When it comes to Meal Prepping people immediately think tupperware filled with boring chicken and broccoli - NOT for this girl. We all know I was blessed in the husband department and his dinners are BOMB so I do what I can which is usually breakfast and snacks.
I’ve also noticed and I am sure a lot of you can relate - we’ve grown up in a diet culture (I won’t even act like I wasn’t throwing back cans of Slim Fast in eighth grade hoping to “drop a few.” So we think “less is more” when it comes to what we eat when we are trying to lose weight and that is 100% not the case.
I like to refer to it as the bear mentality - when we UNDER eat we’re like a bear in hibernation clinging to every single calorie we feed it - ie that plateau we always try to break through. So for me I find making myself eat like a human; breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner is when I start to lose and see the results I’m looking for.
Bringing it back to meal prepping - it’s NOT an all or nothing thing - ANYTHING that either saves you time during the week OR gets you closer to your desired results is worth it no? So that is my stance on meal prep - even if it’s just washing and cutting veggies for humus so you don’t grab for a back of chips - BOOM you’re a meal prepper.
And now for my current favs that have made my timed nutrition (newest meal plan I’m following and more to come about that shortly) - let me know if you make any and if you liked them!
First up is the MOST delicious post workout meal if you’re doing 80DAY like me OR just THE healthiest lunch option. And this is one of those meals that gets better when you put it in the fridge!
Greek Chicken Bowls
Chicken
1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup olive oil
3 Tbs garlic, minced (Note, adjust to preference)
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 Tbs red wine vinegar
1 Tbs dried oregano
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cucumber Salad
2 English cucumbers, peeled and sliced
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs red wine vinegar
1/2 Tbs minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried oregano
2 cartons of cherry tomatoes, halved.
Tzatziki Sauce
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 English cucumber, finely diced
1 Tbs minced garlic
1/2 Tbs dill weed, or 1 Tbs fresh dill, chopped fine
1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp chopped fresh mint (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
3 cups cooked brown rice
Instructions
In a large plastic zip bag, combine olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, greek yogurts and salt and pepper. Massage to mix.
Add chicken into the bag.
Massage to make sure chicken is full covered and marinate for at least 20 minutes, up to 12 hours.
Drain the chicken from the marinade, discarding the marinade.
I cooked mine in the sauce in the Instant pot for 8 minutes…OR you can do In a skillet, heat some olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken when it is hot, and cook, flipping part way through. Cook approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Cooking time depends on thickness and size of the chicken. Cook until internal temp is 165 degrees.
Remove from pan or pot, and let cool.
Once cool, cut into bite sized pieces. Just make sure you let it cool, or all the juice will run out.
Meanwhile, make cucumber salad by chunking the cucumbers, and tossing in a bowl with the lemon juice, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and oregano. Set aside
Make tzatziki sauce by combining the Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill weed, lemon juice, lemon zest in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. And add mint (optional)
Refrigerate while assembling your bowls.
Cook brown rice according to package directions. When finished cooking, divide between meal prep containers, 1/2 cup in each container, add to cucumber salad. Divide amongst the bowls.
Top with chicken, cucumber salad, and some tzatziki sauce.
Keep for 3- 5 days in airtight container, serve hot or cold!
I stored everything separately so I could make the bowls individually and Brian ended up eating the tomato and cucumber (THE NERVE) so I cut up some extra cucumbers and it was still BOMB.
And next up is Carrot Cake Muffins! These were SO good and honestly a single portion is 4 muffins so I had 2 before my workout and 2 after to stay on plan. Even better - top with peanut butter because PB is life but it really took them to the next level! See no chicken and broccoli here! HAHAHHA
