When it comes to meal prep I always like to include something extra, like extra rice to freeze for later or maybe some prep to help the kids, like this weeks meal prep smoothie bags.
You may think, if you have looked at the last two videos I posted, that I eat a lot of the same thing, each week. Well, yes, and no. I like to make meals my family already loves and then add some new food items.
Let’s take this week for example. My meal prep plan:
- Monday-stir fry with chicken & rice OR stir fry without chicken (I also had originally thought I would use rice noodles for myself but instead I used leftover chicken and veggies for lunch with the rice noodles)
- Tuesday-tacos with turkey
- Wednesday-chicken parmesan with roasted broccoli and cauliflower
- Thursday-out
- Friday-salmon
- A little side note here since I had indicated this in my prep notes; see the video. My son had leftover chicken parmesan since he does not really like fish, yet. I have never been a mom who force feeds her children. As a kid I never liked fish and I didn’t start eating it until I met my husband. My son HAS tried fish, several times. Sometimes he absolutely hates it, and other times he says it’s not bad. What do you do with your kids?
In between those meals I also offered carrot sticks, celery with peanut butter, cucumber slices sprinkled with sea salt, sugar snap peas (raw) with Ranch dressing for dipping.
What are smoothie bags?
We love smoothies in my house but it can get a little messy. The best way to ensure you are taking advantage of a yummy way to more fruits and veggies in your meal planning is to put together some smoothie bags.
- gather your bags (zip locks or reusable)
- pick a veggie (like spinach or romaine)
- pick at least one fruit (try bananas and strawberries)
- sweeten it up with honey so bring that out of the pantry
- boost nutrition with adding chia seeds
Now write on the outside of your bags and additional ingredients that may be needed AND the date you are preparing it. Additional ingredients may be liquids to be added to the blender or protein powders.
Open your bags and add 1/2 -1 cup of veggie, 1/2 cup fruit, 1 tablespoon sweetener and 1 tablespoon nutrition boost. Seal the bag and toss in the freezer!
Let me know if you are going to make some smoothie bags in the comments below!
Love the idea of meal prepping but dread the planning aspect of it? Well, be sure to grab this meal plan, meal prep guide that even includes a grocery list!
