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Meal Prep Kits

JillW

JillW

I love lavend ... zzzzzz ...
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I am curious if anyone has feedback regarding "Meal Kits" - like Blue Apron, Hello Fresh etc.

I just cleaned out our spice cabinet and had to throw away nearly full bottles of many kinds of spices ... (some expired in 2005 - oh my!).

I wonder if in the long run the kits are less expensive since "everything" is pre-portioned in size.
 
I went to a Wild Tree Party & got a freezer meal prep kit. It had enough for 10 meals. It's nice having pre-made meals, but they aren't very economical for a large family....because those 10 meals are really like 5 meals for us.

I've never done one where you get the kits mailed to you monthly.
 
@jk703 had tried one I believe.

I haven't done the meal kits, but I have bought the McCormick recipe starter things where all the spices are included and ready to go. It was ok, but really expensive for one meal. I'm lucky and my grocery store sells spices in bulk. They aren't always the freshest, but I love being able to buy 1 tablespoon of something for a new recipe. Then buy the good stuff if we liked it!
 
I have tried these.

I wanted to try Blue Apron since I first heard about it. I found a groupon this year, for $25 for 3 meals for my family. I finally tried it out. I got the family box, which are supposed to be less "adventurous" and family oriented. The box itself was packed well, and I sorted all the ingredients. After making the meals, I remember that the portions are super small. I'm not a huge dinner eater, but my hubby and kids usually are. My kids didn't like the meals very much, and groaned every time I made a meal. I wasn't too impressed myself. I really only remember the one meal, and it was the better of the 3. I even scrapped about it. :giggle



We also tried Hello Fresh. I received a coupon for a free $79 box from a friend. That is the cost of a two person box of 3 meals, but I needed a family box... so I paid a small difference, I think $25 or so. So... we received our box. This was organized and much easier to put in my fridge. Each meal had boxes and I sorted and stored it in them. I made the first meal - Rosemary Beef Skewers, Veggies, and it was relatively easy, and tasty. Not huge helpings, but I made extra garlic bread, lol! The second meal was meh... it was a Thyme chicken, and we weren't fans. The third meal I had put off until I had to make it. I was not thrilled about it at all. I have to find the picture I took - it was FANTASTIC! It was some Sausage Risotto... Scrumptious! I'll find that recipe.

After all this... I would do Hello Fresh again hands down... but not as a weekly service. It is too expensive for me. Plus, I don't like all the meals, and I guess we are a little more picky than others.

Plus... there are a lot of packages, containers, Ice packs, etc. You have to look into recycling. Like... the ice pack that comes is as big as a cafeteria tray... and it can't be drained down your sink.

Sorry... this is a novel.

Let me know if you have questions... I'll try to answer.
 
Thanks, Courtney! @bestcee

(PS... that is the first time I've heard you talk, at the chat the other day... I think you have a vibrant voice and a contagious laugh. I know that sounds weird... I don't know how people really sound in my head. My voice is unfortunately, high. :giggle)
 
@jk703 Thanks for all of the info and recipes Jenn! I laughed when you said you made extra garlic toast! I would do something like that!! It's only my husband and I that I have to cook for - and we are pretty finicky too - and set in our ways! LOL!
 
I haven't ever used any of the subscription box services, but I order my groceries from Peapod and they have meal kits. There was one night a week that it was only my son and I home for dinner, we would pick a different meal kit for two to try each week. They were all really good and perfectly portioned! We've tried their larger ones for families and those seem to be hit or miss (those are "sponsored" kits by different brands... not sure if that makes a difference). The 2 person ones contained every last thing you needed measured out (even salt, pepper and olive oil)... the family ones assumed you had those things on hand.
 
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I don't think we have anything like that here in BC. If I was single, it would be something I'd try. I'm more into the freezer cooking.
 
We did it once. I can't remember which service it was now (maybe Plated?), but it was pretty yummy. Pricey though. We got a discount on the first purchase, but didn't really want to spend the $$ on a regular basis. The portions were way too small for hubby. LOL.
 
i haven't tried these. my hubby is a chef and i don't think he'd go for it at all.
 
I didn't get the prep kind, I got the meals already made by Freshly. They were ok, but not worth the price. They were really small portions too. Hubby called it "The Glorified Hungry Man Dinners".
 
We did the HelloFresh & I honestly can't really remember the price- it was with a coupon of course that got us hooked. I have a SUPER DUPITY DUPER picky husband so some of menu items to choose from were just for me (but it was delicious- some shrimp lettuce wrap thingys.) A few of the meals we tried were delicious & like Jen, I loved the packaging & presentation. It was very easy & a fun way to mix up our boring ole routine! ;) We still make some of the meals & just buy ingredients (apple pork burgers are a new family fave!) I say go for it- especially with free or heavily discounted options to dip your toes in & see!
 
I've never tried any of these, but I'm pretty sure I'd be thinking "I could do this cheaper myself" the whole time. :giggle Now if these meal plans came with a cook... I'd probably dive in head first! I hate taking the time to cook... always have a zillion other things I'd rather be doing, but if I don't cook, food doesn't appear on the table, so...
 
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