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Cook Smarts

FOOD

Congrats to Cara! The winner of the $100 gift card from Cook Smarts!  You should have an email in your inbox right now girl!

DISCLAIMER: This is a sponsored post and giveaway brought to you by Cook Smarts.

Hey there…brain-dead mom of three little ones here to tell ya all about something that has helped me be a little less “EVERYONE STOP CRYING!” and a little more “Who’s the Mommy?!  I’M THE MOMMA!”.

Let’s start at the beginning.  Remember when I told you guys that I really wanted to be a little more organized?  I actually said that one of the list items was to ‘create and stick to a weekly meal plan’.  And then I confessed that I really needed to have more designated systems….”like a better meal planning system”.  Quote and end quote.

I started by writing down the good meals that we frequently make…all four of them.  And then I went onto Pinterest and tried to find more meals that fit our lifestyle.  I needed something that I could make quickly (dinner prep time is when the boys all take their PFT’s – personal fussy time – so quick is an understatement), meals that would be healthy, and meals that I could potentially modify to be Paleo.  We don’t eat as healthy as we could but every once in a while, I like to introduce meals that are clean so that the boys see that its not the end of the world.  Pinterest was a complete fail though because I felt completely overwhelmed.

So then I started googling.  One of the first sites I pulled up was recommended by LifeHackers and it was called Cook Smarts.

It didn’t seem that complicated…I just signed up to test it out and got three weeks of free meal plans.  Personally I like that they only provide four days of plans because we always end up eating sandwiches or leftovers one night (or a quickie frozen meal) and going out one night and then usually we have dinner at friends or family one night each week.  Four days fit our family pretty perfectly.  And the fact that they are all pretty simple and balanced is just dairy-free-icing on my gluten-free-cake.

The site offers all sorts of services for the meal planning part – shopping lists, recipe cards, videos and tips on how to prep food, etc.  but I liked the fact that I could click on a recipe and then tweak it however I wanted.  So let’s say that my mom (who is gluten-free) is coming over…I can make the recipe different just by clicking on the little headers at the top.  If I really like the recipe I can ‘favorite’ it or I can print it as a PDF and make a cookbook of my own.  Some of the other cool resources are –

We tried out a few of the recipes and it was actually delicious too.  You just never know about recipes but this one the entire family liked (and I even snuck in a bunch of those tomatoes to the boys tummies!  Go Lycopene!

Jeremy said “I don’t think we have ever had fajita’s before!”.

Really Jer?  Really?  We eat them with chicken all the time.  I guess what he was thinking was “I don’t think we have ever had GOOD fajita’s before!”

And may I just brag on myself that I actually did an amazing job on the meat.  That’s the first time I ever cooked steak inside (usually we grill steaks) and they were danglicious…that’s a word 🙂

Side note – this is what a blogger’s four year old ends up doing at dinner time.  He told me “mom, I gotta send the picture in an email, ok?  It’s for my work.”  Next thing you know, he’s gonna be telling me about some celebrity named Tiny Fea is following his social media accounts.

The best thing about these meals is that you don’t have to stress about doing all the planning….with a subscription, you get a customized grocery list so you know exactly what you need to buy for dinners.  It takes the stress out of those last minute what-do-I-make dinners.

I’m such a fan of them, and apparently they are a fan of YOU!   They even decided to give something to you guys too to make this whole meal planning adventure a little easier…

  • PRIZE: (1) $100 gift card to Whole Foods and Tote bag
  • NUMBER OF WINNERS : (1) One
  • MORE INFORMATION :
    • Each meal comes with a gluten-free, vegetarian, and paleo option.
    • Nutrition information is available for every meal
    • Short how-to and prep videos help build your cooking foundation and confidence, and teach new and basic skills
  • TO ENTER :  Go sign up for the free meal plans (like I did), and then come back here and leave a comment with “I wanna have CookSmarts” and tell me the meal you want to make most from the archives.
  • PRIZE SHIPS :  US
  • NITTY GRITTY :  This giveaway closes on Friday, June 6th at 8pm EDT.  Only one contest entry per email address.  The winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be announced in an update to this post the following Tuesday morning. We will email the winner directly, so please make sure you use your regular everyday email address.

