It’s time to take a deep breath and dice, sizzle and sauté your way to something tasty without all the added stress that comes with cooking and eating healthy. From choosing just the right recipe to facing the pile of dishes at the end, it’s hard not to opt for takeout after a busy day. But put down the to-go menu because with a few helpful tips, creating something savory may go from a chore to an escape. Embrace meal prepping with these tips!
Routine
Just like anything in life, sticking to a schedule is key when cooking healthy and prepping food. Meal prepping on Sundays is often your best bet because it allows you to have everything ready and organized for the week ahead.
Plan
Planning is another meal prep tip. The worst thing you can do is head to the store on an empty stomach with no list. Before any shopping trip, plan out a few recipes you want to cook for the week and list every ingredient you’ll need to make them. Try picking something that can be made multiple ways, such as chicken. Select three different seasonings, cut your chicken and divide the pan using aluminum foil.
Fun
It shouldn’t always be a chore to make something mouthwatering, which is why spicing things up can make it fun. Start with picking a theme for the week and build off of that. Try a soup and salad meal prep one week and then search for some easy on-the-go Mexican options the next. Packing salads in glass mason jars can be a great way to keep ingredients fresh, and it is a quick no-mess meal.
Experiment
What’s worse than the dreaded “what’s for dinner?” question? We all wish we could pull out a cookbook and throw together a new meal every night, but sometimes that just doesn’t happen. Experimenting in the kitchen and trying new tools are great ways to step out of your comfort zone and make something new. For example, instead of cooking plain old pasta, try a using a spiralizer to whip up some zucchini noodles for the week.
Zone
The last meal prep tip is to listen to music! Create a cooking playlist, light a few candles and give yourself the opportunity to escape life’s many distractions for a few hours. Focus on your creation, and use this time in the kitchen as a time to de-stress from everyday life.
Dice, sizzle and sauté cooking playlist
- “Electric Love” by BØRNS
- “Youth” by Troye Sivan
- “Good as Hell” by Lizzo
- “Good To Be Alive” by Andy Grammer
- “Boom Clap” by Charli XCX
- “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
We recommend the following Tex-Mex chicken recipe to kick start your meal prepping journey. Try adding vegetables like carrots or tomatoes for a variation!
Tex-Mex Chicken Mason Jar Salad
- 2 large chicken breasts
- Brown rice
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1⁄2 cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 1⁄2 cup fresh chopped jalapeños
- 1 bunch of kale, chopped
- Oregano
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 5 mason jars
Season chicken with a few sprinkles each of oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and enough lime juice to taste. Brown chicken and cut into strips.
Cook rice and set aside to cool.
Assemble bottom of mason jars with rice and build up with chicken, cilantro, jalapeños, kale and cheese. Top jars with a squeeze of lime.
Store and pour into a bowl when ready to eat!
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