Is it a new fangled gadget? A fancy new appliance? Nope! I finally found my favoritest (is that a word?) tool for easy meal prep and I have to tell you it totally and utterly rocked my world last week. Let’s just say that after stepping off the plane from an amazing girls’ trip to Florida I walked through the door sans meal plan, sans ingredients, and STILL had everything I needed for three amazing home cooked meals that required very little prep time.
How ’bout them apples? Or should I say… how ’bout them chickens with ramps and peas and mashed sweet potatoes?
By the way, I always wondered what a ramp was. Now I know.
Sounds fancy, right? Uh-uh, not fancy, just practical. Turns out that having all the perfectly portioned ingredients for a freshly made meal delivered to my doorstep is exactly what I need to ensure my family has a healthy dinner despite my crazy schedule. My Blue Apron box was waiting for me when I got home from my trip and it contained EVERYTHING I needed for three meals in one spot, portioned out and ready to prep– a no-brainer for a tired mama trying to keep things running smoothly.
It occurred to me as I was making the meal that obviously I’m not the only person with a crazy schedule. I work from home, but I know so many of you work from, well, from WORK and rush to pick up your kids and STILL need to find a way to get dinner on the table. Blue Apron would be awesome for you, too– plus it cuts your grocery shopping time significantly since the meal planning is already done for you.
My meals arrived in a box with the recipe cards on top and the ingredients wrapped in insulation inside. The meat was separate and packed with cold packs. I snapped these pics at night, grateful to have my meal planning DONE for the week!
Making the meal was therapeutic. I actually love cooking, so it was a rare treat to have everything within reach and take some time to create meals for my family. Plus it was a great way to experience new flavor combos and ingredients.
I love how all the ingredients were packed for you– especially since I was all out of Gochugaru. (GOCHUGARU? What? Yay for new things!)
I didn’t have to measure, or plan, or shop. I just… prepped and cooked. Ahhhhh. Can you smell that garlic and thyme?
Here’s a behind the scenes story for you: our township actually issued a ‘boil water’ advisory the same day my box arrived. I started to panic because we were without water for four days! No worries, the meat had a long expiration date and I stuck the fish in the freezer. By the time our water was safe, the veggies were STILL fresh and I carried on as usual.
But Carrie, how rude, showing photos of homemade dinner without sharing with us. Fret not, I have you covered! Blue Apron is offering a generous 30% off discount for the first 250 Making Lemonade readers that claim it! That’s the equivalent of 2 free meals, so get on that discount. I know I sure am, especially for hectic weeks or after weekends when I’m away since that’s typically when I do my meal planning and shopping.
So how was the meal? Pretty delicious, if I say so myself! Plus it was gluten-free, but not a soul noticed (except me, of course).
I’m telling you, Blue Apron meals are my favorite new kitchen tool. Now, if only Blue Apron would workout at the gym for me instead, all my problems would be solved. 😉
This post is brought to you by Blue Apron and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.
Omigosh, seriously!? I need this. How is it delivered? I skimmed, so did you share that? I would love to try this! I don’t mind cooking, but I never seem to have all the ingredients I need on hand and hate the grocery store. This is brillz!
They send it in a box with ice packs with everything portioned out and neatly packed so all you need to do is prep the food and cook it. IT’S AWESOME. I think I might actually sign up to start doing it a few weeks this summer– the price is pretty good when you compare it to what I spend on groceries each month. DO IT! It’s wonderful!
Hey Carrie,
I’m using Blue Apron too and love it! Do your kids like it?? I want to share it with my readers but my children are grown.
Thanks!
Cyndi
Hi Cyndi! My kids are 4 and 5, so their taste buds are a little less refined. No one except me likes sweet potatoes (but I ate the leftovers all week, so good!) but both kids liked the peas and one liked the chicken. My son is sooooo picky, so unfortunately he usually ends up eating just a yogurt and fruit or something light for dinner no matter what I serve. But I think that kids with more refined palettes would really like it, and I might use Blue Apron for my husband and I and have modified meals for the kids because I love it too!!!
this sounds awesome! High quality ingredients… no food shopping … score!
Yes, I have tried a similar service and is great for a busy night of the week. It is not enough food for a family of four but I know they customize. Need to look into this!
Wow that meal looks outrageous! I need to check this out more!
sounds so yummy I would love to check then out.