1. Incredible dinners for less than $5

For those seeking savings on food expenses this new year, EveryPlate stands out as America’s Best Value Meal Kit. Even at full price, dinners are only $4.99 each. Yep, that’s up to 56% cheaper than other leading meal kit companies*. With a cost that’s over 50% lower than typical fast-casual meals, EveryPlate helps individuals cut down on takeout expenses while still relishing quality and variety.

Readers exclusive: Unlock The Best Deal For Only $1.49 per meal!

2. Save 25% on groceries without sacrificing quality

With food prices at the grocery store going up, lean on us to provide a great value week after week. EveryPlate’s pre-portioned ingredients help you save money and reduce food waste. EveryPlate works with nationally recognized suppliers who make sure ingredients are fresh and high quality when they turn up on your doorstep.

3. More affordable than competing meal kits

EveryPlate’s goal is to provide simple, filling, and delicious dinners at an affordable price. Through small adjustments in packaging and menu options, EveryPlate passes the savings onto their customers, making great dinners accessible to all.

4. Delicious meals in minutes

Get dinner on the table effortlessly! Follow six easy steps to ensure you enjoy delicious, very doable meals that require minimal prep time, usually ready in 30 minutes or less. Don’t even mention the time saved by skipping the grocery hassle!

5. Try something new every week

Together with their chefs EveryPlate is changing their meals weekly! Customers have the opportunity to explore an array of tastes and cuisines through their weekly rotation of 26 enticing recipes. From international delights to comforting classics and innovative creations, there’s something to tantalize every palate!

6. Trusted by thousands of satisfied customers

EveryPlate is a flexible meal kit subscription service. Each week, you receive filling, classic, home-style recipes and fresh ingredients delivered right to your doorstep. Sounds too good to be true? Well, not quite. With over 10,000 positive reviews on EveryPlate’s Facebook page, averaging 4 out of 5 stars, you can trust our quality.

7. Get the Exclusive Offer Today

Don’t believe others? Try it yourself. For a limited time only we have a special offer for you to give EveryPlate a try risk-free. Click below to sign up and get your first box for just $1.49 per meal.

Got questions? We’ve got answers.

*Price comparison for meal-kits based on 4 person plan with 3 meals a week as of October 2022

**Offer only valid for new customers with qualifying auto-renewing subscription purchase. ‘$1.49/meal’ offer is based on a four-person, five-recipe subscription. Discount varies for other meal plans and sizes. Shipping fee applies on all deliveries. Not valid on premiums, meal upgrades, add-ons, taxes or shipping fees. May not be combined with gift cards or any other promotion. No cash value. Void outside the U.S. and where prohibited. Offer cannot be sold or otherwise bartered. EveryPlate has the right to end or modify any offer at any time. Additional restrictions may apply. See https://www.everyplate.com/terms for more detail

The post appeared first on The Busy Mom Blog.

For nearly two years, COVID-19 has drastically impacted the lives of families everywhere. From virtual learning to pandemic pods to sending kids back to school with masks in tow, parents are quickly pivoting as they adjust to a constantly shifting school environment. And kids are feeling the effects, whether they talk about it or not.

With new challenges around every corner, it’s more important now than ever to seek out tools to help your child build social-emotional skills. Read on to learn more about how Slumberkins can support your family and help you raise caring, confident, and resilient children.

1. Slumberkins uses evidence-based techniques to promote early-emotional learning.

As a leading children’s educational brand, Slumberkins offers a comprehensive product line to help parents easily teach social-emotional skills from home. With affirmations, skill-building board books, and “snugglers” (similar to a lovey), Slumberkins teaches important coping skills for anxiety, stress, family changes, and more. 

Slumberkins supports establishing a loving routine to help parents and caregivers deepen the bond with their little ones. Many parents read a children’s book with their kids every day, reflect on the skills shared in the book, and practice the affirmations together. With Slumberkins’ snugglers, kids get to cuddle up with a physical reminder of their new skills and the connection they share with their parents.

2. Slumberkins is run by two mothers with backgrounds in early childhood education and family therapy.

With two mothers leading the way, Slumberkins is a brand that parents can trust. Combining their experience and training, founders Callie Christensen and Kelly Oriard have long promoted early emotional learning as being vital to children’s growth. Developing social-emotional skills sets a strong foundation for all other types of learning, and Callie and Kelly are passionate about making these resources available to all.

