This post is about as real as it gets (sweaty post-gym attire included!) On a typical day I work 8-10 hours then head straight to the gym for an hour. When I’m done with all that (around 8 pm), the last thing I want to do is think about putting together a healthy meal, even when I’m starving. And that’s when I start making bad meal choices, because I am hungry and I don’t have a solid plan. I’ve tried meal kits before, but it’s been hard for me to find one that is friendly for gluten-free diets like mine. So when Purple Carrot asked me to try out one of their boxes, I looked over the menus first to make sure it was something I could feasibly make and eat. I was so happy to find that Purple Carrot is the only plant-based meal kit and most importantly, it was easy to modify for my gluten-free life.
From years of trial and error with diets and experimenting with how to fuel my body correctly, I learned that vegetable-based meals are what my body likes. For instance, when I try to fit vegetables into every meal of the day (yes, breakfast too) my skin is clearer, the cogs of my mind move more quickly, and my workouts are more efficient.
Another reason why I like Purple Carrot is because it makes me feel adventurous and allows me to try some new things I would never make. I typically get into ruts of eating the same exact vegetables all the time (spinach, arugula, asparagus, and cucumbers are my fave). This box had me eating mushrooms, water chestnuts, and leeks! I honestly wouldn’t even know what to do with a leek if you handed it to me.
In terms of the gluten-free swaps, one of the recipes had flour as an ingredient so I just switched it out for some almond meal that I had in my pantry and the recipe turned out just fine.
The portion sizes are really big, too. I ate about 3/4 of this tofu, mushroom, spinach stir fry meal for dinner, then saved the last bit for breakfast and a pre-workout snack for later on. It reheated really well! Each meal is technically two portions, so if you’re cooking just for yourself you can save half for later.
The recipes only take about 30 minutes to make (if you’re not stopping every second to take an Insta-story like I was, haha!) I saved all the recipe cards in case I want to make something again.
I highly recommend trying it out! Especially if you are determined to reach your health goals, but seem to constantly put them on the back burner because there are simply not enough hours in the day.
For a short time, you can get $30 off your first Purple Carrot order with code GLASSOFGLAM.
–Roxanne
Rox-Anne says
Oh how I wish there was something like this in my area! I did start getting an organic fruit and veggie order to my house each week and that has not only helped my family eat better, it saves us so much time! No more weekly market trips or waiting in long grocery lines. Your meal looks delish! xx Rox-Anne Celebrating This Life
Roxanne says
That’s amazing, though! My parents so something similar. It’s also really fun to get something in season that you wouldn’t normally buy!
Sheela Goh says
I’d never heard of Purple Carrot before, how cool, Roxanne 🙂 I always try to meal prep ahead of time OR make sure I only stock the freezer with things that won’t hurt me. My body seems to respond best to lean red meat and seafood. And mushrooms!! I can’t handle gluten and a host of other things so most times, my meals are 90% protein, and I’m ok with that. No brain fog. Yet GRIN
Roxanne says
You certainly have a sharp mind, Sheela! I do love protein, too, I need to clean out my system with a vegetable-based meal from time to time.
Brooke says
I don’t know how you do it all girl!! Blogging queen, lawyer boss lady and you keep your fitness and diet on point. You’re the bomb, for real. Purple Carrot sounds awesome! Makes life easy!
Brooke
Pumps and Push-Ups
Roxanne says
You do it all, too, lovely! PLUS you raise tiny humans!
Jessica says
It looks really good. Having a healthy meal in 30 minutes sounds great!
http://tresfly.blogspot.com
Roxanne says
It’s really nice!!! I like that the meals aren’t so carby, too!
Moriah says
Yum! Great point about it helping you be more adventurous with veggies – I tend to stick to the same few staples, too. It would be nice to try something that helps incorporate some new things into the mix – like leeks and water chestnuts! I’ve also never cooked with either.
Susan Rahamim says
Looks deelish, colorful, healthy and easy!
Dorian Rahamim says
That looks too delicious my phone is at risk of being drooled on. Purple Carrot had cool packaging!