Meal Delivery Box Review

The following post contains affiliate links and coupon codes.

These deals may change at anytime or no longer be valid when you read this post. 

The following information is based off of my experience and could change.

Meal Delivery Fast Facts

• I purchased from these three different companies using my own money: Gobble, Home Chef, and HelloFresh.
• They are all subscription services, but you get to choose how often they are delivered.
• You can easily cancel or pause your account or you can just skip weeks.
• There are menus each week and you choose meals from the different menus. 
• Most of them have specialty options such as gluten free, nut free, dairy free, etc.
• You get to pick how many meals you will get in your box and how many servings each meal has.
• Meals come packaged in a box with cold packs.
• They come with recipe cards.
• The boxes have everything you need to cook a complete meal (except salt and pepper).
• I learned a lot about cooking from ordering these boxes (different methods to cook certain foods and also different flavor combinations to try).

Box Reviews (in order that I tried them)

Gobble

Price

Get your first box for just $36 shipped.  You'll need to add 6+ servings to your box (3 recipes with 2 servings each is what I did).  This makes it $6 per serving. Use code WINTER636 at checkout. The end date to this deal has not been announced. 

Packaging

The box it came in was recyclable and part of the insulation was recyclable. The cold packs did not mention if they were recyclable (but, of course, can be reused).

Some of the food was packaged in plastic and some was wrapped in paper. There was single-use packaging, but not all of it was.  

Taste

Everything we ate from Gobble was delicious!  I did get two Asian type meals and the sauces were exactly the same (though the entire meal was completely different).

What's Notable?

Gobble had the most user friendly website.  The meals were also the easiest of all the companies I tried, but the instructions were sometimes hard to follow.  Gobble prides themselves on 15 minute meals, and I'd say this is pretty accurate.

This was the only company that left out a food item from one of my meals, but they were very easy to work with and refunded me for the missing items. 

I did not reorder from them because the protein serving sizes were too small for our family (one chicken breast or piece of fish to share between two people). This would be a great option if you were just buying it for yourself.

Click this link to order your first Gobble box!  Use code WINTER36 at checkout if the deal doesn't automatically show up.

Home Chef

Price

Get $90 off your first 4 boxes. This breaks down to $30 off first and second boxes and $15 off third and fourth boxes.  You don't have to get all 4 boxes.  This price ends up being $5-6 per serving depending on how many servings you get.  

Just click this link to redeem offer - no code needed. This offer ends at the end of January. 

Packaging

I was very impressed with the way these meals were packaged.  The box, insulation, and cold packs are all recyclable or compostable.  Some food items are in paper but most are in plastic. There was single-use packaging, but not all of it was. Several items came in plastic that could be recycled or reused for something else (homemade spice blend, etc). 

Taste

We've loved everything we have eaten from Home Chef (even the accidental box I ordered where they picked all of my meals)! 

What's Notable?

You place your order and pay before you pick your meals.  That confused me when I first signed up. 

Their recipe cards are large and already have holes punched in them.  I especially liked this because I use a three ring binder to hold all of my recipes.

Their recipes were very easy to follow and each card tells you how many days you have to cook each meal (I found this to be very helpful).

Click here to order your first Home Chef box! 

HelloFresh

Price

Get $80 off your first 4 boxes.  You don't have to get all four boxes for the deal to apply. The end date to this deal has not been announced.

Packaging

This was the only company that used bubble wrap for the insulation; however, they were also the only company who didn't use a plastic bags to separate each meal.  Each meal was contained in a brown paper bag. A lot of food items were also packaged in paper instead of plastic.  There was single-use packaging, but not all of it was.  Other than the bubble wrap, this was the most eco-friendly company.

Taste

We loved everything we ate from HelloFresh!

What's Notable?

HelloFresh's recipe cards were easy to read and very similar to Home Chef (but they weren't pre-punched with holes). 

The website was a little hard to figure out at first, but was better after using it. 

Click here to order your first HelloFresh box!

Did I Enjoy The Meal Delivery Boxes?

Absolutely!  It was so easy to just take out an entire meal from my fridge to prep and have ready in under an hour (mostly in under 30 minutes).  All of the guesswork was gone, but I still had some control in choosing meals and cooking them. 

I also, unexpectedly, learned a few things.  I used methods to cook and spice combinations that I had not used before.  I will be able to continue using these even now.  

What Company Did I Like the Best?

Right now - during the month of January - I would say that Home Chef is my favorite.  I did like this company the best AND they have the best deal right now.  

If you are making this purchase after January, then you should go with either of the other companies.  

