Ending Meal Prep Madness

Image Credit: Beachbody.com

When I first got started trying to eat better, I came across many website that offered weekly meal planning and prepping ideas.  I tried to plan the whole week, but quickly lost interest, for two main reasons.  

1:  It was just too time consuming.  I found the whole idea of planning every bite that I was going to eat--TEDIOUS and not enjoyable AT ALL.  

2:  I didn't like the way the food tasted at the end of the week.  I liked my food "fresher". 

So, I began to play around with meal planning and finding ways to plan ahead, but still have some flexibility.    What I found to work FOR ME....is to loosely plan 3 days at a time.  I'd rather go to the grocery store twice in a week.  

Since I always have a Superfood shake for breakfast, I only have to plan for 3 lunches and 3 dinners.  I rarely snack between meals because I like to feel "full" after a meal...and it's less hassle!  

If I am going to work several days in a row, I will plan a lunch that I will really enjoy.  Then I prep three lunches, and have them ready in the fridge.  It's just easier to get my lunch all set, and ready to go in separate containers.  When you cook your own food, you know what's in it, and can easily calculate the calories in the meal.

 Sometimes, made a soup I will enjoy, or plan for a Chicken Taco Salad. I love being able to try new recipes out this way, it's a great way to experiment with healthy cooking, before trying it out on the kids.  

THE PLAN:  Make an extra meal to eat for lunches while you are cooking another meal and have lunch ready for 3 days!  Saves time, and money having a GREAT LUNCH ready to go! 

I get most of my lunch ideas from the Skinny Taste Cookbook and Website: here 

This gal at Organize Yourself Skinny also has some great lunch ideas: here

Happy Cooking!!!