Thinksport GO2 Travel Container: A safer & highly functional lunch box

Do you like what you see in this photo? This is a Thinksport GO2 Travel Container. I prepare my toddler's breakfast before he wakes up, pack them nicely in different compartments, and wait until he wakes up before I present this new meal container to him. I'm sure he will be surprised.

Before I show you what happens next, let's take a closer look at this nifty pantry and travel gadget.

Thinksport GO2 Travel Container

This is how the container looks like before it is opened up.

Specifications

• GO2 container: 24.13 cm x 6.35 cm x 15.24 cm
• Fork & Spoon: 16.51 cm
• Weight: 0.62 kg

Materials

• 304 Stainless Steel (18/8) for both inner plate and fork and spoon
• Polypropylene for outer casing of GO2, GO2 Lid, and Fork/Spoon handle
• Silicone rings built into the lid to seal the compartments
• Made in Korea

Thinksport products apply strict material standards. Thus, this GO2 Travel Container is free from phthalates, BPA, BPS, PET, lead, melamine, nitrosamines or biologically harmful chemicals. More about this later.

Design

This is how the container looks like after it is opened up – the orange polypropylene outer casing, the stainless steel inner plate, and the lid complete with a pair of fork and spoon.

This is the outer casing, very sturdy and well-designed. You will see later how the stainless steel inner plate fits into this outer casing nice and tight.

The GO2 container has an anti-skid design, look at that four little stars at the four corners. Why? Quoting Thinksport, "Because nobody wants their meatballs on the floor." This is so true and especially true if the container is handled by young kids.

This is the stainless steel inner plate, large enough to make it for us moms to fill it up with different types of food with appropriate portions. This is a very good feature as one won't over-eat when their meal is packed in this way. I'm actually thinking to pack my lunch to office in this container. Another plus point, this inner plate is designed to be removed for easy cleaning.

You can see how the stainless steel inner plate fits into the outer casing nice and tight. This double layer design is very useful because it can keep food, especially soups or stew-y kind of meals warm for slightly longer. This is a good feature for kids who tend to take longer time to finish eating their meal. Cool!

Another point, you can easily fill the inner plate with hot food without worrying that the container will become too hot to handle because the outer casing will prevent the heat from scorching your hands.

The GO2 container also comes with a pair of stylish, ergonomic fork and spoon that fits easily and tightly into its own compartment. The clear top makes it obvious that they are there. So, you don't have to worry about forks and spoons getting lost during travel. This is a cool idea. Now I don't need to pack them separately in another pouch and end up couldn't find them anywhere when I need them urgently. Haha.

Lastly, this is the most important feature of the Thinksport GO2 Travel Container. Unlike many other lunch-style boxes, the GO2 container seals off each compartment. You can literally fill each compartment with different colored water, shake it and not have the colors mix because there is an embedded silicone matrix to seal off each area completely. You won't get your food mixed up ever again. I for one, never ever like my fresh fruit cuts tainted by chicken curry or my cheese sandwich soggy from yogurt, etc.

Now, let's come back and see how my toddler enjoys his breakfast in his GO2 container. In the largest compartment, I prepare an open-faced sandwich with natural cream cheese, whole-wheat cheese biscuits, and roasted cashew nuts. In the slightly smaller second compartment, I prepare hard-boiled chicken egg and quail eggs, and assorted Cheddar cheese cubes that I cut from a bigger block. Lastly, in the last compartment, I prepare fresh strawberries and a tiny box of raisins. Such hearty and healthy breakfast! Eh, I should have added some greens!

Okay, close it up. I shake the box and true enough, nothing get mixed up.

See my toddler's precious reaction when he sees the box.

Boy: Wah, mama, nice present! What is this box?
Me: It's breakfast? You want to eat?
Boy: Yes! I want to eat breakfast.

He gets pretty excited with the new fork and spoon and starts digging into his food. First thing first, cream cheese!

He's still trying to make up his mind…

...and finally, he decides to poke the biggest egg with the fork.

"Mmmm, yummy, mama!"

And of course, strawberries dipped in cream cheese.

