Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category
It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way
April 29 2015
Choosing and preparing our food is a dreaded chore many of us face every day, as one of life’s grueling realities. Instinctively we choose the path of least resistance that leads to the alternative based on convenience, rather than on value.
…but it doesn’t have to be that way.
It can actually be incredibly simple when you plan ahead. Planning ahead means a predictable and a stress free way of providing healthy food in the simplest possible way.
How so… well, consider this:
Firstly, you want to know that the food you and your family will eat is healthy and also pleasing to your taste buds. Accordingly, if you have a meal plan you can select a specific plan that will only provide you with meals that are based on your personal preference. This should be one of the key features of the meal plan.
Next is shopping for your groceries. This is an easy step if you have a shopping list of ingredients that you will need; no guessing and wandering through the aisles of the store. The key here is to verify your list against the groceries you already have on hand, take a quick inventory before you go to the grocery store, so that you only buy what you absolutely need.
What comes next is the actual meal preparation. Making your own is the only way to ensure you have control over the food you eat. You know what goes into your food, you know who handles it and you save a ton money, as you don’t need to pay others for preparing it.
That feels good! Now you know that the food you prepare is good for you, you don’t get stressed out anymore and here is the kicker: you can take a vacation out of money you have saved by preparing your own meals.
Most MealEasy meals are based on short preparation time and remember, the more you do, the better you get at making your own. It’s fun not only making, but also tasting the flavours of the food you have prepared yourself and that everyone will appreciate and love you for.
Life is good!
Losing Weight Doesn’t Have To Be Complicated
November 28 2014
In recent years, many theories have been devised on how to lose weight, and along the way it seems there’s been one fad “diet” after the other. At MealEasy we’ve maintained our philosophy that losing weight is and has alway been a simple concept. It is and has always been about calories in vs calories out.
A new article confirms this once again:
Naveed Sattar, a professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow states “In general, if you cut calories, you lose weight,” says Sattar. “A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that, no matter what the diet, you’ll lose weight.”
The article touches on other subjects as well, though this particular quote is worth noting, in our quest to maintain our weight on an ongoing basis.
So what really is “calories in” vs “calories out”? The “calories in” is what we eat, and “calories out” is what we do to burn calories. If we eat too many calories and have a sedentary lifestyle, calories go up, and our weight goes up along with it. But if we eat less calories and burn more calories by being more physically active, we start winning our war weight.
It really is that simple and what we advocate with our weight loss meal plan. As an added bonus, if you focus on “quality” calories from whole food ingredients, your body will love you for it.
The Scoop on Salt
August 22 2013
A diet high in salt is a major cause of heart disease and stroke. Increased blood pressure causes an estimated two thirds of all heart attacks around the world. The average person consumes about 4000mg of salt a day – that’s over 1 1/2 times the recommended amount of 1500mg, which is roughly 2/3 teaspoon.
What can you do to lower your sodium intake? It’s easy, eat at home. Studies have shown that 77% of sodium comes from processed foods and food eaten outside of the home.
To help reduce added, unnecessary salt:
* Cut down on prepared and processed foods
* Eat more fresh vegetables and fruit
* Reduce the amount of salt you add while cooking or baking
* Prepare your own meals at home Continue reading
Infuse it! Oil, Vinegar & Herbs
August 01 2013
Do you have a surplus of fresh herbs growing in your garden? One great way to use these herbs is to make flavored vinegar and oil. It’s incredibly simple.
To make flavored vinegar, start with good quality vinegar such as white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Next, add some washed and dried herbs such as rosemary, tarragon or a combination of herbs such as rosemary, parsley, thyme and sage. How much should you put in? Well that depends on the size of your container. You want enough herbs to impart flavor but not too much that it overpowers the vinegar. Start with a small amount of herbs and then taste the vinegar after a couple of weeks to see if it needs more herbs. Continue reading
Royal Meal For a New Mother
July 22 2013
Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, was admitted to hospital in labor on Monday, July 22. As the world awaits the birth, MealEasy‘s Chef Paul Routhier has designed a delicious meal in celebration of Kate Middleton.
High in iron, vitamins A and C, and less than 450 calories, this energizing meal will replenish much needed nutrients post-pregnancy.
Want the grocery list? Get in touch!
