Food Prep and Beyond..because I tend to go on and on...
8:53 PM
Last week I posted a little bit about how I've started to food prep and really spend time planning and getting ready for the week.
This is something NEW for me. I'm in general NOT a planner. I tend to be the one who makes a grocery list, leaves it at home, and casually wings it as I sashay down EVERY isle filling my cart UPPP.
Well, I've been working on that. I must say, this has been a game changer for me!
So, before 2017 rolled in I had spent some time really thinking about changing up our eating habits. I knew as a family, we needed an OVERHAUL.
A couple of us suffer from some food sensitivities and I knew I needed to keep that in mind as well. So, what is the easiest way to avoid specific ingredients or food allergens?
Purchasing and preparing as many meals from as many WHOLE foods as possible.
Less processed = less ingredients to worry about!
Fresh veggies and fruits are GOD's gift, right there.
But wait, I'm NO gormet Chef. I generally always have something smoking when I cook.
Sooo how could I possible prepare REAL food that tastes good?
Hello, Pinterest!
(laughing out loud, literally).
So, get to the good stuff already!!
Here is a play by play of how I
(the unorganized, open the door the smoke is thick....)
prepare and eat for the week.
First, I begin by browsing some of my saved recipes. At this point there are several that have become favorites. I've found its easy for me to rotate those each week and then choose a night to add something different to try out.
I created this meal generator and slip it inside a of a binder pouch so
I can write on it with a dry erase marker.
It is very simple. That's how I like it.
I then create my grocery list based on the meals I've selected.
I also decide on what I like to call "one-pan roasted meal" that will serve as my main meal prep for lunch for the week.
I generally have two nights with left overs as well that I divide up for lunch.
Let's zoom on past the grocery trip.
Ok, now here is the break down of a typical meal prep for MY lunches:
I love to have warm, filling, meals. That is what works for me. If something ELSE works for you, that is WONDERFUL, too!!
Maybe it's the season we are in, but I'm in LOVE with all things roasted veggies.
Pictured is, carrots, brussel sprouts, broccoli, butternut squash,
fresh whole green beans, and sweet potato.
I also have some skinnless boneless chicken breasts.
I promise I am not STUCK on chicken. Other weeks, it has been a mixture of salmon or pork. I do try to find lean cuts of meat that will roast well without drying out.
I then begin chopping and seasoning. I use extra light olive oil, salt and pepper, and occasionally fresh garlic. I do sprinkle pumpkin pie spice on the butternut squash. Yum.
I like to prep my chicken with the ELOO, salt and pepper, fresh garlic, and fresh parsley.
Fresh herbs and simple spices really bring out the flavors.
I wrap the seasoned chicken in parchment paper and create a bag of sorts to lock in the juices and keep it moist.
I had that "one-pan" meal loaded!!!
Pop it all into the oven about 25-30 minutes...
Its wonderful. In a short time you have a VARIETY of veggies and your yummy protein for SIMPLE meals throughout the week.
Like I said, I generally eat mine for lunch every day as soon as I get home from the gym. It is a great warm meal that is balanced with good carbs, lean protein, and VEGGIES.
If we have a busy night I will also eat one on occasion.
I love the portioned container. I use the largest side for my greens.
The protein and carbs go in the other two spots, and I'm set!
Pop, those bad boys in the fridge and I don't have to worry about scrambling and searching for meals when I come home famished from the gym!
I'm sure you are curious as to what I eat the rest of the week, but I will save that for another day!
I will share my Pinterest board that has some meals saved for inspiration that I've tweaked and used as well as recipes we have tried and love.
I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has been an encouragement and support along the way. I am in NO way an expert. My journey has JUST begun.
I'm learning each day how to make better choices.
I am human.
I have failed in the past.
I plan on SLAYING my fears of failure.
I will NOT let them (fears/failures) control me.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. -Proverbs 3:5-6
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