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Sunset Years

Making the later years the best ever!

COOKING DURING COVID

July 5, 2020

When Glen and I arrived home from Scottsdale in mid-March, we entered the netherworld of COVID-19. For our quarantine, Brandon stocked us with food, disinfectants and sanitizers, and coveted rolls of toilet paper. Eventually, however, I wanted to buy groceries myself. First, I tried shopping online using home delivery, but items often ended up being unavailable (so much for that recipe) or the produce wasn’t fresh. Next, I ordered online for pick up in a nearby grocery store — to middling success as the area didn’t really accommodate physical distancing. Then I saw promos for a meal-kit service and remembered a friend had recommended one some time ago. I signed up with HelloFresh: four meals for two delivered to our door once a week.

I’d found a way to satisfy Glen’s nightly question, an in-joke lifted from the superb dramedy Pleasantville (1998): “Where’s my dinner?”

Founded in Berlin in November 2011, HelloFresh entered early into the meal-kit industry. From ten meals, the business now delivers more than 111 million meals to over 4.18 million customers in 14 countries. The US tops the list of subscribers. 

Little did I know subscribing to the service means going to cooking school — in the safety of our kitchen. The meals come with the essential ingredients and detailed instructions. I often chop, chop, chop, just don’t shop, shop, shop. Each recipe takes about 30 minutes to prepare, and we travel the world through the cuisines: Japan, India, the Middle East, Mexico, Italy and Ireland. Any recipes we particularly savour, I add to my collection to replicate later. A kit for two usually feeds three, so generous are the portions. When Brandon doesn’t join us for dinner, Glen and I eat leftovers for lunch the next day.

Concurrent with my new dependency on HelloFresh, I read about the imperative to support local businesses. To my delight I discovered FreshPrep, a Vancouver meal-kit service started in 2014 by a trio of childhood friends. Although we rate the HelloFresh service faultless, I switched allegiance. 

ADVANTAGES TO KITS
  • Easy meal planning: simply click and cook.
  • Flexibility: order two, three or four meals a week — or skip any week(s).
  • A variety of nutritional recipes that will accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets.
  • Carefully tailored portions eliminate waste; e.g. no excess sprigs of herbs for a recipe. (Cilantro goes into our organics bin as it disagrees with Glen — or he disagrees with it!)
  • Kits cost considerably less than dining out yet offer restaurant-type menus.

FreshPrep works with local purveyors and farms in Vancouver that support sustainable practices. It also delivers kits in reusable cooler bags. Plus customers return plastic packaging for environmentally responsible disposal.

Sample meals include Chicken Tikka Masala & Raita with Flourist Canadian Grown Golden Quinoa; Lentil & Sunflower Seed Falafels with Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Cauliflower & Garlic Tahini Sauce; and Sweet & Spicy Flat Iron Steaks with Basmati Rice & Feta, Tomato & Corn Salad.

Although COVID-19 hasn’t put us in a welcome state, we’re having fun with food in our home. •

Meal-kit
Ready for cooking class 101.

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13 Comments
Filed Under: Well-being Tagged: tips

Comments

  1. J Grant McPhail says

    July 5, 2020 at 12:00 pm

    That looks interesting. I suspect delivery to Onanole may be a challenge! Enjoy!!

    Reply
    • Pam McPhail says

      July 6, 2020 at 6:05 pm

      You are such an epicure you could start your own “cottage” business in Onanole. 😉

      Reply
  2. Glen Wickens says

    July 5, 2020 at 12:25 pm

    We have enjoyed some delicious meals. All credit to Pam who labours away in the kitchen, often for more than the predicted 30 minutes.I have incorporated one technique from the various recipes that include meat and now cut my steaks into strips after I have cooked them on the BBQ.

    Reply
  3. Patricia Britton says

    July 5, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    Looks and sounds delicious.

    Reply
    • Pam McPhail says

      July 6, 2020 at 5:58 pm

      🍽👌🏻

      Reply
  4. Linda W says

    July 5, 2020 at 2:29 pm

    It looks like fun and something to look forward to. I am glad you switched companies and are supporting a local business. I like they are using reusable bags. Personally, I support the local restaurants with take out and the occasional eat in. I hope you are all enjoying the summer.

    Reply
    • Pam McPhail says

      July 6, 2020 at 6:02 pm

      We enjoy tasting new recipes for sure. You’re always a strong supporter of local businesses. In fact you’re a local business yourself.👍🏻

      Reply
  5. Vicki Smith says

    July 10, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    We were “gifted” a goodfood box in April, continued with them and then alternated with Hellofresh. I like the experience, new recipes and ideas but we are still doing friday night takeout from Shalimar to support local.

    Reply
    • Pam McPhail says

      July 10, 2020 at 4:59 pm

      The best of two experiences for you. Must say it took us a few years to find a replacement “Shalimar” in Vancouver. Happy to know it’s still going strong in Lennoxville.

      Reply
  6. Brandon says

    July 22, 2020 at 1:14 pm

    This Brandon character sounds like a pretty nice guy.

    Reply
    • Pam McPhail says

      July 22, 2020 at 1:33 pm

      He’s the best!❤️

      Reply
  7. Brandon says

    July 22, 2020 at 1:19 pm

    Best restaurant in town.

    Reply
    • Pam McPhail says

      July 22, 2020 at 1:33 pm

      Thanks!😉

      Reply

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Welcome to Pam McPhail's blog about the sunset years, a metaphor for the stage in life when we're no longer fully occupied in the workplace or at home. We’re free to set our own agendas. Together let's explore how to make these years our best ever.
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