Taking my worries away... DeliverLEAN

Things really do happen for a reason...Here is the proof of this theory - May was going to be absolutely insane - mostly spent on the road, eating in hotels, airports, and indulging in all birthday foods... and just like that one morning I woke up to an email from "Deliver LEAN" PR team asking me if I wanted to try their food delivery service.

I immediately jumped on-line to learn more about the "Deliver LEAN" and I was supper excited to see that they are local (Boca Raton) healthy food delivery service - their food is all about fresh, healthy, portion-controlled meals delivered directly to your door. Exactly what I need in the month of May for the 9 days that I will be spending at home with very little time to do any meal planning, grocery shopping or cooking. And we all know to achieve good nutritional intake, it takes time to research, create menus, shop, prepare and cook, and time was no friend. And DeliverLEAN does it all for you.

DeliverLEAN was established in 2011 by a group of foodies who believe that healthy meals do not have to equal tasteless and boring food (don't I always say that;)). The meals are packed with lean proteins, fresh veggies and carbs that are nutritious and satisfying.

So here is how "Deliver LEAN" works - closest I can describe it, is like waking up on Christmas morning to a big bag full of goodies, in this case a cooler packed with fresh and healthy food. They have several different options depending on what meal plan you follow (I received a mixture of paleo, traditional, gluten free and vegetarian), and the weekly menu is pre set, but Deliver LEAN does allow for personalization by excluding 3 ingredients you dislike.

My first delivery came in on May 1st at 5:30am - and it included 2 breakfast, 1 dessert chef's choice, 2 Paleo lunch/dinner options, 2 vegetarian salads and 2 traditional meals.

My favorite were definitely breakfast options: protein pancakes and egg white breakfast burrito with spinach, peppers and swiss cheese. Breakfast is usually my favorite meal of the day anyway, and having healthy and filling options available to me was absolutely perfect. I actually shared my breakfast with Kiki and the DeliverLEAN received a huge stamp of approval from the toddler. And we all know that she is all about rich flavor and texture.

Probably my second favorite choice were salads/side dishes - exactly my kind of food choice. Yummy moroccan chickpea and carrot salad with beef kebab...I actually shared the side dish with my coworker and she couldn't stop raving about it!

I must say all the meals from DeliverLEAN were very good, flavorful, satisfying and filling. The portion sizes at first looked small, but in reality they were exactly right. I was never hungry, and happy that I was eating such great healthy meals. Food quality was excellent! Since I am not on any specific diet, I did alter a few meals by adding spinach to three bean salad or adding an avocado to a quinoa salad, etc.

So let's talk packaging and delivery. I was seriously impressed. The cooler was delivered in the whee hours of the morning, packed to the brim with two days worth of food delivery with tons of ice-packs and a list of everything that is included in a delivery. Best of all, each meal came in a plastic container which can be directly placed into a microwave to heat up. On the top of each container, there was a sticker with a name and type of the meal (paleo, vegetarian, gluten free, traditional) and details of calories, carbs, and protein. So if you are looking to lose weight, or watching your food intake and balance, this is perfect.

One of the best benefits of the DeliverLEAN that this service takes all the worries away. No need to think about what recipe to make, what ingredients to buy, ensuring the balanced diet and most importantly finding time to do it. Our days are busy already and DeliverLEAN takes that worry away. 

DeliverLean

888-730-LEAN (5326) | info@DeliverLean.com | www.DeliverLean.com

And don't think I don't have something for you: 2 Days Free with the purchase of a 1 month plan ($7.95 per meal, 3 meal minimum per day), just follow this link to redeem the offer.

                         Disclaimer: A review item was received in order to conduct an honest review, however all opinions are my own. 

Happy Mother's Day

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Happy Weekend

 Hope everyone had a great week...mine had a lot of ups and a few downs, but before I get into the details, I wanted to wish you a happy weekend filled with lots of sunshine, good times, hugs and  giggles!

+ Most importantly I celebrated my birthday this week. I used to celebrate all month long, but somehow with a busy month of April and traveling to New York and Italy and planning Kiki's birthday party, I forgot my birthday was coming up. Let's just say that I made up for it with a party till the wee hours!

+ The down of the week...I don't know how to say it with no tears streaming down my face...my grandma passed away. She hasn't been feeling good for the last few weeks, and my mom tells me the only thing she would say is ask for me...and then on Tuesday, she kept saying "I don't want to die today on her birthday"...argh it just breaks my heart. 

+ So Kiki and I are on our way to Croatia...there is no other place where I would rather be than with my family. 

+ I happen to look over my calendar for May, and it looks like I will be in SFL for only 9 days in May... I will be crossing an ocean, traveling to two countries and three states. Thankfully I will have Kiki with me for most of the travel...crazy month, I must say, and I already look forward to sleeping in my own bed. 

+ But before this craziness of travel and suitcase living begins, I am hoping to squeeze in some relaxation, time in the sun, napping outside on my day bed, and reading. That's only if I get all my other stuff done, i.e. Kiki's birthday party, packing, and gift buying. Time to put my Superwoman cape on!!!