3. Slumberkins has earned high praise from media outlets.

The duo’s deeply meaningful set of social-emotional learning tools has received praise from esteemed publications including Forbes, Parents, and PopSugar—and with such adorable snugglers, Slumberkins makes a lasting impression with kids as well. 

4. Slumberkins Alpaca Snuggler can help your child share their feelings during these uncertain times.

Founders Callie and Kelly recently shared these five tips for how parents can support their children during uncertain times. Slumberkins’ Alpaca Snuggler and Board Book encourage kids to name their feelings and to know that they’re safe in communicating their fears. Cuddling up with their Alpaca Snuggler reminds children that they are capable of handling stressful situations.

5. Slumberkins has everything families need to start school with confidence.

With the new school year quickly approaching, (and in some cases, already underway), there are many things that parents and caregivers can do to help children build up their confidence before their first day. The Sloth Goes to School Kin encourages kids to practice routines in preparation for the new experiences to come. In the book, “Sloth’s First Day of School,” children are reminded that they can connect with their family, friends, and teachers to help them feel safe and secure as they start school.

Otter is another cuddly creature who can help soothe first-day nerves. Otter offers a powerful reminder that children are always loved no matter where they are, empowering them to feel excited about creating new relationships with teachers and their peers. For more on how to relieve schoolday stress, this article shares tips and advice to support parents as they send their kids to school.

6. Slumberkins’ sets are a great starting point for building social-emotional skills.

Looking for an easy way to get started with Slumberkins? The brand’s curated collections promote specific emotions and skills to help with children’s development. Parents can choose from options like the Problem Solver Kit, Caring Crew, First Day of School Set, and more to support their children through any challenge.

Slumberkins is offering Busy Mom Blog readers 10% off their purchase with code: BUSYKINS10

The BusyMomBlog team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. BusyMomBlog has a relationship with advertisers, and sometimes receives products or a share of revenue from your purchase. All posts are for entertainment purposes.

The post 6 Reasons Slumberkins Can Help Your Child Navigate These Uncertain Times appeared first on The Busy Mom Blog.

For nearly two years, COVID-19 has drastically impacted the lives of families everywhere. From virtual learning to pandemic pods to sending kids back to school with masks in tow, parents are quickly pivoting as they adjust to a constantly shifting school environment. And kids are feeling the effects, whether they talk about it or not.

With new challenges around every corner, it’s more important now than ever to seek out tools to help your child build social-emotional skills. Read on to learn more about how Slumberkins can support your family and help you raise caring, confident, and resilient children.

1. Slumberkins uses evidence-based techniques to promote early-emotional learning.

As a leading children’s educational brand, Slumberkins offers a comprehensive product line to help parents easily teach social-emotional skills from home. With affirmations, skill-building board books, and “snugglers” (similar to a lovey), Slumberkins teaches important coping skills for anxiety, stress, family changes, and more. 

Slumberkins supports establishing a loving routine to help parents and caregivers deepen the bond with their little ones. Many parents read a children’s book with their kids every day, reflect on the skills shared in the book, and practice the affirmations together. With Slumberkins’ snugglers, kids get to cuddle up with a physical reminder of their new skills and the connection they share with their parents.

2. Slumberkins is run by two mothers with backgrounds in early childhood education and family therapy.

With two mothers leading the way, Slumberkins is a brand that parents can trust. Combining their experience and training, founders Callie Christensen and Kelly Oriard have long promoted early emotional learning as being vital to children’s growth. Developing social-emotional skills sets a strong foundation for all other types of learning, and Callie and Kelly are passionate about making these resources available to all.

3. Slumberkins has earned high praise from media outlets.

The duo’s deeply meaningful set of social-emotional learning tools has received praise from esteemed publications including Forbes, Parents, and PopSugar—and with such adorable snugglers, Slumberkins makes a lasting impression with kids as well. 

