“For years my default dinner plan was a take out menu, but now I’ve realized that I can make a restaurant worthy meal in less time than it would take for a delivery person to show up on my doorstep (and it costs less).”

Kara started using our meal plans shortly after she had her twin girls. She emailed me after they gobbled down our fish tacos, and I’ve enjoyed hearing about her kitchen triumphs since. This once non-cook had twins, turned around her cooking routine, and works full-time – amazing! Read her Heroes in the Kitchen story below:

Name: Kara S.
City, State: San Francisco, CA
Outside of the kitchen I: an employment attorney.
I cook for: my family – my husband, our 23 month old twins, and our two overweight dogs who occasionally get some scraps.
Being able to cook allows me to: feel better about what my family is eating.
Favorite Cook Smarts meal: The fish tacos was the dish that really won me over.

How did you learn to cook?

I’m still learning! Due to their busy work and travel schedule, neither of my parents cooked when I was growing up – we ate out every single night. I picked up a little bit watching my grandmother, but I’m generally very timid in the kitchen because it all seems so foreign. As a result, I’m learning as a I go and I’ve become an avid watcher of the Cook Smarts technique videos.

What’s been your biggest kitchen challenge?

My biggest challenge has been getting over my longstanding belief that it’s always easier and tastier to eat at a restaurant. For years my default dinner plan was a take out menu. But now I’ve realized that I can make a restaurant worthy meal in less time than it would take for a delivery person to show up on my doorstep (and it costs less).

How has your cooking routine changed recently?

The biggest change is in how we do our grocery shopping. In the past my husband handled the shopping because I found grocery stores overwhelming. But now I source our local farmer’s market and confidently stroll the grocery store with an ingredient list in hand.

“I’m proud every single time I put a healthy and home cooked meal on the table because it’s something I never envisioned myself doing.”

What new skill or dish have you cooked that you’re most proud of?

I’m proud every single time I put a healthy and home cooked meal on the table because it’s something I never envisioned myself doing. I’m also proud of the fact that my daughters like to pull chairs up to the kitchen counter so that they can watch me cook. I’m excited to be able to teach them to cook as they get older.

What advice would you give to other moms juggling babies, work, and family dinner?

It’s definitely a struggle to juggle toddlers and a full time job. The two pieces of advice I would offer are trust your child’s ability to handle new foods and advance prep is a lifesaver!

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Kara, thanks for sharing your transformation with us. It’s been amazing to see all that you’ve been able to accomplish while also juggling this new phase of motherhood (to twins!). You’ve got a lot of proud Cook Smarts fans.

To join Kara and cook meals like her favorite fish tacos, check out our meal plan service. You can get started for free!

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