Can you believe this? It's time to get seriously organized as we prepare our households for back to school. Now I know some of you are jumping for joy because it means you get to have your "normal" back, but then there are those of us who are starting to feel the pressure of getting, well, organized. I mean come on, raise your hand if it hasn't felt fantastic NOT to have to race for the door in the mornings to get in the car rider drop off lines? And yes, COVID-19 changed all of that back in March, and here in August, we are shifting again. The one shift I think we can all use a little help on is getting lunch and dinner in order. I just started my back to school stock up shopping for snacks and mini-meals and I found a gem that I can't resist sharing because that's what friends are for, right?
I was in Food Lion getting my turkey slices for sandwiches and I decided to look around the deli to see what else I could find to spice it up and bring some variety to school lunch since there's a new lunch lady in town: ME! And that's when I spotted Blount's Family Kitchen convenient meals in the refrigerated section of the deli. Right off the bat, I knew it was a win because they weren't frozen and could be ready from microwave to table in three minutes (or you could just as easily warm it up in a pan on the stovetop.) These dishes allow us time-constrained moms (and dads) to "savor the flavor" while savoring our time with our families. They had three products that spoke to my family's palate:
- Macaroni and Beef in Tomato Sauce: A classic American comfort dish with ground beef and elbow macaroni in a chunky tomato sauce
- Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo with Penne: White meat chicken and broccoli with penne pasta in a parmesan-garlic alfredo sauce
- Chicken with Noodles in Marsala Wine Sauce: White meat chicken and penne pasta in savory mushroom sauce with sweet Marsala wine.
Now I don't just serve my kids any prepared meals without researching it because one of my girls has allergies and we have to be careful about how the meals are prepared. I did a quick search and realized that this company could be like my neighbors! How so? Here are the deets on who they are:
- A 5th generation, New England-based, family-owned company (I love this so much given that I'm a small business owner too)
- Started business in 1880 and still family-owned today
- Refrigerated meals minimally processed in small batches
- Todd Blount is on-premises and often right in the kitchen making sure that all meals meet his family’s exacting standards.
This information made me feel good to support a family-owned business and know that the meals were prepared with busy people like me in mind.
Not only did my girls enjoy the meal (dad sorry we didn't leave any this time, but I promise to head back to the store this weekend) but they all agreed that this would make their lives a little easier since they would be responsible for lunch a few times a week. Can't ask for more than a good meal and one that your kids, if old enough to use the microwave or stovetop, can make. What I found kind of cool and charming is the message on the bottom of each dish! It wasn't expected but it was cute and me us all laugh. One read, "Don't worry, we'll make more" and another one read, "I wouldn't have shared either." Which reminds me, we did our meal family style so that we could all have some variety. I won't tell you which one was my favorite but I will say that I could have eaten a whole one by myself!
If couponing is your thing, you'll be glad to know that you can save some money!
- Save $1.00 with the Ibotta app while promotions last
- Buy and just scan the receipt in-app
- Save $1.00 on up to 5 meals for a $5.00 total savings
Anddddd, if you like free money, you need to know there is a giveaway!
Yes girl this is for real! How to win and what? Glad you asked:
- 4 winners will receive $50 grocery gift cards
- 1 Grand Prize Winner will receive a $250 gift card
The link to the giveaway is: https://gleam.io/iUQlJ/grocery-gift-card-giveaway-sponsored-by-blounts-family-kitchen and this contest runs until August 31.
Alright, so now that I've given you a few ideas about back to school meals, you are ready for this year! Grab your list, get a coffee, and don't forget to make your life easier with a few Blount's Family Kitchen Products.
*I received compensation and coupons for the purpose of this review.
All opinions are my own.
