 My grandpa, my mom, and me getting ready to go on Star Tours at Disneyland My mom and I went on a little trip last week. We went to southern California to visit my grandpa and his wife. They will be moving to Peru by March (that’s where she’s from) and building a hotel there so we knew that it could potentially be a lot of years until we are able to see them again.
It was a fun time. My mom, my grandpa, his wife, and I went to Disneyland. We had a great time. As I had been there with the kids in October, it was like the continuation of that trip almost, for me. I got to go on all the really good rides that I didn’t get to go on last time. Hailey is technically tall enough to go on everything but she is a big chicken. I managed to get her on the Indiana Jones ride and she has been mad at me ever since- it terrified her.
We ate so much on this trip. Latin cultures are known for the ability to feed you until you think you will quite literally burst open. My grandpa’s wife does this. She ordered in Peruvian food from a place one night and cooked her own Peruvian food another night. Everything was so delicious and it’s offensive to her if you don’t take second helpings. So to be extra nice, I had thirds on some things.
Aside from that, there were all kinds of restaurants and since we are from a town with very very limited dining options, we were more than willing to eat out whenever possible on the trip.
So needless to say, I packed on a few extra pounds. Oh well, such is life. Food is enjoyable and I can lose the weight. In fact, I may have already, I haven’t weighed in a few days. I’ve been running again so it’s quite possible. I really missed running. I missed that euphoria that kicks in about halfway through a run and the feeling of accomplishment afterward. It’s almost cleansing in a weird way. Any frustrations or aggression I have, I run through and by the time I’m done it is gone. Probably just out of mere exhaustion but… it’s gone anyway.
On another note, I will soon be doing a review and giveaway for a Packit lunch bag. But if you just can’t wait for me and want to enter for a giveaway now, click that link and like their page. They’ll be doing their own giveaway when their facebook page hits 2,000 likes.
This giveaway is closed! The winner is: comment #14, Liza! Congratulations, Liza.
Not too long ago, I came across a site called Easy Lunch Boxes . I was immediately intrigued! So when Kelly, the creator of Easy Lunch Boxes contacted me and asked if I would be interested in doing a review and giveaway, I jumped on the opportunity.
What are Easy Lunch Boxes?
Here’s how Kelly describes them…
Mornings spent in chaos making breakfast, beds, & lunch boxes?
The EasyLunchbox system makes it simple to organize, and quickly pack healthy lunches without wasting money, time, paper or plastic.
Born out of my response to unhealthy school lunch programs, EasyLunchboxes.com started from the desire to send my 3 kids to school with a nutritious meal, using little to no wasteful packaging. But the EasyLunchbox System is not just for kids. Adult size meals fit perfectly too.
EasyLunchboxes.com was launched in December, 2009 and is quickly becoming the new favorite among affordable and green lunch box solutions!
Named a ‘top 5 Eco-Friendly Mommy Must Have” by Parents Ask, the EasyLunchbox System has been rated TOP CHOICE by many independent reviewers.
I was like other frustrated moms – I didn’t like throwing together lunches during the morning rush. So much time was wasted sorting through a cabinet of mismatched food containers while trying to pack 15-25 well-balanced lunches per week. I struggled to find something that would help me pack lunches fast, without resorting to the ‘convenience’ of expensive, pre-packaged ‘fast-food.’ Most importantly, I wanted something attractive, eco-friendly, and made of food-safe materials that I didn’t have to wash by hand.
My clever solution to the lunch-packing chore is the simple two piece EasyLunchbox container : The bottom has three compartments to hold an entree or sandwich and two side dishes. The fitted lid (which comes in 4 colors) covers all three compartments at once. No more squished sandwiches, mismatched plastic container pieces to keep track of (matching up all those bottoms and lids was the thing that drove me nuts!) or wasteful baggies. Fits perfectly inside the roomy EasyLunchbox custom carrying bag. And there is still plenty of room to throw in an extra snack or two, whole fruit, perhaps a thermos of soup, drink and ice block. Flexibility is key, and since so many different things can fit, no matter what menu you choose to include, it packs easily and quickly. It’s amazing how much faster, greener, & easier lunch box packing is with the EasyLunchbox system.
Supporting the waste-free lunch movement, EasyLunchboxes.com offers a reusable, superior solution at a much lower price than other companies.
Great for large families and those on a limited budget.
FDA approved. No BPA, phthalates, lead, vinyl, or PVC. Safe for dishwasher and microwave.
The simple chic design and bright colors of our Cooler Bags can even be personalized!
We have included a sturdy grommet in the carrying handle so you can easily attach a pretty key ring, dietary restrictions warning tag, or your choice of any type of handcrafted or store bought “flair.”
