A Life Home Crafted

  • Home
  • Brewing
  • Reading
  • Eating
  • Crafting
  • Traveling
  • About Us
You are here: Home / Uncategorized / 5 Reasons You Need Cook Smarts in Your Life

5 Reasons You Need Cook Smarts in Your Life

November 2, 2022 by Marycarlich Leave a Comment

5 Reasons You Need Cook Smarts - Cook Smarts is a meal planning service that has changed my life! Every week they send you 4 dinners that are customizable and delicious!

I don’t say this lightly: Cook Smarts changed my life. In January, 2019, I knew I needed to fix something. By around 4pm, each day, I had to get dinner going if I was going to feed my family. Except, 4pm also = my kids’ whiniest hour. They needed me, and I could never manage to get through making dinner without yelling.

Enter Cook Smarts. I’d done a free trial before, thanks to somebody else’s recommendation. But had done NOTHING with it. This time, thanks to the spirit of transformation inherent in Januaries, I logged in, took advantage of their New Year sale, and paid for an entire year.

You guys, it was the best decision I’ve ever made!! (Ok, maybe marrying my husband and deciding to have kids with him is up there too…)

Wondering why you need it in your life? 

1. Cook Smarts helps remove the mental load of meal planning

Mental load is a buzz word lately, and for good reason. So much of the invisible planning to keep a home running falls on women. We are constantly thinking of what to do, when to do it, scheduling, and planning. Doctor appointments, school schedules, extracurricular activities – chances are if you’re a mom, those are all your arena.

Meal planning was a huge drain on me. I am not a planner. I don’t have a plan. I don’t even have a pla (Eh?? Friends fans!? Recognize that reference?)

via GIPHY

Without planning my meals I was setting myself up for difficult evenings every.single.day. That old adage “failing to plan is planning to fail” rang true every time.

Cook Smarts fixes that!! They email me a menu every Thursday (it’s absurd how much I look forward to that email). Which gives me plenty of time to look it over, swap meals from the archives if anything doesn’t look right, grocery shop, meal prep if you’re into that sort of thing, before starting the week awesome on Monday. I LOVE IT. Combined with grocery pick-up, my life is 200% better than before.

2. Cook Smarts Saves Time

All of the meals are thoughtfully broken into steps you can do ahead of time and what you need to save right until you’re cooking. That means, you can prep on Sunday for quick weeknight meals. Here’s an example from this week’s weekend prep:

Cook Smarts Weekend Prep

Even if you aren’t a prepper (ahem, like me), the meals are mostly 45 minutes or less to throw together! They know they’re saving your butt on a weeknight. You can even search the archives for quick and easy meals. And, here’s the great part, they ARE actually quick and easy. Not just quick if you are a fast chopper. (Looking at you, Rachael Ray and your pretend 30 min meals).

Plus? There are videos that show their chopping techniques to save you time! I’m still learning new techniques when it comes to fruits and veggies.

3. The meals break you out of your meal rut

If you’re anything like me, you fall into a pattern of making the same things over and over and over! Our go to is pasta. But, here’s an example of this week’s menu:

Cooksmarts menu example

Doesn’t that all look DELISH!? But – best part – if none of that actually looks delish to you or your family, you can search the archives to swap some meals around. And check out how organized that grocery list is? Checking off those boxes is so gratifying!

4. The archives are full of goodness

Speaking of the archives…Any time I’m not craving something offered in the meal plan, I just scope out the archives to swap with something else. I love that I can filter by “whole30,” “low calorie,” “quick and easy,” “budget,” “minimal heat needed” and many more. I can do a simple search or just filter by protein choice, cuisine, user ratings, etc. I am OBSESSED with the archives. My most frequent search is for budget friendly since our grocery bill has gotten higher and higher.

5. Cook Smarts is affordable

I am cheap as all hell and I don’t resent this annual bill EVER. If you’re wanting to just do a month, it’s currently $14.99/mo (please check the website to get current fees!)

If you want to test it out, use my code!! It gets you 20% off (and I get a $10 Amazon gift card, woohoo!). I pay annually, which gives the most savings (instead of $14.99/mo the annual breaks it down to $7.49/mo).

