Meal kits: what's the point?
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kommodevaran wrote: »I take back everything I wrote about "lazy" (it wasn't even I who brought it up), but I still think it's stupid/cynical and that we can get everything those companies offer without paying for their "services".
But, like I pointed out upthread, you could say that about any service - restaraunt meals, takeaway meals, ready made clothes, farm grown vegetables, paid cleaners etc
We all pay for things that we could do ourselves.
Everyone just has different choices about what they want to do themselves and what they want to pay others to do.
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azulvioleta6 wrote: »I also think that it is a bit lazy and shows a lack of creativity.
And y'know what? After another ten-hour day doing the work of three people, followed by studying half of a full-time degree, I'm all out of creativity and entitled to a bit of laziness.
I started getting a meal kit service after I broke my brain doing too much (and an unexpected bereavement on top). My executive function - my decision-making capacity - was not working, and I lived on junk food because I literally could not plan meals. Meal kits were an absolute saviour; someone told me what to cook and gave me everything I needed to do it, and I didn't have to think.
Now I get the service I do because it forces me to take the time out of my insane schedule to cook a healthy meal, introduces me to cuisines and techniques I wouldn't necessarily have looked for myself, and works with in-season produce.
And I don't end up with a bunch of stuff rotting in the fridge because I could only get whatever-it-was in a size big enough for a family, and I'm one person.11 -
deannalfisher wrote: »i'll admit the purple carrot (?) one with the vegetarian food is interesting to me - not vegetarian but my sister is vegan and I'm always looking for new stuff to try
See, this is one reason I'd be tempted to try out a meal prep service. Let's say an interesting-looking recipe calls for a parsnip. I don't usually buy that. I don't know if the nearby grocery stores carry it. So either I've got to call around and ask (and even that's not always 100% correct) or I have to go hunting. That can be fun if I've got an otherwise-empty block of several hours and want to spend my time that way. Usually that's not the case.
Or, recipes that call for 2 oz of heavy cream. We don't make a whole lot of them, and then the rest of it sits in the back of the fridge until we're like "hey, what's th- WOAH. how long has THAT been in there???"
Dried spices last a LITTLE longer, but even then, I've got boxes and jars of spices that have likely lost a good bit of their oomph because I don't use them often enough to use them up quickly.2 -
Woooow, so much judgement. I got Blue Apron for fun. I got fresh produce, high quality meats, and new recipe ideas. I don't do it regularly now but I enjoyed the recipes I got. A lot of them used ingredients I can *not* find locally for decent prices (it was cheaper to get the box) and I learned some flavor combinations. I cook for myself all of the time as an adult but it's easy to get stuck in a rut of cooking the same things over and over. I liked the idea of having different types of cuisines picked for me every now and then to get myself out of it. Good grief.3
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leanitup123 wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »LOL OP.... I'm guessing you've never tried a service like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh? Just making some assumptions? Here are a few of this weeks menu choices for Blue Apron:. Keep in mind all the ingredients, including fresh vegetables, proteins someone doesn't cook with regularly, fresh herbs and somewhat obscure or exotic things like Thai basil, fregola, tomatillos, gai lan, are delivered to your door in the right quantities with clear directions on how to prep and prepare them.
Now it is pricey, and for the trial period I did it for I didn't find enough meals that would appeal to my small children on a regular basis, and the recipes themselves were a bit involved for what I really wanted help with which is quick weeknight meals. But, I remember thinking that it would have been great to have this option when I was newly married, getting more comfortable and then adventurous with my cooking, enjoying cooking and then eating together with my husband over a glass of wine, etc...
But yeah, it looks pretty much identical to a bag of salad and a can of tuna....
Can of tuna, bag of lettuce and a dash of pepper.
That has to be terribly boring...some people like variety and complexity.2 -
azulvioleta6 wrote: »I also think that it is a bit lazy and shows a lack of creativity. It's not hard these days to find new recipes for free online if you need to change things up a bit.
While I generally don't care about other people's food choices, the amount of packaging and the extra shipping involved are an environmental concern and that is something that has an impact on everybody eventually.
Subscribing to any of these services is going to increase your carbon footprint significantly.