4. Slumberkins Alpaca Snuggler can help your child share their feelings during these uncertain times.

Founders Callie and Kelly recently shared these five tips for how parents can support their children during uncertain times. Slumberkins’ Alpaca Snuggler and Board Book encourage kids to name their feelings and to know that they’re safe in communicating their fears. Cuddling up with their Alpaca Snuggler reminds children that they are capable of handling stressful situations.

5. Slumberkins has everything families need to start school with confidence.

With the new school year quickly approaching, (and in some cases, already underway), there are many things that parents and caregivers can do to help children build up their confidence before their first day. The Sloth Goes to School Kin encourages kids to practice routines in preparation for the new experiences to come. In the book, “Sloth’s First Day of School,” children are reminded that they can connect with their family, friends, and teachers to help them feel safe and secure as they start school.

Otter is another cuddly creature who can help soothe first-day nerves. Otter offers a powerful reminder that children are always loved no matter where they are, empowering them to feel excited about creating new relationships with teachers and their peers. For more on how to relieve schoolday stress, this article shares tips and advice to support parents as they send their kids to school.

6. Slumberkins’ sets are a great starting point for building social-emotional skills.

Looking for an easy way to get started with Slumberkins? The brand’s curated collections promote specific emotions and skills to help with children’s development. Parents can choose from options like the Problem Solver Kit, Caring Crew, First Day of School Set, and more to support their children through any challenge.

Slumberkins is offering Busy Mom Blog readers 10% off their purchase with code: BUSYKINS10

The BusyMomBlog team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. BusyMomBlog has a relationship with advertisers, and sometimes receives products or a share of revenue from your purchase. All posts are for entertainment purposes.

The post 6 Reasons Slumberkins Can Help Your Child Navigate These Uncertain Times appeared first on The Busy Mom Blog.

As my husband John and I were starting our family, I wondered whether my kids would have the same early-childhood sibling rivalry I did with my sister. My five-year-old Sam and my three-year-old Leo indeed fight pretty often, and to stop them, I tried changing play locations, determining which toys led to conflict, and even time-out if it got really bad. I know sibling rivalry is normal, but how can I get them to stop fighting in a way that doesn’t involve discipline or taking things away?

Slumberkins gave me an easy answer. Started by a family therapist and educator, Slumberkins  makes adorable plush creatures called Kins and Snugglers that come with board books that help kids identify feelings and learn crucial life skills. Among the Kins and Snugglers is a Hammerhead set that teaches kids how to resolve conflict. It proved to be the calming tool we all needed; a story about conflict with an affirmation that the kids can say that teaches how to repair.

In the months since we’ve started using Slumberkins, Sam and Leo have gotten so much better at problem-solving, taking deep breaths, and finding the words they want to say instead of screaming, hitting, and running to me or my husband. The cute hammerhead shark certainly brings these important lessons to life, but I credit Sam and Leo’s biggest improvements to the board book and affirmation that helps them practice communication and emotional regulation. The kids love that the affirmation rhymes – they clearly have fun when we say it out loud together!

The message to replace angry shouts with calm words has definitely gotten across. I saw this in practice a few weeks ago when Sam and Leo were having a fun Lego face-off but wanted the same Lego figure. Pre-Slumberkins, Sam and Leo would have shouted and cried. Of course they began to quibble over the toy,  but Leo didn’t cry this time around. Instead, he said, “Can I have it after? I really wanted it.” Then, Sam said, “After we’re both done, you can have it,” and he stuck to his word. I was so proud to see these important life lessons in action!

Our other parent friends have noticed Sam and Leo arguing less often, and when they asked how I taught the kids to stay calm, I told them about Slumberkins. The Hammerhead set has proven a great jumping-off point for Sam and Leo’s social emotional-learning, and you too can use Slumberkins to help your kids grow. Visit Slumberkins now for 10% off the Hammerhead Collection using code BUSYMOM, and before you know it, your siblings’ rivalries will look healthier than ever before

The BusyMomBlog team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. BusyMomBlog has a relationship with advertisers, and sometimes receives products or a share of revenue from your purchase. All posts are for entertainment purposes.

The post Sibling Rivalry: How Slumberkins Help My Kids Stop Arguing appeared first on The Busy Mom Blog.

The coronavirus has disrupted everyday life.  Parents are scrambling to manage new work environments and home schedules. Schools are quickly adapting to online learning practices.  And kids are feeling these changes, whether they talk about it or not.

