Meal Prepping 101

So are you one of those people who see others post about meal prepping, and suddenly get completely envious of how they seemingly put together all of theirs meals in one simple swoop? Do you try to replicate the process and your kitchen starts to look like someone came in and robbed you? If so, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I’m going to give you step by step instruction on how to overcome your meal prepping phobias.

I will be meal prepping for a Chef Salad, Crockpot Turkey Chili, and blueberry snack bags.

Step 1: Grocery Shopping

• Prepare a fully itemized grocery list and go shopping, and when I say fully itemized, have specific quantities you will need
  •  Example List
    • Romaine Lettuce – 3 heads
    • Cherry tomatoes- 1 large pack
    • Cucumbers- 3 large burp-less
    • Hormel Natural Choice Deli Ham – 1 pack
    • Eggs- 18 pack
    • Blueberries- 1 large pack
    • Strawberries- 1 large pack
    • Green Apples- 5
    • Ground Turkey – 93 % lean- 2 packs
    • Light Red Beans- 1 can
    • Corn- 1 can
    • Black Eyed Peas- 1 can
    • Black Beans- 1 can
    • 1 large onion – not featured
    • McCormick’s Chili seasoning – 2 packs- Not Featured
    • Rotel- 1/2 cans
    • Glad Large Tupperware- 2 packages of 3

I will be packing my lunches for the work week and making chili while I’m in the kitchen. These do not include breakfasts or all of my snacks for the day

Step 2: Wash Fruits and Vegetables 

 

Step 3 : Brown Ground Turkey Meat

Since I’m already in the kitchen I will be preparing my Turkey for my Crockpot Chili, which I like to eat for dinner during the week. Season according to your preferences. Don’t forget to drain the grease once meat is brown!

 

Step 4: Boil Eggs

And While I’m using the stove, I’ll put
my 18 pack of eggs cooking.I like to cook them longer than necessary, because I’ve found when I take them out too soon it is harder to peel once they’ve been refrigerated. (AKA, I peel my eggs at work each day, you can choose to peel them while you meal prep, I just don’t want to take the time)

 

 

 

 

Step 5: Chop Fruits and Vegetables

Step 6: Measure Fruits & Veggies

Measure vegetables and place to the side.

In my salad I like to have 2 cups of Romaine, 1 cup of cucumbers,  1 cup of cherry tomatoes, 4 slices of smoked deli ham,and 4 boiled egg whites per salad. This sized salad fits nicely into a Large Glad Tupperware container. I wait to pour my 1 TBSP of Light Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing until I eat the salad at work. 

Step 7: Chop Sandwich Meat

Chop the meat and place to the side

 

 

 

 

Step 7: Bag & Box Fruits 

I like to bag my blueberries by the half cup, and then I add my snack bags to a Tupperware container so that they don’t get smashed at work. I keep the Tupperware container at work during the week, and pull out a snack bag as needed.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 9: Bag Boiled Eggs

Step 10 : Bag OR Box Vegetables

Now, we have five work days so we will need five containers for lunch. Place all of your ingredients for your salad in the Large Glad Tupperware containers accordingly.

But if you are limited on fridge space, then I suggest bagging your salad ingredients into Ziploc bags, and then on the work day, place your salad into a Tupperware container. 

 

 

Step 11: Bundle your meals

I like to take my salad, blueberry snack packs, and an apple, and bundle it into a grocery bag, and then I place that packaged meal in the fridge until I’m ready for it during the week. Voila!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 12: Finish the Chili

• Chop 1 large onion, set aside
• Take out a crock-pot
• Open 1-2 cans of rotel and dump in crock-pot
• Open all other cans, drain, and rinse before placing into crock-pot
• Add 2 packets of Chili seasoning
• Add ground turkey meat
• Place on High for 3 hours or Low 6 hours

 

 

 

Another great meal prepping tactic is to BBQ all of your meat for the week… Steak, chicken, turkey are great for grilling. Also, this eliminates dishes and time!!

I hope this post helps show you how to navigate your way through a simple meal prep. Please share and like this post if you found it helpful! Have a Foodtastic week! 🙂 #beerefined

 

Also, I’ll be sharing How to Meal Prep Smoothies Tomorrow, 7/10/16