3 Tips for Meal Planning success
Something I’ve Noticed is a Game-Changer For Many of My Clients is: Meal Planning!
I just spent 8 days working as a private chef at 2 back-to-back retreats. That meant shopping for, prepping, cooking, and presenting a total of 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 snacks, and 7 dinners (plus dessert and cake for two birthdays!) for dozens of hungry attendees. On top of it all, I had to deal with various allergies, including gluten, dairy, corn, soy and oxalates… No pressure! If you cook for your family, you can understand the struggle!
Take it from me that meal planning was CRUCIAL for those events to run successfully and for everyone to stay healthy, safe, and happily fed. And what do you know? Many of the guests were thanking me because they enjoyed my cooking AND their clothes were fitting more loosely by the end of the retreats. They had experienced the magic of meal planning, and so can you!
Here are my TOP 3 TIPS to set yourself up for success with a meal plan at home:
- Make it Healthy! Set aside some time to find nutritious recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack. Make sure each meal is whole-food dominant (fresh ingredients, not processed!) and well balanced with carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Remember that pre-made food keeps in the fridge for 4-5 days, so choose serving sizes for your meal-prep accordingly.
- Make it Yummy! You know I’m all about enjoying a delicious life – so make sure your meal-prep menu is full of a variety of flavors and textures. I recommend a smoothie for breakfast and energy balls for a snack for scrumptious recipes the whole family will love! If you plan meals you’ll look forward to, you’re more likely to be consistent with this healthy routine!
- Make it Easy! Choose recipes with short prep times and short ingredients lists to save time. Create a shopping list by writing down the ingredients and quantities from each recipe so you aren’t tempted to go off-menu at the store! Dedicate a block of time at the beginning of the week to prepare your meals. Store them in convenient 1 serving containers that can be reheated so you can easily grab them on-the-go!
To Help You Put an End to “Winging it,” Check Out This Special Meal Planning Class!
I created this class featuring a 5-recipe meal-prep that hit the healthy, yummy, and easy criteria out of the park! Each recipe is focused around the anti-cancer superfood, cabbage. I had the pleasure of involving my mom in this course when she made a special appearance to share her famous fermented cabbage recipe!