Worthwhile Renewables

Subscriptions can be a great way to save money, find products that may not be available to you locally, and remind you to restock before you run out. I’ve subscribed to many brands over the years and I try to do a yearly audit to see what products I actually used and which ones were worth the cost. While the convenience is nice, it’s easy to forget to cancel when you don’t need it.

However, there are a few brands that I love and that are easy to put on pause when you need to. The following have made my life easier.

Grove Collaborative: This is a one stop shop for all things cleaning supplies. I’ve done my best over the last year to switch to safer cleaning products and Grove makes it easy. The prices are better than you’d find in a retail store and every member gets a complimentary box of goods when you make your first order. I love the Mrs Meyers hand and kitchen soap, as well as their bulk laundry detergent.

Thrive Market: If you like Whole Foods, but don’t like the shock when you look at the receipt, then Thrive is for you. They have the best selection of healthy bulk food items and their Thrive branded items are staples in our house. I always find something new when I re-order. You can even set reminders if your favorite items are out of stock. Every paid membership to Thrive Market is matched with a free membership for someone in need.

Billie: Razors are expensive. My go to Schick refills are $14 on Amazon and it was a hassle to remember to buy them until I was already out. Enter Billie. You’ve probably seen them all over Instagram. It seems like every influencer joined the Billie bandwagon, but I understand why. Not only is the branding cute, but the razors are a deal. You get a monthly refill pack for $9 and now I always have them when I need them. The razors come with a handy holder and you can add a cover for when you travel.

Ritual: I’ve talked about Ritual essential vitamins before and I highly recommend them. I get a new bottle every month, which means I have no excuse not to take them everyday. They also just came out with an essential vitamin for the men in your life.

Butcherbox: I’m picky about my meat and due to COVID, it has been even harder to find meat at the grocery store. All of the beef, chicken, and pork are grassfed and organic. I like knowing where the meat was sourced and it makes it so easy to have a fully stocked freezer. I put a subscription on our wedding registry and I’ve been ordering ever since. You can use this link for $15 off your first order.

Now for the recipe. Our friends made this for us after Lucy’s arrival and we loved it. I couldn’t stop eating it and we always have the ingredients on hand.

Black Bean Quinoa Enchilada Bake via Two Peas and a Pod

1 cup uncooked quinoa rinsed
2 cups water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 jalapeno, diced
2 bell peppers, diced
1 cup corn frozen kernels
Juice of 1 small lime
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
30 oz canned black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups red enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cook the quinoa in the water and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, and jalapeno. Sauté until softened. Add in the peppers and corn. Add the lime juice, cumin, chili powder, and cilantro. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

In a bowl, add the cooked quinoa and black beans. Add the vegetable mixture and stir to combine. Pour in the enchilada sauce and stir. Add 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.

Pour the black bean and quinoa mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining shredded cheese. Cover the pan with foil. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove foil. Bake an additional 10 minutes.