Listed are several tips that I have learned along the way. If you have suggestions for different tips, I would LOVE to hear them!
- Spend time chopping vegetables for multiple days/meals at one time (I try to do it on a weekend), reducing the amount of prep time you spend prepping during the week.
- For example, if I am using a head of cabbage for different meals during the week, I go ahead and shred the entire head and put the recommended amount in separate containers so that I can just dump it in the pot when I’m ready to use it.
- P.S. IT ALSO REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF DISHES YOU HAVE TO DO!
- Use every bit of a whole chicken.
- Roast the chicken for a dinner. Eat a portion of the chicken for dinner with 1-2 sides. Use the rest of the chicken for stews, chicken salads, and/or other lunch type meals. It can easily be frozen as well.
- Throw the carcass in the crockpot with some chopped onions, celery, and thyme to create broth. Cook on low for 7-8 hours. Use fresh broth within a few days OR freeze in ice cube trays for later.
- Precook breakfast meals in bulk on Sunday mornings. Store in portion size containers & microwave the morning you intend to eat them for a grab and go breakfast.
- I bake my sweet potatoes the night before and heat them in the microwave prior to smashing them with goodness the next morning.
- USE YOUR FOOD PROCESSOR!
- When chopping a lot of vegetables at once, use the shredder or slicer on your food processor to make the process quicker.
- Freeze extra unsweetened applesauce or other large bulk items in portion size freezer bags to pull out for quick access.
- Incorporate kids in food prep as much as possible.
- Let them put their taco together.
- Let kids smash sweet potatoes for morning meals.
- Freeze grapes for quick snacks.
- Pre-make smoothies and freeze in ice cube trays for quick access to smoothies on busy mornings.
- Mix up smoothies or fruit juice mixes & put in Popsicle containers for healthy kiddie snacks.
- If you eat leftovers, make more the night before and eat leftovers for lunch. This eliminates additional food prep for lunch the following day.
“Clean eating doesn’t have to be exhausting or difficult. Make a plan. Think of prep work as a spiritual process for your body and loved ones. By changing your mindset, you gain a greater appreciation and deeper relationship for fresh, wholesome foods. Feed your spiritual soul.”