Meal Kit Services...
...are just one of many modern conveniences to help people keep themselves healthy. They are especially popular amongst people who are extremely busy and have difficulty finding time to cook homemade meals, but don't want to sacrifice their health.
There are so many different meal kit companies out there these days, it's sometimes difficult to pick one that is healthy and just right for you. I decided to write this blog post to offer some tips on finding the right meal kit service, if you're thinking about looking for one. Make sure you read all the way to the end, because you will be provided a coupon for a local meal kit service as well as a free recipe. Enjoy!
There are so many different meal kit companies out there these days, it's sometimes difficult to pick one that is healthy and just right for you. I decided to write this blog post to offer some tips on finding the right meal kit service, if you're thinking about looking for one. Make sure you read all the way to the end, because you will be provided a coupon for a local meal kit service as well as a free recipe. Enjoy!
#1: High Quality Ingredients
One of the first things you should be looking for in a meal kit service is high quality, fresh ingredients. As we already know, high quality, fresh ingredients are one of the building blocks of vibrant health!
When trying to assess whether a company uses quality, fresh ingredients, you can look for things like no preservatives or additives, homemade sauces and salad dressings and spices and toppings packed with quality ingredients. You can also keep an eye out for locally sourced or "farmer to fork" ingredients. You can read about the benefits of integrating locally sourced food into your diet in my recent blog post here.
When trying to assess whether a company uses quality, fresh ingredients, you can look for things like no preservatives or additives, homemade sauces and salad dressings and spices and toppings packed with quality ingredients. You can also keep an eye out for locally sourced or "farmer to fork" ingredients. You can read about the benefits of integrating locally sourced food into your diet in my recent blog post here.
#2: Blood Sugar Balancing
Make sure that the meals that the service offers are blood sugar balancing. As we talk about in the Simple Swaps Program, low glycemic meals balance blood sugar, keep our metabolism humming and our hormones happy.
Keep an eye out for ingredients like whole grains, the right combination of carbs, proteins and healthy fats.
Keep an eye out for ingredients like whole grains, the right combination of carbs, proteins and healthy fats.
#3: Environmentally Friendly
Along the same lines of looking for locally sourced food, it is also important to make sure the companies we use take the environment into account. Look for companies that use less packaging, as all kits should be going directly from the commercial fridge to your kitchen and not travel huge distances across the country. For this reason, it's a great idea to pick a local company.
Personally, I would highly recommend using Zesty Kits, a wonderful, Regina-based meal kit company that I have worked with extensively. Keep reading, because I will be providing a coupon and a free recipe from Zesty Kits at the end of this post!
Personally, I would highly recommend using Zesty Kits, a wonderful, Regina-based meal kit company that I have worked with extensively. Keep reading, because I will be providing a coupon and a free recipe from Zesty Kits at the end of this post!
#4: Food Guide Approved
Another great thing to look out for is whether the meal kit service is approved according to the new Canadian Food Guide.
This brand new version of the guide had added in more plant-based protein options, increased the amount of vegetables we should be eating and encourages people to spend time together in their kitchens, develop basic cooking skills and bond as a family. Meal kit services can be a great way to get cooking with the kids!
This brand new version of the guide had added in more plant-based protein options, increased the amount of vegetables we should be eating and encourages people to spend time together in their kitchens, develop basic cooking skills and bond as a family. Meal kit services can be a great way to get cooking with the kids!
#5: Options, options, options...
One last thing to look out for is that the meal kit service you choose has tons of options. For example, dairy free/minimal dairy, carnivore, clean eating, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and so on.
Some meal kit services even offer different size options, for example, for couples or larger families. You want to make sure that the company offers something for everyone depending on different nutritional needs and preferences!
Some meal kit services even offer different size options, for example, for couples or larger families. You want to make sure that the company offers something for everyone depending on different nutritional needs and preferences!
My Recommendation: Zesty Kits
As mentioned above, my personal meal kit service recommendation in the Regina area would without a doubt be Zesty Kits. They definitely fit all of the criteria I listed above, and more! All of their meals are prepared in Regina, and they deliver to Regina, White City, Emerald Park, Pilot Butte and hopefully more cities soon! They currently have a waiting list for both Saskatoon and Moose Jaw.
Lucky us, because they have provided me with a discount coupon to offer all of you. If you enter HEALTHCOACHCHERYL at the checkout, you will receive $20 off your first order. Give them a try today! Keep reading to check out one of their awesome recipes.
Lucky us, because they have provided me with a discount coupon to offer all of you. If you enter HEALTHCOACHCHERYL at the checkout, you will receive $20 off your first order. Give them a try today! Keep reading to check out one of their awesome recipes.