Baby Spinach & Strawberry Salad
Servings: x4 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 2 tsp vinegar, cider
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 8 cups spinach, baby
- 1/2 onion, red, sliced (~1 1/3 cups)
- 16 strawberries, fresh
- 2 tbsp walnuts, roasted, chopped Continue reading
Habits of Healthy Eaters
July 16 2013
Getting kids to eat vegetables can be frustrating at the best of times. Blending kale to hide it in a soup is one way, but an easier way may be to involve them in planning, shopping and cooking delicious family meals.
Young children love to role play “parents” and if given the chance to plan a lunch or supper, they might pleasantly surprise you with their culinary creativity.
The MealEasy online meal planning app is an easy and fun way for kids to feel proud about the food they eat. They can select meals that look good, contain ingredients they like and generate an organized grocery list to help mom and dad shop in the store. Children, especially tweens and teens, can surf through the recipes and select favorites that they enjoy making and eating.
A Little Planning Goes a Long Way
Building healthy eating habits early in their lives ensures children will get the most from their bodies and live life to the fullest, one carrot stick at a time. After all, being healthy is about making a choice to live a healthy lifestyle. One with moderation, exercise, and of course, a little planning.
Get started today at www.mealeasy.com and Taste the Good Life.
Watch Haile’s speech at TEDxKids @BC, “There’s a Gourmet Chef in Every Child”
Chicken Cacciatore, Steamed Green Beans & Simple Garlic Mashed Potatoes
July 11 2013
Give this delicious recipe a try this weekend.
Email support@mealeasy.com the number of servings you want to prepare, and we’ll send you the revised recipe and grocery list!
Servings: x4
Ready In: 40 min
Cuisine Type: Italian 
Chef Paul’s Comments:
Mushrooms, red wine and tomatoes are here in this luscious Italian classic.
Wine Pairing Suggestions:
Corbieres (Languedoc) or Pinot Noir (Oregon)
This dish can handle a fairly robust Red wine. Continue reading
Weight Maintenance Strategies from a Dietitian
June 21 2013
Guest Blog by Angela Dufour, MEd., PDt., IOC Dip Sports Nutrition, Nutrition in Action and Author of PowerFUEL Food: Planning Meals for Maximum Performance
As a dietitian, I regularly see clients who may easily be able to maintain healthy body weights, as well as those who struggle to reach a healthy weight. Although everyone is different and there isn’t one guaranteed, no-fail method to weight loss or maintenance, there are certain dietary approaches supported through research which can assist us in achieving a healthy weight.
Topping the list of helpful weight maintenance strategies is appropriate meal planning. Because let’s face it, we all know what it’s like to have a long, hectic day at work or a week with more things going on than hours to do them. Whenever this happens, we often find ourselves too busy and too tired when meal times roll around.
The daily rush can potentially lead to developing poor nutrition habits such as compensating pre-planned, well-balanced meals for quick and simple fixes like fast food restaurants, take-out, and processed convenience foods. Not only does this become costly, it can lead us to consume more than our adequate amount of calories, as well as higher amounts of saturated and trans fats, salt, and added sugars – additives that should be limited if we’re looking to achieve a healthy diet.
Oh My! Fast, Fresh & Easy Homemade Salad Dressings
June 17 2013
Spring is a wonderful time for salad greens, sprouts and other tender leaves that can be mixed together to make beautiful, healthy salads. Fresh tender baby spinach with arugula, baby kale and bok choy leaves are just awesome. Adding more salads to your weekly meal plan is a good way to lose weight as long as you avoid high fat dressings.
Each of the following recipes makes about ½ a cup of dressing. All three can be made in less than 10 minutes and will last in the refrigerator for weeks.
Here are a few of our favourites:
Raspberry Vinaigrette
A wonderful dressing for baby arugula, mixed greens or a spinach and apple salad.
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons raspberry vinegar or white wine vinegar
1 shallot, chopped
1 teaspoon honey
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper, freshly ground
Place everything in a food processor or blender and puree.
Save Money with Meal Planning
June 10 2013
Are you a last minute shopper? Are you adding to your shopping list at the same time as trying to find the shopping cart in the store? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. But there is another way!
Meal planning is the best way to shave off hundreds of dollars from your monthly grocery list and reduce grocery shopping stress. MealEasy can help!
How does meal planning save money? Continue reading