umommy: November 2010

A Thanksgiving Photo Diary

, by umommy

The other week I attended a “Metrowest Bloggers Night Out” hosted by Metrowest blogger extraordinaire Charlene DeLoach Oliver of Charlene Chronicles. Not only was I excited for a night away from the kids (call me selfish), I was really looking forward to learning more about Healthy Habits Kitchen (the location for that evening’s event), and the chance to meet other bloggers over nibbles and drinks.

So what happens when you bring a bunch of bloggers together to talk about the struggles of getting a healthy meal on the table for your family while assembling meal kits? Here's a hint: Ha ha! Nom nom...

About HHK

The evening took place at Healthy Habits Kitchen located in a nondescript office park in Wellesley, MA. HHK owner Sue Schochet kicked off the evening with a quick talk on what HHK is all about. In a nutshell – meal kits made from all-natural ingredients and fresh produce. Complete with pre-measured spices, sauces and a starch.

Owner Sue Schochet explaining HHK meal kits

While snacking on creamy cranberry salsa and curry mango chutney dip and chips, Sue went on to explain how HHK works. Choosing from a seasonal menu, you can schedule an “assembly session” where you assemble a meal kit yourself at HHK or for an extra buck, Sue and her staff assemble the kit for you. You can either pickup your meal kit or have it delivered. Follow the directions on your kit and you will have a wholesome, gourmet-like meal on the table in less time than it takes to surf the web for a recipe and cook something from scratch.

Assembly Party

Sue had two stations set up to assemble the pumpkin turkey chili and raspberry chipotle pork medallions. Basically, HHK acts as your sous chef. All ingredients have already been prepped.

Containers of all shapes and sizes waiting to be filled

Ingredients prepped waiting to be measured and packaged

Bloggers were then tasked to package the ingredients and create their own meal kits according to the directions. For a moment I felt like I was on Top Chef about to participate in a relay challenge. But without Tom or Padma. And it wasn’t a competition. Oh yeah, and I’m not a chef.

Easy-to-follow directions for meal kit assembly

packaging veggies for pumpkin turkey chili

Cindy and Kami assembling their meal kits

The assembly session and private party could be fun for those that want a more hands-on experience of assembling their own meal kit. But I think everyone was in agreement that we’d gladly give up that experience for an extra dollar and have the meal kit already assembled.

Bloggers

My favorite part of the night was meeting the other bloggers – super nice, smart and really funny women who all at one point or another struggle to find time to cook a wholesome meal day in and day out. Not only was it reassuring to hear how we all turn to convenience meals some days, but how we find blogging to be a fun creative outlet (or an outlet to swear – or ideally both.). I am already looking forward to laughing with these women again.

Good times with (left to right): Laura Reid of Being Loopy, Cindy Meltzer from Isis Parenting, Sharon Reilly of The Life of Reilly, Kami Lewis Levin of The Fence, me, and Sue Schochet of HHK. Photo courtesy of Charlene of Charlene Chronicles (not pictured)

The Food

Sue had prepared Chicken Cacciatore and Mango Curry Chicken for us to sample. Both were hearty and tasty. We also got to sample some Steaz Iced Tea. They were great – not too sweet but loads of flavor. I got to bring home a tray of the vegetarian option – Butternut Squash Sage Lasagna. I was psyched – here was dinner for the following night!

Butternut Squash Sage Lasagna - heated and served

I enjoyed the lasagna dish the next night (and not just because I didn’t have to do anything but turn on the oven). The boys were not big fans of the lasagna however. But the tray did eventually get eaten.

I think HHK is a great idea for families that want to go a step beyond the prepared foods section of their grocery store. It might cost a little more than the prepared foods section, but cheaper than going out to eat or ordering take-out. Plus I think you are paying for the satisfaction you get from putting together a healthy meal rather than pushing a couple buttons on the microwave.

I don’t know if HHK is something we’ll do often seeing how I actually enjoy the prep work and cooking. They are available at several farmers markets (brilliant), and can totally see myself picking up a kit or two the next time I see one.

What are some of your favorite convenience meals? Do you have any time-saving tips when it comes to meal planning?

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. The event was free and I was given a meal kit and a goodie bag with Steaz Iced Tea and t-shirt and water bottle courtesy of Healthworks Fitness for Women.. Opinions are my own.