The Truth About Home Chef (What I learned from one week of subscribing to their meal service)

This post is not sponsored by Home Chef in any way. I personally purchased the products featured in this post, and all opinions are completely my own.

Have you thought about subscribing to the Home Chef meal subscription service but you weren't sure if it was worth it or not? Here's an HONEST opinion on the service (and the pros and cons of actually subscribing to Home Chef).

I’ve been toying with the idea of subscribing to a meal subscription service for awhile. After all, much of my life and career is wrapped up in food. As a busy mom, I don’t always have time to plan out meals perfectly (as much as I’d like to). When I plan so many recipes for this blog, I kind of experience a little “meal burn out.” My family is used to me struggling to come up with dinner ideas outside of work at times.

A meal subscription seemed like a decent solution. So, I recently dove headfirst into the world of Meal Subscription Services. After looking over the menu of multiple services, we decided to start with Home Chef. We looked over what each service offered for the week we were ordering. While different weeks vary, the particular week we were looking at put Home Chef in a good light. Here’s the full rundown from first impressions to final results.

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Cranberries Forever

You all know that I love a good cranberry recipe. There’s just something about the tart flavor that just feels cool and crisp in the winter, making them so much fun to cook with. From braids to breads to just the color alone, there’s something beautiful about cranberries for winter time. You might remember I recently shared a recipe for a cranberry chocolate braid, and in the past I’ve shared some cranberry tea cake bars, but I just had to share some amazing cranberry recipes and ideas from other bloggers from around the web! I hope they’ll provide plenty of inspiration this winter.

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It’s the Great Pumpkin (Roundup), Charlie Brown!

It’s crazy how much fun you can have with pumpkins in the fall… searching for just the right one at the pumpkin patch, carving it, eating fresh-baked pumpkin goods like pumpkin bread and pumpkin cake… I just love pumpkins, and enjoying them all October long is such a great thing. Just a few days ago, I shared a recipe for Pumpkin Pie Mini Egg Rolls. I love that pumpkin is so versatile, and that’s why I’ve worked with it a lot on my blog. But today, I want to share some of my favorite pumpkin ideas from around the web… so keep scrolling and check it out!

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RECIPES

Wondermom Wannabe Cinnamon Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Stacey Homemaker Ginger Pumpkin Carrot Soup
For What It’s Worth Pumpkin Flavored Stuffed Jalapeño
Caroline’s Cooking Healthy Pumpkin Scones
Life With Lorelai Pumpkin Pie Cocktail
Sweet Sensations Cranberry Apple Pumpkin Bundt
Intelligent Domestications Classic Pumpkin Pie
www.OatandSesame.com Pumpkin Black Bean Chili
Julie is Coco and Cocoa Pumpkin Spice Scones
An Alli Event Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
Home Maid Simple Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge Bundt Cake
Noreen’s Kitchen Pumpkin Crunch Pie
Creative Southern Home Pumpkin Chip Cookies
Totally Tailgates Pumpkin Spice Muffins
For The Mommas Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Dip
My Big Fat Happy Life Frozen Pumpkin Pie Hot Chocolate
Little Blog in the Country 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
Morgan Manages Mommyhood Pumpkin Spice Candied Pepitas
Being Tazim Chai Spice Pumpkin Cinnamon Buns
Creative Cynchronicity Pumpkin Hummus
Kitchen Concoctions Pumpkin Pie Popsicles
MamaPlusOne Pumpkin Pie Egg Rolls
The TipToe Fairy Pumpkin Cheesecake Braide
Beyond Mommying Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins
Bullock’s Buzz Pumpkin Gingerbread with Spiced Glaze
Broken Teepee Pumpkin Cheesecake w/ Bourboned Pears & Salted Caramel
Kori at Home Baked Maple Glazed Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Joy’s Life Homemade Pumpkin Dog Biscuits
Diana Rambles Dutch Oven Pumpkin Pie Cake
To & Fro Apple Pumpkin Baby Cookie Recipe
Basic N Delicious Pumpkin Rolls
Rebecca Lately Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

CRAFTS

Ava’s Alphabet Tissue Paper Pom Pumpkins
Third Stop on the Right Garden Scene Pumpkin
Happy Go Lucky Pumpkin Flower Arrangements
Scrappy Geek Halloween Jack O Lanterns
Real Girl’s Realm DIY Pumpkin Clock
a paper arrow How to Use Pumpkins to Decorate at Home
C’mon Get Crafty Fall Decor with Pumpkins
Love Jaime Crafting with Pumpkins

Party

Polka Dotted Blue Jay Red and Orange Fall Dessert Tablescape

Pets

Girl in Betsy Take Your Dog to the Pumpkin Patch
Joy’s Life Homemade Pumpkin Dog Biscuits
   
Beauty  
The Bandit Lifestyle DIY Pumpkin Body Scrub

 

There are SO many incredible pumpkin posts. Ketchup and I can’t wait to make the pumpkin dog treats for our pup! Bookmark this page so you can come back and try out all the recipes, crafts, and activities with you and your family!

