Sharing some of my tips for gluten-free meal prep.

Hi friends! Happy Monday! What’s the week looking like for you? Liv has a pretty low-key week at school with some half days, so I’m looking forward to getting caught up with some things around the house. We emptied our storage unit and going through everything has been a picnic, let me tell ya.

Something that has been saving my life since school started: meal prep!!

Why I Love Meal Prepping

When it comes to eating healthy meals consistently, meal prep is one of my favorite strategies. It saves time, money, and the daily stress of figuring out what to eat. It makes such a difference to have nourishing food ready to go. It’s easier to stick with your health goals when you open the fridge and healthy food is waiting for you.

Since P and I are both gluten-free and she’s homeschooled, I’ve been doing a lot of gluten-free meal prep. At first, it can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to navigating a gluten intolerance. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, there are so many naturally gluten free foods that are perfect for meal prep recipes.

Today, I wanted to chat a bit about gluten-free meal prep: what it means, why it’s worth it (!), tips for success, and easy free recipes you can try this week. (For more meal ideas, check out this list of dinners our family loved and this list of dinner ideas.)

What Is Gluten-Free Meal Prep

Gluten-free meal prep simply means preparing meals ahead of time that don’t contain gluten: the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. This is especially helpful for anyone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, but many people choose gluten-free eating because it can help with digestion, energy, or overall wellness.

The beauty of gluten free meal prep is that it uses free options you already love: veggies, lean proteins, beans, grains like rice and quinoa, and healthy fats like olive oil. With the right plan, you can enjoy flavorful and satisfying meals without the stress of last-minute cooking.

What Are The Benefits Of Meal Prepping Gluten Free Meals

Saves Time

By cooking in a big batch, you can prepare lunch, dinner, and/or snack options for the whole week. No scrambling in the kitchen every night!

Saves Money

Planning and prepping in advance helps you avoid expensive takeout. If you need even more budget tips, check out my post on cheap meal prep ideas.

Supports Healthy Eating

When healthy food is ready to grab, you’re less likely to reach for packaged snacks or fast f

Sharing some of my go-to meal prep ideas for kids, especially as we’re in the back to school season. We’ve also made a mission to reduce packaged snacks, but I still stock up on pantry essentials and faves from Thrive Market. <— my link gets you 40% off your first order

Hi friends! How are you? I hope that you’re enjoying the week so far. We’re finding our new routine with the homeschool situation + Liv is taking a break from dance (I’m admittedly a little sad, but definitely don’t miss driving 30 minutes there and back twice a day). Now that we’re on the go and packing lunches again, there are a couple of things I’ve tried to do differently.

Meal prep for kids and reducing packaged snacks

– Meal prep a ton.

It’s so helpful to have a fridge full of healthy staples for snacks and meals.

Here are some of the things I’ve been making each week:

– Fruit prep. If there’s fruit, ready to go in the fridge, they will absolutely eat it instead of grabbing a bar or packaged treat. Melons are in season and so good right now, so lately I’ve been picking up a couple of different melons (the kids especially love Piel de Sapo and golden watermelon) and chopping them to store in glass containers. I also soak berries in water and vinegar for 2-5 minutes (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water), rinse, and let them dry completely. Then I put paper towels in the bottom of a glass container with a lid. They last so much longer this way! We usually do a mix of berries: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. I also soak grapes and plums in water + vinegar for about 15 minutes, dry, and store in an open glass bowl in the fridge. The kids will just grab handfuls of grapes throughout the day and I love that we’re all eating more fruit!

– Energy bites. I have quite a few different recipes here on the blog (like these!) but a favorite is equal parts cashews and pitted dates, cinnamon, a little salt, vanilla extract and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Read more

How to Freeze Peaches

Don’t let juicy, sun-ripened peaches go bad! This guide on how to freeze peaches shows the easiest way to keep their sweet flavor locked in for smoothies, cobblers, and favorite peach recipes all year.

No messy boiling water or syrup needed – just slice, freeze on a baking sheet, and stash in freezer bags. It’s quick, clean, and keeps freezer burn away.

Tired of Mushy Frozen Peaches with Zero Flavor?

A lot of guides focus on home food preservation using liquid like heavy syrup or white grape juice, but those methods can leave your peaches soggy and overly sweet. This simple freezing method skips the mess and keeps your slices firm, flavorful, and freezer-ready. No syrup, no fuss, just pure peach goodness!

My Freezer is Never Without a Stash of Peaches

I grew up completely surrounded by canning, freezing, and preserving. My mom is an incredible gardener, and we spent hours snapping beans and stuffing jars full of peaches. These days I don’t can as much, but my freezer is never without a stash of peaches. I use them for cobblers, smoothies, or tossing into a hot pan with butter and brown sugar – instant summer dessert on a weeknight!

What to Use Peaches For

Frozen peaches bring fresh, juicy flavor to everything from quick desserts to slow weekend bakes. They’re just right for Peaches ‘n Cream Crumble Bars, The Best Peaches and Cream Pie, or our cozy Dutch Oven Peach Crisp.

What You Need to Freeze Peaches

You only need a few simple tools to freeze peaches with all that sweet, juicy flavor intact. No syrup or canning gear required – just freezer basics and fresh fruit.

