Meal Planning

True you do save a lot, its just a matter of breaking the habit. When you are only feeding two I used to feel like what's the use in cooking for us, but now I will cook for two and make my leftovers another meal or two.

I go through phases when it comes to meal planning/prep. Sometimes I do it, but for the most part, I can't be bothered. And often when I try to plan our week, something changes in our schedule. I find I end up with more food waste.

I love to cook, but only when I'm in the mood. Otherwise I like to keep it pretty simple.

What I tend to do is apply the theory behind capsule wardrobes to cooking. For clothes, the idea is that pretty much everything in your wardrobe works with everything else. The top you buy works with your jeans, or your black pants, or skirt etc. No need for shoes that only work with that one outfit.

meaning, keep it simple with some quality basics, and you don't have to do much thinking, just grab and go.

So,in the kitchen, that means I try to have a variety of meats pre portioned in the freezer. For example, I can pull out a chicken breast before leaving for work in the morning and either:

grill with peppers and onion and mushrooms with some kind of fajita/Tex mex seasoning

stir fry the same veggies with soy, ginger, garlic

curry it with coconut milk and curry paste.

and the same combos apply with pork tenderloin, fish, steak, tofu.

Those are all well under 30 minute meals, and then I eat leftovers for lunch the next day.

and like every wardrobe needs a statement piece, when I get bored, I'll pull out a new recipe or technique to change it up.

and if I don't have leftovers, I keep sliced meat, cheese and canned tuna on hand for grab and go lunches.

Good luck, figure out what works for you!

I was all on board with what you wrote until this...

No need for shoes that only work with that one outfit.

Then you lost me

I don't meal plan but I make sure I have all the items I need in the house for the week.

My Dad loves to BBQ so I'm really lucky as he now puts extra meat on the grill for me and I have enough for supper and lunch the next day. 1 steak lasts me for 3 days, lol.

I usually have a very simple breakfast of plain Greek yogurt with blueberries or raspberries. Lunch is usually left over BBQ, tuna or chicken salad, or else a simple 1 egg omelette with some melted cheese. Supper is always protein...steak, chicken, home made burger patty, or shrimp...very occasionally, fresh fish (they aren't biting this year). Shrimp cooks up super fast, just minutes in the frying pan with 1 tsp of butter and some garlic powder. I probably even overcook it as i like it to get slightly brown on each side.

I don't eat veggies with my meals yet, but if I feel hungry after I get all of my protein in for the day, I will sometimes have some cherry tomatoes or cucumber for a snack. If I haven't gotten in all of my protein I have a pepperette or babybel light cheese as a snack.

It's super simple to eat this way.

I used these containers for the first 8 months after surgery -- to put servings of foods away in the freezer as PammieAnne described above.

I still use these for "slider" food and snack portioning in maintenance. I portion yogurt, halo top, nuts, dressings, and even protein powder to go, etc in these -- as well as use them in my husband and son's lunches.

Disposable 3 oz. BPA-Free Baby Food Storage Containers with Hinged Lids (50-Pack) | Travel Snack Cups | Store Homemade, Organic Purees | Freezer and Dishwasher Safe

Great idea thank you.