Our Cooler Bags are made of the highest quality 300D Polyester for premium durability and toughness. Vinyl free (PVC free) & lead free, with an FDA compliant PEVA lining.
Our thoughts on Easy Lunch Boxes:
 The whole system I picked out the olive bag, knowing that my husband would be the first tester for our Easy Lunchbox system. Um, also because green is my favorite color, in case you haven’t guessed that already. When he first saw it, he said “that might be too small”. He works 12 hour shifts, outside, with an hour commute on a company bus each way. He’s got no access to a water cooler or microwave or fridge or anything- and he has to have enough food to last him a full fourteen hours. But he was willing to try it out for me anyway. What a guy!
 Tim's lunch As you can see, he used two containers. He’s got his sandwich, chips, beef jerkey, two granola bars, a piece of cheese, and a handful of saltwater taffy in there.
 All packed up! Both containers fit just right with room for his fruit and an ice pack.
 Ready to go! And there we go! He was off to work. He has a ginorm lunchbox he normally takes that fits his two Nalgene bottles of water. Since they didn’t fit in his Easy Lunchbox, he just carried them separately.
When he got home that night, I asked him how it went. It turns out, that was plenty of food- the exact same amount he normally takes in his plastic ziptop bags. The Easy Lunchbox just makes better use of the space. He really liked not having a bunch of empty plastic baggies trying to fly out of his lunchbox every time he opened it. I agree with that- I love the idea of not spending money on plastic bags! He said the only thing he’d like to see is maybe a bigger version of the cooler bag, so that he could fit his water- but he wants to start using the Easy Lunchbox food containers in his big lunchbox so he can do that anyway. I’m pretty sure he’s an exception, though because for someone who works 8-9 hour shifts and possibly has access to water (like, in an office), this bag would be just right. It’s big enough to hold all the food you need, but small enough that you’d be able to store it under your desk or in a drawer easily.
Naturally, once they saw daddy using the Easy Lunchboxes, the kids needed to give them a try, too! We just recently got into the bento trend and Easy Lunchboxes are perfect for this.
 Bento-style! Wish I could have made it cuter for them but mommy was in a hurry. They still thought it was cool though! Of course, they don’t need bags yet, but I am absolutely going to use Easy Lunchboxes for when they start school. No more plastic baggie waste, and no more squashed sandwiches- wish I could have had one of these when I was going to school!
So the results are in: my family LOVES our Easy Lunch Boxes and you will, too!
Now, who wants one? Because I get to give one away to a lucky reader!
The Giveaway:
One lucky winner will receive a set of Easy Lunchbox food containers and the cooler bag of their choice!
To enter: (this is required)
Go browse Easy Lunch Boxes and tell me your favorite thing about Easy Lunchboxes and which color bag you’d choose.
For additional entries: (leave a separate comment for each of these that you do!)
- Become a fan of Easy Lunchboxes on Facebook
- Blog about and link to this giveaway (comment with link)
- Tweet about this giveaway. You can do this once per day. If you can, please use this: Happy.Healthy.Homemade is giving away an Easy Lunchbox http://www.happyhealthyhomemade.com/2010/06/easylunchboxgiveaway.html @rachspan
The giveaway ends Friday, July 2nd at 11:59 PM PST. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be announced here, as well as e-mailed. If they don’t respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. US and Canada residents only, please. Easy Lunchboxes has the right to disqualify a winner if they’ve won or received free products from Easy Lunchboxes within the last three months.
I feel pretty! Oh, so pretty! I feel pretty and witty and bright!
Ha, ha. Now that’s going to be stuck in your head for hours. Neener neener. On with the post…
 Let’s start with the hair. I just discovered the best shampoo ever, Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo. Probably the conditioner is just as awesome, but I’m not out of my other stuff yet- but the shampoo? To die for. First of all, it smells so good. Like actual, real coconut and not that fake coconut scent like tanning oil. Second, it’s full of organic stuff that is great for your hair, like coconut milk, coconut oil, and whipped egg white proteins. Even the bottles are eco-friendly, made of recycled materials. And third, (and of course, most importantly), it leaves my hair feeling so soft and smooth. I have naturally wavy/curly hair and it’s been humid around here- which is rare in northern Nevada- and despite that, my hair has been looking fabulous whether I let it dry and curl naturally or I blow it out straight. When I was in Elko, I used some other brand that I bought in a travel size and my hair was a mass of frizz the whole time I was there. I used all my normal styling products, so I am sure it was the shampoo! They’ve got some other coconut milk hair products and I can’t wait to try the full line. (Though, people might start trying to taste me.)
