ilovedolphins
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Post by ilovedolphins on Jul 20, 2017 21:24:19 GMT -5
I'm not for sure what to call them but they consist of Home Chef, Blue Apron, Hello Fresh, etc. I tried Hello Fresh with a coupon so it only cost half price and thought it was interesting but time consuming. I can't find a lot of the ingredients in my small town but they included some meals that were really good that I would not have tried on my own. And there were left overs from my son and my portions.
They are pretty expensive at $9.99 per serving but if I added together all the stuff that I bought for a meal or two and only used a bit of it..it may be cost effective.
What is your viewpoint on them?
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siralynn
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Post by siralynn on Jul 20, 2017 21:54:03 GMT -5
I don't do the ones that deliver the food, but I've been pretty happy using a recipe service (thefresh20.com) for the last two years.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Jul 21, 2017 1:35:10 GMT -5
I go here for ideas. If something looks interesting, I try making it. Finding ingredients is no problem in this city. The site changes all the time. I tried a lot of their Korean and Thai recipes. www.zergnet.com/v/food
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Jul 21, 2017 6:50:22 GMT -5
We have tried Blue Apron and Hello Fresh (free codes from other subscribers).
Blue Apron was okay. I thought the meal selection was pretty limited and then all of the ingredients are just thrown in a big box and you have to sort out what is necessary for each recipe. Their ingredients were okay, but I thought they weren't very high quality and not as nice.
Hello Fresh was pretty good. All of the ingredients for a specific meal are packaged into one small box, so you can easily fit 3-4 boxes in your fridge (we had to put the Blue Apron ingredients in a big plastic bag in our fridge and then dig around to find what we needed). I liked the menu choices of Hello Fresh, and I thought their ingredients were nice and fresh.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Jul 21, 2017 9:49:59 GMT -5
We have been using emeals for meal planning for the last 6 months or so. We use it for diabetic meal plans for DH, and has also helped us both lose weight. It is just meal planning. I don't mind grocery shopping. The idea is that they give you 7 meals a week with a shopping list. DH is kind of picky, so he only usually picks 3 or 4 meals, then we use a diabetic cookbook for others.
I don't have too much trouble finding ingredients, even do most shopping at Walmart. It has made us try things that we didn't eat before, and most of the recipes are fairly easy to follow and usually pretty tasty. The diet is pretty vegetable intensive, so some require a lot of prep, but others are fairly quick.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Jul 21, 2017 10:00:29 GMT -5
We've tried Hello Fresh and I'd echo Steph's comments. I think between the initial free trial, the free coupons that came in our first box, and the time I forgot to auto-cancel my subscription for a week, I probably spent $100 total on either 5 or 6 weeks' worth of dinners over the course of a few months (3 meals per week). It was a nice way to branch out on our dinner choices and we've added a few Hello Fresh recipes to our regular rotation.
My mom got a couple of boxes too. There was a shipping snafu on the first one that wasn't HF's fault (it sat outside for a day at the UPS facility), but they replaced the full box for free and shipped it overnight. Most of the ingredients weren't super-perishable, so she basically only had to pitch the meat from the first box, the second one was fine, and both were free.
If I had to estimate, I'd say each of the weekly shipments (which I think were $60 or $70) probably only contained $25 or so of actual ingredients, so definitely not cost-effective when you look at it that way, but IMO it was worth it to essentially be forced into trying some new stuff. I find it very hard to get motivated to make "new" foods (even though I'll happily eat them), and DH is picky, so it's easy to get into a rut.
I keep getting ads for Sun Basket and I have a $25 off/$75 coupon, so I may try it next.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jul 21, 2017 10:41:45 GMT -5
I was tempted but then found out I can get their recipes online for free. If I am interested enough I'll Google ingredients I can't find for substitutions. I started with their Yakiniku chicken.
Turned out Yakiniku sauce contains ingredients I already had in my fridge and pantry. Why spend $9/serving when I could make it at home for practically nothing?
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Jul 21, 2017 10:45:39 GMT -5
We have also added some recipes to our rotation - mainly sides/veggies cooked in a different way than before.
