This week, I wanted to share what I’ve been doing for meal prep.
I’ve been sharing meal prep inspiration since the start of the blog. I’ve managed quick meal preps and summer camp lunches and budget-friendly preps.
I would say that meal prepping has been the single most impactful habit I’ve added to my life in the last few years.
Benefits of Meal Prepping
- Save time during the week
- Make the mess all at once (less clean-up!)
- Portion control
- Convenience on workdays
- Eat more vegetables
- Eat at home more, less dining out
And these are just a few of the benefits I’ve experienced! Since we don’t mind eating leftovers or prepped ahead food in our household, meal prepping generally means I can make food for any or all members of my family, helping us all save time and eat better.
When I manage to prepare dinners in advance as well, meal prepping gives me more time to spend with my kids around the dinner table as well.
This Week’s Meal Prep
I was pressed for time this week since I usually cook and clean up on Sunday afternoons and we had plans this particular weekend. I spaced out the prep slightly to accommodate this change in schedule.
Saturday: I prepared large pots of minestrone and split pea soup, and I had the groceries I needed delivered (another time-saving strategy I’ve embraced in the last few years)
While all the groceries were already out, I washed produce (like raspberries and blueberries) and prepared a quick batch of green juice.
While I was cooking the pasta for the minestrone, I also prepared extra noodles for simple pasta dishes for weeknight dinners (since my husband, A., works second shift, he always packs his dinner to go).
Sunday morning: I made a large batch of pancakes using a box mix (shortcuts!) for the kids’ breakfast and to save the extras for easy weekday breakfasts. These freeze well if you won’t eat them all at once too.
I’ve gotten into the habit of making mason jar salads, and those quickly came together in between the flipping of pancakes.
While I took one of the kids out for breakfast (a tradition we started to give us one-on-one time with our boys), A. prepared a double batch of tofu.
Sunday evening: When we returned from our planned activities on Sunday, all I needed to do was prep rice and broccoli and combine it all in containers to make tofu rice bowls for easy lunches or snacks.
This week was a great reminder that meal prep can be accomplished even when you’re tight on time.