I Found the Meal-Delivery Service That Will Turn Your WFH Life Around

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(Image credit: Freshly)

We've been sheltering in a place for three months now, and it's been quite a rollercoaster. For those of us who got to work from home, it seemed like there was a collective ambivalence: While we feared a global virus and plummeting economy, there was also a sense of excitement for the chance to break from our busy lives and experience some relaxation in our own homes. A welcome return to domestic craftsmanship has since given way to fatigue from taking care of ourselves, our homes, and our jobs all at once—day in and day out.

Reality has set in: Oh, so this is our new normal? We all started to think. Soon whipping up a bowl of carbonara during lunchtime on a Wednesday got replaced with eating a bowl of cereal for breakfast and lunch (and dinner, if things got really hectic). When meetings and deadlines take over a day, the last thing I can think about is going to the grocery store or throwing together a meal. Recently, during such a week, a supply of Freshly meals saved my sanity. (If you want to order some for yourself and breathe a little easier, I have a promo code for $30 off two weeks of meals: THETHIRTY30.)

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(Image credit: Freshly)

Full disclosure: I'm an ex-food writer. At the beginning of quarantine, I quickly embraced my newfound time and flexibility to revive my sourdough starter from the back of my fridge and cook long- and slow-simmered stews and sauces. But when I don't have the time to prepare food for myself, it's still really important to me to eat well.

Freshly has all the perks of ready-made food à la restaurant delivery without any of the drawbacks: You can order from a full menu, have delicious and fresh meals sent to you to be warmed up at your own convenience—when you're hungry. I personally haven't been ordering takeout while sheltering in place, because I hate waiting an hour for my food, and I especially hate paying a bunch of service fees that don't benefit the restaurant I'm ordering from.

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(Image credit: Freshly)

There's something so approachable about the dishes Freshly chefs create. Its menu is wide-ranging enough that you can satisfy all your cravings, from Indian takeout to nonna's red-sauce classics. And even though these dishes are much tastier than what you can whip up in a comparable time (no offense), you don't feel like you're eating restaurant takeout, which invariably is lacking on the health front. Freshly's meals are made by chefs with input from nutritionists, so they're full of nutrients and free of unnecessary sugars and fats. Where they can, they replace grain-based starches with vegetable alternatives and avoid gluten altogether. This truly makes them perfect for a WFH lunch because they satiated me in a way that left me feeling energized, not sluggish. And beyond that, they're actual freshly made meals, so there are no preservatives.

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(Image credit: Freshly)

So here are my two cents: Whether you're ordering Freshly for lunch or dinner (because they definitely work for both), plate them up after following the heating instructions! It transforms an already tasty dining experience into a really homey one. You can order Freshly meals in weekly deliveries of four (priced at $11.50 a meal), six (at $8.99/meal), nine (also at $8.99/meal), or 12 (at 7.99/meal), so below I've created two sample weeks of Freshly meals I'd create for myself based on my favorite dishes. And why wouldn't you listen to me? I am a retired food writer after all, and I have that code for $30 off two weeks of any meal plan (THETHIRTY30).

WEEK 1: 4 MEALS

WEEK 2: 6 MEALS

Tempted yet? Use the promo code (THETHIRTY30) to get $30 off two weeks of Freshly meals.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.

Copy Editor, Branded Content

Aralyn Beaumont joinedBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing as the copy editor for branded content after a career in food media. Years of poring over intricate recipes with a fine-tooth comb and working with high-profile chefs has prepared her well for working with fashion's top brands while honoringBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's voice. Her background as a research editor makes her a finicky editor who will probably care too much about making sure all copy is as factually accurate and aligned with the house style guide as can be. Maybe it's because she's a Gemini, but her personal style is impossible to pin down: One day you'll see her in a turtleneck sweater tucked into a midi skirt with heeled boots, and the next, she'll be wearing mom jeans, a white Hanes tee, and classic Vans. At the end of the day, her style reflects her various moods. Sometimes it will be feminine and elegant, and others it will be grungy or androgynous. Certain things will always remain constant, though. She'll forever be on the hunt for the perfect pair of high-waisted jeans.