What better way to celebrate Earth Day than with a bit of new cooking technology that lets you slow cook the day away without wasting energy? Dubbed the Wonderbag, this clever little bag is here to save your electric bill.
On first glance, it looks like a laundry bag, spherical shopping tote, or on-the-go ottoman. But, it’s actually a small cooking revolution. Each Wonderbag is an insulated bag in which you can cook anything from meaty stews to veggie curries to rice, and pretty much anything you’d cook in a traditional slow cooker.
Rather than relying on electricity to keep things warm, the Wonderbag employs a heat-retention technique to cook all of those saucy, rich dishes you love slowly but surely. This means your sauces get saucier and thicker, flavors are stronger, and your tastebuds are happier.
Simply boil the food that you’d like to slow cook, place in the bag, and let it stand for as many hours as makes sense for your dish. Make rice in just an hour after 2 minutes boiling on the stove. Cooking a big pot of pulled pork? Boil it for 20 minutes and bag it for 5 hours. Your food is ready to go as soon as you get home!
We love the idea of wireless cooking, especially when it benefits the environment. We don’t know about you, but we’ve never felt totally comfortable leaving anything plugged in and running while we’re out and about.
But wait, there’s more! As if it wasn’t enough to be eco-friendly and portable, the Wonderbag also happens to give back through a Buy One, Give One campaign. For every Wonderbag purchased, a matching one will be given to a less fortunate African family. You can purchase your own Wonderbag for $122 over on Firebox, one of our favorite online shopping sites for unusual items.
Not sure what you’d actually cook in a slow cooker? Head to Wonderbag’s community site, where users add new recipes and photos all the time!
Back in January, we introduced you to a feel-good cause to inspire your New Year's resolution: a walking challenge to help raise funds for the amazing cancer fighters at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I took part in the challenge with the Brit + Co team and ended up walking 105+ miles in January — it was awesome.
This spring, there's a new challenge on the horizon, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Big Climb. The ask: On May 15, 2021, you can step up to take cancer down by committing to climb 1,311 steps, walking 3.2 miles, or doing 440 chair step-ups at home as part of the Big Climb. If you need some motivation to bring movement back into your daily routine — look no further!
As always, it's free to sign up, but climbers are encouraged to set a fundraising goal to help beat cancer. We'll be organizing another Brit + Co team to step up, and I hope you'll join us too! Keep scrolling for a peek at where I'll be completing the challenge in my Los Angeles neighborhood around the hidden Silver Lake Stairs. Happy climbing!
Never underestimate the power of an accountability buddy! I asked my in-laws, my partner, and a few friends to join me so we can keep each other motivated and accountable in completing the challenge — virtual high-fives all around! Also, my dog Fox is a great climber, too.
An aesthetically pleasing backdrop is a huge motivator for me! I'm fortunate to have all sorts of painted steps around my neighborhood to keep the challenge interesting, but you can also keep cool inside with at-home chair step-ups.
Don't forget to share your progress on social — #BigClimb!
Feel free to break the challenge up if you need to by tackling half the distance in the AM and half at sunset. Here's me 1,311 steps later and ready for a break — but, think I earned this one!
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