The Wonder of the Wonderbag: A Review

I was skeptical of the Wonderbag. First, cooking is not really my 'thing' and second, it looks more like a zafu meditation cushion than a culinary device. But a culinary device it is! The "Wonder" of the Wonderbag is the fact that this pillowy contraption is actually a slow cooker in disguise...and one which uses zero energy to boot. What the what?

My good friend Darcy was the first to tell me about the Wonderbag. I trust everything she recommends as she and I are equally thorough in our product selection so I knew I needed to consider it. Anything that makes cooking easier and/or less painful for me is a "win" in my book, so I decided to look a little further into it.

The Wonderbag is slightly more scientific than it looks, and is strategically designed to retain heat (or cold) for up to eight hours. With an insulated core that keeps heat from escaping, all you need to do is bring your food to a boil using conventional methods and then put it in the bag. Hours later and voila! your meal is not only fully cooked, but still piping hot. If that isn't compelling enough, the company is also socially responsible and for every bag purchased they donate a bag to a family in Africa. This company is making healthier, more sustainable meals all across the globe! After reading the incredible back story, reviews and getting input from fellow users, it was clear the Wonderbag made perfect sense for our boat. I reached out to the company to see if they would send us one and thankfully, they agreed.

WHAT I LOVE:

The first major advantage of the Wonderbag, for me, is the fact that I can cook dinner at noon. My girls nap every day from 12:30pm to about 2:30pm and this is literally the only time during daylight hours where I get anything productive done. I am usually out and about with the girls all morning and all afternoon, which means I am not home cooking. Come 4:45pm I am a harried and rushed mess trying to get our girls out of the pool/off the beach/back from the park and home in time to cook up something fast so I can get them bathed and in bed by 6:30pm. It's a little....hectic. Cooking on a small boat with three toddlers running amok is not exactly easy.

The Wonderbag changes all that.

The first meal I tried in my bag was my favorite go-to simple dish, one pot Mexican quinoa. I put the girls down for their naps and got to work. I followed the recipe, boiling the dish for 15 minutes or so and then plopping it in my Wonderbag. After wrangling the girls home from our afternoon outing, a hot meal was ready and waiting. No frantic thrown-together dinner. No rushing like mad because I needed to cook something, quick. We simply came home, showered up and ate. Sigh. I was sold.

The next meal I tried was a spinach lasagna. This one made me nervous because...well, lasagna made without the use of an oven? Strange. I found a recipe online, tweaked it slightly based on what I had available here, and got to work. Five hours later we had a delicious lasagna piping hot and ready to eat. Once again, I sang my gorgeous pillow-turned-cooking-contraption more praise.

I love that we use less energy to cook.

I love that I can leave food "cooking" on the boat without the worry of fire.

I love that, no matter what, the Wonderbag will not burn my food.

I love that I can cook at a time that is convenient for me.

I love that I can keep our girls out playing in nature, longer.

I just kind of love this thing.


WHAT I DON'T:

While the Wonderbag is amazing, it is a little on the large size which could be a problem for some smaller boats with less storage space. It resembles a giant pillow but, luckily, because it is "squish-able" is slightly easier to store. We have a small locker underneath a settee cushion where ours lives so it is not cumbersome or in the way in the slightest. Also, cooking with it can be a little tricky because water does not evaporate as it would over, say, a flame or in an oven. This means some recipes need a little tweaking. Luckily, the folks at Wonderbag have put together a great page on Tips and Tricks to help beginners like me. Like anything, I think the more I use this great product, the more efficient and easy it will be. They also have a fantastic Recipe Index with tried and true Wonderbag delights.


THE BOTTOM LINE:

I love my Wonderbag. For me, the fact that it keeps food warm for up to eight hours and allows me to cook meals at a time that is convenient for me is the only reason I need to own this thing. I LOVE IT.

Do you use a Wonderbag? Have any great recipes to share? Or is there another slow cooking method/product that you love aboard? Share in the comments if you wish!

Gift Ideas for Sailors, Live-Aboards and the Beachy-Chic

The holidays are upon us and already I have had a few readers with questions of what to get their loved ones. I have come up with a little list for the whole family here. Please note, these are ALL products we actively own, use, and love. I hope you find something for your special someone, or at least they might spark an idea for a special gift!

>>>>>>>For the Sailor Man<<<<<<<

Havaianas Men's Flip Flops -Scott and I both love these flip flops. These are all rubber, so they don't absorb odors or water. We've been loyal to this brand for years and while I will occasionally try another, we always come back to Havianas.

Quiksilver Straw Hat - What completes the "island look" better than anything else? A great straw hat is what! I got this one for Scott for his birthday last year and he loves it. Not so big it's obnoxious, but it keeps the sun off his face and has a chin strap to keep it from flying away. It's well made and looks great, too!

