Category: Dinner

Plate Joy makes Meal Planning Simple

Post author By De
Post date March 7, 2018
1 Comment on Plate Joy makes Meal Planning Simple

Plate Joy is Making Meal Planning Simple for me

Here it is again, Sunday! Time to meal plan and nowadays I just use Plate Joy to make it simple for me. Busy schedules, short weekends and lack of time. Plate Joy has made meal planning so simple and tasty for my family.

Why did I start using Plate joy?

In the last year, I have transitioned from being a stay at home mom of twelve years to a working mom and entrepreneur. Despite my efforts, life got pretty crazy for a while, and I found myself overwhelmed and over anxious.

A lot had to give, so I did just that.

I went from working at three gyms to only one. I have also been more discerning in where I go and the people I spend my time and how I spend my time.

I needed to simplify my busy life

I was also injured earlier this year and while off my feet it gave me plenty of time to stop think, reflect and rearrange some things. I sometimes feel that my day is filled with lots to do, but nothing ever gets done. I had to take some advice that a business coach gave me a few years ago. First, she said to focus on one thing, master that and then move on. Second, if you don’t like to do it and it is killing your time-outsource it.

Outsourcing my chores

It’s funny how an outsider can give you such a perspective, but she was right. I didn’t have to do all the things and with modern technology, apps and three able-bodied children. Her words of wisdom gave me a great idea. I am going to stop doing the stuff I hate and start outsourcing it.

We have been working on chores in our household, and my girls are 14, 10 and four years old. I am not doing them or me any favors by being their housekeeper. Lately, the Bolton diva’s have been contributing more to the house.

One thing that my oldest daughter is pretty good at is meal planning which is something I hate. I am so indecisive and it just a lot of pressure so I usually ask her to help. She is also great at organizing and grocery shopping. She took over for a while, but we got tired of eating the same thing.

New Meals and Meal Plans

When I got asked to try the app Plate Joy, it was just what my family needed. Personally am tired of cooking the same thing, and my oldest has worked to be as creative as possible so having an app for that has been a God sent.

Plate joy is an app that is available for Android and iPhones. I have been praising it’s amazingness to all of my Mommy friends and some clients. So many things not sure where to start.

First, you enter each one: size and age. You can specify any diet restrictions, things your family will not eat and pretty much customize the meal plan to exactly your needs. When creating your meal plan, Plate joy uses this information to make some fantastic seven days, cost friendly and reduced food waste meals.

Next, you tell Plate Joy what is already in your cabinet. That way when creating your shopping list it will avoid or indicate the amount you need for the recipes. You can print it, use it off of your phone. The recipes are printable too if you find one you love or want to share.

Then, the best part with all of your specifications, family size, portion control and budget in mind; Plate Joy creates a menu for the week. You can even have all of your groceries delivered or go shopping yourself with your list in hand.

The menu items sound so fancy, but it’s all food that my lil divas will eat. I was beyond impressed with the menu. Most of the meals were easily made under 40 minutes, and except for one chickpea salad my family loved and ate every meal.

Not only did they taste every meal but Plate Joy took into account Leftovers and even added that to the meal plan to reduce/eliminate food waste.

Plate Joy for my clients and others

The meals are nutritionally appropriate and by being able to customize it works perfectly for my personal training clients who have certain goals in mind. I also instead refer them to the app than to help them get some creative, healthy, easy meal ideas.

Plate Joy also has a fantastic new program that recently came out, as highlighted on CNN for taking this nutrition program a step further and helping with disease prevention caused by obesity. I have recommended it to some of my diabetic patients.

Over 20 million people can now qualify for this program which is 16-week disease risk prevention and reduction program. If you are eligible, you will receive a free connected scale, a free Fitbit, virtual coaching, video lessons, and the PlateJoy meal planner all compensated by your health insurance. If you want to apply or know someone who could benefit from this program, please apply here to learn more.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone to take back their health or like my family already making strides towards a healthy lifestyle but can use a little help. I have been using Plate Joy for a month, and it has given me a little sanity, saved my pockets and given my family some new favorite meals. I would like to share the wealth and offer you $20 off your own freedom from meal planning. Got to Plate Joy and Use PROMO CODE: “FAITH10” to try it out yourself receive $10 off and let me know what you think?

Is meal planning a chore you would like to outsource?

