During the last lockdown, did you experience cooking burnout? Even those who once enjoyed creating in the kitchen found themselves stressed and burned out from having to solely rely on their own efforts. We used to be able to grab coffee and lunch, which conveniently fit into our busy schedules. Now we have to squeeze in the time for grocery shopping, preparation, cooking, and cleaning up.
Having said that, eating healthy at home does not have to be difficult and time-consuming when there are prepared meal deliveries you can simply store in your freezer. All you have to do is heat them up! Not only will it save you time and money, but you’ll also get to plan and control your portions – developing a healthier relationship with food. Here are 8 local meal prep delivery services to help you eat with ease:
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DietMonsta offers a wide range of protein options, as well as no carb, muscle gain and performance meal plans. Their ‘Blackbox’ meals also come with a variety of delicious sides and flavours for their proteins. Reheating these meals only take about 6 minutes, and they can be stored in the freezer for a month.
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Meals In Minutes provides halal ready-to-cook meals that can be customised. They use all-natural ingredients, are precisely portioned, and can be cooked Sous Vide style – perfect for those who don’t own a microwave! There are several mouth-watering proteins to choose from, including butter parsley prawns, burgers, and Thai lime fish.
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CauliHealthyFood offers halal frozen meal preps that are catered for different diets. Their menus change every week, and their packages come in both weekly and monthly options. Reheating takes less than 2 minutes, and their meals can be kept in the freezer for about 2 months.
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Value-for-money fitness meals can be found at Medofu! Talapia, Dory fish, and salmon – these are just some of the tasty protein packs available. They also offer a wide array of carbohydrates and sauces to be paired with the proteins.
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FitBox Meals offers healthy meal plans that help you reach your fitness goals! Customise your meal packages according to your preferences, and enjoy dishes such as pasta with salmon fillet, Dory curry with brown rice, oats with berries, and more.
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Keto-friendly, low-carb, and halal meal preps can be found at Chunky Monkeys. Be spoiled for choice with their wide variety of healthy meals, like shrimp and caulimash, nasi lemak sambal udang made with caulirice, and loaded caulimash with cheese and bacon bits.
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Healthy meals can be heavenly too with HeavenEat! The chickens used contain no antibiotics or hormones, and no MSG or preservatives are used in any of their meals either. Their chicken breast comes in four different flavours – classic, pesto, spicy mala, and hot paprika. You also have the option to pan-fry or grill the chicken.
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This is for those who need a truly on-the-go meal! Tear N Eat offers chicken breast protein packs that can be conveniently eaten anywhere. Like their name suggests, just tear and eat your chicken from the packet after reheating it. It comes in so many fun flavours like Sichuan Ma La, Chinese herbs, BBQ, and more.
With these healthy deliveries, you don’t have to sweat about meal prep when you’re stuck at home anymore!
The new year is around the corner and new year’s resolutions are on their way. Following through with your new year’s resolution of having a healthier lifestyle may seem like a daunting task – it doesn’t help that being healthy is associated with spending a ton of money. But what if we told you it doesn’t have to be that troublesome or expensive?
Try these 6 easy and small swaps to make big changes to your life!
- Swap carbonated drinks for coconut water from Movlah
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In need of a refreshing post-workout drink? Replace energy drinks with Movlah’s 100% natural coconut water made from freeze dried coconuts! It comes in travel-friendly sachets and you only need room temperature water to make them. Coconut water makes a great post-workout recovery drink as it reduces body heat and quenches your thirst.
- Try granola from Naked Super Food instead of packaged cereal
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Ditch the packaged, sugar-filled cereals and replace it with granola from Naked Super Food! Their granolas come in several mouth-watering flavours, contain low sugar and sodium, are a good source of fibre and protein, and have no artificial colouring or flavouring!
- Ditch antiperspirant for natural deodorant from Salt Of The Earth
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Natural deodorants are great for limiting skin issues – they won’t block your pores and promote less irritation! Salt Of The Earth’s natural deodorants come in a variety of refreshing scents, leave no white marks, are vegan society approved, and are not tested on animals. It’s also made free from alcohol, parabens, perfumes, and more so you can have peace of mind.
- Replace pads and tampons with menstrual cups
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Certain pad and tampon brands have harmful ingredients that we should never have near our bodies. Menstrual cups are a great alternative for that because it’s made of silicone or rubber that is safe for the body. It’s also better for the environment because not as much waste is created and some menstrual cups can be recycled!
- Opt for oat milk instead of dairy milk
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Looking for an alternative to dairy milk? Try oat milk! This plant-based milk has a mild and creamy flavour that pairs well with coffee, cereals, and more. It provides more vitamin B-2 than cow’s milk and contains beneficial nutrients, such as protein and fibre, to help keep you full for longer.