My friends who use them definitely aren't lazy...they co-own their own business and work all the time 'cuz that's what you do when you run your own company. These things provide a convenient way for them to cook healthier and fresher options vs frozen dinners and take out without having to spend time shopping and prepping...they just have to do the cooking part.2 -
I don't do meal service plans but am considering it for the fall. I work FT, have two children, wake up at 5am every day to work out, so if I can come home and have a meal already prepared that I just have to cook and assemble that will make my life that much easier, I am all for it. Am I lazy? Don't think so. Am I uninspired at times for coming up with new meals and grocery shopping? Absolutely. So much obnoxious judgment in this post. Must be nice to have everything figured out
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I haven't signed up for one of these, but I think about it pretty often, because I hate to cook. And no way am I eating a can of tuna dumped into a bag of lettuce because just the thought grosses me out.
Bad news, guys: like most things, cooking is not inherently virtuous, and liking it does not make you a better person than people who don't like it. In other news, making your own clothes does not make you a better person than those uncreative money-wasting clothes-buyers, and growing your own vegetables does not give you the moral high ground over those lazy people who just buy theirs and like don't even churn their own butter CAN YOU IMAGINE.
For real, if your claim to moral superiority is that you're willing to spend hours of your life doing something that other people are perfectly happy not to have to do, please examine your life choices.13 -
azulvioleta6 wrote: »I also think that it is a bit lazy and shows a lack of creativity. It's not hard these days to find new recipes for free online if you need to change things up a bit.
While I generally don't care about other people's food choices, the amount of packaging and the extra shipping involved are an environmental concern and that is something that has an impact on everybody eventually.
Subscribing to any of these services is going to increase your carbon footprint significantly.
Whoa, there, Nellie!
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Basically, the negative responses (and the OP) fail to comprehend that you can't feed your kids "bag of salad, can of tuna" and just whip through the store in 5 minutes. His perspective is clearly from a very young, single, childless person to not understand that many families and couples are too busy to homecook and shop for everything for a family, but still find a sit-down meal an important part of their families' day...as well as keeping it fresh and healthy.
I think these services are a great way to keep it healthy and spend less time doing chores and more time enjoying your spouse/kids/family.
And if I offered my 13 year old "a can of tuna and bag of lettuce" as a meal, he'd think it was time to take Mom to the Looney Bin.3 -
pebble4321 wrote: »Hmmm, maybe I'm a child who is lazy, helpless and can't cook.
Or possibly, I'm an adult who likes having a box of high quality fresh veggies and meat/fish delivered to my door from time to time. With the service I use (once a month or so), I still need to do the prep and add some spices, sauces and staples - I get a pantry list the week before.
My reason - for those of you who are prepared to not be patronising for a millisecond - is that I like trying new recipes, I'm on my own for four weeks out of five (husband works away) and when I'm on my own I get bored with meal planning and like to having someone else do it now and again.
I am quite capable of finding recipes, making a shopping list and cooking - for one or more people. But sometimes I don't choose to do that. Just as sometimes I choose to eat out, sometimes I buy something convenient (like a cooked chook or a bag of salad), sometimes I have a cheese and Vegemite sandwich for dinner. I don't see why getting a box of nice produce on my doorstep is something so strange.
Yes, it's more expensive than doing my own shopping and cooking, but I don't eat out much when I'm on my own, so I'd say it all balances out. And even if it doesn't - well, that's my choice and my priorities!
Edited to add: if anyone in Western Australia wants to support a great local business, have a look at Dinner Twist.
I live in the US so I can't partake in "Dinner Twist" but it looks like a great service! Looks no different than when I get my COOP box except better!
Not sure which meal plan I saw it on now but I'm craving spaghetti and meatballs for dinner.. so I think that's what is now on the menu.
I appreciate all I've picked up in this thread, I wasn't familiar with any of this... this is great for those that need/desire a service like this for whatever reason. Those that enjoy something different and find it handy, I say go for it! I have no hate for home delivery.. I imagine it's healthier than other types of home 'deliveries' Those veggies... mmm mmm!!
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My manager had a few food services. She has no kids, work long hours, and wanted something healthy to prepare for herself. I get it.
On the flip side, I sometime purchase dinner at a place called Fit Food (I think that's the name). Everything is portioned out, the macros are great, and you take the container home or to work and can pop it in the oven or microwave. That's a great option for on the go or those lazy days.1 -
Re Fit Foods, I've done Snap Kitchen, which I think is similar, and I've done for a quick lunch when I neglected to bring one or dinner if I unexpectedly get stuck at work super late and don't want to wait to eat afterwards. We have Fit Food too, but I've never gone in to check it out (one is located right by a WF I sometimes go to).0
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My husband and I have been trying out the various meal-kit delivery services in our area, and we're having a lot of fun with it. I'm cooking things I've never tried making before with the ingredients delivered to me in just the right quantities. One place will pre-chop everything, another won't. Just depends on which service we're using.
