Back to School
Just when you begin to settle into the rhythm of long summer days, with endless plans and possibilities, schedules and school bells chime right back in. It can be difficult to switch gears into a structured schedule, new routines, and demanding work loads. So now is the time to be intentional about planning your meals for the busy days ahead. Staying organized with simple tricks repeated day after day and week after week will create lasting habits that will carry you through the hardest of seasons. Meal prepping will become as regular as prepping the coffee pot for the next day. Your body, mind and sanity will be thanking you for establishing these foundational habits.
- Stock up on the essentials. Revamp your supply of containers in various sizes so you’re prepared to store all food items, both hot and cold, for lasting freshness. You’ll want to store things like condiments, dips, and dressings separately. Reusable Ice packs are worth their weight in gold. And a good lunchbox is as essential as your favorite coffee thermos.
- Pack your lunch the night before. Portion dinner leftovers into the containers you’ll pack into your lunchbox for the next day. Cut up any fruit or vegetables and portion snacks so they’re ready to go. Do as much prep as you can right after dinner so you know what you’ll be eating the next day.
- Consistency is key. Don’t overwhelm yourself with new recipes or ideas to try each week. Stick to your staples and keep it simple until it’s a regular part of your routine. Stock up on fruit and nuts for healthy snacks. Portioned cheese sticks, meat sticks, hard boiled eggs, and yogurt cups are the best options for filling up when hunger strikes. Precutting veggies and portioning dips like ranch, peanut butter, or hummus into containers will keep you nourished until your next meal. Your meals may vary but keep a steady supply of healthy snacks on hand.
- Never leave the house empty handed. You may not be hungry when it’s time to head out the door but within hours your body will be asking for something. The more often you have healthy options on hand, the less likely you’ll make rash decisions when you’re starving and want to eat anything in sight. Whatever option you do have will most likely get eaten, so stock up on those fruits and veggies!
- Have a plan. Being prepared and making healthy food choices starts long before the work day. The more detailed you can be in planning your grocery lists, the more it will save you when your brain is fried from making decisions during the week. Have a plan for 4-5 dinners, breakfasts, and lunches when you buy your groceries and you will inevitably fall into that plan as your week unfolds.
We have your back when it comes to the freshest fruits, vegetables, and local non perishables for your meal planning needs. Customize your box each week to get what you want and cut your grocery shopping in half! We let you know what’s coming every Saturday.