I personally wouldn't have been able to try any of these had it not been for the deals they were offering.  I couldn't justify paying full price for any of these services.  That doesn't mean that you can't justify it - we all have different income and needs.  

Go check out these three companies yourself and see which one you like the best!

 

Gobble

Home Chef

HelloFresh

More questions?

Feel free to ask in the comments below and I'll do my best to answer!

 

Our Secret is Out {And It's One You'll LOVE}

We’re so excited to let you know that Lexie:Naturals is a bonus sponsor for this year’s Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle!  If you follow us on Instagram, you've seen several posts about our BIG SECRET - and now you know! We’ve been planning and preparing for most of this year and can’t believe it’s actually here.  We've already sent out over 300 FREE natural skincare gift sets, and we would love to add you to the list!

You may be asking, “What is the Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle?”  It is a comprehensive collection of natural-living resources for a crazy low price.  The package includes over 90 digital products (ebooks, e-courses, etc) on topics like natural remedies, essential oils, real food recipes, paleo & allergy-friendly eating, fitness & weight loss and much more (all topics that are near and dear to our company’s heart!). All together, it’s worth over $1900, not to mention that it comes with $225 worth of bonus products (including a FREE natural gift care set from us!).  But by offering the bundle for a very limited time, they’re able to give you access to over $2000 worth of amazing products for a crazy 97% off (that's less than $30)!

Here’s a list of the bonuses that come with the bundle (I've already redeemed several of these myself):

• Lexie Naturals – FREE natural care gift set: lip balm (.15 oz.), lotion tube (1 oz.) and trial-size deodorant (.35 oz.) ($15 value)
• ePantry – FREE hand soap + $8 credit on one shipment, FREE dish soap + $8 credit on the next shipment, AND 60-day VIP access with FREE shipping ($30 value)
• Plant Therapy – Lemon, lavender and peppermint essential oil set ($22.92 value)
• NaturOli – FREE travel essentials facial set: deep conditioning facial wash (1 oz.), new radiance facial creme (1 oz.), exfoliating walnut scrub (1 oz.) ($16.95 value)
• Bloom Naturals – FREE SPOT treatment for acne & eczema OR a $15 gift certificate toward Bloom Naturals products ($15 value)
• Perfect Supplements – $15 gift certificate toward any Perfect Brand product ($15 value)
• Strawesome – $15 gift certificate toward the straws and accessories of your choice ($15 value)
• TriLight Health – FREE 2-oz liquid herbal formula or $15 off larger bottles ($15 value)
• Craftsy – 1 FREE online class ($44.99 value)
• Once a Month Meals – $32 toward OAMM membership + a free mini menu ($35 value)

This is the FREE bonus from us!

One of the questions I’m most asked is, “How can I start pursuing a more natural lifestyle?” Well, this bundle is a wonderful way to get started (and for a great price!) I’ve already downloaded these resources, and they are great! When you have the right info and tools at your fingertips, healthy and natural living comes together so much more easily. You know what to cook for your family. You’re more confident in choosing natural alternatives. You can easily replace store-bought products with DIY options that really work. You feel better (and even look better, too). Healthy living becomes less stressful and more enjoyable.

Here’s how you can get the Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle:

1. Visit their website, take a quick look at all the goodness that comes in this package, then click “Get my copy now!” to go through their simple 3-step checkout process.
2. You’ll receive an email with a login to their online access portal, where you’ll begin downloading your eBooks, signing up for your eCourses, and redeeming your free bonus products (this is where we come in).
3. Use their Getting Started Interactive Guides to pick the area you want to tackle first and start making healthy changes!

The most important detail, though, is that this bundle is available for just 6 days! After Monday night, September 14th, the sale ends and you’d have to buy all of these products individually.

I’d hate for you to miss out on free products, so click HERE to learn more or buy the bundle. 

We’re so excited about partnering with Ultimate Bundles, and we hope you take advantage of this awesome opportunity!

4 NEW SOAPS (and some other goodies too!)

Over the summer, we've been experimenting with with different soap recipes, and we are excited to offer up four of those soaps in our online store!  Each of these were fun to make and are delightful to use.

First up is Lexie: Lather (Bourbon).  This soap was inspired by our yearly 4th of July trip to visit good friends on the Tombigbee River.  It has become the high point of our summer!  Our times together generally involve lots of laughs, fun music, and sampling bourbons from the much-fabled Bourbon Bunker.  Seriously, our friend has a bunker full of bourbon.  It is a sight to behold.  This soap is masculine, though not overwhelming, and has a rich lather.  In addition to bourbon, it contains vanilla-infused coconut and olive oils. 