The impact of social distancing presents new challenges for teachers and parents. Now, more than ever, is the time to focus on early emotional skills of your little ones.  

Here are 6 reasons Slumberkins can help your child build social-emotional skills.

1. Slumberkins is a new at home tool to help parents easily teach social-emotional skills.

Slumberkins is a product line that uses affirmations, skill-building storybooks, and “snugglers” to teach coping skills for anxiety, stress, and family changes. Whereas affirmations and skill-building storybooks are longtime social-emotional skill-building tools, Slumberkins’ snugglers represent a newer advancement. Many parents read a children’s book with their kids every day, talk about the skills taught by the book, and work on relevant affirmations together. With Slumberkins’ snugglers, kids get a physical reminder of their new skills and their bonds with their parents. 

2. Slumberkins is run by two mothers with family therapy and early childhood education backgrounds.

Parents can trust Slumberkins since two mothers with relevant professional backgrounds founded the brand. Founders Callie Christensen and Kelly Oriard come from family therapy and early education backgrounds, and both mothers have long promoted early emotional learning as vital to kids’ childhoods (though both would insist that Slumberkins is a supplement to, not a replacement for, any therapy and professional support that kids receive).

3. Slumberkins has earned high media praise.

The duo’s deeply meaningful set of social-emotional learning tools has earned praise from esteemed publications including Forbes, New York Magazine, and Glamour – and with such adorable snugglers, Slumberkins makes a lasting impression with kids, too.

4. Slumberkins Alpaca Snuggler can help your child share their feelings of anxiety during these uncertain times.

Founders Callie and Kelly recently provided these 5 tips on how parents can navigate their child’s anxiety during uncertain times.  Slumberkins Alpaca snuggler and storybook teaches kids to articulate, name and share their feelings and fears.  Kids find comfort in being able to communicate their fears. After parents read Alpaca’s story to their kids and repeat the affirmation together several times, the Alpaca snuggler serves as a reminder to kids that they can handle stressful times.

5. Slumberkins covers a wide spectrum of social-emotional skills.

Slumberkins’ Alpaca is part of its popular Creature Collection, which includes a Fox snuggler for family changes, a Bigfoot snuggler for self-esteem, and a Yeti snuggler for mindfulness. Alpaca, Fox, Bigfoot, and Yeti include a story and affirmation that the snuggler eventually comes to symbolize for kids. Slumberkins’ snuggler options can help parents navigate kids through divorces or deaths in the family without blaming themselves or feeling unsafe, encourage kids to articulate, name, and share their worries and fears, and show kids how connecting with the world around them can help them to regulate their emotions.

6. Slumberkins gift baskets provide good starting point for social-emotional skill building. 

Parents interested in Slumberkins can find an easy starting point with the brand’s creative collections. Slumberkins is committed to sharing hope and providing support to parents during these times and so, for a limited time, they’ll be featuring their creature collections at a special price each day.

Slumberkins is offering Busy Mom Blog readers 10% off their purchase with code: BUSYMOM

The BusyMomBlog team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. BusyMomBlog has a relationship with advertisers, and sometimes receives products or a share of revenue from your purchase. All posts are for entertainment purposes.

The post 6 Reasons Slumberkins Can Help Your Child Navigate These Uncertain Times appeared first on The Busy Mom Blog.

With a grandchild on the way, I knew I should put that anxiety aside, so I learned about why I might want life insurance for Kim’s baby. And by the time my granddaughter Rasheeda arrived, I had indeed secured a whole life insurance plan for the newest (and cutest) member of the family. Since I’d been nervous to investigate life insurance before actually doing so, I’ve shared my reasons for getting life insurance for a baby in hopes it helps others make similar choices.

1. It secures coverage for life, no matter what happens

It may seem strange to purchase life insurance for such a young child, but there’s an important reason to do so. Buying a whole life policy covers Rasheeda no matter what life throws at her, whether that’s an unexpected illness that could prevent her from obtaining coverage or financial hardship that could prevent her from purchasing new coverage. With whole life insurance purchased so early on, Rasheeda would not have to worry about being denied coverage due to her occupation or a preexisting health condition.

