Hey everyone!
So the last time I checked in I told you guys that I had been trying a meal delivery service called 'Freshly'! I also mentioned that I was about to start a different meal delivery service called 'Hungry Root' and that I would update you on that one once I'd tried it... well it's about that time!
Freshly Vs Hungry Root
'Hungry Root' is different than 'Freshly' in many ways - with freshly you get pre-packaged and pre-portioned meals that you simply heat up in the microwave and enjoy: while this offers great convenience and portion control I did feel an urge to start cooking my own meals once again(and not simply microwaving them). To read my review and blog about 'Freshly' click here!
With 'Hungry Root' however you receive fresh ingredients that you then follow instructions to cook and create amazing vegan meals. The idea behind 'Hungry Root' is to recreate indulgent foods using vegetables, legumes and nuts!
Going Vegan
I am a huge animal lover! I've grown up with lots of pets including dogs, cats and horses and living in Ireland I was never far away from farm animals such as cows, sheep, chickens etc.. I have a great respect for animals and I always connect really well with them. I feel that their souls are so beautiful and wise and I have therefore always had an interest in being Vegan and battled with the hypocrisy of loving animals and yet eating them. For many years I have stuck to a poultry or fish diet as much as possible and stayed away from red meat and pork! My main reasons for not trying veganism or being a vegetarian was 1) when living at home I ate what my family ate 2)not wanting to be too fusy when at other peoples houses or in company 3) thinking it was an expensive life style to adapt and 4) while I would often opt for the vegetarian or vegan option when eating out I did notice that accessibility and options were very limited!
However now that I am not living at home and living in a city where being vegan is very popular and therefore much more readily available in restaurants, cafes etc.. I figure why not give it a go?!!
When I found Hungry Root it seemed like a good foot in the door so to speak and a great way of trying out a vegan lifestyle! and I feel it has been just that! I am currently on my 5th box/delivery which means I have just started my 5th week using Hungry Root and I must say I am loving it!!!
About the food
The food is absolutely delicious and I can make most meals in under 10minutes! I have not been hungry at all - in fact sometimes I feel really full like I have eaten too much! the meals are hearty and there are plenty of breakfast, snacks and desert options! However despite feeling full I have lost 3pounds.. its not a huge amount but slow and steady wins the race and I wasn't adapting this lifestyle to loose weight in the first place! My skin has also totally cleared up and has been extra glowy! cough: major plus!
My plan
I am on a plan called 'The Good Life' and this plan is $99 a week! it is a lot but for me it has been well worth it as it is introducing me to recipes and a vegan lifestyle which I knew nothing about before! It also means that all I have to pick up in the grocery store is rice milk (for my be-loved irish tea of course) and maybe some bread and oatmeal. In the past I found myself spending $60/$70 easily when I went in to Trader Joes and yet was left feeling like I didn't have my meals for the week and would run out of what I did get very quickly!
With my meal plan I get 5 meals (but there's 2 servings in each meal so for one person you could see this as 10meals) plus 5 sides, snacks or sweets! for me one "sweet" such as the chickpea cookie dough would last me most of the week.. as I wouldn't eat the whole tub in one sitting - instead I split it and bake like a cookie a day (it's still a large cookie) and that's my desert!
Note: There is also a starter plan available which is cheaper if you wanted to give that a go first!
Here's an example of my meals this week!
and you receive these in a large cardboard box surrounded by ice packs!
So the last time I checked in I told you guys that I had been trying a meal delivery service called 'Freshly'! I also mentioned that I was about to start a different meal delivery service called 'Hungry Root' and that I would update you on that one once I'd tried it... well it's about that time!
Freshly Vs Hungry Root
'Hungry Root' is different than 'Freshly' in many ways - with freshly you get pre-packaged and pre-portioned meals that you simply heat up in the microwave and enjoy: while this offers great convenience and portion control I did feel an urge to start cooking my own meals once again(and not simply microwaving them). To read my review and blog about 'Freshly' click here!
With 'Hungry Root' however you receive fresh ingredients that you then follow instructions to cook and create amazing vegan meals. The idea behind 'Hungry Root' is to recreate indulgent foods using vegetables, legumes and nuts!
Going Vegan
I am a huge animal lover! I've grown up with lots of pets including dogs, cats and horses and living in Ireland I was never far away from farm animals such as cows, sheep, chickens etc.. I have a great respect for animals and I always connect really well with them. I feel that their souls are so beautiful and wise and I have therefore always had an interest in being Vegan and battled with the hypocrisy of loving animals and yet eating them. For many years I have stuck to a poultry or fish diet as much as possible and stayed away from red meat and pork! My main reasons for not trying veganism or being a vegetarian was 1) when living at home I ate what my family ate 2)not wanting to be too fusy when at other peoples houses or in company 3) thinking it was an expensive life style to adapt and 4) while I would often opt for the vegetarian or vegan option when eating out I did notice that accessibility and options were very limited!
However now that I am not living at home and living in a city where being vegan is very popular and therefore much more readily available in restaurants, cafes etc.. I figure why not give it a go?!!
