My #1 Meal Planning Strategy - (aka, How Clicklist Changed My Life!)
If you're not familiar, Clicklist allows customers to choose their groceries online. You select the designated time for pickup during the checkout process online. On the day/time of your scheduled pickup, you simply drive up to the Clicklist station in the Parking Lot of your chosen store - and they come out and load your cart FOR YOU with all of your groceries. Mind. Blown. I may or may not have cried the first time they loaded my vehicle and I didn't even have to get out of the driver's seat.
In my 7 Steps to Stress Free Meal Planning I mention one of the ways to keep from feeling so overwhelmed with meal planning and keep your stress low is to simplify things. Well, it does not get much simpler than Meal Delivery.
I recently wrote a post about Home Chef and how much I loved the Home Delivery service, but obviously these meal boxes only provide enough for 3 meals. So what about the rest of the pantry and fridge?
I realize there are many that actually enjoy the weekly trip to the grocery, and if that's you, then feel free to skip this post. There are a lot of benefits to actually walking into the grocery store every week. Some individuals who are retired or perhaps parents that stay at home may look forward to this visit as a way to get out of the house and enjoy the fresh air. Some people may actually count walking around in the grocery store for an hour as a weekly workout. Both are really great reasons to physically visit the store.
On the other hand, some of you may be like me. Some of you may absolutely despise the weekly grocery store visit. After spending a long week at work in which you have had to expend every ounce of mental energy, the weekly grocery store visit may leave you with making as many decisions in an hour as you make the entire week. Which bread should I buy? Should I buy the one on sale, or the one that's whole wheat? Wait, here's one that is sugar free... Is sugar free a bad thing? Oh look! Samples! Should I buy this sample because I ate it and I don't want the little, white haired sales lady to think badly of me? It's all. so exhausting.
Enter Clicklist. Have you heard of Clicklist? This new program by Kroger has been LIFE CHANGING for me. Let me clarify I am not getting compensated in any way to speak with you about Clicklist, I just simply want to share with you something that has had a huge impact on my meal planning strategy, grocery shopping and budget. If there is any way I can be helpful to you, then that's what I want to do!
If you're not familiar, Clicklist allows customers to choose their groceries online. You select the designated time for pickup during the checkout process online. On the day/time of your scheduled pickup, you simply drive up to the Clicklist station in the Parking Lot of your chosen store - and they come out and load your cart FOR YOU with all of your groceries. Mind. Blown. I may or may not have cried the first time they loaded my vehicle and I didn't even have to get out of the driver's seat.
So why am I so obsessed with Clicklist?
1. Saving Money. I honestly believe using Clicklist has saved me money on my grocery bill. Although there is a $5 charge for using the program, I believe this is nothing compared to how many impulse purchases I was probably buying when I shopped in the store before.
2. Saving Time. What would you do with an hour or two extra every week? I can think of a whole host of things, especially if I live in the same town as my Clicklist and don't have to include driving time. Unfortunately, I do not. Currently, my nearest Clicklist program is a 40 minute drive away. HOWEVER, I have used this extra time NOT spent in the store listening to audiobooks, podcasts and relaxing to music.
3. No more stress. I used to feel overwhelmed with grocery shopping. Making a lists at home was overwhelming because I always felt like I might get to the store and decide on something different. And then actually shopping was ALWAYS stressful with rush hour cart traffic, long checkout lines and the hundreds of choices I would be consumed with when faced with what-flavor and how-many decisions with each item. Now I simply login online, choose from my "recent purchases" category for items I almost always buy, choose for my weekly recipes and I can easily see what items are available in the store from one page on my computer screen.
4. Weather Proof. Maybe this is a bit over the top, but there's something about not having to get out in 20 degree temperatures and push my groceries to the car and load them. :)
5. Strategic Meal Planning. Because I can now select my groceries from the comfort of my couch, this also allows me to manage my budget better. I am able to plan meals appropriately based on a budget because I can see a close estimate to how much items will cost. I am able to develop plans based on using similar products across multiple days to limit food waste and maximize the amount of time I spend in the kitchen.
I hope you'll give Clicklist or another grocery delivery service a try to make the most out of your grocery shopping. It certainly has changed my way of shopping and has literally changed my life!
MADDEN WELLNESS SERVICES
Healthy Products for Healthy Living - (Video)
I wanted to introduce you to some of my favorite products that I use almost WEEKLY in my diet. These products make healthy living fun, tasty and simple. Many of these products are available in the Madden Wellness Store as a convenient and easy way for you to find them. I hope you enjoy!
I wanted to introduce you to some of my favorite products that I use almost WEEKLY in my diet. These products make healthy living fun, tasty and simple. Many of these products are available in the Madden Wellness Store as a convenient and easy way for you to find them. I hope you enjoy!
P.S. Please remember to SUBSCRIBE if you don't want to miss any videos!
Click here for the FREE 7 Steps to Stress-Free Meal Planning Guide!
