Packing School Lunches -Planet Box Rover Review

Lets talk about packing lunches. My daughter takes a cold lunch to school about 3 times a week, depending on what is on the lunch menu.

  I prefer to pack my daughters lunch the night before- to avoid the morning rush. All I need to do in the morning, is move there container from the fridge to her carry bag. I also fill up her water bottle and put everything into her back pack.

 I used to have to pack little individual boxes and ziplock bags of fruit, veggies, snacks, and the main meal. Then I would need to wash all the individual boxes when my daughter would come home from school-- not fun. So when PlanetBox reached out to me and offered to send me their Rover lunchbox, to review, I jumped at the opportunity. I have seen pictures of this lunch box on instagram,  and I was even planning to purchase 2 for the next school year, so I could pack the same meals for both kids, side by side. 

After using this box for a few weeks, I feel like I can give you an honest review. 

I think this is a fantastic lunch box! It has perfect portions for a child or an adult. I no longer have to wash 2 or 3 tupperware containers after school. I just wash the entire lunch box or put it into the dishwasher. 

My daughter is picky- like most kids, so if she saw something in a baggie or a little container that she didn't like, she wouldn't even bother opening it. Now, as she lifts up her lunch box lid, all the food is in front of her and she doesn't need to ask for help from the teacher with any containers or baggies.  

I have only one tiny complaint about this box, and that is you can not heat food in the the stainless steel container, I wish they offered a container that was microwave safe. My daughter's class eats in their classroom, and they have a microwave to heat up food.  So when I pack something that I know she will like to warm up, I slip a small paper plate into the carry bag. She is able to place foods like quesadillas or pizza on the paper plate and heat them up. 

As I did some more research on this, I found out that Planet box makes a bigger lunch box (the Launch) with a glass container inside, which can be used in the microwave. I decided that I will be getting my daughter the Launch box next year and keep this rover box for my son. He will be in kindergarten next year and this would be perfect for him. I will just buy a new carry bag :)

The planet boxes come with magnets which you can customize your lunch box with,  and you can choose the color of your carry bag. 

This lunch box is made of high quality steel, the main box is not waterproof, which is why it comes with 1 little dipper and 1 big dipper for sauces, applesauce, yogurt and so on.

 I like the separate compartments, It helps me make sure I pack a balanced meal.

Heres a peek into her past few lunches-

Fried Chicken Tenders

I absolutely love fried chicken, I really don't know anyone who doesn't. What I don't like is getting my hands dirty while eating around the bones. This is why I love using chicken tenders. This chicken is so tasty, it is seasoned well and the crunchy coating is amazing. 

I like to marinate the the chicken overnight, this insures that the chicken tenders are moist and seasoned well. 

Click HERE to print recipe

Ingredients:

marinade-

2 pounds chicken tenders

1 cup butter milk

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp paprika

for the breading-

1 1/2 cups of flour

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

3/4 tsp garlic powder

3/4 tsp paprika

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

3 tb buttermilk

2-3 cups vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

 In a large ziplock bag, combine chicken tenders and all the ingredients for the marinade. Seal the bag tightly and mix it all together. I like to place the bag into a bowl (incase there is any leakage) and place into the fridge overnight, or at least 4-6 hours.

To make the breading, in a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and baking powder. Stir together to combine. Add the 3 TB of buttermilk, and stir. This will make some lumps in the coating which will adhere to the chicken and make that yummy crispy crust. 

Dip the marinated chicken tenders into the flour coating and set aside onto a parchment lined sheet. Press the coating in firmly so the clumps adhere to the meat 

Heat 2-3 cups of veg oil on medium-high heat in a skillet with high sides. 

Prepare a large plate lined with paper towels. Place chicken into the hot oil, do not overcrowd. I fry 3-4 pieces at a time. 

Cook until golden brown on the bottom, and then flip and cook until the other side is golden. Remove the chicken onto the prepared plate. 

Fry the remaining chicken. This chicken tastes best when it is fresh and hot. 

But we still eat it the next day to. Kids love to dip it into ranch and bbq sauce, It is also amazing in a hoagie bread for a chicken sandwich (with some ranch, lettuce and tomatoes).

