Comments on: Assembling meals outside your kitchen http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/ Daily tips on how to organize your home and office. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:42:10 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Leslie http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-10881 Leslie Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:13:32 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-10881 I'm up in Canada, and there are several of these places up here as well. One I've been to offers you a discount if you bring your own packaging (ie a glass 9x13 pan, etc), and I've quite enjoyed the 3 meals I've had from there over the past year or so. It's not something I'd do on a regular (ie daily) basis, but I find it is a nice alternative to more expensive restaurant visits, and it allows you to have several friends over, and someone brings wine, someone brings dessert, and all of us recent university grads can enjoy a nice meal that has limited effort and cleanup involved without breaking the bank! I’m up in Canada, and there are several of these places up here as well. One I’ve been to offers you a discount if you bring your own packaging (ie a glass 9×13 pan, etc), and I’ve quite enjoyed the 3 meals I’ve had from there over the past year or so. It’s not something I’d do on a regular (ie daily) basis, but I find it is a nice alternative to more expensive restaurant visits, and it allows you to have several friends over, and someone brings wine, someone brings dessert, and all of us recent university grads can enjoy a nice meal that has limited effort and cleanup involved without breaking the bank!

]]> By: Low Carb Food » Blog Archive » Assembling meals outside your kitchen http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4880 Low Carb Food » Blog Archive » Assembling meals outside your kitchen Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:51:50 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4880 [...] Read the rest of this great post here [...] [...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]

]]> By: JB http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4668 JB Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:11:09 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4668 Can anyone speak to the amount of packaging that comes with these assembly dinner services? One concern I have about traditional take-out are the multitudes of plastic containers and silverware that end up going in the trash (our city curb-side recycling won't accept most them). I try to reuse what I can, but you can only collect so many before some just have to go. Can anyone speak to the amount of packaging that comes with these assembly dinner services? One concern I have about traditional take-out are the multitudes of plastic containers and silverware that end up going in the trash (our city curb-side recycling won’t accept most them). I try to reuse what I can, but you can only collect so many before some just have to go.

]]> By: Colin http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4597 Colin Mon, 29 Oct 2007 03:40:22 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4597 My wife was asked by a friend to help make up the numbers for a group excursion to one of these places in DC. Don't know if this is typical, but it just wasn't that good: far far too salty even when she was cutting the recommended amounts down, and only average food quality. I can see where it would be useful if you're not a confident cook, or you know that you're pressed for time, but we've not bothered with it again. My wife was asked by a friend to help make up the numbers for a group excursion to one of these places in DC. Don’t know if this is typical, but it just wasn’t that good: far far too salty even when she was cutting the recommended amounts down, and only average food quality.

I can see where it would be useful if you’re not a confident cook, or you know that you’re pressed for time, but we’ve not bothered with it again.

]]> By: Andy Potter http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4581 Andy Potter Sat, 27 Oct 2007 20:09:23 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4581 There are about 1500 of these 'meal assembly kitchens' around the country. Here's a place where you can search by zip code or city and found the ones in your neighborhood: www.mealassembly.net There are about 1500 of these ‘meal assembly kitchens’ around the country. Here’s a place where you can search by zip code or city and found the ones in your neighborhood: http://www.mealassembly.net

]]> By: allen http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4552 allen Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:08:23 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4552 comparing them to fast-food or other restaurants, i agree these are a MUCH better option. However, I can not imagine that for the VAST majority of people this can be a good idea. Cooking is actually pretty darn easy, and cheap, once you get going. It's like anything in life, all it takes is practice. If you're concerned about time, use a slow cooker, or cook ahead as someone else suggested. There is nothing wrong with having left overs for a day or two. Last night's supper is tomorrow's pick-me-up lunch! Many specialists now believe that a big reason why our children (let alone adults) have the growing obesity problem that they do [here in the USA], is at least partially because they don't cook/know how/or see anyone around them cooking. They don't learn how easy/cheap it is to make meal X, so they buy it from the restaurant (which besides being more expensive, is almost always in larger servings, and less nutritious), &c. I'll agree that i had not considered the idea of people using this as a way to spice up an otherwise plain weekly menu. I'm big-enough to admit when there was a point I hadn't considered: I had been thinking under the assumption of people who would use these services every night. comparing them to fast-food or other restaurants, i agree these are a MUCH better option. However, I can not imagine that for the VAST majority of people this can be a good idea. Cooking is actually pretty darn easy, and cheap, once you get going. It’s like anything in life, all it takes is practice. If you’re concerned about time, use a slow cooker, or cook ahead as someone else suggested. There is nothing wrong with having left overs for a day or two. Last night’s supper is tomorrow’s pick-me-up lunch! Many specialists now believe that a big reason why our children (let alone adults) have the growing obesity problem that they do [here in the USA], is at least partially because they don’t cook/know how/or see anyone around them cooking. They don’t learn how easy/cheap it is to make meal X, so they buy it from the restaurant (which besides being more expensive, is almost always in larger servings, and less nutritious), &c.