2. The right policy grows with your child

Before obtaining whole life insurance for Rasheeda, the primary thing I knew about life insurance is that it pays your family when you die. As I learned more about life insurance, I found out that the cash value of select policies would increase every time I pay my premium. My plan’s total cash value would double when Rasheeda turned 18 without my premiums increasing. Since I ushered Rasheeda into guaranteed lifetime coverage, I knew she would have the policy’s cash value if she ever needed it.

3. It provides financial security for pennies a day

Peace of mind came at a reasonable price: Premiums for whole life insurance can be as affordable as a few cents a day, a cost I could afford and was well worth spending if it meant Rasheeda would reap the benefits. With whole life insurance, I could affordably build Rasheeda a firm financial future.

4. It’s a great gift that keeps on giving

Since whole life insurance lasts a lifetime, it’s truly a gift that keeps on giving, certainly longer lasting than any toy or outfit I could buy her. My policy will stay with Rasheeda long after I’m gone, she will never outgrow it, and when she eventually turns 21, she becomes the policyholder. Then, she can choose whether to keep the policy, which doubles in cash value when she turns 18, or cash it out. 

5. Select plans allow you to add more coverage

Additionally, with the right plan, Rasheeda can buy additional whole life insurance when she becomes an adult, no matter whether she’s healthy, employed, or neither. That’s important: life insurance providers can decline new applicants for health or occupation reasons. With a plan in hand that guarantees increases in coverage, Rasheeda could one day provide peace of mind for her own family.

Giving baby Rasheeda a whole life of coverage eased so many of my worries. I’m hopeful that what I’ve written here explains how life insurance actually works and why you might want to buy it for your children or grandchildren. If you want to explore life insurance plan options, click here to get started.

The BusyMomBlog team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. BusyMomBlog has a relationship with advertisers, and sometimes receives products or a share of revenue from your purchase. All posts are for entertainment purposes.

The post Five Reasons Why Children Need Whole Life Insurance Plans appeared first on The Busy Mom Blog.

Our conversation spurred us to explore whole life insurance options, an idea that had previously overwhelmed us. However, with several websites to educate us, we found buying whole life insurance unexpectedly easy, not to mention reassuring. I’ve decided to share what we’ve learned in case it helps other grandparents (and parents) have an easier time learning about whole life insurance and choosing the right plan for your family.

At the start of our journey, we knew just the basics: You buy life insurance so your children or grandchildren have a “parachute” if they ever need it. What we didn’t know is that, with whole life insurance, you can lock in lifelong coverage for your beneficiary at one unchanging premium. That’s why it’s an increasingly popular option compared to term life coverage, which can lose all its value after a certain period. Whole life insurance can truly last a lifetime.

We also learned that the premiums we’d pay could cost as little as a few cents per day. We liked this because, when Jason inherited our policy, chances would be he could easily afford it. But what if he couldn’t? It turns out that Jason wouldn’t have to start paying premiums until he turned 21, but he could instead choose to exchange the plan for its cash value.

That was another reassuring point. Each time we would pay premiums on a life insurance plan, we’d increase its cash value. This cash value would automatically double when Jason turned 18, but the plan’s premiums would remain unchanged. By the time Jason turned 21, our plan’s cash value would be substantial, but he could wait as long as he wanted to swap the plan for cash (or never exchange it at all).

Our whole life coverage would guarantee that Jason would have it no matter what happens 20, 30, 40, or more years down the line. If Jason was ever diagnosed with a chronic illness or entered into a dangerous profession, he may be denied coverage by a life insurance provider, leaving him out in the cold without any coverage. If we purchased whole life insurance for our new grandson, that very same plan is guaranteed quite literally for life. The premiums wouldn’t change, nor would the terms of coverage, no matter Jason’s life circumstances.

With this deeper knowledge of life insurance, Joanne and I felt more confident about buying whole life insurance for Jason. For a week or so, we discussed a few especially reassuring whole life insurance options before choosing a plan that we’ve really liked so far. Although Jason is only one year old now, we feel confident that 20 years into the future, he’ll inherit a life insurance plan that secures him for life and always reminds him of us.

