Just in Thyme (with Emily Metzger)

Love Served Simply & Expert Tips for Personal Meal Planning

This post is a special one. It marks what I hope is the first of many. Potentially a series in the works, but only time will tell.

One of the many reasons I created this corner of the internet was to collaborate with friends and people who inspire me. Emily is one of those people. She recently launched a new business and brand called Dinner Thyme. It’s equal parts thoughtful as it is practical. Throughout our conversation, she gave me an entirely new perspective on how I could approach the idea of a “meal.”

I’ve captured bits from our conversation, a breakdown of her business, and a real highlight of the wisdom she brings to the table. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed the meal, company, and chat we shared last Tuesday.

So, without further ado. Let’s welcome Emily and Dinner Thyme to Before the Rush.

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The One, The Only, Emily :)

What is Dinner Thyme?

Dinner Thyme is a meal-planning service that brings the peace and joy of a home-cooked meal, without the stress of the prepping, planning, or cooking.

At this table, you can show up as you are.

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Emily’s Inspiration

For Emily, the inspiration is personal. Curated through intimate memories and first driven by the women who came before her, a meal is more like a love language. It was her grandma and her mother that showcased the labor of love that came with three intentional meals on the table.

As we’re chatting, Emily smiles, remembering the meals her mom made whenever she was sick or feeling low. For her, the dinner table became a space for intimate moments that reflected authenticity, connection, and that feeling of truly being seen.

In addition to her family, Emily also draws inspiration from Ina Garten, Alison Roman, local restaurants, and the occasional New York Times recipe. As much as she knows about ingredients like gochujang (I had to Google that one!), there’s a genuine spark that comes from her as she dives into the details behind her business.

A meal isn’t just a love language. It’s her language.

Emily’s Tips for Simplifying Meal Planning

1. Remember, cooking is more gracious than baking. You have room to play and experiment! Get a little messy, try new things, and don’t worry if it doesn’t turn out perfectly.

2. Have one solid meal that you can count on. If all else fails and you don’t know what to cook, you can use this one as your safety net.

3. Stick to ingredients that are versatile. There are so many recipes that can be created with simple ingredients like rice, eggs, soy sauce, quinoa, tofu, etc.

4. This one kind of leans into #3, but build a repertoire of recipes surrounding a single ingredient.

And now…my favorite tip.

5. Cook for yourself the way that you would cook for a loved one.

This is where it clicked for me. I’ve often approached eating, meals, and grocery shopping as just necessities. Things to check off the list. But what if it was about love? What if it was about embracing the life, joy, and vibrancy that food can offer?

There’s been a trend going around about “making your kitchen your favorite restaurant,” and honestly, I think there’s something to that.

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The Whole Spread

Here is a breakdown of Dinner Thyme’s offerings, thoughtfully curated by Emily for everyday meals, at-home hosting, or special occasions.

First Tier // The Weekly Menu

• A personalized weekly menu and grocery list—just for you.

• Tailored to your preferences, dietary needs, and schedule.

• You do the cooking, but we take the guesswork out of what’s for dinner.

Second Tier // Meal Prep

• We cook and prep as many meals as you need for the week.

• Everything is ready to go, so you can eat well without the daily hassle.

Third Tier // The Complete Package (or Special Events)

• Three meals a day, fully prepped or cooked for you.

• Whether it’s a busy week or a special gathering, we’ve got it covered.

• You focus on the people and the moment—we’ll handle the food.

If you’re interested in learning more about Dinner Thyme, you can visit the official Instagram page here! DM with questions and inquiries!

And, don’t forget to show your support. A simple like and follow goes a long way ☺️

Until next time!

— Erika

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I’m curious. What would be your ”safety net” meal? Recipe links welcome in the comments! How do you, personally, stay on top of meal planning?

Drop a note in the comments. 💬

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