you go with an IPA, pick one that’s not too hoppy so that it doesn’t overpower the sweet spiciness of the stew. Brown ales have a roasted malt flavor that I really like with the smoky chipotle and the sweetness of the tomatoes and the sweet potato. Brown ales are heavier than pale ales and they have a savoriness that goes well with the chili’s bold flavors.
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The complex malt sweetness of a Vienna or Märzen-style lager balances the char on the Grilled steaks with roasted poblanos and New Mexican chile salsa. The rich character of these lagers makes an interesting match with the aromatic chile salsa, as well. I think a darker lager, like a schwarzbier or dunkel with its higher roastiness, would also be delicious.
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The subtle spiciness of a Belgian golden ale and a saison’s orange-citrus-like aromas make both these beers a good choice to drink with the Chicken breasts with asparagus and olive tapenade. Crisp ales like these are a nice match for grilled vegetables and leaner proteins like chicken. If you go with a Belgian wit style, you’ll get a fuller body thanks to a higher wheat content, which holds up well with the tapenade and lemon. Some saisons have a lemon-like aroma thanks to the complex ester profiles from their yeasts.
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Lighter-bodied beers in general pair well with grain-based dishes, like the Bucatini with eggs, leeks, spinach, and preserved lemon. You can go with a malty, yet light amber ale to contrast the creamy eggs and leeks, or a light-to medium-bodied ale that holds its own against the preserved lemon and the mineral flavors of the spinach. If you like a light bodied beer, pilsners offer a slightly spicy, refreshing finish.
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There are a lot of contrasting flavors in the Musakhan chicken wraps with pickled carrots and tzatziki, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for beer. Generally, light lagers pair well with any recipe. The subtle fruit sweetness from light lager yeasts are a good compliment to the pickled carrots and tart cucumber yogurt sauce here. The purpose of this pairing is to keep you wanting more of everything.
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I’d pour a big, light-colored ale with the Eggplant Parmesan with sautéed chard. The bold flavors of IPAs and Belgian ales offer a refreshing break from the creamy sweetness of this eggplant parmesan. The hop bitterness from IPAs cuts through fat and refreshes the palate, while Belgian ales offers clove spiciness that contrasts well with the sweetness.
Sun Basket Goes Camping
As the weather warms up, someone on the Sun Basket team always has plans to spend the weekend outside. We have a particular trio Sun Basket staffers who love to go camping, our videographer, Matt Chavez; business analyst, Elton Fong; and our photo team’s digital technician, Omar Navarro, recently headed to Lake Shasta on Friday afternoon with a Sun Basket in the back of the car and a mission: to prove you can take your Sun Basket meals and cook them just about anywhere. Here’s what Matt discovered that weekend:
No shopping
“The worst part of camping is all the preparation,” says Matt, “and after working all week, we don’t have a lot of time for that. We ordered a Sun Basket with two bags of the Steak Fajita Lettuce Wraps with Guacamole and we were all set for our dinner Saturday night.”
No packing
“The insulated Sun Basket box kept all the food cold, so we had more room in the cooler for beer. Since everything is pre-measured, all we had to bring for cooking was a knife, cutting board, tongs, and a cast-iron pan.”
So easy
“We spent all day Saturday hiking and fishing. (I caught a bass, and Omar foraged for wild mushrooms.) We were pretty hungry when we got back to the campsite, and it was great to have the ingredients for the meal organized and ready to cook.”
So delicious
“Sun Basket meals are always good, but they’re even better when cooked over an open fire.”
Easy to clean up
“Because the ingredients for each meal are portioned in just the right amount, there was very little left to clean up and no food to take home. We burned the box and the paper bags for kindling and packed the plastic bags and containers to take home. Omar had the bright idea to reuse the small containers for salt, pepper, and even soap.”
Sweet dreams
“I always forget my pillow, so I rolled up the insulation from the box, taped it closed, covered it with a t-shirt, and tucked it under my head.”
Heading Out of Town? Don’t Leave Healthy Eating Behind
As you make your plans to head out of town this summer, don’t forget your Sun Basket. Let us know where you’re headed and we can forward your meal box to your destination so you can have healthy, ready-to-cook Sun Basket meals waiting at your beach house, lakeside cabin, or wherever you’re relaxing this summer.
Simply go to your account’s “Schedule” page, select “Forward,” then click “Forward Your Box.” Enter the address of where you’ll be cooking, and you can enjoy your Sun Basket meals wherever your travels take you.
Your Summer Soundtrack
Hot tunes and cool vibes for summertime backyard entertaining, the Sun Basket way.
Breaking Bread with California Lavash
Here at Sun Basket, we’re always looking for partners who share our values of sustainability. We’re particularly happy when those partners make delicious bread, like California Lavash. This family-run bakery was founded by Iranian immigrants who brought both their traditional recipes and their disdain for food waste with them when they settled in Gilroy, California, just south of Sun Basket’s headquarters.
Their versatile lavash is a favorite in our test kitchen, where we use it in our flatbreads, wraps, and bread salads. This week you can enjoy their whole wheat flatbread in our White Bean-Ricotta Flatbreads with Pinenuts and Caramelized Onions.
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