Exploring Meal Kit Delivery: Why It Works For Us

 This content has been sponsored by HelloFresh. Regardless the images an opinions contained below are genuine and copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2017.

Thanks to Momma's helicopter parenting style I was taught essential cooking skills from a very young age.

Okay, what I was really taught was how to do 'prep work' such as washing and peeling potatoes, mixing marinades, trimming chicken, and measuring ingredients. Long before we had magical tablets to bark directions at us in the kitchen there was me, the loyal daughter reading off fine print from Betty Crocker's cook book. Of course I picked up some essential cooking skills too- I learned to add cold oil to a hot pan to prevent sticking, that meats continue to cook after being removed from a hot surface, and to always taste your food when cooking. Things, in my adult life, I've taken for granted as common knowledge. That was, until I met Jay.

In the 5 years we have been together Jay has never made a meal from scratch. It's not from laziness, or lack of wanting, but from a deep rooted fear of mucking things up. I like to think he has this vision of the entire kitchen engulfed in flames from a pot of water catching on fire. So, in our household that has been the main obstacle to eating delicious home cooked meals on a nightly basis. That and the fact that I simply don't have the time to go into the store shop meal-by-meal each week. Schedules change, and some nights I'm happy if I remember to change out of my clothes before bedtime. And let's not discuss the cost and waste involved in trying to meal plan for 2 people 7 nights a week.

So, for those reasons, and so many more, we've been experimenting with the ever-so-popular meal kit delivery trend. There are many companies out there offering these types of services and it can be overwhelming to know where to start or what to expect. I've found HelloFresh is the perfect place to dip your toes, with an easy to navigate online portal and a very relaxed subscription format.

You'll start by heading online- If you've never ordered from HelloFresh before you can enjoy $30 off your first box, plus free shipping, with my exclusive code: MOMMAJ30.

Once online you'll set up a very basic profile identifying whether you typically are shopping for a couple or a family (3-4 people) and your personal palette preferences (classic gourmet meals, family styled meals, or vegetarian). At that point you'll be given a preview of the upcoming week's meals and allowed to select the number of meals which you want delivered (3, 4, or 5). I especially like this option because it gives me the chance to sort of customize and plan my meal plan for the upcoming week. If I was planning on cooking chicken outside of my HelloFresh box then I might decide to go with another protein based meal during my selection process.

You'll choose a delivery date. In order to ensure the freshest ingredients, and prompt delivery, there's only a 3 day delivery window during the week. Of course your box and ingredients will last many more days beyond delivery, when stored properly in your home, so you will have some freedom to plan your meals and nights.

You are never locked into a commitment or contract- After your first box you can delay or cancel as desired- We like to enjoy a meal delivery box once or twice a month as our schedule demands. You can use HelloFresh as often or as little as fits your family's schedule. Pause your deliveries for up to 5 weeks, or opt-out of deliveries on a week to week basis if desired.

When your HelloFresh box arrives it might seem overwhelming and exciting all at once. It's a big box! Inside you'll find the key ingredients for each meal packaged in individual boxes (sectioned by meal). I like to keep everything in their appropriate box until we're ready to cook each meal but not all fridges will accommodate three or more of these smaller boxes. Regardless you will want to check the contents of each box and cross reference the provided ingredients lists to make sure everything arrived in good order. Proteins are not shipped and stored in the smaller meal boxes- we almost threw ours out! Make sure to check under the meal boxes, in between the ice packs, to remove your proteins upon unpacking.

Your box will also include sturdy, illustrated, recipe cards for each of your meals. On this recipe cards you will find the provided ingredients, and portioning, any necessary ingredients or supplies you need to prepare (bowls, cling wrap, water, etc) and step by step instructions to prepare your dishes.

If you are receiving the family (3-4 person) sized boxes most of your ingredients will be doubled. This will be noted on the recipe card under the ingredients but does not always translate to the instructions, which are written for the general base (2 person) recipe. I suggest reading your recipe card ahead of time to make sure any ingredient portioning or prep-work is addressed before you're in the middle of cooking your meal.

One of the things I love especially about HelloFresh is how well the instructions are timed. One person can effectively manage their time in the kitchen without wasting a moment and efficiently prepare a meal with minimal to no experience. Nearly all of your ingredients provided will require some sort of prep on your part, but the recipe card integrates this prep into the instructions at timed intervals that make the most of down time (IE: where your buns are toasting or your water is boiling).

I also love how fun HelloFresh is for both new home cooks and seasoned chefs, such as myself. I've always wanted to make stuffed burgers from scratch but never knew quite where to begin with flavor profiles or the filling. HelloFresh's Juicy Lucy burgers broke the entire process down. I now have the confidence to make them again, perhaps even with a few of my own twists!