• Ripe Peaches: Go for freestone peaches if you can – they’re easier to slice and pit than clingstone varieties.
• Peeler or Paring Knife: Skip blanching and peel by hand with a great peeler.
• Pot & Ice Water (Optional): Needed only if you choose to blanch.
• Baking Sheet: For flash-freezing slices in a single layer so they don’t stick together.
• Freezer Bags or Containers: Store your frozen peaches and press out as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn – our foodsaver is a must-have!<

Sharing a super delicious and super easy homemade peanut butter protein bar recipe. It’s gluten-free and dairy-free, too!

Hi friends! How are you? I hope that you’re having a wonderful week. Leading up to our trip, I was doing a ton of meal prepping. With P home and doing the homeschool thing, she’s helped me a lot, and it’s so amazing for the kids to be stocked with staples and healthy snacks, too.

Even when I don’t meal prep a lot, there’s something that I emphasize: protein. I think protein is the hardest macro to hit if it’s not prepped and ready to go. When I open the fridge and see a pack of raw chicken or anything else, I’ll choose anything else lol. If the chicken is cooked, I’ll eat it!

Getting enough protein is essential for overall health, muscle recovery, and staying full and satisfied throughout the day. Whether you’re trying to build muscle, maintain a healthy weight, or to ensure you’re meeting your daily nutritional needs, protein plays a significant role.

How much protein do you actually need each day?

While the recommended daily intake varies depending on factors like age, activity level, and fitness goals, a general guideline is around 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight for the average person. Athletes or those with active lifestyles may require even more. I found that there’s a sweet spot for protein, and for myself, I try to hit at least 100g per day.

One of the easiest ways to increase your protein intake is by incorporating protein-rich snacks into your day. Somethine we LOVE: these homemade protein butter bars. They’re packed with wholesome ingredients, easy to make, and absolutely delicious – I think you’ll love them as much as we do!

Peanut Butter Protein Bar Recipe

These peanut butter protein bars are the perfect balance of chewy, nutty, and naturally sweetened goodness. They’re packed with protein, thanks to vanilla protein powder, and they’re a convenient snack on the go. Unlike many store-bought protein bars, this recipe is made with clean, simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Plus, they’re gluten-free, naturally sweetened, and can easily be made dairy-free by choosing the right chocolate.

Each serving contains approximately 10-12 grams of protein, making it an excellent way to fuel your body and keep your energy levels stable throughout the day.

Does Peanut Butter Have Protein?

Peanut butter has a small amount of protein, along with healthy fats that help keep you full and satisfied. On average, one tablespoon of peanut butter contains about 4 grams of protein. While it’s not as protein-dense as foods like chicken or fish, peanut butter can be paired with other protein-rich ingredients like vanilla protein powder or greek yogurt. Even though it has a little protein, I consider it to be more of a fat in my daily nutrient balance.

How To Make Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup natural peanut butter (or almond butter/cashew butter for variation)

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup vanilla protein powder

1/2 cup almond flour or oat flour

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/3 cup dairy-free chocolate (melted for toppin

Sharing a roundup of meal prep ideas you can make on the cheap.

Hi friends! How are you? I hope you’re having a great day so far! I have a morning packed full of appointments and am looking forward to family dinner tonight.

Today, I wanted to chat a bit about meal prep, because it’s been savin’ my bacon lately.

Meal prepping is one of my favorite ways to stay on track with healthy eating goals but also save money at the same time. When life gets hectic (which it always does), having budget friendly meals ready to go is a total gamechanger. I feel like whether you’re feeding a family, trying to eat healthier, or just want to spend less at the grocery store, meal prep can seriously simplify your routine.

Today, I wanted to share a roundup of cheap meal prep ideas that are delicious, super easy and quick to make, and won’t break the bank. I love that meal prepping helps eliminate the “what’s for dinner?” stress and keeps us away from pricey takeout. Most of these meals use pantry staples or affordable ingredients, and they make enough for leftovers.

Cheap Meal Prep Ideas

These recipes are perfect for weekly planning, batch cooking, and making sure you always have a friendly meal ready to go.

Whether you’re new to meal planning or a seasoned pro, I hope this post gives you fresh inspiration (and saves you a few bucks! Let’s be real, groceries are a million dollars right now.)

What Is Meal Prepping

Meal prepping is the practice of preparing meals or ingredients in advance to save time and money throughout the week. It could mean chopping veggies, cooking proteins, or assembling full meals in containers. The idea is to have meals ready to eat or cook quickly, so you’re less tempted to grab something unhealthy or expensive.

Meal prepping can help reduce food waste, streamline your grocery shopping, and make your week smoother overall. Plus, it often leads to healthier choices since you’re planning meals in advance.

Is Meal Prepping Cheaper?

Absolutely! When you plan ahead and prep your meals, you can make the most of grocery sales, buy ingredients in bulk, and avoid impulse purchases or last-minute takeout. By cooking in batches, you also use your ingredients more efficiently and waste less food.

Some people think healthy eating is expensive, but meal prepping shows that you can eat well without spending a fortune.

How To Meal Prep On A Budget

Shop Your Pantry First

Before you plan your meals, take inventory of what you already have. It’s easy to overlook canned goods, grains, or frozen items that can make great foundations for a meal.

Choose Budget Friendly Proteins

Think beans, lentils, eggs, canned tuna, organic sprouted tofu, organic ground beef, and chicken thighs. These are nutritious and often cheaper than other protein sources.

Buy Seasonal Produce

Fruits and vegetables that are in season are usually cheaper and taste better. Bonus points if you can find them at local farmers m