If you have a household income that does not exceed 115% of the AMI (area median income); you can check the income limits in your area here.
They include all members (income) if you have a spouse earning money or children, they may use that income to qualify (or disqualify you)
The home must be your primary residence, and you need to move in within a certain period.
You can be a citizen, US non-citizen national, or Qualified Alien.
Be unable to obtain conventional financing with no PMI – meaning; you can’t have a lot of money saved up because this program is for people who have a hard time coming up with the downpayment.
Not be suspended from participating in federal programs.
Applicant Qualifications
Income Requirments
Non-Self-employed: 1-year history of having a regular paycheck, doesn’t have to be the same job; they want to see you earn more.
Self-employed – 2-year work history proof – tax returns
Average what you are making in a year, then divide that by 12
This USDA doesn’t require any reserves; there is no set credit score requirement! Instead, they come up with their determination based on your whole scenario.
Bank overlays – some banks may require a specific credit score, but USDA doesn’t have requirements.
If your local bank denies you, ask them about overlays. You didn’t meet that bank’s overlay. Don’t give up. If you get declined, you may feel bashful and embarrassed, but you need to know what the banks require to approve you.
They will look at all of your money coming in each month; then, they will compare that to the payment with the house (taxes, insurance, principal, interest); that payment should not exceed 29% gross income.
Debt to income ratio – No more than 41%.
Not only do you have to meet specific criteria for the loan, but you also have to find a particular property to meet the loan.
What Can You Buy?
The house has to be a Single Family Dwelling. It can’t be a duplex or multi-family, but it can be any of the following:
Single-family
Manufactured
Modular
Mobile home
Condo
As long as it’s secured on the foundation and must meet the HUD 4000.1 standards – Housing Urban Development makes these standards each year.
Keep in mind that some foreclosures, short-sales, and fixer-uppers may not meet these standards and won’t qualify.
There is no maximum purchase price; if you make a large amount of money and have less debt, you can still qualify in a high-cost area.
There are no acreage limits, but it must be typical for the area. For example, if homes in your area are usually 10 acres, and you’re trying to buy in that area, you could qualify for this; however, if the homes in your area typically include a 1-acre lot and you wanted to “buy the premium lot with 20 acres” may be more challenging to finance; we’re not saying it’s impossible.
With that said, if you were looking to acquire a farm, that might require a different loan. So here, you can search for RD-eligible areas.
No seasoning rules – Unlike some government-backed loans like FHA loans, there are no seasoning rules, meaning: if you wanted to purchase a home that was recently flipped or renovated, this is fine.
The property must be located in a rural area, for example, have a population under 30,000, or when you drive around, it’s a primarily rural community. Suburban cities would have a better likelihood to qualify than in a metro area.
How Do You Qualify?
Find a lender in your area who USDA approves to get you qualified. You don’t need to go through a lender; you can also go to USDA direct, essentially, and get the same loan terms: 100% financing and a $0 down payment. Each has its downsides and benefits, but it’s your decision.
If you have a household income that does not exceed 115% of the AMI (area median income); you can check the income limits in your area here.
They include all members (income) if you have a spouse earning money or children, they may use that income to qualify (or disqualify you)
The home must be your primary residence, and you need to move in within a certain period.
You can be a citizen, US non-citizen national, or Qualified Alien.
Be unable to obtain conventional financing with no PMI – meaning; you can’t have a lot of money saved up because this program is for people who have a hard time coming up with the downpayment.
Not be suspended from participating in federal programs.
Applicant Qualifications
Income Requirments
Non-Self-employed: 1-year history of having a regular paycheck, doesn’t have to be the same job; they want to see you earn more.
Self-employed – 2-year work history proof – tax returns
Average what you are making in a year, then divide that by 12
This USDA doesn’t require any reserves; there is no set credit score requirement! Instead, they come up with their determination based on your whole scenario.
Bank overlays – some banks may require a specific credit score, but USDA doesn’t have requirements.
If your local bank denies you, ask them about overlays. You didn’t meet that bank’s overlay. Don’t give up. If you get declined, you may feel bashful and embarrassed, but you need to know what the banks require to approve you.
They will look at all of your money coming in each month; then, they will compare that to the payment with the house (taxes, insurance, principal, interest); that payment should not exceed 29% gross income.
Debt to income ratio – No more than 41%.
Not only do you have to meet specific criteria for the loan, but you also have to find a particular property to meet the loan.
What Can You Buy?
The house has to be a Single Family Dwelling. It can’t be a duplex or multi-family, but it can be any of the following:
Single-family
Manufactured
Modular
Mobile home
Condo
As long as it’s secured on the foundation and must meet the HUD 4000.1 standards – Housing Urban Development makes these standards each year.