- Replace junk food with fruit & vegetable chips
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Say goodbye to junk food and hello to this delicious and healthy alternative – fruit and vegetable chips! You can find plenty of options at the grocery store, kiosks, online, and even make them yourself with an oven or air fryer. Now you don’t have to feel unhealthy when you have the munchies!
Have a healthier new year with these small, easy, and affordable lifestyle switches!
The COVID-19 pandemic has unmasked plenty of negative environmental impacts and one of them is single-use surgical face masks. These disposable face masks are plastic-based, water-resistant, and allegedly have a lifespan of 450 years – making them a big problem for our oceans and landfills. To add insult to injury, a lot of people carelessly discard their disposable face masks on the streets, drains, and even beaches, causing pollution.
There is no running away from wearing a face mask during these dire times, but we can limit the negative impacts of it by using eco-friendly and reusable face masks – while also supporting local Malaysian brands!
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These Pestle & Mortar Frontal Utility Face Masks are made with a durable ripstop outer and an ultra soft mesh inner for breathability. They also feature adjustable and removable nylon straps that take the strain off your ears! The straps also have a quick release clip and can be used with other face masks.
All of their masks have a filter pocket for disposable PM2.5 filters.
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This 100% recyclable face mask utilises antimicrobial nano-copper technology to stop germs from growing and spreading. The face masks have also gone through several tests and is approved by FITI, SGS. It is one of the only 16 products reviewed and recommended for COVID-19 Response by the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH).
Each mask also comes with a foldable pouch for mask storage, antimicrobial cooling layers, a necklace to hang your mask on (yes to accessories!), and an antimicrobial inner copper sheet.
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Oh Sebenar’s washable and reusable face masks are made of two-ply linen and hemp that comes with an additional three pieces of removable mask filters and a face mask casing. Linen fabric is known to have antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties while hemp fibres are antimicrobial and breathable.
The masks come in a variety of natural and earthy colours that go with any outfit!
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Hanya’s Reusable Satin Silk Face Mask features soft elastic ear loops and a customisable conforming nose bridge for comfortable wear! Its modest-friendly option has a string extension that allows the face mask to be hung around the neck when it’s not worn, as well as a stopper.
This four-ply face mask is WHO-compliant, safe to wear with or without a filter, and has a pocket for adjustable and removable filters.
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The Botanica Series Everyday Face Mask from Whismsigirl is made of three-layered 100% cotton, with breathable cotton lining fabric, and features elastic ear loops that can be adjusted for ease and convenience. It also has a soft nose wire for a better fit and a pocket for filter inserts!
The masks come in several adorable colours and prints, making them perfect gifts for your loved ones.
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SilkFairy’s silk face masks are hand-sewn and made from three layers of 100% pure mulberry silk that is dermatologically approved – making it the perfect mask for those who experience maskne!
The masks also feature an adjustable nose clip, built-in filter socket, and adjustable ear loops.
Protect yourselves and the environment by using sustainable and stylish face masks!
With the current pandemic, it’s best if we all stay at home and flatten the curve. But is there a way to stay at home and eat healthy without cooking up a storm each time?
There totally is! Lucky for you (and us), loads of passionate cooks have started to offer their healthy and delicious meals online – now you don’t have to stress about what to eat for lunch!
Eating healthy has never been easier. With just a click of a button, order from these online cooks, based in the Klang Valley, for a healthy and hearty meal:
- Foodbae (Halal)
If you think vegan food is bland and boring, Foodbae will definitely change your mind. The healthy meal delivery service was started to save Mother Earth by changing the way we eat before anything else (bae).
Freshly launched, they offer mouth-watering veganised food such as mac & cheese with “bacon” tempeh (we’re drooling), nasi lemak, spaghetti bolognese, Indonesian ayam geprek (with vegan ayam, of course), and a tofu teriyaki bowl.
- Kuan’s Home Cook Food Delivery (Halal)
🛎Quinoa Rice with Salmon #healthylifestyle #healthyfood #eatclean
Posted by Kuan's Home Cook Food Delivery on Saturday, November 9, 2019
With 20 years of experience in cooking Chinese cuisine, the chef of Kuan’s Home Cooked Food uses the freshest ingredients to ensure healthy, hygienic and balanced meals are accessible to everyone.
Their healthy lunch boxes are made with less oil, and are also low in sugar and sodium – this has even helped some customers lower their high blood pressure, cholesterol and fat percentage! All of their food is 100% homemade and you can also follow their recipes on Facebook.