Have I convinced you!? What are you concerned about when it comes to a meal plan service? I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve tested this out!

1 Shares

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: cook smarts, cooking, mental load

Keep in Touch with our Newsletter!

We will send you the latest a couple times a month so that you don't miss out on anything over here!

Please wait...

Thank you so much! I promise not to abuse your email trust :)

« 10 Ideas for Self Care You Can Do at Home

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Head on over to my book blog for awesome children's books!

About Us!

Family photo

Welcome to our virtual home!! We are a family of 4 who loves to travel. Mary loves to knit and cook and eat all the food. Nick loves to brew beer and is apparently making cheese now. He’s also obsessed with green grass. The kiddos are tiny gremlins.

Kick back and stay a while!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Keep in Touch with our Newsletter!

We will send you the latest a couple times a month so that you don't miss out on anything over here!

Please wait...

Thank you so much! I promise not to abuse your email trust :)

Categories

Follow on Instagram

alifehomecrafted

Another month, another batch of books! I finished Another month, another batch of books! I finished the Bridgerton saga and accidentally got sucked into some prequels. I LOVED Migrations and Mexican Gothic. I'll continue with the next Ruth Galloway series and @themarthabeck should be required reading.

What did you love last month?

#bibliophile #amreading #momswhoread #alwaysreading #februarybooks #goodreadschallenge #readmorebooks #letthemseeyouread #bibliophileesq
Wednesdays are hard for everybody. Even 7 year old Wednesdays are hard for everybody. Even 7 year olds who got to sleep in an hour.
Scenario - your friends just moved into a new hous Scenario - your friends just moved into a new house with their kids. They invite you over. What do you bring!? Usually a bottle of wine works right? Maybe a piece of art? A nice candle? But what about the kids?⁣
⁣
Oooh...I know! BOOKS!! Books make fabulous housewarming gifts for families. If it's their first home, you're helping them build their library. If it's their fifth home, they appreciate the small footprint that books have. Plus, kids love being included in gifts!⁣
⁣
What's your go-to housewarming gift? Have you ever given a book? Which one of these sounds the most fun!? Drop a comment below!⁣
⁣
Tap the link in my bio for more book ideas -> @alifehomecrafted
First off - HOW is it already February!?! Oh my wo First off - HOW is it already February!?! Oh my word!!⁣
⁣
Also, hi! I've been quiet on here but I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in the feeling of just treading water. How are you all doing? ⁣
⁣
I'm feeling like February 1st is the new January 1st. I have goals, I have new motivation, I am ready to conquer 2022!! Just, like, it took a month to start feeling it, ok?⁣
⁣
What's one goal you have for 2022? Mine is to build up my two blogs! I have a goal of 75 posts published this year! Why 75? Totally arbitrary number. Am I going with it anyway? Yes.
On one hand, how is January already over? On the o On one hand, how is January already over? On the other hand, I read 12 books so I guess time did pass??⁣
⁣
I continued my love affair with Murderbot Diaries, entered the Grishaverse, and enjoyed a beach read on the beach. ⁣
⁣
What did you read this month?⁣
⁣
PSST - Some of you asked for a roundup of my fave books from 2021! Go check the link in my bio (@alifehomecrafted) to see my top 20 books from last year⁣
⁣
#bookstagram #januarybooks #momswhoread #bookish #bookworm #reader #readingismylife #selfcare #goodreadschallenge #bibliophile
4.5 years in and I'm still surprised that I have a 4.5 years in and I'm still surprised that I have a small business. (Business classes were by far my least favorite in law school) But, I love being a literacy advocate with Usborne Books & More. Recommending books for your readers brings me so much joy! Hearing back from you that the book was loved? Even more joy.

As a token of gratitude for your support this year, please enjoy free shipping on all $75+ orders, today only!! This is automatic at checkout ❤️

See the link in my bio or head to www.marysbooknook.com for shopping links and recommendations.

