Even I must admit, cooking everyday can become tedious and time consuming.
But so is a trip to the ER....
To optimize our health we need to be very mindful of the foods we eat. That means really inquiring about and paying attention to how our food is prepared. The absolute best way to ensure your meals are cooked properly, is to cook them yourself. Not to mention it saves a ton of money.
Have you ever struggled completing meal prep from week to week???
Yeah me too. How do we tackle meal prep from a mental standpoint? How can we make meal prepping something tolerable or even enjoyable? Well, people that continue to meal prep year after year say they feel a sense of accomplishment from cooking. As with many things in life it's the result that usually keeps you coming back.
Once you attach strong positive purpose to an action, it's game on. Here's a list of positive reasons to meal prep.
• Satisfaction knowing they've done something healthy for their self.
• Proving they can resist temptation
• Providing healthy food for their families and even co-workers.
• Having that old school, family feel from cooking.
These types of relatable, personal acts really provide long lasting motivation and can feel bigger then just losing weight. The food is primary, but it becomes less about food and more about the feeling of accomplishment.
You can even view meal prepping like it's hitting the reset button. When Sunday arrives it's a chance to reset, start a new week fresh and prepared.
You can even view it as a form of self care. An opportunity to do something for you. Something that you will benefit from in the present and long term.
Not to mention the mental space you will free up after it's complete. The time it takes to decide what to eat and the guilt and lack of energy you feel afterwards can be avoided. Just grab your clean fast food and enjoy!
During meal prep, create a party environment. Put on some dance music and have some fun with it. Maybe pop on your favorite show. Something that you've seen so much you can visualize it just by listening. I love looking at chopped on Food Network, then taking random ingredients and making it work. Haha in fact a couple nights ago on Easter, I actually tried to race the contestants. My son reminded me that their timer was not counting in real time lol
How do you feel about meal prep? What motivates you to dive in and get it done?
RECIPE!!
Cauliflower Fried Rice
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 eggs
• 4 cups frozen cauliflower
• 1/2 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 green onions
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
1. Combine 1 teaspoon sesame oil with eggs in a bowl then whisk to combine and set aside.
2. Blend cauliflower in your food processor.
3. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet over high heat. 4. Add cauliflower, green onions and frozen mixed vegetables then stir fry until cauliflower is just beginning to turn tender, 3-4 minutes.
5. Add garlic, season with salt and pepper and then continue to stir fry until 30 seconds or so.
6. Push mixture to the sides of the wok to create an opening in the center then add the eggs and scramble.
7. Toss mixture to combine and then drizzle with soy sauce and mix again to combine.
8. Serve hot.•
Donta Finney
ISSA Certified Trainer
Specialist In Sports Nutrition
6th Dan Kar-Do-Jitsu Ryu
Former Lv. 1 CrossFit Trainer