Efficient + Delicious: Meal Prep
Anything that can make my life more efficient and simple, I’m gonna say, SIGN ME UP! Meal prepping is one of those things. Yes, it takes time upfront, but I like to think of it as investing in my week. Sundays are usually full of to-dos: errands, laundry, organizing the chaos that occurred in the previous six days, and chopping + roasting!
One of my favorite things to do is to go to the grocery store and peruse the aisles, check out new produce, read a few labels {ya know, nerd out}! Taking this time for myself not only brings me a sense of calmness, but it also helps me set the tone for the week. A lil self-care from doing something I enjoy, plus the peace of mind in knowing I will be able to start my days with a healthy and delicious meal.
After cruising through the store, I take a few hours to chop and roast my veggies. My go to is a potato {baby reds or a sweet potato}, squash {zucchini, acorn, or delicata}, red onion, mushrooms, cauliflower, and either brussels or asparagus. It doesn’t matter what you choose, whatever sounds most appealing to ya is perfect!
I like to arrange them on a cookie sheet according to consistency, putting the more dense things closer together so things can cook more evenly. I drizzle them with olive oil, and then roast at 425 degrees for about twelve minutes. Then I take them out, add:
Turmeric
Garlic powder
Cayenne
Pepper + a smidge of salt
Next, I stir them up, then put them back in for another twelve minutes, or until they’re done to your liking. Once they’ve cooled, you can transfer them to a tupperware and store in the fridge. Reheat in the mornings and add an egg, avo, some toast, a side of fruit, or all of the above. If you need lunch one day, throw ‘em in a taco and add your favorite toppings! Versatile, and available for whatever meal you may need.
Prepping definitely takes extra time up front, but it ends up saving you during the week when you may be tired or busy. These are the moments when you may choose an option that is more convenient rather than healthy. That choice, when made consistently, may end up adding to your feelings of sluggishness and fatigue. Long term, it may be contributing to chronic health conditions or creating risk factors for disease. Taking a few extra minutes to set yourself up to make healthier choices can benefit your health in the long run, and save you some precious time throughout the week.
