Anna,
I have a question regarding nutrition.
I try to eat a healthy diet, but I find it difficult to plan healthy, tasty meals for two people. Do you have any suggestions for a weekly meal plan?
–Jude
Hi Jude,
It is tough to stay on top of making meals healthy, enjoyable, and on a daily basis. Most recipes create 4 servings, so I suggest making a few dishes on a Sunday or whatever day you have some time. Freeze two of those servings and have two for the week so you have some meals on hand at all times. It also helps to make things which can be diversified throughout the week. For example if you steam brown rice, quinoa or any of your favorites grains you have that as your carbohydrate and side dish for the week, make two if you want some variety. Roast a super large pan of vegetables as well, then you can either have the roast vegetables on their own as a side, or you can combine some of your favorites with the quinoa. I love quinoa and roast sweet potato salad for example combining them but they work separately as well. You have the two main components and then all it takes are some fresh herbs and assembly as the week goes forward.
There are lots of great websites out there with healthy recipes, but also don’t be afraid to healthify your own by reducing oil or using substitutes to incorporate more dishes into your repertoire. I gather my favorites and then sort them into a side dish, main course, carb, protein, and then when I am planning for the week ahead I make the dishes which have crossover ingredients to cut down my waste and prep time. I also buy more then what the recipe calls for so the ground turkey that becomes turkey burgers I make one night, can also be used for the turkey lasagna I make for another, or the roast vegetables, turkey and brown rice unite as a chili. The best way to plan is to figure out what you’re craving in terms of carbohydrates, protein, fruits and vegetables and how you can prep, pre-make and diversify during the week. Last night’s steak fajitas can be today’s steak and arugula salad once you get the mindset down of making more and cross over ingredients.
–Anna