sparrow Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 On average, how many chicken recipes are in the classic Fresh20 weekly menu? We've got a non-chicken eater in the house, so if there are 2-3 recipes/week, it may be more work for me, finding an alternative. Any experience with the vegetarian plan? I think I'd prefer Classic, but if the veg plan is awesome, I'll consider :D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share Posted October 3, 2012 *bumping* And adding another question. Do you see repeats in the recipes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 :lurk5: I just found out about Fresh20 and am curious to hear more details myself. I spend so much time meal planning and creating shopping lists that it might be worth the $$. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 I spent some time at the website, and wish they had sample menus. I know they have a free trial period, but I don't want to go through all the sign up just to get an idea what the menus are like. I did write and suggest they offer samples, so I'm not just complaining without doing something about it. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 (edited) If there are repeats, it is only occasional "favourites." I have access to the archives and haven't noticed any. Many, probably most, weeks have chicken for two meals, usually breasts or thighs totaling 2lb. You could probably substitute another type of meat or fish... I'd email them for a suggestion. Edited October 3, 2012 by nmoira Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 They do offer samples. http://www.thefresh20.com/trialmembership/ just sign up for trial membership. I am considering signing up for veg plan in additin to classic. Classc has chicken two times a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share Posted October 3, 2012 If there are repeats, it is only occasional "favourites." I have access to the archives and haven't noticed any. Many, probably most, weeks have chicken for two meals, usually breasts or thighs totaling 2lb. You could probably substitute another type of meat or fish... I'd email them for a suggestion. Thanks for the information. I may just end up using tempeh or seitan in place of chicken in one of the meals. I'm going for it. I found a Groupon for $24 on the annual subscription. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Thanks for the information. I may just end up using tempeh or seitan in place of chicken in one of the meals. I'm going for it. I found a Groupon for $24 on the annual subscription. Where?? Ive been looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homebody2k Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 We just had "Spicy Sausage Spaghetti Squash" for dinner. OMG That was so good!!! Any way , yep chicken twice a week but if you do the whole year you get access to the archives and could pick and choose from a huge list of meals We haven't found any exact repeats and only a couple that were similar enough to consider a repeat. I'm sure there probably are some, but we haven't run into them.:thumbup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share Posted October 3, 2012 Where?? Ive been looking! Will this work? http://www.groupon.com/deals/the-fresh-20-richmond-4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 We just had "Spicy Sausage Spaghetti Squash" for dinner. OMG That was so good!!! We're having the sole gremolata tonight... just mixed up the seasonings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 We just had "Spicy Sausage Spaghetti Squash" for dinner. OMG That was so good!!! Any way , yep chicken twice a week but if you do the whole year you get access to the archives and could pick and choose from a huge list of meals We haven't found any exact repeats and only a couple that were similar enough to consider a repeat. I'm sure there probably are some, but we haven't run into them.:thumbup: We are eating that tonight too! My stomach is upset so i havent tried it, but boys are gobbling it up as i speak! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 We're having the sole gremolata tonight... just mixed up the seasonings. We had that last night, it was great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Will this work? http://www.groupon.com/deals/the-fresh-20-richmond-4 Thanks so much. I am subbing to the veggie and will try it next week. I think it will be nice to mix it up between veggie and classic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted October 4, 2012 Author Share Posted October 4, 2012 Thanks so much. I am subbing to the veggie and will try it next week. I think it will be nice to mix it up between veggie and classic! Glad to help! Please update on what you think of the veg menu when you get a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 They do offer samples. http://www.thefresh20.com/trialmembership/ just sign up for trial membership. . Thanks. I took a look at it, and have to say it doesn't seem very different from the meals I currently make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 (edited) I just purchased the lunch pack (six weeks' lunch menus). Each week has one day of 30 to 60 minutes prep work, and five days of quick assembly lunches. The selections have high kid appeal, but the veggies and fruits are not always seasonal as with the dinner menus. However, the bulk are year-round availability items, and substitutions look plausible with what I've gone over so far. With the exception of bread items, everything is from scratch, even the applesauce and granola. Edited October 5, 2012 by nmoira Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 DANGIT!! Why did I have to sign up for the free trials. I need to break out and start cooking lots of different things. I am stuck in my same old and I think it's causing some mild pickiness. Halcyon I always love your menus in the meal threads and it made me wonder about the fresh 20 but I resisted temptation until now. I am so sick of thinking of what to make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 I signed up last month but I have yet to make any of the meals. Only DH likes fish so those are out. I might be brave enough to try a couple this next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 DANGIT!! Why did I have to sign up for the free trials. I need to break out and start cooking lots of different things. I am stuck in my same old and I think it's causing some mild pickiness. Halcyon I always love your menus in the meal threads and it made me wonder about the fresh 20 but I resisted temptation until now. I am so sick of thinking of what to make. One thing I really appreciate is that it gives a complete dinner menu each night. I don't enjoy scrambling for a side for... "and serve with a vegetable or salad." Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 One thing I really appreciate is that it gives a complete dinner menu each night. I don't enjoy scrambling for a side for... "and serve with a vegetable or salad." Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr OMG I know. I just spent the last 10 minutes browsing. And the great thing is they have archives with tons of plans. I've come across a few things I know wouldn't go over well and it is EASY to sub an ingredient like a veg or beans that we don't care for. WIth the amount of short order cooking and different things I make splitting one meal up with beans for me and chicken for the bean haters is nothing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim.4dogs Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Will this work? http://www.groupon.com/deals/the-fresh-20-richmond-4 Thanks so much! I'd been eyeing this too, but I wasn't sure how much dairy was in the vegetarian plan. (We eat vegan.) With this deal, I figured it was worth a try! So far it looks great, and I'm about to run to the store for my 20 ingredients for the week, instead of spending hours coming up with a menu and grocery list! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Well, I bought a groupon so i could sub to the vegetarian option, but am completely befuddled as to how to add it on to my current subscription. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Well, I bought a groupon so i could sub to the vegetarian option, but am completely befuddled as to how to add it on to my current subscription. :glare: Didja get it figured out? And I never thought I'd say this, but the Pear & Apple soup was awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Looking at this too. It looks interesting but how much did your grocery bill increase? I saw flank steak listed (not sure for how many meals) at $14. Then add in all fresh produce and I could see this being more expensive. Can you substitute some frozen items like frozen chicken breasts thawed or frozen veggies or shrimp in the recipes? I could buy those on sale and have them stocked in the freezer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Looking at this too. It looks interesting but how much did your grocery bill increase? I saw flank steak listed (not sure for how many meals) at $14. Then add in all fresh produce and I could see this being more expensive. Can you substitute some frozen items like frozen chicken breasts thawed or frozen veggies or shrimp in the recipes? I could buy those on sale and have them stocked in the freezer. I'm not partial to frozen veggies unless there's no reasonable alternative, but in most of the US, the shrimp you buy at the fish counter will have been previously frozen. And If you are already good about making sure meat is thawed in time, there's no reason why you couldn't buy ahead. I suspect the flank steak in the menu you saw was for two meals... one of the meat buys usually is. The most expensive items tend to be the fish. Halibut isn't cheap by any means, but you could substitute another species. The weekly estimates provided run about $75-$80 for the 20 ingredients for the five meals, plus any pantry restocking you need to do. I'm running about $110 a week, but that's at a Whole Foods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Thanks. We are in West Michigan where the grocery prices are quite reasonable but the "Fresh" season is about done. Most veggies are fresh for about 2-3 months a year and then the rest of the time are shipped in and often not quite so "fresh" when you buy them at the store. This might not be the plan for me though. If $75-80 is just for 5 dinners a week. My entire grocery budget is $100 week including paper products (but not our bulk beef). That has to be 5-7 dinners a week, several lunches, packing lunches for my husband and all breakfasts as well as snacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Didja get it figured out? And I never thought I'd say this, but the Pear & Apple soup was awesome. i fgured it out! i am happy to have a year's worth of veggie menus to choose from, and can always throw a little chicken into the boys' dish if i want. i liked the soup too, but didnt LOVE it lol. i was a llittle weirded out by chicken stock and pears in the same bowl LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Looking at this too. It looks interesting but how much did your grocery bill increase? I saw flank steak listed (not sure for how many meals) at $14. Then add in all fresh produce and I could see this being more expensive. Can you substitute some frozen items like frozen chicken breasts thawed or frozen veggies or shrimp in the recipes? I could buy those on sale and have them stocked in the freezer. i think you can totally sub stuff. i already have. i have frozen tilapia fish in the freezer that i got on sale and will use frozen corn or other veggies if i need to. my bill for groceries runs about 125 a week right now, but now that i am switching to the veggie option, it looks like it might decrease to about 110. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 i fgured it out! i am happy to have a year's worth of veggie menus to choose from, and can always throw a little chicken into the boys' dish if i want. i liked the soup too, but didnt LOVE it lol. i was a llittle weirded out by chicken stock and pears in the same bowl LOL. Is there any overlap with the classic menu of the same week? I used very tart apples and barely ripe pears (not Anjou because hate the texture until they are over-ripe)... dunno if that made a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Is there any overlap with the classic menu of the same week? I used very tart apples and barely ripe pears (not Anjou because hate the texture until they are over-ripe)... dunno if that made a difference. yes, there is an overlap. in fact, it looks much like the classic menu, minus the meat. its okay, as i have the whole year to choose from. this week i am using July 19th's menu! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 yes, there is an overlap. in fact, it looks much like the classic menu, minus the meat. its okay, as i have the whole year to choose from. this week i am using July 19th's menu! Thanks. And I'd just like to say that I don't care how healthy it is: I refuse to put kale in Beef Stroganoff. I'm making a lemony kale salad as a side in lieu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabrizia Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Okay so I just read through the thread and signed up for the veggie plan. We'll see how it goes, but it seems like a good idea, it gives me a basic plan for 2 weeks (we plan 2 weeks at a time) and there are enough options in the archives that I can adjust if the weeks menu is not to our taste, I may still throw in some substitutions (DH can eat fish, though no other meat, and none of us like peppers) it looks like a nice variety of options though, so we'll give it a whirl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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