Below you will find some meal prep tips and recipes that I have been using to pack my
Teacher School Lunches
TIPS:
- Plan in bulk
- Think through what you're buying. I normally plan to buy for about two weeks (my record is making it for about a month!) to save a trip to the store. I will typically buy meat in large packages and then section them for meals during the weeks. This makes it easier when I go to check the freezer for what I can make towards the end of that second week - I write on the packages what they should be used for. It takes a lot of the guessing out since I already thought through it all from the very beginning.
- Seasoned Chicken
- I always thought this would be a great idea, so I finally did something about it. I bought a large package of chicken and then used half of it to make up some seasoned chicken ahead of time for wraps or salads. I used two different seasonings to make sure it didn't get too repetitive and then sectioned it into snack bags to easily grab from the freezer and thaw as needed. With only two chicken breasts, I was able to get 10 bags of chicken ready!
- Use your leftovers for good
- This seems like a no-brainer, but people sometimes forget about using leftovers to their greatest potential. When making pasta or rice or veggies - add a few more and then you can save hopefully at least one meal's worth for lunch the next day!
- Freeze your lunch meat
- I wasn't sure if this would actually work, but it does. Since I'm just buying food for one, lunch meat can be expensive and wasted easily. I'm the type of person who doesn't like to eat sandwiches every day, so I needed to find a way to buy the cheaper lunch meat in bulk and not waste it either. When I buy lunch meat I have learned you can take half of it to freeze and then pull it out once the first half is gone - believe me it works and it's a saver!
- Overnight Oats Alternative
- I have tried overnight oats a few times and have not really enjoyed it. It's strange eating cold oatmeal and I could never find the right proportions for things. So instead I have been portioning yogurt into containers with frozen fruit. I will get a few containers ready at the beginning of the week and then the fruit is not frozen anymore! Then I will pack oats in a separate container to add in at lunchtime. I am still getting the healthy stuff without the funky texture!
- Sunday Night Lunch Prep
- Sunday nights have become my lunch meal prep time. I use this time to plan out what I'll eat and even get a few baggies ready. My friend gave me this tip and it really spares me a few more minutes each night because the main packing is already done! (Check out her blog here http://stepsthroughlife.blogspot.com/) I do not make sandwiches or wraps early (because I do not want them to get soggy and they can be made quickly), but I will get grapes, carrots, salads, and yogurt (sometimes more!) ready to go for the week. This way I can grab and go during the rest of the week!
Peanut Butter Energy Bites
I add these as a nice side to my lunch or save it for snack time. This is an easy thing to make in bulk, keep in the fridge and pull out as needed.
2 c. Oats
2 c. Oats
2 c. Peanut Butter
1 c. Chocolate Chips
2 Tbs. Honey
1 tsp. Cinnamon *optional
Disclaimer: I use either old-fashioned or quick oats for my energy bites and do not stay close to these measurements. This recipe can probably make enough bites for a week - eating about 3 per day. I typically "eye" my measurements now that I've made the recipe a few times and normally end up adding less peanut butter and more honey. I started adding cinnamon for a little extra flavor and some people add flax seed.
1 c. Chocolate Chips
2 Tbs. Honey
1 tsp. Cinnamon *optional
Disclaimer: I use either old-fashioned or quick oats for my energy bites and do not stay close to these measurements. This recipe can probably make enough bites for a week - eating about 3 per day. I typically "eye" my measurements now that I've made the recipe a few times and normally end up adding less peanut butter and more honey. I started adding cinnamon for a little extra flavor and some people add flax seed.
Taco Bowls
I made up enchiladas one night and used the extra chicken to make taco bowls. Make up some rice, corn, taco meat, etc. and place them in smaller bowls. Freeze a few and then pull them out the night before you want to eat it! This is a special treat because you don't need extra sides also made up and it's filling! Feel free to add in tortilla chips, beans, peppers, cheese, or whatever else you typically add to tacos.
I made up enchiladas one night and used the extra chicken to make taco bowls. Make up some rice, corn, taco meat, etc. and place them in smaller bowls. Freeze a few and then pull them out the night before you want to eat it! This is a special treat because you don't need extra sides also made up and it's filling! Feel free to add in tortilla chips, beans, peppers, cheese, or whatever else you typically add to tacos.
 |
| Happy Meal Planning! |
I hope you enjoyed these tips and feel free to share any more that you have with me! Meal planning is a learning process and sometimes I need new recipes to try out with my lunches!
