How to Meal Prep for the Week: Saving Time, Money, and Your Sanity

Hey there, fellow gamers and makeup enthusiasts! Life's a whirlwind, especially when you're juggling long shifts, your passion for makeup, and epic gaming sessions. Finding time for self-care often feels like embarking on a heroic quest. But fear not, I'm here to share my journey on how meal prepping has been a game-changer – even with a hectic schedule and some unexpected plot twists.

Invest in Quality Food Containers

Let me tell you about one of my secrets for successful meal prepping: good food containers. When I started, I didn't go all in at once. I slowly built a collection of these, ones that seal well and keep my meals intact. No more worries about leaks, spills, or my cat's curious paws causing chaos. It's amazing how investing in these containers has changed my meal prepping game. Start small, and you'll soon have a reliable set that lasts. I went through a lot of Amazon reviews before I bought the sets that I've got, but they are so worth it!

Photo by Anshu A

Spice Up Your Meals

Variety is the spice of life, right? I try to keep my meals exciting. One week I might be all about "Alabama White Sauce," another, it might be "hollandaise," but here's the twist – I often tweak the recipe to match the theme of my meal. I like experimenting with different sauces and dressings; it's like creating makeup looks but for food. And like with makeup and my face, I like making my food look pretty. Sometimes I cheat with store-bought ketchup or take a trip to my local country store for mustard – it's just too tasty to resist, and the people there are so sweet I love to visit! It also happens to be where I tend to get sliced meat and cheese, but that would be a spoiler, shhh.

Multi-Use Ingredients

Here's a pro tip that I've picked up over time: make ingredients that you can use in multiple meals. For instance, I like cooking up a batch of chicken and broccoli, which I can then use in various dishes like chicken broccoli alfredo or a quick stir-fry. It keeps things interesting without spending hours in the kitchen. You can have your steak and eat it in different ways too! Think steak and potatoes one night and kebabs with roasted veggies another. The possibilities are endless!

Prepare Staple Foods in Bulk

Rice, pasta, and grains – having these as staples has saved my time and sanity on numerous occasions. I cook them in large quantities, and it's like having my own pantry of ready-to-go basics. Even on the busiest days, you'll always have something to pair them with. There are days where I can't do a full meal prep, so having foods like these ready can save a lot of time at night when you just want to relax.

Photo by Chad Montano

Homemade "Takeout" Nights

We all crave takeout sometimes, and planning ahead can make it healthier and customizable. I make my mini pizzas or delicious crunchwraps. Here's a pro tip: personalize the sauce, so it agrees with your stomach. I love red sauce, but it doesn't love me. So when I make pizza, I plan ahead and make a pink, alfredo, or garlic butter sauce base so I don't upset my stomach. Taco nights are a blast when you decide between turkey meat, ground beef, steak, or something else – it's your call! And you get to choose your favorite toppings and how much!

Healthy Snacking

Snacking is my weakness, so I've learned to prep snack foods like trail mix, chopped veggies, or fruit. This way, I can curb those cravings without guilt. My favorites include sliced bell peppers and using a homemade dressing with them. They are so yummy and still have a satisfying crunch. Also, baby carrots are a go-to in my house, not baby-cut carrots, they are different, trust me on that; they don't go over well.

The Lifesaver: Charcuterie

There are days when I'm not super hungry due to my stomach issues. That's when I appreciate having some charcuterie prepped. Trying different meats and cheeses is a fantastic way to find what you love and what you might want to use in the next set of meal prep. There is always something on sale at my local country store, and the people are so nice about samples. I've tried so many different cheeses and types of meat. It's amazing how helpful the staff can be. If they have time, they are even willing to share a recipe for what to make with some of the things they carry.

Exploring New Recipes

Meal prepping is my gateway to discovering exciting new recipes. I spend time searching online and have even stumbled upon some hidden gems. Ella, my partner in crime, does the same. We've found so many cool websites thanks to our meal prepping adventures, and we've shared some of those gems with you in our newsletters. We have gushed over some of the ones we've tried, like the fish tacos and the egg cups. Getting new ideas to bounce off each other has been so wonderful in expanding the foods I eat.

Smart Shopping

Don't forget to scout for deals and coupons in your local paper or online. It seems obvious, but I say it because I know so many people who forget until they're at the store. This simple practice can save you some hard-earned cash. And if you're pals with your local butcher or bakery clerks, they might spill the beans on the freshest ingredients' arrival days, ensuring your meals stay fresh throughout the week. Plus, they might know when the next sale is going to start for meat, and with Thanksgiving and the Yule season around the corner, it might be a good time to look more into sales.

Meal prepping is a game-changer that empowers us to live healthier lives without sacrificing our passions. Whether you're navigating a busy career, working on your makeup masterpiece, or defeating virtual foes, it's a strategy that fits your lifestyle.

Meal prepping has become a part of our epic journey, and we're excited to share our adventures with you. Together, we're rewriting the rules on living fulfilled lives while pursuing our passions, one meal at a time.

Share your meal prep adventures and any pro tips with us in the comments or in our private group. Your experiences inspire us and help build our incredible community. Let's continue empowering gamers, makeup enthusiasts, and everyone in between!