Keep in mind that some foreclosures, short-sales, and fixer-uppers may not meet these standards and won’t qualify.
There is no maximum purchase price; if you make a large amount of money and have less debt, you can still qualify in a high-cost area.
There are no acreage limits, but it must be typical for the area. For example, if homes in your area are usually 10 acres, and you’re trying to buy in that area, you could qualify for this; however, if the homes in your area typically include a 1-acre lot and you wanted to “buy the premium lot with 20 acres” may be more challenging to finance; we’re not saying it’s impossible.
With that said, if you were looking to acquire a farm, that might require a different loan. So here, you can search for RD-eligible areas.
No seasoning rules – Unlike some government-backed loans like FHA loans, there are no seasoning rules, meaning: if you wanted to purchase a home that was recently flipped or renovated, this is fine.
The property must be located in a rural area, for example, have a population under 30,000, or when you drive around, it’s a primarily rural community. Suburban cities would have a better likelihood to qualify than in a metro area.
How Do You Qualify?
Find a lender in your area who USDA approves to get you qualified. You don’t need to go through a lender; you can also go to USDA direct, essentially, and get the same loan terms: 100% financing and a $0 down payment. Each has its downsides and benefits, but it’s your decision.
With most bathtubs built into the room, they can become inaccessible when you begin having mobility issues. In this Senior Affair review, we see why Heavenly Portable Walk in Bathtubs has invented the best and only portable walk-in bathtub for seniors and disabled individuals.
One of the best features: No installation needed! You won’t have to remodel your bathroom to accommodate your loved one! It’s a quick and easy hookup process. If you are a caregiver or an aging adult, you may agree that mobility change could dramatically affect hygiene. Moving in mom or dad to your home can be both reassuring and nerve-racking; you will have to address a host of new responsibilities.
Always keep in mind: protecting them from falling in the bathroom is crucial. Once an older adult falls and breaks something – commonly the hips, legs, and arms, it can become a chore for everyday bathing. Heavenly Portable Walk-in tubs build the bathtubs to move around so that you can use them in any room with enough space.
One concern addressed is the drain time; it drains quickly, so you don’t have to stand there wet while waiting to open the door.
You can choose to build them in the bathroom or use them as portable. The Heavenly Portable Walk-in Tub comes with a Limited LIFETIME Warranty. They have financing to remove any hesitations. The tub needs to be near a water source, 30-amp outlet, and somewhere to drain it. This tub is great for hydrotherapy by eliminating pain and treating infection, using jets, warm water, and air to stimulate your endorphins and relax sore muscles. Some people use hydrotherapy to treat arthritis, diabetes, muscle cramps, osteoarthritis, joint pain, stress, insomnia, back pain, muscle pain, stomach problems, and other issues, not to mention it lowers your blood pressure in 5 minutes.
Features
Has great safety features, so you can age at home independently.
Low Threshold entry – 3.5″
2 built in Grab bars
Anti-slip floors
13 Pain-relieving hydro massage jets
Fills quickly
Drains in less than 90 seconds
Aromatherapy to help you relax
Free Shipping on any portable walk-in tub.
Plugs into standard 110v outlet
5 Function handheld shower head
Slip resistant floor
ADA Seat height of 17″
Conclusion:
Among walk-in bathtubs on the market, Heavenly Portable Walk-in tubs set themselves apart with a design that won’t break the bank, nor will it require a general contractor and loan to remodel the whole bathroom, or even worse, sell the home to accommodate for the lack of mobility.
The team has superior customer service, you’ll always be able to pick up the phone to speak to someone if you have an issue or concern.
As you get older, it’s wiser (and cheaper) to prevent a fall in the bathroom rather than reacting after someone takes a tumble.
You can buy this now at Amazon or dial 1-877-458-8432 to order.
With most bathtubs built into the room, they can become inaccessible when you begin having mobility issues. In this Senior Affair review, we see why Heavenly Portable Walk in Bathtubs has invented the best and only portable walk-in bathtub for seniors and disabled individuals.
One of the best features: No installation needed! You won’t have to remodel your bathroom to accommodate your loved one! It’s a quick and easy hookup process. If you are a caregiver or an aging adult, you may agree that mobility change could dramatically affect hygiene. Moving in mom or dad to your home can be both reassuring and nerve-racking; you will have to address a host of new responsibilities.
Always keep in mind: protecting them from falling in the bathroom is crucial. Once an older adult falls and breaks something – commonly the hips, legs, and arms, it can become a chore for everyday bathing. Heavenly Portable Walk-in tubs build the bathtubs to move around so that you can use them in any room with enough space.
One concern addressed is the drain time; it drains quickly, so you don’t have to stand there wet while waiting to open the door.