Where to buy?

Thinksport GO2 Travel Container comes in blue, orange, white and pink. You can purchase them at TheJournie: http://thejournie.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=80_67&product_id=132

Journie Marketing is the authorized distributor for Thinkbaby & Thinksport. For more info, email them at thejournie@gmail.com.

About Thinkbaby & Thinksport

I mention above that GO2 Travel Container is free from phthalates, BPA, BPS, PET, lead, melamine, nitrosamines or biologically harmful chemicals. Why and how? Thinkbaby and Thinksport is founded in 2006. Founder, Kevin Brodwick brought his interest in health and preventative medicine and his background in biotechnology together to form a company whose sole purpose is to create alternative products for little ones to adults.

Thinkbaby and Thinksport products address the growing concern of toxic chemicals leaching from consumer products. Research has linked many chemicals in common use, including Bispenol-A and PVC, to cancer and developmental disorders.

They understand that keeping ourselves and our children safe and healthy is becoming increasingly challenging when it comes to products that we interact with. Their mission is to deliver products specifically formulated to be free of harmful chemicals.

Quoting Thinkbaby and Thinksport, "Our mission is directly inspired by those little hands that wrap around our baby bottles. The health and safety of children isn't just a powerful source of motivation at Thinkbaby, it is something we consider a responsibility."

Find out more about them on their website and Facebook page.

Note: The Thinksport GO2 Travel Container is sent to me by Journie Marketing for review purpose. All opinions are my own.

22

Toddler-approved Tuna, Cherry Tomatoes, Red Onion "Pizza"

Tuna, Cherry Tomatoes, Red Onion "Pizza"

This "pizza" is toddler-approved! Why did I say "pizza"? That's because I didn't use a pizza dough as the base. I don't fancy making my own pizza dough and store-bought frozen doughs are expensive and most likely, unhealthy.

So, I used Lebanese flatbread. Hehe. You can easily buy Lebanese flatbread from hypermarkets. They are usually sold at the wraps/pita bread section.

Ingredients:
(Serves 2 adults + 1 toddler under 4 years old)

2 Lebanese flatbread
1/4 cup cream cheese
1 can tuna flakes in oil
1 medium red onion, cut into thin slices
10 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup shredded white Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded yellow Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon chili flakes (optional)
Freshly ground black pepper

How to:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C.

2. Spread some cream cheese on the first flatbread. Lay the second flatbread on top and press lightly until both pieces stick together. Continue spreading cream cheese on top of the second flatbread.

3. Drain half of the oil from the tuna can and spread the tuna flakes evenly on the top of the flatbread, followed by red onions, and tomatoes.

4. Top with all three types of cheeses, sprinkle with chili flakes and ground black pepper.

5. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving immediately.

Flatbread makes a good pizza base. :)

Let's tear it up and eat!

This tuna-tomato-onion-cheese combo is great!

The edges of the flatbread are crunchy. Overall, it's like eating a thin crust pizza. My 31.5-month toddler eats the tuna and cheesy bits enthusiastically, including the crunchy edges. So there you go! My toddler-approved "pizza"!

27

Chinese New Year 'Chap Chye'

Chinese New Year 'Chap Chye'

When I was young and still staying in my hometown, my mom cooked 'Chap Chye' on the first day of Chinese New Year. Every single year. I missed her 'Chap Chye' very much. So, when Urban Stove is offering this recipe on their website, I WhatsApp-ed the co-founder that I wanted to buy three sets!

In case you missed what Urban Stove is, check out these posts that I have blogged about Urban Stove. Also, have a look at my Facebook page for Urban Stove's recipes that I have cooked.

In a nutshell, Urban Stove helps you cook wholesome dinners conveniently, in just 30 minutes, by providing fresh pre-portioned ingredients right to your doorstep.

At the same time, the Little Thumbs Up blog hop event is cooking with edible flowers this month. Dried lily buds (golden needles) are used in this 'Chap Chye', so I'd like to submit this recipe. :)

My mom always ties golden needles
into knots before cooking. :)

Recipe slightly adapted from Auspicious 'Chap Chye' Vegetables by Urban Stove.