And the food? I find the flavor profiles are strong, yet natural- the fresh ingredients keep questionable things out of my meals and really allow true flavors to shine through. If I encounter an ingredient I haven't worked with before I can even learn how to prep and handle it like a pro. In general the service has not only saved me time and money on busy weeknights, but also expanded my confidence in the kitchen and taught me a few new tricks!

Perhaps, best of all for me, it's even inspired Jay to take the apron and cook on his own. In fact, he rather enjoyed the pride that came from preparing meals from scratch, and I've noticed he's gotten a lot more confident with the knife! Having pre-portioned ingredients in addition to the easy-to-follow recipe cards really provides all the tools for success, and even brings back a little bit of fun to the kitchen again!

Have you ever tried HelloFresh? If you've never ordered from HelloFresh head on over now to enjoy $30 off your first box, plus free shipping, with my exclusive code: MOMMAJ30. This code will only be around through the first week of May!

BistroMD Day 4: Curried Chicken w/Couscous + Chicken Normandy

***I received a 5 Day, meal only, plan from BistroMd for the purpose of this review series. No further compensation was provided.All content and images are original and copyright Momma Told Me 2013.
Day 4:

While I am, personally, a big champion of the BistroMD mealplans, and approved all of the possible dishes eligible for my culinary preferences, Day 4 of this round disappointed in a sense. It's not that the entrees weren't flavorful, or filling, but the specific collection of these 3 dishes, together, was a bit underwhelming. If possible, I prefer to have multiple protein sources throughout the day, and it seems this round of BistroMD meals has featured chicken predominantly. This particular day, my lunch and dinner entrees both featured a large chicken breast. I would have liked to have seen shredded or diced chicken, or even beef or pork on today's menu, but I must keep in mind that these meal schedules are designed by an actual nutritionist with the intent of providing well rounded nutrients first most. I'm sure no major harm would have come from my swapping a Day 5 entree with one of my chicken features, but I prefer to follow the plan as laid out for me.

For breakfast this day I awoke to South of The Border Egg Whites with a breakfast pinto bean medley of peppers, onions, and tomatoes. I've never had pinto beans as a breakfast side before, but I quickly realized this is not much different than a vegetarian breakfast burrito! Plating the item individually, rather in a burrito format, allows me to give them more consideration while eating, and leads to that target 'full' feeling quicker. It's always a treat when I get to enjoy egg whites in the morning, and these round patties were no disappointment. While the aesthetics weren't appetizing, to me, the zesty salsa verda smothering my entree smelled enticing and kept the fluffy eggs palatable. My only desire at the end of the meal was that thee has been more sauce to drench the beans as well.

For lunch I was greeted by a familiar entree, BistroMD's Gluten Free French Style Chicken Normandy. Okay, it sounds a little more refined than it actually is. This plate is more like what I would make for myself at home, when counting calories. It features a medium sized grilled chicken breast in a light Normandy sauce accompanied by roasted carrot sticks and an Eggplant Ratatouille. The sleeve for this entree mentions diced apples alongside the Normandy, but I couldn't find them? Regardless, the Normandy sauce baked onto the chicken sort of like a cheese and stole a little moisture form the traditionally tender BistroMD breast. Luckily the Eggplant Ratatouille was quite indulgent and rich in flavor and moisture. I consumed this lunch by wedging chunks of ratatouille alongside a fork-full of chicken. At just 310 calories for this entire meal, I was stuffed well through the afternoon, and ate every bite.

When dinner rolled around I was beginning to feel the pangs of hunger creep in and opened my fridge to pull the thawed Curried Chicken with Couscous out. This particular entree is not Gluten Free, and has a total of 330 calories. With a Thai appeal, the dish is packaged in a single compartment tray and features ingredients layered together, to be eaten as a whole component. A large chicken breast is wedged between layers of tri-colored couscous in coconut milk and torn cilantro, served atop a bed of shredded carrots, and garnished with tender raisins. It's not a culinary creation I'd ever think up, but the savory couscous compliments the sweetness of the raisins and the texture of the carrots quite well. There's a bit of chewing involved in this meal, which lends to it's hearty portioning and the content full feeling when done. I actually couldn't finish my last bite, I was so stuffed!

Day 4 wrapped with an 860 calorie count for entrees alone, and about 1350 calories overall including my snacks and a 100 calorie Skinny Cow dessert. Overall, this wasn't the most impressive day, though I enjoyed each meal, I'm looking forward to a larger variety on Day 5.

BistroMD: Day 2, Jerk Pork, Garlic Chicken, + Pulled Pork Crepes

***Note: I was provided a 5 Day BistroMD meal plan for the purpose of this editorial feature. No further compensation was provided. All opinions and photos contained there in are property of Momma Told Me Blog 2013.