I’ll agree that i had not considered the idea of people using this as a way to spice up an otherwise plain weekly menu. I’m big-enough to admit when there was a point I hadn’t considered: I had been thinking under the assumption of people who would use these services every night.

]]> By: Ethel http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4545 Ethel Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:31:24 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4545 These services have their place, but until they get under $2.00 a serving we can't afford them except in unusual circumstances. We eat for $3.00 per meal or less at our house - and that is for a family of four (two being toddlers). If we are careful, we can even do about 1/2 organic. Sessions to these places are a great (uncluttered) gift alternative to coupons to restaurants, though. A coupon to one of these sessions is an ideal gift for new parents, especially if do the prep for the new parents and just bring them the prepared meals. We've also come up with ideas from our few visits to these kinds of places on how to be more creative with our own meals. Dinner's Ready! is where I learned that cinnamon and almonds can add a nice twist to chili, for example - and I now have a dry-ingredient only version that can be made ahead and stored in a Ziploc bag, then thrown in a crock-pot with water (and maybe meat) in the morning and forgotten until dinner. These services can also be a great training ground for learning the fine art of cooking ahead and freezing homemade pre-prepped meals. These services have their place, but until they get under $2.00 a serving we can’t afford them except in unusual circumstances. We eat for $3.00 per meal or less at our house – and that is for a family of four (two being toddlers). If we are careful, we can even do about 1/2 organic.

Sessions to these places are a great (uncluttered) gift alternative to coupons to restaurants, though. A coupon to one of these sessions is an ideal gift for new parents, especially if do the prep for the new parents and just bring them the prepared meals.

We’ve also come up with ideas from our few visits to these kinds of places on how to be more creative with our own meals. Dinner’s Ready! is where I learned that cinnamon and almonds can add a nice twist to chili, for example – and I now have a dry-ingredient only version that can be made ahead and stored in a Ziploc bag, then thrown in a crock-pot with water (and maybe meat) in the morning and forgotten until dinner. These services can also be a great training ground for learning the fine art of cooking ahead and freezing homemade pre-prepped meals.

]]> By: endeavor http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4459 endeavor Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:11:51 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4459 @Tim ~ Sure you can but the point is that it's a great alternative for some people who don't have the time for whatever reason to cook a nutritious meal. I love the idea myself. I've heard of these places but now I think I will have to give them a try! I like to cook but sometimes if I have to work late or run an errand after work I really do not feel like taking the time to cook so this can be quite helpful. @Tim ~ Sure you can but the point is that it’s a great alternative for some people who don’t have the time for whatever reason to cook a nutritious meal. I love the idea myself. I’ve heard of these places but now I think I will have to give them a try! I like to cook but sometimes if I have to work late or run an errand after work I really do not feel like taking the time to cook so this can be quite helpful.

]]> By: Meal Assembly Watch - A community resource for meal assembly store owners http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4458 Meal Assembly Watch - A community resource for meal assembly store owners Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:04:38 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4458 [...] Read the whole article and the comments here: [...] [...] Read the whole article and the comments here: [...]

]]> By: Tim http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4422 Tim Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:39:37 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4422 You can do the same thing in your own kitchen on weekends. My roommates and I did this in college. Cook up a load of food on Saturday and eat on it all week! You can do the same thing in your own kitchen on weekends. My roommates and I did this in college. Cook up a load of food on Saturday and eat on it all week!

