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Its The Maples!

Adventures of a 🇨🇦 Expat Family in Portugal 🇵🇹

Why Our Family of 4 Started Using Food Delivery Apps and How They Work

As a family of 4 with 2 busy boys, one of which plays elite-level soccer 6 days a week, and the other one about to follow in his big brother’s footsteps, sometimes it’s just easier to order in when it comes to dinner time – enter the food delivery apps.

Contents hide
1 Food To Your Doorstep
2 Ordering Using The Food App
3 What Is A Food Delivery App?
4 Popular Food Delivery Apps

I’m sure many of you can relate to the mad dash that happens after work and school, making dinner and rushing off to kids’ extracurricular activities for the evening.

Don’t get me wrong, my husband and I love to cook; being in the kitchen is our joy, we enjoy our homecooked meals and are always thinking of new dishes to make in the kitchen, but after a long day at work, and the long evening just ahead, sometimes convenience trumps the happy emotion we get from pulling out our cast iron pan.

So with that said, lately, we have been using a couple of things to help us out.  

A couple of nights during the month, first, we have been ordering several meals through one of our favourite meal kit services, Chef’s Plate.  

For more on our Chef’s Plate adventures, you can watch us put together an entire meal from Chef’s Plate in this fun video…

We discovered this little gem during the Covid Lockdown and it acted as a way for us to enjoy a meal we wouldn’t normally cook but would like to eat – almost like going to a restaurant.  

It was a nice change and we have continued to do that despite the fact that here where we are in the Atlantic Bubble, we have been able to resume somewhat normal life with some modifications.

On other nights, to our surprise, we have recently found ourselves using food delivery apps.

Food To Your Doorstep

We are not strangers to using certain restaurant apps to order food for pickup (think Swiss Chalet or even fast food places like A&W who offer lettuce buns – yay for lettuce buns!) but we had never used food delivery apps to have food delivered to  our doorstep.  I’m not sure why it wasn’t on the radar before Covid, but I guess it’s like many of the changes we’ve made since the pandemic started – we never used to order our groceries online either, but now we do!

Food delivery apps are like ordering food in but they give you the choice of many different restaurants who are not set up personally to offer delivery.

Again, prior to the Covid lockdown, I had never used a food delivery app before but the convenience of ordering food (the selection is wide from participating restaurants in your local area – including fast food) was appealing and very convenient.  My kids also liked that we had the choice of these different restaurants and I won’t lie, ordering out gave us a little more energy to get through those long winter days.  Yes, I was excited to get that food delivery on our doorstep!

Ordering Using The Food App

Ordering is simple.  It’s just a matter of installing the food delivery app on my phone and choosing what I wanted to order.  

Since starting to use it, I have since learned, and it’s no surprise that COVID-19 has propelled the industry a few years into the future, as millions of people in lockdown ordered food online for the first time. 

With Covid, and people having to spend more time at home social distancing, food delivery apps are a wonderful thing to have.  Not only can we safely stay home and still enjoy many of the foods we enjoyed prior to lockdown but we are also supporting our local restaurants which we are happy to do – when the pandemic is done we want to see our local restaurants still there and standing and I’m happy to contribute to them and their businesses while they provide us with the food we crave and love.

The convenience of being able to order in from restaurants that would not traditionally have delivery service but also being able to stay home has been wonderful and I would suggest to anyone who hasn’t tried it, to give it a whirl.  Especially in times of Covid, it gives as something a taste of “normal” and what are lives used to be like, and that I believe everyone misses.

So if you’re wondering if using a food delivery app is for you, let’s explore a little further.

What Is A Food Delivery App?

Not to get it confused with meal kit delivery service, where you choose recipes for the week and the ingredients and recipe cards are shipped to your door for you to cook, a food delivery app is used for takeout service/food order where you can order food from your favourite participating restaurants from your smartphone or tablet.

What’s really nice about this is that you can get food delivered to you from places you may not have been able to order from in the past – even fast-food restaurants as well – think McDonalds.  Personally, there is a local Greek bakery that we are particularly fond of and it’s lovely to be able to place an order from there and support a family-owned business that has been there for generations etc…)

When ordering from a food service, it is broken up into these parts:

Step #1:  Install the food app (whichever you choose to use) 

Step #2:  Browse the different restaurants that participate in your area.  You do this by opening the app, selecting the restaurant you want to order from, browse through the menu to select the food items and quantity, and add them to your cart (see the image below)

Step #3: Place your order – you place an order via the customer app and make payment.  You will then get an order confirmation from the restaurant.