Lexie: Lather (Vanilla Sugar) is another of our new soaps, and it smells sweetly glorious!  It's similar to our Pure and Simple soap but also contains vanilla-infused oils as well as vanilla sugar (with some help from our friends at Lafaza).

While we are talking sweets, who doesn't love a good cupcake?  The ingredients for Lexie:Lather (Cupcake) are indentical to our Vanilla Sugar soap, but we added cocoa powder to the "cake" portion of the soap to give it that chocolatey look and smell. We also sprinkled vanilla sugar on top!

Also debuting this week is Lexie:Lather (Incense).  This vegan soap is also similar to our Pure and Simple soap, but it contains incense-infused oils.  We concocted this incense ourselves, mainly using ingredients from Maggie's Pharm on Overton Square in Memphis. They carry a plethora of natural ingredients and oils as well as soaps and other fun stuff.  This particular incense contains lavender, frankincense, rose hips, star anise, dragon's blood, white sage, and cinnamon.  The soap gives a sweet and relaxing aroma with a gentle cleanse.

And finally, we've added two more new items: a trial-size Lexie:Deo (perfect for traveling or gifting) and Lexie:Lotion in a tube (perfect for being on the go and fits easily in your purse).  Go browse around the store and check everything out!  Enjoy!

I'm a Man who Loves Natural Soap

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Today's post come from my husband and Lexie:Naturals co-conspirator, Stephen.

I love to watch my wife get creative.  Since we started Lexie:Naturals several years ago, it hasn’t been uncommon for me to get home from work and find Lexie in the midst of some new experiment: infusing this kind of oil with that kind of plant, concocting a homemade, natural detergent, or fine-tuning a recipe for lotion or a shampoo bar.  Over the past couple of years, she has been perfecting the art of soap-making, and it may be my favorite thing to watch her create (and to use!).

Several years back, Lexie got together with a few other ladies who wanted to experiment with making soap, and it was...well, it was disastrous.  A giant mess was made, and stinky soap resulted.  Thankfully, things have gotten MUCH better, and every batch of soap since the Great Soap Disaster of 2012 has been a delight to behold, smell, and use.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Memphis Brew.  This one is made using our favorite local brew, Ghost River Golden Ale, and it’s generally fresh from the tap at Hammer and Ale in midtown Memphis.  I was initially scared that it might smell like the floor beneath the seats at FedExForum after a Grizzlies game, but I was delightfully mistaken.  It’s got a great lather, a fresh, bready smell, and adds some manliness to my shower.

Afternoon Brew (Lavender).  We’ve done a couple of versions of this soap using local, hand-blended tea from Flavor Mavens, a company based in Olive Branch, MS and co-owned by one of our neighbors.  This version is my favorite.  We used their Lovin’ Lavender and TeaZy Does It teas, and the resulting combination is fantastic.  Relaxing aroma, soft in your hands, and really beautiful.

Elegant Rose.  This soap is one of my favorites mainly because it’s really a family affair.  My daughters and I picked the rose petals from the bushes outside our kitchen window, and then Lexie and our niece worked up the batch of soap before sprinkling the rose petals on top.  It makes me think of home! This batch is made with mica for color, but we will soon be switching to rose clay for the benefits and color it will add to this soap.

We get to keep the leftovers from each batch of soap, so whenever we finish a bar, Lexie pulls out something new from the leftover box.  I never know what it’s going to be, and inevitably, I end up loving it.  I can’t wait to see what she cooks up next!

You can purchase all of these soaps (plus more) in our online store. And don't forget to use a handmade soap saver dish to keep those handmade soaps lasting longer!

What's your favorite natural soap?

Why My Husband Swapped to Natural Deodorant {Written By My Husband}

Today's post comes from my husband and Lexie:Naturals co-conspirator, Stephen McNeill. He will be posting regularly in the future, and I think you'll really enjoy hearing what he has to say (and passing his posts on to any men in your life). This post contains affiliate links.

I am, by nature, a creature of habit.  Until the past few years, I have avoided change in almost any form.  I still have the same cell phone number I used in high school.  I wore the same Led Zeppelin hat exclusively for 13 years.  I only eat one, particular kind of peanut butter and have done so since childhood.  I’ve had the same wallet for 6 years, and that’s only because its predecessor (which I acquired circa 1997) met its soggy end in the washing machine.  

So, when my wonderful wife began making and selling deodorant several years ago, I refused to try it.  I had used the same brand of deodorant since my armpits started to stink in 1994.  How dare she suggest that I break with such a well-established tradition!  After all, the wise, old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”  I take pride in the fact that I rarely smell of sweat and body funk, so why would I mess with a successful recipe?  

