End of Summer Approaching

As we get ready for Back to School and the end of summer vacations, everyone is looking to keep things as simple as possible. I’ve got some product ideas and recipes that should keep every member of the family happy.

Keep it warm…

I’m not sure where HotLogic has been all my life while I struggled with bringing leftovers to work. There’s usually one microwave and everyone is lined up to use it. Rather than waste your lunch hour waiting for it, pick up one of these lunch boxes.

HotLogic starts at $30 and is your own little portable oven. You can not only use it to reheat food (from fresh or frozen), but it can also cook food, albeit not at microwave speed.

You can pick up a HotLogic at Amazon. They come in various colors and sizes.

Best bags for nearly everything…
I confess to be a hoarder of plastic zipper bags. I have them in various sizes and use them all the time. The only problem is that, although I always buy the ones labeled “freezer bags,” they don’t keep my food from freezer burn very long.

Although I was approached by Smelly Proof to check out their bags for holding everything from odor filled products (like fish) to travel supplies, I am the most in love with these for my freezer. I received them over a month ago and my chicken, meat, and even vegetables, look like they just went in the freezer.

Although they cost more than your supermarket zipper bags, these are easily washed and re-used over and over. It’s definitely worth picking up a batch of Smelly Proof in various sizes.

In keeping healthy…

Back to school season is also known as back to sick season. Germs are everywhere. We can’t completely protect ourselves, but as someone with autoimmune issues, I try. Unfortunately, anti-bacterial gels often leave my skin super dry.

Elyptol has a line of anti-bacterial products which are good for you and the environment. They come in packets of biodegradable wipes, gel, lotions, and hand santizer spray, all in various sizes.

The Elyptol line is made from eucalyptus oil and said to kill up to 99.99% of germs, bacteria, and fungi which can cause disease. My favorite part of these products is that they are also moisturizing, leaving my skin softer than before.

More coconut milk…
You may want to drink Gefen Coconut Milk as it is, but I’m having fun putting together recipes with it. In June month it was the Easy Blueberry Coconut Ice Cream. This month I thought I’d make a nutritious meal.

I’ve gone back to vegetarian for a bit. After my back surgery in January, I added a lot more animal protein into my diet to promote healing. I got through the recovery without any complications or infections (a miracle when you have autoimmune diseases) and now I’m feeling like I’ve become too much of a carnivore – with a few extra pounds to prove it.

I’m doing a reset of vegetarian and easing back into flexitarian, where I really need to be to keep my protein up. A recipe that I thought would be great with a little makeover is Rice and Beans. My Better for You Crockpot Rice and Beans came out delicious.