How HelloFresh Will Help Me Kickstart a New Year’s Resolution

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I'm not the world's healthiest eater. The week before Christmas, I attended two holiday events where the hosts served lamb, salmon and duck, and lots of sides that mostly included goat cheese (one of my least favorite foods ever) so I skipped eating and survived on bread and wine alone. And sure, if you eat an entire baguette, it's enough to absorb three glasses of wine, but by the time I got back to my neighborhood at 11pm I was absolutely starving and stumbling and had no food options other than McDonald's, where I ordered a 20-piece McNuggets meal with large fries and a lemonade. When I woke up the next morning, I felt GROSS, so I hit the gym like I was training for a marathon in an attempt to unclog my arteries.

Well, we're entering into 2023, and while most people set out to start the new year on the right foot with resolutions, I've never been one of them. As I creep towards my 46th year, I realize gluttonous indulgences like Kung Pao chicken and McDonald's meals may be delicious and very necessary sometimes, but the truth is this holiday season has really thrown me off course (I know you can empathize) and now I'm enlisting HelloFresh to get me back on track in 2023.

About HelloFresh

Welcome 2023 with HelloFresh! It's one of the most popular meal kit delivery services and subscriptions that helps you save time and money while you create and stick to your New Year's resolutions! Not sure what to cook during the hibernation months of January and February and don't feel like venturing out into the cold? They've got you covered! Whether you're feeding a family of 2 or 6, you'll get high-quality, pre-portioned and fresh ingredients, along with easy-to-follow recipes that you can choose week by week. It’s no wonder HelloFresh is consistently one of our readers’ favorite meal kits, coming it at #1 on our annual list of Best Meal Kit Delivery Subscriptions.

HelloFresh sources high-quality and totally fresh ingredients like produce (fruits & veggies), organic items, and meat, seafood and poultry from sustainable suppliers and delivers them right to your door. They offer vegetarian, pescatarian, and reduced-calorie menu plans, and you can customize your order, so if you're oddly picky like me (I don't eat pork, beef or fish) simply use the HelloCustom option to swap out sides or proteins.

When you sign up, choose your plan preference—Meats & Veggies, Veggies, Family Friendly, Fit & Wholesome (around 700 calories per serving), Quick & Easy, and Pescatarian—the number of people you'll be serving (2-4), and the number of recipes you'd like to receive per week. Then, confirm your plan and scroll through the meal choices—each week you'll get to choose from over 30 different recipes.

Cooking & Eating Healthier in 2023

2022 was stressful. Between the unrest in Ukraine, the never-ending pandemic, inflation, job loss, rising interest rates, and a looming recession, it's no wonder many of us turned to comfort foods and drinks to calm our nerves and take our minds off the current state of the world. And while we have no control over any of it, many of us have vowed to save money, cook more often and eat healthier in 2023... I've hopped on that bandwagon.

One of my resolutions for 2023 is to focus on building my business, and that requires staying home for the next few months and saving money. I won't be out much, I'll be working out a lot more, eating healthier, and in addition to Dry January (abstaining from alcohol for the entire month), I would like to potentially drag it out until February too. And one of the ways I can make sure to achieve my goals of healthy living is to stick with a meal subscription service that preps and ships fresh and tasty ingredients directly to my front door.

The Meals

So, how will I kick off my New Year's resolution? With three healthy options from HelloFresh! Let's check out what I ordered for delivery on December 31st.

Since we all need something hearty during the cold winter months, my first meal is the One-Pot Chicken Sausage & Vegetable Soup that features kale, Israeli couscous, and garlic bread. This delicious concoction caught my eye because it's chock-full of veggies like carrots, onions and tomatoes, and it's the perfect comfort food.

Since I'd like to reduce my carbs and add a few more greens to my diet, I chose the Sweet & Smoky Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps, but I used the HelloCustom option to swap out the pork for chicken. This sweet and savory lunch has only 560 calories per serving, and it's low in carbs and high in protein.

And the final item on my shipment for the week is the Chicken Ramen in the Shoyu-Style Broth and I chose it because I love Asian food! Ramen is still trending and there's no better time to slurp your way through a large bowl of soupy noodles, veggies and chicken then the dreary months of January and February. And while this dish isn't exactly low carb or low in calories, this comforting dish will feed your soul and your stomach, without the extra ingredients that may get tossed in at your local noodle shop.

Just remember, if you follow strict diets like Paleo or Keto, you're vegan, gluten-free or allergen-free, HelloFresh does offer some options, but if you're all or nothing with these diets, you may have better luck with a meal delivery service that caters to these dietary needs.

Verdict

I know it resolutions can be hard to follow, but since I've paid for and ordered my meals in advance, it's not as easy to change my mind at the last minute... like if I decide to sleep through my Monday morning run. Plus, it's going to help me save money and calories since I won't be hanging out at a bar with a beer and buffalo wings!