MEAL PREP FOR BUSY PEOPLE
Meal prep saves you time, money and hassle, and it's the way I've been cooking for years now. It's also a big part of the reason I've been able to keep up my personal fitness along with a crazy work schedule and still squeeze in some time for fun on weekends. Since I get asked so often, I thought I'd share my foolproof method for easy meal prep and planning, including free printables!
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MEAL PREP Tips:
Keep it simple
If you just don't think you can plan out three meals a day, that's okay. Try planning dinner for each meal of the week, and make enough so that there are leftovers for lunches all week long. From there, you can keep a good inventory of snacks and simple breakfast ideas until you find recipes you're comfortable with and know you love.
Use the same ingredients more than once
This is hands down the best way to reduce food waste. Use those carrots for two or three different recipes; and no, you probably don't need to include eggplant in that recipe when you like red peppers or zucchini better, so make ingredient swaps work for you where you can. Buy fresh ingredients you know you'll use in a variety of recipes.
Prepare ingredients ahead of time
Know that you're making quinoa bowls later in the week? Make the quinoa or other grains ahead of time, or cook chicken in the oven or boil it to make pulled chicken for later in the work week. It helps to have some components of a recipe prepared ahead of time.
Keep a well-stocked pantry and spice drawer
This is another huge one for me. I ALWAYS make sure I have a ton of spices on hand so I can just add a little bit here and there, and I also make sure my pantry/fridge is stocked with staples like butter, olive oil, onions, garlic, crushed tomatoes, bouillon cubes, coconut milk, pickles, hot sauce, mustard, vinegars…you name it, I've got it. It makes life so much easier when you go to make a recipe and see you've already got most items on hand.
Keep a well-stocked freezer
This brings me to my second point: have a ton of meat in your freezer. I personally like to buy in bulk when meat goes on sale, and I have a ton of variety on hand, everything from turkey sausages to ground beef, shrimp and scallops. And of course, a bottomless supply of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. It may be expensive to stock up all at once but if you have all of these items on hand you're less likely to buy food out because you KNOW you have a ton of options to satisfy any cravings you have! And that can be cheaper in the long run!
Go easy on yourself
Sometimes life happens, and that's okay. Your meal plan is meant to help you stay organized and take a look at your week at a glance, not to rigidly lock you in – there will be some days you just don't want to cook, and that's okay. Being prepared helps get you back on track again the next day though!
Healthy Breakfast Ideas
Healthy Lunch Ideas
Healthy Dinner Ideas
My Favorite Meal Prep Tools
Latest Meal prep Recipes
Easy Baked Turkey Meatballs {Freezer-Friendly}
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Meal Prep Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
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Easiest Ever Ground Turkey Stir Fry
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The Best Stuffed Chicken Breasts {5 Flavours!}
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Spiralized Zucchini Pad Thai Bowls {Low-Carb}
These Spiralized Zucchini Pad Thai Bowls are a low-carb meal prep option made with chicken, fresh veggies and Pad Thai sauce. Ingredients and substitutions CoconutView Post
The Ultimate Cowboy Caviar {Best Dressing!}
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Warm Tahini Kale and Quinoa Bowl
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20 Easy Meal Prep School Lunch Ideas
These 20 Easy Meal Prep School Lunch Ideas will save you time in preparing delicious and healthy school lunches that the kids will love! School LunchView Post
22+ Quick and Easy Leftover Chicken Recipes
These Leftover Chicken Recipes are perfect for repurposing leftovers and reducing food waste – you can use rotisserie chicken instead, too! Leftover Chicken Recipes WonderingView Post
Protein Oatmeal {Meal Prep Breakfast}
This Protein Oatmeal is the ultimate meal prep breakfast – it’s high in fibre and protein with 18g of protein and your favourite toppings. IngredientsView Post
Tequila Lime Chicken {Applebee's Copycat}
This Tequila Lime Chicken is inspired by Applebee's Fiesta Lime Chicken. It's a tasty Tex Mex dinner idea that’s great for meal prep! Ingredients andView Post