Home
About
Gardening
Food
    Recipes
    Anti-inflammatory Diet
    Carb Counting
    Dairy Elimination
    Heart Healthy
    Intermittent Fasting
    Liver-Friendly Diet
    MyPlate Guidelines
    Paleo Diet
    Trim Healthy Mama
Fitness
Wellness Tips
    Eating Well in Less Time
    Eating Well on a Budget
Contact
Subscribe
Down Home Dietitian - Healthy doesn't have to be hard.
  • Home
  • About
  • Gardening
  • Food
    • Recipes
    • Anti-inflammatory Diet
    • Carb Counting
    • Dairy Elimination
    • Heart Healthy
    • Intermittent Fasting
    • Liver-Friendly Diet
    • MyPlate Guidelines
    • Paleo Diet
    • Trim Healthy Mama
  • Fitness
  • Wellness Tips
    • Eating Well in Less Time
    • Eating Well on a Budget
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
Browsing Tag
eat right
Eating Well in Less Time Wellness Tips

Food Prep: Streamline Your Healthy Life in Just 20 Minutes per Week

 

Have you ever watched a cooking show where they try to pass a delicious healthy recipe off as a “20-minute meal”? You get all excited, ready to take notes and make this healthy kitchen masterpiece a reality, until you notice that as they are cooking, somehow all of their vegetables are already magically diced, their meats trimmed and cut, and their herbs and spices pre-measured? And then – big surprise! – the whole dish is done in 20 minutes or less! All they had to do was dump this, brown that, stir this in, and the whole creation was complete.

If you’ve had this experience and you’re anything like me you feel lied to. This was not a 20-minute meal. This was a 20-minute meal preceded by 10-15 minutes of peeling, chopping, dicing, and measuring which, again, if you’re anything like me, is the least enjoyable part of cooking.

Many of my clients struggle with this – they buy fresh veggies with perfect intentions of using them. But after a long day the thought of all that prep before they even get to cooking sends them, defeated, to that bag of freezer ravioli (or the corner fast food joint) and their produce one day closer to the garbage.

 



 

So how can we bridge this gap? We want our food to be healthy, and we need it to be quick and easy. Can we have both?

My answer is pretty much, yes. I’m not going to lie to you and say it’s not going to take any time and I certainly can’t hire a magic kitchen for you like the Food Network hosts have, but I can share the trick that has helped make healthful cooking SO MUCH FASTER for me.

That “trick” is food prep. Food prep is different than meal prep, where you actually cook and portion out individual meals in ready-to-go containers. If you have sufficient time and don’t mind eating the same meal for a few meals, meal prep is a great option! If you like a little more variety or can’t spare an hour or more for meal prep each week, give food prep a try!

 



 

Basically, you are your own magic kitchen. When you bring your groceries home, set all your produce (and your meats, if you really want to go for the gold!) on the counter. Put everything else away.

Now you get out your cutting board and knives (once!), and some containers. Chop, slice, and dice your little heart out. It usually takes 10-20 minutes, depending on how many veggies are in the recipes you’re using that week. Put them in containers based on the recipe they’re for. If we are having burgers, I slice tomatoes and onions, lay out lettuce, and put a handful of sliced mushrooms on a plate. If we’re having stew, I cube potatoes, chop onions, and slice carrots and seal them in a container. Then you clean up your cutting boards and knives (once!) and you’re done chopping for the week.

Note: Make sure that if you trim and cut raw meats, you prep them after you’re done with all your produce and that you store them in separate containers if they are uncooked!

Aren’t they pretty?

Now, when it’s time to cook, you can pull your container out of the fridge, dump this, brown that, stir this in, and your healthful meal is ready to go – just like the cooking pros!

For a demonstration of food prep and a recommendation for one of my favorite food prep kitchen tools, click here!

Have you ever tried food prep? Do you like it? Hate it? Let me know in the comments!

 



 

Related Posts

 

How to Meal Plan to Save Time and Money (with FREE printable meal planning template)

One Tip and One Product to Make Living Well Quicker and Easier

Ready to Get Healthy? 5 Simple Steps to Set Yourself up for Success

 



Share

  • Print
Share
Pin
Tweet
Continue reading

Down Home Dietitian

Diet culture is determined to tell you that you have to be miserable to be healthy.

That couldn’t be more wrong.

Subscribe to learn how to go from a frustrated, restricted dieter to a happy, relaxed relationship with food and fitness. Healthy doesn’t have to be hard!