Next up, we have Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Body Wash. Calming certainly describes it. I love the smell of lavender and they’ve mixed it with ylang-ylang and chamomile- and it does smell as good as it sounds. It’s super moisturizing and it lathers up really rich and foamy- I love that because I always shave my legs with body wash and, of course, the creamier the lather, the better shave you get! It leaves a very nice, soft scent on my skin after I get out of the shower. And, of course, I love that Aveeno products are made with natural ingredients like oats, which are known for moisturizing and soothing the skin. Here is a form for a coupon for $3 off of any two Aveeno body products when you sign up for their mailing list.
So that takes care of our hair and our body wash, what about when we step out of the shower?
 Jergens Naturals Ultra Hydrating Daily Moisturizer. We have super low humidity here almost all of the time and boy, can you see it in your skin! My skin gets dry and ashy so easily. I have a hard time finding lotions that actually work all day to keep my skin moisturized. Commonly, I’ll put on lotion after my shower and within a few hours, I can scratch my name into my ashy skin. I FINALLY found something that works. And it’s made with 95% natural ingredients, yay! This lotion is so thick and rich, but it’s not greasy. It’s made with jojoba oil and agave extract, which are excellent and soothing natural moisturizers. And it smells great too, not too perfume-y and not chemical-y at all.
So there you have it, my three new favorite beauty aids right now. If you have some favorites, please share!
By the way, I’m not being compensated in any way for this post.
If you have a product that you’d like me to try out and review on my blog, please drop me a line at rrspangle@yahoo.com. I’d be happy to work with you!
1. Those Dole bagged salads with all the dressing and toppings and stuff. I’m sure it’s probably cheaper to buy all your own stuff and make a bunch of your own salads but dude. They’re just the right amount for the three of us (me, Tim, Hailey… Keegan doesn’t like lettuce) and they are so quick and fabulous.
I am not getting paid by Dole to say this, though if they wanted to give me like a lifetime supply of free bagged salads as a thank-you, I’d be totally down. The Mediterranean one with the spinach is my favorite, Dole!
2. Vacations! I leave for mine on Saturday. Yay!!
3. The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Still. I started this series back in like… June? It’s long. I’m on the latest in the series, An Echo in the Bone. Which, I have to say… there are a couple points about which I am unimpressed. But overall, it’s good. The first two books in the series are fabulous. You really should read them.
4. Bubble Baths. Now that I have a big ol’ garden tub, I love to relax in a steaming hot bath with a good book and …
5. Lush bubble bars. They are just awesome, that’s all.
Again, not paid but Lush could totally feel free to send me like 200 Comforter bars.
I just finished my very favorite breakfast and I thought you all should know about it.
Breakfast is big news, people.
For real though, breakfast is big news! You know how your mama always told you that breakfast was the most important meal of the day? Your mama’s smart! Studies show that eating a healthy breakfast (aka, not doughnuts!) can help you increase your vitamin and mineral intake, improve your concentration, increase energy levels, lower cholesterol, and most importantly: people who eat breakfast tend to weigh less than people who skip breakfast. I do yoga on pretty much a daily basis and some days I try to do yoga before I eat breakfast. Let me tell you- those are bad days. Those are the days that I do downward facing dog and everything goes black and spinny. If I eat breakfast about an hour before yoga though? I do great.
So eat your breakfast, people!
 Eggs. I love eggs, particularly fried eggs. I always fry them in nonstick spray, you know, saving calories and all. An egg fried in nonstick spray has around 75 calories, 5 grams of fat, and 6.3 grams of protein.
 Toast! Mmm. I love rye toast. I use just one since it’s wide and cut it in half. One slice has 90 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 4 grams of protein. Sometimes I use 2 slices of a lower-calorie bread, but I am out right now!
 I can’t even tell you how much I love Laughing Cow light cheese. I spread it on sandwiches, eat it plain, dip crackers in it… it’s just creamy and delicious. My favorite flavor is French Onion. One wedge has 35 calories, 2 grams of fat, and 2.5 grams of protein.
 If you’ve ever tried it, you know. If you haven’t tried it, look for it. SO GOOD. I use Cholula on everything.
Now, I love all those things separately but when you put them together you get this wonderful, filling breakfast sandwich. And it’s so easy to make! Toast your bread and fry your egg. Spread both pieces (or halves) of bread with the cheese. Slide the egg on. Splash with Cholula. Top with other piece of bread. And there you have it! A quick, easy, healthy breakfast. It’s a total of about 200 calories, 8 grams of fat, and 12 grams of protein- a perfect start for your day.
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