You can choose to build them in the bathroom or use them as portable. The Heavenly Portable Walk-in Tub comes with a Limited LIFETIME Warranty. They have financing to remove any hesitations. The tub needs to be near a water source, 30-amp outlet, and somewhere to drain it. This tub is great for hydrotherapy by eliminating pain and treating infection, using jets, warm water, and air to stimulate your endorphins and relax sore muscles. Some people use hydrotherapy to treat arthritis, diabetes, muscle cramps, osteoarthritis, joint pain, stress, insomnia, back pain, muscle pain, stomach problems, and other issues, not to mention it lowers your blood pressure in 5 minutes.
Features
Has great safety features, so you can age at home independently.
Low Threshold entry – 3.5″
2 built in Grab bars
Anti-slip floors
13 Pain-relieving hydro massage jets
Fills quickly
Drains in less than 90 seconds
Aromatherapy to help you relax
Free Shipping on any portable walk-in tub.
Plugs into standard 110v outlet
5 Function handheld shower head
Slip resistant floor
ADA Seat height of 17″
Conclusion:
Among walk-in bathtubs on the market, Heavenly Portable Walk-in tubs set themselves apart with a design that won’t break the bank, nor will it require a general contractor and loan to remodel the whole bathroom, or even worse, sell the home to accommodate for the lack of mobility.
The team has superior customer service, you’ll always be able to pick up the phone to speak to someone if you have an issue or concern.
As you get older, it’s wiser (and cheaper) to prevent a fall in the bathroom rather than reacting after someone takes a tumble.
You can buy this now at Amazon or dial 1-877-458-8432 to order.
If you’ve never had a New Zealand-style meat pie or sausage roll, you have no idea what you’re missing. Aunty Devi and Uncle Nate as they are so affectionately known around Escondido California, hand prepares and bakes the pies from a decades-old family meat pie recipe.
After visiting their bakery 8 years ago, I’ve since moved away but I still crave their meat pies to get delivered in bulk.
Nate and Devi – Founders
They freeze very well and come shipped overnight and semi-frozen, if you decide to freeze them, we’ve found that even after months they taste amazing after a quick round in the toaster oven.
You will probably like every flavor you try, you can’t go wrong if you desire a flaky crust pastry with savory meat and gravy that is very filling and rich.
The New Zealanders compare their meat pies to American hotdogs or hamburgers, or comfort food. They even put ketchup on the top, You should try it, you might love it! The traditional is the Mincemeat pie but the chicken and sausage rolls are delicious and make for a great meal or snack.
If you’ve never had a New Zealand-style meat pie or sausage roll, you have no idea what you’re missing. Aunty Devi and Uncle Nate as they are so affectionately known around Escondido California, hand prepares and bakes the pies from a decades-old family meat pie recipe.
After visiting their bakery 8 years ago, I’ve since moved away but I still crave their meat pies to get delivered in bulk.
Nate and Devi – Founders
They freeze very well and come shipped overnight and semi-frozen, if you decide to freeze them, we’ve found that even after months they taste amazing after a quick round in the toaster oven.
You will probably like every flavor you try, you can’t go wrong if you desire a flaky crust pastry with savory meat and gravy that is very filling and rich.
The New Zealanders compare their meat pies to American hotdogs or hamburgers, or comfort food. They even put ketchup on the top, You should try it, you might love it! The traditional is the Mincemeat pie but the chicken and sausage rolls are delicious and make for a great meal or snack.
Medicare plan options and costs can change each year.
Medicare and Medicaid are two U.S. government programs that provide access to healthcare.
Medicare covers you when you turn 65 and over and also if you have certain conditions or disabilities.
Medicaid is usually available to those with a lower income that helps provide healthcare services at little or no cost.
It’s easy to confuse the terms Medicaid and Medicare or use them interchangeably. They sound similar, but the two programs are very different.
They are each regulated by their own set of laws and policies aimed at different groups of people, but it is possible to be eligible for both programs.
So you choose the right program, this Senior Affair article will help you understand the differences between Medicare and Medicaid.
What is Medicare?
This program supports you when you need financial support for your medical needs. For example, Medicare is an insurance policy for U.S. citizens aged 65 and over that covers their treatments and medicare care.
You can also qualify for Medicare if you have a qualifying condition under 65. For example, if you are in the final stage of some kidney diseases, you may apply for Medicare.
You can choose between the two main branches of Medicare – Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
Original Medicare
A government-funded medical insurance policy, Original Medicare, is designed for older Americans and covers:
Inpatient hospital services– (Medicare Part A) These benefits include: covering you when you are admitted to the hospital, need hospice care, limited skilled nursing facility care, and at-home healthcare.
Outpatient medical services(Medicare Part B) The benefits include covering you for preventative, diagnostic, and treatment services for health conditions.