Enjoy!

Chicken Tenders in Creamy Sauce

I came up with this recipe by accident a few months back, I had some chicken tenders and wasn't sure what to do with them, so this is what I came up with... It was so good that since I have made it atleast a handful of time. I absolutely love these chicken tenders, they are so tender and the creamy garlic sauce is amazing. 

You have a choice to make this in a casserole dish or finish it in the skillet. I prefer the casserole dish because I can prep the chicken ahead of time and clean up the the kitchen before the hustle of dinner time. Then I just stick the casserole dish into the oven 30 minutes before dinner. 

Print recipe HERE

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken tenders

salt/pepper

paprika

4 TB olive oil

4 cloves of garlic (minced)

1 cup of heavy cream

basil, oregano, thyme

1. Rinse and trim chicken tenders.

2. Leave the chicken tenders on the cutting board and season with salt, pepper and paprika. Rub in the seasoning on both sides. 

Winter Vacation 2015

We recently returned from our winter vacation, we had such a wonderful time last year, we decided we had to go back to the same place again this year and were not disappointed. 

 The cabin is huge, but still incredibly cozy. Oh, and the best part, is that it snowed the entire time we were there! There was at least 6 inches of fresh snow every morning.  I seriously have not seen so much snow since I was a little kid. We were falling through it as we walked in it. 

The kids could not get enough of it, they didn't even want to come inside for lunch.

 We built snowmen, forts, had snow ball fights, went sledding and ice skating. 

This years getaway was like a dream, everything I could have ever wanted. Snow, wood burning fireplace, good food and most important family and friends. 

We had such an amazing time and the 4 days flew by in a blink of an eye. We made so much memories, and I am so glad that I took pictures, I have printed them and put them into our albums. We have a family album and each kid has their own album. They love looking through the pictures and talking about all the special moments. 

Here are a some pictures of our trip :)

--the back yard is amazing--

-- the living room--                          -- these icicles are so pretty--

--me and my big kids--

--my kidos loved the snow--

Winter/Christmas House tour

This is my absolute favorite time on the year!

The cold outside does not bother me, because I know that I have this cozy little home to come home to, filled with the people I love. The house is looking so lovely with the twinkling lights and smells amazing with candles and all the new recipes I am trying. 

This is the season on celebrating our Christ the savior. So I am bringing light,  joy and happiness into my home. 

My home tour may not be extravagant, but it is mine and I love it. I thank our God everyday for the home he gave me and the loving family that fills it. 

Thanks for visiting, and I hope you all have a great holiday season,

Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars

We love snickerdoodle cookies in our home, and these just take it to a whole new level. 

They are amazing! We all love them, I have to control myself with only one or two. 

Print recipe HERE

INGREDIENTS:

FOR THE CRUST:

• 12 full size graham crackers
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

FOR THE CHEESECAKE FILLING:

• 2 packages (8oz each) cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

FOR THE SNICKERDOODLE LAYER:

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup  chopped pecans

FOR THE TOPPING:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon

• DIRECTIONS:

  
  

  1. Line a 13x9 baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside. Preheat oven for 350 degrees.
  2. In a food processor, pulse graham crackers with pecans and sugar until fine crumbs. Add in melted butter and pulse until combined.
  3. Press crumbs into bottom of prepared baking dish. 
  4. For the cheesecake filling, beat cream cheese with sugar, eggs, vanilla and cinnamon using the whisk attachment of an electric mixer. Beat until fluffy and smooth (about 3-4 minutes). Pour over graham crust.
  5. For the cookie dough, beat butter with sugar for 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat thoroughly. Add in baking powder, salt, flour and cinnamon and beat until fully combined. Fold in chopped pecans. Scoop dough by large spoonfuls onto the top of the cheesecake layer. Try to use your fingertips to spread gently until cheesecake layer if fully covered.
  6. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon topping. Sprinkle generously over the cookie dough layer.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes. That's okay. Remove from oven and cool completely. Once cooled, cover and refrigerate for 4 hours, or overnight. Cut into squares and enjoy.

 Thanks for visiting,