Blue Apron Makes Menu Planning EASY!

DISCLOSURE: I received a Blue Apron box with two meals for my family in return for my review. All thoughts are mine! Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

blue-apron-beef-broccoli

I have two “tweens” and all of their extracurricular activities makes getting dinner on the table every night (not to mention finding time to grocery shop, too) a bit challenging!  While I was waiting for my daughter’s band concert to start a few weeks ago, I was talking about this challenge with a fellow mom and the discussion turned to meal delivery services.  I recently had the opportunity to check out Blue Apron and it was a hit with my family!  The best part is that Blue Apron is giving YOU the opportunity to try it and save $30 off your first Blue Apron box!

How Blue Apron Works 

Check out Blue Apron and customize options based on your family’s needs:

  • 2 person meal plan with 3 meals per week
  • Family plan with 2-4 recipes per week

You can even customize recipes based on your family’s preferences:

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I have picky eaters, so this was a HUGE plus with me!  We selected beef, poultry, and pork options for our family.

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You have the option to view the available menu options for your delivery week and customize your choices.

blue-apron-arrival

Your Blue Apron box will arrive with EVERYTHING you need to create your recipes!  The only things you need to have on hand at home are salt, pepper, and olive oil!  I love how every item was carefully packaged and labeled!  Your order will include farm sourced produce and meat from farmers and ranchers who raise animals without added hormones or sub-therapeutic antibiotics.    Your box is also carefully packaged to ensure freshness for the entire day!  Each box includes recipe cards with color pictures and easy to follow step by step instructions.

My Blue Apron Review

blue-apron-chicken-rollatini

Full disclosure moment here.  Given the opportunity, my 9 year old in particular would happily survive on chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and pizza.  He is the one who says “I don’t like this” when I try a new recipe before he has even tried it.  I wasn’t sure how he would react to these meals, especially the vegetables!

We tried the Blue Apron Chicken Rollatini recipe first because I figured it was “safest” (since my youngest avoids all things broccoli).  My kids absolutely loved this!  There was no arguing and we had zero leftovers.  My daughter asked when I could make it again and if we had to wait for another Blue Apron box to have it again.  I didn’t have the heart to tell either one of them that the filling they were raving about was made from spinach!

My son loved the Chicken Rollatini so much that he decided to have an open mind when I made the Stir Fried Beef & Broccoli.  I cracked up when he said, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m going to give this broccoli a try.”  It made my night later when he said, “I guess broccoli isn’t so bad after all.”  My husband, who is a skeptic when it comes to things like this and my toughest food critic at times loved both meals, too!

What I loved about it:

  • I loved that it included everything I needed!  Have you ever wanted to try a new recipe and you realize in the midst of making it that you’re missing that one ingredient?  Or, have you ever wanted to try a recipe and had to purchase a big bottle of some specialty sauce or seasoning even though you’re not sure you will ever use it again?
  • I love that it gave me the opportunity to try out new recipes that are out of our norm and wouldn’t normally be included in in our weekly menu plan!  I love beef and broccoli, but I usually don’t make it for my family because I worry my kids won’t eat it.  Now I know they will!
  • I love that the ingredients are all fresh and high quality! (and even better that I didn’t have to go to the grocery store to get any of them)
  • It makes menu planning easy!
  • The meals are quick to prepare – each one took about 30 minutes!  I loved that we didn’t resort to eating out at the last minute because I had nothing prepared and the cost is comparable to what you would spend eating out.
  • The portions were just right for our family!  The Chicken Rollatini was a huge hit and there wasn’t anything left.  I actually was able to have leftovers of the Beef and Broccoli the next day for lunch.

Don’t take my word for it!  Try it for yourself!  Remember you can get $30 off our first order when you click here–> Blue Apron Meal Delivery

  • Yes, you can cancel or skip a delivery at any time – there’s no minimum time commitment!
  • There is a “freshness guarantee” and if anything is missing or not in acceptable cooking condition, they’ll make it right if you notify them within 7 days.
  • You can give Blue Apron as a gift, too!  Details are on the site!

Let me know what meals you get and what you think!

Menu Planning Monday: Easy Low Carb Recipe Ideas!

easy-low-carb-menu-plan

We fell off the low carb wagon over the holidays, but we’re ready to get back on track!!!  I have discovered that the key is to involve your kids in the menu planning and to choose some of their favorites.  Here’s this week’s  Low Carb Menu Plan for Families.

Check out our previous menus below:

Kid Friendly Low Carb Menu Plan Week #1

Kid Friendly Low Carb Menu Plan Week #2

Kid Friendly Low Carb Menu Plan Week #3

Kid Friendly Low Carb Menu Plan Week #4

See my menu plans from previous weeks here–> Menu Planning Monday

You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

Do you like what you see here?  Make sure you also check out my favorite recipes board on Pinterest–> Melissa’s Bargains favorite recipes on Pinterest

Easy Low Carb Recipe Ideas

mozzarella-stuffed-zucchini-cups

MONDAY:  Mozzarella Stuffed Zucchini Cups – My son is NOT a veggie lover…at ALL!  His main veggie consumption consists of carrot sticks dipped in ranch dip.  When I made this for the first time a few weeks ago, he LOVED it.  He actually raved about how delicious it was and how it was his favorite meal for days.  I was in complete shock.  If you haven’t tried out this one from Kalyn’s Kitchen yet, you’re missing out!

