Colour-up your container challenge: Week 1

Good evening everyone and welcome to the planning for week one of your challenge.  It is suggested that you start this challenge from Monday 4th May, as I will be placing the new weekly list up each Sunday.  I thought I would give you this one early as to be prepared!  If you don't own a VentSmart then don't despair! Tupperware have an AMAZING DEAL from Monday 4th of May:

A SET of  SEVEN VentSmarts for $150.... normally $219!!!

Sizes within pack include: 2x Medium Low, 1x Medium High, 2x Small Low and 2x Small High





I can vouch for the fact that this is a really great deal.  When I first brought my set of THREE back in 2012, I paid about $80.  So this is definitely a worthwhile investment.  This deal is going throughout the month of MAY. 


Below is the week one plan.  This is without breakfast and some of the snacks. Instead I will write a separate blog offering suggestions.  At the bottom of the blog, I have placed the recipes and/or links to them.

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Snack	Apple/pear with 1 tablespoon peanut butter	Choose from list	1 x Orange with a handful of nuts	Apple/pear with 1 tablespoon peanut butter	Choose from list	Choose from list	1 x Orange with a handful of nuts
Lunch	Warm roast chicken salad	Bolognaise with spinach and sweet potato warm salad.	Chicken stir-fry	Bangers and Carrot and Sweet Mash	Warm roast chicken salad	Curried Sausage Casserole (Left overs)	Shepherd’s pie
Snack	Choose from list	Apple/pear with 1 tablespoon peanut butter	Choose from list	1 x Orange with a handful of nuts	1 x Orange with a handful of nuts	Apple/pear with 1 tablespoon peanut butter	Choose from list
Dinner	Bolognaise with spinach and sweet potato warm salad.	Chicken stir-fry	Bangers and Carrot and Sweet Mash	Warm roast chicken salad	Curried Sausage Casserole	Shepherd’s pie or dine out.	Stir-fry with left-over meat and veggies

Shopping List:

Vegetables

• Broccoli x 3
• Zucchini x 3
• Carrot x 1 packet
• Spinach x 1 large packet
• Sweet potato (keep out on bench) x 3 - 4
• 1 clove garlic (or 1 packet of garlic powder)
• 1 root ginger (or 1 packet of ginger powder)

Fruit (4 of each)

• Oranges
• Pears

Complex carbs

• Brown or white basmati rice
• Pasta (optional if you are not cutting carbs)

Meats:

• 1 kilo mince (turkey, chicken or beef)
• 1 cooked chicken (or roast one yourself)
• 1kg Sausages (lean beef, chicken or turkey preferable) – alternatively 1 kg of meat strips if you dislike sausages.

Condiments/ Dressings

• Large jar of pasta sauce – if you make your own, make the equivalent of a 700 ml jar.
• 1 bottle of an oil (olive, coconut, etc.) and 1 vinegar (balsamic, wine, rice wine, etc.) – please refer to dressing combinations in separate post.
• Soy sauce
• Salt and pepper
• Tomato paste
•  Oyster Sauce
• 1 packet of Italian dried herbs
• 1 can of coconut milk or cream

Recipes (my apologies, but as I am busy with a full time job and raising a child, I don't physically have the time to type up recipes.  I have however found these really yummy recipes which you can use and adapt to the ingredients):

Curried sausage casserole: 

I found this recipe for the Casserole by JustJanS on Food.com and it's quite nice.  Some people opted out of the apple sauce and chutney and thought it still tasted fine.  Obviously use sweet potato instead unless you have brought white potatoes in your shopping list.  

http://www.food.com/recipe/curried-sausages-198901  

Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

I have tried this recipe and it's really yummy.  You can either adapt to the ingredients you have or buy the ones that aren't on your list - I will leave that up to you.  If you're confused, then send a comment and I will get back to you.

http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/138406/shepherd-s-pie-with-sweet-potato-topping

Best of luck in week one and I look forward to hearing about what everyone got up to with their week one plan!  If you are following this challenge, please post your photos and suggestions (to help others out) on my Facebook page Little Miss Apple's Tupperware.  You can connect to the page via the following link.  Please take the time to 'like' and share the page:

https://www.facebook.com/missapplestupperware?fref=ts 

Tupperware Colour-up Your Container Challenge!

As we all know, habits take about 21 days to develop and two of the main habits of habit development are PREPARATION and CONSISTENCY.

So why not take this opportunity to have a go at using Tupperware containers to their fullest potential for you and your family!

So here’s the challenge….

• For the next FOUR WEEKS, you will select your fruits and vegetables according to your VENT SMARTS.  If you want to take away the guess work, I will give you a list instead.  For that week you will only eat those specific vegetables to your liking.  You may choose to do this for one or all three meals.
• The meals you make will be placed in a Tupperware container to assist with portion control.  Your fruit/ snack proteins will be placed in snack cups.

The boundaries (because every challenge needs some):

1. Stick to the vegetables you have selected for the entire week.  Work with different combinations and/or cooking methods (baking, steaming, stir-frying, salads, bakes, rolls, etc.) Use this as an opportunity to try something new each week and give yourself some time to get used to the taste – it might take a few attempts and combinations to appreciate it.
2. Each meal must include: A protein (the size of the palm of your hand or deck of cards), a complex carbohydrate (rice, pasta or noodles – 1/3 to ½ cup) and the rest topped up with your vegetables.  You may choose to omit the complex carbs and replace completely with vegetables, but try to have a complex carb at least a couple of times per week or during a day of heavy exercise.
3. Drink at least two litres of water per day (use your Tupperware drink bottles as a gauge if you own one – aim for two full bottles).

