I don't usually have time to cook, but when I do I love experimenting with global cuisines. One night a few months ago, I suddenly found myself with my first free night in a while and decided to buy the ingredients to make an Asian inspired stir-fry that one of my favorite food bloggers had posted the recipe for. While standing in line at Whole Foods, I started mentally tallying up the prices for everything I had bought. Sesame oil, sesame seeds, fresh ginger, soy sauce, fish cutlets, green beans, asparagus -- basically the only ingredient I already had at home was rice. Buying the full containers of seasonings along with the fresh produce and, if I'm being honest, a package of chicken cutlets meant to feed a family of six instead of a single woman, turned this dinner into a $70 ordeal. For that kind of money I could have taken myself to a nice restaurant!

I started scrolling on my phone while waiting in that crazy long line, and saw one of my friends post a beautiful picture of a Sesame Shrimp Stir Fry on Instagram. They had tagged Green Chef, a USDA certified organic company with a meal kit subscription that specializes in balanced meals for all diet types. I remember my friend telling me when she signed up, she was so excited because they deliver everything you need to make delicious dinners right to your door in about 30 minutes or less: pre-prepped ingredients, perfectly portioned to avoid any food waste, and easy to follow recipe cards with step by step instructions. I couldn't believe she already had dinner on the table and I was still waiting in this stupid line! I decided then and there that I was done with grocery lines.

I went online that night and checked out Green Chef's website. It turns out they source produce from local farmers, are non-GMO, and a USDA certified organic company, and best of all have tons of plans for specialty diets like plant-powered, for vegans and vegetarians, keto, pescatarian, gluten-free, plant based and more. I thought that was really cool because I have a sister who is keto and has a hard time cooking anything fun -- but I don't have any diet restrictions and I love variety, so I chose the Omnivore plan. They send a mix of fish, veggie, and meat dishes inspired by different worldly cuisines, and I loved that they all looked really balanced and delicious.

My first delivery was so exciting! I opened up the box with neatly labelled bags filled with perfectly portioned ingredients for 5 different meals and chose to start with a Caribbean Steak Rice Bowl. I hadn't ever tried to make Caribbean cuisine before, so that was such a great surprise! Within 25 quick minutes I had a delicious, authentic tasting dish with crisp bell peppers, tender steak bursting with bold Caribbean flavor, all topped off with a cooling cilantro-lime crema. Want to know the best part? I didn't have left over produce to pack into Tupperware and stare at rotting in the fridge for a week before eventually throwing away. After dinner I headed to the couch to binge some Netflix. I couldn't believe I had made the whole meal from start to finish in the same amount of time as an episode of The Office.

I've had the Green Chef Omnivore plan for 4 months now, and I am not going back. Having something new to try all the time without having to spend time researching recipes and buying unique ingredients is a complete game-changer. Every night I eat food that's fresher than my favorite takeout, except it's half the cost and doesn't take at least 45 minutes for delivery. I have loved having all these benefits starting at $9.99 per meal. Hands down, Green Chef has been one of the best decisions I have made recently. If you're looking for easy, balanced, flavorful meals, look no further than Green Chef.

Update: The folks at Green Chef are extending a limited time offer to our readers! Follow this link to get $75 off!