Recipe Time: Blueberry Chicken Bowl
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Makes 4 large servings
This beautiful superfood filled bowl is the perfect dinner to compliment a sunny day. This blueberry chicken wild rice power bowl is topped with a zesty blueberry vinaigrette and filled with 3 recognized superfoods: blueberry, almonds and spinach! This delicious bowl will leave you feeling satisfied and energized.
Bowl Ingredients:
-1 cup brown rice
-1/3 cup wild rice
-2 2/3 cup water
-1 tsp. lemon pepper spice mix
-400 gr. chicken breast
-4 cups spinach
-2 oranges
-1 cup blueberries
-1 cucumber
-1/4 cup sliced almonds
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1/8 tsp. papper
-1/2 tsp. oil
-Olive oil
Blueberry Dressing Ingredients:
-3/4 cup blueberries
-1/2 cup olive oil
-2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
-1/2 tbsp. maple syrup
-1 clove minced garlic
-1 tsp. dijon mustard
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1/8 tsp. pepper
Instructions:
-Turn on the oven to 375 F for the chicken. In the sink, place the rice in a strainer and rinse it well. In a pot, add the wild rice and brown rice, 2 ⅔ cup water, about ¼ tsp salt and a pinch pepper. Bring to a boil on high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook 35 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove the pot from the heat and set aside.
-While the rice is cooking, place the chicken breasts on a non stick lined baking sheet, coat the chicken with lemon pepper spice blend, about ½ tsp oil and ½ tsp salt. Once the oven is hot, bake the chicken for 15-20 minutes. Let rest for about 5 minutes and cut the chicken in 1/2 cm slices.
-While the chicken and rice are cooking, cut the cucumber in 1/2 cm slices. Cut the orange in slices: Start by slicing off the ends of the orange. Place the orange on one of its cut surfaces, then insert the knife blade into the space between the flesh and the skin at an angle that matches the contour of the fruit. When all the skin is removed slice the orange in 1/2 cm slices.
-In a blender, add all the dressing ingredients and blend until smooth.
-In individual bowls place the cooked wild and brown rice, the spinach, cucumber, orange, blueberry and lemon pepper chicken breast slices. Drizzle each bowl with about blueberry dressing. Garnish with almond slices. Serve.
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Makes 4 large servings
This beautiful superfood filled bowl is the perfect dinner to compliment a sunny day. This blueberry chicken wild rice power bowl is topped with a zesty blueberry vinaigrette and filled with 3 recognized superfoods: blueberry, almonds and spinach! This delicious bowl will leave you feeling satisfied and energized.
Bowl Ingredients:
-1 cup brown rice
-1/3 cup wild rice
-2 2/3 cup water
-1 tsp. lemon pepper spice mix
-400 gr. chicken breast
-4 cups spinach
-2 oranges
-1 cup blueberries
-1 cucumber
-1/4 cup sliced almonds
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1/8 tsp. papper
-1/2 tsp. oil
-Olive oil
Blueberry Dressing Ingredients:
-3/4 cup blueberries
-1/2 cup olive oil
-2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
-1/2 tbsp. maple syrup
-1 clove minced garlic
-1 tsp. dijon mustard
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1/8 tsp. pepper
Instructions:
-Turn on the oven to 375 F for the chicken. In the sink, place the rice in a strainer and rinse it well. In a pot, add the wild rice and brown rice, 2 ⅔ cup water, about ¼ tsp salt and a pinch pepper. Bring to a boil on high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook 35 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove the pot from the heat and set aside.
-While the rice is cooking, place the chicken breasts on a non stick lined baking sheet, coat the chicken with lemon pepper spice blend, about ½ tsp oil and ½ tsp salt. Once the oven is hot, bake the chicken for 15-20 minutes. Let rest for about 5 minutes and cut the chicken in 1/2 cm slices.
-While the chicken and rice are cooking, cut the cucumber in 1/2 cm slices. Cut the orange in slices: Start by slicing off the ends of the orange. Place the orange on one of its cut surfaces, then insert the knife blade into the space between the flesh and the skin at an angle that matches the contour of the fruit. When all the skin is removed slice the orange in 1/2 cm slices.
-In a blender, add all the dressing ingredients and blend until smooth.
-In individual bowls place the cooked wild and brown rice, the spinach, cucumber, orange, blueberry and lemon pepper chicken breast slices. Drizzle each bowl with about blueberry dressing. Garnish with almond slices. Serve.
Let's Talk About Meal Kits!
| Have any questions about what to look for in a meal kit service, or meal planning more generally? I would be happy to provide you with additional tips if you book a FREE 30 minute health coaching call with me. Just click here, or on the button below. |  |