I’ve been wanting to share this with you for a while now, but I really wanted to test this out before reviewing. For some of you, this is going to be a no-brainer for making your life easier. This is how I’ve made dinner time great again, even though I’m super busy. That’s right- this is a dinner hack for busy people. (I am not being gifted or paid in any way for this post- it’s just something that has made my life over 40, easier!)
Let me give you a little background:
I’ve always loved to cook. I made the meal plans, the grocery lists, did all the shopping and all the cooking. I thoroughly enjoyed making dinner time an event at our house, and I come from a long line of amazing cooks. So you might say I know my way around a kitchen.
Since last year, we have entered a new stage in our lives. One where my husband and I are working from home and some days from sun up until long past bed time. We are in an
Enter Hello Fresh. I tried this service with great reluctance, thinking that it was for people who don’t know how to cook and need “help” in that department. I’m here to tell you that after only one box, I moved this subscription to Holy Grail status and I haven’t looked back. My weekly Hello Fresh box completely saved my sanity and made dinner time great again.
Let me break it down for you:
The box arrives each week (there are loads of options for how many meals per week,(I get 3) how many people you are serving, allergies, diets, and more etc). You can choose your own meals each week, or just set it on
When you open the box, your recipe cards are
Under that are cold packs that cover the meat you will use in the recipes.


One of the best things about this service is that the meals/recipes are actually really good. We haven’t hit one that we haven’t liked and I’ve been using this for months now. Nothing is overly complicated- most of these full course meals are made start to finish in 30-40 minutes and with minimal cleanup.
You still have to cook. You are still preparing each meal with raw ingredients and cutting, chopping, seasoning, etc etc. But you don’t have to “think” about it! Just do it- and BAM! A really great dinner is served.
Everything for the meal is included except for salt and pepper, olive oil and butter. All other condiments, vegetables, meat, fish, and other seasonings are included in the prepared ingredient bags.
Price?
My take on the price is that it’s very fair. Of
The only drawback is that if I were to make these meals myself by going to the grocery store- I would make more and we would have left-overs. The meals are well proportioned but we rarely have left -overs with Hello Fresh.
Will this help
If you have a number of people that you are serving, then this probably won’t be a good solution economically. But if you are
This can also be gifted as a one-time box.
How To Try it for $3 + Shipping
If you’d like to give this service a try, use this link and you’ll get $40 off your first box! Plus- if you’re signed up with Ebates they are giving you $10 back right now! So what is that? $3??? You can cancel anytime, just by logging in and canceling. This is the way I tried Hello Fresh so my first box of 3 meals was only $3. ( I really thought that I would cancel right after I got the box, ha! ha!
Now, when I look up from my computer screen at 6:30 pm and feel my slight dinner panic begin to rise, I think, “Oh yeah…..”Hello Fresh” <happy sigh>”. They also now have a wine box that they will pair to your meals. Soooooo….there’s that.
So that’s the low down! I hope it was helpful! I know that some of you will LOVE LOVE this service as much as I do! It has seriously made dinner great again! If you enjoyed this, please consider pinning it to Pinterest.
P.S- Everything in the Hello Fresh box is recyclable and they tell you how to do just that on their website here.
Cheers !
You may also like to read my thoughts about Life Over 40 here.
Or about Self Care Over 40 here.
My sister has that box too and she is very exited about it.
Thanks Nancy- You know, I can’t believe how much I like it. I’ve always been pretty independent when it comes to cooking and to our dinners, but this has just been such a winner for us. I’m really glad that I tried it.
~Melissa xx
I wish they would have had this when I was raising children and working! It is such a great way to cook and eat a healthy meal. How cool!
Peace!
Cheryl
Thank you Cheryl- you know, I thought the exact same thing, “Where was this when I had little kids?” LOL The Millenials will never know how good they’ve got it, lol!
~Melissa xx
I tried one of these services (I *think* it was HF) and really liked it. The one turn-off (and the sole reason I didn’t continue) was all the wasted packaging materials. It would be great if HF had a recycling program in which all the styrofoam and ice packs could be returned and reused. It’s been awhile since I tried so maybe there has been some improvement in that area.
I’m trying your Bourbon Pecan Chicken tonight, Melissa…..excited, sounds delish!
Thank you Dawn! And I do understand about the packaging materials. Other people must have said the same, because Hello Fresh is almost all completely recyclable now.They even have a dedicated spot on the site to show you how. So a definite improvement! Please let me know what you think of the Bourbon Pecan Chicken…….I wish that I was eating at your house tonight! Hope you love it!
~Melissa xx