Not all superheroes wear capes!
This Mother’s Day, we’re shining a light on moms who do it all—crush it at their amazingly impressive jobs, crank out delicious meals for their families, and somehow still manage to multi-task in their sleep. Read on to steal their secrets.
Marla K.
Mom to Andrew (15) and Henry (13) and President and CEO of the 4A’s
What FreshDirect item can you not live without? Your kids?
We love the FreshDirect organic products (i.e. eggs, frozen raspberries). Andrew loves the chocolate chip banana bread and Henry loves the beef franks in blankets.
What’s your favorite dinner hack?
We love the turkey burgers. They’re delicious and so easy to make. Just add a vegetable and you’ve got an easy and healthy dinner.
What’s on your menu for family night in?
Usually salmon or chicken cutlets, Israeli couscous, broccoli or string beans, and a salad with toasted nuts and cranberries.
How do you “do it all?”
Ha! I don’t. As much as I enjoy cooking, I don’t get to do it often enough. It’s just about making the right choices for me and my family. I just “FIO” — “Figure It Out.”
Anything else you want to add?
The FreshDirect website has always been one of the most user-friendly and intuitive sites. I use the iPad app and find that it’s the easiest and most convenient way to shop and find new items.
Kasha K.
Mom to Teddy (8) and Felix (6) and the US CEO of Universal McCann
What FreshDirect item can you not live without? Your kids?
For me, it’s the Chicken Wontons with Szechuan-Style Peanut Sauce. It satisfies our urge for takeout for far less calories and expense. My boys are super picky eaters, but they love frozen beef meatballs. I always have them in the freezer for a quick meal.
What’s your favorite dinner hack?
Rotisserie chicken, hands down. It’s just so versatile. I can cut it up, add it to the kids’ lunch, reheat it for dinner, put it in tacos, make chicken salad or soup, hash with a few apples and sweet potatoes, and then, when we’re done, I can make chicken stock!
What’s on your menu for family night in?
Steak or shrimp (or both) on the grill, some sort of grilled vegetable (our favorite right now is carrots), and then pasta or rice. My older son loves s’mores so he’ll usually have that for dessert. I prefer some plain yogurt, berries, and honey.
How do you “do it all?”
I like to tell people that you can’t actually “do it all,” but you can hopefully make the right choices. Some days I make the choice to prioritize my family and other days I make the choice to prioritize work. Every once in a while I try to prioritize myself. My goal is to focus my attention where it makes the most sense, day by day and hour by hour, with the hope that, in the end, I’ve taken care of everything. I’m also a huge believer in asking for help. My husband is the rock of our family. There’s no way I could do what I do without him managing all the details of our home life.
Anything else you want to add?
Thank you guys so much for existing. I remember the days when I’d spend a few hours of my precious weekend at the grocery store and it was such a waste of the limited downtime I have. The very idea of having groceries delivered to our door has been a game-changer for me and my family. In terms of life-changing innovations, I put it up there with things like the dishwasher, washing machine, and microwave.
Mom to Matthew (6 ½) and Morgan (3 ½ ) and HR Manager at Frederic Fekkai
What FreshDirect item can you not live without? Your kids?
I’m obsessed with Sugar Kiss melons. Are you sure they aren’t considered candy? My kids (and husband) love Martin’s Pretzels and Chobani Tubes.
What’s your favorite dinner hack?
One-pan meals. I’m not that creative, so dinner usually consists of FreshDirect pre-cut vegetables and chicken on a sheet in the oven. Lately, we’ve been all about the meal kits. I would never have attempted chicken marsala without it!
What’s on your menu for family night in?
BBQ! Chicken, burgers, hot dogs—oh my!
How do you “do it all?”
Help—lots of help. Do you guys offer babysitting services?
Anything else you want to add?
The kids think the trucks should say “Try Our Delicious Food,” not “Try Our Food.” Also, they look forward to seeing your delivery team every time the truck pulls up!
Mom to Leonardo (4 ½) and Isabel (3 ) and author of The Big Life
For the last two years, as part of research for the book, I’ve had a series of dinners at my place—two dozen and counting! Each dinner involved 6-8 different young women sitting around my dining room table talking about the itchy emotions that come along with wanting to make your mark on the world. At every dinner, the formula was the same—fancy frozen pizza, a killer cheese plate, and many bottles of rosé—and everything was from FreshDirect! While these young women and I were talking at the dining room table, my kids had a “picnic” with pizza in their room.
What’s your favorite dinner hack?