Step #4:  Now that you’ve ordered, you can now track your order.  Customers can track the live order status, check the delivery person’s location, and estimated time of arrival in various apps.

Step #5:  This is where the magic happens!  All this amazing behind-the-scene stuff happens between the restaurant, the delivery app, pick-up & delivery by the driver and it amazingly appears at your doorstep!)  

Step #6:  You get your food!  And with Covid, food delivery apps have put safeguards in place like contactless payment and delivery to keep everyone safe and healthy as well as adding perks like eliminating fees (check each food delivery app for more information)

Step #7:  Review the service (if you choose!)

Popular Food Delivery Apps

If you’re about to jump in and try food delivery apps, here are some of the more popular ones, that you might have heard off:

DoorDash

SkipThe Dishes

UberEats

Below I have included some screenshots for you to take a look at the various apps.  You can see that things, depending on the app are broken down into different types of food, allergy-friendly establishments, current specials that the restaurants are running, and more.

You can see from the various screenshots that ordering food is a very easy and simple process.  

We certainly have enjoyed using them and they have brought convenience to our lives that sometimes everyone needs, now if you’ll excuse me, all this food is making me hungry but with a looming word deadline and dinner coming up, today looks like a good day to pull out my phone and check what specials are running today on my food app!

and get no FX fees!