For breakfast, we will also be trying out this Low Carb Ham & Cheese Breakfast casserole!

john-soules-fajitas

TUESDAY:  Chicken Fajitas – When my son was playing football, Tuesdays were our busiest nights and so they became “Taco Tuesdays” because that was easiest.  To make it even easier, I use these John Soules Chicken Fajita strips (I get mine at Sam’s Club, but you can get them at most grocery stores).  The kids eat theirs with low carb tortillas.  I like mine plain with some Herdez green salsa or some homemade guacamole if I have time to make it!

pepperoni-pizza-bake

WEDNESDAY:  Low Carb Pepperoni Chicken Bake – One thing I’ve learned about any sort of diet in my house is that if I want to be successful, I need the ENTIRE family to do what I’m doing.  I don’t have time to cook different meals for different people.  That means I have to find recipes that my entire family will enjoy.  This was another favorite!

creamy-beef-over-noodles

THURSDAY:  Slow Cooker Creamy Beef – Instead of serving this one over pasta, I’ll be making cauliflower mashed potatoes with it!

FRIDAY:  Grilled sausage with sauerkraut – It’s the end of the week and my son has basketball practice, so it’s a double whammy and I knew we would need something quick and easy!

low-carb-pizza

SATURDAY:  Fathead Pizza – I honestly couldn’t believe how easy this was to make or how incredibly yummy it is!  One of the things my kids LOVE is pizza.  This has been an absolute LIFESAVER for us!

Kid Friendly Low Carb Meal Plans!

low-carb-menu-plan

We survived our first four weeks on a low carb menu although I did let my kids cheat a little bit this weekend and have some Halloween candy.  We’re back on track today and all of the Halloween candy is disappearing!  I have discovered that the key is to involve your kids in the menu planning and to choose some of their favorites.  Here’s this week’s  Low Carb Menu Plan for Families.

Check out our previous menus below:

Kid Friendly Low Carb Menu Plan Week #1

Kid Friendly Low Carb Menu Plan Week #2

Kid Friendly Low Carb Menu Plan Week #3

Kid Friendly Low Carb Menu Plan Week #4

See my menu plans from previous weeks here–> Menu Planning Monday

You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

Do you like what you see here?  Make sure you also check out my favorite recipes board on Pinterest–> Melissa’s Bargains favorite recipes on Pinterest

Kid Friendly Low Carb Meal Plans

low-carb-pizza

SUNDAY:  Low Carb Pizza – One of the things my kids LOVE is pizza.  I discovered a low carb pizza dough recipe that has been an absolute LIFESAVER for us!  I tried a different low carb pizza dough recipe a few weeks ago and while we enjoyed it, I feel like the almond flour in this recipe really made it seem more dough like.  This has become our Sunday night tradition!

green-chile-mock-enchilada-casserole

MONDAY:  Green Chile and Chicken Mock Enchilada Casserole – My family LOVES enchiladas and I wasn’t sure how we were going to survive without them when we started our low carb diet.  This recipe from Kalyn’s Kitchen was one of the first that we tried and it was a huge hit!  I am experimenting to switch it up a bit this week, and I will keep you posted!

TUESDAY:  Taco Tuesday – Tuesday nights are busy with football practice and swimming, so they’ve become “Taco Tuesday”  I cook pre seasoned fajitas or ground beef and we have tacos on low carb tortillas.  Depending on my carb count for the day, sometimes I have taco salad instead!

slow-cooker-beef-tips

WEDNESDAY:  Slow Cooker Beef Tips – I’m modifying my slow cooker beef tips recipe and serving it with cauliflower ‘mashed potatoes.  YUMMY!

THURSDAY:  Sausage and sauerkraut – Keeping it easy tonight since it’s another busy night!

FRIDAY:  Chicken alfredo with spaghetti squash

Chicken-ranch-tacos

SATURDAY:  Chicken Taco Salad – Tonight I’m going to use my Slow Cooker Chicken Ranch Tacos recipe to make chicken taco salad!

Low Carb Menu Plan for Families!

low-carb-menu-for-families

We survived our first three weeks on a low carb menu and I feel like we are really getting the hang of this!  My success story for the past week was when my kids asked if they would be able to trade in their Halloween candy for an Atkins treat!  I have discovered that the key is to involve your kids in the menu planning and to choose some of their favorites.  Here’s this week’s  Low Carb Menu Plan for Families.