#smallbusiness #smallbusinesssaturday #ubam #raisingreaders #literacyforall #readingmatters #freeshipping
What, you don't write down what your @onepeloton i What, you don't write down what your @onepeloton instructors tell you during your workouts? Swipe to see what my fave people told me this week.

I've shifted back to starting my day with Peloton workouts. I ADORE @hcotf2018's free calendar and strength training, but this month I'm also adding back in rides.

What I love - even when I'm tired and don't want to be working out, these instructors drop phrases that make me stop and go YES. Yes @alextoussaint25, adjustments not excuses!! YES. Do you think he realizes he spoke straight to a stressed out mom's heart with that??

If you haven't done @codyrigsby's mood rides, do happy. It was a good reminder to embrace joy.

@iamicaniwillido usually makes me cry 🤣

@adrianwilliamsnyc kicks my butt in strength training and reminded me why I get up! I love seeing high fives from people up too early with me. We aren't doing anything alone.

What's your fave quote from Peloton?? What do you think of to pump yourself back up?

#peloton #pelotonappreciationpost #liftheavy #selfcare #findingjoy #noexcuses #sahmlife #momlife #momswholift #momswhoworkout #mindsetquotes #pelotonquotes #liveyourlifetothefullest #choosehappy #iamicaniwillido
Our bedroom makeover is almost complete!! We got r Our bedroom makeover is almost complete!! We got rid of all our furniture, painted, and I'm in love with the room now! Can't wait to share the completed space with you but in the mean time, check out this before and after...

#bedroomdecor #bedroommakeover #modsy #bedroombeforeandafter #beforeandafter #arewegrownupsnow
Just a dinosaur playing in a puddle. #fallfashion Just a dinosaur playing in a puddle. #fallfashion #fallleaves #falllife #getoutside
My Skeleton Fairy Unicorn and Baby Shark hope you My Skeleton Fairy Unicorn and Baby Shark hope you all had a fabulous Halloween!! 🎃 🦈 🦄 🌈
🚨 Restock Alert!! Those of you who celebrate Ch 🚨 Restock Alert!! Those of you who celebrate Christmas, give me a 🎄 if you missed the first round of this release and don't want FOMO!! 

I've been dealing with a kiddo with a stomach bug all day so excuse the realness of my face hahaha but I can't let this set drop again tomorrow without letting you know!!

Who LOVES unwrapping a book each night with your kiddos as you count down to Christmas? 🙋🏻‍♀️ Who HATES wrapping said books?! 🙋🏻‍♀️😂

🎄📚 The Usborne book advent calendar is being restocked!! 🗓 But the size of the restock is the same amount we sold the first day. 😬 So please let me know if you want to be notified as soon as it’s back!! There are 24 mini books of classic stories for you & your kiddos to open each day leading up to Christmas.

It is currently on sale for $34.99 (normally $50!) and I know they won’t last long - aaaand this is the last shipment this year!!

💡You may want more than one. This would also make a wonderful gift! 🎁 

Pssst word on the street is that these mini books are the perfect size for American Girl dolls. 🥰

Find it via the link in my profile (@alifehomecrafted) or find it here: https://h6089.myubam.com/p/9195/advent-calendar-book-collection
During the great social media outage of 2021, we g During the great social media outage of 2021, we got outside. Did you know outside still existed?

How did you enjoy your reminder to stop being so reliant on Facebook and Instagram?

If you'd like to stay off it more and still stay connected, check the link on my bio to sign up for my newsletter -> @alifehomecrafted
September books!! I only managed to get to 8 books September books!! I only managed to get to 8 books since the Bridgerton series is so quick to read. I'd been waiting for Redemptor to come out so that was the title I was most excited for this month!! I loved it. And now I'm continuing my way through Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series.  Books 1-3 are September and I'll finish the rest this month! Already finished book 4 :) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
What did you read last month? Any faves?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#bookstagram #bookreview #monthlybookupdate #whatareyoureading #instabooks #bookworm #alwaysreading
Who has already started decorating for Halloween? Who has already started decorating for Halloween? As you break out the yard gravestones, the spooky witches, and skeletons, don't forget to stock up your spooky bookshelves!