Frozen FreshDirect Meatballs, Rao’s tomato sauce, and frozen spinach. Heat and eat in 15 minutes!
What’s on your menu for family night in?
We love to barbecue, so burgers, brioche buns, salsa fresca, and chips!
How do you “do it all?”
I don’t do it all—at all. A big life is a messy life. You have to embrace the mess!
Top 5 Fave FD Items?
BBQ chicken pizza, Talenti vanilla ice cream, Chimay cheese with fig jelly, fresh salsa verde, Xochitl Chips, and Grady’s cold brew.
Jolie H.
Mom to Tristan (2 ½) and a baby girl due in June and founder and CEO of Hunt & Gather
What FreshDirect item can you not live without? Your kids?
Horizon 2% Milk and Life Cereal gets our family through the morning—and my son Tristan is obsessed with Driscoll’s Jumbo Blueberries.
What’s your favorite dinner hack?
Turkey tacos are always a crowd pleaser. I order all of the ingredients from FoodKick—organic turkey breast, sour cream, taco shells, shredded cheese, and sliced jalapeños. It’s cooked and ready in 10 minutes.
What’s on your menu for family night in?
I like to recreate Nobu’s black cod with coconut rice and whatever green vegetable is in season. (Everyone thinks I’m a genius when I do that!)
How do you “do it all?”
I hire as many people as possible to do things for me.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I think FoodKick is the single most genius life hack for working parents.
Top 5 Fave FD Items?
Cut mango, Horizon 2% Milk, Vintage Seltzer, Friendship Cottage Cheese, and Driscoll’s Jumbo Blueberries.
Monica S.
Mom to Emma (11) and Sophie 8 and founder of social media agency SOMA Strategies
What FreshDirect item can you not live without? Your kids?
For me, it’s the convenience of having delicious, healthy food delivered to my doorstep. D.C. is a hard place to live—the traffic is terrible, parking lots in grocery stores are overcrowded, so, between work and the kids’ hectic schedules, spending less time running errands and more time together at home is a dream.
What’s your favorite dinner hack?
Breakfast for dinner is always a hit in our house, especially when one parent is out of town. It feels like a special treat and takes almost no time.
What’s on your menu for family night in?
We love Greek chicken pitas—fresh, healthy, and everyone eats them!
How do you “do it all?”
I’m not sure anyone has the answer to this question. If they do, please give them my number. For me, the trick has been trade-offs, realizing life ebbs and flows (as do the needs of kids), and being flexible enough to realize that very little is permanent and there’s no perfect parent. The kids are happy when we’re together—even if we’re eating a simple breakfast for dinner instead of a gourmet home-cooked meal.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Aside from the convenience offered by FreshDirect for busy families, I love that you offer the “Kid-Friendly” menu to simplify finding and deciding what to order, as well as the local items section. People love knowing where their food comes from and that they’re supporting local farms and businesses!
Anna-Bain R.
Mom to Will (4½) and James (2½), former educator, and stay-at-home mother
What FreshDirect item can you not live without? Your kids?
Fresh orange juice, fruit and nut snack packs, rotisserie chicken, turkey bolognese, and all the veggie sides! My kids love the FreshDirect graham crackers, cheeses, and pies—especially cherry!
What’s your favorite dinner hack?
My favorite hack is definitely the FreshDirect rotisserie chicken. I typically order two for the week. On Monday nights, I’ll serve one rotisserie chicken (as is) with mashed potatoes and a veggie side (steamed spinach is my fav). It’s a bit of comfort food for the Monday blues. Then, I use the other rotisserie chicken on Wednesday nights for chicken quesadillas. Any leftover veggies from the prior two nights are thrown into the quesadillas. Sometimes, there’s even enough remaining chicken after both meals to make chicken salad for lunch.
What’s on your menu for family night in?
The FreshDirect whole wheat pizza dough is delicious and we love to “make pizza” as a family. It’s a fun way to get the boys involved in the kitchen—spreading the sauce, cheese, and other toppings is the perfect activity for their little toddler hands. They’re always so proud to serve their food!
Kourtney H.
Mom to Sebastian (2 going on 22) and executive assistant at an advertising agency
What FreshDirect item can you not live without? Your kids?
Sebi can’t live without his FreshDirect fish sticks and pizza and almond chocolate milk. I can’t live without chocolate-covered almonds
What’s your favorite dinner hack?
The meal kit with the grilled cheese and tomato soup is our fave—so yummy and cheesy. Great comfort food and after a long day!
What’s on your menu for family night in?
PIZZA PARTY!
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