Meal Prep & Grocery Shopping Guide!

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   My favorite day of the week is Sunday! It's a day where I can recharge and mentally prepare myself for the busy week ahead. Like most people, I try to make my week go as smoothly possible. That could mean either planning my outfits for the week or making sure I have my meals grab and go ready. 

  My main focus for the week is normally my meal prep. It saves me time AND money. I know it's going to be a good day when I never have to sit at my desk and wondering what I'm going to have for lunch on a daily bases. Those delivery fees, and over priced lunches start to add up and that's not a fun feeling for anyone's wallet :( 

  People always ask me, "How do you do it? I hate grocery shopping so I never go unless I REALLY need to." Well, the answer is simple: It's a habit. I've always made sure I put time aside to go grocery shopping. Just like a good work out routine, once you start creating a good system for yourself, you'll never forget to do it. 

  Here are some of my favorite tips/tricks when it comes to meal prepping/grocery shopping:

  • Pinterest! Yes, I go on Pinterest Saturday night or Sunday morning to get ideas for what to make for the week. It's never fun to eat the same meal week after week so why not switch it up? I always look for healthy meals, crock pot dishes, salads, soups, etc. The possibilities are endless!

 

  • Make a list! Nothing is worse than going to the store and not knowing what to buy. Making a list helps you see exactly what you need to get as well as limit the "random treats" you put in your cart. Also, make sure you check your pantry before leaving the house. This will help you eliminate buying duplicates of anything as well as making sure your items have not expired. If they have gone bad, then you'll know to add it to the list :)

 

  • Buy in bulk! Making sure that you have protein/veggies on hand is such a big time saver. I normally buy chicken breast in bulk, bake them all and store them in the fridge/freezer. This way, your protein is ready to go for you whenever you need it. I also like to cook a ton of hard boiled eggs to grab for a breakfast add on or snack :) If you're vegetarian, buying things like sweet potatoes or hearty veggies will be a great purchase as well.

 

  • Snacks are your friends! Do not be afraid to buy snacks! I love buying a bag of lightly salted almonds, protein/granola bars, or veggies with hummus. I keep a stash near my desk because let's face it, we get hungry throughout the day. Instead of buying something from the vending machine in the break room or across the street at the corner store, save your money and bring snacks to work! You will notice how much you'll be saving and you won't feel guilty indulging on your healthy snack that you brought :)

 

  • Eat with the season! I learned this trick when I went to The Pink Door in Seattle. Always keep a look out for fruits and veggies that are in season. Doing this allows to to have more variety in your meals as well getting you out of your comfort zone. Making a trip to your local farmers market may help you find some fresh ingredients for your dishes and it might even be a little cheaper for your bank too :)

 

  • SALE SALE SALE! I love a good bargain and that doesn't just apply to my clothes. When I'm shopping for food, I always like to find items that are on sale. If you can, coupon! I normally like to look at coupon books or newspapers to see what my local stores have to offer. And remember, nothing is wrong with buying the "store brand" item. When I go to Whole Food Market, I tend to buy their in store brand "365." It is the same item but it may be a few cents or even $1 cheaper than the name brand.

 

Keeping your list nice and simple will help you stay on track. It'll make your work week a breeze and it'll be so nice for you to not have to worry about what to eat. Now that you don't have your meals to worry about, you can focus on more important things going on in your life. Because you are important too!

Happy shopping! :)