As a kid, I hated vegetables. We had a family rule that we had to eat three bites of vegetables at dinner time. When I was five, we went out for dinner, and I devised a perfect plan. I asked the server for three peas. She complied. I then proceeded to put one pea on my fork and ate it. I repeated that step two more times, thus satisfying the three-bite rule. (Unfortunately, my mom didn’t agree with my logic.)
Even as an adult, I wasn’t a big fan of vegetables. In an effort to be healthier, I joined our local CSA and had fresh, local vegetables delivered for a summer. Unfortunately, we didn’t eat all the produce, (but we composted what we didn’t eat.) Although the farm had a website that included recipes, a lot of them were bland. We were also serving our vegetables as a side dish, secondary to the main course, which was usually chicken or fish.
I want to be kinder to animals, cut down on global warming, and be healthier. I knew that moving towards a plant-based diet would help all those things, but I still didn’t really like vegetables.
On January 1, 2018, our family New Year’s resolution was to eat significantly less meat in 2018. It didn’t take me long to realize that my vegan and vegetarian repertoire was pretty small. So we bought a great vegan cookbook and expanded our dinner choices. There are many things in life that I enjoy, but meal planning and cooking nightly, do not fall in that category. We don’t have the budget to eat out regularly, so I’ve been the primary meal planner and cook for more years than I want to mention.
Alice G Patterson Photography
My daughter recommended HelloFresh, saying that it was an excellent way for her to eat healthy meals after a long day of work. She sent us a coupon to try HelloFresh for free. In case you aren’t familiar with HelloFresh, it is a subscription meal plan that comes with the ingredients for three (or four) meals per week. You choose the meals from a menu, and it varies each week. There are always at least three vegetarian options, as well as recipes with chicken, beef, pork, and seafood. Currently, the meal kits are available for two people or four people. The servings are generous!
About the same time, I was already enjoying the convenience of a dog food subscription service. Their food is healthy, and I love not having to run to the store to buy dog food.
We decided to give HelloFresh a try. Naturally, Theo thought it was for him.
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The meal kits have most of the ingredients in them. Typically, you need to provide salt, pepper, olive oil, and occasionally butter or sugar. For the past 18 months, we’ve chosen vegetarian meals, and all of them have been delicious.
I’m a Type B personality. I know this might stress out all you Type As, but frequently I decide what is for supper about 20-45 minutes ahead of dinner time. HelloFresh is a great way to know that I have everything I need before starting to make supper.
Since we started HelloFresh, my husband is more willing to start cooking dinner. Probably because he knows he has everything he needs in that bag.
Although the majority of the recipes usually say 10 minutes prep time, we aren’t skilled chefs, and it takes us longer than that to cut the vegetables (and not our fingers!) For us, the prep time is generally closer to 15 minutes. 
Theo never abandons hope that I’ll drop something when I’m cooking.
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HelloFresh is flexible, it is easy to skip a week or change the number of servings that you want. You can even have it delivered to your vacation destination. Just let them know the week before your scheduled delivery. Although most of the vegetarian meals do have some dairy, it is pretty simple to use vegan substitutes or skip the cheese/sour cream altogether. I made a vegan version of the Veggie Chile Rellenos by preparing one without cheese and crema.
There was a time when I wondered if we could ever move successfully towards a plant-based diet. I thought that a vegetarian lifestyle might mean endless salads instead of delicious, satisfying meals.
Having grown up on meat and potatoes, neither my husband nor I were sure we could exist happily with less meat. Thanks to HelloFresh vegetarian recipes, it is easier and tastier than I thought possible!
Try our vegan savory Italian-styled grits too!
Thanks to Alice G Patterson for the photos!
I started cooking vegetarian in January as a New Year’s Resolution too! For me, the decision was all about environmental reasons, and I’ve really enjoyed adding more veggies into my diet. I’ve never tried Hello Fresh, but that’s cool to see that they have vegetarian options!!
I love Hello Fresh and those meals look yummy!! We like meat at our house, but I’m trying to shoot for one meatless day a week and incorporating more plant based proteins into my diet throughout the week.
I keep hearing about Hello Fresh. I might have to try them out. I hate being in the kitchen so anything that can help make it easier is a win for me.
I eat much more veggies, but I still like my meat now and again. Aren’t dogs funny? My Ernest used to sit in a certain place where he could see me just in case I dropped something on the floor while preparing dinner.
HelloFresh would be a lifesaver on busy weeknights. As someone that eats a mostly plant based diet, I cannot wait to give these meal kits a try!
I had no idea that HelloFresh could help you move towards a plant-based diet. What a wonderful service to have. I am betting it will help many people eat healthier without paying a fortune, as they do seem pretty reasonable in pricing.
That looks so good. I have always wondered about Hello Fresh. I always hear it’s so good and see such amazing food too. I’d love to give them a try once.
Those veggie rellenos sound so good! I haven’t tried Hello Fresh, but I’m in such a cooking rut, I would love to give it a try. I have been a vegetarian since I was a kid, and it is nice to know they have vegetarian recipes.
I’ve heard so many good things about the vegetarian and vegan diet! But it’s hard to give up the meat. That’s why I need a great variety of vegetarian meals and Hellofresh is a good option!
It’s amazing how these choices are available now. I would healthier choice and try HelloFresh.
Wow! Does this ever look delicious and sooo convenient! I have been on a plant-based diet for the last several months and I love it. I still cook meat dishes for the rest of the family, but I’ve lost my taste for meat. I’m hoping over time they will hop on board with going vegan.
I love plant-based food and I ‘ve tried HelloFresh. I loved the quality of the foods, the perfect subscription box for those who want to try out a plant-based diet!
I have not tried Hello Fresh yet! This looks like you got great quality food
We’ve been really pleased with HelloFresh.
Great to know that Hello Fresh has so many plant based options!
Hello Fresh looks like an awesome meal service. With 6 kids, I’m looking for any way possible to make meal time easier!
They have a family-friendly menu as well.
I’ve always wanted to try a service like this. Seems so pricey though. I know I could get much cheaper, but I hate cooking and clean up so I just throw pasta in the microwave, add some toppings and call it good, one dish one spoon or fork one meal. Boring though
You should take advantage of their offer and see how you like it.
I have always wanted to try Hello Fresh. It looks like it would be such a great way to try new meals.
Your motivation for turning to a more plant-based diet is right on! Couldn’t agree more. We’ve always thought about trying Hello Fresh – we hear great things about them. But honestly, I had no idea they could accommodate a vegetarian diet. We’re going to give them a try – your meal looked fantastic!
HelloFresh is amazing! My hubby and I love to order it for at-home date nights. I love the idea of using it to help transistion to a more plant based diet
We have gone from meat every night to maybe once a week, once we incorporated Hello Fresh vegetarian meals the desire for meat has gone do to the variety and tastiness of the hello fresh meals. We even find ourselves eating vegetarian meals on the nights our Hello Fresh has run out. Yet to be disappointed by any of the meals.