]]> By: D Cootey http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4415 D Cootey Thu, 25 Oct 2007 06:03:33 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4415 Great idea. I don't know if any of these are in Utah, but I'm looking into it tonight. Tuesdays and Thursdays are our most hectic nights and we could use a quick, healthy, meal that doesn't have a lot of clean-up. Thanks for posting this. ~Douglas -=- ☆ <a href="http://thesplinteredmind.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">The Splintered Mind</a> - Overcoming Neurological Disabilities With Lots Of Humor And Attitude Great idea. I don’t know if any of these are in Utah, but I’m looking into it tonight. Tuesdays and Thursdays are our most hectic nights and we could use a quick, healthy, meal that doesn’t have a lot of clean-up. Thanks for posting this.

~Douglas
-=-
☆ The Splintered Mind – Overcoming Neurological Disabilities With Lots Of Humor And Attitude

]]> By: Rosemary http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4414 Rosemary Thu, 25 Oct 2007 06:03:20 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4414 I've used these services and I love them. I don't use them all the time, but I find that they are wonderful for getting me over stressful, busy periods in life where it is still important to eat properly. I've done the maths very carefully, and they work out much cheaper than fast food and frozen dinners and the best thing is that you can customise them to your own requirements. For example, cut the chilli down to your preference or put extra cheese. I've taken kids with me when we do it, and they get to handle ingredients and learn new techniques etc. The other thing I love is that the menu's expand my horizons but in a safe way. I was never taught to cook, but I enjoy it and I find that after I've tried a meal through Dream Dinners, I can often recreate it myself. I've used the dinners in the months after having a baby while I focussed on learning to breastfeed, when we were doing an international move and all my kitchen gear had not yet arrived, when we had a particulary intense period where work was stressful and I wanted to make sure that the time I was spending at home was focussed on the kids, not on keeping house. So, all in all, these dinners have their place as an option alongside all the other alternatives. Yes, I know cooking might be a bit cheaper and maybe better for me and would teach my kids good lessons....but this is real life. If I can't cook all the time, I am glad that my family can eat real food that we've still had a hand in preparing. More importantly, I'm glad that I have a CHOICE! I’ve used these services and I love them. I don’t use them all the time, but I find that they are wonderful for getting me over stressful, busy periods in life where it is still important to eat properly.

I’ve done the maths very carefully, and they work out much cheaper than fast food and frozen dinners and the best thing is that you can customise them to your own requirements. For example, cut the chilli down to your preference or put extra cheese. I’ve taken kids with me when we do it, and they get to handle ingredients and learn new techniques etc.

The other thing I love is that the menu’s expand my horizons but in a safe way. I was never taught to cook, but I enjoy it and I find that after I’ve tried a meal through Dream Dinners, I can often recreate it myself.

I’ve used the dinners in the months after having a baby while I focussed on learning to breastfeed, when we were doing an international move and all my kitchen gear had not yet arrived, when we had a particulary intense period where work was stressful and I wanted to make sure that the time I was spending at home was focussed on the kids, not on keeping house.

So, all in all, these dinners have their place as an option alongside all the other alternatives. Yes, I know cooking might be a bit cheaper and maybe better for me and would teach my kids good lessons….but this is real life. If I can’t cook all the time, I am glad that my family can eat real food that we’ve still had a hand in preparing. More importantly, I’m glad that I have a CHOICE!

]]> By: Jasi http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4412 Jasi Thu, 25 Oct 2007 02:36:49 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4412 Very cool. I've never heard of Dream Dinners before. And though I love to cook, I could see the value of not having to. Dig! Very cool. I’ve never heard of Dream Dinners before. And though I love to cook, I could see the value of not having to. Dig!

]]> By: Tim http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4409 Tim Wed, 24 Oct 2007 23:43:16 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4409 These dinner to go places are handy but are VERY expensive. Is it really that hard to put pots and pans in the dishwasher as you cook? Plus think of all the food packaging you are throwing away. These dinner to go places are handy but are VERY expensive. Is it really that hard to put pots and pans in the dishwasher as you cook? Plus think of all the food packaging you are throwing away.

