Make-ahead Meal Plan and Weekly Food Prep

Hey everyone! Happy Spring time! It’s kinda funny that it’s been somewhat nice here in Buffalo, NY but then the first week of Spring hits and we see snowflakes. Never fails. I can’t wait for warmer weather. Maybe it’s my ripe old age of 40 but I can’t stand the cold anymore. I want to be outside and enjoy the fresh warm air.

Anyway, now that I’m running outdoors I’ve been enjoying the outside more even when it’s cold. I’ve always been a treadmill runner. FOR YEARS. But now I would much rather run outside than on my treadmill. It’s therapeutic and I get in a better workout.

Speaking of running. Over the last month or so I’ve talked about the ½ marathon I’ve been training for. I wouldn’t say I’m “hardcore” training but I’m definitely running 4-5 times a week and yesterday, when I was running on my treadmill, it felt easier. I was at 3 miles and I still had lots of steam left in me. One of my favorite sayings is “it never gets easier, you only get better” and I immediately thought of that when I ran over 3 miles with no problem. I’m getting better. I don’t know if I’ll be able to run 13 miles but I sure will give it my best shot.

Onto my food. I decided to continue with my Hello Fresh meal service this week. Doing so takes care of 3 dinners for me. Right now I subscribe to the 3 meals for 2 people Classic Box. To be honest, I didn’t think I would benefit from, or even like, a meal delivery service but after only a week I’m hooked. It’s so convenient and the recipes are delicious. Last week, we had a salmon dish, ground beef pasta bake, and a chicken pesto recipe. Each one was super easy to make and delicious.

I prepared the salmon in the morning and brought it with me later at night while I waited for my girls at dance. It was the perfect way to make sure I ate a healthy meal and didn’t eat past 7.

I made the pasta bake for one of my friends and I later in the week. This was scrumptious.

This week Hello Fresh sent me Citrus Shrimp, Pan Roasted Chicken, and Seared Steak. I can’t wait to make it.

I don’t think I would use Hello Fresh for every single dinner but I think it’s definitely helpful to use it to supplement a few dinners a week. At least it is for me. A few people asked me about the cost. I’m sure if you look at the cost of all the ingredients compared to getting them at the store Hello Fresh is going to cost more.

However, I don’t think by a lot. Plus they send the food cleaned, portioned out, and ready to cook. And did I mention it shows up at your doorstep. I mean this alone is huge for me. Some people love to grocery shop…me not so much. I love getting fresh ingredients sent to my door. It’s like Christmas every Saturday morning when my Hello Fresh gets delivered.

Let’s get to my meal plan.

Breakfast

Strawberry Kale Green Smoothie

frozen breakfast sandwich

Make-ahead tips

• I will make the smoothies the morning I drink it.
• I made the bacon ahead of time for breakfast sandwiches. I will make the eggs the morning off.

Morning Snack

Yogurt

Lunch

Greek Mason Jar Salads

Make-ahead tips

• Salads were made today for the week.

Afternoon Snack

carrots and hummus

cheese and crackers

hard-boiled eggs

Make-ahead tips

• Cheese was cut up yesterday
• eggs were made today and stored in the refrigerator.

Dinner

Hello Fresh meals

Turkey Club Ranch Wrap

BLT with Avocado

Make-ahead tips

• I plan to make the Hello Fresh meals the afternoon of or the night we eat them.
• Bacon was made today for the club and BLT.