WEEKLY FOOD PREP

This is a request from some friends asking what/ how I prep for my weekly meals. So--here ya go!

LUNCH & DINNER 5 DAYS

This is supplemented by egg whites for breakfast and a protein & veggie for dinner

STEP 1: Cook dinner protein and put in fridge

This is grilled chicken for two. Darius cooks this and I can't give you his recipe, but you can come up with anything. I usually have one or two grilled chicken breasts, with a different veggie and/or salad and my Veggie Soup. (see below)

STEP 2: Veggie Soup

The recipe is HERE: I let it slow simmer for a few hours while I prepare everything else. I also make it "creamy" sometimes by adding pureed celery or cauliflower.

STEP 3: Snacky-snacks

I'm a snacker. I cut up 4-5 full celery plants into celery sticks. (The BENEFITS of celery can not be touted enough). I will dip these in either avocado puree or salsa. It keeps me from eating chips while grading. Sometimes I'll substitute fresh grapes but I have to be careful with those. Lots of sugar. I pre-portion them into bags, so I can just grab and go.

STEP 4: Snacky- Snacks part 2

This can be any grab-and-go veggie or fruit/ berry. I eat snow peas plain, but you can add flavor if you like. This is also where to sub in seasonal fruits. If you go with something that has more fat (like walnuts which are SUPER good for you), make sure to pre-portion!

STEP 5: Breakfast

For breakfast, I pre-cook 6 of these egg white cartons from Costco. I mix them with bell peppers and onions. I take them to work and heat them up there. I also cut a pineapple into slices. I make sure to keep the core INTACT because the core of pineapple is actually quite good for you. So my breakfast is pineapple and egg whites. Sometimes I change the fruit, but never the protein. I'm a creature of habit. I try to avoid bananas unless I've had a heavy workout. (Lots of sugar).

STEP 6: Shirazhi Salad (lunch)

Via buzzfeed.com

This is the most involved but I promise it is worth it. Go HERE to learn how.

Other lunch ideas: Gazpacho

I'm lucky in that my husband makes this for me and it is DELISH. His recipe is a family secret, but THIS ONE is pretty good.

STEP 7: Granola Bars

This is a spin-off of a friend's recipe #ThanksSarah You can change the nuts. Play with the recipe a little. I like mine really sticky. You may like it more dry. Whatever. This satisfies my sweet tooth (which I will go further into below). RECIPE: Blend 1/2 cup each of steel cut oats, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and 2 tblspns chia seeds. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Let cool. In large bowl, blend 1 and 1/2 cup prune puree, 2 tablespoons almond butter, & 1/4 cup agave nectar. Add cooled oat/ nut mix. Spread into foiled pan. Put in freezer for 2o minutes. Take out and cut. Delish

STEP 8: Prepare For The Sweet Tooth

I have cut out almost all refined sugar. Still, my body occasionally craves the sweet stuff. Having one (or two) of these in the fridge helps. The Halo Top ice creak brand is low-calorie, high-protein, and low-sugar. Check out how they stack up HERE.

So there it is. Hope this helps. I pre-package EVERYTHING. I use these little tupper ware containers. It helps me know when to stop. Seems like it should be obvious, but for me, I need an actual physical reminder.