Most importantly to me, though, is that we're having a load of fun choosing and then cooking these meals together. Who knows how long we'll keep up with it in the long run, but in the short term it's been really enjoyable.0 -
I'd consider it for fun. Right now though, I don't have time to cook anything. We've been living off of turkey sandwiches/wraps and Terra chips.0
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I would love to have those kind of services. I know how to cook but would prefer little that? I don't have to fetch a spice or make a sauce that I don't have that specific ingredient, that can up to 3 hours to find.kommodevaran wrote: »I think it's a combination of learned helplessness and perceived convenience.
Throw in a measure of laziness and I think you've got it.
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So people are both simultaneously lazy, but should be eating a tin of tuna and a bag of lettuce, or getting take out for dinner? What the even?
I don't use a meal service because I have the benefit of a large kitchen and the ability to be inventive with cooking. However, a fair few people I know use them to try new things, inject some variety into the life and because they live in small apartments and don't have my walk-in pantry and can't store the myriad of ingredients and spices you'd need to keep on hand or store the excess of if you bought all the ingredients for these meals. It's not like you can trundle down to the supermarket and buy a 2 person serve of couscous.
Just... *shakes head*5 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »leanitup123 wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »LOL OP.... I'm guessing you've never tried a service like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh? Just making some assumptions? Here are a few of this weeks menu choices for Blue Apron:. Keep in mind all the ingredients, including fresh vegetables, proteins someone doesn't cook with regularly, fresh herbs and somewhat obscure or exotic things like Thai basil, fregola, tomatillos, gai lan, are delivered to your door in the right quantities with clear directions on how to prep and prepare them.
Now it is pricey, and for the trial period I did it for I didn't find enough meals that would appeal to my small children on a regular basis, and the recipes themselves were a bit involved for what I really wanted help with which is quick weeknight meals. But, I remember thinking that it would have been great to have this option when I was newly married, getting more comfortable and then adventurous with my cooking, enjoying cooking and then eating together with my husband over a glass of wine, etc...
But yeah, it looks pretty much identical to a bag of salad and a can of tuna....
Can of tuna, bag of lettuce and a dash of pepper.
That has to be terribly boring...some people like variety and complexity.
It's called sarcasm.0 -
Alatariel75 wrote: »So people are both simultaneously lazy, but should be eating a tin of tuna and a bag of lettuce, or getting take out for dinner? What the even?
I don't use a meal service because I have the benefit of a large kitchen and the ability to be inventive with cooking. However, a fair few people I know use them to try new things, inject some variety into the life and because they live in small apartments and don't have my walk-in pantry and can't store the myriad of ingredients and spices you'd need to keep on hand or store the excess of if you bought all the ingredients for these meals. It's not like you can trundle down to the supermarket and buy a 2 person serve of couscous.
Just... *shakes head*
Do you also drive the Mercedes when the Porsche is in the shop?
I keed... I keed. :laugh:0 -
Chef_Barbell wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »So people are both simultaneously lazy, but should be eating a tin of tuna and a bag of lettuce, or getting take out for dinner? What the even?
I don't use a meal service because I have the benefit of a large kitchen and the ability to be inventive with cooking. However, a fair few people I know use them to try new things, inject some variety into the life and because they live in small apartments and don't have my walk-in pantry and can't store the myriad of ingredients and spices you'd need to keep on hand or store the excess of if you bought all the ingredients for these meals. It's not like you can trundle down to the supermarket and buy a 2 person serve of couscous.
Just... *shakes head*
Do you also drive the Mercedes when the Porsche is in the shop?
I keed... I keed. :laugh:
Haahaa dude, at least my friends with poky apartments can go out in their neighborhoods at night Best house on the worst street and all that! 1 -
Alatariel75 wrote: »So people are both simultaneously lazy, but should be eating a tin of tuna and a bag of lettuce, or getting take out for dinner? What the even?
I don't use a meal service because I have the benefit of a large kitchen and the ability to be inventive with cooking. However, a fair few people I know use them to try new things, inject some variety into the life and because they live in small apartments and don't have my walk-in pantry and can't store the myriad of ingredients and spices you'd need to keep on hand or store the excess of if you bought all the ingredients for these meals. It's not like you can trundle down to the supermarket and buy a 2 person serve of couscous.