Wind Resistent Butane Lighter - I've written about this little gem before, and I stand by it. Scott has one of these and it's used very regularly from burning the ends of line to lighting birthday candles!

Peppers Polarized Sunglasses - You'll find this great brand of eyewear in many of the surf shops in these parts, and there's good reason! Polarized eyewear is a must for anyone who spends a lot of time on the water, and this is our go-to brand. They not only have great styles, but they come with a lifetime guarantee as well.

SailorBags Back Pack - I've sang this bag a lot of praise in past posts, but it's for good reason. We use ours every single day and Scott has used his as a weekend pack. Perfect for that special sailor guy who likes to pack a quick bag for a relaxing weekend on the boat.

Leatherman Multi-Tool - Our boat is busting at the seams with tools! Too many to mention, really, but this simple little tool packs quite a punch and has many tools in one. We actually have a couple of these on board and they're never far from reach.

Men's G-Shock Watch - We've gone through many brands of watches and daily wear plus saltwater plus sun doesn't seem to be a great combo for many brands. I found this brand and got Scott one to replace his old one and he loves it. Waterproof and shock proof, these watches are made to last. They also come in a ton of great colors and styles, Scott loves the gray and blue one I got him.

Bosch Compact Tough Drill/Driver Kit - Scott loves this little set and uses it for almost every "big job" on our boat.  Compact and stores nicely, but a high quality product that is built to last. We love ours.

>>>>>For the Beachy-Chic Sailor Girl<<<<<

Double High 5 Jelly Bracelets - If I am wearing jewelry it needs to be able to be worn 24/7 without getting ruined. Jelly bracelets, which were big back when I was a little girl, are kind of perfect for the island lifestyle. Waterproof, durable and stylish. These are made in Mali from recycled flip flops and the colors go with everything! I am complimented on mine all the time. Cheap, cute and supporting a good cause as well.

Neoprene Bikini Swimsuit - Apparently, this style of suit is all the rage. This brand allows you to enjoy the trend without dropping the big bucks. I have two of these suits and they are super cute on, pay attention to the reviews, though, as sizing is tricky. Order up.

Simplicity® Harem Shorts- Comfortable clothes that can do double duty on the beach and at home are what I love. These shorts are cozy enough to sleep in, but cute enough to wear out and about. They're cheap and stylish and great for going back and forth between beach and boat because the material is light and dries quickly.

Elan Genie Jumper - I found one of these on sale in a shop down here and had to have it! Now, several my beachy friends have them! Super lightweight, comfortable and very stylish - I currently own three of these and love to slip them on for an evening out. Getting a "dressed up" look in total comfort and with zero effort? That's how I like to roll!

prAna Women's Trucker Cap - Keeping the sun off my face is a big priority as my skin is starting to show the signs of sun damage! I love the mesh trucker caps these days and have several. Cute and fun and get the job done, great for lounging beach or poolside.

SailorBags Tote Bag - This bag has been my 'go-to' day purse for years. I love it. Big enough to carry my essentials as well as a few diapers and snacks for the girls, but not so big to be cumbersome, I use this bag every single day. The best feature? The zipper, which keeps the curious and prying hands of our twins out of my stuff!

Casio Baby G-Shock Watch - This is the woman's version of the men's watch I listed above and it's great. Stylish, waterproof and durable. These also come in SO many colors so whether you prefer plain or funky, there's something in their line for you.

Bronwen Jewelry - I love, love, LOVE this brand of jewelry. It's almost an obsession. I've told Scott if he ever is stumped on what to get me for my birthday or Christmas, to look no further than this site. Bronwen is not only a skilled designer, but a beautiful person and her pieces reflect that. They are made for active women and can be worn day in and day out, no problem. Her pieces are water, sun and sweat proof and perfect for the low-maintenance, outdoorsy girl who likes a little flair. I love the Toltec stacking rings, the Beleza bangle and the glass wrap bracelets. I also wear my mixed-metal Bhakti necklace and my three petal tiny charm necklace every day. I'm complimented all the times on all my Bronwen bling.

>>>>>>>For the Live-Aboard<<<<<<<

Gripsticks Bag Clips - We learned about these awesome bag clips from our good friends over at Where the Coconuts Grow. They are awesome! They come in many sizes so are great for everything from a small bag of Goldfish to a big back of tortilla ships. They offer a much better seal than traditional bag clips and take up hardly any drawer space at all. Love these things!

USB 12V Charger - We have lots of techno gadgets aboard, from iPads to Macbooks and this little device makes charging them a little easier. We have several of these aboard and they are great for those of us who like to keep our devices charged up but don't want to run our generators or inverters to do it.

Wet-It Swedish Dishcloth Set - I have written about these before, but they are a great little gift for boaters. These reusable dishcloths act like paper towels, but last much longer and are better for the environment. They don't last forever, and will need a wash here and there, but these are what we use to wipe our counters and such.

