Published by Omar Elamam BA, PTS, 4th Degree International Instructor
If you’re like me, you probably struggle to find the time to cook a healthy whole hearted meal. Sure, you may be able to whip something up from scratch once in a while but often its hard to stay consistent with our health when the game of life can be so demanding. Well, I’m here to tell you that you can have your cake and eat it to. It′s called meal prep!
So, what exactly is meal prep? To put it simply, its planning ahead of time and creating healthy options for your consumption when time is of the essence. Meal prep is a wonderful way to stay on your fitness goals when you are juggling work-life balance. Ideally, you would prepare a week′s worth of meals in 1 day and freeze/refrigerate them for future consumption. It’s a way to stay organized when life get′s crazy. Instead of buying an overpriced burrito bowl, why not make it at home with fresh ingredients and measured seasonings.
Let′s kick off the new year with new intentions and healthy habits. Meal prep is a great way for us to stay focused, alert, and full of energy for the day to day tasks at hand. Here are 5 meal prep ideas that you and your family will come to enjoy and love!
- Burrito Bowls
Who doesn’t like a good burrito bowl! So simple, yet so delicious and healthy. Simply season your ground beef and add your favorite veggies. The great thing about burrito bowls is that it can be completely customizable to your liking and still taste great! Go crazy when creating your burrito bowl.
- Overnight Oats
My personal favourite, these can be consumed for breakfast or as a mid-day snack. Blend some oats and add toppings such as sliced bananas, dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter, and top it off with some dark chocolate bits. This fully packed fiber based meal will not only taste great, but it will also leave you feeling full!
- Greek Salad bowls
Don′t skip the salad! Salads don’t have to be boring for you to get your essential nutrients. Spice up your veggies by tossing in some dried fruit and healthy fats. Adding in some protein in your salad can give you a full meal in just a matter of minutes.
- Salmon Quinoa
Using quinoa as your base, you’ll not only have a healthy meal but also protein packed. The best part of this meal is that quinoa is very simple and quick to cook. Adding salmon while give you those healthy fats and essential vitamins and minerals you may be missing. This meal can also boost your omega-3s that you may not be getting with your other meals.
- Hummus Bowl with Cubed lamb
Who doesn’t like a bowl of creamy hummus! For this, prep your cubed lamb ahead of time and toss it in a bowl of creamy hummus. Top with onions, fresh herbs, and picked veggies. Dig in with some pita and enjoy!
Now that you’ve completed your meal prep for the week, you can kick up your feet and relax while eating a guilty free meal! Meal prepping can drastically reduce your time in the kitchen and help you focus on staying ahead of the game we call life.