Meal kits for the win.

I have been asked by several people recently how I manage to wear many hats (marketing executive, human resources executive, blogger, mom, wife, friend, volunteer, etc.) and still maintain a healthy lifestyle.  My answer may surprise you. 

I learned the hard way that I could be none of that and no help to anyone else, including my family, if I didn’t take care of myself.  My natural inclination to put myself last was increasing my stress levels, and it took a major health scare and a strong desire to change to adopt the healthy habits I live by today. 

I’ve found that I am most successful in work and life when I can stick to a daily routine.  Incorporating healthy eating and exercise habits into my daily routine has been pivotal in my wellness journey.

One thing I swear by is the weekly delivery of high-quality raw ingredient meal kits.  There is only so much time in a week, and I’d rather spend my “free” time doing something I really enjoy – cooking – rather than meal planning, meal prepping and food shopping.  Not only that, but I choose what I order and what I include in each meal, and therefore, what enters my body and those of my family members. 

Blue Apron has been my go-to for eight years now.  They are based in the Northeast, so their recipes and ingredients bring some East Coast nostalgia into my California kitchen on a regular basis.  They have a wide variety of meals to choose from and source 80% of their ingredients directly from producers.  They have always been extremely responsive to any issues I’ve encountered (there have been maybe five issues in eight years).  I’ve been so satisfied that I can’t say I’ve tried other meal kit companies, but I would encourage you to try whatever fits your palate and cooking skillset best.

The reason I recommend meal kits for healthy living is because when you have a delicious and healthy meal ready to be made at home, you are so much less likely to eat out, pick up fast food or scrape together a quick meal from highly processed foods.  Not only that, you feel compelled to make the meals so the ingredients don’t go to waste, since each kit stays fresh for about 7-8 days.  And finally, the food is portioned out for you, so you don’t over or under eat.

The use of meal kits has been life altering for me and my family.  I hope they might have the same impact on you and yours.