I have tried planning out a weeks worth of meals before. Finding new and different recipes, making the shopping list, forgetting multiple items on said list and returning to the store for the millionth time, making first meal of the week and eating out the rest of the week. So needless to say I was unsuccessful. I have also dieted. Who hasn't?. My last successful weight loss was using the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. 2 years ago, which I blogged about. Recently I jumped on the scale and realized that I am 5lbs away from weighing as much as I did 9 months pregnant with my 3rd child. Now I understand some of my weight is muscle but I know I gained most, if not all of my weight back. So I have been chatting with a trainer out in Colorado and he has helped me think up a general meal plan which includes TONS of protein, complex carbs and fresh green veggies.
Thinking back to my past experiences, I knew I would set myself up for failure if I didn't make my meals ahead of time. I am a busy mom of 3 with 2 jobs. I eat on the run a lot and crave not so great for you foods. However, I have learned that if I have an easy, ready made, healthy meal available I will choose that over McDonalds or a plate of nachos. Enter Meal Prep.
This is my second week meal prepping. Last week ( week 1) went GREAT. I ate good food and felt full all day. It wasn't until recently I realized that I basically cut out everything I crave and never noticed. Cheese ( everything is better when smothered in cheese). Bread, I will eat my weight in bread, especially if it's covered in cheese. White Carbs. and... salt. Not only was meal prep super convenient, but the busy husband loved it too. So here I am week 2, and some people have asked me to make a quick run down of my general prep. I am by no means a good cook, especially when it comes to cooking clean, so I have Pinterest to thank for most of these recipes. I will include some photos just to make it more interesting. If you are busy, eating on the go and want to eat healthier or just have the ease of supper ready for you all the time, try it! It's worth it I promise! Here we go.
Things you will need:
Menu. Pinterest has some great healthy meals. Make a menu and shopping list. I found if I made meals that had some of the same ingredients then the bill is cheaper and prep is faster. Win.
Measuring cups and food scale: This helps keep your portions in control and helps you fit everything into a container. Portion control is key... so they tell me.
Tupperware: Lots and lots of tupperware. Think of everything you are prepping. Breakfast, AM snack, Lunch, PM snack and Dinner. thats 5 containers for 1 day. For me anyway. If you choose to just prep lunch and dinner then thats only 2. still, it adds up.
1 Day: All you need is one day. One afternoon really depending on what you plan. Mondays are my easy day, so I have been prepping on Monday. maybe a sunday afternoon would work better for you. just set aside an afternoon, turn up the music and cook!
Ok I'm no pro, so lets get to it. Here is this weeks prep.
Menu: Turkey Tacos, Turkey sloppy Joes, Greek Quinoa salad, and Crab-less cakes( made with left over grilled chicken from last week).
Here is the photo of all the ingredients I am using to prep. A bit more than last week but SO worth it.
I will save you the details of my try at cooking and all its glory, although this week I have to say it's pretty yummy. Basically here you cook everything. I chopped all the veggies, cooked the meat, steamed my broccoli and cauliflower, boiled my eggs. ect. this is the time consuming part. Especially if you are cooking a million small parts to make one large one. I used Quinoa in every meal this week. A salad, in my sloppy joes and a side for my crab-less cakes. I also used Carrots in everything, and the cauliflower is a side and a binder in the cakes too. Catch my drift? Here are some photos of the cooking process.
Once everything is cooked and your sink is full of dishes, I suggest using a large space to put
everything on. since I am not a clean cook, my counter tops were non-existent so I have to use my kitchen table. I gather all of the food, tupperware and measuring bits in one area.
Now to putting everything together. Here is where my short attention span comes in. I put together some meals that I planned. But then I get fancy and start mixing things up. Because, well, you can. Do what you want here. just make sure you measure! My measurements are usually 4 oz of meat, 1 cup veggies and 1/2 cup complex carbs. Seems like a lot to me, but it keeps me full. Photos of composed meals. ( not all because I had to run out and buy more TUPPERWARE!)
so thats it. It's really simple. In case you are wondering of the aftermath........
Yep. That is my kitchen.. Told you I'm not a clean cook :) Happy Prepping! and thanks for reading.