Medicare Advantage
If you want more coverage than the Original Medicare provides, you might choose Medicare Advantage insurance (Part C). Private insurance companies offer these policies. Most of these plans cover services like prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and hearing care that you don’t get in Original Medicare.
What is Medicaid?
This program is more broad-focused; it provides services for children, adults, and people with disabilities. It’s based on your income and funded by the U.S. state and federal governments, designed to assist low-income families and households. There are more than 72 million people signed up with Medicaid in 2020
What is the Cost of Medicare vs. Medicaid?
Medicare costs – You have to pay deductibles for significant services like hospital stays and sometimes out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions. Still, you’ll have to pay a small monthly premium for a doctor’s visit and preventative care. Read here for an overview of original Medicare and Medicare Advantage costs.
Medicaid Costs
Usually, when you receive Medicaid, you aren’t responsible for paying for covered expenses, but sometimes you will make a copayment.
Your state could charge premiums or enrollment fees as a form of cost-sharing; this applies to specific Medicaid recipients:
Qualified disabled and working people with an income above 150 percent of the federal poverty level. (FPL)
pregnant women and infants with an income at or above 150 percent of the FPL.
Medically needy people and disabled children are eligible under the Family Opportunity Act
Disabled working people eligible under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999.
Medicare and Medicaid Eligibility
To qualify for each program, you have to meet the criteria.
Medicare Eligibility
In most cases, to be eligible for Medicare, it’s based on your age; you also must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and 65 years old or older to qualify.
Your eligibility and premiums depend on how many years of Medicare taxes you paid. For example, you may qualify for the exception if you have a documented disability and are younger than 65.
Generally, if you receive Medicare, you probably receive some Social Security benefits. Medicare benefits are also extended if you are eligible for Social Security disability and a widow or widower age 50 and older.
Medicaid Eligibility
Your income and family size determine if you’re eligible for Medicaid. They designed the Affordable Care Act to provide coverage for low-income people. To find out if you qualify in your state, visit Healthcare.gov.
For most adults under 65, your income must be below 133 percent of the federal poverty level to qualify. According to Healthcare.gov, this amount for 2021 is approximately $12,880 for an individual and $26,500 for a family of four. You could also be eligible if you have a pressing medical need.
medicare vs medicaid differences
Medicare and Medicaid coverage
Medicare Coverage
Several parts of the Medicare program offer coverage for different aspects of healthcare.
Medicare Part A – Provides most inpatient medical care coverage like hospital stays, hospice services, limited skilled nursing care, and home healthcare.
Medicare Part B – For all outpatient medical needs like specific medical equipment, hospital care, doctor visits, and preventative care.
Medicare Part C – Medicare Advantage is provided by private companies approved to offer plans that include all the benefits of Medicare Part A and B and have additional benefits like dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage for an extra cost.
Medicare Part D – Approved plans to provide coverage for prescription drugs.
Medicaid coverage
The Medicaid benefits vary by state, but each plan includes these benefits.
lab and X-ray services
inpatient and outpatient hospital services
nursing facility services for adults
surgical, dental services for adults
Because the benefits vary, you may want to connect with your caseworker in your state to discuss your situation and get help applying.
Can You Have Both?
You can qualify for Medicare and Medicaid simultaneously and be considered dual-eligible. You can get your coverage from Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C), and Medicare will cover your prescription drugs under Part D.
Medicaid may also cover care and drugs that Medicare doesn’t, so having both will probably cover most of your healthcare needs.
Conclusion
Get a FREE No Obligation Medicare Quote Today
Medicare and Medicaid are two U.S. government programs designed to provide access to healthcare solutions. Medicare typically covers seniors over 65 and older or those with certain chronic conditions or disabilities, with Medicaid eligibility based on income and need.
Frequently Asked Questions about Medicare vs Medicaid
Following a vegan diet can be time-consuming with prep and cooking, and going out to the restaurant usually has the same dishes every time. The vegan diet sounds like a bland diet filled with tofu and stir-fry dishes, but today’s meal delivery services and meal kits can help you stick to a plant-based vegan diet.
You can get prepared meals that you can quickly heat when you order from a meal-kit delivery service. Vegans who struggle with getting the proper amount of protein can try vegan protein powders and meal kits.
Besides the obvious benefits of having your meals delivered to you and saving you time, gas, and convenience, they prepare the meals for taste and nutrition.
Senior Affair has rounded up the top 8 vegan diet meal services.
Our editors independently select all products featured on Senior Affair. However, we may earn an affiliate commission when you buy something through our retail links.
How We Choose The Companies
Senior Affair has curated this list of the best vegan meal delivery services based on these criteria:
Cost – What is the cost per serving? How much is shipping?
Ingredient quality – How does the company source ingredients?
Customization – Are there optional add-ons or other personalization options?