Just... *shakes head*
I never said anyone was lazy for choosing to eat meal kits.0 -
leanitup123 wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »So people are both simultaneously lazy, but should be eating a tin of tuna and a bag of lettuce, or getting take out for dinner? What the even?
I don't use a meal service because I have the benefit of a large kitchen and the ability to be inventive with cooking. However, a fair few people I know use them to try new things, inject some variety into the life and because they live in small apartments and don't have my walk-in pantry and can't store the myriad of ingredients and spices you'd need to keep on hand or store the excess of if you bought all the ingredients for these meals. It's not like you can trundle down to the supermarket and buy a 2 person serve of couscous.
Just... *shakes head*
I never said anyone was lazy for choosing to eat meal kits.
People in this thread did though.0 -
I love them...but only when I can get a deal or discount. I love that the food comes to my door, I don't buy extra crap and I have some delicious healthy meals to prepare that I havn't tried before. I currently have deals being shipped to 4 different addresses so I get this food on the cheap pretty regular. Agreed it's not for everyone...but it's for a lot of folks or it wouldn't be a thing.
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I love them...but only when I can get a deal or discount. I love that the food comes to my door, I don't buy extra crap and I have some delicious healthy meals to prepare that I havn't tried before. I currently have deals being shipped to 4 different addresses so I get this food on the cheap pretty regular. Agreed it's not for everyone...but it's for a lot of folks or it wouldn't be a thing.
Working the system! I love it! LOL0 -
leanitup123 wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »So people are both simultaneously lazy, but should be eating a tin of tuna and a bag of lettuce, or getting take out for dinner? What the even?
I don't use a meal service because I have the benefit of a large kitchen and the ability to be inventive with cooking. However, a fair few people I know use them to try new things, inject some variety into the life and because they live in small apartments and don't have my walk-in pantry and can't store the myriad of ingredients and spices you'd need to keep on hand or store the excess of if you bought all the ingredients for these meals. It's not like you can trundle down to the supermarket and buy a 2 person serve of couscous.
Just... *shakes head*
I never said anyone was lazy for choosing to eat meal kits.
So then what was the point of the thread if not to pass judgement on those who choose to use meal kits, while you sit on your high horse with your peppery fishy lettuce?11 -
WinoGelato wrote: »leanitup123 wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »So people are both simultaneously lazy, but should be eating a tin of tuna and a bag of lettuce, or getting take out for dinner? What the even?
I don't use a meal service because I have the benefit of a large kitchen and the ability to be inventive with cooking. However, a fair few people I know use them to try new things, inject some variety into the life and because they live in small apartments and don't have my walk-in pantry and can't store the myriad of ingredients and spices you'd need to keep on hand or store the excess of if you bought all the ingredients for these meals. It's not like you can trundle down to the supermarket and buy a 2 person serve of couscous.
Just... *shakes head*
I never said anyone was lazy for choosing to eat meal kits.
So then what was the point of the thread if not to pass judgement on those who choose to use meal kits, while you sit on your high horse with your peppery fishy lettuce?
I legit LOLed at this.... subsequently spitting out my margarita. :laugh:
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Chef_Barbell wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »leanitup123 wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »So people are both simultaneously lazy, but should be eating a tin of tuna and a bag of lettuce, or getting take out for dinner? What the even?
I don't use a meal service because I have the benefit of a large kitchen and the ability to be inventive with cooking. However, a fair few people I know use them to try new things, inject some variety into the life and because they live in small apartments and don't have my walk-in pantry and can't store the myriad of ingredients and spices you'd need to keep on hand or store the excess of if you bought all the ingredients for these meals. It's not like you can trundle down to the supermarket and buy a 2 person serve of couscous.
Just... *shakes head*
I never said anyone was lazy for choosing to eat meal kits.
So then what was the point of the thread if not to pass judgement on those who choose to use meal kits, while you sit on your high horse with your peppery fishy lettuce?
I legit LOLed at this.... subsequently spitting out my margarita. :laugh:
Now I want a margarita.....1 -
Hmm.... wonder if there are any meal kits that come with a wine or beer pairing?1
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WinoGelato wrote: »Hmm.... wonder if there are any meal kits that come with a wine or beer pairing?
I'd be lazy enough to pay for that.2 -
Alatariel75 wrote: »So people are both simultaneously lazy, but should be eating a tin of tuna and a bag of lettuce, or getting take out for dinner? What the even?
Heh, I was also struck by that.0
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