I know for some that the mere mention of meal preparation your and eyes start to roll into the back of your head and you envision a day of slaving over a stove and a week of eating old tasting food. I am here today to change your mindset and share with you the many benefits of food preparation which include; time savings, money savings better organization and a plan for success
Tips to get started
Plan Ahead- If you fail to plan you plan to fail
In the past my husband and I used to walk aimlessly around the grocery store piling things into the shopping cart we thought we needed for the week based on the things we used most commonly. This was a massive mistake because once we got home we would try to plan our meals and realize that key ingredients were missing. This meant that we would waste some of the food we purchased and end up spending more money on the stuff we needed for the meals.
Plan the meals for the week before you go to the store. This will ensure you only purchase the foods you need based around your meal plan, ensuring variety, saving money, and debate over what to eat. Be sure to save one day for leftovers so you don’t waste any food.
Multitask
Plan on cooking multiple things at once! You can bake a chicken while boiling your eggs, roasting your veggies, and preparing and cutting up your veggies. This will maximize your meal prep time and make sure are efficient in the kitchen.
Start Simple
When starting your meal prep keep it simple and remain focused on your goals. Whether that’s better organization, money savings, or portion control. Start by prepping one protein that can be used for multiple meals. Roasting a chicken is the perfect starting point for meal prep newbies (I also love carnitas!). The chicken can be used in multiple dishes throughout the week, cutting down your cook time and keeping things healthy. Pre-slicing your veggies is another easy quick thing you can do to save time and have healthy options ready to go. I also like cooking a one pot meal on Sunday ( chilli, marinara, curry) so I have one dish ready to go for the week and want to pop in the freezer for another time.
Great Containers Make The Difference!
When you are meal prepping I think it’s helpful to use containers appropriate for the food you’re storing. I love mason jars for prepping overnight oats and storing soup (Plus I get extra points from my husband for using all the mason jars I keep saving!) I also like containers with compartments. It's great for portion control and just looks so darn cute!
The bottom line about meal prep is that it can be as complex or as simple as you want to make it! Remember why it serves your goals and how it adds value to your week.
Feel free to share your meal prep pics and plans!
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