GOOD LUCK!

p.s.  Wanna sign up for the membership?  Discount time!  Here’s the code for 30% off your first meal plan : BPCOOKS. EXPIRES 6/4/2014.

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Comments

  2. “I wanna have CookSmarts” So coincidental, I just found this site yesterday when I was in the internet black hole! I’m notoriously bad at cooking beef, so I’d like to see how their beef fajitas and cumin beef kebabs turn out.

  3. I wanna have Cooksmarts! And the panko crusted fish tacos look Yummo! Love that you can easily change the recipes to fit your dietary needs, as well.

  4. I wanna have Cooksmarts! We’ve been having a super hard time getting our act together with meal planning, so this is awesome. Fish Panko Tacos all the way – sounds delish!

    We’re totally loving Whole Foods over here as of late, we installed new flooring in our kitchen this weekend and they sent us a coupon for a free meal (whaaatt!??) It was perfect timing with our weekend of grunt work 🙂

    Here’s a sneak peak at how the floor is coming along! 🙂 http://lemongroveblog.com/floor-to-the-door/

  5. I wanna have Cooksmarts:) I’ve heard so many good things! and since I couldn’t access the archives without paying, I’m most excited to try the chicken thai basil stir fry…we LOVE asian food:)

  6. I wanna have CookSmarts

    The Apple Fennel Turkey Burgers sound right up our alley!

  7. I wanna have CookSmarts! I’d like to try the Steak with Romesco Sauce from the archives. This services looks perfect for me, I have vegetarian, meat-eaters & Gluten-free in my family of 5.

  8. I wanna have CookSmarts! I would definitely try the Sesame Teriyaki Salmon!

  9. I wanna have Cooksmart!

    This is so great for our family. If love to try the Thai chicken basil stir fry! Easy prep, cook, and little to clean!

  10. I wanna have Cooksmarts. I’m not going to lie the steak fajitas look awesome but I also wanna try the shrimp pesto spaghetti and the Pablo crusted chicken nuggets.

  12. I wanna have CookSmarts!
    I’d love to make the roasted broccoli and tofu tacos. So excited that they have so many vegetarian options and they all look delicious.

  16. I wanna have CookSmarts!

    The Sesame Soy Skillet Chicken looks great! Definitely something this single gal can make and have leftovers for for a few days and not get tired of it.

    So many of the recipes look great!

  17. I wanna have CookSmarts!
    So much deliciousness in the Archives. I’d start with the ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND HUMMUS PIZZA. Yummers.
    I will be trying the PANKO-CRUSTED FISH TACOS from the free plan.

    Thanks for this tip!

  18. I wanna have CookSmarts – great idea! Love the look of the Indian Butter Chicken.

  20. I wanna have CookSmarts! I’d love to try the Mediterranean Chicken! Thanks for the chance to win! I fell off the menu planning wagon a few years ago. Not sure why because life is so much easier when you know what is for dinner right?!

  21. I wanna have CookSmarts! I’m gonna have to try the Maple dijon panko crusted chicken! Yummm!

  24. I wanna have CookSmarts! I recently tried fish tacos after putting it off for years. They were delish. Therefore, I’d like to try the Panko Crusted Fish Tacos.

  27. “I wanna have CookSmarts”…i plan to make the MOROCCAN-SPICED CHICKEN AND CARROTS with couscous

  30. I want to have cooksmarts! I’m a sucker for mac and cheese, so I’m excited to try out this recipe!

  32. I wanna have CookSmarts baked coconut shrimp, it looks delicious! Going to try a week’s worth of the sample plan next week, and if it goes well, thanks for the discount code!

  33. “I wanna have CookSmarts” I am going to make the beef and broccoli stir fry!

  35. I wanna have CookSmarts!

    The Portobello Pesto Pizzas look amazing + I think my 2 year would enjoy them, sneak those veggies right in. What toddler doesn’t love pizza!

  38. I wanna have CookSmarts!! I plan to make beef and broccoli stir fry… my family would be surprised, they’ll be checking the trash for to-go containers!!

  39. I wanna have CookSmarts! And I actually already do. I love it so far. We really enjoyed the Thai Steak Tacos this week!

