Meal-Prep Monday!

Today's topic is brought to you by STRESS, FOOD, and TIME. So, welcome back and prepare yourselves (uh oh - already starting out with a pun Lyndsey? you betcha)...

As I have been forced into the wonderful world of what we call "school", I've had virtually no time to just relax, let alone think about my food for the next day (eeeeeeeep!). Don't get me wrong - I've been eating semi-healthy and still pumping iron daily, but my meals certainly could be better. My schedule is school, gym, homework, sleep. Gross, right?

That's why I discovered #mealprepmonday (apparently, a very popular hashtag). Now technically I meal-prepped on Sunday, but, ya know, you do you. I stalked Pinterest boards and Instgram foodies for ideas, hauled my butt to the store (Trader Joe's is my cocaine), and forced myself to plan out every meal for this upcoming week. Overall, I spent about 2 hours doing all of this, which, in my eyes, is completely worth the outcome I will get.

So, why meal prep? How do you meal prep? What's the point?
Well, I'll tell ya the point. Because I prepared all of my foods for this week, I don't have to frantically rush around my school cafeteria when I realize my avacado panini's are all gone, or that my favorite greek yogurt has been discontinued. All of my foods are in containers or baggies, and I know exactly what I will be eating and when. I planned out each food group in order to hit my protein needs each day. Foods are taken from each food group.

This first week is a test for me - I am NO expert on how to do this, nor do I want you guys to follow my plan exactly, since I am only trying it out. Let me just show you some of my splendid ideas...

veggie bowls: peppers, carrots, green beans, mixed vegetables

fruits: grapes & apples & bananas

carbs: potatoes, trail mix, blue corn tortilla chips 

 

protein: greek yogurt, questies, kashi protein cereal

Now, I am assured that I will be hitting my macros and micros for each day since I have all of my food prepped. These are only lunches - my breakfast is usually a waffle with almond butter or eggs, and my dinners are always protein shakes and a lean cuisine or whatever my mother cooks. All together, this wasn't too expensive or time consuming! All of these products are from Trader Joe's or Hannaford, with the exception of my Quest bars from the Vitamin Shoppe. Speaking of which...

getting new proteins will always excite me

these are taken post-workout (5 days a week)

Annnnnnnyways...

I encourage you all to try this method. Get out all of your containers and pull out some baggies. What could go wrong? Test it out for a week with me. I plan to update you guys on how it goes sometime in the near future! 

Ta-daaaaaaa!
A few of my faves: TJ almond butter, Kashi Go Lean Crisp, Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips

Eat up! I'll be back soon, I promise...

Lyndsey