I’m not sure how she wore down my resistance.  Maybe it’s because I’d watched her make it so many times and admired her handiwork.  Maybe it’s because it smells delightful.  Or maybe it’s just because I love her.  But I decided to try it.  It was a little weird at first because I was used to the old deo’s scent, and I was used to swiping at least 15-20 times (I know, I know).   I didn’t believe her when she said it would only take 1-4 swipes.  But she was right.  It worked.  After a few days, I was used to it, and I’ve never looked back.  Twas the dawn of a new day.

So, if you’re skeptical of trying natural alternatives (and many guys and creatures-of-habit are), I’ll say this: just give it a shot.  Try a more natural deodorant for a week or so.  If you don’t like it, go back to your Speed Stick or your Axe, or better yet, try a different natural alternative.  There are many different natural deodorants out there; you just have to find what works for you.  But know this: if you choose to try Lexie:Deo, remember that there is a dude in Mississippi who overcame a nearly 20-year habit of using store-bought, junk-filled deodorant by just giving something new a shot.  So can you!

You can purchase Lexie:Deo here! Use the code FREESHIP35 to get free shipping on all orders $35 or more (through the end of April 2015).

Disclaimer: I have included affiliate links in this post.  That means that I will get a percentage of any sale made from clicking on a link in this post (at no extra cost to you and sometimes a cheaper cost to you).  Thank you for your support of this blog and my family.

Homemade Neosporin Recipe

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Around our house, we’ve come to love making our own skincare products.  There are many benefits to making things at home, and it’s a lot of fun too!  We are always looking for new things to make instead of buy.  

About a year ago, we started making a soothing balm with items I already had in the kitchen.  We use this balm on minor cuts and scrapes, bruises, burns, and bug bites.  My kids call it “that medicine you make”, and they are always asking that I put it on something!  With summer just around the corner, we’ll be using this balm more and more.  

Want to read the rest of the post and see the recipe? Head on over to Stacy Makes Cents where I'm guest blogging all about it!

If you want to skip the DIY and purchase this balm, you can do so through our online store!

How to Infuse Oils

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Disclaimer: I have included affiliate links in this post. Thank you for your support of this blog and my family.

Over the past couple of years, I have been experimenting with different oil infusions.  I started down this road in my quest to avoid fragrance oils and artificial ingredients in my soaps, but it has really opened my eyes to the myriad of uses for infused oils.  Today, I’ll talk a bit about the benefits, uses, and the process of infusing oils.

If this seems like something you’d never have time for or that you think is too hard, keep reading!   

Uses and Benefits

When you infuse a quality oil, the properties from the material being infused make their way into the oil.  This oil can then be used for soap making, salves, creams, lotions, balms, treating infections, and even cooking.  

Type of Oil

While you do want the oil to be of good quality, the type of carrier oil you use is completely up to you.  Some common oils that I like to use are coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and neem oil.

What to Infuse

You can infuse oil with an almost endless variety of herbs, spices, resins, and flowers.  We’ve used everything from rose petals from our flower bed to freshly ground coffee (for a fun lip balm experiment)!  Some other commonly used ingredients include lavender, chamomile, calendula, frankincense, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, garlic, rosemary, primrose, vanilla beans, and more. If you can't find them locally, you can purchase great quality herbs at Mountain Rose Herbs for infusing.

While you can use fresh herbs and flowers, it’s best to use dried ingredients.  The chances of the oil going rancid are greatly reduced when using dried herbs and flowers.  If you pick fresh herbs or flowers, simply leave them out a few days to dry them before using them in your infusion.  

Methods

Solar or Cold Method:

This is the easiest way to infuse oils, but it also takes the longest time.  I prefer this method simply because it uses less energy and is more natural.

1. Pack a sterilized glass jar about ½ - ⅔ full of herbs or other ingredients.  
2. Fill the entire jar with the oil of your choice.  Stir to remove air and add more oil if needed.
3. Place a tight fitting lid on the jar and let it sit in a sunny place for 2-4 weeks (or longer).  I leave mine outside all day and night.  I also recommend dating and labeling the jar.
4. When infusion is done, strain the oil with a sieve or cheesecloth and place it in a sterilized glass jar, or you can use it immediately.  Label the jar with the date and herb infused, and store it out of direct sunlight.

Hot Method:

This is also easy, but it takes a bit of babysitting.  With this method, you’ll be able to use your infusion right away.