  40. I wanna have CookSmarts! The Beef & Broccoli looks delicious! A meal that would make hubby happy! 🙂

  43. I wanna have CookSmarts! Would love to try the Maple Dijon Panko Crusted Chicken. YUM! Thanks for sharing this site!

  44. I wanna have CookSmarts!

    The Maple Dijon Panko Crusted Chicken looks delicious!

  46. I wanna have CookSmarts! Id love to try the Pork Tenderloin With Cran Balsamic Sauce. Looks delish!

    Also, Will is growing like a weed, how’s that possible?!

  48. I wanna have Cook Smarts! I love all the Mexican foods, will be trying the fajitas shortly!

  50. I wanna cook smarts!! Def want to try the beef and broccoli stir fry, panko chicken nuggets and the panko fish tacos – YUM!

  54. I wanna have CookSmarts and try the Miso Butter Salmon. I love that the recipes can be adjusted to dietary restriction with just a click!

  55. I was so excited to see a meal planning post. I really need to start doing this. However, I got totally distracted by those adorable monkeys dressed as cowboy pyjamas. They rock.

  56. I wanna have CookSmarts!!! The meal I want to make the most is the TOMATO, AVOCADO & QUINOA SALAD!!! Looks YUMMY!!

  57. I wanna have CookSmarts!

    The Cajun fried rice sounds super tasty! Lots of good looking recipes though – your fajitas look so good!

  59. I wanna have cooks marts and make the pesto spaghetti with shrimp! The hubs loves shrimp and I love pesto. And I’m about to have baby number 5 in about 6 weeks….i need help making dinner! And we are usually paleo! Hooray! Cool service.

  60. “I wanna have CookSmarts” The Chicken with Pineapple salsa looks and sounds amazing!

  62. I wanna have CookSmarts! And especially for “GRILLED CHEESE WITH PROSCIUTTO AND KALE” omg

    I love that they have paleo options for every dish! Makes it so easy.

  66. Since it’s grilling season, the Pork and Pineapple kabobs sound awesome or the Fish Sandwich for a nice picnic dinner.

  69. I wanna have CookSmarts… I am going to make Shrimp Vermicelli Bowls asap! Yum!

  70. I wanna have CookSmarts! I would love to make the Panko Breaded Chicken Nuggets. My 2 year old little guy will love them and I’ll love that they don’t come from a box in the freezer!

  72. I wanna have CookSmarts

    I want to try the steak fajitas…looks SO good!

  73. “I wanna have CookSmarts” My hubby is doing cross fit and we’ve started on the paleo diet as of this week- in order to avoid a meal rut of ‘chicken & veggie bowls’ I NEED THIS 😀

    Already signed up for their meals plans, and I think the asian chicken salad looks amazing!

  75. I wanna have CookSmarts!

    The leftover Salmon Spinach Salad with quinoa and tomatoes looks good for quick lunches!

  77. I wanna have CookSmarts

    Yum! I’d make the Tilapia en papillote with miso soy ginger sauce.

  82. “I wanna have CookSmarts”

    Cumin spiced kabobs with hummus and pita looks yummy and is something Hopefully the picky toddler will eat. He likes to dip things so this looks perfect. If he’s happy I’m happy!

  83. I wanna have cooksmarts! I really want to try green curried broccoli fried rice!

  85. I wanna have CookSmarts! Those “BATTERLESS CHILE RELLENOS”
    look amazing!

  86. I wanna have CookSmarts! I would love to try the mustard roasted fish yum!

  89. I wanna have CookSmarts – The beef and broccoli udon sounds awesome. And all the curries!

  90. “I wanna have CookSmarts”
    We need to eat more fish and the Mustard Roasted Fish looks super yummy!

  91. I wanna have CookSmarts. I can’t wait to try the sesame teriyaki salmon!!

  95. I wanna have CookSmarts

    I was actually just looking into this earlier this week. I have a 4 year old and a six week old, I really need to cut down the time spent on meals, including meal planning, we are currently stuck in a rut, having the same things every week.

    The caramel chicken brussel sprouts stirfry looks good.

  98. I wanna have Cook Smarts! I so need this planning help! The portabello pesto pizzas look delish!

  99. I wanna have CookSmarts! Is it weird to say the grilled cheese sandwiches with balsamic red onions recipe sounds delicious?!