Customer Reviews – What are past customers saying about the product?
Subscription – Is a subscription mandatory?
1.) Sunbasket
Ethiopian red lentil stew with berbere, tomato salad, and toasted naan
Sunbasket has a great variety of options, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. You can choose from oven-ready heat-and-serve meals to step-by-step recipes and dishes that you or someone can prepare for you.
You can choose meals to fit your dietary needs, with all the meals being organic and responsibly sourced like the Ethiopian red lentil stew with berbere, tomato salad, and toasted naan. This meal is dairy-free, soy-free, and vegan serves 2.
Cost: Dinners start at $9 per serving
Customer Review: “We have been using sunbasket for two years. It has helped us eat healthier, and we love the variety of meals offered. We have tried vegetables we never would have tried if not for these meals! We have had only a few issues over the two years and customer service is always very responsive if we need them. We are SO happy to have found sunbasket!”
Are you looking for a vegan diet meal delivery service? Diet-to-go is an option for you. They include everything needed for nutritionally balanced meals. Diet-to-Go is an easy diet program with USDA and FDA approved prepared meals. They rotate to new meals every five weeks so you don’t get bored, the company also offers option coaching and diet analysis. Choose from four meal plans, including vegetarian, diabetic and low-carb, and keto diets.
You should try the Vegetarian Portobello Lasagna, White Bean Salad
They send the meals based on your gender with women getting 1,200 calories a day and 1,600 for men.
Cost: $121.99 to $204.99 per week plus $9.99 for local shipping and $19.98 for FedEx shipping.
Customer Review – “I have been using this delivery service for about 2 months and have already lost 15 pounds! The food is delivered fresh to my door twice per week and most options are really tasty. I am on the pre-diabetes plan and the variety of food is great. I get much more than just chicken and vegetables! Tonight I had turkey chili with a corn bread muffin and plantain flan – delicious! Customer service is great and very helpful when our food was delivered to the wrong house and they didn’t charge us for it.”
Veestro believes that we reap the benefits when we fill our diets with more plant-based meals, which doesn’t necessarily mean going hardcore vegan.
Seniors can incorporate more plants into their diet by choosing these meal plans, which helps them develop healthier eating habits while saving them time in the kitchen.
The plans at Veestro are flexible; since you aren’t locked in, you can choose a one-off order or sign up for a subscription-like Chef’s Choice biweekly plan to choose 10, 20, or 30 of Veestro’s most popular meals at that time. You’ll get delicious dishes likeKale and Quinoa Salad you won’t even miss the meat.
Cost: Price starts at $117 for a biweekly delivery of 10 meals.
Availability: Nationwide
Customer Review: “This place is just superb! We have been eating Veestro for more than 6 months now and I adore everything about it. The convenience (no need to cook!), the affordability (their prices are very competitive compared to what you find out there for vegan food. Especially with all their coupons and discounts ), and the taste! I think the only thing I didn’t like much from all the things they have on the menu was the pizza, that’s it. I eat better, I feel better, and that makes me happier 🙂 Love it! ”
When you want fresh fully-cooked meals ready to heat and eat delivered to your door from a top chef in the industry, you choose CookUnity. They offer meals prepared by Michelin-starred chefs across New York City, the first chef-to-consumer subscription service based in Illinois, and currently services the Northeast and just expanded to Los Angeles.
You won’t get bored since CookUnity has 37 chefs to choose from, and you can filter the meals based on your dietary needs; they have vegan, keto, gluten-free, and paleo selections.
Try the Roasted Eggplant Parmesan from Chef Chris Ratel or Creole Braised Vegetables with Black Mushroom Rice from Chef Nahika Hillery.
You can customize your subscription options to choose the number of meals from 4 to 12 per week and plan for two weeks in advance.
Cost: Prices start at $10 per meal
Availability: CookUnity ships to most of the United States. You can check to see if you’re in the delivery zone here.
Customer Review: “I can’t tell you how thankful and happy I am for Cook Unity’s meal plans. It has been such a blessing to get back on track with healthy eating after having my mind in the gutter last week! I am a Fulltime caregiver for my mom who is dying of Alzheimer’s. Some days I am fine but last week I had some tough days. Cook Unity’s meals helped me to realize that there was nothing wrong with stepping out of my feelings and treating myself — especially in a healthy way. Since starting this new routine of self care with Cook Unity’s delicious meals rather than staying in my feelings and eating junk all day long; I’ve noticed some major differences already: more energy throughout each day + mood improvement. So thank you for being there — a constant source of self care during tough times 😉 Nikki (she/her)~”
Sourcing Locally grown organic produce, without the processed and artificial ingredients, are affordable and prepared, so all you have to do is heat and eat. Fresh n’ Lean has a stand-alone vegan meal plan and a low-carb vegan meal plan, and you can choose snacks and various entrees a-la-carte if you prefer. You can choose which ingredients you want or exclude if you have food allergies. Dishes like rice with cauliflower and Beyond Burger® Patty are the kinds of protein-filled meals to keep you active and feeling good throughout the week.
