Frequently Asked Questions:

General:

17. Why should I choose Mindful Meals?

1. Great Question... here's why:

• Mindful Meals is the only meal prep kitchen that offers organic and all-natural ingredients. For more information on the benefits of eating all-natural and organic foods, click on the ORGANIC button on our menu bar.
• We are the only meal prep kitchen that uses fresh, not frozen, all-natural meats.
• We cater to the savvy consumers who want the most value for their food dollars.
• With MM you have a choice as to the number of entrees you would like to make in a session.
• Our entrees are individually priced to suit your budget and your tastes. At MM you don't end up paying hefty prices for a dessert item or side dish.
• Unlike other meal prep businesses, there is no limit to the number of each meal that you can order in the Mindful Meals kitchen.

17. What types of people attend Mindful Meals?

1. All types of people can benefit from Mindful Meals: Dual income families, stay at home moms and dads, single parents, singles, empty nesters, college students, newlyweds and retirees are all welcome. If you eat dinner, Mindful Meals can simplify your life!

17. How long will it take to assemble my meals?

1. It will take only 5 to 10 minutes to assemble your meal at each dinner station. Therefore, you can plan on assembling 8 to 12 meals in 1 to 2 hours

17. I love your concept, but I don't have time to come in and assemble meals for my family. Can you help?

1. No problem! You choose your entrees and let the Mindful Meals' Personal Chefs assemble meals for you. You simply stop by to pick them up at a convenient time. Click on our "Extra Services" button

17. I would like to bring several friends to a Mindful Meals session. How many people can you accommodate?

1. There is space for up to 12 people at each public session. Think about having a private party, where you can reserve the entire session if your guests order a total of 36 or more entrees. For a private party, we may be able to accommodate up to 15 (prior approval needed). Click on our "Extra Services" button for more information about private parties.

17. Should I bring anything when I come for my session?

1. Bring a cooler or laundry basket to transport your meals home in. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. For sanitary reasons, please tie your hair back or wear a hat. Of course, you are always welcome to bring your favorite beverage and some munchies if you want to make it a party!!

17. I know you supply the pans, but I have some favorites that I like to cook with. Can I bring some of my own?

1. Sure! You may use our pans and recycle or re-use them or you may bring your favorites from home.

17. I get very little time with my loved ones. Can I bring a date or spouse and socialize while I assemble my meals?

1. It's a date! Bring your favorite companion, something to drink and have twice the fun! Better yet, book a private party and have a date night with other couples! See our "Extra Services" button for more information.

17. Can I bring a friend and split the number of entrees between both of us?

1. If you would prefer to share a spot with a friend, please indicate this in the "special instructions" box on the payment page. This will help us to manage our space in the most efficient manner.

17. I have a small family and don't think we can eat an entrée that serves 4 to 6 people. Can I split each entrée into smaller portions?

1. Yes. Most entrees can easily be split into smaller portions. You can use our half size pans ($2 per entree charge to cover the cost of extra pans, bags and labels) or you can take your meals home and split them before they go into the freezer. A few recipes (crock pot meals, for example) are best if they are not split.

17. Do I need to know how to cook to attend a session at Mindful Meals?

1. No. Each dinner station comes with simple instructions for assembling each meal. There is no guesswork or calculating involved. You don't even have to know what a measuring cup looks like! If you can read, you can cook at Mindful Meals!!

17. Can I order more than one of a certain entrée?

1. Yes. All of our entrees are individually priced so you may order as many of any entrée as you would like.

17. Where are you located?

1. We are located in Arlington Heights. Please click on our "Contact Us" button for further directions and a map.

17. I enjoy eating meat, but am trying to consume more vegetable based proteins and fish. How can you accommodate people like me?

1. Each month our selections will usually include several vegetarian options and 2 seafood choices. Many entrees that contain meat can be made vegetarian by leaving out the meat. In addition, tofu or tempeh can be substituted in certain situations. If you have questions about specific entrees, give us a call and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

17. If I order my meals for pick-up through your Personal Chef service, can I have them packaged in half-size portions?
    
    
1. Yes. Just let us know when you place your order. Please see our "Extra Services" page for details

Pricing Questions:

17. What is the cost of Mindful Meals?
    
    
1. For your financial advantage, our meals are individually priced, not sold in a bulk quantity for one set price. The prices vary each month depending on the entrees.  Please see our menu for specific pricing.
   

