This post prepared in partnership with Blue Apron
I believe delegation is the key to better time management. If you want to stay sane as a busy parent or as someone juggling many responsibilities, focus on the tasks only you can do, say no to non-essentials, and delegate the rest without guilt.
Meal planning and grocery shopping became a challenge for me as my business grew. It wasn’t from not valuing those routines — I know they matter — but from not having enough hours in the day. That’s when guilt creeps in: knowing something is important but not being able to fit it into an already full schedule.
I’ve tried cooking ahead, keeping staples on hand, and leaning on simple favorites, and of course there’s always takeout. Still, some weeks I run out of time to plan, shop, or spend a day prepping meals. Rather than feeling guilty every time I fall short, I looked for a solution that worked for our family.
One of the best discoveries has been Blue Apron, a meal service that delivers fresh, pre-measured ingredients so you can cook chef-designed meals at home. It removes the need to plan and shop, but still lets you prepare a hot, fresh, homemade dinner. I love that I can delegate this part of dinner without feeling guilty — the food is creative, tasty, and satisfying. With a growing teen in the house, having easy-to-prepare meals on hand is essential to avoid a very hungry, cranky family.
We recently had Blue Apron deliver two meals, and it was a relief to know dinner was ready and waiting when we wanted it. There was no shame in letting someone else handle the planning and shopping; I still cooked and served a real meal for my family.
My daughter and I enjoyed preparing Chicken Paillards & Fresh Linguine together. Everything arrived pre-measured, so nothing went to waste and we didn’t forget any herbs or spices—everything was ready to use. Blue Apron offers different plans to suit your household: a two-person plan or a family plan that fits four people or families with young children. We served four and even had leftovers for lunch the next day.
The recipe card was straightforward, with the ingredient list on one side and step-by-step instructions on the back. We did the chopping, boiled the pasta, and cooked the meat, so everything tasted fresh and homemade.
My son’s reaction when called to dinner was priceless—he was thrilled to see a gourmet-style meal on the table. He frequently asks, “What’s for dinner?” and while pizza is always acceptable, he’s especially excited by a tasty home-cooked meal. It felt wonderful to save time on shopping and decision-making and simply enjoy dinner together. I’m looking forward to trying more Blue Apron recipes, like zucchini and yellow squash enchiladas and seared salmon with preserved lemon and red quinoa.
Interested in trying Blue Apron?
The first 50 readers to order will receive two free meals with their initial Blue Apron order.
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Click through the offer details to learn more.
Thank you to Blue Apron for the meals and partnership. All opinions and experiences are my own.