My FAVORITE New Tool for Easy Meal Prep

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.