1. Pack a sterilized glass jar about ½ - ⅔ full of herbs or other ingredient.
2. Fill the entire jar with the oil of your choice.  Stir to remove air and add more oil if needed.  Cover with a tight fitting lid.
3. Place a washcloth or small towel in a pot and fill it with a few inches of water.  Put your oil-filled jar in the pot.  The washcloth will keep the jar from getting direct heat and act as a buffer between the glass and pot.  
4. Place the pot on the stove, and turn the heat to low.  Keep the jar in the hot water for 30 minutes up to a few days.  You will want to keep the heat on low so as not to burn the herbs.  You may also need to add more water to the pot because it will evaporate.  
5. When infusion is done, strain the oil with a sieve or cheesecloth and place it in a sterilized glass jar, or use it immediately.  Label jar with the date and herb infused, and store it out of direct sunlight.

You are now ready to store your infusion for a later day, or use it right away. We made a video for all of our visual learners out there. Check it out at the bottom of this post.

You can purchase everything you need for this project at Mountain Rose Herbs, Vitacost, and Amazon.  

If you want more ideas on what herbs to infuse and what to make with your infusions, check out Salve Made Simple by Hybrid Rasta Mama.  This eBook has a huge list of herbs with their benefit, and it contains over 30 salve recipes!  

Check out the oil infusion video below, and don't forget to subscribe so that you won't miss any future videos!

Disclaimer: Information I have provided is for entertainment purposes only.  I am not providing medical, legal, or other professional advice.  As the reader, you should read and/or use any of the information you glean from this blog at your own risk.  I have done a lot of research on this topic, but it does not mean that it is right for your family just because it is right for mine.

Do you have a favorite oil infusion combination?  Let us know in the comments!

Your Simple Home Handbook Review and Giveaway!

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join our Facebook page so that you don’t miss any updates!  You can also check us out on Instagram and Twitter!

We’ve been on a blogging hiatus for a few months… ok, more like 6 months.  This wasn’t on purpose, but we felt like our time was better spent with the business and with family.  We are happy to say that we have high hopes and plans for this little blog.  We hope to get at least 1-3 posts out to you each month that focus on living a more natural lifestyle (which can take many many forms).  You’ll be hearing primarily from me (Lexie), but my husband (Stephen) will also be making a few appearances here and there.  

We are starting the year with a giveaway and book review that we think you’ll love!  

When I heard that Elsie, from Richly Rooted, was writing a book, I was so excited!  I love her blog, and she is such a talented individual who writes about very relevant topics.  When I learned that the book she was writing was called Your Simple Home Handbook, I was thrilled!  You see, I’ve been to Elsie’s 600 square foot cabin. I KNOW that she has a simple home that’s functional, cute, and clean which means that she is more than qualified to write this handbook!  

My first living space as a married gal was only 300 square feet, and it was a disaster.  I had a pink oven/fridge/sink/stove combo from the 1940s that didn’t work half the time, and you could stand in all rooms (except the bathroom) at the same time; my furniture was haphazardly placed, my closets were a mess, my bathroom was hardly functional, and my living room housed two computers and work stations since we were both still in college.  Needless to say, I could have used some of Elsie’s expertise in this area.  

This isn’t your ordinary de-clutter book.  It’s a handbook that walks you through a simple step-by-step process to organize 30 spaces in your home.  She doesn’t ask your typical “Have I used this in the past year?” questions to help you decide what to keep.  They are meaningful and insightful questions that really help you decide what’s worth keeping.  

We have a slightly larger house now (it’s about 5-6 times the size of that first apartment), but I still find that it gets so cluttered in places.  I can’t wait to start checking off the spaces on the checklist at the end of this handbook, and I think you’ll feel the same way!  

Where can you purchase Your Simple Home Handbook?

You can use my affiliate link to purchase the digital version here. It’s on sale right now for only $5.95 (originally priced at $7.95).  If you’d prefer a paperback copy of this handbook, you can purchase it on Amazon for only $10!  Click here!

What else is in the book?

Here is a screen shot of the Table of Contents. I love the extra resources she has at the end of the handbook, and you'll also see various tips and tricks throughout the book to help you!

Want to win a free copy of the book?

You can try to win a free copy of this amazing handbook by entering the Rafflecopter below!  If you purchase it and still win, consider giving it away to a friend or family member.  

If you are reading this via email, you’ll need to click into the actual post to enter the giveaway.  

Elsie will also be having a Facebook party on Thursday night. There she will give away some awesome stuff (including a bar of our handmade soap and a copy of her book).  You can join this party by going to The Humbled Homemaker’s Facebook page on Thursday night at 9:00 EST.  I’ll be there, and would love to see you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I have included affiliate links in this post.  This means that if you purchase certain items after clicking on it from this post, I will be compensated in some way (at no extra cost to you).  Thank you for supporting my family and this blog! 
What de-cluttering tips do you have? Let us know in the comments.