Ingredients:

(Serves 2)

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 medium young leek, thinly sliced
1 medium carrot, cut into thin round slices
1 quarter small cabbage, thinly sliced
6 dried mushrooms, soaked, drained & cut into slices
A handful golden needles (dried lily buds), tied into knots
2 fermented red bean curd, mashed
1 cup water
2 pieces bean curd skin, torn into bite-sized pieces
A handful glass noodles, soaked and drained
A handful black wood-ear fungus, soaked and drained
A handful 'fatt choy' (black hair moss), soaked and drained

How to:

1. Heat up vegetable oil over low-medium heat in a frying pan. Sweat the garlic, leek, and carrot for about two minutes.

2. Increase heat to medium. Add in cabbage, mushrooms, and golden needles. Cook for another two minutes. Add the mashed fermented red bean curd and water. Bring to a simmer for about 10 minutes.

3. Add in bean curd, glass noodles, wood ear fungus, and black hair moss. Stir well to coat with the gravy, cooking for another three minutes or so.

4. Serve with rice.

This post is also linked to the event, Little Thumbs Up (February 2016 Event: Chrysanthemum, Edible Flowers) organized by Zoe (Bake for Happy Kids), Doreen (My Little Favourite DIY) and hosted by Sweet Home-Chefs.

http://www.joycescapade.com/search/label/Urban%20Stove
Posted by joycescapade.com on Thursday, July 9, 2015

8

Chili con veggie

Chili con veggie

The first IHCC potluck of 2016 is here! Woohoo! I want to cook something Jamie Oliver's for my toddler's lunch and his Kerryann's chili con veggie looks good! According to Jamie, this easy veggie chili recipe is full of good stuff and makes the perfect midweek vegetarian meal for the family. It sure does!

I learned from Deb that United Nations has declared 2016 to be the "International Year of the Pulse". Pulses, also known as grain legumes, are a group of 12 crops that includes dry beans, dry peas, chickpeas, and lentils. They are high in protein, fiber, various vitamins, and amino acids.

In this bowl of chili con veggie, I use a combination of dried red lentils, red beans, green beans, black beans, kidney beans. So there you go! A bowl of nutrients-packed lunch to fuel my little one's growing stature! :)
 

Recipe adapted from Jamie Oliver's Kerryann's chilli con veggie.

Ingredients:
(Serves 2)

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 medium leek, finely chopped
1 medium celery rib, finely diced
1 small carrot, finely diced
1 tablespoon paprika powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 cup organic mixed beans & lentils (dried red lentils, red beans, green beans, black beans, kidney beans), soaked overnight, drained and rinsed
2 & 1/2 cups vegetable stock
Salt & pepper (optional)


How to:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. 

2. Heat up oil over medium heat in a deep oven-safe pot. Add onions, leek, celery, and carrot. Cook, stirring, until softened. Add paprika powder, ground cinnamon, and dried oregano. Stir until combine and add a splash of water to thin out the mixture.

3. Stir in lentils, beans, and vegetable stock. Season with salt and pepper (if using). Bring to a boil, then transfer the whole pot into the oven. Bake for 60 minutes. Then, reduce heat to 180°C and bake for another 30 minutes. Serve warm.

I need to restock my pantry with more pulses soon because I'm doing my part as an individual to promote the 2016 International Year of Pulses. The easiest way is by including pulses more often in my daily diet and weekly meal planner. This is gonna be very fun, healthy fun! :)

I'm linking this post with I Heart Cooking Clubs (IHCC) for this week's theme, IHCC January Potluck!

13

Little Baby Grains for babies and toddlers

What is Little Baby Grains?

Little Baby Grains is founded by Grace, a certified Dr. Sears Health Coach, full-time mother of two little darlings, and an entrepreneur. I know her from Gracious Little Things where she shares her mommy experiences and useful tips.

Little Baby Grains is a provider of organic and natural / chemical-free rice grains suitable for babies from 6 months. Based on your baby's age and needs, they will recommend different blends of baby rice for him or her.

