As we head into the busy back-to-school season, I’m actually excited. The kiddos are gearing up for a tremendous year, one we all want to make the most of. Last year was so hectic and disorganised that we leaned on frozen pizza and takeaway for our meals — not the diet for young achievers!

This year, we have a subscription to HelloFresh — Ireland’s #1 recipe box delivery service that makes healthy, wholesome home cooking easier than ever.

HelloFresh inspired me to put together a list of things to do to make sure you and your family make this a school year to remember.

10 Back-To-School Tips From HelloFresh:

1 – Establish A Solid Routine

A week or two before school starts, adjust bedtime and wake-up schedules to fit the school week. Consistent routines help with better sleep and readiness in the morning.

It is in the kitchen, too. Searching for recipes, shopping for food and preparing meals are time-consuming tasks. HelloFresh takes care of that.

Their recipes start at 25 minutes and generally take about half an hour to prepare — less time than takeaway. And far healthier.

2 – Establish Healthy Mealtimes

Stay hydrated and make sure the young ones eat a balanced breakfast and nutritious snacks and lunches. High-quality food is necessary for concentration and balanced energy levels. And you get only the freshest of the fresh from HelloFresh. Their high-quality, seasonal ingredients are sourced from trusted suppliers with an emphasis on local sourcing and sustainability.

Their wholesome entrees are curated and developed by professional chefs. Fuel your healthy lifestyle with HelloFresh healthy meals.

3 – Limit Screen Time

Of course, I had to include this one. Set boundaries for screen time, especially for non-educational activities. Encourage other hobbies and arrange playdates or meet-ups with friends to rebuild social connections that were lost over the summer months.

4 – Get Organised

Use planners or calendars to keep track of assignments, activities, and important dates like the first day of school, holidays, and deadlines for assignments or projects. Teach your child to check and update it daily.

5 – Take Care Of The Planet

Quick Quiz: How much food is wasted on average in Ireland each year?

Would you believe it’s 800,000 tonnes? And 50% of people in Ireland throw away up to €25 worth of food every week!*

But don’t worry, you can live an eco-friendly life with HelloFresh. They only buy the quantity of ingredients to fill your orders. Their pre-portioned meals ensure you only receive precisely what’s needed for your family — seriously reducing the food waste associated with supermarket shopping. In fact, the average HelloFresh customer lowers their cooking waste by 34%!

And going with a HelloFresh Climate Conscious recipe like the Pan-fried Cheese on Harissa Lentils. While it produces at least 50% less carbon emissions than a regular HelloFresh meal it’s just as yummy.

6 – Organise A Study Space

Set up a clean, quiet area at home for reading, studying and homework. When you’re in that space, that’s all you do.

7 – Family Cooking Nights

Pull on the aprons and get the kids involved. Turn on a family playlist and prep time will fly. Cooking is an activity to be shared and enjoyed, just like the delish dinner you’ll soon be eating.

Talk about variety and choice. HelloFresh offers plans that cater to all tastes and lifestyles like Protein Rich, Classic, Family, Quick Cook (for busy weeknights), Veggie and Calorie Smart. There are additional options from their surcharge range: Premium (for special occasions), Street Food and Adventurous.

8 – Prepare The Night Before

Pack backpacks, set out clothes and prepare lunches the night before to reduce the morning rush and ensure a smooth start to the day.

9 – Widen Your Worldview

HelloFresh has 100+ recipes to choose from each month, so it’s easy to expand the family’s palate. Travel the world with their global cuisine. Their Thai Style Chicken Curry with courgette and fragrant rice is creamy, fragrant, and as spicy as your children want. Mexico City meets Milan in the Mexican-inspired Beef Rigatoni. A sprinkling of cheese on top of the succulent beef mince makes for a simple and satisfying meal.

Fancy something closer to home? Try the healthier-but-just-as-fulfilling Ultimate Fish and Chips with broccoli and parsley lemon aioli.

10 – Bring A Smile To School

Stay positive about school and learning. Enthusiasm is contagious and helps your child approach school with a positive mindset.

By following these tips, kids will feel more prepared and confident as they head back to school.

If you’re working on a budget, you’ll be happy to know that HelloFresh prices can start as low as €2.50 per serving for the family plan (with discount). A flexible subscription makes for easy subscription management — pause, reactivate, or opt-out whenever you want.

With chef-created meals that are cheaper than takeaway, HelloFresh is a terrific way to reduce stress and support a healthy back-to-school cadence.

HelloFresh gets top marks from me!

50% OFF YOUR FIRST BOX

_{*50% of Irish customers throw away an average 25% of their weekly grocery shop before they get the chance to cook it! All data presented refers to research carried out by censuswide for HelloFresh in 2023.}