17. What is the value of Mindful Meals?

1. When you consider that the meal planning, shopping, label-reading, prepping and clean up are all done for you by the Mindful Meals staff, it is no wonder that our customers often comment on the fact that they SAVE money when purchasing our dinner entrees as compared to the cost (and sometimes, waste) involved with buying each ingredient in the grocery store and making the entree at home.  When you throw in the mental benefits you receive by knowing what you're having for dinner--and knowing that it is a healthy dinner choice for your family, you can't go wrong with Mindful Meals!  And did we mention how much fun you'll have if you come in and assemble your own?!

Thawing, Freezing and Food Safety Questions:

17. How do I defrost my entrees?
    
    
1. Unless the directions state otherwise, all entrees should be defrosted in the refrigerator according to the specific instructions located on the label. Thawing foods at room temperature will compromise the safety of your food.

17. I always forget to defrost my entrees. What can I do?
    
    
1. We recommend that you place the menu card that we give you on the outside of your freezer so that you know what is in your freezer. On Sunday, consider the days that you might want to have a Mindful Meal for dinner. Pull 2 to 3 entrees from your freezer and transfer those meals into the refrigerator and mark them off your card.

17. If I forgot to defrost my entrée, can I still cook it for dinner tonight?
    
    
1. For best results, we recommend that your entrees be previously defrosted in the refrigerator. However, you can still cook many meals that are not fully defrosted by lowering the cooking temperature and adding additional cook time. Always check to be sure that your food has been cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees.

17. How long can my meals stay defrosted in the refrigerator?
    
    
1. For best results and freshness, entrees should be used within 2 days once they are defrosted (1 day for seafood items).

17. How long can I keep my entrees in the freezer?

1. Because our ingredients contain no preservatives, we recommend you use them within 45 days, for best results.  However, most entrees are safe to consume even after a few months in the freezer. 

17. How long do my entrees take to defrost?

1. Generally each entrée will take 24-48 hours to defrost in your refrigerator. Refer to the thawing and cooking label on each individual entrée for specific thawing information. Generally, small items may thaw overnight in the refrigerator, while larger items (such as casseroles and fully-packed zip-locks) may take 2 to 3 days.

17. I have a small freezer and am concerned that I won't be able to fit 8 or more entrees. What would you suggest?

1. You would be surprised! Because many of your meals will go home in zip-lock freezer bags and will be neatly stacked on top of each other, you won't need as much space as you would think.

17. How do you practice food safety at Mindful Meals?

1. The safety of your food is of the utmost importance to us. You can be assured that Mindful Meals meets or exceeds all Arlington Heights Health Department guidelines for food safety and sanitation. In addition, we are certified by FoodServ in sanitation and the safe handling and preparation of food. During your visit, our staff will instruct you on general hygiene, as well as the safest way to handle and transport your food home. We welcome any additional questions.

17. Is it okay to stop and run a few errands on the way home from my session?
    
    
1. Nope, when you leave our kitchen today, go right home! Seriously! Do not stop at the mall, do not stop by your friend's house to tell her what a good time you had! Go home and put your meals in the refrigerator and/or freezer.

Rescheduling, cancellations and refunds:

17. What if I have a change of plans and can't attend my session?

1. If you must cancel a reservation, please call us @ 847-398-7480 as soon as possible. Depending on the amount of advance notice, we will make every attempt to change your reservation, or cancel your order. Otherwise, you can send a friend to make your meals for you, or have our Personal Chefs assemble your meals for a convenient pick-up (additional fee).

17. What if I am sick and need to cancel at the last minute? Should I attend anyway?
    
    
1. No! Stay home, get better and cook with us next time. Send a friend or family member in your place, or our Personal Chef will be happy to assemble your meals for you (extra fee) and to schedule a convenient pick-up time.

17. What if I would like to reschedule my session time or change the entrées that I have ordered?
    
1. Please call us and we will make every effort to accommodate your changes.

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