But for the price, it's really not worth it. You still have to do the prep and cooking. But for someone who works a ton and doesn't have time to grocery shop or meal plan, I can see it being a good alternative to take-out.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Jul 21, 2017 10:50:26 GMT -5
I visit the websites to get new ideas. I've found some good ones that way. I've never ordered though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2017 11:04:14 GMT -5
Got a free trial of Blue Apron as my brother subscribed. I was disappointed. The food quality was good, but the size of the meals was terrible. I was on the small plan which was supposed to be for 2 people, 3 meals. For every meal I ate both servings so only got 3 meals out of the plan. The preparation time was huge (always took over 1 hour) and cleanup was also huge (dirties about every dish you own). Sorry but at $20/meal I can eat out at places with just as healthy (if not healthier) locally owned restaurants and not have to do the cooking/clean-up. Alternatively, if I buy the ingredients, I can make/store 6-8 meals for the prep/clean up time and cost is probably <$5/meal for the type recipes they are supplying.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jul 21, 2017 11:16:51 GMT -5
We have also added some recipes to our rotation - mainly sides/veggies cooked in a different way than before. But for the price, it's really not worth it. You still have to do the prep and cooking. But for someone who works a ton and doesn't have time to grocery shop or meal plan, I can see it being a good alternative to take-out. I noticed the prep time involved in some of those recipes. One recipe the prep time was 45 minutes! I don't think a lot of those recipes would appeal to people who are looking to save time in the kitchen or "hate to cook". You'd be better off buying a 15 minute meal cookbook.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Jul 21, 2017 15:41:37 GMT -5
DD uses Superfit foods. She loves it
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Jul 21, 2017 16:50:49 GMT -5
DD uses Superfit foods. She loves it Too bad they're only in FL. I'd use them if they were here.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Jul 21, 2017 21:01:05 GMT -5
But for the price, it's really not worth it. You still have to do the prep and cooking. But for someone who works a ton and doesn't have time to grocery shop or meal plan, I can see it being a good alternative to take-out. This is what BIL and SIL mentioned. Some of their friends got them a few weeks worth of food when their child was born. They were used to eating out much more, so they thought $10/person/meal was a good price.
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seriousthistime
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Post by seriousthistime on Jul 23, 2017 14:39:38 GMT -5
I'm trying Freshly.
It's different from Blue Apron and Hello Fresh because the meals are fully prepared. You just heat them up. It might be good for me because it would force me to eat dinner. I get home so late some nights that dinner is going to be beer and popcorn, nuts, or trail mix. Or I stop by a restaurant on the way home. So this would be better for my health and wouldn't cost any more than what I spend at restaurants.
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ilovedolphins
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Post by ilovedolphins on Jul 23, 2017 15:09:43 GMT -5
How are the meals doing for you? I am going to check into it. I didn't really like all the prep work.
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Jul 23, 2017 17:55:31 GMT -5
I checked the freshly website and they aren't in my area yet, but they'll notify when they are. I liked some of their meals and would try them for the days when both DH and I are really busy and need a quick meal.
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ilovedolphins
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Post by ilovedolphins on Jul 23, 2017 18:16:00 GMT -5
Now that my son has moved out and I am alone I need to eat healthy. Otherwise I end up with a hotdog or cereal for supper.
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milee
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Post by milee on Jul 23, 2017 18:24:52 GMT -5
Now that my son has moved out and I am alone I need to eat healthy. Otherwise I end up with a hotdog or cereal for supper. My boys are away for a couple of weeks and I was just telling my friend how much healthier I eat when they're gone. When they're around, I make full "meals" - meat, veggies, grain and also have all sorts of snacks. For breakfast, they'll usually have oatmeal or eggs, but I keep cereal around for quick breakfasts or snacks. They eat veggies and fruits, but not as much of a variety as I do, so the fruits and veggies I have when they're around are pretty standard/boring. But when it's just me, I tend to have mostly fruits, veggies, cottage cheese, fish and beans. No cereal and rarely any meat other than an occasional chicken breast. I'll make a smoothie or new experiment for a meal or just eat a fruit or veggie and some beans pr a cheese quesadilla. Or I'll make up a recipe of gazpacho and eat it for a couple of days. Tomorrow I'm trying a spiralized sweet potato puttanesca. It's nice to have an assortment of whatever fruits and veggies are in season and on sale rather than sticking to the dozen that the boys will reliably eat. This morning I was craving something eggy and pancaky so I made up some spoonbread; wasn't exactly healthy but was less unhealthy than the pancakes or french toast I'd probably have made the boys if they were here. IOW, I really like eating on my own.