+ Totally unrelated to today's post, but it got me thinking about my mom... I am completely smitten with this Ferragamo campaign to celebrate 35 years of L'Icona shoe...This shoe always reminds me of my mom - this is her signature shoe and who would have thought now I wear them too... Oh yes, i am turning into my mom :)

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+ Oh and if things weren't interesting already, both Kiki and I are sick, and I am talking antibiotics sick. I just hope we both get better before we board that plane. 

Since Kiki is spending this weekend with her dad, I am off to take care of my to-do list so I can bask in the sun!!! Even my horoscope for today says I should "take it easy, spend time with loved ones, catch up on my sleep or reading" - who am I not to listen ;)

Happy Weekend!!!! 

Tuesday Things

As random as this post will be, it's truly an insight into how my brain operates these days...jumping from topic to topic and running 1,000 miles an hour...what can I say - I can't stop thinking....I have a lot to say and my blog is always willing to listen.

+ I can't get enough of "Thomas Crown Affair" - I've watched the movie now 3 times in less than two weeks, and have been listening to the soundtrack all day, every day

+ As if I didn't have enough traveling scheduled on my work calendar, I am daydreaming of going away on a big trip...I'm thinking Peru or Thailand. I want adventure....Join me!

+ Kiki's birthday is less than three weeks away and I am about four weeks behind the planning schedule. I am feeling the mother's guilt creeping up 

+ Thankful for baby monitor...nothing better then waking up in a middle of the night to Kiki singing "happy birthday"

+ Dear YouTube, if you give me an option to "skip ad", I will. And I always feel guilty doing so because I know someone else is skipping my ad

+ I am obsessed with succulents and lemon trees. I think instead of the usual jewelry/shoes/handbag birthday gift I might get myself a lemon tree this year.

+ Thinking of Mother's Day this year makes me sad. What do single moms do for Mother's Day? Do you take yourself out to brunch? Who buys you the card? Damn you Hallmark!

+ Today is a day I feel like a SUPERWOMAN!!!! I can do it all....Of course, it has nothing to do with this....

+  I am obsessed with Ted Talks. I am not a fan of poetry. But I needed this tonight. Now more than ever I believe in a spoken word.

+ Have you seen this? It's truly a game changer - impressive.

+ I am really borderline obsessed with asparagus. I couldn't help myself and had some more tonight. Just asparagus and tomatoes. Kiki approved.

+ Dear birds outside my window! I truly, truly love the sound of your chirping, but when you start chirping at 3am, it does not make a happy, it makes me very irritated....please hold off on chirping till 5am, I can take that.

+ I've started to dream again...or rather I have started to remember my dreams and they are lovely. I am excited. 

+ My birthday is 7 days away. It's time to start celebrating! 

Oh my veggies

These days I can't seem to get enough of veggies, more specifically, I can't get enough of asparagus. Thankfully they are in season and absolutely taste amazing. It doesn't matter if they are oven roasted, sautéed, grilled or pan seared, I will take it all. 

I always knew asparagus was good for you and loaded with vitamin C, but did you also know that it's described as a vegetable with cleansing and healing powers. It's a great source of potassium, folate and antioxidants. I recently read somewhere that water from cooking asparagus may help clean blemishes on the face...hmmm, may have to test that one out. *

 Though Mondays is usually Meatless Monday in the Faux Foodie House, I decided to change things around and made us Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry...talk about quick and easy, perfect for a work night. This recipe hit the spot - so simple, but with such great flavor. So if you are a chicken and asparagus fan, I highly recommend this recipe, and if you are not, you should try it anyway...I promise you, you'll thank me for this plate of goodness. Oh and don't forget the toasted sesame seeds, they make a world of difference!

I think someone else liked this dinner as much as I did. It still amazes me how Kiki loves veggies and there is not much arguing over things I put in front of her.  I should really be thankful for a good and adventures eater!

 I love watching her eat....she always holds onto her fork with one hand and with the other picking up her next bite, just in case she doesn't get it right with the fork.

I've also noticed she ate all the asparagus first, then chicken and barely touched the rice. I don't blame her, the rice tasted terrible. Thankfully our company cancelled on us tonight and I didn't embarrass myself with watery tasteless rice. I can't seem to get the rice right. It really shouldn't be such a big deal, but for some reason I can't get it right. Oh but I will!!!!

Totally of the topic, but aren't you envious of the baby highlights? I mean, the money I pay to have that color, shine and silkiness is ridiculous and she has it naturally. And those curls...how I love thy!?!

Chicken and Asparagus Stir-Fry

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch)
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 bunch asparagus, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
• (optional) 1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

Directions

In a small bowl or in a ziplock bag, combine soy sauce and honey. Add chicken, and stir to coat. Set in the refrigerator until ready.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus, and saute until cooked, about 5 minutes. Remove the asparagus with a slotted spoon, and set aside.

Remove chicken from marinade, and add to skillet. Saute until nearly cooked through (with the insides still slightly pink), about 5 minutes. Then add garlic, scallions, and the reserved marinade to the pan. Sauté for an additional 2 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the garlic is fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil. Serve immediately with rice, garnished with toasted sesame seeds if desired.

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