BistroMD: Day 2 Journal

When I was a child it seemed that nutrition was the last thing I my mind when it came to food. Some days my parents would have to bargain and bribe just to get me to clear my plate; others, I ate everything in site I could palette. Most often I was drawn to foods including chocolate and nuts, or neon cheesy powder- hardly the building blocks for a successful day. Looking back, now that I've essentially become Momma, I long for the days when I didn't have to think about my next meal. Food would appear before me at the designated time, and my biggest concern was whether I would eat it willingly or not. Nowadays, if 3 square meals were to land on my table without provocation I'd eat each and every one happily. But there is no magic replicator, and Momma has long grown out of preparing my 3 squares a day. Alas, I am left to fend for myself between hunting down poster boards and league practice.

That's precisely where the value of BistroMD weighs in for me. While first most regarded as a diet delivery program, BistroMD averages a little over $7 per meal, which is certainly more than I'd pay investing in Hungry Man frozen entrees. However, if you consider that's about $25 a day (and how much the average American spends on 'fast' convenience meals each week, alone), there are some clear benefits to the value of having a BistroMD meal plan around. Each day's meal plan averages just shy of 1200 calories, offering an 800 calorie leeway for the suggested 2000 daily limit, and plenty of wiggle room for those looking to shave a pound or two while enjoying gourmet meals on the run. Preparing these flash frozen, nutritionist hand selected, entrees is as easy as operating your microwave or oven; only freezer storage space presents and issue.Most meal plans offer free shipping promotions, and you're always in control of the featured ingredients; so you'll never get stuck with an undesirable meal.

I've used the BistroMD meal delivery program on and off over the past several years. I usually gravitate towards their 5 Day Meal Plans, without snacks, during especially busy professional periods, or times when my family calls for some extra attention. On Day 2 of this week's meal plan I awoke to a new dish; Pulled Pork Crepes with BBQ Sauce and Apple Chutney. The apple chutney, while a common breakfast side for BistroMD, actually featured apples and onions, a new culinary experience for me that seemed to balance out the sweetness of the BBQ in the crepes. The Pulled Pork Crepes proved different than I'd expected, more of a pork hash with a sweet apple glaze and blue cheese layering. They were extremely light and fluffy, but a wonderfully filling start to my day at just 320 calories in total.

For lunch I indulged in one of my favorite BistroMD entrees; Jerk Pork served alongside a bell pepper medley with roasted plantains and mango salsa. I am consistently impressed with the texture of proteins in the BistroMD meal plan. Even from my microwave the meat is juicy, tender, and flavorful down to the last bite. One slight dislike with dishes like this is the excess moisture that accumulates from the large amount of fruit and vegetables, when microwaved. Dishes with such a high 'salsa' and vegetable content work best in the oven; though most excess fluid can be drained with some effort, directly from the trays. It would also be my preference to exclude mango from my meals, but in an effort to provide the nutritionist enough creative room I had left this ingredient on my 'okay' list. As it turns out the mango added a wonderful natural sweetness to the pork that baked into the meat when reheating.

I concluded Day 2 with a flavorful, yet visually plain, meal of Grilled Chicken Breast and Garlic Veloute. The familiar Ratatouille side of squash and summer veggies made a nice base to slice and spoon the chicken over. At an astounding 310 calorie total, bringing my daily meal caloric total to a mere 930, I had wiggle room to add a little salt or butter to my roasted baby carrots. BistroMD is very free in allowing additional seasoning and condiments for it's customers; this is never forbidden in any meal plan. The Garlic Veloute did seem to bake onto the chicken breast a little thinner than I'd hoped, but offered the right amount of flavoring for this modest sized protein.

How I Stay Fueled and Focused With @BistroMD Meal Delivery

**Note: I was provided a 1 week BistroMD meal only plan for a follow up feature here on Momma Told Me. No additional compensation was provided. All images and screen captures are copyright Momma Told Me 2013.

Momma Told Me: Food is fuel.

I have bee a fan of BistroMD for near 3 years now. I have been a reviewer, receiving complementary weeks for journalling purposes; but  most importantly, this has made me a paying consumer. For this reason alone, the following praise is of the highest regard. You see, I don't part with my money easily, let alone for meals I did not cook. My loyal readers know I have a passion for food, and enjoy sharing secret family recipes, and crazy new Pinterest favorites. But the simple truth is that Momma can not be 'on' 365 days a year. There are simply some times when life calls for more attention in one department or the other and compromises have to be made. You see, a meal delivery program such as BistroMD, while quite a valuable aid for those committed to weightless, does not have to center around losing weight at all. In fact, one week of BistroMD meals can successfully keep a new nursing mother focused on baby, and out of the kitchen, with healthy meals. Or perhaps a busy professional fed through their most important season of the year. Yes, I rely on BistroMD for specially tailored, gourmet, meals that save me time and keep me fueled with the vital energy and nutrients I need in the 'hairy' times.

