Since our world has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I went from my routine of deciding what is for dinner at 3 p.m. day of to needing to make some major adjustments. I needed to cook more meals [1] at home every day yet limit grocery-store runs, all while avoiding anything that took a long time to prep (because I hate prep). And everything needs to taste good and be good for my family — a never-ending parenting paradox.
As a registered dietitian, I wholeheartedly believe that you are what you eat, and offering nutritious foods is a priority for me. However, I was never a weekly meal-planner type of gal. Running into the grocery store to "grab a few things" every day was no big deal in my book, which meant I always had fresh fruits, veggies, meats, and fish on hand. But with COVID-19 concerns, I knew that habit had to go. I embraced online grocery-shopping services for staples, but for meats and fish, I knew that wouldn't cut it. I'm a picky protein eater; I like to select my own cuts and make sure the quality is high. Because dinners are typically pretty simple in our house (a protein, starch, and a veggie), I prefer our meats to be organic and grass-fed, our fish sustainably sourced, and our poultry free-range. I think it tastes better, and oftentimes, these choices are better for the planet, too.
As I struggled to stock up on fresh protein, my family dinners slowly trended toward pizza and mac and cheese. In need of a change, I scoured the internet for a simple solution. I tried meal kits, but they required too much prep work for me, and the recipes were not appealing to either my 50-year-old husband or my 5-year-old daughter. (We're a simple "grilled chicken [3] with a baked potato and salad" type of family!)
But when I came across Greensbury Market [4], I was thrilled to find something that checked all of my boxes. This online platform offers meats, poultry, pork, seafood, and even bison! Everything is high-quality, hormone-free, and mostly organic. The food is preportioned and cut so I don't have to mess with a huge piece of raw fish, and the products arrive frozen right to my door. I prefer the Greensbury Market Subscription Packages [5] ($100 and up) because they save me the added step of remembering to place an order when I run out.
Once a month, I load up my freezer with chicken, beef, fish, and shrimp. Then every evening, I plan (ish) what's going to be for dinner the next day and defrost my protein, rotating between what I have on hand. Then, the day of, I simply sprinkle dry rub on my selection and cook! I accompany it with some microwavable rice or a baked potato, along with a bagged salad or roasted veggie. Done and done, and all under 30 minutes. My family is eating nutritious food, and I don't have to spend a bunch of time planning and preparing my meals. All I can ask for these days!