This is a sponsored post. I received this product in exchange for a review from Plate Joy there are also affiliate links that I make a commission. I’d tell you if I didn’t like it and why. My Full Disclosure Policy

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Tags diabetic meal plan, family meal planning, food, food budget, food waste, health, healthy food budget, meal idea, meal planner, meal planning, meal planning app, nutrition, portion control, recipes, working mom

Dinner Gluten Free Recipes

Bruschetta Chicken

BruschettaChicken

I live in New Jersey also known as the garden state and for the last three years, I have had a Spring, Summer, Fall garden that is getting larger with every year. We have a small backyard, and I am either going to have to move to some acres or just forget to let the kids play and take the whole yard for my garden. I never thought I would be the type of girl to garden, but it has taught me patience. I usually start my seeds in the winter end of January indoors and by Mother’s Day, they are ready to be planted. Usually around now is where I am reaping my rewards. My herbs are first like my oregano and basil that I use in this recipe and then my tomatoes. This year I have four varieties all heirloom tomatoes. I cannot wait for more garden to table meals to come from them. I have six different peppers. This year will be my first year trying Cruciferous veggies like Broccoli, Orange Cauliflower, and Red Cabbage. I have already harvested my first crop of Arugula, Spinach, Lettuce, Mesclun, and Kale. I still don’t think I could live in the country, but I do prefer my garden fresh over store bought veggies any day.

BruschettaChicken

This meal is a great summer time easy meal you can make in minutes. Its low in fat and high in taste. A real crowd pleaser, and anything that my in between diva can’t get enough of must be good because she has a very sensitive pallet meaning she hates everything. I used to make this meal with a lot more oil, crushed tomatoes and just lots of unnecessary processed extras. Now, that we’re clean eaters I find when I take out the garbage; add fresh herbs and ingredients. It not only tastes better that processed meals it also leaves you feeling better afterwards. All the helpers and one pot skillet starters are no comparisons to fresh ingredients. So, whether these ingredients come from your backyard or the store, please choose fresh over canned when it comes to trying this recipe. Are you a gardener or do you save that for the farmers?

[amd-yrecipe-recipe:23]

Meal Time Monday

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Tags bruschetta, food, garden fresh, garden to table, gluten free, healthy dinner, low fat dinner, lunch

Dinner Family Gluten Free Recipes

Gluten Free Chicken Parmesean

Post author By De
Post date January 30, 2017
15 Comments on Gluten Free Chicken Parmesean

Gluten (2)

Gluten-Free made easy

When I first went gluten free I thought, “this is going to be a chore.” Things are not going to taste good and I am going to miss a lot of my favorite meals. I proved myself so wrong over the last few months. Now, I didn’t go gluten free because that is the cool thing to do lately. I went gluten free because I honestly was tired of my stomach hating me after every meal. I have a wheat allergy that I have known about since I was 16 but could have cared less. I like all things whole wheat and everything has it in it. It felt like a losing battle. The digestive pains, literal pains that I had including: bloating, lethargy, headaches,sinus issues, and post nasal drip one day just made me go to the doctor. Ruling out a few things like celiacs and adding a few things like lactose intolerant and after taking another allergy test. I was once again diagnosed with wheat allergy (I was hoping I would grow out of). My doctor said, “you can continue to complain about your stomach issues or you can stop eating the things that don’t agree with your digestive system. It’s up to you.” I hate it when people tell me what to do, especially when I want to do differently.

After Diagnosis

I went home and went shopping. Bought all kinds of gluten free nastiness, like seriously some of the things out there for gluten free I think is supply and demand. Because there is a demand they supply you with the tasteless, dry, nastiness. It really doesn’t have to be like that. You can eat gluten free and eat delicious food. If I couldn’t eat delicious food I don’t think I could live happily. Food is somethings I enjoy too much. It’s in my top pleasures like sometimes breathing and food are competing (just kidding-well not when my mouth is full). So, I had to come up with a solution.

First, half of that gluten free stuff is processed food which I was eliminating from my diet. I had to figure out how to eat clean and wheat free. I changed the flours I used from whole wheat and all purpose to oat, almond, coconut (not as much it’s kind of pricey) and brown rice. I use for certain textured things like cornbread-brown rice flour is great for cornbread perfect texture. I also have to consider price. I make my own oat and brown rice flour and I use it mostly. I buy it in bulk,gluten free and then I just grind it in the bullet for like 2-5 minutes and ta-da, oat and brown rice flour. So easy and so much cheaper than buying some well known companies. Then I cook as normal or bake as normal only having to adjust things like baking soda, baking powder, sometimes moisture,etc. After some experimenting I have pretty much swapped wheat for other things and make gluten free yumminess.

Clarity

Now let me clarify I am not celiac or gluten intolerant but because of my wheat allergy it’s easier to go gluten free because gluten is a protein found in wheat and related grains. If it’s gluten free it’s wheat free and my digestion is free. Chicken Parmesan is a easy, before Bible Study meal or 30 minutes or less that I go to every few weeks in meal planning and a family favorite. I used to make myself separate meals but now I have gotten to the point either my family is used to it, really hungry or my food really does taste good. I often bring gluten free things to potlucks and never get complaints or get surprised reactions that it was gluten free. My brownies are still to die for without the gluten. I hope you test this recipe out and have the same positive reactions. What’s one of your family favorite meals?

Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan Tenders