If you’re interested in buying whole life insurance for your child or grandchild, learning even more about your options is easy. So too is comparing plans and buying the right one once you’ve found it. Just click here to begin.

The BusyMomBlog team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. BusyMomBlog has a relationship with advertisers, and sometimes receives products or a share of revenue from your purchase. All posts are for entertainment purposes.

The post How To Choose The Right Life Insurance Plan For Your Child or Grandchild appeared first on The Busy Mom Blog.

I love my dog Jenny, but for a long time, I knew I could be doing more for her health, starting with her food. Ever since I adopted her as an adorable little Beagle puppy (she’s 9 now), I would buy her some kibble from the supermarket whenever I went shopping for myself. It was so convenient to get my food at the same time as hers. I’d heard so many times, though, that kibble is extremely low-quality and potentially dangerous. All those stories of contaminated kibble killing pets worried me. I didn’t know what else to do. How could I feed Jenny safe, healthy, easy-to-find dry food that she would actually eat?

I found the solution without leaving my house. Spot & Tango delivers freshly made, human-quality dog food right to dog owners’ doorsteps so they can feed their best furry friends healthy dry food without searching supermarkets and pet stores high and low. Spot & Tango’s UnKibble line of Fresh Dry food was formulated by an award-winning vet team that put over a year of research into developing a healthy, safe dry food that dogs actually love.

Spot & Tango’s UnKibble research involved inventing new methods for manufacturing dry food, conducting feeding tests, and comparing and contrasting several formulations to see which was best for pups. This research led to Spot & Tango’s unique Fresh Dry process in which fresh, whole-food ingredients are combined, then chilled so they can be dehydrated and turned into high-quality, healthy, safe dry dog food. Not only is UnKibble processed minimally, made from human-grade ingredients, and void of artificial additives, fillers, preservatives, wheat, and soy, but Spot & Tango is the top direct-to-consumer, home-delivery dry pet food brand.

Since I wanted healthy dry food for Jenny, Spot & Tango’s UnKibble was clearly the best option. Plus, if Jenny didn’t like it, I could return it for a full refund within 14 days, though that never proved an issue. Only a few days after I ordered my first UnKibble bag, it arrived at my house in fully recyclable, compostable packaging alongside a personalized reusable scoop based on Jenny’s age, weight, breed, size, and activity level. I could use this scoop to ensure Jenny would get the exact right portion size every time, and I saw all the ingredients in her food listed right on the front of my UnKibble bag.

I was thrilled to receive my UnKibble package quickly, and Jenny was even more excited to eat her new food. When I put her bowl of UnKibble down, she rapidly gobbled it all up — it was clear that she loved it! I’ve since switched Jenny over to UnKibble twice a day, and I’ve noticed that her energy levels are higher and her fur has a healthier sheen. I haven’t seen Jenny this perky since she was a puppy! It’s like having a new, rejuvenated version of the same goofy, loving dog I’ve adored for so long, and it’s all thanks to switching to Spot & Tango’s home-delivered dry dog food.

If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to the questionable kibble sold by most dog food brands, then sign up for Spot & Tango now to get 50% off the usual $6.99/week rate! Your best friend will be happier and healthier before you know it.

Save 50% With Code: PEOPLEHYPE50

The post I Ditched Kibble Dog Food For UnKibble, Here’s Why appeared first on The Busy Mom Blog.

Due to the pandemic, there is an abundance of extra produce available normally slotted for restaurants. For the first time ever, GFP Chicago who regularly supplies the best restaurants in the Chicagoland area with fresh fruits and vegetables is offering their produce shipped directly to consumers doors at incredible prices.

To get access to this, you must click the red ‘shop now’ links in this article.

FAQ:

Is It Really Fresh?

Yes! GFP Chicago only delivers within a 40 mile range of Chicago daily and as a wholesaler gets direct access to the freshest fruits and vegetables days before it hits the grocery store shelves!

Is It High Quality?

Yes! All produce is selected the morning that its delivered to your doorstep and checked for quality!

How Much Does It Cost?

Only $29.99 for the 2 person box or $39.99 for a 4 person box. For a family, the 4 person box is great and a big savings compared to the grocery store.

How Fast Is Shipping?

If you order Monday – Thursday before 3:00pm, your order will be delivered next day!