- Ali’s Food Hub (Non-Halal)
Keto Almond Baked Chicken with Cauliflower mash and side saladRM22
Posted by Ali's food hub on Monday, September 14, 2020
Ali’s Food Hub offers keto, vegan, and traditional home cooked comfort food – all made fresh to order!
Some of their keto compliant dishes include fried cauliflower rice with chicken and celery, as well as almond baked chicken with cauliflower mash and side salad. They also offer customised orders, slow pressed juices and homemade Penang delicacies.
- Begin Lunch Box (Halal)
With different options to choose from, all of Begin’s healthy lunch boxes are prepared and cooked fresh daily.
Each meal is handmade with creative ingredients that are both balanced and calculated – not only do their lunch boxes look and taste good, they also make you feel good too!
- Kawkawveg (Halal)
Kawkawveg delivers homecooked vegan food right to your doorstep!
They have veganised Indian cuisine, including vegan biryani with mutton masala, as well as nasi lemak with chicken varuvaal or eggplant varuvaal. Their menu changes weekly and is definitely worth checking out if you’re craving a good Malaysian meal.
- Fitness Grub (Halal)
Looking for healthy gourmet meals? Fitness Grub is the perfect place to find them!
They’ve got Mexican chipotle bowls, rosemary chicken with riti raita and rice, and peanut sauce pasta with chilli chicken to satisfy your savoury cravings. Their food can also be kept in the fridge and freezer as meal preps.
Taking care of your diet doesn’t have to be a chore – order from these online cooks and you’ll be supporting small local businesses too!
As consumers grow more aware of the harm caused by fast fashion, it’s been refreshing to see sustainability rise as a trend. But wait, what exactly is sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion uses materials that are carefully sourced and produced with the environment in mind. It’s also known as ethical fashion as it ensures safe and fair working conditions for their employees. In some cases, sustainable fashion can also refer to thrifting and repurposing – this involves upcycling old clothes and turning them into completely new pieces of clothing!
We’ve been seeing more and more local brands commit to making a difference, and they look good while they’re at it. Here are 6 local sustainable fashion brands you can support:
Terrae, which means ‘Earth’ in Latin and Italian, is a sustainable activewear brand that focuses on being both durable and timeless.
Their clothes are made from a material called ECONYL, which is regenerated nylon derived from discarded fishing nets, and fabric scraps that would otherwise end up in landfills. This virgin nylon alternative has great recovery power, so you don’t need to sweat about its performance! Even their packaging is produced from recyclable and biodegradable materials.
Inspired by the Russian word ‘озеро’, which means ‘lake’ in English, Ozero stays true to its creative name with each swimwear design being named after lakes.
By using ECONYL, their fabulous pieces are made from rescued plastic waste, such as fishing nets and industrial plastic, and offer everything you look for in good swimwear – like great shape retention, chlorine and suntan cream resistance, and excellent UV protection!
Batik lovers, this one’s for you.
Dona Plant Base is a sustainable brand that strongly believes in ethical practices and giving back to the community. Their beautiful batik pieces are made by artisans in Bali and therefore, each piece is completely unique and made in limited quantities – like a work of art.
They use natural dyes from locally grown plants, upcycled textiles, organic sustainable materials, as well as plastic-free packaging. Dona Plant Base offers the most gorgeous tops, dresses, bags, face masks and more!
Fast fingers are needed to get a Ghostboy piece since their tops are always sold out within minutes!
Founded by David and Cyii Cheng, Ghostboy Club is known for its distinctive one-of-a-kind pieces that can be spotted from a mile away. Each item is uniquely designed and handmade with used clothing sourced from thrift stores and donations. The end product is an eccentric piece of art that’s attracted their cult following.
Lazii Vintage is a sustainable brand that turns the oversized ‘dad shirt’ into all-the-rage goodness!
They rework and upcycle vintage sweatshirts and other clothing to increase the lifespan of each item. Their pieces are carefully curated and uniquely reworked by hand with no two pieces alike. Lazii also extends its sustainability efforts to the packaging by using eco-friendly and recycled materials.
Lemon by ACK is a slow fashion label that uses ethically sourced fabrics and materials such as 100% organic cotton to create eye-catching apparel and accessories.
Their beautiful tops, bags and swimwear are manufactured at a local sewing facility run by the non-profit organization, Life 2 Life El Shaddai, which focuses on fostering life-long skills and knowledge to displaced individuals.
Feed two birds with one seed and shop from these sustainable brands – you’ll be saving the Earth, ensuring fair practices and supporting small businesses!