Check back next month when Social Fabric features posts with a cranberry theme. You can always search the hashtag #SoFabSeasons to find more of what you’re looking for!

What pumpkin idea are you excited to try? Let me know in the comments below! Also, check out last month’s Apple Themed roundup here!

How to Host a Brunch (Without Ruining Your Meal Plan)

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. I was sponsored to write this post on behalf of Weight Watchers®. All opinions are mine alone. #SmarterTreats #CollectiveBias 

Yes, you CAN host a holiday celebration without blowing your meal plan. Seriously. It's the season of eating, but that doesn't mean we have to miss out if we're on a diet. This is the perfect way to throw a *lighter* brunch for all of your family and friends during the holiday season! #SmarterTreats #ad

The other day on Facebook, I was talking to a friend about how it seems that we used to only worry about summer bikini bodies. But now, summer bikini bodies start early so we can be ready for our kids’ spring break in March, stay fit all the way through summer, keep a lean body for Halloween costumes (which are mostly skin-tight, even for moms), and then of course, trying to still look good on Valentine’s Day. It becomes a never-ending cycle, and gone are the days about slacking off on a healthy lifestyle during the Holiday Season, or Season of Eating… luckily, you can still celebrate without giving up on your eating goals, because some of the best party food will fit perfectly in your meal plan… seriously! There is such a thing as a brunch that doesn’t break the Points Bank…

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How My Family Celebrates Chinese New Year (And Why It Matters to Us)

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NewYearFortune #CollectiveBias

Chinese New Year is an important celebration, and not just in China! As a homeschooling family, we love to celebrate new holidays and traditions from around the world, and as foreign exchange student hosts, it makes it even more fun! Here's the low-down on what Chinese New Year is all about (and how to celebrate with your family, too!) #NewYearFortune  #ad

After nearly a decade of hosting foreign exchange students, my family is no stranger to sitting down to dinner not knowing who will be there and how many cultures might be represented at the table. It’s opened our eyes to new celebrations (like when our first student taught us all about St. Nicholas Day), but our family, having yet to host a Chinese exchange student, has never gotten the opportunity to celebrate Chinese New Year. We decided to change that this year. And, what better way to celebrate than with some appetizers that are restaurant-inspired and totally delicious?

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3 Ingredient After-school Snacks with Honey Maid Go Bites

When it comes to after school snacks, it can be difficult to find something that is wholesome AND delicious AND easy to make. With these two recipes that have less than 3 ingredients and take minutes to prepare, you'll have a protein-rich snack for your kids before you know it. #ThisIsWholesome #CleverGirls #Ad

After school snacks are difficult. I mean, it’s easy to provide wholesome meals to your kids, and it’s easy to pick delicious snacks, but it can be hard to pick a delicious snack that’s also wholesome and doesn’t take forever to prepare, because let’s face it, we’re all tight on time as we’re rushing from class to the soccer game to the grocery store and everywhere else. That’s where Honey Maid Go Bites come in. Not only are they awesomely delicious pockets of graham cracker-y goodness, but they’re wholesome and perfect for creating some fun recipes with!

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28 Awesome Soup Recipes to Step Up Your Winter Comfort Food Game!

Looking for a great soup recipe? Here are 28 amazing soups that make the PERFECT comfort food! These recipes are delicious, exciting, and perfect for any diet-- this list has weight watchers recipes, gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, whole 30, dairy free, and more!

Oh soup… the perfect, most amazing comfort food. I am a huge fan of soup recipes, because it’s the perfect, warming food! I love soup SO much, I even have it for Christmas dinner. But seriously, sometimes I get in a soup rut, and I’m itching for some new recipes. And, with the help of some awesome bloggers from around the web, we’re going to get you out of a soup rut, too! (And hey, regardless of your dietary needs, there’s something in here for you– I’ve got meaty soups, vegan soups, Weight-Watchers friendly soups, dairy-free soups, gluten-free soups… so keep reading!)

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Müller Ice Cream Sundae Yogurt Mini Pies

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. Any opinions are my own. #MüllerMoment #CollectiveBias

Looking for a really indulgent, flavorful treat? Try these Ice Cream Sundae yogurt pies, which are made with Muller Ice Cream Inspired yogurt. Packed with nutrition, these are a hit at any party, with all ages, and are a more nutritious way to indulge. Plus, look at that hot fudge!   | #ad | #mullermoment | yogurt recipe | mini pie party recipe | easy recipe | 5 ingredients or less |

Is anything better than an indulgent treat at the end of a long day? Well, I think a not-so-bad for you indulgent treat may be better! I grew up an ice cream addict. My family regularly had homemade ice cream at celebrations and holidays, and I love sitting down with a bowl of ice cream at night. And my favorite flavor? Mint chip. Mmmm… Müller created a line, brand new in stores, of ice cream inspired yogurt, and they even have a mint version… and when life gives you ice cream inspired yogurt, it’s pretty much a given you’re going to make a delicious sundae-inspired treat, right?

