#24 & 25 Meal Prep for the Week

The Get Organized Project for this weekend hits so many areas, I'm not sure which category it fits best! It is also one of the best type of organizing projects to take on because it will give you the GREATEST return on your investment of time.
Do you stand and look in the cupboard and wonder what to eat? Do you run to the grocery store for one item? Do you have healthy eating goals that are not hitting their mark? Are you looking for a way to reduce your grocery spending?

This weekend you will create many positive results for you.... so let's get started!
Joyfully,
Brenda

Day Way # 24 & #25 Plan, Shop, Prep and Portion out your meals for the week.
We will look at each step in the process and you can work at your own pace. The goal is to wake up Monday morning and not have to plan or think about food for the week. The only thing you have to do is enjoy the healthy, scrumptious and easy food you prepared!


Step 1 PLAN

Review recipes, week's schedule and pantry supplies.

Review the coming week
Look at what is going on this week and plan accordingly for quick meals, take away meals and balance of healthy choices.

Try something new!
If you save recipes and always want to try a new one, this is your chance to one out for the week. Even trying one new recipe a week can add a fresh and new feeling to your meals. Plan recipes/meals that use items in your pantry.
Use what you have. Saves on the grocery bill.Plan recipes/meals that use similar special ingredients.
For example, if you need fresh cilantro for a meal, make sure you plan a meal or two that can use cilantro. While it's not the most expensive thing you have to purchase, cutting down on the food you waste will help with your budget.

Make a grocery list
Having a full list of needed groceries for the week based on your plan can save you time and money.

Coupons
Review coupons you have for items and advertised specials at stores. Star items on your grocery list that have coupons.


Step 2 SHOP

Time
Pick a time to go when the grocery stores aren't crowded, it will make your time go faster.

Multiple Stores?
If you're like us, we shop at a couple of different stores based on where we can find good organic produce, products that match our ingredient criteria and also have the best price. So, plan to stop at the store where you buy your frozen or most perishable items last.

GREEN
Take your reusable grocery bags!

Coupons
Remember coupons and advertised specials!


Step 3 PREP

Prep Foods that need washing.
Most foods will last longer if they've been washed, especially in a veggie or fruit wash. It also cuts down the time needed when you go to eat it or when you use part for a recipe. Some items won't do well wash ahead like mushrooms, so you make the call.

Prep for recipes
Whether it's portioning out ingredients, washing and chopping or
getting out appliances needed for prep or cooking, doing it all at once can save time.

Cook, Bake or Steam
I'm all for eating the freshest food possible, but if the choice is to eat a good healthy portion of something made 3 days ago with great ingredients or doing a drive through, guess which one wins?

Make Several Dishes at One Time
Also, if you are in the kitchen preparing one dish, might as well do a few others at the same time. Use those minutes when you're waiting for something to boil, bake or rest by working on another recipe.


Step 4 PORTION

Put in portion size containers for the week
If you take your lunch or would only have a single serving at one time (meaning don't do it for a family meal) put a serving in a storage container. It will help you when you are pulling items for your lunch, but it will also help you manage your portion sizes.

Freeze
If it is something that will freeze well, freezing in portion or family meal size containers makes it easy to take out prepared foods as needed. It is also something that stretches the return on your investment of prep time because you stand a better chance of not having to toss out food that has gone bad.

Cheat Sheet
Give yourself a little cheat sheet that gives you the final steps you need to do for a specific recipe or meal that needs to be finished at that time. Either write it down or if it's longer, put a sticky note on the recipe or page in a cookbook for quick reference.