Never underestimate the power of a date. Fred & I hop all over the place at any given time, so we rely on dates to have that one-on-one time. It allows us to spend some quality time together to cook, chat, laugh, sip on some wine, & just be together. If you're looking for an affordable date idea, take a look at how Fred & I spent our Saturday.

1. Pick a Day

The first step to a successful date is to pick a day that works for the both of you. No business, no other friends, no distractions. Dedicate this time to each other. Pick a day, schedule it in your calendar, & make time for the date.

2. Plan Your Meal

We grabbed everything needed for our date at Grocery Outlet. We visit the store at least once a week, scouring everything aisle by aisle. No joke. Grocery Outlet is one of my favorite grocery stores because I can save money & still eat healthy. Their NOSH section (stands for Natural, Organic, Specialty, Healthy) has so many great options like honey roasted chickpeas, mushroom pasta, & organic, fair trade chocolate!

3. Pick Your Wine 

Fred & I normally lean toward beer, but when it comes to date night we always opt for wine. It simply sets the mood. Thanks to the grocery bargains at Grocery Outlet, we bought wine to last for at least a couple date nights. Pull Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, Indigo Eyes Cab, & Villa Marchesi Prosecco cost $21. Last time we went out for date night our wine cost $7 per glass per person. We only had one bottle of wine for our date, which cost $5.99. Score!

4. Time to Cook

Honestly, half the fun of date night is the meal preparation & cooking. We put the mushroom pasta on to boil. Fred handled the asparagus while I cooked the vegetarian-friendly steak. We talked about our Paris to do lists. We strategized about what movie to watch later in the evening. We compared cooking methods. Date night allows us to catch up, laugh, put on a podcast, & bond over food.

5. Enjoy Each Other's Company

We basked in the sun as we sipped our wine, grateful for spring's longer days. The birds chirped happily as we chomped on our delicious food. I loved the subtle mushroom flavor in the pasta. Paris is just a matter of weeks away, so we really appreciate discount grocery options like Grocery Outlet to help us save money but not skimp on quality. We had the perfect date, but as always it took half an hour to pick what movie to watch!

I grew up in a household with a Persian mother. Amongst the other Persians I knew I wasn't Persian enough. Amongst the Americans I knew I wasn't American enough. I was always somewhere in the middle. It was a bit of a struggle growing up, never knowing exactly where I stood. As an adult I've come to love that I'm a bit different, & with that in mind, I had to create my own traditions.

// Ingredients //

// Directions //

1. Bring water to a boil & cook your pasta according to the directions on the packaging. I chose a tricolor penne pasta because I love the color, but you can use anything your heart desires.


2. Chop your mushrooms while your pasta is cooking. Sautée them for 5 to 7 minutes, or until they half in size & all the water evaporates.


3. Your pasta should be almost al dente by now. Toss in your chopped broccoli to let it blanche & cook inside the water. This is my favorite way to save myself from washing another a dish.


4. Add your Ragu Homestyle Sauce to a sauce pan & cook according to directions.

// Finishing Touches //

I didn't add any additional seasoning or spices because the Thick & Hearty Roasted Garlic Sauce has such a rich garlic flavor. The olives & cheese give you just enough salt.  With everything combined, you're good to go.

A home-cooked meal can awaken a joy unbeknownst to the unenlightened. We lead busy lives. There's always a task that occupies our hours or an event that engrosses our attention. The lack of time can contribute to our frequently buying boxed meals, pre-cooked fare, or fast food. By the time I'm done working a full day in the social media realm, concocting a delightful recipe for dinner is the last thing on my mind. 

Be that as it may, I always do it. A girl's got to eat. I often toy with the idea of giving in — getting a bean, rice, & cheese burrito or calling it a day with the chili ramen I have stashed in the cabinet for such occasions — but it's not the best or even the most practical option. Although I'd seen my fair share of meal delivery services, I was never inclined to invest in one. When Sun Basket* reached out to me to try their program, I was happy to give it a go. Perhaps it could be the answer to my prayers.

About

Sun Basket delivers portioned, organic meals conveniently to your door each week. Every ingredient you need is included, taking into account the amount required to successfully recreate each recipe. Their menu has vegetarian, gluten-free, & paleo options. Simply follow the directions on the recipe cards & get cooking.

Pricing

I received the two-person plan which entails three meals to feed two people — six servings. Normally, this particular plan costs $11.49 per meal per person or $68.94 each week. For comparison, I went out for Thai food & my meal cost $11.28; Sun Basket's pricing is on par with the average meal out.

Portuguese kale & red bean soup

Meals

The three vegetarian meals I received were: Portuguese kale & red bean soup, coconut curry braised greens & chickpeas with black rice, & lastly, rigatoni with roasted cauliflower, pine nuts, & currants. The Portuguese kale & bean soup was flavorful, full of texture, & very filling. The kale added robust flavor & vibrant color to the soup.

The coconut curry braised greens & chickpeas with black rice was extremely filling. I ended up saving half of my portion to eat for lunch the next day. I'd like to integrate the forbidden black rice into my food cabinet. It's way good! Toasting the coconut created a powerful & seducing aroma to waft from the kitchen.

I had the most fun making the rigatoni with roasted cauliflower, pine nuts, & currants. Fred & I worked simultaneously to prep the meal & assemble it accordingly. The rigatoni had a harmonious combination of flavors & textures. It felt indulgent & satisfying.

My favorite: the rigatoni
My boyfriend's favorite: the Portuguese bean soup

About to roast the cauliflower & onion for the rigatoni

Positives

Sun Basket allows you the opportunity to create a fun bonding experience with your family or whoever helps you create the meal. You get quality time together to concoct tasty grub. Having the ingredients right there, perfectly portioned, is an unbelievably blissful feeling. There are no questions about what to make. There's no fretting about having to frantically trek to a grocery store. It's literally all right there: ingredients, step-by-step recipes, & all. Meals were 100% delicious, fresh, unique, & a joy to make.

Rigatoni with roasted cauliflower, pine nuts, & currants

Negatives 

While Sun Basket does allow you to choose your meals for the next week, as a vegetarian, I had no choice. There were only three meals for me. Meals are nutritionist-approved, but recipes range from 500 to 800 calories per serving. The rigatoni was gloriously & gratifyingly good, but the 800 calorie tag weighed down on my parade. The recipe card claims most meals can be made in 30 minutes, but I found it leaned toward 45 minutes. The nearly $70 per week price tag may not be the most feasible choice for those on a budget. 

Verdict

I'd love to see more meat-free options available so I can choose my meals. The cost may not be the most economical, but it's the same as an average meal at a restaurant. I eat out maybe once a month, so the Sun Basket pricing doesn't work for me on a regular basis. It is, however, something I would invest in every once in a while for a romantic three meals, like the week of our anniversary or another fun occasion. Sun Basket is an easy way to have bonding time with your loved ones without the hassle of choosing from a sea of recipes & then venturing out to purchase all the necessary ingredients.

Toasting pine nuts for the rigatoni

Final Thoughts

Sun Basket is a fantastic deal if you find yourself going out to dinner each week. The $68.94 price tag can be justified by the cost of the ingredients, the convenience of product delivered to your door, the time saved at the grocery store, the ingredients portioned to ensure nothing goes rotten or forgotten, & the ease of a pre-determined recipe at your fingertips. I wouldn't purchase this on a regular basis, but it's something I'd be willing to buy a handful of times per year.

Coconut curry braised greens & chickpeas with black rice

Mmm...breakfast. Mmmmmmm...breakfast for lunch. Both are worthy of mmmm's. We've all got busy lives & it's hard to dedicate time in the morning to create breakfast. Sometimes it helps if you have an idea of what to make. This breakfast scramble is simple. You can't mess this up. This breakfast scramble with broccoli is vegetarian (of course) & hearty as can be. You'll be satiated & ready to take on the day! Okay let's do thisssssssss!

// Ingredients // 

+ 1 potato, chopped

+ onion (as much as you like), diced

+ 1 head of broccoli, diced

+ 3 eggs, scrambled

+ spices of your choice

// How to make it //

1. First things first, add a little bit of oil to the pan. Chop your potato into chunks. One potato yields say 25 or so pieces. Cook your potato until they start to brown & look crisp. When you start adding other vegetables, the potatoes just don't cook. Make sure they are 100% cooked to your liking before Step 2.

2. Once your potatoes start to brown, add your onion. You may need to add a smidgen more oil at this point. Stir occasionally so it cooks evenly. Your house should be beautifully fragrant & that's when you'll know you need to add your broccoli.

3. I diced my broccoli finely so it'd cook quicker. You know, that morning rush! I added one head of broccoli. Stir everything together. You'll know your broccoli is ready when it turns a rich green hue.