Amber Madden is a Licensed Counseling Associate specializing in Eating Disorders and Obesity. She is the Clinical Director at Madden Wellness Counseling, PLLC. She utilizes her skills in addiction to assist her clients in with Binge Eating, "food addictive" patterns, and develop a positive approach to overall health and wellness. She has a passion for assisting clients in achieving their health goals and learning to love nutritious foods and exercise. For more information visit www.maddenwellnessky.com .
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New Madden Wellness Store
The store is an extension of Amazon where I will have grouped together in convenient categories all of my favorite and highly recommended health and nutrition related products. These are products I, myself, use on a regular basis and regularly recommend to my clients to help make healthy living easy, fun and tasty!
Introducing the Madden Wellness Store!
The store is an extension of Amazon where I will have grouped together in convenient categories all of my favorite and highly recommended health and nutrition related products. These are products I, myself, use on a regular basis and regularly recommend to my clients to help make healthy living easy, fun and tasty!
As always, I would never recommend something to my audience or clients without having thoroughly reviewed the product and it's credibility. These products have either been researched and found to be very helpful in the course of treatment and a person's healthy journey or I have reviewed and tested them myself and have found them to be very beneficial.
The store will be periodically updated and product favorites continuously added, so feel free to bookmark this page and check back often!
The categories are:
- Client Store (products I have recommended to clients during treatment and coaching)
- Fitness Favorites
- Book Recommendations
- Food Favorites
- Kitchen Favorites
For more great product recommendations and discounts on some of your favorite brands, please see Health and Fitness Brand Discounts.
(Disclaimer: When you purchase a product through the Madden Wellness Store, Madden Wellness receives a small commission. This revenue helps to support this site so that we can continue providing free content, free online webinars and more. Thank you!)
Click here for the FREE 7 Steps to Stress-Free Meal Planning Guide!
Amber Madden is a Licensed Counseling Associate specializing in Eating Disorders and Obesity. She is the Clinical Director at Madden Wellness Counseling, PLLC. She utilizes her skills in addiction to assist her clients in with Binge Eating, "food addictive" patterns, and develop a positive approach to overall health and wellness. She has a passion for assisting clients in achieving their health goals and learning to love nutritious foods and exercise. For more information visit www.maddenwellnessky.com .
MORE MADDEN WELLNESS SERVICES
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM
Health and Fitness Brand Discounts
Below you will find several offer codes and links to popular brands. These brands offer products which could make your healthy journey fun and interesting, as well as keep you motivated.
Below you will find several offer codes and links to popular brands. These brands offer products which could make your healthy journey fun and interesting, as well as keep you motivated. (Please note: These are affiliate links. If you purchase something using the link, I also will get a small commission, which goes towards site maintenance and weekly prizes for you. Thank you!).
Meal Delivery Services
Home Chef
Get $30 off on your first order. Fresh meals arrive at your home every week! (I like this one because I think it's very family friendly and one of the most affordable!)
Click here for your Home Chef discount!
Sunbasket
Get 3 meals for free at Sunbasket! Eat clean and organic straight to your door!
Nutrition and Health
Amazing Grass
All-In-One, plant based, nutritional shake to help supplement your nutritional needs.
Bulu Box
Monthly Subscription box of healthy deliveries that will upgrade your health.
Love With Food
Monthly Subscription Box filled with healthy snacks, and other products for healthy living.
Bestowed
Monthly Subscription Box filled with healthy snacks for healthy living.
Clothing and Apparel
Reebok
Receive BOGO 50% off all Reebok footwear in the outlet. Click the link below.
http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=328515&m=45519&u...
Madden Wellness Store
This is my Amazon Store. No discounts here other than Amazon promotions, but I have grouped together many of my favorites for healthy living to make it easy for you to find! (If you purchase through my links, I receive a small commission that goes toward site maintenance and prizes for you. Thank you!)
Madden Wellness Amazon Store Link
This page is continuously updated. Please keep checking back for more great offers.
Click here for the FREE 7 Steps to Stress-Free Meal Planning Guide!
Amber Madden is a Licensed Counseling Associate specializing in Eating Disorders and Obesity. She is the Clinical Director at Madden Wellness Counseling, PLLC. She utilizes her skills in addiction to assist her clients in with Binge Eating, "food addictive" patterns, and develop a positive approach to overall health and wellness. She has a passion for assisting clients in achieving their health goals and learning to love nutritious foods and exercise. For more information visit www.maddenwellnessky.com .
MADDEN WELLNESS SERVICES
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM
Home Chef Review (and Referral Code!)
In recent weeks, I have found myself less than inspired in the kitchen. Meatloaf, Baked Chicken, Chicken Bratwursts and Burgers have made waaay too many rotations in the meal plan. I often advise my Madden Wellness clients that a thriving meal plan also includes experimentation and trying new foods as a means to keep from becoming bored. Boredom with foods and meals often leads to take-out and fast-food when you feel like there's nothing to look forward to at home!
Home Chef seemed to offer a great selection for the week I first reviewed.
In recent weeks, I have found myself less than inspired in the kitchen. Meatloaf, Baked Chicken, Chicken Bratwursts and Burgers have made waaay too many rotations in the meal plan. I often advise my Madden Wellness clients that a thriving meal plan also includes experimentation and trying new foods as a means to keep from becoming bored. Boredom with foods and meals often leads to take-out and fast-food when you feel like there's nothing to look forward to at home!
