Five Secrets To Make Meal Prep Easier.

What are your major challenges with actually meal prepping?

Facts: You want health-full meals, you def don’t want to cook every night, you don’t want to have to always be doing dishes - ugg, so why don’t you do it?

Do you think if you had some pro tips in your pocket you might be more willing to break out your cutting board and switch on that stove?

Settle down there Sally. First, we have to talk about where your head and calendar are hanging out. Having been a grocer and farmer I have been intertwined in many families food stories. Here is what I’ve learned… I truly believe half of the challenge with meal prep is mental blocks, and the other half is setting aside/scheduling the time. 

Mentally: You have to WANT to do it. Find your WHY. My why is staying healthy (disease prevention/feeling good daily) and reducing inflammation (goodbye achy joints that suddenly appeared in my 30s). When I eat well, I can do the things I want to do in life like avoid brain fog to be able to spend time writing + growing my business consistently, and increased physical stamina to spend time outside in nature hiking for my mental health. 

Time: Most people say they don't have the time, but is there something you can give up in your schedule to make it a priority? We make time for the things that are truly important to us. 

Once you’ve got your mind right and your calendar blocked off, and are still feeling stuck, check out these secrets to meal prep like a pro. When you meal prep like a pro, the whole process is easier. 

01. Take inventory of what you already have & plan meals around that.

→ Avoid duplicating ingredients, one can only eat so many cans of beans!

→ You’ll have a less cluttered pantry & find things easier. 

→ You won’t waste money on things you don’t need and impulse buy. 

→ Use existing ingredients as inspiration for your upcoming meals.

02. Use ingredients in multiple ways. You won't tire of it as quickly.

→ For items like proteins, grains, legumes, and vegetable season with neutral flavors (S&P, garlic, onion) so they can be versatile when pivoting to multiple meals.

→ Texture goes a long way with the perception of an ingredient. Chop peppers small for a pasta salad and large for fajitas. Make that steak the star the first night and then slice it thin for your fajitas. 

03. Always be thinking about your next meal. You'll spend less time in the kitchen. 

→ When making a meal, you already have everything out to prep - your cutting board & knife + dirty dishes. Don’t just prep for the meal you’re eating now. What can you chop or marinade for your next one?

→ By prepping ahead in batches, you’ll be able to just throw your ingredients together when you’re ready to cook! 

→ Stretch more expensive proteins and vegetables between meals. Fill in with pantry staples like legumes & value veg like celery and carrots. 

04. Get inspired. Think outside your repertoire. 

→ Cook seasonally. Let those ingredients drive your meal plan. When produce is in the season it is often more affordable because it is more abundant. Supply and demand people. 

→ Buy sale items and see what you can make with them! Get funky with that random tapenade (ex. many cultures put olives on fish)! 

→ Read a thrift store vintage cookbook, listen to a podcast like The Splendid Table with Francis Lam, or watch a cooking show like Chopped. Try to learn new things to keep things fresh. 

→ I don’t need to tell you to Google or YouTube ingredients do I?

05. Just do it + tips for getting through it. 

→ Schedule meal prepping & don’t let other plans get in the way. PUT THAT SHIT ON YOUR CALENDAR.

→ Purposefully multi-task. Listen to podcasts, turn on the TV, brew a special tea, or call an old friend. When you combine a pleasant activity with a less pleasant one, you’re more likely to do it. 

→ Use it as an excuse for me-time. Ask your sister to babysit or skip Friday night out. Focus on the positive benefits you & your family will get from healthy meals. 

→ Stop making excuses. You’re always going to be busy. Make the time to take care of yourself. “I regret the healthy food choices I made,” said no one ever…

I hope this helps you on your food prep journey. Let me know in the comments what tips you have for getting to it and getting through it!