4. You're free to add your eggs. Scramble them beforehand so they're nice & fluffy & you can evenly distribute it. Pour the eggs over the top & then start mixing. It's not too much egg compared to the mass of veggies, so it'll cook very quickly.

5. As everything is finishing up cooking add your spices. I like to add a little bit of paprika, red chili flakes, salt, & pepper. You can keep it minimal if you want, but that gives it a nice smoky kick.

6. Serve & eat!

Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea & a loved one. Depending on your hunger level, this can serve one to three people. I'm just being real. My boyfriend could've eaten this whole thing himself, meanwhile it could last me all day. Different strokes for different folks!

What's your favorite vegetable? Do you eat breakfast often? :]

The perfect salad is a mixture of healthy & tasty. Why eat something that tastes awful? There's simply no need. No need at all. With this Nectarine Summer Salad you'll be salivating for more. It's not really a secret, but the "secret" ingredient is the ever so sweet nectarine. With this vegan salad you'll get flavor & crunch. The textures & tastes come together to create a heavenly combination. Wanna make it? Read on, my friend. Read on.

Salads are relatively easy to create. You don't have to cook anything or monitor the stove. Just chop & dice away. But to clarify, here are the steps to create this masterpiece. My boyfriend really really liked this salad, & I felt quite impressed with myself. Make this summer salad & you'll impress yourself too. This salad can feed 3+ people depending on your hunger, how many people, or how you portion it. Chop chop! Let's get to it, shall we? :]

See? It's not difficult to make. My boyfriend ranted & raved about the addition of the nectarine. It gives just a touch of sweetness, which isn't all too common in salads. I like the combination of greens & fruit. This salad is filling with the avocado & walnuts. Avocado is a nutrient-dense food; they have over 20 vitamins & minerals! So you'll be energized to take on the rest of your day! Nom nom nom!

Will you try this out? Do you like fruit in your salad? Let me knowwww. :]

Cumin Chickpeas & Couscous is a completely easy cheap vegan recipe. It isn't difficult whatsoever, even the most horrible of cooks can create this tasty meal. If you can boil water, you can make this! If you can't boil water, just try anyway. You may surprise yourself. :]

This recipe was inspired by one I had cut out of a magazine years ago. I recently took a gander at it & it sounded scrumptious, the only issue was I had half the ingredients. I've been trying to take advantage of the foodstuffs already in my cabinet. I wasn't about to purchase anything, so I had to make it work.  Talk about an easy cheap vegetarian recipe!

I improvised & created something with the items I did possess. I surprised myself with my culinary skills. It turned out nicely. When I tasted my experiment, I thought... "How is this so good? Did I really make this? I should be a chef." Well, I kind of thought that. 

Ingredients:

1/2 onion

1 zucchini

1 can garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas)

1 tbsp tomato paste

about 1 tsp cumin 

A pinch of turmeric, salt and pepper.
*double up on ingredients if making for 3 or more

1. Add olive oil to a pan & sauté your onions.

2. Once the onions begin to cook & look slightly transparent, add zucchini. Cover & let it simmer for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. When the veggies appear cooked or are beginning to brown, add strained garbanzo beans into the zucchini-onion mixture.

4. Now is a good time to make the couscous. Add 1 cup couscous to 1 cup water. You can do this in a pot or even in the microwave. Add salt, pepper, vegan butter, etc to taste.

5. Once garbanzo beans are heated through, add tomato paste & seasoning. Stir until paste is evenly distributed.

6. Add the cumin chickpeas over the couscous or mix them together. Enjoy!

That's it. It's really simple. Please check in for all sorts of easy cheap vegetarian recipes, positivity, & more! Hope you enjoyed this clean vegetarian recipe. Nom nom nom! Integrate healthy meals into your diet for a happier, healthier life. Health is in your hands! :]

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So you're hungry & want a snack, but you don't want to pig out on something nasty. Good for you! :] I can help you with that. Who doesn't enjoy a good noshing, especially if it's appetizing &  hearty? Try these 5 easy & healthy snack ideas.

1. Frozen grapes - This saintly snack is seriously scrumptious. I especially recommend using seedless green grapes. The inside tastes just like your average ice pop. It's cool, tasty, & satisfies your sweet tooth. Nothing feels better than polishing off a bunch of frozen grapes with friends and not regretting it one bit. At least it's fruit & not an entire bag of potato chips! Plus, grapes are a good source of vitamin C and K. Once you start, you can't stop.

2. Veggies in dressing - Take broccoli, cauliflower and carrots and marinate it in dressing. Italian or balsamic dressing is quite amazing. Let the veggies sit for a few hours or overnight then pig out. It tastes incredible, almost like you're cheating & not even eating vegetables. This healthy vegan snack idea is not just for vegheads; we all should eat our veggies! 

3. Homemade popcorn - You can buy an enormous bag of popcorn kernels from pretty much any grocery store. It's cheaper & better for you than the microwaveable stuff. Air popped popcorn has fiber and protein. You just need a pot, add some oil & wait until it's hot before you add the kernels. Put a lid on it and wait for those babies to POP!! You can add salt and pepper, vegan butter, or my personal favorite, chocolate chips. The chocolate melts all over the popcorn and once it cools down it becomes chocolate covered popcorn. Yum!

4. Applesauce - This tasteful tidbit is not just for kids anymore. Purchase unsweetened applesauce for a healthy vegan snack. The added sugar is unnecessary since there's already a ton of natural sugar in apples. I've seen four-packs of applesauce at the dollar store so this is not an expensive item. Applesauce is fat-free and cholesterol-free. Include cinnamon or nutmeg to taste.

5. Fruit salad - Look around the kitchen. Grab any & every fruit you have. Chop them up, add a bit of cinnamon & you're good to go. Use the fruit that you haven't eaten yet or that's just chilling around your kitchen. A fruit salad is the perfect way to get rid of that stray apple, spotted banana & old tangerine. If you have any, spruce your fruity salad up with some raisins or nuts. It's easy, breezy, fruity, natural, healthy, delicious. There is no wrong way to make this, so go crazy.

For those of us struggling to make healthy nutrition choices, I hope these easy healthy vegan snack ideas can help you out. Sure, potato chips would hit the spot, but think of all the nutrients, vitamins, & minerals within fruits & veggies. Stay healthy! Stay happy! :]

I've said it once, I'll say it again: if you're tired of salad, you're doing it wrong. There are a plethora of methods to concoct a scrumptious salad. Healthy vegetarian recipes shouldn't be boring. Add one, two, three or more of these items and your blah batch of lettuce will be revamped into the most magnificent creation you've ever tasted. If you want easy vegetarian dinner recipes, salad is great way to start your meal. I have some of the best vegetarian recipes out there. Have fun with it. Making your healthy vegetarian recipes/meals should be a complete experience, a journey. Enjoy your salad! And then share it with friends, family or neighbors. Show off what an excellent chef you are. Okay, so here we go...

If you're anything like me, you're a very busy bee. You don't have an extra hour to cook a nice meal for yourself, nor do you have the money to purchase an abundance of fancy ingredients and products. You go to school several days a week to broaden your knowledge. You labor for hours on end to earn your dollars. In addition, you have a social life you try your best to maintain. 

Life is busy, but that doesn't mean you have to eat poorly! You want an easy and healthy vegetarian recipe, because you don't want to slave away for an hour in the kitchen. I've come up with a really quick, simple, and healthy recipe for you to enjoy. Always keep in mind that health is in our hands. Since experimenting with veganism, I've been eating noticeably more natural foods. I haven't used the microwave in a couple of weeks. I make everything fresh. And I love it! I feel great.

I was inspired by the items in my refrigerator for this healthy vegetarian recipe. It's fast and boy, is it scrumptious. Try it out!

Soyrizo Surprize

Ingredients:

  1/2 package of Trader Joe's Soy Chorizo

1/2 of a green bell pepper

1 cup spinach

1/2 cup shredded carrots 

1/2 cup mushroom

It's literally that easy. The soyrizo has an amazing, slightly spicy taste. It's ideal for any healthy vegetarian recipe, especially breakfast. The veggies add flavor, texture, and vibrant color. The ingredients are fresh. It's something different. You can leave out any vegetable. You can add any vegetable. You can add anything, really. Or you can leave it as is!

This healthy vegetarian recipe takes under 15 minutes to prepare and cook. That's pretty time-friendly for a person who's always on the go.  I make Soyrizo Surprize during my 2-hour long break between classes; then I make tea with my roommate and we watch something quick on Netflix. This recipe is quick, so you can have time for what's truly important in life. It's simple.

Reviews:

"That smells good." -my roommate's friend

"Not only is it so bright and colorful, the spiciness it what really makes it special." -my roommate

Bon appétit!