I usually do my meal prep the same day I get groceries. Luckily Ashton fell asleep on the drive home and continued to sleep at home for 2 hours so I was able to get a lot done in a short amount of time. I actually really enjoy meal prep when I have the kitchen to myself and a good podcast on or youtube videos playing.
I did my shopping on Saturday with a stop at the St. Norbert Farmers Market. I picked up some free run eggs to last us a while, some grass-fed beef, raspberries and lots of veggies. I plan to roast up the beets, some new potatoes, carrots and celery along with meat balls for tonight.
My weekly shopping usually consists mostly of produce. I like to stock up on rice in the huge bags so I don't have to buy it too often. We also occasionally eat rice noodles and I stock up on those when they are on sale and raw nuts from Costco (store them in the freezer). I usually have a freezer already stocked with meat. Some from Costco and some from local farmers. I buy lots of bananas when I find them ripe and discounted. I chop them up and freeze them for smoothies and "ice cream".
Washing Tips
To wash my produce well, I throw everything into a clean sink with about a cup of vinegar and a tablespoon of baking soda (don't measure, just throw it in). Let it sit in the water for about 10 minutes. This cleans the produce well and will take off a little extra pesticide if you aren't buying organic. The vinegar helps keep it fresh longer as well because it kills off mold growth. If I have a lot of produce I usually do this in a couple water baths. One with my fruit and one with my veg.
I usually like to do up a few salads in individual glass containers or one big salad to last a few days.
- make your own trail mix using a mixture of nuts, seeds and dried fruit divided up into ziplock snack bags.
- cut block cheese up into cheese "stick" and wrap. (quick snack on the go - Ashton's favourite)
- boil eggs for a quick snack or to top on a salad for lunch
- make salads; either 1 huge one in a big bowl or mason jar salads
- cook up a batch of beans or rice to go with salads
- wash up greens and other veg and throw in a large container or large ziplock for quick green smoothies or for juicing.
- bake up a homemade treat like Larabars, Black Bean Brownies, Chickpea Blondies, muffins or Real Deal Chocolate Chip Cookies.
- have veggies washed and peeled so they can quickly be thrown in a stirfry or soup
- make up a huge pot of soup (freeze some for quick lunches or an easy supper)
- make up a homemade dressing and store in a mason jar.
- try to get your husband or parents to take the kid(s) out for an afternoon while you prep. I find I really enjoy meal prep when I have that time to myself and have a podcast going or youtube videos on.
- do meal prep the day of...or day after grocery shopping.
- make up a meal plan the day before or just have an idea of at least 4 meals you'd like to make that week.
- if you don't have a full afternoon then just prep the fruits and vegetables. I often just get this done after grocery shopping and it makes healthy eating so much easier.