Coach Courtney here!
Meal prep, what better way to feel organized and set yourself up for success? Sometimes we get overwhelmed at the thought of how much work it requires. Well, I'm here to tell you, it doesn't have to be scary or overwhelming! Whether you are brand new to the meal prep world, or you're a veteran, here are some hacks that have helped me out:
Use A Slow Cooker
My absolute favorite kitchen appliance is my slow cooker. It's perfect for when I don't want to put much too much effort into meal prep. For meals in the slow cooker, you can generally put all the ingredients in together set it at your preferred setting, and let it go until it's done! While this isn't usually the option for quick meal prep, it's the best option for easy, and I think we all like easy! Chili is perfect in the slow cooker and can be frozen to reheat later.
Alternate Meals
I find that if I eat the same thing over and over I am more likely to get off track easily. I get bored, I want something different and before I know it my tracking is thrown off and it can be a downward spiral. The way I have combated this is by alternating my meals every week. Changing things up a bit every week is exciting, and gives you something new to look forward to.
Mason Jars
Everything is better in a Mason Jar! They come in several sizes and are very versatile. I like to use the small 4 oz jars for dips and sauces. A great use for the 16 oz jars are soups or even a no-bake dessert. My ultimate favorite use of them is a beautifully crafted salad using the 32 oz jars. The best part about these containers is that your salad will last for about 4-5 days!
Make Breakfast Easy With Egg Muffins
This is absolutely my favorite go-to for breakfast. Let's face it, many of us have very little time in the mornings. Life is happening and making a big breakfast is the absolute last thing on your mind. Not only are the egg muffins versatile, and can be cooked ahead of time, refrigerated, and microwaved when you're ready! You can find some amazing egg muffin recipes on Pinterest for inspiration.
Keep Your Pantry Stocked
It's always a good idea to keep your staples on hand. This can be tricky, so taking inventory often is important. Another bonus is that keeping everything stocked and on hand will lessen your trips to the grocery store, and save you some money in the long-run. If you ever run into a situation that you didn't plan very well for the week and you find yourself in a tight spot, you have plenty of ingredients to create something amazing, a situation I've been in many times!
Bottom Line:
Meal prep doesn't have to be the dreadful thing you do on a Sunday. Using these hacks can save you time, money, and keep you on track!
Thanks for reading friends! Do you have any genius hacks that I didn't mention?? Leave them in the comments below! Be sure to come back on Friday for Week 2 of Lisa's Six Week Weight Loss Challenge! Read Week 1 here!