Reclaiming Date Night with HelloFresh

I've told you how convenient I find HelloFresh, and how it's made weeknight dinners less stressful and angsty. It's great for busy people, it makes mealtimes less complicated, HelloFresh is a kitchen hero. But it's a bit of a date night hero too. 

Shawn and I don't get out much. We're in that season of life where tiny humans demand a lot of time and focus, and we've got our own things going on at the same time. When we do manage to get out of the house together, without kids, we're usually seeing friends (to, you know, try to hold on to the last shred of our social life). 

HelloFresh is great for creating an at-home date night, no babysitter required.

I suspect it's because all the prep work is done for us, but for some reason, HelloFresh meals feel more luxurious than what we normally cook (even though the ingredients and techniques aren't exotic or even particularly fancy). Last week we plonked the kids in front of a movie and together we prepared Ginger Beef Noodles with Carrots and Bok Choy.

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The recipes are simple to follow, and because the ingredients in HelloFresh boxes are all pre-measured, it's easy to relax and cook casually, instead of being anxious about your partner's (lack of) chopping speed or trying to find the mothercussin' measuring cup (spoiler alert: it's sitting in the sink, dirty. Always. I'm convinced it is never clean.)

Our meal tasted like restaurant-quality, albeit more nutritious because we were able to control the salt content, and was more convenient than takeout because no one had to put on pants to answer the door. We didn't have to worry about finding childcare, we didn't bicker over who was going to be the designated driver, and we got to tuck the kids in and kiss them goodnight before continuing our date with cocktails and Netflix. Date night in flannel pyjamas. I highly recommend it. 

Yes, I miss the fun of dressing up and wearing shoes that are too high and lipstick that is too red. I miss grabbing a drink in the lounge and perusing a menu and eating food that isn't prepared by me. I'm not saying HelloFresh replaces the fun of a good night out. I'm saying it's a great alternative when real life is a bit limiting. I don't have the ability to go on fabulous dates with my husband every weekend but I do crave the connection that comes from intentionally focusing some time and energy on the person I love. HelloFresh gives me the opportunity to nurture that connection without feeling like I'm adding one more thing on top of everything else I'm trying to do. 

{Disclosure: I received product in exchange for this review; all opinions stated are my own.}

Meal Plan 11/13/2017 - 11/17/2017

The food battle (that I refuse to fight) continues. Grady's refusal to try new foods is slowly sucking all the fun out of cooking. I'm dreading mealtimes. This meal plan is forced and miserable is what I'm saying.

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Monday: Breakfast for dinner (aka: I give up). Buttermilk pancakes, bacon, cheesy scrambled eggs, fresh fruit. 

Tuesday: Chicken enchiladas. 

Wednesday: HelloFresh

Thursday: HelloFresh

Friday: HelloFresh

What are you eating this week? 

Seasons Change

I say it through gritted teeth as I hurry reluctant children through frosty air, juggling backpacks and a furious baby and my half-empty mug of lukewarm coffee. 

"Seasons change," I whisper softly in my sing-songy voice so Poppy doesn't hear the frustration and despair I'm feeling when she cannot settle and is still awake at 11:30p.m.

When I'm wiping yogurt out of Grady's lunchbox for the third time this week, or re-folding the laundry that Poppy discovered piled nicely waiting to be tucked into drawers and has strewn about the room, or speeding up the street to make it to the drugstore before it closes so I can grab a bag of diapers, it is my rallying cry. "SEASONS. CHANGE." 

I love my family more than anything but lately, I am not having much fun. I am irritated. I am annoyed. I am itching to feel like myself again, except I don't quite remember what that's supposed to feel like.  

I worry that I am wishing away time. That I'm constantly looking forward to the "what's next" and so I forget to enjoy the "right now." (Am I supposed to enjoy the right now if the right now includes blueberry diapers in November for the love?) It is a very weird place to be, both wishing time would stand still so I can enjoy it properly, and hurry up to a time when I'm actually enjoying myself. 

Parents who have survived babyhood: tell me it gets better.  

Make Weekday Meals Convenient and Stress-Free with HelloFresh

I've told you about my overall love for HelloFresh. I've told you how to hack your HelloFresh box to get yummy leftovers. Now let me tell you about how HelloFresh has eliminated mealtime stress during the week (weekday dinners are peak stress times in our house). 

I love to cook. I love exploring new recipes. Food is a passion of mine. But mid-week, rush in the door after work, scramble to put together a nutritious meal before we have to start the bedtime routine cooking? Is the actual worst. I am not at my best when I'm hungry (Shawn nods vehemently). I get snippy snappy and irritated. It's not a good scene.

HelloFresh has transformed our weekday meals. Before HelloFresh, our go-to on busy nights was ordering pizza. Now, there's no shame in the pizza game. Having a hot, delicious pizza delivered to my door is one of life's greatest joys. But it was becoming less of a treat and more of a habit. An expensive - nutritionally void - habit. 

HelloFresh gives you three meals of either two or four portions, and it works out to be cheaper than eating out for three meals. "But I still have to cook the food?" you ask. Yes, you do have to cook the food. But the ingredients come straight to your door, pre-portioned so all you have to do is open the bags and throw them in the pot as the recipe instructs. It's foolproof. You don't need any special tools or skills; if you can read a recipe, you can rock a HelloFresh box. 

One of the perks we've enjoyed is the ability to control the salt. Takeout can often be too salty but HelloFresh puts the seasoning decisions in your hands. You add the amount of spice you want. You salt to your taste. You follow the recipe but make it your own. Faster than if you picked up the phone and ordered takeout. 

Use code HILLARY40 for 40% off your first box. Try it and see how it can transform weekday meals from stressful and annoying to quick and easy. 

Do you use HelloFresh? What do you love or not love about it?

{Disclosure: I received product in exchange for this review; all opinions stated are my own.}