A couple of years ago when Blue Apron was the newest service on the market, I gave it a try. I remember really enjoying the meals and the ease of having meals already somewhat pre-chosen for me each week. I decided I wanted to give the meal delivery service another try. A quick Google search revealed there are many other options for meal delivery service rather than just Blue Apron.
Home Chef seemed to offer a great selection for the week I first reviewed. From their website:
We’re here to help busy people like you to skip the grocery store and whip up delicious meals in 30 minutes. Every week you get knockout new recipes and all the fresh, pre-portioned ingredients delivered straight to your door. Say goodbye to long grocery lines, parking lot power-struggles, and Pinterest-induced food fails that leave you ordering takeout at 11 PM.
Plus, it didn't hurt that I received a referral code from a friend for a discount! ;)
On the site, you are able to choose from 2, 4, or 6 serving options with meals costing approximately $9.95 per serving. Every week offers 10 dinner options, new breakfasts, a fruit basket and a fresh smoothie option. Customers are able to filter meal selections to fit low carb, vegetarian, gluten-free, meat and seafood, as well as low-calorie.
My first selection of meals included:
- Flat Iron Steak and Bleu Cheese Salad
- Chicken Quesadillas
- Coconut Curry Lentils with Wild Rice
- P.S. - (YUM!)
First Impression:
My box arrived on time and I even received an email the morning of reminding me my delivery would be arriving later in the day. Very handy for busy individuals that may forget and risk having their box sit for too long.
When I opened the box, I discovered all the recipes for the week were printed on full-color, cardstock pages already prepared to place in a binder. I also received a binder to keep the recipe cards in (nice!).
Ingredients for each meal were separated in plastic wrapping and labeled appropriately. The meat was separate and stored in between ice packs in the box. This made it super simple to just grab the bag of ingredients when getting ready to prep the meal for dinner each day.
Flat Iron Steak and Blue Cheese Salad
This meal was AMAZING and out of the 3 options in my box, I believe this one stole the show! The flavors were fantastic together and even the husband enjoyed having "just a salad" for dinner. ;)
Chicken Quesadillas
At some point through the week, I received another email from Home Chef advising the spice blend for one of the recipes was an "abnormally spicy blend". They advised to use caution and add according to spice sensitivity. I, unfortunately, got confused when cooking my meal and thought this email was in reference to the steak seasoning for one of the other meals. It was only after I added ALL the Quesadilla spice to the chicken in this meal that I quickly realized it must have been for this one. I couldn't even finish cooking without coughing every time I breathed from the spice!
Note: The broccoli and carrots were my own addition leftover from a previous meal.
Needless to say, I was very concerned the dish was going to be so spicy that I would not even be able to eat or enjoy it. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I was still able to enjoy the meal and it was delicious! I will say, it definitely had a bit more heat than I would've preferred. Nonetheless, I was impressed that Home Chef took the time to give proper warning to customers via email to advise them of the extra heat factor!
Coconut Curry Lentils and Wild Rice
This meal was absolutely delicious! The lentils and wild rice combination was SOOOOOO good! I had never really tried lentils before and I definitely think I'll be incorporating them into my diet more often! This dish felt like a comfort food dish and warmed the soul in all the right ways. The husband was especially approving of this dish which is saying a lot for someone who has never even heard of a lentil!
Note: I added chicken (not included) to this plate because it was the husband's plate and I knew he would want the added protein. Mine was without the chicken.
Overall Conclusions:
Pros:
- Fast Delivery
- Amazing Customer Service and Communication
- Impressed with Ingredient Grouping in the Bags
- All Ingredients Fresh and Amazing
- Impressed with Recipe Cards and Binder (this made for a nice recipe stand while cooking, as well!)
Cons:
- Honey arrived in squeeze packets that were a bit messy to use.
- Chicken needed to be sliced in preparation which took extra time. (Honestly not sure about this complaint. It may be this is the healthiest, freshest and safest way for the chicken to be transported/delivered.)
Would I Order Again?
Absolutely!! And I have for the last 2 weeks!! All the meals I have received since have been equally as delicious as this first one. I think I am totally hooked on this meal delivery thing! I love having my meals somewhat chosen for me each week. This makes for a little less stress each week.
Referral Code
Would you like to try Home Chef for yourself? Use my referral code here and you'll receive your first order at $30 off! That's a total of 6 servings for less than $20 (with the 2 servings/3 meals option). You can cancel anytime you wish and also skip meals in between weeks if you don't see something you like that week or maybe if you're out of town. (With the referral code, I also receive a discount on my own purchase. Thank you!) For your discount, click here!
Amber Madden is a Licensed Counseling Associate specializing in Eating Disorders and Obesity. She is the Clinical Director at Madden Wellness Counseling, PLLC. She utilizes her skills in addiction to assist her clients in with Binge Eating, "food addictive" patterns, and develop a positive approach to overall health and wellness. She has a passion for assisting clients in achieving their health goals and learning to love nutritious foods and exercise. For more information visit www.maddenwellnessky.com .
MADDEN WELLNESS SERVICES