Health & Nutrition

Meal Planning For Busy Weeks

Meal Planning For Busy Weeks

If life feels to be busier than ever lately or feels hard to catch up and stay ahead on your to-do list, you are not alone. In fact, it’s one of the most common complaints I hear from my clients.

If you are like me, you probably have some time carved out on the weekends to plan for the coming week -- the grocery list, your upcoming errands, housework, and appointments. However, no matter how much we plan, sometimes an unexpected turn of events can derail our day and throw us off track.

That could be caused by a kid getting sick, or in my case- my dog, or perhaps work ran late, you had to unexpectedly deal with some family stuff, or a random invite that you couldn’t turn down appeared.

But planning is still important.

Whatever it might be- even with the best intentions, the weekend planning session doesn't work out, and we begin the week without our detailed plan of action. Specifically, when meals aren't planned out for the week ahead, this can lead to a drive-thru-filled week as we grab for quick and easy options when we run out of time.

We know that doesn’t set us up for success with our health and weight loss goals, but sometimes convenience and ease take priority.

I don’t want you to give up your health goals just because life is busy- because looking ahead, you can’t be sure that is going to change anytime soon.

That's what inspired me to create what I like to call an Emergency Meal Plan.

Healthy Snacks For Your Work Day

Healthy Snacks For Your Work Day

Does sitting at a desk all day make you crave snacks? It does for me!

If you've ever worked an office job, you know what it's like to be stuck at a desk all day long. Even if you love your job, those days can still be long and repetitive.

Many office jobs also have something else in common- the break room. There's something about sitting at a desk all day that creates a snack habit to break up the monotony of the day. It’s also a gathering place to chat with your coworkers, celebrate with birthday cake, or share some treats together. Many times, these aren’t the healthiest treats either- break rooms often have pastries, donuts or cupcakes.

The idea of a break room is good though- having a place to escape your desk for a few minutes, have some time to chat about things with colleagues, and even get up front your desk to stretch and loop around after a bathroom break. Taking a trip to the break room or vending machine feels like an escape, allows you to be social, and gets you up and moving. These are all great things!

So then let’s focus on creating a bit healthier snack routine that what might currently be going on in your office. Today, I want to share with you some of my favorite and simple healthy snacks you can keep on hand for those much-needed snack runs.

Mason Jar Meal Ideas

Mason Jar Meal Ideas

In our busy lives, I think we could all benefit from some easy, quick, healthy meal ‘hacks’.

So today- I want to share with you one way of getting organized, and that’s to have some Mason Jar meals. You know the ones: clear glass, wide mouth, screw-on lid. They're great because they hold up well and can be used over and over again, compared to plastic storage containers. They also take up minimal space, and they're easy to stick in a bag and go.

When most people think of Mason Jars, they assume we're prepping a salad. That's how they got popular as a means for preparing a week's worth of salads, and while I do still love this idea, Mason Jars can be used for so much more. I see breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks filling these containers. If you're wondering how to jump on this bandwagon and enjoy more simplicity for easy food options, follow along. I am going to share some of my go-to Mason Jar ideas.

How to keep a well stocked freezer

How to keep a well stocked freezer

One of my top tips for clients who want to start cooking healthier and eating more at home instead of getting take out is to keep a well stocked freezer.

It’s also a big part of meal planning, and setting yourself up for success in the kitchen. Not only will you be able to grab what you need to make a meal quickly after a busy day, but you'll also have the ability to stock up on foods while they're in season at their peak.

Frozen foods can sometimes be looked down upon as unhealthy, but nutritionally, frozen produce is actually still nutrient-dense. These items are often frozen at the height of freshness, which also means it's frozen at the peak of flavor.

Having a well stocked freezer can help you put healthy meals on the table without spending hours in the kitchen, and if you make some pre-planned decisions, it'll take your efforts even further.

 
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