I used never want to meal prep. In fact, I would just run to the grocery store and grab what I needed for that after work. After getting married and having kids, I realized it was awful to run to the store and try and prep everything in a short amount of time. I really needed to become a bit more organized to make everything run smoother for myself and for my little family. Since our baby boy is due in a matter of a few weeks, I wanted to share some of my meal prepping tips for those that are either preparing for a baby, newlywed life or just wanting to get ahead start on their week!
1. Make Time - Zach and I plan out our shopping trip Saturday night. We mainly go to 2 different grocery stores that are close by. Our shopping list mainly consists of dinner's, because we'll take the leftovers to work with us and Lily eats her lunch at school. It makes it pretty simple for us!
2. Research - I love looking at Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram for simple recipe ideas. Since my time is pretty limited when I get home after driving an hour from work, I always try to find something easy, 5 or less ingredients and can be made under 30 minutes. The majority of our recipes are delicious, can be used for leftovers and always enjoyed! I also love making slow cooker recipes too!
2. Inventory - There are times where we'll go to Costco and purchase chicken/meat in bulk to use in various dishes so we know that may not be something we need to get. We both look in the pantry, freezer and pantry to see if we have all the ingredients that we need or if anything needs to be replenished.
3. Keep A List- We have grocery list that I put on my phone to make sure we have everything we need when we go to the store. I also write down on a white board that I have on our refrigerator at home of what we're eating on what day so I can prep items if needed the night before and not feel as rushed when I get home.
4. Make It Fun - Once we have our list planned out, the three of us head out early on Sunday morning to beat the crowds. We make it a fun little trip, having Lily help us bag groceries and knowing that once everything is put away, we're all set for the week ahead. I also like to add a few fun things to Lily's snack station like oranges, cheese sticks or small bags of veggies for her to enjoy during the week while I'm making dinner.
What are some tips you have for meal planning?