MPOWERD Luci Lux Inflatable Solar Lantern - We love the Christmas lights in our cockpit, but we have a few of these little lights as well and they are hard to beat! They take up hardly any room because they are inflatable and require zero energy because they are solar powered! Win/win! Great for creating cockpit ambiance or bringing to the beach for that evening-into-night barbecue.

Cards Against Humanity Game - This game is definitely not for the politically correct or uptight, but if you like to laugh and be inappropriate, this is your game. Whenever I have played tears of laughter ensue. It also has a small footprint and is easy to store, making a great go-to icebreaker game between cruisers.

24 oz Tervis Tumblers  - I have also written about these before, but Tervis tumblers make great gifts for cruising sailors. They keep drinks hot or cold, and are perfect for that evening BYO gathering at the beach for sunset and are pretty much spill proof when the lid is on. The 24oz cup is our preferred size because...well, the bigger the drink, the better. Don't forget to get the handle and lid (preferably in different colors so you can know who's drink is who's) as well!

Turkish Towels - Big fan of these towels. They are light enough to pack a couple in a day pack without being too bulky, absorbent enough to dry off after a dip, and are SO easy to launder. We have a set of eight of this brand of towel and we have even turned a bunch of our friends onto them as well. Great for boats or anyone that's on the go and doesn't want to be bogged down with big, bulky towels.

Kindle Paperwhite - I was so hesitant to get an e-reader because I love to read and was what you might call a "paper book snob". Now? If it's not on my Kindle, I probably won't read it. I read at least 2-3 books a month but the only time I have for reading these days is in bed late at night, the kindle makes it so easy to do this without keeping a light on (which bothers Scott). Win/win. I also have about 200 books on my Kindle and there is no way we'd be able to have that kind of library on board without it. I love the paperwhite version, it's easy on the eyes and looks just like a real book.

Canon Wireless Mobile Printer - We love our printer on board and have used it more than we ever imagined. I wrote pretty extensively about ours before, but suffice it to say, a small, mobile printer will definitely be useful on a cruising boat. From printing out customs documents to passport copies, we love ours. After four years of use and abuse, it's as good as new.

Olympus TG-4 Waterproof Digital Camera - This little camera is the one we throw in the backpack for beach outings and hikes. It takes great pictures and is tough enough to stand up to the cruising life being both shock and water proof. I've taken a bunch of underwater video and pics with ours, just be sure to give it a fresh water rinse after!

>>>>>>>For the Little Pirates<<<<<<< 

Check out my posts on products for boat babies and our favorite toys for the space conscious parent for some ideas!


I hope this list has given you some good ideas or at least got your wheels spinning. We love all of the above and hope you and yours enjoy them too!

All of the links above go to Amazon.com to make it easier for you to learn more. If you chose to buy these products through our links, you put a little extra money in our cruising kitty at no extra cost to you! Thank you!

Prepping to head Back to the Boat

This new chapter calls for a new piece of Patrick O'Brien art on our walls.

The girls and I head back to the boat and our new home of Tortola in four days. I have been single-momming it the past two weeks (a whole blog post in and of itself!) Scott has been on the island getting our boat ready and finalizing our work situation. My mom and dad have also been out of town, leaving me little time for preparation as solo-parenting three toddlers is a full-time job. Luckily, we've done this back and forth thing a few times now so we know the drill. But still, it's daunting and a little stressful. No matter how experienced you are, international travel with little ones is not for the weak of heart.

What makes this particular trip a little different is the fact that we are, in fact, moving to the British Virgin Islands. We will not be "cruising" per se, but we will be living on our boat (at the incredible Nanny Cay Marina), and will continue to sail and island hop when our work schedule allows. Lucky for us this is not hard to do in our chosen home where you can be at another incredible island in an hour or two if you wish. Long weekend? Let's go!

So how are we preparing for this move?

First of all, our boat is pretty well kitted out since we made the "big move" onto it last January. We shipped two boxes of goods via Tropical Shipping like we did last time. This was easy and painless - our boxes have already arrived in Tortola - and will make it so we travel a little bit lighter when we fly.

Times have certainly changed and instead of boat parts and such, we have shipped mostly household goods and children's gear. What's in our boxes? Take a peek:

A. Rattique Shelf Basket- I got three of these (in three great colors) for boat storage. They are plastic and durable, and will be great for holding our Turkish towels on deck and other items down below.

B. Sorbus Foldable Storage Drawer Set - I already have a small set of these on the boat and wanted one more for the shelves in some of our rooms. They are great at organizing small items and still looking nice.

C. Melissa & Doug On The Go Water Wows - I've written about these before and we love them. A simple, portable, and CLEAN 'on the go' toy.

