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REVIEW: Blue Apron

Review

28 Sep

We all know about my Betty Crocker skills.

Or in this case, my lack thereof.

So, obviously, when a friend sent me a free trial code for Blue Apron I had high hopes. No grocery shopping, no measuring, and full-color photo instructions. SENT TO MY HOUSE. Three meals for two people. $60 per week… or $10 per meal. How could this go wrong?

Spoiler alert. It did.

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I received ingredients for three meals – Steaks & Roasted Potatoes with Sauteed Long Beans and Tomatoes, Mexican Style Chicken Tortas with Tomato, Avacado and Cucumber salad, and Summer Corn & Bell Pepper Pizza with Taleggio Cheese and Fresh Thyme.

Problem #1: I’m not going to say that I’m a picky eater… but I’m kind of a picky eater. None of these appealed to me. I realize this is my problem, and not Blue Apron’s, but it’s worth noting.

Problem # 2: The arugula for my Summer Corn & Bell Pepper Pizza showed up bad, and dripping its rotten juices on all the other produce.

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I contacted Blue Apron customer service immediately, and they were extremely helpful with the arugula situation. Since they obviously can’t send me a new lone ingredient, Blue Apron instead credited $10 to my account.

I mean, $10 for a handful of arugula isn’t too bad in my opinion.

I first made the Steaks & Roasted Potatoes, because I’m a Midwesterner and that’s what we live off of in these parts. Protein and carbs.

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These meals make me look like I know what I’m doing. Let’s be clear: I don’t.

 

The full-color instructions are pretty awesome. Everything, and I mean everything, is detailed step-by-step with a coordinating photo. There was pretty much no way I could mess this up.

My husband like the dinner. I wasn’t a fan. The steak was quality, but the veggies were kind of blah. Since Blue Apron includes seasoning, I expected more punch. They were just sort of… there.

—

Now would be the point where I talk about the other two dinners, but I have to be honest…

I didn’t even make them.

Sure, I could have sucked it up and just ate the other two dinners even though I’m not a fan of most of their ingredients. However, neither dinner appeared to be large enough to feed two people. I wasn’t about to spend time on a dinner that I didn’t even like, and would leave us both hungry. Instead, I just used the remaining ingredients as parts of other meals I would normally make.

It’s probably obvious, but I cancelled my account after this free trial. Could I see this working for some families, with a more adventurous palette? Absolutely.

But it just wasn’t going to work for us. We need more FOOD in this house, and less fancy arugula pizza.

—

Has anyone used Blue Apron? What has been your experience?

*I received a free trial of Blue Apron from a friend, not from the company. This review is entirely my own.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tami Washenko says

    September 28, 2015 at 9:30 am

    Thanks for doing this review! I’ve thought about trying blue apron a few times. It looks so convenient. However, my husband and I are both runners with huge appetites and although the reviews I keep reading seem to say it’s “enough” food…I’m so skeptical when I look at the pictures of the prepared meals.

    Have a great day!!!!

    Reply
    • Samantha Cotten says

      September 28, 2015 at 9:34 am

      I should mention that there is a “larger” meal option, but it still doesn’t look big enough for us. My husband ran track in college, and is big into weightlifting now, so he wants massive quantities of protein! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Alison Hernandez says

    September 28, 2015 at 10:37 am

    Great review! I’ve been looking into trying Blue Apron and Plated, but none of the meals have really stuck out to me. Good to know the portions sizes aren’t huge. Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Leslie says

    September 28, 2015 at 1:40 pm

    I’m so happy you posted this. I’ve been considering one of these services (Blue Apron, Plated, or Hello Fresh) and I’m thinking I’ll cross Blue Apron off my list. I might still give one of the others a shot though.

    Reply
  4. Kristin Roe says

    September 29, 2015 at 5:45 am

    Ditto to the above comments. I was considering trying it out. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Cody Parks says

    September 29, 2015 at 9:00 am

    My wife and I did a few Blue Apron meals. We loved it but I would describe us as a bit more adventurous with food and pretty health conscious as well. We would do it again and finished each meal feeling very content.

    Reply
  6. Amanda says

    September 29, 2015 at 9:21 am

    Cody and I must be weirdos we loved our meals when we tried it!! I loved the fact that it was also guilty free eating and we got to try things we probably wouldn’t have.

    Reply

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NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio) I'm looking NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio)

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Let's help each other grow. 🌿

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⬇️ 30 lbs. ⬆️ Healthy habits. ⬇️ 4 in. of hair. ⬆️ Strength. ➕ A tattoo & a ton of self love. 

I never knew I could be this person. I’m not super athletic. I have never dieted or counted calories. I never considered myself or my health. I always have watched other women make big physical changes in their lives, but I have never felt like I was capable to do the same.

If you’re reading this, and feel the same way I used to, trust me. 

You can. 💜

(1. January 2020, 2. June 2020 (100 rides), 3. January 2021 (200 rides))

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NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark Call it cli NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark

Call it cliche, but I have a word to live by this year. If I'm being honest, it actually means a lot to me. I even have some semblance of "resolutions," which are really just mantras I plan to manifest into reality... and so far I think it's working.

What's your word for 2021? What are your goals, mantras, or resolutions for this year? Let me know in the comments. 🌸 Link in bio.

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #mommyblogger #travelblogger #newyear #2021 #quitlikeawoman #momofgirls #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #momsofinstagram #bloom #bloomwhereyouareplanted #peloton #pelotonbike #resolutions #mantra #healthyhabits #newpost #blogging
L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday R: 01/08/2021, L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday
R: 01/08/2021, or today. 

My husband took that first photo. He was being nice, and trying to celebrate my birthday. I never told him I hated it. I looked heavy, because I was. My skin was terrible - red, broken out, etc. I was anxious, and stressed (ha! The days before 2020!), and it very obviously showed.

Today I’m in the best shape since high school, which blows my mind. I am actively working every day on my skincare, my mental health, and my reactions. Do I mess up? All the time. This week even, I made major mistakes that affect more than just myself. It’s a constant work, but it’s worth doing. 

I see growth. I see a woman who is starting to feel uncomfortable, and that’s a good thing. Whatever goals you have, or path you’re attempting to journey this year, keep going. Don’t let setbacks end your fight. You can do this. 💪🏻

(Also, both daughters saw me make this image this morning. Both thought I was pregnant in the photo on the left. I definitely was not.😳)

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This is 100 @onepeloton rides vs. 178. This is 159 This is 100 @onepeloton rides vs. 178. This is 159 lbs. vs. 129 lbs. This is broken and lost vs. strong and healing. 

I was so proud of myself in that first photo, and I’m still proud of that Samantha. Steps to a better you will slowly become strides. Thanks to her, now I’m taking flight. ❤️ #selflove #selfcare #peloton #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #pelotonweightloss #pelotonmom #momofgirls #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #loveyourself #cottentales

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