So much is going on in my life and home right now and I’ll just bet it is the same for you. Are you trying to keep up that New Year’s resolution to eat better and exercise more?
A key for me has been meal prepping, and if you haven’t attempted it, I would like to encourage you to give it a try.
Maybe it seems like meal prepping is too much work, but in reality with a bit of effort at the beginning, you can give yourself the gift of time, health and peace of mind when you know what is for supper.
Start with your family’s favourite recipes, or a new cookbook. My go-to is http://www.skinnytaste.com for healthy recipes. The WW points are included which keeps me on track. So far every one I have tried gets a big thumbs up from my husband too (always a bonus).
You can find meal plan ideas online that will outline suggested meals for the week if it is the planning that causes you more headaches. I’m working on compiling some of my family’s favourite healthy recipes, so stay tuned for that! After eight years on this healthy eating journey, I have amassed quite a few!
Start small – I would not suggest you dive in with once a month cooking! Plan one meal ahead. Yesterday, I made a WW recipe Instant Pot Chicken Mole. Quick and easy. I simply doubled the recipe and have enough for supper tonight which helps as I am working an evening shift. Sometimes if I am off two days in a row (oh, the luxury!) I will make a fresh meal the second day and then alternate the leftovers. That way you are not eating the same meal two days in a row.
I sometimes double recipes and pop the extra in the freezer for a busy work day ahead. Those are also great to take to a friend who might need a break from cooking one night.
Use those “servants” you have in your chicken. Years ago before blogs were popular I subscribed to an email list on homemaking and the writer called her bread maker and crockpot her “servants”. She liked to get them working early in the morning. Now we can add Instant Pot to that list of servants.
Another method of meal prepping that has benefited me is to cut up fruit and vegetables when I get home from the store, or at least for more than one meal. If we are making homemade pizza for supper, we chop enough veggies to add to scrambled eggs the next morning. I am more likely to eat a salad at work if everything is cut up. The same goes with grabbing fruit for a snack or dessert. If you open the fridge and see a whole pineapple, chances are you won’t feel like cutting it up for a snack, but something less healthy might be more convenient.
There are some things that I buy already prepared. Yes, it costs more, but my health is worth it. If you absolutely hate cutting vegetables for snacks – buy a veggie tray. I pay extra to purchase riced cauliflower. It is really a great substitute for rice (or you could go half and half with rice) but for that item I would rather pay than compare.
Again, start slow. Some weeks I will prepare three or four items on one day for the freezer. Other weeks are busier and I just double recipes as I go.
Seasons with Grace 