Tips:

• Use this as an opportunity to ‘plan ahead’.  Consider what you can make with your vegetable combinations and shop accordingly. I will place examples up of what I am doing each week to guide you.
• Try to find some time to complete 30 minutes of exercise 3 – 4 days per week.  It will effectively complement what you have done nutritionally.
• Plan ahead with prep time: Make extra at dinner for your lunch the next day or make you salad in a large vent smart and eat over a few days.  Maybe you could buy a cooked chook and portion that out into your meal combinations.
• It will be hard to do sometimes, but stick it out.  You might create a life-lasting habit!
• Use this as an opportunity to try something new.  I used to HATE spinach, but after trying various combinations and persisting with it, I really enjoy eating it.  Some tastes do really need to grow on you.

Examples of containers you might use:

•  Any meal containers from a 'lunch' or 'on-the-go' set.
• Any of the 600ml size 'heat and eat' containers.
• Small/Low Vent-Smart
• Medium clear mate
• Any 'to-go' salad or meal containers (preferably a medium size)

If you are interested in having a go at this challenge, here is what you can do to be involved:

1. Comment below: “I’m committed!”
2. Email me: krystalanne.knafl@live.com.au
3. PM me via Blogger
4. Like and comment on my post on Facebook (Little Miss Apple’s Tupperware)

Each week I will post up what I am planning to do…. Look forward to seeing some amazing ideas and results!

Krystal (Little Miss Apple) xx

P.S:  If you are wanting to find out more about what containers or Vent-Smarts you could get for this challenge, check out the Tupperware Australia page: http://www.Tupperware.com.au

Vent-Smarts and Introductions!

Hi all, I wanted to take the time in this blog to introduce myself and why I chose to be a Tupperware consultant.  So here goes….

My name is Krystal and I am single parent working full-time as a Secondary Teacher and Group Fitness Instructor.  I chose to become a consultant because after a few years of seeing how much Tupperware products have benefited myself, I wanted to show others how an investment in Tupperware products is a great economical step in the right direction towards meal prepping and time management.  I particularly spend a lot of my time dealing with time and financial management as well as health and fitness, so it only seemed like a natural progression to give Tupperware a go.  There is an absolute wealth of amazing products out there to suit various types of individuals, but I wanted to specifically focus on how the working parent who wants to stay healthy and keep to a budget can benefit from Tupperware.  I want to show and discuss products that can really change how you plan and prepare meals, purchase food and save money.  In my first post, I want to take the time to discuss how I have benefited from the Vent-Smart products over the last three years.

How did I discover Vent-Smart?

Changes in vent adjustors between models.

I was hosting a party for a friend about three years ago and the Vent-Smarts were a new product.  At the time I not quite financially secure and very reluctant to spend money at this party.  I remember the consultant Vashti talking so highly of this product and how her household greatly benefited from having them.  I know that at that particular time, I was having to go fruit and veggie shopping every couple of days because anything I bought in bulk wouldn't last for too long in the fridge, particularly spinach and herbs…. It was quite frustrating for myself who was struggling financially and having to constantly throw away food!  Although I was reluctant, I was quite open to at least give this product a go.  Three years on and after various minor changes to the product, I still use my Vent-Smarts and they are still as amazing as they were back in day one.  

Changes in indents between models.

What is the Vent-Smart?

A few years back Tupperware introduced into their modular range a product called "Vent-Smart" as means of storing and maintaining freshness of fruits and vegetables in the fridge.  The products stay fresher for longer by controlling the air ventilation (balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide) in the container.  The sliders on top (it was originally the sides) can be adjusted to regulate the amount of air circulation that goes to the products.  On the side of the box, there is a 'cheat sheet' that can tell you how much your slides need to be adjusted.  They stack well in the fridge and are easy to store in the cupboard if you don't need them. Over the last few years they have made some great changes to the product which include:

1. Sliding air-vent adjustors on the top of the container instead of clips on the side.  

Differences in cheat sheet between models.

2. A change in the indents at the bottom which make for easier washing.  

3.  The 'cheat sheet' has been embedded into the plastic on the side of the container for easier reading.

4.  The introduction of more sizes (there used to be only three sizes).

Does this product really work?

Over the last three years, I have seen the benefits of this product.  I know in particular, I struggled with keeping spinach and lettuce in fridge for any longer than a few days.  I have been able to keep it in a Vent Smart for up to three weeks!  Very handy as I prefer to buy the larger bags to save money.  I have also found that I have had fresh herbs (particularly basil) for a few weeks compared to a few days prior to buying the Vent-Smarts.  

How can this product benefit you?

Makes for easy storage!

Here are some ways that the Vent-Smarts can benefit your household, particularly if you are working with a budget and trying to keep healthy meals on the table:

1. Regulated air ventilation so the product lasts longer.  This means you can buy larger quantities!

2. Cheat sheet gives you an idea of what can fit into one container.  This can help with meal planning and budgeting so that you can make the most out of your food and money.

3. There have been times where I have used them for storing cooked vegetables in the fridge and have managed to get a few days longer so I can prep more veggies in advance.

4.  You can cut up similar vegetables and keep them together in the Vent-Smart as a salad.  Take out servings as you need them.  This won't last three weeks, but you would at least get a few days longer than just placing it ready made in a bowl.

Currently the Vent-Smarts comes in various packages at the following prices in the photos below.  Please don't hesitate to contact me on krystalanne.knafl@live.com.au to find out more or to arrange a demonstration of this and other products:

I look forward to telling you more about Tupperware's amazing products.  Keep your eyes peeled for my review on the 'Freezer Mates'.

Krystal (Little Miss Apple Tupperware) :-)