How to maser food prepping (tips and tricks)

mmtrnr

I love that scale as well. In fact, I want to get another so my husband and I can have one to ourselves! :-) I like it for many reasons: it is so easy to change units (right on front -- not underneath) and the fact that it takes AAA batteries, which I always have around. I wish it had a larger platform, as I have large plates at home.

I just brought that scale last week and returned it because it was a impulse buy. Do you like the scale and why?

This one: http://www.amazon.com/EatSmart-Precision-Digital-Kitchen-Silver/dp/B001N07KUE/ref=pd_sim_hpc_2 It's $25 and free shipping.

I absolutely love it. It has a nice big weighing platform (5" in diameter): weighs in grams, ounces, pounds and kilograms; has a tare(zero out) function and takes normal AAA batteries.

jenniferstanton

Cukes, celery, carrots, snap peas ( my favorite), cherry tomatoes, radishes and either romaine/spinach for salads. What do you like?

apocalypsepwnie

I use my partner's card for grocery shopping and get him to transfer money onto it for shopping. The same amount each week. I can't buy crap AND get in all the vegetables and fruit I need each week so I have to pick one of the other.... produce always wins.

I get local produce like fruit, veg, meat and dairy delivered by a service. I get to shop from work online and pick the best locally grown stuff and just pick up the cheaper things at the super market.

I shop weekly and get mostly the same things each week but will research new ideas before buying them. So if I want sauce mixes for different dishes or see a recipe, I'll always do a search on MFP before buying it. I'd hate to get it home and not be able to have it or starve all day to fit it in.

I prepare my lunch while making dinner. Saves me time and I'm in the kitchen anyway.

With meals that we would usually eat between the two of us, I'll now split into 3 and take it for lunch the next day. Portion control winning right there!

I always keep 3-4 lean cuisine type meals in the freezer for days I'm feeling lazy or if I've run out of fresh lunch stuff. I only buy the ones I REALLY like so that way I'll take them and eat them.

I rediscovered the electronic scale my boyfriend bought for his HCG diet (s******) and I weigh EVERYTHING while logging it or log it straight after I make it. Even things in packets, just to be sure. At least the scale is being used right?

I'm a habitual type person so I'm quite happy taking similar things to work for snacks each day. That way I know what I'm eating and what I have to play with. I take strawberries, carrots, celery, cucumber and nuts every day. I'll mix it up with a yogurt or tomatoes and apple too. I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER! Stone fruits... yummeh!

txdahl

bump for later

AnninStPaul

I just plan my meals weekly and do my shopping weekly.

Really!? Do you have more money this way?

Can't speak for the original poster, but we have less waste and better meals if I plan. Otherwise we eat out too much. I actually plan while at the store, based upon what meats are on sale.

hbm616

All of these tips sound awesome! I love to cook and I love variety so I need to work on properly freezing my leftovers because I always make big batches (it's the only way I know how to cook haha)

Every so often I find myself making lazy food choices and I now realize that it is because I have gotten tired of meal prepping and thinking about food 24/7. Storing everything in pre-portioned containers could really help me to stay on track without consuming all of my time and energy.

AnninStPaul

Batch cooking. I make curries/chilli non carne etc in a big batch and then freeze it in portion size containers.

I don't have a large family. Would that still work?

Yup. I live with just my partner, no kids, and we don't eat the same food as he's a hardcore carnivore and I'm pescatarian. Batch cooking works perfectly for having meals for 1 or 2 ready at the drop of a hat/microwave deforst button.

And I'm only one person, living alone! Still cook in batches because it's just easier.

Agreed! We are a family of four, and I make 4-5 meals worth of meat sauce and freeze in meal size containers (800 grams for us). I do chili individual servings. I bake muffins and quick breads in 2 dozen/2 loaf batches, so I freeze at least half.

realme56

I will prep fruits and veggies for the work week, sometimes I like to cook up a batch of ground turkey breast or cutlets and keep the seasoning simple so I can add salsa or marinara sauce and make them into tacos, pizza and pasta dishes. I love convenience foods like Trader Joe frozen rice mixes, polenta.I add spinach to tuna and mayo to increase the nutrition punch and stretch out the higher calories. I try to plan for a few days so I am less apt to do something foolish.

I always keep a couple of Lean Cuisine items for emergency days where planning fails!

jazee11

I will cook a batch or two of something when I have the time. Sundays are usually that day.

I shop about twice a week. Once at the farmers market and then one more shopping trip to the grocery store mid week to get bulk items from the bins and add one or two pieces of produce.

This weekend I made steamed veggies, three kinds of roasted tomato sauce, roasted potatoes (new, purple, yukon, sweet potatoes, and yams), a big batch of hot cereal. Sometimes I will make veggie chili, a big batch of rice or other grain. I portion this stuff out into single serving containers for grab and go access.

I usually make a large salad in the mornings, grab a few containers of what's in the fridge and throw it into my feedbag and I am ready to go.