Cooking makes me happy! Grocery shopping makes me equally as happy. I enjoy just walking up and down the aisles. It seems I never leave without three or four more items then I need, attributable to the inspiration from the beautiful displays. I lose the battle with my temptations every time! I buy things that are a mystery to me! I put them in my basket with excitement, even though I have no idea what I am going to do with the mysterious purchase. I should also share with you that I love to shop at the most lovely markets. You know the ones, they are organic (which is important to me) and the marketing is stunning…..that place! You know the place! They have the same organic fruit and veggies and avocados that are at the local “grocery” store down the street for half the price …..but no…..not the same…not the same at all. I am so gullible! That’s okay…I will continue to go to the cute little market to get the items I can probably get at the equally amazing grocery store down the street….because it is so enjoyable for me (we have to enjoy grocery shopping)! They have a cute little coffee bar, with those amazing lattes that I love and I meet my girlfriends there. You all know what I am saying….I am not the only one who does this!! Anyways, I do have a point. There is the most amazing idea that not only saves you money on groceries but it spares our beautiful planet the food waste. All joking aside, even though we love shopping at the fabulous “boutique market” most of us buy way to much OR we buy spontaneously without a recipe or a plan to use it. Either way, it gets thrown in the compose….or garbage! (I am not accusing you of doing this, but I do and I am not going down alone). Good news is, there is hope! I am now using Chef’s Plate and I love it and I am about to share it with you! Let me point out that I am NEW to Chef’s Plate. I have been using their service for the past two months. I will update you with any and all opinions, but so far so good! I am particularly impressed with the difference in what I am throwing out!
The video below talks about the food waste and how Chef’s Plate has mastered mitigating this, but before you watch it, I want to share my experience with you. I am really particular about freshness and when the food arrives (via courier) it is in a cooler box that keeps the food cold until later in the evening. You do not need to be home to receive the box and no need to rush home from work on delivery day, it will stay cold until later into the evening. The meat is guaranteed fresh for 5 days in the fridge. You can not freeze it again as it has already been frozen; therefore, you must use it within 5 days. I ensure that I prepare the meat dishes earlier in the week and the dishes without meat can wait. I have not had any issues with the produce keeping or being fresh upon arrival. I do not believe that they are organic, which is a bit of an issue for me, but they are responsibly and locally sourced. I love the recipe cards, they come on nice thick cards that you can keep forever. Having the recipes allows you to create the meal again knowing the proper amount of ingredients you need (really need) so you can buy the items yourself without the waste the next time you want to create it. I get 3 meals a week delivered. I love cooking so still want to create and come up with my own dishes (or fabulous recipes from Pinch of Yum!) but it is really helpful to have 3 days covered during a busy week!! Another great feature is the introduction to foods! Yep, the unidentified mystery items we buy and then don’t know how to use……those! You can create with new and exciting foods. So far, I have been introduced to sunchokes (jerusalem artichokes), and I am now really confident cooking with faro! And no, before you wonder or ask, I do not have any vested interest or affiliation with Chef’s Plate. A friend introduced me to this brilliant idea just as I am to you now. I really hope that you will give it a try. Happy cooking to you! And don’t forget to share your experience, I would love to hear what you think!
xoxo