How Much Does Shipping Cost?

Always Free!

What Are Customers Saying?

I couldn’t believe how quickly the my order arrived, the quantity of produce but most of all the freshness, i’ve never tasted vegetables this fresh before! I can’t wait for next week’s box!

– Steve D.

The BusyMomBlog team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. BusyMomBlog has a relationship with advertisers, and sometimes receives products or a share of revenue from your purchase. All posts are for entertainment purposes.

The post This Chicago Area Produce Delivery Service Is Fresher Than The Grocery Store appeared first on The Busy Mom Blog.

Whether it’s on grocery store shelves or restaurant menus, the food industry has been all too eager to feed kids exactly what they want—which, unfortunately, tends toward heaping plates of food that are all one color, all the same texture, often deep fried, with no fresh produce in sight.

But truthfully, kids don’t have to want these kinds of foods! 

We’ve all been primed to believe that kids’ meals have to be a certain thing, and many children have had limited exposure to whole foods that are real, clean and naturally delicious (meaning minimally processed, without preservatives and without copious amounts of added sugar and salt).

It’s not kids’ fault for craving greasy pizza pockets or deep-fried chicken nuggets, and with so few healthy yet kid-friendly options available, parents really aren’t to blame either for resorting to these kinds of meals. As parents, we’re all doing the best we can with what we have available—which is why we thought, “Why not change what’s available?” 

Nurture Life claims to deliver: nutrient-dense, well-balanced, delicious meals that are based on nutritional research and appropriately portioned for the developmental needs of every age group.

We reviewed Nurture Life based on 5 Nutrition Standards

Quick Read: Nurture Life delivers on their promise of healthy, nutrient rich meals for kids. You can save 25% by using code: KIDSMEAL25 at checkout.

Nutrition Standard #1: Balance and Variety at All Ages

Nurture Life’s Baby, Toddler, Kid and Teen & Adult Meals are developed by registered dietitians and chefs based on what’s needed at each age and stage of development.

In each of their meals, they aim for a mix of colors, textures, flavors and, most importantly, food groups—all informed by the latest nutrition research. Every meal is designed for its age group’s growth and developmental needs and recommended portion sizes.

Nutrition Standard 2: Veggies on Every Plate

Isn’t it strange how most foods that are marketed toward kids have no veggies at all? And if there is a veggie, it might be a paltry piece of celery served with sweetened peanut butter spread, or maybe a few pieces of broccoli covered in a shelf-stable cheese product. Studies have shown the effects of this lack of veggies in kids food products. According to Nestle FITS (Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study), 27% of young kids do not consume a single discrete serving of vegetables on any given day, and among those who do, french fries are the number one “vegetable” consumed. It’s disheartening that the veggie bar has been set so low!

There’s a full serving of vegetables in every Toddler, Kid, and Teen & Adult Meal Nurture Life offers with the exception of Pesto & Cheese Ravioli, although does include spinach in the sauce.

Nutrition Standard 3: Nutrient Dense—No Empty Calories

Because so many food brands assume that kids won’t eat veggies, they typically don’t include them in kids meals. Instead, many kids meals include “empty calories,” or calorie components that do not provide much nutrient value. These calories often provide a temporary feeling of fullness or satisfaction, but they don’t provide the nutrients needed to power your kids’ minds and bodies throughout the day.

With Nurture Life meals, there is a purpose for absolutely everything on your family’s plates. The items chosen for each meal have the specific macronutrients and micronutrients required for children’s physical and mental development.

Do Calories Even Matter?

Yes and no. The same 600 calories could mean a well-balanced meal of proteins and veggies, or it could mean a plate of cheese fries. Instead of calories, it is important to focus on the nutrient value of the food.

That being said, we’re pointing out calories here because they do, in general, say something important about Nurture Life’s meals. Compared to most kids meals on the market, Nurture Life meals are much higher in protein and fiber, more nutrient-dense and filling for the same or even fewer number of calories. 

Let’s Compare A Nurture Life Cold Lunch To The Brand Standard Comparable.

At just 40 calories more, Nurture Life’s Chicken Meatball Slider is twice as large and has 7x the dietary fiber, 2x the protein and just about ⅓ of the total sugars.

