Meal Prep & Reminders

Nook calculates when you need to start cooking and sends reminders so meals are ready on time. Learn how meal prep reminders work and how to customize them.

How Prep Reminders Work

Nook calculates reminder time based on:

Reminder Time = Meal Time - Prep Time - Cook Time - Buffer

Example

• Dinner time: 6:00 PM
• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 45 minutes
• Buffer: 15 minutes
• Reminder at: 4:40 PM

You receive a notification: "Time to start Chicken Parmesan - 65 min total"

Configuring Meal Times

Your meal times affect when reminders are sent.

Setting Meal Times

1. Go to Settings > Meals
2. Set times for each meal type:
   • Breakfast: When you typically eat breakfast
   • Lunch: When lunch is served
   • Dinner: When dinner is ready
   • Snack: When snacks happen
3. Save changes

Per-Day Variations

If weekday and weekend schedules differ, consider:

• Setting times for the more common scenario
• Adjusting individual meal times when planning

Buffer Time

The buffer adds extra time for:

• Gathering ingredients
• Preheating oven
• Minor delays
• Setting the table

Adjusting Buffer

1. Go to Settings > Notifications
2. Find Meal Prep Reminders
3. Adjust Buffer time (default: 15-30 minutes)

Longer buffer for:

• New or complex recipes
• Cooking with kids
• Recipes requiring mise en place

Shorter buffer for:

• Familiar recipes
• Simple meals
• Experienced cooks

Reminder Notifications

What You'll See

🍽️ Time to start: Chicken Stir-Fry
45 min total (15 prep + 30 cook)
Dinner for 4 at 6:00 PM

Reminder Channels

Choose how to receive prep reminders:

• In-app - Shows in notification center
• Push - Browser or mobile notification
• Email - For less time-sensitive meals
• SMS - When you're away from devices

Configure in Settings > Notifications > Meal Reminders.

Per-Meal Type Settings

You might want different settings for different meals:

Breakfast

Often skipped for reminders (quick meals or routines).

Lunch

May not need reminders if you prep in the morning.

Dinner

Most important for reminders—busiest time of day.

Snacks

Usually skip reminders unless they require prep.

Configuring

1. Go to Settings > Notifications
2. Expand Meal Reminders
3. Toggle on/off for each meal type
4. Adjust timing preferences

Multiple Cooks

If multiple family members share cooking:

Assigning Cooks

Note who's cooking in the meal plan description.

Individual Reminders

Each person can configure their own reminder preferences:

• Enable for assigned meals only
• Choose their notification channels
• Set their preferred buffer times

Complex Meals

Some meals have components that start at different times:

Example: Thanksgiving Dinner

• Turkey: Start 4 hours before
• Stuffing: Start 2 hours before
• Vegetables: Start 1 hour before
• Gravy: Start 30 minutes before

Handling in Nook

Option 1: Add notes with staggered start times

Option 2: Create multiple meal entries for major components

Option 3: Use the recipe instructions to detail timing

Make-Ahead and Leftovers

Marking Make-Ahead

For meals you prep in advance:

1. Add the meal to your plan
2. In notes, indicate "Make ahead: prep Sunday"
3. Optionally disable same-day reminder

Leftover Meals

When planning to use leftovers:

1. Add a custom meal "Leftover Taco Bowls"
2. Link to original recipe if helpful
3. Set minimal prep/cook time
4. Reminders adjust accordingly

Tips for Meal Prep

Weekend Batch Cooking

Plan prep sessions for the weekend:

• Chop vegetables for the week
• Cook grains and proteins
• Prepare sauces and marinades

Mise en Place

The reminder buffer includes time to gather ingredients. Use it to:

• Pull items from fridge/pantry
• Measure ingredients
• Prep cutting boards and tools

Parallel Cooking

For multiple dishes:

• Start the longest item first
• Use reminder for the main dish
• Add side dish timing to notes

Delegate Tasks

When cooking together:

• One person preps while another cooks
• Kids can help with simple tasks
• Divide recipe steps between people