Meal Prep 101

Meal prep is a total game changer. Especially now that we’re moms, once 5 p.m. rolls around, the last thing we want to do is figure out what on earth we’re going to make for dinner. We haven’t gotten it down to a perfect rhythm just yet, but we’ve started to get into a bit of a meal-planning groove and we are loving the difference a little prep can make. To give you a bit of meal-planning motivation, we’re sharing some of our top tips to make dinnertime a breeze. And we’re even keeping it real by sharing one of our favourite takeout options thanks to Greco Pizza! Now if only we could find a way to make washing the dishes just as easy! 

Make a Plan
Choose one night a week to make a plan. Carving out this time is essential to setting yourself up for a successful week ahead. Jacqueline likes to make her meal plan a week in advance. You may prefer to prep on the weekend. It doesn’t matter when you plan, just make sure you do it! 

​Choose your Proteins
We like to choose a couple proteins to carry us through the week. For example, roasting a chicken allows you to enjoy a roast dinner one evening, chicken sandwiches with sweet potato fries another, and chicken curry the next night. If you’re serving a large family, roast a turkey to give yourself even more protein. Your protein doesn’t have to be meat. Jacqueline has a mild obsession with chickpeas. (That’s normal, right?) They are so versatile, packed with protein, and work perfectly in a quinoa salad or curry. 
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One-Pot Wonders
We love a good one-pot wonder. These dishes are usually easy to freeze, packed with flavour and make great weeknight dinners. Think soups and stews (using your protein of choice for the week), or casserole-type dishes like lasagne, mac and cheese, or shepherd’s pie. 

Think Big 
Anytime we make pasta sauce, soups, or curry, we make enough for a few meals and freeze the excess. We cannot tell you how many times dinner has been saved by a good ol’ freezer meal. You can also freeze meatballs and pizza dough. The options are endless. 

Treat yo’ Self!
When we were in university, every Sunday, without fail, the whole family would get together for takeout pizza. Our favourite food mixed with our favourite people was the best way to head into a new week. We currently have Greco Pizza on speed dial (no shame). Did you know they have the largest party pizza in Atlantic Canada? It’s 24 oh-so-delicious slices of pizza goodness and our go-to for family pizza night. After a long week and after the meal prep is out of the way, we are all about kicking up our feet and digging into a hot pizza. No fuss. No mess. And definitely no disappointment. We have no idea what herbs and spices are sprinkled on their crust, but… Oh. My. Goodness. If pizza isn’t your thing (seriously though, how can pizza not be your thing?) Greco has lots of other options, including oven subs, donairs, salads, and donair egg rolls! Oh, and the garlic bread! Visit greco.ca to see the full menu and to order your own party in a box this weekend! 

Happy planning lovelies!

​xo Jacqueline and Lindsay

[This post has been sponsored by Greco Pizza.]