Of course the primary initiative behind BistroMD is a highly tailored diet delivery program. This is how I first came to utilize the food delivery and online resources; dropping 8.5lbs over a 2 week commitment my first round. It's amazing for me to reflect back on where the company began, considered Dr.Phil's top diet delivery back even back then, and how much the brand has grown since. Every time I work with them to share my personal thoughts and experiences I notice they have integrated new consumer feedback directly int their business model. BistroMD is a forward moving company that is constantly fine tuning something that is wonderful to begin with! For example, when I most recently logged into the all new BistroMD customer portal I was taken through an ingredient screening process that put me in control of the ingredients that would appear on my plate. With this revolutionary new process I can actually preview the available BistroMD entrees and expressly forbid specific ones from showing up on my menu. Naturally, one needs to be a little pliable to give the nutritionist enough leeway to build a well balanced menu, but the end result is a night and day difference to me.

You may recall BistroMD was in fact founded by a licensed MD and nutritionist Caroline Cederquist; but it is also very much guided by her foodie husband Ed. Well say he's one of the main reasons the flash frozen, licensed chef made, small batch entrees are so trendy and flavorful. There is no comparison with these meal trays to store bought 'gourmet' meals. Not only does each and every hand picked ingredient bring an engaging flavor and texture to the meal, but the tailored meal plans ensure I receive a delectable balance of worldwide cuisine and protein. I'll admit, if it were up to me, during a busy week, I'd probably eat the same 2-3 meals day in and out. With BistroMD I know I am getting well balanced nutrition, and the added variety keeps me determined and motivated to move on towards the next meal. Whenever I find myself on a BistroMD week I know I will be packed with needed energy for each day, treated to fuss free microwave (or oven ready) meals, and taken around the globe for a culinary adventure.

When BistroMD meal delivery first began the prepared meals arrived in black double compartment trays hidden inside a khaki sleeve. The meals were identified on a nutritional label on the wide face of the sleeve, alone. Receiving 21 meals at a time can be overwhelming space wise, but even more frustrating when trying to organize them! Thankfully, the past year has seen a wonderful design overhaul that has the meal titles placed on the spin of the sleeve as well. Now I can easily pull out the meals for the following day (and allow them to thaw overnight as recommended), without spending time fighting piles of frozen food. This time around I was happy to see one of my returning favorites land on my table for breakfast, Day 1; Ham and Swiss Omelet with Waldorf Apples. This egg white omelet is stuffed with small natural ham cubes and Swiss Cheese for a light and fluff entree that clears my plate in minutes. I am constantly amazed as to just how fluffy, and fresh. the eggs always cook from flash frozen with BistroMD. Accompanying this omelet was a slightly sweet Apple, Craisin, Walnut cup dusted with cinnamon.

You'll notice I serve all of my BistroMD meals on actual dining plates. The portions are filling, yet modest, and usually work well on an appetizer plate, which makes me feel like the portion is bigger, mentally, on comparison to a dinner plate. I feel plating the food makes it seem more appetizing, and helps one to focus more on each bite, leading to a quicker realization of portions and one's full state. For lunch I had the chance to enjoy another returning classic, and also a Gluten Free meal; Mediterranean Chicken. This lemon infused chicken breast is served over Mediterranean style quinoa made with Kalamata olives, sun dried tomatoes, chopped leaf spinach, and feta cheese. It looks a little odd at first, but is truly quite delicious! BistroMD seems to be sparing with any sauces they choose to accompany their proteins, and while the breast was exceptionally tender, I do reach for a little pureed squash from time to time. Assorted grilled vegetables, primarily consisting of multicolored squash accompanied my main dish for a colorful and delicious meal that kept me full into the evening.

My final meal of the day felt like one of the lightest; Cheese Ravioli; which is not how I amused to eating dinner, but stays true to the suggested daily pyramid. Breakfast should be the heaviest in calories, and subsequent meals should taper, seeing as it makes the most sense to stock up on calories and energy at the beginning of the day. In any case, my BistroMd caloric total for the day rounded out at 865, leaving plenty of room for 2 snacks, or a snack and a dessert, to fill in the remaining 500 calories (for a weight loss goal of 1400 a day). My Cheese Ravioli was accompanied by a Green Bean and Slivered Almond side. Because I prefer my green beans softer I microwaved these an additional 45 seconds on high with a TBS of water, post preparation. In all, Day 1 was nothing short of what I would expect from the BistroMD brand, and I cleared every plate thanks to the new Ingredient Approval process.

What Daughter Says: BistroMd keeps me fueled throughout the week so I can stay focused on the things that matter most.