  103. I wanna have Cook Smarts!
    And I am so intrigued by the baked tilapia and sauteed cabbage.

  105. I wanna have Cooksmarts!!! I am eating Paleo so those Fajitas would be great to make!

  108. I wanna have cooksmarts!! I really want to try the sesame teriyaki salmon! Any of the salmon really!

  109. I want CookSmarts!

    I think the Maple Dijon panko crusted chicken sounds interesting.

  112. “I wanna have CookSmarts”

    PANKO-BREADED CHICKEN “NUGGETS”
    with butternut squash and sweet potato soup sounds amazing!

  113. I wanna have CookSmarts!

    The vegetarian version of the Apple Fennel Turkey Burgers sounds delicious!

  116. I wanna have CookSmarts! I’d like to try the chicken Thai basil stir fry.

  123. I wanna have CookSmarts!! I would LOVE to try avocado and chimichurri grilled cheese! Yum! Thank you for introducing me to such an awesome site! I will definitely be using it 🙂

  124. You probably didn’t notice this – It’s Tina Fey. Not Tina fea. You have got to love her. And love you. K-I-r kitten.

  125. I wanna have cooksmarts! The caramel chicken brussels sprouts stir fry looks delicious!

  126. I wanna have CookSmarts!

    From the archives I’d like to try the Cumin Spiced Beef Kabobs. Sounds delish!

  130. I wanna have cooksmarts! I love anything with butternut squash, so the butternut squash curry looks like a definite winner! Great giveaway – I hate to cook and keep telling myself that meal planning is what it’s all about. Maybe this is the motivation I needed!

  131. I wanna have Cook Smarts!
    I am excited to make Shrimp Pad Thai
    Thank you for this fantastic giveaway opportunity

  133. I wanna have cooksmarts! The rotisserie pot pies look so good for a cool day! Yum!

  135. It was supposed to be a joke…like since he’s little, his friend would be named Tiny instead of Tina 🙂 It’s not as funny when I explain it.
    xo – kb

  136. I wanna get cook smarts! The fajitas you made look yum! Mexican never tastes as yummy at my house, so maybe if I had a recipe I could convince the tam we don’t need to go out. Thanks!

  138. Me me me! I wanna have CookSmarts and nom nom nom I’d eat that Tofu Mushroom Scramble!

  139. I wanna have Cooksmarts! I have used Relish.com in the past and like it…but love the vegetarian/Paleo/Gluten Free options!

  141. I wanna have Cook Smarts! I’d love to make the shrimp and two peas green curry stir fry!

  144. I wanna have CookSmarts! My husband and I live chile rellenos, I’d have to try those out!

  149. I wanna have CookSmarts!
    Pork Tenderloin With Cran Balsamic Sauce
    My husband is about to start CrossFit which as you know will be a huge lifestyle change. Paleo here we come! Unfortunately, I know how to cook meat very few ways and there is only so much chicken and broccoli we can eat until we are sick of it!

  150. I wanna have CookSmarts! The chile rellenos looks fantastic but for a full family pleaser, I’ll have to pick the baked pesto risotto. Yum

  152. I wanna have CookSmarts. I want to make the panko crusted chicken nuggets

  156. I wanna have CookSmarts, as a gluten free house… we need meal planning help. Eggs and gluten free pancakes 3 nights a week isn’t working anymore 🙂

  159. I wanna have CookSmarts! And the panko crusted fish tacos look yum! I love fish tacos but have always been afraid to try them at home. Here’s hoping this helps me plan, shop and prepare good meals for the fam! Thanks, Katie!

  160. “I wanna have CookSmarts” I would love to try the beef and broccoli stir fry.

  169. I wanna have CookSmarts! And I want to try the Maple-Dijon Panko Crusted Chicken 🙂

  170. I wanna have CookSmart! The meal I most want to cook is the pulled pork sandwich. A country girl from NC living in DC I miss good ol’ BBQ! 🙂

  171. I wanna have CookSmarts! The PESTO SPAGHETTI WITH SHRIMP sounds delicious!!

  172. I wanna have CookSmarts! We need this desperately in our house! We keep recycling the same meals- the butternut squash curry looks AWESOME-SAUCE.

  175. I wanna have CookSmarts!! I am really craving the rotisserie chicken enchiladas!

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