Check out our previous menus below:

Kid Friendly Low Carb Menu Plan Week #1

Kid Friendly Low Carb Menu Plan Week #2

Kid Friendly Low Carb Menu Plan Week #3

See my menu plans from previous weeks here–> Menu Planning Monday

You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

Do you like what you see here?  Make sure you also check out my favorite recipes board on Pinterest–> Melissa’s Bargains favorite recipes on Pinterest

Low Carb Menu Plan for Families

low-carb-pizza

SUNDAY:  Low Carb Pizza – One of the things my kids LOVE is pizza.  I discovered a low carb pizza dough recipe that has been an absolute LIFESAVER for us!  I tried a different low carb pizza dough recipe a few weeks ago and while we enjoyed it, I feel like the almond flour in this recipe really made it seem more dough like.

Image Credit: Beauty and the Foodie

Image Credit: Beauty and the Foodie

MONDAY:  Paleo and Low Carb Southern Chicken Fried Steak – So I TOTALLY found a recipe for chicken fried steak that’s low carb thanks to Beauty and the Foodie.  I totally cannot wait to try it and it’s only 3 net carbs!  I’ll be making some cauliflower mashed potatoes to go with it!

TUESDAY:  Taco Tuesday – It’s Taco Tuesday, and it’s also a super busy night with football and swim practices.  We make it easy by buying pre-cooked fajita meat and low carb tortillas!

marinara-meatloaf-patties

Image Credit: Low Carbing with Jennifer Eloff

WEDNESDAY:  Marinara Meatloaf Patties – Since we’ve been doing low carb I have probably been most disappointed in meatball and meatloaf recipes.  They seem excessively greasy because there are no “fillers” which apparently help to cut the grease.  I saw this meatloaf recipe from Splendid Low Carbing by Jennifer Eloff and decided to check it out.  I’ll keep you posted.

THURSDAY:  Grilled sausage and sauerkraut – Thursday is another busy night for us, so we’re keeping it simple!

FRIDAY:  Buffalo Chicken Dip – My daughter is having a Halloween party and one of the things we’ll be serving is my mother in law’s buffalo chicken dip recipe which is low carb – yay!  I’ll share the recipe soon!

kid-friendly-cheese-fondue-recipe

SATURDAY:  Fondue – It’s Halloween, and our tradition is to have fondue.  I’m hoping to figure out how to substitute regular flour when making the roux to pull it off as low carb!

Low Carb Recipes Your Kids will eat!

kid-friendly-low-carb-recipes-week-3

We survived our first two weeks on a low carb menu.  I have discovered that the key is to involve your kids in the menu planning and to choose some of their favorites.  For the most part, the kids have not complained much!  I even fooled them with cauliflower “mashed potatoes.”  They didn’t even realize they weren’t potatoes and before he found out what they were, my son said they were his favorite part of the meal!  Here’s this week’s round up of Low Carb Recipes Your Kids Will Eat.

Check out our previous menus below:

Kid Friendly Low Carb Menu Plan Week #1

Kid Friendly Low Carb Menu Plan Week #2

See my menu plans from previous weeks here–> Menu Planning Monday

You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

Do you like what you see here?  Make sure you also check out my favorite recipes board on Pinterest–> Melissa’s Bargains favorite recipes on Pinterest

Low Carb Recipes Your Kids Will Eat

pepperoni-pizza-bake

SUNDAY:  Low Carb Pepperoni Pizza Chicken Bake – I am LOVING the recipes I’m finding on Kalyn’s Kitchen.  She’s got stuff that’s totally kid friendly and right in sync with what my family loves!  This recipe has been added to our family’s favorites list!

Creamy-beef-over-noodles

MONDAY:  Slow Cooker Creamy Beef – The actual title of this recipe from A Year of Slow Cooking is Creamy Beef over Noodles, but since we are low carb, we will be skipping the noodles and instead I’ll be making some Garlic Mashed Cauliflower to double as mashed potatoes.

TUESDAY:  Taco Tuesday!  With football and swimming, I like to keep Tuesday nights simple.  We’re having tacos on low carb tortillas (I will have taco salad for mine) and I will make some homemade guacamole!

parmesan-chicken-strips

WEDNESDAY:  Parmesan Chicken Strips – This Parmesan Chicken Strips recipe I found sounds pretty yummy.  I can’t wait to test it out!

THURSDAY:  Enchilada bake – We liked this Mock Green Enchilada Casserole during our first week so much that I’m going to experiment tonight and try to create a similar recipe using red enchilada sauce.  Stay tuned for the recipe and review!

creamy-herb-pork-chops

FRIDAY:  Crock Pot Pork Chops with Creamy Herb Sauce – I’m looking for recipes to change things up so we don’t get burned out, and this recipe from Crockpot Gourmet looks delicious!

SATURDAY:  Crock Pot Turkey Chili – It’s our trunk or treat at church and we’re having a potluck, too!  I’ll be taking a crock pot turkey chili recipe!