When I found Hungry Root it seemed like a good foot in the door so to speak and a great way of trying out a vegan lifestyle! and I feel it has been just that! I am currently on my 5th box/delivery which means I have just started my 5th week using Hungry Root and I must say I am loving it!!!
About the food
The food is absolutely delicious and I can make most meals in under 10minutes! I have not been hungry at all - in fact sometimes I feel really full like I have eaten too much! the meals are hearty and there are plenty of breakfast, snacks and desert options! However despite feeling full I have lost 3pounds.. its not a huge amount but slow and steady wins the race and I wasn't adapting this lifestyle to loose weight in the first place! My skin has also totally cleared up and has been extra glowy! cough: major plus!
My plan
I am on a plan called 'The Good Life' and this plan is $99 a week! it is a lot but for me it has been well worth it as it is introducing me to recipes and a vegan lifestyle which I knew nothing about before! It also means that all I have to pick up in the grocery store is rice milk (for my be-loved irish tea of course) and maybe some bread and oatmeal. In the past I found myself spending $60/$70 easily when I went in to Trader Joes and yet was left feeling like I didn't have my meals for the week and would run out of what I did get very quickly!
With my meal plan I get 5 meals (but there's 2 servings in each meal so for one person you could see this as 10meals) plus 5 sides, snacks or sweets! for me one "sweet" such as the chickpea cookie dough would last me most of the week.. as I wouldn't eat the whole tub in one sitting - instead I split it and bake like a cookie a day (it's still a large cookie) and that's my desert!
Note: There is also a starter plan available which is cheaper if you wanted to give that a go first!
Here's an example of my meals this week!
- Crispy coconut breakfast Hash: these are crispy browned sweet potatoes with a subtle sweetness guaranteed to spice up your morning routine. It includes the hungry root sweet potato ribbons and organic coconut curry.
- Ginger Yuba Quinoa bowl: a hearty meal to satisfy taste buds includes organic Ginger Tahini Yuba Noodles and Lemon Artichoke Quinoa Bowl.
- Kohlrabi Kale with sauteed greens: This includes their Kalebeet Blend and organic Kale Pesto.
- Sweet barbecue chilly jackfruit: this is the perfect melding of sweet, tangy and spicy! their Sweet Barbecue Chili Jackfruit is so hearty you won’t even know you’re eating a plant. Great on its own or paired with rice, pasta or greens (comparable with bbq chicken!)
- Black garlic superblend saute: The is the perfect dinner when you're looking for a hearty, creamy meal. It includes their Superblend Salad, organic Chickpea Alfredo and Italian Herb Chickpea Medley.
- Avocado chickpea noodle bowl: Packed with protein and healthy fats, this creamy noodle bowl will more than satisfy your appetite. Includes Sweet Potato Ribbons, Italian Herb Chickpea Medley and Avocado Crema.
- Chickpea pita mezze platter: party platter made with chickpea pita bread, a lentil medley and spinach artichoke dip. Includes Fluffly Maple Chickpea Batter, Spinach Artichoke Chickpea Dip and Cruncy Carrot Lentil Mix.
- Butternut squash bean skillet (this is what I had for dinner today.. it was YUM!): Includes Butternut Squash French Fries and Cucumber Corn Black Bean Salad.
- Vanilla Bean Snickdoodle dough: This is delicious and definitely the one to satisfy your sweet tooth! you can eat it raw or bake it!
- Coconut lemon bites: packed with coconut and ready to eat! these taste like lemon cake in bite size form!
The above shows this week's meals but each week is different - so far I have let the team at Hungry Root surprise me and I have not yet been disappointed! however you can also customise your delivery ahead of time to include the meal selection you would like! but hey variety is the spice of life!! :)
This is how the ingredients comes packaged
Final words...
I really feel like I am enjoying the health benefits of using Hungry Root and eating a mainly vegan diet (I have slipped up once or twice but forgive me as it's only the beginning and at least I'm trying!). All their food is 1) Vegan 2) Gluten free 3) High in nutrients, fiber and good fats 4) Low in sugar, sodium and calories! check out their website to learn more!
I really love this service and I enjoy cooking the meals!I would highly recommend it to a friend!
My only complaint is that they once sent me gone off cocoa milk but they did reach out to me and give $10 off my next bill and a free almond chickpea cookie dough in my next order.. however it is now 2 orders later and while I did received the $10 off I have yet to receive my free cookie dough :(
Please know that this is not a sponsored post - I wasn't paid or sent any of my meals for free.. I simply love it and wanted to recommend this wonderful service that I truly feel could literally be life changing to my diet of the future! However with that being said if you do feel like trying it out please use my code: https://www.hungryroot.com/r/OEZEOH
with this you will get $30 off on your first order and so will I! as I plan on keeping this up it would help and why not benefit each other :) you will also receive your own code once you've started that you can then pass on to your friends for them to save and you too!
Have a wonderful day! evening! or night! (depending on when you're reading this!)
and if you made it this far then fair play as that was a long post!
anyhow follow me on my socials @ShahiraBarry
Lot of Love,
Shahira XO
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