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I lied. I said I would be posting more pictures so I lied. I said I would be posting more pictures soon after my last post and now it's literally been another month and a half! 🤦🏻‍♀️
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I still really underestimate the time it continues to take us to get settled in a new country and all the stuff we need to do (yup, we are still in our car 🚗 dilemma but hoping to get it resolved tomorrow - after today's holiday!) 
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As I mentioned in my last post, which contained the only family picture we took from our first beach day ☀️🌊🇵🇹 in Portugal in November 2021, it has taken me almost 5 months to recover from all the "newness" to start posting on a regular basis. 
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So here you go, some more of our "other" pictures from this beautiful day that found us discovering this gorgeous beach but also getting stranded there at nightfall. ✨🌘
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Thank goodness, the owner of the beach restaurant drove us home after taking pity on us, but that's a story for the blog and another day! 😅😅😅
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Thanks to you all for following our adventures (mainly on FB right now) and if you feel inclined, I'd love to know what "oops" type situations you've found yourselves in when travelling! ✈️🧳
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#portugal #portugaltravelers #portugaltravels #portugal🇵🇹 #familytravelblog #portugalguide #familytravelbloggers #portugaltravel #familytravel #familytraveltips #movingtoportugal #learnportuguesewords #travelingfamily #portugal_lovers #familytravelblogger #portugal #portugaltravelling #portugalfoodandtravel #portugaltravelpt #travelfamily #travelfamilyblog #familytravelling #learnportuguese #movingtoportugalsoon #learnportugueseportugal
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Sent via @planIoly #planoly
Hello from Portugal!! 🇵🇹
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If you've been following "It's The Maples" you know that we are a Canadian family who up until recently lived in our beloved Nova Scotia after making a spontaneous move from downtown Toronto almost 13 years ago!
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Well, new news...Back in late September/early October of 2022 we made another BIG decision to move our family to Portugal.
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Since my husband and I have worked full-time from home since University, with our online marketing and content creation company, the move was easy enough to make - at least from a work standpoint because all we need are our phones, laptops and internet connection- but more on the many other unforeseeable hiccups we encounter later!
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That said, the minute I stepped off the plane I, of course, thought that I would start sharing our experiences right away...but with the excitement, the ups and downs and the complete culture shock, it has taken me over 4 months to even begin to write my first post here on Instagram and my blog post. 
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So today, writing from a different lens, one that isn't quite as emotional and now has some distance between when we first arrived, I am thrilled to share our journey and this sweet and beautiful life we have built here over the last few months.  So stay tuned as I share more pics! 
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Sent via @planoly #planoly #portugal #portugal #portugaltravel #portugalguide #portugal_lovers #portugal🇵🇹 #portugal #portugaltravelers #portugaltravels #portugaltravelpt #portugalfoodandtravel #portugaltravelling #movingtoportugal #movingtoportugalsoon #familytravel #travelfamily #travelingfamily #familytravelblog #familytravelblogger #travelfamilyblog #familytraveltips #familytravelbloggers #familytravelling #learnportugueseportugal #learnportuguese #futebol #thebeautifulgame #canadianstravel #canadianfamilytravels
These boys make my heart sparkle like champagne! 💗 Happy National Sons Day! 
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#nationalsonsday #nationalsonsday💙 #happynationalsonsday #happynationalsonsday💙 #boymama #boymamalife #lovemyboys #lovemyboys💙 #myheart #myboysmyworld #sonsandmothers #grateful #blessed #blessedandhighlyfavored #myloves
Monstera friends, is this a new baby leaf? . . #m Monstera friends, is this a new baby leaf? 
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#monsteracare #monsteracareguide #monsteralovers #monsteralove #monsteraleaf #monsteraplant #monsteradeliciosa #monsteramonday #monsteraplants #monsteraplantsofinstagram #monsterainstagram #indoorplants #indoorplantsdecor #indoorplantsofinstagram #plantmama #plantmamas #monsterapropagation #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantsmakemehappy🍃 #plantenergy #plantlover
Monstera love 💗 . . Share your Monstera pics wi Monstera love 💗
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Share your Monstera pics with me pleeeeaaase! 😊🪴🪴🪴!
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#monsteradeliciosa #monsteralove #monstera #monsteramonday #plantmama #plantmom #plantlove #plantloversofinstagram #swisscheeseplant #swisscheesemonsteraplant🌱 #plantsofinstagram #plantlover #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantsmakemehappy #plantsmakemesmile
Peach picking. . . #summer #fruitpicking #peaches Peach picking.
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#summer #fruitpicking #peaches #peaches🍑 #summerdays #novascotiasummersaremagic #novascotiasummers #peachtrees #peachfestival #farmsofns #dempseyscornerorchard #peachpicking
My 12 year old wrote this on the kitchen board las My 12 year old wrote this on the kitchen board last night. I just found it this morning since I wasn’t feeling well yesterday and went straight to bed. He’s such a light in my life.
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#hopeandfaith #hopeandfaithandlove #blessedandgrateful #blessedbeyondmeasure #howdidigetsolucky❤️ #ourkidsteachus #ourkidsteachusaboutlife #ourkidsteachussomuch #ourkidsteachusmanylessons #joy #thursdaythoughts #thursdaymorning
Browsing through my memories and this pic came up. Browsing through my memories and this pic came up. 
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It doesn’t seem so long ago, but this beautiful boy will be a teenager in just a few short months. How quickly the time goes.
