So here’s an unlikely move that a food blogger takes-
subscribing to an online menu planning service.
eMeals.com
BUT, WHY??
Like most of you, I’m busy most days, guilty of the 5 o’clock stare down inside the fridge and just wanting to spend a little extra time with my family. This subscription was a gift to myself for my birthday. First, let me tell you how I stumbled upon it. I recently was looking around on the Dave Ramsey website for some information on how to proceed on the next step in Financial Peace University (FPU). I had my workbook from the class, somewhere downstairs and knew I could find the information online just as easy. My husband and I took the class last fall and it was life changing. Here we are a year later and are almost finished with step 2. It’s been interesting to say the least, but we’ve learned so much.
I promise this is food related so bare with me.
If you’ve ever heard or knew someone who’s followed Dave Ramsey, enrolled in his FPU class or even picked up one of his books, you might grow tired of the phrase,
“Well, Dave says”.
Well, Dave recommends eMeals.com. I found a link to eMeals on his website and was slightly interested in what eMeals was all about. Basically, meal planning made simple. You pick what menu plan suits you and your family best and then they email you a weekly menu and shopping list. Ingredients used in one meal are used in others, so no wasted money on random ingredients you may never cook with again. If you pair your menu plan with a grocery store listed, they customize it based on your local store’s sales ad with that week’s dinners. It actually saves you money and time.
When my husband is home, I spend Sunday afternoons, pursuing cookbooks, food websites and magazines. I compile a list of meals for the week and make a grocery list. It takes HOURS of planning. But with my husband due home from deployment after the first of the year, I realized that cereal, corndogs and pb&j’s are no longer an option for nightly dinners. I know how precious our time is together as a family and rather than spend hours planning, why not let someone do it for me?
I searched the web for honest reviews of the program, followed them on Pinterest and liked their Facebook page. I wanted to know if this was right for our family. Other than endorsements from bloggers reviewing their service for compensation or a subscription giveaway, the reviews I had been searching for were few and far between. It was a hard decision to make, with little info from real people like me. So, hence my review. eMeals boasts 10 different meal plans to choose from, a lunch plan and there’s a new breakfast plan available. They have sample menus to look at and help you decide which plan suits your family.
Gluten free, Paleo, Vegetarian, Low Fat, Low Carb,
Classic Meals, Simple Gourmet, Portion Control,
Natural & Organic and Clean Eating.
They’ve got everyone covered and you can change your meal plan monthly if you aren’t satisfied with the one you’re currently on. I went with my gut and took the plunge. I took part on their cyber Monday sale for 30% off all orders. I subscribed to a 6 month classic family meal plan and lunch plan for about $40. All the shopping lists and menus are in pdf format and emailed to you weekly. Just print and go shopping, easy as that.
So, I’ve officially been on the program for a week. I’ve made a few of the dinners and of course shared them on Instagram.
Classic Family Dinner plan: So- Good Turkey Enchiladas and
Family Favorite Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes & Peas
Lunch plan: Cheesy Bacon and Ranch Twists and Turkey & Cheese Roll-Ups
So far I’ve enjoyed this meal planning service. I’ve gone to the store with a list and left with everything I needed to prepare a weeks worth of lunches & dinners for my family. Now, my boys are picky and since for now it’s just the three of us, I decided the Classic family meal plan would work for us when I signed up for eMeals. I like how we can look at the week’s menu and cross off which one’s don’t fit our taste or if we have been invited over for dinner with friends. Here’s an important tip: be flexible. If your meat or food item expires on day 3, but it’s for meal 7, freeze it or cook it on day 3. I will say that only problem I have encountered is that we have had a ton of leftovers on the family plan and they’re a little on the heavy side. My kids eat the equivalent of one serving together and my one serving and it leaves another 3-4 servings of leftovers. I hate to waste food and I feel like I’m freezing a ton of leftovers or end up throwing it away. I’ve decided to switch to a 2 person meal plan for clean eating next week and see how that goes. I hope for those of you that are busy, but love to cook, give this a try.
I’m still having adventures in my kitchen, just a bit planned out now.
*I have not received any compensation from eMeals.com for my honest review of their meal planning service. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
