HOME & GARDEN :: JUNE/JULY 2007

Are You Dumbfounded by Dinner? And What to Do About It!

By: Laura Keehan, Owner of My Girlfriend’s Kitchen Wilmington

Do you want to regularly gather your family together around the table at the end of the day, and serve them nutritious dinners that you prepared with your own two hands? What if you never learned how to cook and you’re not comfortable enough in the kitchen to pull it off several nights a week? What if you love to cook, but the hours in the day get away from you? What if you just need a break from all the planning and shopping?

The good news is, you are not alone! Lots of accomplished, interesting, dynamic adults get stumped by the question: “What’s for dinner?” For many of us, “recipes” have become the microwave directions on the back of a packaged food box. Why do you think we’re so good with ground beef and ketchup, but not so great with fresh fish fillet and orzo? Let’s face it. Putting a healthy dinner on the table every night is more challenging than it seems like it should be.

Here are some symptoms exhibited by the culinarily challenged. See how you stack up.

Do you own more than five cookbooks that you have never made a single recipe from? Do you think about using these cookbooks to make new and delicious foods in the rose-colored future? Do you read them in bed as you fall asleep at night?
Are you less than thrilled with the thought of slicing and dicing ingredients followed by the late night kitchen cleanup?
Do you frequently exhibit a lack of enthusiasm when it comes to cooking? (By the way, this is OK! You can only be interested in so many things after all!)
Have you ever mistaken flat leaf parsley for cilantro in the produce section?
Do you watch the food channel and wish you had the time (or the know-how) to do “that”?
When someone asks “what’s for dinner tonight?” do you pick from a menu of 8 or so go-to “family favorites”?

If you identify with some of the symptoms above, you could use a helping hand with dinner. Luckily, you are living in the age of Meal Assembly Stores!

Businesses like My Girlfriend’s Kitchen are opening all across the nation to bring healthy dinners to American tables. It’s so simple.

Select up to 12 dinners from a nutritious menu of options (view full nutritional information on-line www.mgfk.com)
Choose the serving size that’s right for your household (either 2-3 people or 4-6 people)
Make an appointment at your local dinner store*
Spend less than two hours building freezer-ready dinners without any planning, shopping, or clean up
Take your dinners home in the disposable pans and freezer bags provided
Follow the simple instructions on the cooking label when you’re ready to enjoy each meal.

It’s so easy that kids love to do it. And, while you’re at the Kitchen, you can customize the dinners for your family –leave out the peas if Timmy hates peas! Need to substitute chicken for pork? No problem. After all, you are making these meals yourself.

There is no easier way for the inexperienced, reluctant or time-starved cook to cook up a storm! You can even bring a friend and socialize the whole time. Better yet, bring 10 friends and have a party (baby and bridal showers, engagement parties, book clubs, corporate team building events and the ever elusive, Girls Night Out)! This is cooking as recreation, not work.

Sounds too good to be true? But it is true! Join the dinner revolution and give something new and different a try. You will be glad you did.

*Pick up and delivery services are also available at My Girlfriend’s Kitchen.

Laura Keehan is the owner of the new My Girlfriend’s Kitchen store in Wilmington. Started in 2003 by two Girlfriends in one of their kitchens (of course) in Park City, Utah, My Girlfriend’s Kitchen is a national leader in Meal Assembly with more than 60 stores across the country. Laura would love to show you around the new store in Branmar Plaza, 1812 Marsh Rd. Wilmington. For more information, log onto the web at www.mgfk.com, call 302-529-1987, or email Wilmington@mgfk.com. Hope to see you in the Kitchen soon!

Testimonials:

“Hello, I just wanted to tell you all that these dinners are fantastic! It is so great coming home from work and having a HEALTHY ready-to-go meal. I love that I haven’t had to make a trip to the grocery store all week! Moreover, my husband is the pickiest eater on the planet, and he really likes all of the meals I ordered. Thanks so much!” ~Jeanette M.

“I just had to drop a little note and tell you THANKS!!!!! Your staff is wonderful and very helpful. As I left with my basket of food, I had such a feeling of relief! Planning menus and trying to think of what’s for dinner will send me over the edge and now, I simply open my freezer and take something out to defrost!!! I LOVE IT! So far, everything we’ve tried has been delicious, and we absolutely loved the Baked Spaghetti! Keep up the good work! I’ll definitely be back every month! I’m a Girlfriend for LIFE!” ~ Sincerely, Janthia H.

“I saved $100 on groceries (last month) and that includes paying for the My Girlfriend’s Kitchen session.” ~Laurie L.

NEW!! My Girlfriend's Kitchen Will Offer Expanded Hours, More Convenience, Flexible Portion Sizes & More This Summer!

Updated Store Hours - Starting July 1, we'll be open Monday thru Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Arrive anytime between 10:00 and 7:00 to start making your meals or to pick them up!)

All-Day Flex Reservations No more appointments! To guarantee all your favorites are ready for you, just select the day you want to visit us and let us know what you'll be making. We'll be ready for you whenever you can get here!

Walk-In All Day Every Day - Walk-In anytime to make meals, no reservation required! Stop by on your way home from the pool and make a fresh dinner for your family…and one for tomorrow, too!

Same-Day Pick Up Service Want us to make your dinners for you? We'll do it same-day every day! Call us from the car when you arrive and we'll bring your order out to you...it's called Curbside service, Girlfriend!

Make as Many Dinners As you Want to - No more "dinner packages"…make as many dinners as you want to make.

More Customization Options - When you place your order, substitute brown rice for white, ground turkey for ground beef, tofu for chicken…you get the idea!

New Portion Sizes - Choose either Petite (serves 3) or Grande (serves 6) dinner sizes for each entrée you make! Want to make some Petite and some Grande? No problem!

At My Girlfriend's Kitchen, it's all about making it easier for you to eat better, and saving you time and money!