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Lately, I find myself staring at his face, realizing how much he’s changed. It’s so bittersweet because no matter how amazing it is to watch him grow, I also miss him being little enough that I could scoop him up in my arms, as I still do with his little brother.
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#lovethiskid #timegoesbysoquickly #watchhimgrowingup #boymama #throwbackpic #mybabyboy💙 #couldnotloveanythingmore #solongagobutfeelslikeyesterday #theygrowuosofast #feelinghappyandsadatthesametime #blessedandgrateful #blessedbeyondmeasure #myboy❤️ #myboy #mamabear #specialtimes #pumpkinpants
Choose to be kind. . . #kindnessmatters #kindnessc Choose to be kind.
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#kindnessmatters #kindnesscounts #kindnessiscontagious #bekindtoeverykind #kindnesscounts #itsimportanttobekind #lovingkindness #compassion #compassionandkindness #compassionandlove #bekindalways #bekindtooneanother #quotestoliveby #dalailama #dalailamaquotes #dalailamaquote #wordstoliveby #wordstolivebyalways
Love this photo of J! . . #footy #adidas #adidasc Love this photo of J! 
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#footy #adidas #adidascanada #soccerkids #soccertraining #soccerislife #soccerplayer⚽️ #onthepitch💚💚💚 #shootingdrills⚽️ #lovethiskid #myboy #boymomlife #soccermom #soccermoms #soccermoms⚽️ #soccermoments #sportpictures
Low key Easter with my 3 beautiful boys! . . Have Low key Easter with my 3 beautiful boys!
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Have to say, I’m loving the Amish Butterprint Pyrex on the table.  It’s a happy day when we use it!  How was your Easter weekend? 
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#easter2021 #easterweekend #easterwithkids #amishbutterprint #amishbutterprintpyrex #amishbutterprintpattern #amishbutterprintmixingbowls #amishbutterprints #vintagepyrex #vintagepyrexlove #vintagepyrexlovers #vintagepyrexcollection #vintagepyrexcollector #vintagepyrexbowls #pyrexcinderellabowls #pyrexcinderella #pyrexcinderellas #easterdinner #easterdinnertable #easterdinnertabledecor #easterdinner2021
Happy Easter! 🐣 . . This is my favourite Easte Happy Easter! 🐣 
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This is my favourite Easter centrepiece.  Used many, many Peeps and pink tulips.  Love the way it turned out!
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#happyeaster #happyeaster🐰 #happyeaster🐰 #peeps #peepsmarshmallows #peepscenterpiece #peepscenterpieces #eastertable #easterdecor #easterdecoration #easterdecorating #peepsmarshmallowbunnies #peepsmarshmello #peepsmarshmallowbunny #easterweekend #easterpictures #eastermood
Our orchid is in full bloom! 🌸🌸🌸 . . #suc Our orchid is in full bloom! 🌸🌸🌸
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#suchabeauty #orchid #orchidsofinstagram #orchids #orchidlover #orchidflower #bloomingorchid #bloomingorchids #orchidbloom #orchidblooms #orchidbloomsofinstagram #newtoorchids #flowers🌸 #flowersofinstagram #flowerdays #takingcareoforchids #orchidcare #orchid101 #orchidmom #orchidmoments #orchidmomma #orchidshare #orchidlove #orchidlovers
This past year during lockdown, we started using t This past year during lockdown, we started using the meal kit service, Chef’s Plate.
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We love to cook in our house but despite our love to cook, getting the meal kit was more of an “event”. Sort of like eating at a restaurant; eating something you wouldn’t normally cook but with all the convenience of eating at home. 
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Check out the blog, because on it I wrote an article on the “ Top 10 Reasons We Use Chef’s Plate” and it’s been a lot of fun, especially for the kids!
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So if you’re looking to break the monotony of weeknight dinners, let me know.  I’ve got $40 off coupons to share and occasionally a FREE box, too!
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Read the blog post and watch the video when the kids get involved and cook the Bavarian Pork Chop meal - such a great experience for the little ones and so delicious!
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#chefsplate #chefsplatemeals #chefsplaterecipe #chefsplaterecipes #chefsplatemenu #mealkitservice #mealkitservicecanada #mealkits #mealkitdeliveryservice #mealkitdeliveryservices #mealkitdeliveryservicediscountcode #mealkitdeliveryservicevouchercodes
My Majesty Palm. 💗💗💗 . . I’m all about My Majesty Palm. 💗💗💗
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I’m all about my plants recently, so you’ll have to excuse the obsession!
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I can’t stop taking pictures!  It must be spring in the air! 🪴🌱🪴🌱
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#majestypalm #majestypalmsofinstagram #beautifulpalms #houseplantsofinstagram #houseplantsofinsta #majestypalmplant #majestypalmtree #indoormajestypalm #tropicalplantsofinstagram #tropicalplants #iloveplants #kidsandplants #plantsofinstagram #indoorplantsdecor
I’ve become the mother of houseplants. I just l I’ve become the mother of houseplants.  I just love my plant babies so much!  What are your favourites? 
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#houseplants #housepanthersofinstagram #motherofhouseplants #houseplantbabies #plantbabies🌱 #plantbabies #bostonferns #bostonfernlover #inamemyplants #inamemyplantsokay #thisisgeorgia #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantsmakemesmile #plantsmakemesmile🌿
Boys went tobogganing today! . . #outdoorfun #out Boys went tobogganing today! 
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#outdoorfun #outdooradventures  #winterfun #wintersports #getoutsideandplay #getoutsidemore #getoutsidemoreoften #toboganning #toboganningfun #toboganningtime #sledding #sleddingfun #letssled #canadianwinters #canadianwinter #canadianwinters🇨🇦 #winterinnovascotia #winterinnovascotia2021 #wintersunshine☀️
As he was getting dressed to play outside, Henry w As he was getting dressed to play outside, Henry was struggling to put on a glove and he said to me, “Mommy, I don’t think I have enough fingers for this.” 😂
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#snowdays #playinthesnow #thisis5 #5yearolds #lovethisboy💙 #lovethisboysomuch #outdoortime #novascotialife #christmassnow #whitechristmas❄️ #mybabyboyforever #thingskidssay #funnythingskidssay #funnykidstuff #kidssaythefunniestthings #kidssaythefunnieststuff #lovewhathesays #lovewhathesaid
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