Review of Eat2explore

Like many of you, our family is so upset about having to put a hold on all of our travel plans.  I’ve been spending this time ‘virtually traveling’ by experimenting with new meals and cocktails from different countries. Eat2Explore, a cooking subscription box, is the perfect way to do this.  Since we are all at home practicing social isolation, it’s a great time to try new activities and create lifelong memories with your family.

I love that the creators of this box have the same beliefs as I do.  They feel mealtime should be an experience and cooking are life-skills everyone should have.  They also feel hands-on cooking and culture explorations is even more important in today’s world.  My daughters and I had so much fun cooking with this box.  I even played French music while we were cooking.

What do I love about this box?

I love that there are three different exploration options.  The first choice is to explore a country (1 or 3 countries).  You could also choose to explore a continent (4 countries).  Finally, you could choose to explore the world (12 countries). With every package, you will receive a new country box each month.

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Little Sous: Cooking Subscription Box

My girls have been in the kitchen with me since they were young, and they love to help create delicious meals.  During social isolation, they have been loving cooking and we are always looking for new recipes.  We were so excited to get our box from Little Sous Kitchen Academy, a cooking subscription box for kids.  We couldn’t wait to get into the kitchen.

What do I love about Little Sous Kitchen Academy?

I love that this box encourages kids to be curious about cooking and teaches them a life skill.  When cooking together it’s the perfect time to talk about healthy eating habits and nutrition.  It also helps them broaden their palate, so it’s great for picky eaters.

What comes in each box?

Step-by-step cooking lesson with kid-friendly recipes

Activity cards

Ready-to-color poster filled with games and puzzles

Fun stickers

High-quality cooking tool or a non-perishable ingredient

The box has a classy look but the quote “Messes will be made,” reminds you that it is for kids.

What did we get in our cooking subscription box?

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Review of Harlow’s Harvest

Since we’ve begun social isolation, I can’t get my daughter out of the kitchen.  She’s been trying new recipes and surprising us with delicious treats.  However, we’re starting to run out of ideas over here, so this box could not have come at a better time.  Harlow’s Harvest is a monthly cooking subscription box for kids and we were thrilled to work with them. We were so excited when we saw out box on our front porch and couldn’t wait to get a peek inside.

What do I love about Harlow’s Harvest?

I love that this box teaches life skills and encourages a lifelong love of cooking.  It promotes healthy eating habits and even teaches them about budgeting.   I also love that they hold a strong emphasis on history, geography, STEM, and math. Kids can track their progress because each month they will receive a new academy pin for their apron.  I also love that Harlow’s Harvest believes that cooking and eating is a worldly experience, so with this box subscription, you have the opportunity to experience the world without leaving your home.

What age is this box geared towards?

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Dinnerly Meal Kit Subscription

Photo credit: Dinnerly

Why would travelers like Dinnerly?

As much as I love to cook, I have to admit that some weeks my life gets crazy and I would love a little help.  This week I was in full planning mode for our trip to Portugal, and there would have been lots of ‘breakfast for dinner’ meals if Dinnerly wasn’t there to save me.  It’s also a great solution for when you return from your trip and haven’t gotten back to reality.

Dinnerly is a meal kit made for people who like cooking at home, at affordable prices, and without having to shop for all the ingredients.  So, pour a glass of wine, pull up your recipes, and enjoy cooking a great meal.

It’s so impressive to open the box! Look at all you get.

I decided to separate the ingredients and put them in a bag with the recipe so I just had to grab it when it was time to cook.

 

What do I love about Dinnerly?

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10 Tips for Visiting La Boqueria in Barcelona

mytravelingkids.com

If you want a delicious place to learn about the culture and cuisine of Barcelona, head on over to the famous La Boqueria, located off Las Ramblas, and be prepared for all your senses to go into overdrive! As you pass through the iron entrance, you will head into a world full of tempting aromas, colorful treats, and mouthwatering sights.  I would recommend coming with an empty stomach because there is lots to experience.  I admit that it can be a bit overwhelming, so here are 10 tips for visiting La Boqueria.

GET AN EARLY START

The market draws a crowd every day, so if possible, head there early to avoid the mobs of tourists that show up at around 11:00.  The market is open from 8:00 am until 8:30 pm, Monday through Saturday.  It is closed on Sundays.  Some people suggest going later in the day, but I think the vendors are sometimes too busy cleaning up and putting things away that they will not pay much attention to you.  Early morning is best!

LOOK FOR THE BEST PRICE

Don’t buy the first thing you see.  Lots of vendors sell the same items and there can be a big price difference.  Walk around the market and look for the best quality and the best value before buying something.

DON’T SHOP AT THE FRONT OF THE MARKET

Vendors at the front of the market have a higher rent than those in the back, so they will most likely sell their food at a higher price.  Head deeper inside to find a good deal.

BE POLITE TO VENDORS

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Gramma in a Box Subscription Box…March Box

Last month I told you about my girls’ new favorite subscription box, Gramma in a Box. It features three tasty treats that does all the work…leaving you the fun! Since they were kind enough to send us another box, I am so excited to share the yummy treats they got to make.

But first…a little something about this box. 

What comes in each box?

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Winc Wine club


Winc

You all know I love getting boxes in the mail, whether it’s a subscription box or a club box, and I do a little twirl at my mailbox when one comes in.  (That may explain a lot to my neighbors!) Well this box had me doing a full cartwheel because Winc is a WINE BOX!!! 

Wine + surprise = Heaven!!

I love to try new wines, but I seem to always go with the same ones.  This personalized wine club is a wonderful way to add some variety to your wine rack. 

So, how does Winc work?

When you first begin, Winc will ask you 6 questions to help them assess your unique taste. Then you sit back, and each month they send you 4 wines specifically chosen to match your palate. After tasting your selection, you rate your wine, so they can get to know your palate even more.  Love red?  That’s fine.  Only want to do white but hate chardonnay? That’s fine too. 

Not everyone loves a surprise, right?  Well that’s fine too because your other option is to select your own wine.  This option gives you all the control.

So, before we go on…I know you’re dying to see what wine I got in my box!!

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New England’s Finest

 

When I think of New England summers I picture sitting on Adirondack chairs by the lake watching my girls jumping off the dock while the dog digs in the sand.  Life is simple and easy.  Even cooking takes on a new look.  It’s all about cooking on the grill and eating fresh vegetables from the farmers market.  This grilling box from New England’s Finest could not have come at a better time! We loved their box this winter and we couldn’t wait to see what this one held.

What do I love about this box?

New England’s Finest gives each of their boxes a theme.  This for The Grill box could not have come at a better time.  I could se it being a great box for Father’s Day, a housewarming gift, or for that special someone in your life that is a foodie.

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My Top 10 Restaurant Picks for Portsmouth, NH

 

Portsmouth, New Hampshire is one of my favorite seacoast towns in New England.  In addition to beaches, great shopping, and beautiful parks, Portsmouth has a thriving restaurant scene.  It has everything from breweries to ice cream shops and most are family friendly.  With so many options, how can you choose? Here are my top 10 picks:

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Why You Should Try New Food While on Vacation

Who can think of traveling to Italy without picturing a steaming plate of pasta and a glass of chianti?  Or have you ever had a faint aroma of a dish and you are suddenly transported right back to where you were on vacation when you ate it?  Food has a huge impact on travel and it can help build memories, so we encourage our kids to be open to new dining experiences.  I like our kids to have the mentality: “I don’t need to like it but I really should try it.” Who knows…their taste buds might thank them. 

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