Food Prep Series 2014 - Part 1

So every Sunday, before the week starts I'm going to share two tips that I have learned that are valuable to me in the kitchen, in keeping things easy and convenient. 

Like I said in a previous post, food prep is SUPER IMPORTANT if you want to eat healthy. You prep once for the week and then you're done.

Tip #1 - Make your week long meal plan

Without having a plan for the week, for dinners primarily, you won't know where to start. When you sit down, look through recipes or through your cupboards, ask your loved ones (or roommates) what they would like throughout the week for supper you can create a healthy list of dinners. From that, you can make your shopping list, adding extra veggies and fruit for lunches. 

While creating this meal plan, think not only of what you already have and can use, but of what can be made extra of, then used for another meal. This saves loads of time, and dishes. 

Tip #2 - Cut, chop, portion and create in advance, and make extra

Boil a dozen eggs to use throughout the week, cut up veggies such as carrots or peppers, and portion into bags or containers for quick grab and go veggie options for lunches. Do the same with fruit if you wish, I don't personally as I dislike browning fruit from the oxygen in the air. You can also portion out extra things such as yogurt (if you buy the big tubs) or hummus. This makes lunches super quick to put together in the morning. When you buy a big pack of chicken thighs or breasts, either portion into the amount you will use for one meal (raw chicken) and put your marinade/spices in or leave plain and freeze. You can do the same with ground beef, add your spices, onions, peppers etc and COOK before portioning for spaghetti sauce or tacos. You can even cook up rice or noodles and freeze in portions. This makes supper prep RIDICULOUSLY easy throughout the week. You can just pull out what you need from the freezer the night before and it's already cooked for you, or marinated and ready to go.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post where I will share a freeze and go slow cooker chicken recipe.

Remember, healthy eating doesn't have to be HARD but it does take a bit of effort to get you into a routine that works for you, and doing the prep will make your week less complicated.