Cost: Vegan meals at Fresh N’ Lean start at $8 per meal.
Availability: Nationwide
Customer Review: Through all my research this was the simplest vegan meal delivery I could find. I liked it because there was no meal preparation, just microwave for 3 minutes. Super simple and the meals are delicious. After hitting a plateau in my weight loss, once I switched to the vegan meal plan, I lost another 20 pounds. I recommend this meal service to everyone I know.
One of the best vegan meal services for nutrition, fitness, and weight loss. They offer chef-curated recipes with organic produce and plant-based protein-rich meals, and gluten-free, vegan diets.
You can build up your meal plan and choose breakfast, lunch, dinner, a 3rd entree, and 5 or 7 days per week, choosing to exclude mushrooms, eggplant, soy, or nuts.
The average meal is 440 calories with only 50 carbs and 15 grams of fat.
Try the service guilt-free with a money-back guarantee and free shipping.
Try the Beyond Beef® with sauteed seasonal vegetables. Seasoned with oil, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, and garlic.
Cost: 7 meals cost $99.99 per week
Customer Review – “Not only is their food the best from any meal prep service I have had, but their customer service RULES!”
One of the best-known meal delivery services, and one of the first to get in the industry, Freshly doesn’t claim to be the healthiest meal delivery in the category. They don’t focus on upscale menus or recipes tailored to niche diets. Freshly’s meals are designed to be crowd-pleasers. So you get prepared meals that you can freeze (not all meals will freeze well).
With plenty of lunch and dinner choices for special diets like gluten-free, keto or low-carb and low-calorie and some plant-based options, choose from 4 to 12 meals per week. Try theMiddle Eastern Falafel with Garlicky Tahini Sauce & Whole Grain
Availability: Freshly ships to every state in the lower 48, not Hawaii or Alaska.
Cost: Between $9 and $11.79 per meal, the shipping costs are under $10 per box.
Customer Review – “Freshly has been terrific over the last several years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and for the elderly (us).”
Plant-based Meals for weight loss and health is the motto for the vegan meal-delivery service Mamasezz. You get fresh vegan meals delivered to your door; heat and serve. You can choose your meals off the a la carte menu or one of their curated bundle that fits your goals. The guaranteed weight loss bundle includes nine plant-based meal staples with heat and eat instructions that you can combine to create your custom meals day and night. Ships weekly for a total of four weeks with free shipping; cancel at any time.
They have staples like veggies, burgers, cookies, rice pudding.
Customer Review – Great selection! They make it easy to ‘ reset’ and adhere to this lifestyle of healthy eating! Customer service has been PHENOMENAL…..VERY HELPFUL over the past few years….from dealing with damaged sauces, food intolerances….I’m a Registered Dietitian who knows how & what to cook…. But everyone falls into a RUTT and needs a break! Thank you MamaSezz!!
Conclusion
After doing the research and reading customer reviews on popular plant-based meal delivery and vegan meal delivery services like Purple Carrot and Green Chef didn’t get good reviews, who complained of bland food, bad service, and high-priced meal plans. We recommend doing your research and trying a couple of services before committing to one.
With the New Year just around the corner, I’m sure you have your resolutions lined up. If they include transitioning to a more plant-based diet, or if you are currently vegetarian, these five light soups on Splendid Spoon’s new Reset Program’s menu are tasty, hardy, and low in calories.
At times we fall off the wellness journey and consume too many high-calorie and nutrient-depleted foods. The reset soups are low in calories but still contain the vitamins and minerals we need.
Splendid Spoon offers ready-to-eat, nourishing, plant-based smoothies, soups, grain bowls, noodles, and shots. They’ve designed the plans to create healthy routines for breakfast, lunch, and dinner so that you can reach your health goals. Each meal contains fresh plant-based, gluten-free and GMO-free ingredients – all clean ingredients.
I wanted to try the Reset Program because I was looking for something clean to eat in the middle of the day that wouldn’t upset my stomach. For the past couple of years, I’ve been actively changing my eating habits. Also, it was a simple meal to heat and serve.
A reset could be for a day or a single meal; when you give your gut some TLC, you could try eating one reset meal for lunch or dinner, 2-3 times a week, allowing your body to wind down after a long, busy day or help start your weight management plan and get you on the road to healthy eating. After you’ve adjusted to the diet, you can try resetting for the whole day, one day a day.
