This past weekend I tried something a little different that I’ve heard for years is an awesome habit to start. I planned our meals for the week, went grocery shopping (those are both things I’ve always done weekly), and then I fully PREPPED every meal that we’re going to eat this week! You might be wondering why I decided to try this now. And that reason is because I just started a new job! That’s right! I thought some of you long-time followers might appreciate sharing in the happy news with me. š Now that I’m a working lady I need to be much more intentional about how I use my time and how I plan things out. Last week (my first week) we ate quite a bit of takeout, and that’s not a habit that I want to let sink in. So food prep it is!
Here’s our “menu” for the week:
Breakfasts: Overnight oats, Banana Muffins
Lunches: French Lentil Soup (for me), Chicken Cesar Salad (for Jason), Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls
Dinners: Shrimp and Tomato Pasta (for Jason)/Roasted Vegetable Pasta (for me), Chicken Jambalaya (for Jason)/Vegetable Tamales (for me), Eggpant Parmesan served with brown rice spaghetti and salad, Beef Tacos (for Jason)/Black Bean Tacos (for me)
Some things I made to completion so that all they’ll need during the week is a quick reheat. For other things I just chopped up all the ingredients to eliminate prep time later on. Here’s the work I actually did yesterday:
- made lentil soup
- made eggplant parmesan (up until baking step)
- baked banana muffins
- made overnight oats
- chopped veggies and meat for jambalaya
- marinated and grilled chicken for cesar salads
- washed and cut lettuce for salads
- washed and cut up fruit for lunch or snacks
- make filling for spring rolls
- cut up vegetables for pasta
It took a good chunk of my Sunday but I’m SO glad that I did it and I’m hoping to make this a weekly thing. It’ll keep us eating better and keep our spending from getting out of control. Just because I’m working now doesn’t mean I’m ready to give up on home cooking! Far from it.
Some of these recipes I’m testing and tweaking for my next Facebook challenge group! Email me or shoot me a message on social media if you’re interested in joining, I still have a few spots left!
See you later this week with a new recipe!
-Lauren
12 Responses
Jennifer
Hey girl! Congratulations on the job! What kind of work will you be doing?
Lauren @ Dash of Soul
Thanks! I’m working for a judge, very excited!
Katherine Johnson
WOOT WOOT WOOT WOOOOOOOT!!!
Lauren @ Dash of Soul
š
Emily
That’s impressive man! Killing it at home and in the courtroom. š proud of you!
Lauren @ Dash of Soul
Thanks dude!
Lauren
CONGRATS on the new job, Lauren!! I kinda do food prep. And by kinda, I mean I’ll wash, chop and bag greens when I decide not to be lazy and buy the prepackaged stuff š I try to remember that I LIKE cooking and it IS my after work thing so I don’t have to do it all ahead of time, but when you’re crunch for time, it is absolutely awesome to have done all the prep work already!
Lauren @ Dash of Soul
Thanks Lauren! I love to cook too, I only wish I had more time during the week! I have a feeling I’ll be getting it all out of my system by doing so much on Sunday though, haha!
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama}
Congrats on the new job!! Very exciting!
And you didn’t just food prep, you were a food prepping MACHINE! I go in phases of food prep, but overall I don’t do that much of it.
Lauren @ Dash of Soul
Thanks so much Mayrea! š
Jebbica
I guess I’m too late for the Facebook challenge. š But I gotta say…I’m envious of your refrigerator organization! I love your “Lauren & Jason” spoon…too cute! I know you have a new job, but I just love how colorful your blog is and how enthusiastic you seem; I hope you keep blogging!
Annie @Maebells
I am SUCH a prepper, so I love this! I always prep for the week on Sundays and I love how freeing and easy it makes the weeknights! I have got to try that lentil soup! It looks fabulous!