Learn to Meal Plan

It all started when…

I realized I had to cook food for myself in college once I moved off campus and I began to rethink the kinds of foods I really wanted to eat.

I grew up on mostly convenience foods, and while I loved them then, I’ve changed my preferences now. I’ve seen just how much better I feel and how fun it can be to cook and eat foods made with whole, fresh ingredients.

But when I had busy seasons (like working a job until 6 pm or being heavily involved in different activities after work), I realized I didn’t have the time or the patience to make a labor-intensive meal every evening.

Enter meal planning. I prep and cook when I have more time (like on a free week night or weekend afternoon) and reheat leftovers or assemble food and put on final touches during the week for quicker meals. Voila! Healthy, cost-effective, fast, and delicious food!

Why I Love Meal Planning & Prepping

• I save money at the grocery store because I have a plan

• I save time at the grocery store because I know what I’m looking for

• I save time at home because I know what I’m going to make

• I always have leftovers on hand for quick meals

• It’s easy to stash extra servings in the freezer for fast meals on busy days

• I waste less food because I can make a plan to use it all up

• I can communicate my plan for the week with my husband so he knows what’s for dinner

• I’m not stressed about what I’m going to make because I’ve already decided, shopped, and prepped food

• Last-minute changes are easy because food is prepped ahead of time and often freezer-friendly

• It’s easy to make food swaps and customize recipes, making it easy to make food I love with what I have

good meal prep recipes…

• don’t have too many ingredients

• don’t include any obscure ingredients you can’t easily find

• can easily be adapted for what ingredients you have on hand or changed to meet dietary requirements

• can easily be made ahead or frozen

• have relatively little hands-on time to make

• can be scaled up or down to make the right quantity for your family

• keep well for at least four days

• are full of good nutrients (protein, healthy fats, fruit and/or veggies) to both taste good and fill you up!

Favorite Meal Prep Recipes:

Breakfast:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats from Fit Foodie Finds

Protein Chia Pudding Cups from Fit Foodie Finds

Spinach Banana Pancakes from Nourish Move Love

Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups from Ambitious Kitchen

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cups from Ambitious Kitchen

Sweet Potato, Black Bean, & Avocado Breakfast Burritos from Ambitious Kitchen

Feel-Good Apple Muffins from Pinch of Yum

Chunky Monkey Granola from Paleo Running Momma

Paleo Breakfast Meal Prep Bowls from Paleo Running Momma

Keto Blueberry Muffins from Paleo Running Momma

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins from Paleo Running Momma

Loaded Paleo Breakfast Hash from Paleo Running Momma

One-Bowl Peanut Butter Protein Pancakes from Minimalist Baker

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal from Minimalist Baker

Lunch & Dinner:

Cauliflower Tikka Masala bowls from Fit Foodie Finds

Crockpot Curry Chicken from Fit Foodie Finds

Grilled Shrimp Meal Bowls from Fit Foodie Finds

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas/Burrito Bowls from Nourish Move Love

Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad from Ambitious Kitchen

Thai Coconut Curried Chicken & Rice from Ambitious Kitchen

Ginger Chicken Meatballs with Peanut Sauce from Ambitious Kitchen

Orange Chicken Stir Fry from Ambitious Kitchen

Easy Vegan Burrito Bowls from Pinch of Yum

Korean BBQ Style Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps from Pinch of Yum

Farmer’s Market Pasta with Walnut Pesto from Pinch of Yum

BBQ Salmon Bowls with Mango Avocado Salsa from Pinch of Yum

Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw from Pinch of Yum

Vegan Sheet Pan Fajitas with Chipotle Queso from Pinch of Yum

One Skillet Greek Chicken from Paleo Running Momma

Paleo Taco Soup from Paleo Running Momma

Paleo Pesto Chicken Meatballs from Paleo Running Momma

Egg Roll in a Bowl from Paleo Running Momma

Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai with Chicken from Paleo Running Momma

Chinese Chicken Salad from Paleo Running Momma

Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad from Paleo Running Momma

Easy 1-Pot Tikka Masala from Minimalist Baker

One-Pan Mexican Shredded Chicken from Minimalist Baker

One-Pot Chickpea Tomato Peanut Stew from Minimalist Baker

Sheet Pan Meal: Curried Sweet Potato and Chickpeas from Minimalist Baker

Snacks & Desserts:

Apple Chai Energy Balls from Fit Foodie Finds

15 Healthy Packable Snacks from Nourish Move Love

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars from Ambitious Kitchen

5-Minute Protein Peanut Butter Energy Bites from Ambitious Kitchen

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from Ambitious Kitchen

Sweet and Spicy Nut Mix from Ambitious Kitchen

Double Chocolate Truffles from Paleo Running Momma

Gingerbread Cookies from Paleo Running Momma

Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies from Paleo Running Momma

Perfect Paleo Sugar Cookies from Paleo Running Momma

Samoa Cookie Bars from Paleo Running Momma

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream from Paleo Running Momma

Healthified Apple Crisp from Minimalist Baker

3-Ingredient Tropical Trail Mix from Minimalist Baker

No-Bake Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies from Minimalist Baker

4-Ingredient Easy Vegan Brownies from Minimalist Baker

Favorite tools for meal prep: