Things I Can't Say

Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom

E-Mealz.com Meal Planning Review and Giveaway

With three little boys who already eat like they are teenagers, I really have to meal plan: trying to stretch our grocery budget and come up with meals that they would like. There’s no such thing as just going to the grocery store and grabbing some things for dinner.

But, it was a long process for me: looking for recipes I wanted to make that week, then writing out a grocery list, then crossing off items after I checked my pantry, then rewriting the list according to how items are grouped together in the store to make my shopping trip a little faster.

It worked for us, but it was very time-consuming. I kept thinking I should try a meal-planning service, but I never got around to it.  But, then, I was asked by E-mealz.com to try their meal-planning service.  My verdict:

Make Time For Family - E-Mealz Blog

E-Mealz has over 20 meal plans to choose from for families ranging in size from 2-6.  There are low-carb, low fat, point system, vegetarian, and G-free meal plans, as well as being able to choose from menus based on different grocery stores.

We tried the Walmart Family Plan first.  The grocery list was all ready for me, with notes as to what meals each item was for.  I did shop my pantry first to see if there was anything that I could cross off.  The list was organized by sections of the store and gave the prices, with a total, so that I knew how much I should plan to spend for these seven meals.

According to the shopping list, my total should have been $74.88 and I spent $82.93.  I think I substituted a few brand-new items instead of using a generic recommended.  But, less than $83 for seven meals was still a great deal.  Plus, we had plenty of leftovers, so this actually stretched into more like 12 meals for us.

As for the recipes themselves, they were very easy to make: the directions for all 7 meals fit on one printed page(some weeks’ plans take a page and a half). I hung the plans on my fridge for easy reference.

It was so nice not to worry about what was for dinner or if I had everything that I needed.  I also tried the vegetarian menu, as we like to have a few meatless meals each week.  The low-carb menu has a mix of these choices, too.

I wish I hadn’t waited so long to try a meal planning service- E-Mealz really did make this process so easy!

GIVEAWAY: One of you will win a 3 month subscription to E-mealz!  Giveaway will close on 4/16 at 9pm ET and winner will be notified via email. If your email is not visible in your profile, you must leave it with your entries. Giveaway winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

FIRST ENTRY: Visit E-Mealz and leave a comment telling me what meal plan you would like to try.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

*Visit the E-Mealz blog and tell me one thing you learned.

*Follow @emealz on twitter and leave your username

*Like E-Mealz on facebook and leave your username

*Follow Things I Can’t Say (one entry total, but may be GFC, facebook, or twitter)

I was given the opportunity to try E-mealz in exchange for my honest opinion.

This giveaway is now closed. The winner is #29 VandyJ.

Comments

  1. I'm not even waiting to see if I win! I'm gonna subscribe today and try it out – this is exactly what I need!

  2. This is awesome! Also exactly what I need. I learned that his son just turned 15. 🙂

  4. This is awesome! 🙂 I'd get the Regular Family Meal Plan for 4-6 people for any store … sadly, we don't have a super Wal-Mart near us anymore.

  6. I learned that Jon Acuff uses this plan … I love him!!! His book is HILARIOUS.

  11. Hi Shell! So glad to see this as I have heard about EZ Meals and wondered what it was really like. I would pick the Ralphs CA Regular Family Plan.

    I already follow you on FB and Twitter so I am on my way to the other sites!

    Thanks for the info! Have a great weekend! 🙂

  13. Wow! This is amazing!! I have always wanted something like this. I would totally try the VEGETARIAN Any Store Family Plan.

  15. From the blog, I learned “Better the dull knife you know than the sharp knife you don’t.” Genius! lol

  25. One thing I learned is that there is a GF option! I know you said it in your post, but it was cool to see that option. Think like that rarely happen!

  30. I've hears great things about E-Mealz-I think it's just what I need to get organized. I would try the Family Plan for four at Kroger, or a Low Fat plan.

  31. What a brilliant idea! I would love to use it for Walmart. I'm always struggling with ideas for dinner and new recipes are always a big help!

  32. This is awesome! I really need to make more of an effort to meal plan.

    I would choose the Any Store plan, but the vegetarian list is a close second.

  34. My pastor was just telling me that he & his family us E-mealz and he highly recommends it!
    I would like to try the Publix meal plan.

  36. I visited the blog and learned how to fix errors when printing coupons! WOOT!

  39. Holy Cow Shell! I'm so jealous! As a single working mom, I'd LOVE to review this for myself! This is right up my alley! Maybe I'll win.

    I'd probably choose between the Low-Fat or the Low Carb Any Store plans. I liked the selection on the Low carb better.

  42. I learned that Dave Ramsey (I'm an FPU graduate) endorses E-Mealz!

  44. I would probably do the Lo-fat family plan for either Wal-mart or any store

  46. Is this for real??? This is SOOO what I need! I'd probably choose the Portion Control Family Meal Option.

  52. I went to the blog and learned that I have a similar story about the candybars in the checkout lane. My mom always said no. And now that I'm a mom, I say NO too!

  53. This is what I've been looking for! I would go with the vegetarian option since I'm vegetarian and I can always throw some meat in for the hubby.

  56. I visited the blog and it's nice to read about family dinner and why it's important. Also the take or leave it dinner approach.

  62. Oh my, this may actually cure my Domestic Challengedness! I love the family plan.

  64. I really liked the idea of the low-fat any store plan. We don't have a Super Wal-Mart near here either.

  65. I read the blog and I think the most interesting articles were on sugar. Specifically I learned how much sugar really mirrors drugs. Kind of scary, actually! I'm very prone to Diabetes because of family history and it's something I try to be very aware of.

  80. Oh I'd love this- I have never planned meals out in advance, and I'd love to stop spending so much at the store and getting stuff the day I'm cooking!

    I'd probably go with the walmart one as well.

    I'm curious, do you get to pick the meals? There are lots of things we don't eat.

  81. I have tried E-mealz before, and really liked it. I stopped doing it b/c I was paying for it, but a FREE subscritpion would be awesome! I would definitley go with the Publix meals. I heart publix!

  83. Oh – Publix for sure. I try to avoid Walmart if at all possible. I may do this anyway though just to make life easier on us!

  84. I visited the blog and learned their daughter is getting married. Then I started reminiscing about my wedding since my anniversary is creeping up!

  91. I know you mentioned walmart but that would be the one I would use, maybe the publix but I shop mainly at bilo and walmart for prices/coupon policies/deals.
    smartinez03 at live dot com

    *ps I really hope I win, it takes me so long to meal plan and budget out our lists!*

  94. liked ez meals on facebook, gotta keep track of them now!
    smartinez03 at live dot com

  96. I can't believe you got 7 meals for that price! Amazing! What a great service. I would totally do that any store plan. I'm going to look into this some more.

  97. AWESOME! I have been looking for something just like this!
    I'm going to do the Walmart family plan.

  100. i get your email at speck135les at yahoo, lowfat walmart family plan im also a facebook fan

  103. Oooh, I'm interested in the Aldi plan…their limited selection helps keep me from impulse-buying!

  106. I'd like to try the Portion Control Meal Plan: Wal-Mart.

    willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

  107. I learned the Acuff family recommends using the "2 minute warning" so everyone gets to the table on time.