I love Dream Dinners in Silver Spring. You know, the only meal assembly store in Montgomery County, where you come in and either make a series of healthy meals all at once, or call ahead and have the staff make them for you, or drop by their store and purchase pre-made meals from their freezer.
What? You haven’t heard of it? Honey, it’s truly a dream come true.
Sure, I love to cook. But having healthy, easy, pre-made meals ready to go in my freezer and fridge are perfect for the nights when my exhaustion trumps my yearning to crank up the stereo, pour a glass of wine and concoct the perfect family dinner.
The prices are low – I especially like the ethnic foods that contain ingredients that I don’t normally buy, so there’s no wasted groceries! And I like the portion control – when it’s a three-serving chicken cacciatore (perfect for 2 adults, 2 children), it’s impossible to overeat a second helping. And it’s waaaaaaay healthier than calling for takeout, as even my favorite “healthy” Thai place has over 120% of the daily recommended sodium (holy water retention Batman).
So once a month or so, I head to Dream Dinners and make some meals. Or I purchase some already-made meals from their well-stocked freezer. You can choose vegetarian options, favorite meats, sides, desserts. I also love picking up already-handmade fresh pasta dishes and enchiladas for friends who just had babies. Sure, I’d rather make them a meal myself, but when you’re assigned the new baby meal in the neighborhood on the same day as a work meeting, pediatrician appointments, soccer, ballet and volunteering at the school, heading to Dream Dinners is healthy and more personal then just sending that new baby’s family a Papa John’s pie.
But don’t take my word for it – head to the FREE TASTING Dream Dinners Silver Spring is hosting on Saturday! From 1-3pm this Saturday, September 25th, taste the offerings of Dream Dinners and check out the facility. Like what you nosh? Saturday is also Market Day (aka Clean Out the Dream Dinners Freezer), when all the pre-made meals in stock are on SALE! I’ll for sure be there loading up my cooler with a bunch of yummy meals to have on hand for crazybusysupertired nights.
Dream Dinners is a franchise that is independently-owned by a parent in Silver Spring, fellow mama Yihung Mohs. A former Discovery Channel executive, she loved the Dream Dinners concept so much as a customer, she would drive all the way to Pennsylvania on weekends to make the meals for her family. Then she decided to open her own Dream Dinners store four years ago. She is funny, lovely and inspiring. She also has a super blog, The Silver Spring Dream Dinners Blog, where she writes about her favorite meals on the menu and what she serves her own family for dinner.
And get this – there are special Kids Can Cook events too, if you have a budding foodie on your hands or are looking for an innovative party or fundraiser with kids! Details here.
I hope to see you at the FREE Silver Spring Dream Dinners tasting event on September 25, 1 – 3 pm, or at the store when you schedule your own make-some-meals-for-your-family session! I’m often there…just look for the loud blonde with the big Igloo cooler.
STORE HOURS:
(Grab&Go only)
Tuesdays – 9 am – 5 pm *call first
Wednesdays – 9 am – 5 pm *call first
(Assembly Sessions)
Thursdays from 10 am – 9 pm
Fridays from 10 am – 9 pm
Saturdays from 8 am – 4 pm
Second Sundays from 1 pm – 3 pm
(Last Call/Market Day)
Last Saturday from 1 pm – 3 pm
To schedule your assembly session, email cloverlystreetmd@dreamdinners.com.
Disclosure: I attended a Washington FAMILY event (I’m one of their featured mom bloggers online) where I was invited to make and bring home one free Dream Dinners meal. Since that favorable experience, I have personally purchased over 40 meals and sides from Silver Spring Dream Dinners. Neither my husband nor children have complained once, and the twice-baked potatoes are a now-constant request. I have in no way been compensated for this post.