D. Spielstabil Sand Toys - there is seriously no brand of sand toy superior to this one. We are thrilled to partner with this company and have a bunch of sets that will replace all our broken, mega-cheap sand toys. Because we use these daily - a quality item is important.

E. Cacala Turkish Bath Towel - my love of the Turkish towel is well known and we've turned quite a few people on to them. I got a couple more for our galley and one more large one for showering and the beach. Can never have too many, right? 

F. Vidalia Chop Wizard - This is one of my most beloved galley gadgets and, after four years, ours finally broke after I chopped down on a veggie a little too hard so I wanted to replace it.

G. LEGO DUPLO Box of Fun - our girls LOVE legos. The ones we currently have on the boat are generic and have lost any and all of their grip power, so I got the girls a nice deluxe set that works. They love them.

H. Brown Bear & Friends Board Books - We love the Brown Bear series of books and I found two more at TJ Max for a steal. Had to grab them.

A. Melissa & Doug Deluxe Mini-Puzzle Pack - the twins love puzzles but space being at a premium, I wanted something small. I found these sets at TJ Max for mega cheap and decided to given them a try. 8 tiny puzzles that take up hardly any space and come in their own little storage rack.

B. ClosetMaid Collapsible Storage Cubes - we keep all the girl's toys under our nav station in these stylish storage cubes. They fold flat, are super light, and not expensive so I grabbed another color to brighten things up.

C. Living on Twelve Volts With Ample Power and Get Your Captain's License - Scott had these reference books here at home and wanted to bring them down. The Captain's license book has some great information on marine laws and such, and the 12V book is also full of great power information.

D. Melissa & Doug Cube Puzzle - Another great TJ Max find, these amazing cube puzzles solve the problem of loosing thin, flimsy puzzle pieces by using CUBES! The girls LOVE these challenging puzzles and the best part is that one set provides six puzzles. We love to work on them together.

E. Roger Priddy Wipe Clean Toddler Workbooks - these wipe and clean work books come with a dry erase marker and are fantastic for the beginning homeschooler. We are going down island with a bunch of these and Isla loves working on them with mommy.

F. Re-Play Divided Toddler Plates - I wanted to get some new plates for the girls since the ones on the boat were getting yucky, and found these whose color scheme I love (Our boat is very colorful!) The fact that they are made of recyled plastic and are super cheap was a nice bonus.

G. Usborne Touchy Feely Books - these books are fantastic and every time I can grab one, I do. The twins LOVE them and they are great for introducing sensory skills to beginning readers. We probably have ten of these.

A. Swim Vest with Safety Strap - of course we have life jackets (and puddle jumpers) for the girls, but I wanted something very low-pro that I could use in a pinch when on the beach or pool that would provide enough flotation but not be super cumbersome like a life vest. We'll see how these work.

B. TubTrugs - very proud to partner with this company who's flexible (and mega-durable) tubs will be awesome for everything from doing laundry, to lugging items to and for, to toy storage.

C. Pre-Washed White Quinoa, 5-Pound Bag - Groceries are ALL expensive in the BVI's, but Quinoa really broke the bank. $25 for a small bag! We eat a lot of quinoa so I sent 10 lbs of the stuff down!

D. Plan Toys Nuts and Bolts - we are very interested in the Montessori method for educating our girls, and these toys are well aligned with the theory, teach dexterity and small motor coordination as well as take up a small amount of space.

E. Spielstabil Sailboat Set (and extra water can) - we will be at the beach every day. A nice array of quality sand toys to help enjoy it are key!

1. Green Toys Tea Set - our girls LOVE playing "tea party" and when I saw this set for $10 at TJ Max, I had to get it.

2. Deluxe Duplo Lego Set (in lock-n-lock bin)- Already wrote about the legos, but I chose to store them in a lock and lock bin to deter legos spilling all over the place when sailing (this happened a lot with our last set!)

3. Sailor Bags Back Packs - I cannot sing enough praise about this backpack. We love and use it so much we have TWO!

4. 2-Quart Teakettle - I wanted a replacement water kettle so opted for this 2 quart model. I love the color and the size is perfect for our little galley.

So that is the bulk of what we shipped. The rest of the stuff is mostly clothes and toiletries.

My lists have been made and are slowly getting checked off. Three out of our five sailor bag duffles have been packed and we just made a diaper run to Costco to fill a bag with those.

Goodbyes are being said and while it's always hard to come and go like we do, it's nice to know that we will be coming back for visits in the summers (aka "hurricane season) to connect with friends and family. We are also very excited and eager to begin this new chapter of our life. It's going to be a big one! Luckily, Scott has our boat all ready for our arrival (he even stocked up on my wine!) and so the transition will be a little bit easier not having to spend a couple nights in a hotel. We will simply pick up where we left of in our little floating home. We're excited, for sure. Change is in the air and we are as ready as we can be.

For now, the girls are napping and I've gotta get packing! More to come.