MEAL PLANNING...USING MASON JARS.

Meal prep doesn't have to be hard.

We just choose to make it hard sometimes!

Why do we do this to ourselves?

The biggest key (imo) is the planning part.

You must have a place to keep track of all your recipes that you've tried, want to try, and somewhere to log your menu for the week. It could be on a chalkboard in your kitchen, or even if just means in the "Notes" section of your iPhone (I keep our grocery shopping list there).

 {our menu board. our full kitchen makeover that makes me really happy: here}

I think I've mentioned this before, but we have gotten in the routine of making our menu for the week on Sunday and making sure we have all the ingredients for the next week or two.I will make a stop at the store later on in the week to get fresh fruits/veggies, but other than that, I try to have everything in our house so that we can get right to cooking on the busy weeknights. 

Lunches are another story.

I usually prepare them in the morning of, but sometimes run out of time and find myself rushing to put something together....

Enter the fabulous mason jar salads.

Meal prep at it's finest!

Why didn't I think of this sooner?

5 mason jars stored in the refrigerator = 5 salads. They do not go bad, trust me!
 Glass jars are the best type of storage containers for food.

So, you cut up your toppings.

Start layering what you want on the top of your salad first.

Since I don't eat meat, I like to put chickpeas and sunflower seeds on mine.

You can season the chickpeas to give the more flavor (I use chili powder, lime juice, cumin)

tip if you add avocado: drizzle lemon juice on it after you cut it up so that it doesn't brown.

Finish by placing your spinach/lettuce on the very TOP.

Wait to add your salad dressing until right before you eat it.

Secure your jar with a lid and store....

When you're ready to eat, simply flip over the jar into a bowl or plate and add your salad dressing!

It couldn't be easier and you have your lunches done for the week. 

If you are adding avocado to each, I would wait until Weds. to add to your salads for Thurs. and Fri., just to be safe. It has stayed good for me for 2 days by drizzling lemon juice on top, but not sure about 4-5 days.

Don't you feel less stressed just reading this?

Imagine when you're done preparing these how you'll feel!

Note: if you don't want salad everyday (yes it can get boring and no I don't just have salad everyday, I eat a lot..tah-rust me!), take a tupperware container and place a cooked lean protein (chicken breast, fish, etc) in it with a couple of veggies or a different side and store the same way.

Then, take the extra time you would have been spending in the morning shuffling around to sleep in a bit.

Lastly, have I mentioned how much I love getting reader feedback?

It's been brought to my attention via email that you guys actually ENJOY my juicing recipes!

Woo, woo, woo!

Well, some of you do (thank you to those who have told me!)

I honestly thought for a while no one enjoyed them but me. ha.

 So, for those who enjoy them, here are a few of my favorite recent combinations:

(if you haven't gotten into juicing yet-read this post as to why I like it)

 

-1 orange (peel it first then put in the juicer whole)

-1 lemon (you can either peel or not peel. I read that the peel of a lemon is good for you, but it gives more of a bitter taste in your drink, so it's your preference)

-4 carrots (cut off bad ends)

-large handfuls of kale (2 or 3)

Makes a large glass.

Oh, and after I mentioned trying a whole jalapeno my-lungs-throat-and-chest-are-on-fire yesterday, 

I got some requests for that recipe. Here it is but use caution my friends ;)

note: using a jalapeno in juices is said to help with weight loss. 

I'm not just cray and like the taste of minor burning.

How do you meal plan? Do you like the salad idea?

I think I'm going to do this weekly now...

Do you prep your meals the week prior?
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 I post a lot of my juicing recipes/lunches to instagram, 

so if you have any questions or want to follow along find me at: katiewkrysh.