Meal Planning

Practicing what I preach (this time)

The last post was about being prepared. One of the types of preparations I offered up was to determine how many meals were going to be cooked at home. As well as, what complexity level of meal prep your schedule might allow for.

Even if you do something like Home Chef, you might want to supplement. Therefore, I’m going to share a version of my schedule (just the highlights, not the details) AND the corresponding meals I’ll do along with it. After, you will find a grocery list if you’d like to make these meals.

If you decide to make some of these meals (or all), please share via social media! If you are an anti-food poster on social media, at least put a comment below on what was your favorite, or your families favorite!

The schedule

It’s probably been said a handful of times, but I start my weeks on Monday’s. For the purposes of this exercise, we will focus on the work week only. My scheduled times consist of my early morning routine, going to the gym at least 3-4 week days, my day job and my blog. Of course taking care of Bianca and sometimes social activities are included.

During these days of work from home 100%, my schedule is packed with lots of meetings and talking during the day. Sometimes I have meetings through my lunch, where I turn off my camera but still need to talk. On those days, I eat a more simple lunch. Other days I go to the gym in the evening and would rather something not so heavy. In general, the time needed to cook, prepare or simply consume is what determines my meal.

Selecting Meals

Nutrition

The top priority when select meals for me is nutrition. In close second is tastiness. Another factor, which has only recently come into the equation is variety. While I can eat spinach salads with no toppings everyday, I’d prefer to switch it up a bit. Now that I am going back to the gym, the sheer volume of food I eat is increasing.  Plus protein is ever more important. 

Intermittent Fasting

Oh! One thing you may have noticed but I just remembered is: NO BREAKFAST! For many years I have been an intermittent faster. Meaning, I eat within a 5-6 hour window and, as of right now only two meals a day. When I am not actively going to the gym, sometimes I go down to a single meal a day – but still ensure I am getting calories (no worries there!)  More on intermittent fasting at Doctor Berg’s YouTube Channel (here).

Healthy but Fast

Referring back to the schedule, it looks like I will need easy, quick to heat up and eat lunches. And this week, mostly lighter dinners. Monday evening I will have time to cook and Thursday I will be going out to dinner. Two evenings I might just have a protein shake before going to the gym, which means I will need more calories on those lunch days.

A few other details

Typically, I use the crockpot each week for one meal. In addition, I cook mostly on Sundays. And, as much as possible I store my food in single meal portions. I am a huge fan of raw spinach and cooked swiss chard. Two of my favorites are included below (the soup and the nachos).  Nutrition Facts of Spinach.