Need some help? I've compiled my favorites over on my blog --> click on the link in my bio @alifehomecrafted

Just want to scour the shopping list with even more of my faves? DM me for the link!

Which one is your fave!? Let me know below! We are currently obsessed with Pop Up Haunted House. Make sure you're in my Facebook Group A Life Well Read (www.facebook.com/groups/alifewellread) - I'll be showing it live as soon as my cold disappears :)

#booksforhalloween #halloweenbooks #popupbooks #halloween #spookybooks #ghostbooks #childrensbooks #usbornebooksandmore
My kids are obsessed with Ludwig and his 3D advent My kids are obsessed with Ludwig and his 3D adventures. And I'm obsessed with watching them reach for the images as they float above the pages.

Do you have any Ludwig? This one is out of print (😭), but Ludwig the Seadog and Ludwig el perro espacial are still available! Each book comes with its own pair of 3D glasses or you can wear your Spiderman glasses like Sam.

Check the link in my bio ---> @alifehomecrafted

Or find them here: https://h6089.myubam.com/search?q=ludwig

#ludwig #ubamkidshavemorefun #ubamkidsreadmore #letthembelittle #momlife #bedtimestories #readmeastory #readingmama #readaloudfamily #theelitesuite #empowersocial #booksinspanish #librosespaciales #librosespañol #newbergoregon
August was a little light on books! I don't know w August was a little light on books! I don't know why I keep reading books where the kids die (from Hamnet I jumped to Lincoln in the Bardo...still in the middle).⁣
⁣
LOVED Malibu Rising. And Evvie Drake Starts Over was a fun one, too. The rest are a "space opera" trilogy that started out great but fizzled a bit by the end.⁣
⁣
What did you read in August? What should I make sure to read in September?⁣
⁣
#alwaysreading #bookreview  #readmorebooks  #spaceopera #hamnet #evviedrakestartsover #maliburising #goodreads #bibliophile #bookstagram #becauseofreading #booknerd #ilovebooks #instareads #totalbooknerd
Swipe to see the finished product!! This was such Swipe to see the finished product!! This was such a fun and instant gratification project!! Just a can of chalkboard paint and some molding for the borders created a large space for chalk art creations.

❤️❤️❤️❤️ 

Operation Update Playroom is officially underway (if you saw my stories, you also saw our new curtains for the book nook!!)

What do you think!? Do you like it? Or do you love it?

#chalkboardart #chalkboard #chalkboardpaint #diychalkboard #diy #playroom #playroomrenovation #playroomremodel #playroomdiy #weekenddiy #theelitesuite #empowersocial
What did you do for your last summer adventure? What did you do for your last summer adventure? 

We went camping and hiked to a fire lookout. It's always been a dream of mine to camp at one, but my husband is officially a no. Hiking without gear was already too much 🤣🤣

#optoutside #letthembelittle #hikingwithkids #hikeitbaby #hikingadventures #coffinmountain #coffinmountainfirelookout #coffinmountainlookouttrail #raisethemwild #wildflowerhike
My current fave book. With all the anxiety and exc My current fave book. With all the anxiety and excitement about school starting again, I brought this off the bookshelf to give to my 6.5 year old. It has great exercises, doodling, coloring pages, and a sneaky positive self-confidence agenda ❤️

Scroll to see inside pics!

Could you have used a book like this as a kid?

#mindfulness #mindfulkids #ubam #ubamkids #boostselfesteem #stronggirls #raisestrongwomen #bepositive #knowyourself #mentalhealthmatters
Think you should join UBAM? Think again! That anyb Think you should join UBAM? Think again! That anybody could be a great consultant is actually a common misconception many people have about UBAM. In reality, there are ten good reasons you shouldn't join! Tap the link in my bio for more info -> @alifehomecrafted . You learn something new every day, right?!⁣
⁣
#humor #tongueincheek #ubam #gottalaugh #instafun #theelitesuite #empowersocial #igotjokes #ubamisawesome #noregrets
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Categories

Copyright © 2023 · Delightful theme by Restored 316