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seriousthistime
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Post by seriousthistime on Jul 23, 2017 20:20:33 GMT -5
How are the meals doing for you? I am going to check into it. I didn't really like all the prep work. I haven't gotten my first delivery yet. I'll let you know.
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ilovedolphins
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Post by ilovedolphins on Jul 23, 2017 20:33:25 GMT -5
I signed up for it and will see. My first delivery isn't until Aug 2. They appear to have a lot of stuff that I like.
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seriousthistime
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Post by seriousthistime on Jul 24, 2017 8:24:21 GMT -5
I signed up for it and will see. My first delivery isn't until Aug 2. They appear to have a lot of stuff that I like. Mine too! As I look at the next few weeks, it seems as if the food choices are the same, but then I see banners on some meals that say "New." So hopefully they rotate enough dishes in and out that I won't get bored.
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Jul 24, 2017 17:30:39 GMT -5
I did Blue Apron for a couple months. It was fun to try new recipes but DH hates fish and the non-fish dishes are pretty cheap. It was a lot of pasta, chicken, pork, burgers, meatballs, a different slaw every week. Just didn't seem worth the cost. I'm trying a menu planning site now called Cooksmarts. It's ok but most of the recipes are too healthy to be filling so I doubt I'll renew next year.
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Jul 25, 2017 13:04:29 GMT -5
I've never tried them because I don't mind grocery shopping. It isn't cost effective at all and I have read about prep times... so there doesn't appear to be any really UP side to the service. I love to cook, so if i want to try something new I just find a new recipe online or go through one of my cookbooks or cooking mags.
A service where food is already prepped makes more sense to me. but then again, there's always take out/delivery.
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kittensaver
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Post by kittensaver on Jul 25, 2017 13:32:53 GMT -5
I've never ordered any service, but I have had Girl's Night Out where we made dinner with a food box from one of the services. I was mildly appalled at how much trash ( especially plastic) was generated from just one boxed dinner. 2 ounces of vinegar in a specially-manufactured little plastic bottle than you then throw away? *smh* This is one of those times when convenience = resource wastefulness. YMHO YMMV
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grumpyhermit
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Post by grumpyhermit on Jul 25, 2017 13:51:46 GMT -5
I've never tried them because I don't mind grocery shopping. It isn't cost effective at all and I have read about prep times... so there doesn't appear to be any really UP side to the service. I love to cook, so if i want to try something new I just find a new recipe online or go through one of my cookbooks or cooking mags. A service where food is already prepped makes more sense to me. but then again, there's always take out/delivery. I have been using BA for a couple of months. Variety is mediocre, as is the quality on some of the produce. The upside for me is that I hate cooking. If left to my own devices, I will eat scrambled eggs or a sandwich. I wanted to get out of the food rut I was in, and try new recipes. I am also super lazy, so while I could research recipes and shop for ingredients, I knew I wouldn't. At some point I will get sick of overpaying, or picking between the kind of limited menu options, and cancel. Until then it is serving it's purpose for me, which is to cook new and different things.
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seriousthistime
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Post by seriousthistime on Jul 26, 2017 10:35:10 GMT -5
One thing I liked about Blue Apron was that some of the produce wasn't available locally so I liked trying new veggies and fruits. There is one recipe I still make from time to time. Love love love it!
I could do delivery or takeout but that gets costly too. I'm also trying the Trader Joe's prepared entrees (chicken fajitas, chicken piccata, etc.). Those are two or three servings each and need some supplementation (veggies). The ones I've tried are good.
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Jul 26, 2017 12:43:34 GMT -5
I've tried some of Trader Joe's prepared entrees and we really like the ones we've tried, especially the Chicken Piccata. We also like some of their frozen food, especially the tomato and brie pizza. I could eat the whole thing!
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seriousthistime
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Post by seriousthistime on Aug 3, 2017 11:58:59 GMT -5
ilovedolphins, did you get your Freshly delivery? I got mine yesterday and tried one meal, the pork tenderloin. The pork was tender and flavorful. The gravy was meh. Potatoes okay, and the veggies seemed very fresh. I ate all the veggies but still have pork and potato left over for lunch today. I like the packaging; much better than Blue Apron. Looking forward to trying another meal today.
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ilovedolphins
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Post by ilovedolphins on Aug 3, 2017 12:46:41 GMT -5
MIne is supposed to come today I hope. I will let you know how they are.
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