Spending time making a delicious, home-cooked meal can be rewarding. But as much fun as it can be, there are some days where you might not have the energy to pull out all the stops — go to the grocery store, set a mise en place, hover over the stove for hours — and that’s OK.
When the cooking fatigue hits, don’t hesitate to reach out for backup in the kitchen. Enter: Blue Apron — a subscription-based meal service that delivers the recipes and ingredients you need to create tasty dinners. In particular, the Wellness menu keeps holistic health in mind with dishes that range from low in carbohydrates to less than 600 calories to vegetarian options. In need of a helping hand? Read through to see the scenarios when a meal kit may come in handy, then sign up to get $110 off of your first five boxes of Blue Apron.
When You’re Starting a Vegetarian Diet
It seems that more and more people are adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet, and for good reason. To make the transition to a plant-based lifestyle easier, you need a solid base of recipes to choose from. Luckily, Blue Apron’s Wellness plan has an entire vegetarian menu that puts veggies and plant-based proteins front and center. There’s everything from simple, one-pan dinners to under 30-minute meals — and you won’t miss the meat.
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When the Busy Season at Work Hits
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It’s easy to fall back on takeout while working late nights at the (home) office. But meal subscription services can be just as convenient as food delivery services: the ingredients are delivered to your door, the food is preportioned out, and the recipes come together faster than the time it would take to receive a takeout order. Not to mention, a home-cooked meal is almost always healthier than takeout.
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When It’s Too Hot to Turn on the Oven
The last thing you want to do in the summer is crank up the heat. Turning on a hot oven in a sun-soaked kitchen is something that even a cold shower can’t fix. No-oven meals are essential in the warmer months. To make cooking a breeze (literally), Blue Apron switches up the menu to include a variety of no-oven recipes. From a cauliflower and egg skillet to honey-ginger shrimp and rice, there are plenty of stovetop and grill recipes to choose from.
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When You Need Some Inspiration in the Kitchen
Eating the same meals week after week can get tiring, but finding new recipes for your dinner rotation isn’t as simple as it seems. There are a few factors to consider: price, convenience, and above all, taste. Instead of scouring the internet for new dishes and testing them out, try a meal-kit service. You’ll have the opportunity to try different cuisines and learn new kitchen skills, all while expanding your dinner repertoire.
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When It’s Time to Prioritize Your Mental Health
There are some days when it’s difficult to get out of bed, nevermind cook. If you’re not in the headspace to make dinner, Blue Apron has premade, ready-to-eat options that you can quickly heat up in the microwave or oven. They’re convenient, delicious, and packed with essential nutrients, so you can focus on putting your mental health first.
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When You Welcome a New Family Member
Welcoming a baby into your world is a whirlwind experience — your priorities instantly shift to center on your little bundle of joy. While eating a home-cooked meal every night might have once been top of mind, it can quickly fall by the wayside. To make it easier on your family during those first few months, opt for a meal-kit service. You can skip a trip to the grocery store, and the recipes are quick and easy, which means more quality time with your family.
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When You Want to Stay on Track With Lifestyle Goals
Sticking to a healthy lifestyle starts in the kitchen. Having tasty, satisfying meals to rely on is key to turning your goals into a daily routine. That’s where Blue Apron comes in — in particular, the Wellness plan. Designed in collaboration with nutritionists, these meals prioritize ingredients like whole grains, vegetables, and lean sources of protein. Plus, the recipes definitely aren’t lacking in flavor — think: za’atar chicken and farro salad with a creamy dijon dressing, chipotle squash and black bean tacos, BBQ pork burgers with a zesty coleslaw — yum!
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