Because Nurture Life’s carefully selects ingredients, your kids’ lunch or dinner serves as a hearty, nutritious meal, not a light snack that leaves them wanting more.

Nutrition Standard #4: Clean, Clear, Understandable Ingredients

As a parent, you should know what you’re feeding your kids, especially if your little one has food allergies or dietary intolerances. Nurture Life makes transparency a core part of their kids meals, with complete nutrition facts and ingredient lists available before you order any meal.

Meals are prepared in their own nut-free facility to eliminate the risk of cross contamination from peanuts or tree nuts (except coconut).

With dietary and allergen filters, Nurture Life makes it easy to remove meals containing ingredients that your child may be sensitive to.

Each meal also contains dietary tags so you can easily check to see if a meal will work for your family’s preferences:

• Milk free
• Egg free
• Gluten free
• Fish free
• Sesame free
• Coconut free
• Pork free
• Vegetarian

Nutrition Standard #5: Variety to Help Expand Kids’ Palates

It may feel as though kids just like what they like and there’s nothing we can do about it, but extensive scientific research shows that this common belief simply isn’t true. Kids can learn to like foods, even picky eaters!

The key is to provide consistent exposure (research says anywhere from 6 to 15 times) to different tastes, textures, ingredients, colors and preparation methods—a scientific approach that can be described as “taste bud rehab,” developed and used by Dr. David Katz, the founding director of Yale University’s Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center. 

Nurture Life pushes the boundaries—just a little bit for even the pickiest eaters, and more for adventurous eaters—to expand your child’s palate in a natural, non-threatening way. With every meal, Nurture Life strives for that “taste bud rehab” sweet spot of creative yet approachable, familiar yet unexpected.

What’s Not In Nurture Life Meals

In terms of you and your kids’ health and wellbeing, what’s not in a meal can be just as important as what is. So instead of making only positive promises of macronutrient balance and a focus on organic produce, Nurture Life also wants to show you what is purposefully leave out of their meals.

Nurture Life Uses Salt and Sugar Intentionally

• Sugar: Nurture Life keeps added sugars as low as possible for every meal, with strict maximum amounts per meal: Toddler- max 8 g, Kid- max 11 g and Teen & Adult- max 16 g. (Our Stage 3 Baby Meals are even lower, at less than 1 g per meal.) Nurture Life never uses low-calorie sweeteners; instead we use (small amounts!) of ingredients like fruit purees, agave, honey and maple syrup. We focus on reducing added sugar while still promoting nutritious and flavorful combinations.
• Salt: While Nurture Life meals do contain some salt, we keep it in check! It’s part of their mission to incorporate a unique array of herbs and spices as the most forward-facing flavors, only using salt to enhance flavor that’s already there.

Nurture Life Never Add Preservatives

Real food shouldn’t last long on a shelf, and Nurture Life is committed to freshly made meals served at their peak of natural goodness.

Nurture Life’s “Never Evers”

• Nitrates/Nitrites (Sodium or Potassium Nitrate/Nitrite, Celery Powder)
• Potassium Bromate
• High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
• Partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats)
• Propylparaben
• Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
• Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
• Propyl Gallate
• Theobromine
• Artificial Flavors
• Synthetic Colors (F, D & C)
• Diacetyl
• Phosphate Food Additives
• Bisphenol-A (BPA)
• Carrageenan

By this point, we hope it’s clear just how much thought and work goes into every single Nurture Life meal. It might look like a simple plate of Mac & Cheese or a standard serving of Pot Roast, but it’s actually a recipe that’s been developed, balanced, tested, refined and finally approved by multiple nutrition experts.

Nurture Life’s registered dietitians to R&D chefs, quality assurance managers and taste testers, Nurture Life’s entire team is all united by the same goal: to give your family not just better, but the best meals available.

Editors Note: Nurture Life has offered TheBusyMomBlog readers 25% off by using code: KIDSMEAL25 at checkout.

The BusyMomBlog team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. BusyMomBlog has a relationship with advertisers, and sometimes receives products or a share of revenue from your purchase. All posts are for entertainment purposes.

The post An In Depth Review Of Nurture Life’s Nutrition appeared first on The Busy Mom Blog.