Fitness
Best Meal Kits and Meal Delivery Services to Try | Men’s Journal
Published
2 years agoon
By
Terry Power
Somewhere between week one and today, we burned out on cooking our regular kitchen repertoire. Pasta, pancakes, pouring oat milk into a bowl of cereal, all of it. Refresh your meal prep or simply call it a lazy-but-tasty night with these offerings you can order online and get delivered to your front door. From keto-friendly meal kits to easy smoothies, here are a few of the best meal kit services to consider trying at home right now.
Daily Harvest
Best for: Aspiring vegans
Struggling to make the plant-based plunge? No more. Daily Harvest offers an array of tasty smoothies (mint + cacao FTW), harvest bowls, flatbreads, oat bowls, chia bowls, soups, and more, all made without refined sugars, gluten, fillers, preservatives, or artificial ingredients. The company works directly with farms to source ingredients and freeze fruits and vegetables within 24 hours of harvest. Simply blend up the smoothies (ideally with a plant-based milk like almond or coconut milk, but coconut water or water works, too) or heat up the bowls (you might need to add a bit of oil and/or water) or flatbreads to serve. Note: You’ll want to order extra of the artichoke and spinach flatbread.
From $5.99 per meal; dailyharvest.com
Sakara Life Organic Meal Delivery
Best for: Health enthusiasts
You read just about every book on nutrition and wellness that’s made it on the bestseller list. You’re all about the plant-based, nutrition-driven lifestyle. You’re not, however, into cooking elaborate, delicious vegan meals from scratch. That’s where game-changer Sakara comes in, which sends ready-to-eat meals with otherworldly flavor profiles straight to you with a completely customizable weekly schedule. All meals are plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO and contain no refined sugar with recent hits ranging from lavender quesadillas with broccoli pesto and crispy chayote salad to baby fennel and sunchoke pasta. The company also runs the Clean Boutique with must-haves for men including the Metabolism Super Powder, Energy Bars, and can’t put down Nootropic Chocolates.
[From $24 per meal; sakara.com]
Factor_
Best for: Too lazy to cook, but you stick to a specialty diet
Factor_ delivers nutrient-dense dishes expertly prepared that arrive at your door fresh, not frozen. With offerings for Keto, Paleo and Gluten-free diets, along with nutrition coaching plans there’s something for everyone. They’re currently offering a special discount for frontline workers and teachers. Everyone else can use the code GETFACTOR for a discount off their first order.
From $15 per meal; factor75.com. [factor75.com]
Eat Clean Bro
Best for: Anyone who wants to eat clean
Name aside, this meal delivery service is a winner, with tasty fare like keto-friendly buffalo bleu chicken and turkey taco bowls. The meals are free of processed food, chemicals, and preservatives and an on-staff dietitian provides accurate macros for each dish, as well as customer counseling to help them pick the best options for their health goals. Options include vegetarian, keto, gluten-free, low carb, and more.
[From $8.50 per meal; eatcleanbro.com]
Nurture Life
Best for: Feeding youngsters
Made in collaboration between nutritionists and chefs, it’ll be a little bit easier for your kids to get the nutrition they need with meals like Mac & Cheese with Cauliflower and Teriyaki Salmon with Rainbow Veggie Rice. It’s easy to order based on the age of your kids. Bonus: There’s plenty of organic produce sneaked into each dish. We won’t tell if mom and dad decide to steal a few bites, you know, for quality assurance.
[From $6.89 per meal ; nurturelife.com]
Sun Basket
Best for: Healthy gourmands
Ready to feel like you’re dining at your favorite California-inspired restaurant? Choose from speedy, pre-prepped, oven-ready, and standard meal kits, all made with organic produce and antibiotic- and hormone-free meat and seafood. Recent favorites include creamy mushroom penne with baby spinach and almonds and Mediterranean salmon with white bean–artichoke salad. This kit caters to whatever your palate might be including carb-conscious, vegetarian, pescatarian, and diabetes-friendly, to name a few. Right now, you can also donate meals to hospital workers through its Feed it Forward campaign which is supplemented by Sun Basket’s 5,000 meal commitment to hospital staff on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis.
[From $10.99 per serving; sunbasket.com]
RealEats
Best for: You consider boiling water cooking
How does Honey Soy Salmon with asparagus, shiitake mushrooms, and organic brown rice sound to you? Or local squash and chickpea curry with organic quinoa and toasted pepitas? If your culinary skills are limited to boiling water and plopping food on a plate then these fresh, non-GMO meals are for you. With an emphasis on seasonal ingredients, all the meals you can order here should stay fresh for up to a week when stored in the fridge and can be prepped in six minutes or less with a pot and some boiling water. Plus, the meal plans fit a range of specialized diets, whether you’re plant-based or dairy-free or you’re wanting something with high protein.
[Meal plans from $60 per week; realeats.com]
Eat Sunny
Best for: Mediterranean diet aficionados
Baked Eggs with Lentils? Grass-Fed Beef Ramen? We’re listening. These organic, chef-created meals based on the tenets of the Meditteran diet slip in plenty of superfoods and still manage to be pretty damn tasty. Think: lots of vegetables, omega-3s, and maca powder, alma berry, and biotin in the mix. Need a meal plan for vegetarians and flexitarians? They’ve got that, too.
[From $189 for three days; eatsunny.com]
Blue Apron
Best for: The new-to-meal-kits set
If you’re dipping your toes in the meal kit waters for the first time, you’d be hard pressed to find a better brand to start than Blue Apron, which we dig for its easy-to-follow recipes and fresh ingredients. Get ready to feast on Mexican-Spice Salmon with Cilantro Sauce and Roasted Sweet Potato Quesadillas and thank us later.
[From $9.99 per serving; blueapron.com]
ProLon Fast Meal Kit
Best for: You want to try the whole fasting thing
If you figure now is as good as time as ever to try a fast, our vote is for the first plant-based nutrition program that’s designed to mimic fasting. It’s a five-day program, and it includes all the victuals of a surprisingly delicious fast: nut bars, soup blends, olives, kale crackers, and more. For good measure, there’s even a little dark chocolate thrown into the mix.
[A meal kit is $249 for 1-2 boxes or $225 each per box when bundled in 3 or more boxes. Right now you can buy one box for $199 with discount code PROLON50; prolonfast.com]
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
[$10.99 for a six-pack; deschutesbrewery.com]
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Fitness
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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Fitness
The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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