It’s no secret that I love good food. I love eating it {duh}, but I also really love making it. Whipping up a homemade meal has always been a favorite way to unwind at the end of the day. A nice glass of wine and a well-practiced recipe is always so satisfying. Hence my obsession with constantly banking new recipes and collecting cookbooks.

But with this whole about to have a tiny human thing, I’ve been warned that there will be little time and even less energy for cooking. And while I can survive on Thai takeout {it’s certainly been on heavy rotation throughout my pregnancy!!}, I’m one of those crazy health-nut types who can’t go very long without a good, balanced nutritious meal.

Everyone has told me to start a meal train or freeze a bunch of stuff before the kid arrives, but I have a really hard time asking favors from friends or family. And sure, I have grand plans to stock pile the fridge as my due date rapidly approaches, but what if this kid decides to show up early??

Thankfully, there’s a whole new world of life saving apps out there – new ones literally pop up daily. Currently on the tippy top of my must-have list is Munchery. Sure, you’re likely familiar with some of the meal delivery services out there, but Munchery takes food delivery way beyond “takeout.” I was recently invited to give the service a pre-baby test run and was truly impressed {and admittedly immediately slightly addicted!!}. The deliciousness that landed on my doorstep each evening quickly made me forget about cooking!

There’s actually quite a lot to like about Munchery that goes far beyond the really yummy dishes. First of all, they work with local chefs with some pretty impressive pedigrees to create bespoke menus daily. The variety is nice, as you don’t have to pick from the same few choices everyday. A few of my faves to date have included a Vietnamese beef with rice noodles, stuffed winter squash with bulgar pilaf and walnut mint pistou and I won’t lie – I was totally tempted by a double chocolate brownie. That’s right – you can also add in desserts, sides, salads and beverages – even wine! Wine on demand for a new parent?! Now that sounds like the best idea EVER!

Munchery also uses organic and local ingredients as much as possible – a point that’s particularly important as I think about breast feeding. {yes, I just typed the words breast feeding – something I NEVER thought would be uttered here. I promise I won’t be mentioning it again. But I digress}. The app not only lists the ingredients for each dish, but also the nutrition information. That’ll definitely come in handy when I’m trying to shed those pregnancy pounds!

But on top of all the personal benefits, Munchery also does good for the community. For every meal purchased they donate meals to local food banks to help feed people in need – an issue very near and dear to my heart. So really there’s kinda nothing not to love. You get a freshly made meal delivered to your door in minutes {or if you’re a tad more organized than I am you can schedule your delivery time!}. Simply heat things up and you get homemade yummy flavors and high quality ingredients – with zero pots and pans to wash when you’re done. It’s definitely a great way to remain well-fed when you can’t cook. I can now officially check that piece of new-parent anxiety off of my list!

And right now, Munchery is offering you a free meal! Sign up HERE and use the code APARTMENT34 for a $15 credit and give one of Munchery’s mouth-watering dishes a try. I just gotta warn you, you may find your desire to cook slightly impaired.

 

original photography for apartment 34 by aubrie pick // art direction + styling by erin hiemstra

This post is in partnership with Munchery. All thoughts and opinions are 100% our own. Thanks for supporting collaborations we’re excited about and that keep Apartment 34’s doors open!