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Top 5 Meal Kit Delivery Services

Linnea A.

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As someone who loves meal prepping, meal kit delivery services have always been of interest to me. I’ve used them on and off for a while now, but with so many new ones popping up, how can you decide which one’s the best?! Well, I’ve navigated the space for you, and have broken down the pro’s, con’s, and price of each service. Let’s get to it!

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1. Fresh Prep

As the first meal prep delivery service I ever tried, I didn’t know what to expect with Fresh Prep. I actually collaborated with them few times, so I’ve been able to try quite a few recipes of theirs - I’ve even served meals to my book club thanks to Fresh Prep! For the most part, the recipes are all simple and tasty, so if you’re new to cooking, this would be the kit for you. But if you’re a little more creative in the kitchen, these recipes are pretty easy peasy, so you might be a little bored with the selection.

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PROS:

  • Very reasonably priced: $10.33/serving (For 3 meals with 2 servings each, it’s $40 for your first box, and $62 after that)

  • They’re local, and sometimes collaborate with local Vancouver businesses to switch up their menus and feature different ingredients

  • The meals come in a reusable cooler bag, and you can choose a time frame (even a Sunday!) for delivery

CONS:

  • I can’t stand their recipe sheets - they’re flimsy pieces of paper that easily get damaged and wrinkled from the moisture of the produce; hard to reuse

  • Recipes are a little bland/boring for my liking; I prefer more out-of-the-box/can’t-create-that-in-my-head type recipes

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2. Good Food

As a Canadian company, Good Food appealed to me because their marketing is very strong, and their recipes are top notch. You’re basically eating an impressive meal at a restaurant, rather than a simple meal at home. This box definitely had some of my favourite recipes, including a Ricotta Rigatoni with Roasted Beets and a Bolognese that was to die.

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PROS:

  • Canadian

  • The produce comes in an insulated cardboard box, and all the produce you need in clear plastic bags, with an icepack inside the box to keep everything cool. They even give you reusable tubs/containers that you can use for travelling! Very beautifully packaged.

  • You receive gorgeous printed reusable recipe cards on glossy cardstock

  • The best “chef-inspired” recipes out of the bunch, including an incredible fresh tagliatelle

CONS:

  • A tad bit on the pricier side: $12.33/serving (For 3 meals with 2 servings each, it’s $44.40 for your first box, and $74 after that)

  • You have to cut/chop your own produce, so if you don’t have time to chop/dice, this may not be the box for you

  • Can’t choose a specific time frame for delivery

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 3. Chef’s Plate

My experience with Chef’s Plate was great. I loved all the meals, and it was pretty much identical to Hello Fresh, but a little bit cheaper. The Golden Curry with Quinoa was so delicious, as was the Maple Dijon Salmon - yum!

PROS:

  • Canada’s #1 meal kit delivery service

  • Reasonably priced: $9.99-12.00/serving (Depending on the meals you choose, for 3 meals with 2 servings each, it was $36.85 for my first box, and $71.78 after that)

  • The produce comes pre-chopped/diced in an insulated cardboard box, and all the produce comes in paper bags, with an icepack inside the box to keep everything cool

  • You receive beautifully printed reusable recipe cards on glossy cardstock

CONS:

  • Very long delivery window, with no option to shrink the time frame

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4. Hello Fresh

Hello Fresh is the most popular of the bunch, being America’s #1 meal kit delivery service at the moment (but yes, it’s American). I’ve heard TONS of Youtubers rave about it, so once it came to Vancouver, I knew I had to give it a try. But it’s definitely hit and miss.

PROS:

  • The produce comes pre-chopped/diced in an insulated cardboard box, and all the produce you need comes in paper bags, with an icepack inside the box to keep everything cool.

  • You receive beautifully printed reusable recipe cards on glossy cardstock

  • The Retro Burger that I tried was amaaazing, and so easy to make. I’d definitely remake the recipe again - it was that good

CONS:

  • Tad bit pricier: $12.50/serving (For 3 meals with 2 servings each, it’s $34.00 for your first box, and $74.99 after that)

  • Few to no emails to remind you to choose your meals, or warn you that a box is coming, so you need to stay on top of your subscription

  • I experienced a bad batch of sour gnocci that was imported from Italy, despite a 2019 expiry date. I literally had to pick out my gnocci from my sauce and boil different noodles to eat my meal. But they credited my account right away, so their Customer Service is pretty good.

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5. Miss Fresh

Last, and definitely least is Miss Fresh. I wasn’t too impressed with the recipes, and well, the cons can speak for themselves lol.

PROS:

  • Reasonably priced: $10.99/serving (For 3 meals with 2 servings each, it was $34.50 for my first box, and $65.94 after that)

CONS:

  • You have to chop/measure your ingredients out

  • The box arrived with a cracked container inside, so my diced tomatoes were all over everything! Luckily, their customer service team took care of my box because of the mishap

  • The recipe sheets are flimsy and not necessarily reusable

  • The box is shipped all the way from Calgary, which totally defeats the purpose of buying a meal kit

And that concludes my adventures with meal kit deliveries! Overall, I’d say my favourite has to be Good Food (followed by Chef’s Plate), because the meals and recipes they create are things you’d never cook for yourself; they’re sooo tasty! Have you guys tried any of these? What were your faves?! Leave them in the comments below!

xo

Linnea

Girls Night In: Fiesta Style

Linnea A.

