FAQ’s

Q?I can’t always cook 5 days per week. Should I still be a member?

First of all, even if you make only 1 recipe per month from this plan, instead of going out to eat a fast food meal for 2 people, it will have paid for itself!

Of course you should still be a member! I have many families tell me that although they first signed up planning on cooking at least 5 days per week, life just gets in the way. They still keep their membership because they want to grow their personal database of delicious, healthy meals without having to search the internet or cook books for the perfect recipes. Other people tell me they cook at least the “morph” meal, usually a slow cooker meal that requires hardly any effort, and the follow up meal that is created from the leftovers from that recipe, every week. They still are having exciting, inventive meals without having to think about what to cook and having the shopping list ready to go.

I have other members telling me that they subscribe simply for the recipes. They previously bought several cooking magazine or books every month and had to spend so much time scouring for the recipes they would like. They have found my recipes so easy and delicious that for only pennies per day they are growing their database of recipes they know fit their needs (gluten free and/or health), and they can trust, every month.

Q?What if I live alone or there are just two of us?

So many people are members of Menus by Mesa de Vida that are single or a family of 2. How do they use the service? Some choose just one or two recipes per week to make and they only have to cook twice that week! They eat the leftovers for lunch or dinner, cutting down on their time in the kitchen. Or a few people single people have had the great idea of sharing the cooking duties. One friend cooks one week and packages up half of the food, takes to the friend. The next week, the other friend gets to do the cooking and the person that cooked the previous week takes the week off!

Q?I want to see pictures of the food!

Yes! Take a look at the gallery of the actual meals. Have some of your own? Share them with us on Twitter or Facebook, or email them to me at mesadevida@live.com and they may make it into the gallery!

Q?Why don’t you include nutrition information?

Two reasons. First, I write my menus with the purpose of having as little waste as possible. When recipes are written for “1 cup of peppers” vs. 1 pepper, etc. If a menu includes say, 4 pork chops, to get accurate nutrition information I would have to write “4 – 5 oz. pork chops”. Not every pork chop is 5 oz, of course. Also most of my measurements for spices, seasonings are in “pinches and dashes”. Again, inaccurate nutrition information. When I call for coconut milk, some people use the light, some use the regular. It is up to you. Second, you are in control of your own portions. Some people need larger portions, some need smaller. Want more leftovers? Have a growing teenage son that is eating bigger portions? Buy a bigger roast for the slow cooker, etc. I have my own feelings on proper portion sizes, which I explain in my program “30 Day Slim Down”. I lost over 100 pounds after a lifetime of dieting when I STOPPED counting calories, carbs, etc. I give you the tools to do the same. I want to help people become intuitive eaters and cooks.

However, if you need to count your calories, carbs, etc. you can easily input your measurements YOU use and the exact ingredients you use into any online calorie counting program.

Q?What if I want to switch to the Gluten Free or Healthy Family plan?

No problem! Simply leave me a note with your email address and name over on my Contact page and I will switch you over ASAP!

Q?How are payments processed?

Payments are securely processed through PayPal. Your membership level will auto-renew every 4 weeks for the monthly membership, you cancel at anytime. The 3 & 6 month plans do not auto-renew, but you will receive a friendly reminder.

Q?Can I save the menus and recipes to my computer?

Yes! I encourage this! This helps you build a database of recipes every month you subscribe that you can reference again and again! Your menus come in a PDF form, simply save to your computer.

Q?Are menus rotated?

No way! For an entire year, each week you get fresh, inspired recipes. From time to time a side dish may be repeated but you will not receive any repeats! After a year as a member you will get notified that your year is coming to a close. You can then stay on as a member to keep getting your weekly menus for half price, keeping you on track with your menu planning (I mean, it’s been a year since you probably ate it, that’s okay, right!?) or you can choose to end your membership at that time and you keep all of your menus from the previous year!

Q?How do I know my ingredients are gluten free?

The products I recommend in the menus are gluten free. I accept no responsibility in the actual products you choose and whether they are gluten free or not. Please read labels carefully and ask for assistance at the store if you are unsure.

Q?Why gluten free?

I chose to create a gluten free menu plan because there is such a huge need for inspired menus that are gluten free (because of diagnosed gluten allergies or intolerances) and the majority of my personal chef clients were requesting gluten free menus. If you are newly diagnosed with a gluten issue, sometimes it feels like your options are so limited at first. Are you destined to a life of gluten free pasta topped with jarred marinara sauce to limit the chances of consuming gluten? These menus prove that is not so! We do not personally have gluten allergies in my family but I found that following a mainly naturally gluten free diet meant made our bodies feel wonderful. For those of you who do not need a gluten free plan I also offer a Healthy Family menu plan that is balanced, clean REAL FOOD that also includes quality whole grains including wheat.

Q?When do I get my menu?

You will receive your menu every Friday morning at 7am, delivered to your email account you signed up with.