Meal prepping is a game changer when it comes to balancing busy schedules and healthy eating. With our packed days at the gym, home life, and juggling extra curricular activities with kids, we’ve found a system that works to keep meals stress-free but still packed with nutrition. So, here’s an example of what a week looks like in the Glarrow household.
Lunch Prep: One Recipe, 10 Servings
For lunches, we like to keep it simple by focusing on just one recipe each week. This week, we chose Spaghetti Casserole, but we did our own twist—extra meat and added veggies to up the nutrition and flavor. We make 10 servings of this, which is enough to cover us for most of the week, and the best part? It reheats great.
Quick tip: Adding extra protein (like more ground beef or turkey) and veggies (think bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms) makes this meal more filling and nutrient-dense.
Dinners: A Three-Recipe Rotation
For dinners, we like to mix things up. Each week, we pick three recipes and rely on leftovers for the other nights. This gives us variety but also keeps us from having to cook every night. Here’s what we’re cooking this week:
Steak, Baked Sweet Potatoes, and a Fall Salad
We grill up some steak (or chicken) for protein, bake sweet potatoes for a carb source, and round it out with a hearty fall salad. Think of greens like arugula or spinach with apples, pecans, and a light vinaigrette. It’s a simple but satisfying meal that doesn’t feel heavy.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
This one is a favorite because it’s a set-it-and-forget-it kind of meal. We found this amazing recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast, which we throw together in the morning and let simmer all day. By the evening, we’ve got dinner ready to go.
Roasted Chicken with Leftover Fall Salad
A good roasted chicken is a common staple for us. This Back to Basics Roasted Whole Chicken recipe is simple and delicious. We pair it with any leftover fall salad for a quick, balanced meal.
How It Saves Us Time and Stress
Prepping meals like this helps us avoid last-minute fast food runs or spending too much time in the kitchen when we’d rather be with family. By doubling down on lunch and rotating a few dinner recipes, we create a balance of variety, nutrition, and convenience.
If you’re a busy professional or parent, give this method a try. It might just help you stay on track with your health goals!