Here are the blends:

For Babies (between 6 months to 1 year old)

• Fresh Start: Organic / chemical-free white rice suitable for babies and toddlers from 6 months onwards. You can choose between organic white rice from Taiwan or chemical-free white rice from Sarawak.


• Light and Easy: Organic / chemical-free white rice and organic millet suitable for babies and toddlers from 6 months onwards. For the white rice, you can choose between organic white rice from Taiwan or chemical-free white rice from Sarawak.


• Junior Nutri-Color: Chemical-free white and red rice, and organic millet suitable for babies and toddlers from 9 months onwards.

Note: All blends above are sold by 1kg pack each.

For Toddlers (after 1 year old)

All three above plus below:

• Nutri-Color: Chemical-free white and red rice, and organic millet suitable for babies and toddlers from 1 year onwards.


• Nutri-Duo: Chemical-free white and red rice suitable for babies and toddlers from 1 year onwards.


• Q-Junior: Organic / chemical-free white rice, chemical-free red rice, organic millet and organic quinoa suitable for toddlers from 15 months onwards.


• Q-Boost: Organic / chemical-free white rice, chemical-free red rice, organic millet and organic quinoa suitable for toddlers from 18 months onwards.


• Progressive: Chemical-free red rice suitable for toddlers from 2 years old.

Note: All blends above are sold by 1kg pack each. Each kilogram pack ranges between RM18 to RM25.

Orders will be sent via courier. For orders of 20kg or more, drop-off is an available option. Apart from the rice packs, you can also purchase starter kits and party packs. Pretty interesting I'd say. I recommend that you read up their informative FAQ section if you have questions.

Q-Boost

I was given a pack of Q-Boost (1kg) for this review.

The pack comes with a summary of storing instruction.

There's also a QR code where you can scan
for cooking instructions.

Q-Boost contains four types of grains:
organic/chemical-free white rice, chemical-free red rice,
organic millet, and organic quinoa.

Ingredients and country of origin are listed clearly.

All are mixed well in the container that I use to keep the grains.

Recipes

Here are a few recipes that I have created using Q-Boost.

Recipe can be found here.

Recipe can be found here.

Tomato Porridge

Ingredients:
(Serves 2 meals)

1/2 cup chicken fillet
1/2 medium Japanese cucumber, cut into cubes
A handful chopped spring onions 
5 cherry tomatoes
6 tablespoons Q-Boost, soaked overnight in room temperature
Pinch of pink Himalayan salt
1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil

How to:

Put all ingredients (except coconut oil) into the stainless steel pot of an electric lunch box. Add enough water to cover the ingredients. Turn on the power and set the timer to 30 minutes. Stir in virgin coconut oil before serving.

Root Veggies Stew with Steamed Rice

Ingredients:

(Serves 2 meals)

1 small beetroot, cut into cubes

1/4 medium radish, cut into cubes

1 medium pumpkin slice, cut into cubes

1/2 small chayote, cut into cubes

1 small potato, cut into cubes 

1 small sweet potato, cut into cubes

Pinch of pink Himalayan salt

1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil

6 tablespoons Q-Boost, soaked overnight in room temperature

How to:

Put all ingredients (except coconut oil and rice) into the stainless steel pot of an electric lunch box. Add enough water to cover the ingredients. Turn on the power and set the timer to 60 minutes. Stir in virgin coconut oil before serving. Steam-cook the rice in the second tier of the same electric lunch box for 30 minutes. Remove the cooked rice from the cooker and let the stew continues cooking until the 60th-minute mark.

Win Christmas Gifts by Little Baby Grains!

Thank you for your support! For every purchase of RM50 throughout December, we are giving you a Christmas gift in the...
Posted by Little Baby Grains on Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Contact

For more information, please visit:

Website (Online Store): http://www.littlebabygrains.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlebabygrains
Email: littlebabygrains@gmail.com
Contact number: 012-735 5160

Thanks Grace for collaborating with me for this post and for the pack of Q-Boost.

Little Baby Grains is listed on Featured Mommypreneurs on joycescapade.com.

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