If you’re anything like me, you love a vibrant, flavor-packed meal—but sometimes, even the most passionate home cook needs a break from planning, shopping, and prepping.
This post is part of a paid partnership with Splendid Spoon. All opinions and experiences are my own.
As a professional chef (and eater) I am about the last person you’d expect to agree to a detox and I assume as someone who is here on this website looking for their next favorite recipe, that might be your immediate reaction as well. But hear me out.
When my husband and I decided to try Splendid Spoon’s 5-Day Detox: a plant-based meal delivery program promising convenience without compromise we were ready to hate it. Spoiler: By the end of the 5 days we were both surprised by how good we felt—and how delicious and satisfying the food was.
My biggest fear? Not being able to drink coffee (which I quickly realized was just fine as long as drank it black). My husband’s? Not being able to add red pepper flakes to everything (more on that later).
Why Try a Plant-Based Meal Delivery?
Let’s be honest: the beginning of the year is prime time for “reset” talk, but I’m not here for restrictive diets or food guilt. I am, however, always looking for ways to eat more plants, feel my best, and keep life simple.
Splendid Spoon’s detox caught my eye because it’s all about nourishment, not deprivation. The meals are vegan, ready in minutes, and—most importantly—delicious.
Favorite Meals: Big Flavors, No Boredom
We dove in with open minds (and hungry bellies). The food was fantastic. Neither one of us felt the need to add anything (me: salt, him: pepper flakes). The meals inspired me to add some of their techniques to my own recipes. I love how they combined several grains in the dishes. The oatmeal wasn’t just oats, for example, they always included quinoa as well.
Here are a few standouts for us:
- Teriyaki Grain Bowl: Satisfying, savory, and packed with tofu and veggies—this one disappeared fast. Reminded me of my favorite flavor-packed vegan recipes like my mushroom carnitas or vegan breakfast burritos.
- Kimchi Fried Quinoa: Tangy, tons of flavor, and super filling. Even my husband, who has to load everything with something spicy thought it needed nothing at all.
- Purple Grain Bowl: Colorful, hearty, and full of texture.
- Oatmeal Flavors: Breakfast was never boring—blueberry almond, carrot cake, and golden milk oats kept things interesting.
- Detox Shots: Quick, punchy, and the perfect way to end the day.
The Real Surprise: How We Felt
Here’s the kicker: we both felt lighter, less bloated, and more energetic by the end of the week. My husband even lost five pounds (I’m not making any promises, but we were both impressed!). More importantly, neither of us felt hungry or deprived. Every meal was portioned for satisfaction—no second guessing if I’d eaten enough, or too much.
Convenience = Mental Relief
As someone who spends a lot of time thinking about food (hello, recipe testing life!), I can’t overstate the relief of not having to plan, prep, or clean up. No “what’s for lunch?” panic, no grocery runs, no last-minute compromises. Everything was ready in five minutes or less. It freed up so much mental space, I actually had time to enjoy my meals—and my day.
A Typical Day on the 5-Day Detox
Curious what a day looked like? Here’s a sample menu:
- Breakfast: Blueberry Almond Oats
- Mid-morning: Power Greens Smoothie
- Lunch: Red Lentil Dal Soup
- Snack: Dragon Fruit Berry Smoothie
- Dinner: Coconut Curry Rice Dish
- Evening: Detox Shot
Every day had six eating moments, spaced about two hours apart. Meals were balanced for macros and micronutrients, and the variety kept things fresh.
The other element of the detox is a 16 hour fast, which initially I was a little concerned about because, as a family, we tend to eat pretty late because of the kid’s soccer and work schedules. So for this week, the family ate at different times, which wasn’t ideal but I liked giving my body an elongated rest time in between meals.
Who Is This For?
If you love my plant-based recipes but sometimes wish someone else would do the cooking, this is for you. Splendid Spoon’s meals are vegan, gluten-free, and chef-created—so you get all the flavor and none of the stress. It’s perfect for busy weeks, post-holiday resets, or anyone who wants to eat well without overthinking it.
Why We Loved It
- This wasn’t about giving things up, but about feeling good and making life easier.
- The meals supported our routines, not the other way around.
- The biggest win was mental—less time thinking about food, more time living life.
Would we do it again? Absolutely. The convenience, flavors, and results spoke for themselves. Splendid Spoon is offering $20 off their 5 Day Detox exclusively for ¡Hola! Jalapeño readers! Use code HOLA20 at checkout!
Have you ever tried a plant-based meal delivery? Let me know your experience in the comments—or if you have questions about Splendid Spoon, I’m happy to share more!
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