]]> By: Nicole http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4406 Nicole Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:36:43 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4406 One of my favorite parts about eating a meal that I have just cooked at home is the scents and the warmth that fills my kitchen. Not to mention, home-cooking is more than just feeding the stomach, it feeds the soul. So I think this option is not for me. However, I have several friends and family members who would love this. One of my favorite parts about eating a meal that I have just cooked at home is the scents and the warmth that fills my kitchen. Not to mention, home-cooking is more than just feeding the stomach, it feeds the soul. So I think this option is not for me. However, I have several friends and family members who would love this.

]]> By: Sarah http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4403 Sarah Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:10:54 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4403 I go to Dream Dinners here in Massachusetts and it's great! And I consider myself a decent cook. However, I do live alone and it's hard to come up with new things that don't bury me in leftovers. Just had a Dream Dinners last night actually (Morroccan Chicken with Pumpkin). I go to Dream Dinners here in Massachusetts and it’s great! And I consider myself a decent cook. However, I do live alone and it’s hard to come up with new things that don’t bury me in leftovers. Just had a Dream Dinners last night actually (Morroccan Chicken with Pumpkin).

]]> By: Kelsey http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4402 Kelsey Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:19:14 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4402 I've looked into these services only a little bit. Because of my dietary choices/restrictions (I have type 1 diabetes and am pregnant) I prefer to prepare my meals at home. Our system is simple: I cook, my husband does the dishes. Typically, I'll clean up a bit with him and dry the pots and pans. After we eat, clean-up takes 10 minutes, tops. Once you're in the habit of cleaning up right away, it isn't such a terrible chore. Then we get to relax and know that our kitchen is clean! I’ve looked into these services only a little bit. Because of my dietary choices/restrictions (I have type 1 diabetes and am pregnant) I prefer to prepare my meals at home.

Our system is simple: I cook, my husband does the dishes. Typically, I’ll clean up a bit with him and dry the pots and pans. After we eat, clean-up takes 10 minutes, tops. Once you’re in the habit of cleaning up right away, it isn’t such a terrible chore. Then we get to relax and know that our kitchen is clean!

]]> By: Dale http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4401 Dale Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:15:08 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4401 @allen - seriously? Please go into your class-struggle diatribe and make yourself look even more foolish. Your attitude and assumptions are distasteful. Places like this can be useful for people who can't cook (or cook well and want some variety) or even working parents who don't have or rather spend the time doing other things. @allen – seriously? Please go into your class-struggle diatribe and make yourself look even more foolish. Your attitude and assumptions are distasteful.

Places like this can be useful for people who can’t cook (or cook well and want some variety) or even working parents who don’t have or rather spend the time doing other things.

]]> By: Kristine http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4400 Kristine Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:04:38 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4400 I've actually considered this option as well. In the Dallas area, we have something called Super Suppers (www.supersuppers.com). Very similar in that you pay roughly $3-3.50 per serving (MUCH cheaper than eating out and healthier than store-bought frozen dinners). You can go to one of their locations and do the assembly yourself, or you can have them do it for you and just pick it up on your way home. Either way, they're both the same price I think. I’ve actually considered this option as well. In the Dallas area, we have something called Super Suppers (www.supersuppers.com). Very similar in that you pay roughly $3-3.50 per serving (MUCH cheaper than eating out and healthier than store-bought frozen dinners). You can go to one of their locations and do the assembly yourself, or you can have them do it for you and just pick it up on your way home. Either way, they’re both the same price I think.

]]> By: Erin Doland http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/comment-page-1/#comment-4399 Erin Doland Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:54:40 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/24/assembling-meals-outside-your-kitchen/#comment-4399 @allen -- These services appear to cost about the same or less as eating out at a fast food restaurant. According to Dream Dinners' website, you can get 72 meals (12 dinners with six servings per dinner) for $240, or around $3.33 per meal. I may be mistaken, but I think $3.33 per meal is less than the price of a Happy Meal, and I'm assuming more nutritious. I don't believe that $3.33 per meal is an elitist price. @allen — These services appear to cost about the same or less as eating out at a fast food restaurant. According to Dream Dinners’ website, you can get 72 meals (12 dinners with six servings per dinner) for $240, or around $3.33 per meal. I may be mistaken, but I think $3.33 per meal is less than the price of a Happy Meal, and I’m assuming more nutritious. I don’t believe that $3.33 per meal is an elitist price.

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