Meal Prepping Tips for Back to School
The end of summer marks the beginning of a new school year, filled with exciting opportunities for growth and new routines. As you get ready for the back-to-school season, one of the biggest challenges for parents is juggling busy schedules and making time for nutritious meals. Meal prepping can be a game-changer to save you time, money, and stress while ensuring your family enjoys healthy and delicious meals throughout the week. Explore the art of back to school meal prepping in this blog to simplify your week and eliminate unnecessary stress.
Prepping Dinners: Tips and Recipes
1. Plan Your Weekly Menu for Nutritional Success:
Meal prepping isn’t just about streamlining your week; it’s about setting you and your family up for nutritional success by fueling your body with the necessary nutrients. As you begin your meal prepping journey, you need to plan out your weekly menu. Prioritize balanced meals for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. Include your family in the meal planning process so everyone can enjoy the delicious meals and snacks prepared ahead of time. By setting up your weekly menu ahead of time, you can keep your shopping list organized. Ditch the dreadful, “what’s for dinner,” question by planning your weekly meals, and set your family up for nutritional success!
2. Batch Cooking:
A culinary revolution that saves time and satisfies your taste buds is batch cooking! To make your meal prepping a success, prepare large batches of versatile ingredients like grilled chicken, roasted veggies, or cooked rice. Use these items as building blocks for several meals throughout the week. Batch cooking will help you whip up a week’s worth of delicious dishes ready to be enjoyed whenever hunger strikes.
3. One-Pot or Sheet Pan Meals:
A new wonderful trend is making one-pot or sheet pan meals. These meals minimize clean-up and save time as you cook everything all together. Recipes such as chicken fajitas, roasted salmon with vegetables, or vegetable stir-fry with tofu are great options to start your week off strong!
4. Freezer-Friendly Meals:
Choose a less busy day or weekend to make several freezer-friendly meals in preparation for extra busy nights. By doing this you will prevent yourself from getting in a bind and scrambling for dinner on those busier weeks. Lasagnas, casseroles, or soups are great options for freezer-friendly meals. These meals can be made in large quantities and divided into individual portions for easy reheating.
5. Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Recipes:
Utilize the convenience of slow cookers or Instant Pots. Set up your meal in the morning, and by the time everyone returns home, a warm and hearty dinner will be ready. Try recipes like chili, pulled pork, or vegetable curry. Quickly find recipes online or on Pinterest.
Prepping Kids’ Lunches: Tips and Recipes
1. Involve Your Kids:
While you are planning out your meals, be sure to involve your entire family. Encourage your children to participate in the prepping and even organization of their lunches. Not only does involving your kids increase their interest in healthy foods, but it also allows them to make choices that they are excited about and that suit their taste preferences.
2. Bento-Style Lunches:
Bento boxes are great for lunches for your entire family. These boxes offer several compartments so you can have a variety of healthy options. Fill compartments with a mix of fruits, vegetables, protein (such as grilled chicken or hard-boiled eggs), whole-grain crackers or wraps, and a small treat like dark chocolate or homemade energy balls. Let your kids get involved and help you fill up the bento boxes for their lunches for the entire week.
3. Make-Ahead Sandwiches and Wraps:
Prepare sandwiches and wraps in advance and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. Opt for whole-grain bread or tortillas and fillings like turkey and avocado, hummus and vegetables, or almond butter and banana. Whether you make these the night before or in batches, making sandwiches and wraps ahead of time will alleviate the stress of planning and preparing lunches for your family.
4. Homemade Snacks:
Homemade snacks are not only healthier, but they also allow you to get creative in the kitchen! Know exactly what ingredients are in your snacks by making your own snacks ahead of time. Bake granola bars, muffins, or cookies using whole-grain flours, natural sweeteners, and added fruits or nuts. You can also make energy balls and other grab-n-go snacks for a quick bite on a busy weekday.
5. Pre-Portioned Fruits and Veggies:
Wash, cut, and portion fresh fruits and vegetables into snack-size containers or resealable bags. This makes it easier for your kids to grab and enjoy them during school hours or for an afternoon snack. Be sure to have a variety of fruits and veggies to choose from so you and your family can have options throughout the week.
Be Well-Prepared!
Back-to-school meal prepping can save you time, reduce stress, and ensure that your family consumes nutritious meals throughout the week. By following these tips and incorporating easy and delicious recipes into your routine, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle busy school days.
Contact Us
While you are busy cooking in the kitchen, ensure your air conditioning system is working efficiently to keep you cool and comfortable. We believe in helping customers, whether it be by replacing your old comfort system with a new, high-efficiency system, maintaining and repairing your current system, or providing air purification solutions to keep your home clean and healthy. Shannon’s Heating and Cooling is a trusted American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Dealer in Pensacola, FL. Call us at (850) 698-3101 or email us at [email protected] with any questions or for more information.
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