Stick to the Reset program plan and enjoy the 100% plant-based smoothies, soups, grain bowls, and noodle bowls. Their philosophy is that plant-based eating is the single most effective tool to feel our very best.
Our Favorite Light Soups
Lentil and Kale
Cauliflower Potato Chowder
Available Plans:
Lunch
Breakfast + lunch
Breakfast, Lunch + Reset
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Reset – the best value – 20 meals
How Does It Work?
Choose from over 50 meals each week; it’s straightforward to edit them in your account every week. Also, you can note ingredients that you’d like to avoid in future orders.
Shipping is always FREE, and you get the box delivered to your door. Choose between Wednesday or Friday delivery days. You can also skip the delivery and choose when you want to receive the following package.
None of the meals take more than 4 minutes to heat up! All the meals arrive ready-made.
Cauliflower Potato Chowder
What Are Some Pros?
We tried a few of their light soups with different flavors and textures; two of my favorites were the Lentil and Kale Soup and the Cauliflower Potato Chowder; both were easy to heat up and were delicious!
If you decide to try Splendid Spoon, you get:
Fully prepared meals
Over 50 flavors to choose from
Clean ingredients: no added sugar, gluten-free, non-GMO
Sustainable packaging
Convenient
Free shipping
Great taste
Easy to customize
Lentil and Kale Soup
What Are Some Cons?
Just be warned, if you currently have an unhealthy diet with lots of fats in it, Splendid Spoon meals can be quite a shock in the beginning. But give it some time and allow your body to adjust; soon, you will feel better after switching to Splendid Spoon. The portions can feel smaller for some people; if you want, you can add extra ingredients to satisfy your appetite and maybe share with a partner.
Conclusion
The Reset Program at Splendid Spoon is light on the tummy and still nourishing and tasty, and for the older adult could be a great way to kickstart healthy eating habits. A lovely variety of flavors and ingredients (50+) are sure to satisfy most preferences. It can be an easy way to ensure that you get your daily quota of veggies and fruits every day.
HelloFresh is perfect for retired boomers and seniors who get inspired to cook but spend less time meal planning and shopping (claims to save you 46% compared to shopping at a grocery store) and looking for a nutritious and balanced diet diet diet alternative to frozen meals.
Our Favorite HelloFresh Meals
1.) Chicken Gyro Couscous Bowls with Hummus, Tomato-Cucumber Salad, and Creamy Feta Sauce
Hummus and pita chips with Israeli couscous, zaâatar-spiced chicken, lemony chopped salad, tangy feta sauce, and a sprinkle of fresh dill.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
2.) Harissa Chickpea & Sweet Potato Salad with Feta, Candied Sunflower Seeds, Pickled Shallot & Creamy Lemon Herb Dressing
Vegetarian Middle Eastern-inspired meal with roasted chickpeas and sweet potato in harissa spices. You will pickle shallots and make sweet and crunchy candied sunflower seeds. Served with fresh spinach salad and a creamy lemon herb dressing.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
3.) Creamy Lemon Salmon over Tomato Scallion Couscous
Seared Salmon fillets with couscous, tomatoes, and scallions. Drizzle a lemon cream topping over the top for extra flavor.
Total time: 35 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
What’s Special About HelloFresh?
HelloFresh was started in Berlin, and there is something to be said about German efficiency. They provide easy and convenient cooking ideas that you can easily follow at home. The recipes have pre-measured and pre-portioned ingredients and simple instructions to make it easy and fun to prepare meals. With six easy steps, you can enjoy your dinner in 30 minutes.
The company also makes it user-friendly to cancel, skip or reactivate your subscription. The three different meal plans are Classic Box, Family Box, and Veggie Box and 17 items on the menu with a lot less available if you’re on a vegan or vegetarian diet, which is a downside of HelloFresh compared to other meal kits delivery services for seniors.
HelloFresh offers:
Responsibly sourced and delicious ingredients delivered to your door.
Meat and Veggies, vegetarian, low calorie, quick and easy, pescatarian and family friendly plans.
Ability to customize with Fit, Quick or Variety preferences.
One Hall of Fame meal every week (the all-star recipe that customers love most)
One premium meal every week (elegant recipes with a handpicked selection of premium ingredients)
One breakfast option very week. (for those brreakfast-for-diner nights or weekend mornings)
A fully stocked online Kitchenware shop with the best chef-approved kitchen essentials
Premium wines hand-selected to pair with HelloFresh meals as part of the Wine Club.
HelloFresh follows these recycles guidelines:
Insulated liners – The summer liners need to be included with the recyclables, the winter liners can go in the trash, and the honeycompb paperboard is curbside friendly.
Ice packs – The water-soluble contents can go with the trash, not the sink. The plastic pack can be recycled.
HelloFresh Box – You can include this with your recyclables.