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Although I'd love to be hosting my girlfriends on my patio right about now, the sun isn't quite out of hibernation yet - and it's still raining. All. The. Time. But the weather didn't stop me from planning a cozy girls night in. In fact, neither did my cleanse! So if you're curious to know how to throw a cozy girls night in, fiesta style - and "Wild Rose Detox" friendly, then you're in luck!

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I needed to think of a main dish that was not only cleanse-friendly, but appetizing, too. I thought about making curry, or simple chicken and veggies, but that sounded boring to me. So, I decided to turn our girls night into a Mexican fiesta - tacos, guac, jalapeños and all. Throw in a few boardgames, good music, and you have the perfect girls night in. And lucky for you, I've included all of my recipes below!

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Cajun Fish Tacos

  • 4 mahi mahi filets
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp chipotle seasoning
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 limes, for garnish
  • 2 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 jalapeño, minced
  • Corn tortillas
  1. Mix all of your dry ingredients together in a bowl.
  2. Drop the fish into the dry mix, and rub the spices in. Make sure you fully coat every piece!
  3. Cut and dice your remaining veggies and toppings.
  4. Grill your fish for 3-4 minutes each side, or until cooked. 
  5. While the fish is cooking, sear your corn tortillas with a dash of avocado oil in a separate skillet.
  6. Top with guacamole, red onions, and jalapeños. Mango and corn are always a good idea too! Mmm mmm. 
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Homemade Guacamole

  • 3 large ripe avocados
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/2 tsp pink Himalayan salt
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 1 tsp red chili flakes
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 ripe tomato, chopped (seeds and pulp removed)
  • Pinch of pepper
  • Hot sauce (omit if on the Wild Rose)
  1. Mash avocados with a fork, but don't over mix - chunky guac is best!
  2. Add salt, lime juice, and remaining ingredients. Do a little taste test to make sure you're not missing anything.
  3. If you're making this ahead of time, use plastic wrap to store the guac in the fridge (without air) until it's fiesta time. 
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Smoked Cauliflower Tacos

  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 2 cups corn
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper
  • Corn tortillas

I also decided to make yam fries on the side, so for those, you'll need:

  • 4 yams, sliced 
  • 1 tsp onion salt
  • 1 tsp chipotle seasoning
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper
     
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  1. After chopping your veggies, spread out the cauliflower, corn and yams on separate baking sheets. Sprinkle and toss with the spices and avocado oil.
  2. Roast everything at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, or until crispy.
  3. In the meantime, lightly sear your corn tortillas in a skillet on each side.
  4. Top each tortilla with your cauli-corn mixture, and add your desired toppings. Great options are salsa, guacamole, and of course, Cholula. Gotta have the Cholula! 
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At my topping station, I included diced mangoes (omit on WR), jalapeños, corn salsa and fire roasted tomato salsa (omit on WR)... because we all know the toppings are what make your tacos!

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Typically, I'd be serving margaritas, or festive cocktails to suit the food... but my girlfriend and I opted for La Croix (my fave) and wine for the rest of the girls. We had a great time catching up, playing board games and indulging in some juicy raspberries for dessert.

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And there you have it - a festive girls night in, with delicious, healthy (dairy free, gluten free) whole foods. Let me know if you try any of these recipes in the comments!

Happy fiesta-ing,

xo

Linnea

Easter High Tea

Linnea A.

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To kick off the Easter long weekend, I took a quick trip to Neverland. My colleague Tracy and I have made a tradition out of going to Neverland Tea Salon together every so often, and we follow our treats by heading to W. 4th to do some shopping. We always have a great time - it's amazing how much joy positive, sweet people can bring to your life!

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I opted for the gluten and dairy omitted option, and according to Tracy, mine was overall better than hers. I was blown away by their gluten free bread - fluffiest I've ever had. And the scone! My God... GIMB. They also have vegetarian and vegan options - the only high tea place in Vancouver that offers those, so I highly recommend paying them a visit. 

My favourites out of the savouries were the citrus scone, the egg salad sandwich, and the pulled jackfruit sandwich. It literally tasted exactly like pulled pork - I am still in awe!

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As far as tea goes,  my favourite is always the Summer in Provence - it's a black tea with hints of lavender, and you know how I feel about lavender :) I also tried their London fog  with Almond milk, and it was equally as amazing. 

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Definitely planning on coming back for Mother's Day, because my mom and Grandma would love it. I hope you all have a very Happy Easter my friends!

xo

Linnea

Gluten Free Banana Waffles

Linnea A.

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In light of #InternationalWaffleDay today, I thought I'd share my favourite gluten free waffle recipe I've tried thus far! And bonus, they're vegan too! As long as you control your toppings, this recipe is a delicious healthy breakfast. 

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For the waffles:

  • 1 banana, mashed

  • 1 cup rolled oats

  • 1/2 cup almond milk

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1 tbsp chia and hemp seeds (optional)

  • 1 cup spinach (optional, if you don't mind green pancakes)

Blend the ingredients together in a blender to form a batter. Heat your waffle iron, grease with coconut oil, and let each waffle cook until golden. If you don't have a waffle iron, you can make these into pancakes too, but I've found my mini iron to be  soo  handy!

For the toppings:

  • 1/2 banana, or fruit of your choice

  • 2 tsp maple syrup

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1 tbsp almond butter (optional - I just loooove almond butter)

Drizzle and dress your waffles, and there you have it, guilt-free waffles! Happy #InternationalWaffleDay, let me know what you think once you try the recipe! 

xo

Linnea