This online service was created by two sisters in an effort to make meal planning easier and fit within a tight budget. They also wanted meal time to be less chaotic and provide an opportunity for the family to come together and share with each other the day's events.
There are a number of different options when subscribing to the e-mealz program. You can choose a menu for two people or a family plan. You can also choose from Aldi, Kroger, Publix, Wal-Mart, Ralph's, or a menu that will work at any store. You can also choose specialty menus such as vegetarian and gluten free. All of the plans, except for the vacation plans, are $15.00 for 3 months of service which is automatically renewed. You can cancel the automatic renewal, however.
The plan I chose was a low-fat Wal-Mart plan for a family. Each week you print out the week's menu along with the grocery list. The list has each item that is used in the week's menu plan and signifies which days they are used. I found this helpful in cases where I didn't want to make a particular item they had on the menu. I simply reduced the amount to buy because I knew I wouldn't need it on a certain day.
Now, certain people in my family are very picky and will only eat a limited variety of entrees. Because of this, there were a few menu items each week I would not prepare. Each item included a recipe and listed what sides were to go with it.
I think there are a lot of benefits to this type of a program. If you aren't picky and are willing to cook the easy recipes they provide, this could save you a lot of time. You can tailor it to your store and your diet preference. Because my life is very disorganized and I don't have a lot of time to do anything but make the simplest recipes that I often make on a regular basis, it was easier for me to go to the store, walk up and down each aisle, and pick and choose. Perhaps as I get some more time back, after reducing the amount of time I work or cutting back on my kids' activities, this type of a system would be wonderful FOR ME. Right now, it's just easier to keep it very simple by continuing to make those things I know my family loves and will eat. You are able to change your store and your type of menu if you find your first choice doesn't work for you anymore.
These sisters have developed a very useful tool, and it would be of great benefit to many people out there. It removes the task of deciding what to make every day; somebody already did it for you, and they even made you a grocery list. It sure does simplify things a lot. I wish I had had the time to really get into the habit of using it but, like I said, I am too disorganized right now to be even fit into someone else's organization. I'm sure most of you, though, would love what these sisters have done for you.
E-mealz can also be given as a gift subscription to friends and family. E-mealz can be reached at feedback@e-mealz.com. They have folks available to answer questions Monday through Friday 8-5 CST.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this product for free to try so that I might provide an honest opinion.
