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Default May 06, 2019 at 02:09 PM
  #1
I am wondering if anyone has had any kind of experience with meal subscription boxes.

I am looking at something like this for my father and step-mother. My father has always done the shopping and cooking. Frankly, I am thinking his girlfriend is bulimic and has no clue. Dad has taken ill and has dropped a considerable amount of weight. He just hasn't been able to do all of the cooking and besides, he has had his license temporarily taken away until his condition improves. My step-mom is a wonderful lady and I am glad my dad has her but she is completely inept when it comes to food. I was horrified to discover the fridge full of meal replacement shakes. I live three hours away so it is not like I can make and deliver meals. My son, God bless him, takes a hot lunch by 1 - 2 times a week.

So, in our worry, my boyfriend and I are wondering if these meals in a box thing would help the situation. It certainly solves the problem of grocery shopping. How hard are the meals though to prepare? Is this the sort of thing someone who really never cooks can prepare? Are the recipes simple and easy to follow along? And, if my stepmom can't be bothered to do it, would it take my father a great deal of effort to do so?

I realise we can't name companies and brands but I assume they are all pretty much the same. If you then are able to help me out - even with a generalised review - I would really appreciate it. Second hand stories are welcome too.
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Default May 06, 2019 at 02:51 PM
  #2
There is one called freshly which requires no cooking except microwave, the meals are fresh not frozen, they arrive on ice and go into the fridge. They are of high quality. I’ve also tried the one that require cooking from other companies, it is a kit with everything and is stepwise but I found it nonsensical coming from a cooks perspective, it’s like empty bottle a into skillet with meat b for five minutes add whatever. You still have to chop etc.

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Default May 06, 2019 at 03:00 PM
  #3
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Originally Posted by Sometimes psychotic View Post
There is one called freshly which requires no cooking except microwave, the meals are fresh not frozen, they arrive on ice and go into the fridge. They are of high quality. I’ve also tried the one that require cooking from other companies, it is a kit with everything and is stepwise but I found it nonsensical coming from a cooks perspective, it’s like empty bottle a into skillet with meat b for five minutes add whatever. You still have to chop etc.
I am hoping my step mom can be convinced she needs to step up to the plate and take responsibility for some of this. Are the directions simple enough that a non-foody could follow?
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Default May 06, 2019 at 05:16 PM
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I am hoping my step mom can be convinced she needs to step up to the plate and take responsibility for some of this. Are the directions simple enough that a non-foody could follow?
My sister started using blue apron with no cooking knowledge.

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Default May 07, 2019 at 09:19 PM
  #5
I tired Sun Basket, once. The food was *delicious*, but as someone who is not very good at cooking - it stressed me out. I had too much going on at once (I can't remember what I was making) - it turned out fine, but was a bit too much for me.

I do a LOT of those healthy, already prepared meals though. You can heat them up in the oven or the microwave, and they seem to be cheaper per serving then the ones you cook, which... I don't understand?

I'm currently getting a couple meals per week from Factor 75, and they're really good. Their customer service is awesome too.

Good luck!

Edit: Sun Basket also annoyed me b/c I had to call to cancel, I couldn't do it online, and I couldn't sign up for "just one week" without it renewing itself automatically.

That might be something to look for before signing up for anything - how hard/easy it is to cancel.

Also, for prepared meals - you might want to check the average calories... some of the places I've seen (mostly doing paleo meals, so it might be different for non-paleo) had very small calorie counts, and wouldn't have been enough (imo) and might leave someone hungry.
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Default May 07, 2019 at 10:03 PM
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I used to do hello fresh and I really liked it but I discontinued it because they messed up delivery few times. It messed up my meal planning. So I was done but I did like the meals
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Default May 08, 2019 at 05:30 PM
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I tried Blue Apron's WW Freestyle meals, Hello Fresh, and Sun Basket. I stopped when the intro discounts stopped. I think a favorite may depend on food preferences. I thought Blue Apron met my needs best. They were fairly easy to prepare, tasted good, and met my dieting needs, and had plenty of vegetables.
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Default May 09, 2019 at 08:36 PM
  #8
Thanks everyone, very valuable advice and knowledge you have passed on.

I spoke to my father and I haven't quite sold him on the idea yet. I think he is still trying to accept the idea his life has changed immensely. So the meal box thing is shelved - temporarily.
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Default May 24, 2019 at 08:23 PM
  #9
I just received my first box of 6 meals from Freshly today. I had the Homestyle Chicken (lightly breaded chicken, green beans, mac & cheese) for dinner. I was impressed by the packaging of the meals, the fact that most of the packaging is easily recycled, the ease of "cooking dinner" (just lift the film on the carton a little bit and pop in the microwave for a few minutes), and the quality of the food. It was also quite tasty.

I signed up for a 2 week "trial" which is 6 meals for about $50. If the remaining meals are as good, I'll continue with Freshly. Once my two week discounted trial is over, the cost to me will likely be $9.99 a meal (for 6 per week). I realize it's pricey, but it's not much more than a combo meal at a fast food place, and less expensive than eating at a sit down restaurant. So, my rationalization is that I'm going to eat more nutritious food each week, which will be better for my health; and I've diminished three huge anxiety provoking aspects of my life - grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning up the aftermath. Another great thing about the dinners from Freshly (and other meal delivery companies) is that they can be put in the freezer if it's going to be more than 3-4 days before they're eaten.

There are quite a few companies out there that are doing meal deliveries, but only a handful are sending completed, ready to heat and eat meals. Prepped and The Good Kitchen are two others that come to mind. Some of them have limited delivery areas - you can check their site by providing the zip code where they'll be delivering.

Just my 2 cents!

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Default May 24, 2019 at 09:15 PM
  #10
I think anyone who is considering purchasing meal kits weigh the pros and cons based on their individual situations. This includes finances, ie how much one can spend, housing situation, llifestyle, personal preferences. Wishful thinker I do wish your dad and you your stepmother well. I never tried any mealkits. Not against them. Just never ordered from any of them.
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Default May 24, 2019 at 09:43 PM
  #11
This thought just occured to me. Depending on the circumstances, something like Meals on Wheels might be worth checking into.

Oh, and, there are lots of "personal chefs" out there, many who will deliver meals. I have no idea what their prices are like.

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Default May 25, 2019 at 08:52 PM
  #12
I just cannot for the life of me remember the chef service that my boss gifted her brother but it was different from all of the listed services already mentioned.
I've looked at them yet never budged on trying one, not even as a trial offer. They aren't for everyone.
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