Sharing tips on how to prep daytime meals and snacks in just two hours.
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Now that we’re back into school and activities for the kids, I’ve had to dedicate Sunday to prep, plan and clean. I get everything set up for the week, and since the weeknight evenings are so busy, I try to plan our meals and grocery shop around what’s going on. (For example, if I know Tuesday is a late night with activities, I feed the kids early, make something in the Instant Pot, or dedicate it a takeout night. We have takeout or restaurant meals 1-2 times per week max, so I try to make it count!)
Life gets busy, and finding time to prepare healthy meals can feel like a challenge. But with a little planning and a solid strategy, you can set yourself up for a week of nourishing meals in just two hours. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to prepare a week’s worth of healthy eats with a focus on efficiency, deliciousness, and balance. Grab your meal prep containers, turn on some music, and let’s goooooo!
(PS if you’re looking for more ideas, you can download my free Meal Prep Blueprint guide here!)
How to prep for a week of healthy eating in two hours
Why Meal Prep?
Meal prep isn’t just about saving time; it’s also about making sure you have healthy options on hand. This way you’re more likely to FUEL yourself with healthy eats (instead of getting busy and skipping meals), or choosing options that are simply convenient (like takeout or pantry snacks). When you have a fridge stocked with ready-to-eat meals and snacks, it’s easier to stick to your health goals. Plus, meal prepping can be a fun and creative way to experiment with new recipes and flavors.
Getting Started: Your Meal Prep Plan
The key to successful meal prep is organization.
Start by gathering your ingredients and kitchen tools. Then, follow this step-by-step guide to prepare a week of healthy meals in just two hours. I’ve attached the recipes below, but here’s how I would structure the timing to get everything finished in two hours:
HOUR ONE:
– Preheat the oven to 350
– Start boiling water for the eggs
– Put the chicken in the Instant Pot, spices, and turn it on so the chicken is cooking (recipe #4 below)
– Prep the chocolate protein oatmeal bake (#1 below) and put it into the oven
– Add the eggs to the boiling water (#2 below)
*While the oatmeal, eggs, and chicken are cooking, prep the meat for the meatballs (#7 below), and chop veggies for the raw veggie snacks (#6 below) and store in the fridge, and chop the veggies for roasted veggies (#3 below) and set aside. Toss the veggies for roasting with olive or avocado oil and salt and pepper.
* To finish up hour one, remove the chocolate protein oatmeal from the oven and allow to cool. Shred the chicken and set aside to cool before storing, and