Meal Prepping

By Lisa VanWilliams

Chris Powell (personal trainer) is always posting his meal preps on Instagram. He says, "Yes, another meal prep picture :) Only reason is to show ya'll the frequency for meal prep. Every week! Get into this groove, and it puts you in total control of your transformation". https://www.instagram.com/p/BHWEG2ZDLLK/

Today I cooked for a client who likes low carb meals and he likes to keep extra protein on hand. I made him 24 meals with vegetable sides included, a salad for the week, a fruit salad for the week, and 14 extra pieces of grilled chicken to have on hand for snacking in between meals. He will eat these meals over the course of the next 2 weeks. Having healthy options ready to go for your consumption at any given time makes eating healthy easier. I know sometimes I will panic when I'm starving and I still need to actually cook something, and having meals on hands helps eliminate that panic. Having prepped food on hand also might stop me from ordering out, or eating something quick,easy, and processed.

For my family, we tend do only do a few meals in advance because I do not like frozen food, and I prefer fresh new options. I can't do leftovers for 3 days in a row :) I keep chicken salad on hand, fresh fruit, and sliced turkey for panic hungry mode. It all about your preferences and making is easy for yourself to make better choices.

Here's to today's menu to give you some ideas for healthy low carb meal prepping options:

Pan Pesto Chicken and Veggies
http://juliasalbum.com/2016/06/one-pan-pesto-chicken-and-veggies/

Buttered Brussels Sprouts - done with browned butter
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/buttered-brussels-sprouts-102575

Baked Dijon Salmon
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/21176/baked-dijon-salmon/

Bok Choy and Green Onions
https://www.atkins.com/recipes/bok-choy-and-green-onions/1310

Herbed Lamb Chops w Greek Couscous Salad
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/248917/herbed-lamb-chops-with-greek-couscous-salad/

Balsamic Rosemary Roasted Vegetables
http://www.oatmealwithafork.com/2014/04/21/balsamic-rosemary-roasted-vegetables-vegan-grain-free/

We also made a batch of Chipotle Peppered Chicken and Mojito Lime Chicken. Just portioned out pieces of chicken marinated in McCormick Grill Mates. http://www.mccormick.com/grill-mates/flavors/marinades