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How To Mail Christmas Cookies (Without Using Packing Peanuts)

Ever try to send cookies to a friend and they arrived all yucky and smushed? Christmas cookies can be a pain to ship, but there's no reason not to send them-- these tricks will get you packing cookies like a pro in time for the holidays! | cookie idea | christmas idea | care package for college | shipping and mail | holiday idea |

We’ve all been there. It’s Christmas time, and we want to send cookies to a friend, but there’s always that fear that they’ll get there crushed. And you don’t want that– picture perfect cookies are so much better! So how do you ship a cookie without fancy supplies like bubble wrap or packing peanuts? Well, there are a few great ways to do it!

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How Long Do Spices Last?

Ever wonder how long spices actually last? Worried about whether that cinnamon is still good to use? Questioning your basil use? This guide will give the definitive answers on when to save that spice, and when it's time to toss!

 

Things that go hand-in-hand with Thanksgiving… Family. Football games. Black Friday. Spices. But how do you know that your spices are really still good? From cinnamon to basil and everything in between, how long do spices last?

Well, in short, spices never truly go bad. It is highly unlikely that you’ll get an illness from a spice unless it’s contaminated somehow. That said, spices do lose their flavor and potency over time, which means that even if you won’t get sick from too-old cinnamon, you may not taste it to it’s full potential if it’s been sitting there for too long.

If you listen to a lot of cookbooks on your shelf, you may hear suggestions to toss your spices after about a year, with some even going as far as to say 6 months. But if you ask the spice manufacturers, you may get some really blurry guidelines, as well. There’s no good way to say “This is definitively how long a spice lasts.” The biggest tell-tale sign is your own senses.

If a spice has a good aroma, it’s good. If it has a good color, it’s good. If it has good flavor, it’s good. Go test it out– compare a spice you just bought side-by-side with it’s older counterpart, and you’re going to sense a difference.

That said, there are some general ideas of how long a spice will last.

Seasoning Blends, depending on the ingredients inside, will last 1-2 years. Herbs last 1-3 years depending on storage and type. A crushed or ground spice (like cinnamon or cumin) will last 2-3 years with their whole counterparts (like cinnamon sticks or whole cloves) will last 4 or more years. Poppyseeds and sesame seeds will last 2 years, but all other seeds will last 4 years. Extracts will last 4 years with the exception being real vanilla (not imitation), which will last forever. Really. In other things that last forever, salt will not go bad on you.

But, all of the above? Just guidelines. There is no set timeline of when spices will lose their potency. As I mentioned, the risk of spoiling is low.

To tell if a spice is still okay, first, observe it’s color. Is it still vibrant? If not, then it’s probably time to toss it. From there, you can crush a bit in your hand or rub the spice to warm it, then smell. How’s the aroma? If it’s weak, toss it and replace it.

If you’re in a pinch, and your spice isn’t up to it’s normal potency, then use a touch more than what you’d typically use– that will help bring out the flavor a little bit more.

But how do you keep spices from going bad quickly to begin with? There are a few ways you can keep your spices fresher for longer, cutting down on those replacement times.

First, you want to make sure your spices are stored in a cool, dark, dry place. That means you shouldn’t keep your spices near your dishwasher or your oven and cooktop.

“Okay,” some of you will be thinking. “Sounds like common sense.” But how many of us have gone and shaken our container directly over a pot of boiling… something? Your best bet is to measure your spice or pour it into your hand before putting it into your recipe, to prevent steam, moisture, heat, from getting trapped in the container.

When you set a spice aside, make sure it’s sealed tightly, and if you go to measure, never use a damp spoon. Make sure your spoon is completely dry so you don’t get the spice wet.

Finally, ensure all of your spices are in a sealed, airtight container. It should be completely closed to prevent anything getting in that shouldn’t.

Still wanting to go the extra mile to make those spices last? When possible, buy your spices whole and grind, crush, or grate them yourself just before using them. They’ll last the longest.

Mostly, just use your sense and remember that if it smells bad (or doesn’t smell at all), it’s probably not great anymore. If it smells fragrant, like it’s meant to, you’ll know to keep it. Spices can last a long time and pack a punch if stored correctly. Worst case scenario? Keep a paper taped inside the door of your spice cabinet with a list of your spices and their purchase date– then you’ll never have to ask “how long do spices last?” again!

Looking for more details about kitchen safety? Try this post on kitchen safety with kids.