Seperator and meal kits – These are curbside friendly as well.
Kitchenware
The HelloFresh Kitchenware collection contains some must-have items like a recipe card binder so you home cooks can keep your recipes safe and handy to use over and over. The online shop has knives, ovenware, tableware, cleanup tools, storage options, and even eco-friendly items like an odor-eliminating compost bin.
HelloFresh Kits
HelloFresh kits are a specially curated collection of utensils and products designed specifically for specific needs.
The Quick-Fix Kit for home cooks is designed to help cut down the prep time with gadgets like a digital kitchen timer, garlic press, citrus squeezer, potato masher, and food chopper.
Other kits that caught our eye:
Tiny Tummies Kit – Retired with a desire to become a buddy sous chef? This kit can get you started in the kitchen.
The Aftermath Kit – Complete cleanup and storage kit and includes a dish scrubber, storage containers, a soap dispenser, and kitchen towels.
The Starter Kit – This beginners kit has a zester-grater, spatula, olive wood spoon, multifunction peeler, and elevated steel tongs.
Some of the products are being sold by partners Joseph Joseph and Microplane, and the rest are HelloFresh originals.
How Does HelloFresh Work?
You can sign in with your Facebook account or use your email address and choose a password to get started. Next, select the plan you’d like to try between Classic Plan, Veggie Plan, or Family Plan. The Classic Plan allows for 15 delicious recipes every week, compared to 3 meals with the Veggie and Family plans. The Veggie plan has no meat or fish, and The Family plan is perfect if you have grandkids or picky eaters staying with you.
You can get meals for you and your spouse with the Classic plan and decide how many meals you’ll need every week. The shipping is always free; you’ll be prompted for your delivery address and show you available delivery dates and times. Unlike some meal kit services, you can choose the delivery date that works for you, and finally, you can pay with either credit card, debit card, or Paypal. The plan with auto-renew each week; you can cancel or pause your services with five days’ notice.
HelloFresh Meal Options
The qualified team of chefs and dietitians on staff at HelloFresh delivers delicious and balanced meals that are simple enough for most people to cook at home. The wide variety of options makes it easy for you to find meals that fit your preference with over 20 meals with pre-measured ingredients, easy-to-follow recipes with complete nutritional info, and cooking tips. You will need to have salt, pepper, sugar, oil, and butter. The recipes let you know how difficult the recipe will be and how long it takes to prepare the meals.
Here is a breakdown of the plans:
Meat and Veggies Plan – This is a collection of meat, fish and seasonal produce that you can choose from, and a menu of over 50 options to pick each week. Prices start at $6.79 per meal.
Veggie Plan – Offers recipes that have plant-based proteins, hearty grains and seasonal produce. You can build you custom meal plan with over 50 menu items. Prices start at $6.79 per meal.
Calorie Smart Plan – These are dietician approved meals with around 650 calories each. Prices start at $6.79 per meal.
Quick and Easy Plan – Perfect if you want to cut down your time to prep, cook and cleanup after cooking.
Pescetarian Plan – Feturs a combination of delicious veggies and seafood that fit your dietary needs. Prices start at $6.79 per meal.
How much does HelloFresh cost?
All six plans have the same pricing structure, starting at $6.79 per meal when you pick the largest plan. The shipping costs $9.99 per box for all plans. As a SeniorAffair.com reader, you get free shipping and 50% off your first order. The HelloFresh plans are the Meat & Veggies plan, the Veggie Plan, the Family Friendly plan, the Calorie Smart plan, the Quick and Easy plan, and the Pescetarian plan.
All plans include meals for neither 2 or 4 people, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 times a week.
Help & Support
Suppose you need technical help or troubleshooting when first starting; you’ll appreciate the account management section of the site with a comprehensive FAQ section that covers just about anything you’d want to know about the service. If that doesn’t answer the question, they have a support number and social media.
HelloFresh – Perfect for dinner!
True to its name, HelloFresh is all about freshness and being the best meal delivery service for seniors. The ingredients are responsibly sourced with high-quality premade sauces with limited processed foods makes this meal kit one of the tops among HelloFresh’s competitors.
How does HelloFresh Compare to Other Meal Delivery Services?
The cost of the entrees is about $9.99 per serving, but the total price per delivery depends on how many servings you order and how many meals you order every week. Also, there is a shipping charge of $9.99 per delivery.
Is HelloFresh healthy?
Yes, it sources ingredients from trusted providers with nutritionally dense entrees complete with proteins, hearty grains, and seasonal produce.
What kinds of meals does HelloFresh have?
HelloFresh has one of the most diverse menus among meal delivery companies; each week, you’ll find food inspired from all over the globe, including Ginger Beef Stir-Fry, Korean Beef Bibimbap, and Arroz Con Pollo.
