Have any of you tried one of the meal delivery services, for example, Home Chef or Blue Apron. If so, what's your take on these? They seem a bit pricey, but do offer the convenience of not having to shop for ingredients.
This.If doubling or almost tripling your cost per meal isn't a big deal, knock yourself out. If you typically eat out you will potentially save some money using meal prep/delivery. If you're COMPLETELY inept in the kitchen there may be a learning curve that is beneficial. Finally, If the convenience is beneficial to you and yours go for it.
Otherwise, don't bother. Cooking is a skill that can be learned and these kits still require a recipe to be followed. I can't imagine justifying the cost or surrendering control over the ingredients that I'm utilizing. As far as I'm concerned the less hands that touch my food before I put in in my mouth the better. The more processed your food is the more no bueno it is for your overall health. I can't imagine they have anyone's best interests in mind when it comes to salt, sugar, etc.
This opinion may not come as a surprise from your local chef who also ran kitchens for several years in healthcare. But you can always shoot me a PM if you're in need of some help, guidance or ideas. Heck, if you're in the neighborhood stop on by and I'll feed ya'.
YMMV
Everything he said, x 100.If doubling or almost tripling your cost per meal isn't a big deal, knock yourself out. If you typically eat out you will potentially save some money using meal prep/delivery. If you're COMPLETELY inept in the kitchen there may be a learning curve that is beneficial. Finally, If the convenience is beneficial to you and yours go for it.
Otherwise, don't bother. Cooking is a skill that can be learned and these kits still require a recipe to be followed. I can't imagine justifying the cost or surrendering control over the ingredients that I'm utilizing. As far as I'm concerned the less hands that touch my food before I put in in my mouth the better. The more processed your food is the more no bueno it is for your overall health. I can't imagine they have anyone's best interests in mind when it comes to salt, sugar, etc.
This opinion may not come as a surprise from your local chef who also ran kitchens for several years in healthcare. But you can always shoot me a PM if you're in need of some help, guidance or ideas. Heck, if you're in the neighborhood stop on by and I'll feed ya'.
YMMV
Pre-Covid, we went to the store and walked around (or my wife did). We ended up with stuff we didn't ened, snacks, extras, forgot stuff. She has been pulled to work longer hours and I'm the cook (also work full time, we try and plan a bit better to save time. I plan what meals I'm going to make, she makes up the grocery list, joint effort. Sometimes we plan the weekend, sometimes it's a free-for-all and we just head to the meat market and decide in the morning. If we eat out 1 day during the week, everything gets bumped a day and we now have a weekend meal planned.I do like @brucered 's method of shopping. I don't do it, but it has a ton of merit and must save some time.
Relating to your kids "What's for dinner?" question. I am glad you can easily answer it. A similar experience as a young man-Pre-Covid, we went to the store and walked around (or my wife did). We ended up with stuff we didn't ened, snacks, extras, forgot stuff. She has been pulled to work longer hours and I'm the cook (also work full time, we try and plan a bit better to save time. I plan what meals I'm going to make, she makes up the grocery list, joint effort. Sometimes we plan the weekend, sometimes it's a free-for-all and we just head to the meat market and decide in the morning. If we eat out 1 day during the week, everything gets bumped a day and we now have a weekend meal planned.
I hate grocery shopping, unless it's for BBQ meats. Plus, it allows the teenagers to know the meal plan, so the first question I get after work isn't "What's for supper?".
I love meal delivery...especially when it walks right up in your yard.
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Sorry...that didn't help, did it?
Thank the good Lord we don't have the wild pig problem in my part of Michigan, but them long legged rats with the big ears I caught just the other day stretching their necks to eat some apples off my tree that just this year produced apples for the first time.@ZeelansRoem Those aren't bacon...THIS is bacon! Delivered to your door.
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I hope to stop by sometime mid-September early October. Will coordinate via pm. I like to cook; but relocating North. I have dog sitting gigs lined up 9/15-10/12.If doubling or almost tripling your cost per meal isn't a big deal, knock yourself out. If you typically eat out you will potentially save some money using meal prep/delivery. If you're COMPLETELY inept in the kitchen there may be a learning curve that is beneficial. Finally, If the convenience is beneficial to you and yours go for it.
Otherwise, don't bother. Cooking is a skill that can be learned and these kits still require a recipe to be followed. I can't imagine justifying the cost or surrendering control over the ingredients that I'm utilizing. As far as I'm concerned the less hands that touch my food before I put in in my mouth the better. The more processed your food is the more no bueno it is for your overall health. I can't imagine they have anyone's best interests in mind when it comes to salt, sugar, etc.
This opinion may not come as a surprise from your local chef who also ran kitchens for several years in healthcare. But you can always shoot me a PM if you're in need of some help, guidance or ideas. Heck, if you're in the neighborhood stop on by and I'll feed ya'.
YMMV