Darned that Martha Stewart. When I was a young mother, she had a daily show that demonstrated the better life we could have through ironing tablecloths, growing profuse gardens, and cooking scratch-made everything. I nearly made myself crazy trying to do right by my family in every area of home-making (while holding down a full-time job). I’ve gotten over my need to do things the Martha way, throwing down placemats instead of tablecloths and shopping Farmers Market instead of nurturing my green thumb. But I never let go of the benefits of making a home-cooked meal. But dang, life’s tough right now and things are hectic. And I don’t really want to go to the store any more than I have to. So I tried something – those meal and provisions services that deliver meal makings or the finished thing and farm-fresh produce boxes. What once seemed like an indulgence, and like I was slacking, has turned out to be a gift to myself. I still love ya, Martha, but this is a way I can still feed the family well without being crazed – all with touch-free, socially-distanced delivery.
After trying numerous Colorado meal and provision delivery offerings, here are my family’s winners:
Best way to feel like you’re eating restaurant-quality food at home: Jays2go
Everything we ate was a feast for the eyes as well as the mouth. The grilled lemon-herb chicken over salad with nectarine-agave dressing; creamy chicken soup with three rices and hand-shucked corn; the roasted salmon with lime-parsley-shallot butter… each item was colorful, nicely presented, and looked like it had just been prepared minutes before being delivered.
Who it’s great for: People who feel a little guilty about not cooking and don’t want to skimp on serving something that looks homemade.
Best way to stretch your meal: The Spicy Radish
It took me a little while to figure out the items in this delivery because salads, sides, sauces, and entrees were packaged separately. But then I figured out what went with what and that’s how I bundled them in my refrigerator for easier prep. The offerings were unique like stuffed red peppers with ground beef and quinoa; creole chicken over squares of cheesy grits; and an asparagus/truffle/goat cheese tart. The salads were so plentiful, we had leftovers. And the leftover asparagus tart got topped with a sunny side up egg the next morning for breakfast.
Who’s it great for: People who want a little freedom to mix and match and who want to feel like they are eating hearty while, oh by the way, upping their veggie intake.
Best way to still feel like you’re cooking but only the tiniest bit: Prefare Meal Kits
From a cute kit with slice peppers and onions, shredded cheese, crema, tomatillo salsa, tortillas, and sliced raw steak came the best Beef Fajitas my kitchen has ever turned out, I’ll tell you what. They bought a better quality of meat than I usually do and those tortillas looked authentic and homemade.
Who’s it great for: People who are only willing to devote 15 minutes max and minimal effort to cook dinner or else they’re going to eat cereal out of the box.
Best way to still feel like you’re cooking a meal – because you are: Hello Fresh
After several days of being treated to meals that are ready-to-heat-and-eat or require minimal cooking, I was a little shocked to see that I had to actually clean, wash, chop, and cook a meal myself. I’d been spoiled by the others! But after taking one bite of the pork burger mounded with grilled onions and mushrooms with melted Gouda on it, served with oven fries, I didn’t care anymore. It was one of the best burgers I’ve ever had and it sure as heck gave gourmet restaurant burgers a run for their money.
Who it’s great for: Someone who still wants to cook, or needs to learn how to cook, but wants the convenience of having the ingredients and recipe provided for them.
Best way to buy from the farmer, buy local, and celebrate the animal: Pasture Provisions
Chicken, beef, pork, lamb, eggs, a baby watermelon, and living bibb lettuce – that’s some good eating! Sure, I had to cook the farm-fresh proteins but they were the best tasting versions of themselves I’ve experienced. When my husband grilled a steak, it was practically a religious experience – he wanted to make sure it was cooked and served perfectly to honor the animal and the process and it was delicious. High quality ingredients amp up the whole cooking and eating experience.
Who it’s great for: Those who want to avoid having to go to the grocery store and can make the most of the mix of ingredients.
Best way to become a super new food tryer and do good at the same time: The GrowHaus
GrowHaus’ mission is to try to eradicate food insecurity in low income areas like where they are based, in the 80216 area code. Different sizes of box can provide all-fruit and veg or add on eggs and bread. Add on more of any of those depending on how many people you’ll be feeding. While you can’t customize your contents, and, yes, some new things may be in there that you didn’t think you’d like, you receive a recipe using that ingredient so you can’t say, “I don’t even know what to do with that thing!” When ordering your own box, you can also order a box that will be donated to a family that could really benefit from receiving such healthy items.
Who’s it great for: People who want to eat healthy and want to help others while they’re helping themselves.
Best way to not have to think about dinner: Mighty Macros
When the most time and effort you are willing to put into a meal is to 1. Open the freezer (you don’t have to freeze them but we did) 2. Peel back the cover and 3. Put it in the microwave, Mighty Macros are for you. They are GMO-free, organic, low sodium, dairy-free, protein-packed and have no artificial anything. Depending on your needs and goals, they also have gluten-free, low-carb, paleo and plant-based options.
Who’s it great for: People focused on their health who also have zero desire to shop, prep or cook.
Best way to teach yourself how to eat better: Good Clean Food
The term “eat the rainbow” is taken to heart (and mind and body) by the team behind these jars of goodness. Layers of colorful ingredients and grains make your refrigerator look like you’re a health pro. The salads we received could be served as is or warmed up in a skillet and were great either way. Nutrition-packed smoothies got us through the morning and then some. Crudites and “carrot coriander pate” fended off the mid-afternoon hangries. Salads were hearty on their own (and vegan) but you can add a protein and still be doing right by yourself.
Who it’s great for: People who know they need to eat healthy but find the work of it all daunting. It helps you reset your body and get you going in a new mindset of eating right.
— Photos by InGoodTasteDenver.com
What else is In Good Taste? Read more about Locavore Delivery.
Make your life easier by pinning this list of Colorado Meals and Provisions to Pinterest so you don’t forget it.
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