Subscribe
https://youtu.be/xz9u4pUPFA0

Instagram

beckiparsons.rd.ep

I am OVER confusing advice, disgusting diets, and boring exercise.
Healthy doesn't have to be hard!
🍎 Dietitian
🚶‍♀️ Exercise Physiologist

Becki Parsons, MS, RD, CEP
If you need a bit of accountability to keep yourse If you need a bit of accountability to keep yourself in the game for your goals - my Virtual Accountability Subscription is for you! One 60-minute goal setting appointment and 11 weekly e-mail follow-ups to stay in touch and keep you supported and encouraged along the way. Plus, you can get 10% off with the promo code "DHD22" if you start your subscription today - don't miss out! Click the link in my bio to get started.
🔟more days to get 10% off your Virtual Accounta 🔟more days to get 10% off your Virtual Accountability Subscription! If you're ready to love your food life and feel awesome in your body but just need that extra bit of expert support and accountability to get there, this is the program for you!

- One 60-minute virtual appointment to get to know you, set goals, and make your plan ☑️
- Access to a variety of interactive communication tools that sync with your fave wearable trackers✅
- 11 weekly email check-in forms with a tailored response by Yours Truly including recommendations, resources, accountability, and encouragement to see it through and make your healthy life happen☑️
- BONUS: 10% off additional virtual follow-up appointments if you need a little extra support along the way✅

You know you've been waiting around to feel better and stop letting pain, limitations, or low energy hold you back from living your life. Why wait any longer? Get a Registered Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist in your corner - let's do this! Click the link in my bio and use the promo code "DHD22" to get started. 💪
.
.
#olympianutritionist #olympiadietitian #seattledietitian #seattlenutritionist #spokanedietitian #spokanenutritionist #loseweightseattle #weightlossseattle #loseweightolympia #loseweightspokane #losingweight #weightloss #feelingbetter #accountability #applewatch #fitbit #wearabletracker #highenergy #telehealthcare #seattletrainer #olympiatrainer #foodfreedomjourney #antidietdietitian
It is not my job to: - Tell you what you "shouldn It is not my job to:

- Tell you what you "shouldn't" eat.
- Tell you what you "should" eat.
- To restrict your favorite foods.
- To force you to eat foods you hate.
- To give you a pre-made meal plan that is one-size-fits-almost-none
- To tell you how much exercise you "must do."

Outside of deadly allergies, celiac disease, dangerous addictions, and rare medical situations, there is almost never a food you can never have.

It is my job to tell you:
- How different foods are digested, absorbed, and metabolized, and how that relates to your lived experience, symptoms, or medical conditions.
- That healthy doesn't have to look a certain way.
- To get to know you well enough to recommend healthy strategies that may likely be good fits for you.
- To clear up what research does and does not say about food and exercise and health.

So often people fear RDs as "the food police." I'm sure they are out there, as every profession has their own bad apples, but most of my colleagues are awesome and will partner with you to live your best healthy life. 😊

Have you worried about these things when thinking about trying nutrition counseling?
Where to find no-judgment expert support for the g Where to find no-judgment expert support for the goals that matter to YOU? Right here. 🙋‍♀️ Click the link in my bio to come as you are and live your OWN healthy empowered life.
Are you ready? Click the link in my bio to snag yo Are you ready? Click the link in my bio to snag your spot or learn more! My Virtual Accountability Subscription is a great way to get that extra boost of support and encouragement as you meet your goals. Use the promo code "DHD22" to get 10% off through the end of June!
Announcing my new Virtual Accountability Subscript Announcing my new Virtual Accountability Subscription! If you want someone to help you stay on track but don't necessarily need regular appointments, this is the plan for you! Click the link in my bio to start your subscription today! Use the promo code "DHD 22" to get 10% off through the end of June!
.
.
.
#dietitian #nutritionist #diet #wellness #healthydiets #eatwellbewell #telehealth #fitness #exercisephysiology #weightlossgoal #nutritionexpert #healthymindhealthybody #healthynothard
Cabbages and broccolis are in! 🥦🥬 It is FIN Cabbages and broccolis are in! 🥦🥬

It is FINALLY starting to get warm enough in the PNW that I feel comfortable putting my plant babies out to fend for themselves. This is one of the later times I've planted outside but it's okay. My harvest will come in a bit later than normal, but we will be rolling in delicious produce before we know it! 😋🍅🌽🥕🫑🥒
Reclaimed windows are going in the greenhouse on t Reclaimed windows are going in the greenhouse on this beautiful day!
Choosing to work with a dietitian is NOT "turning Choosing to work with a dietitian is NOT "turning yourself in" to the food police! It's finding a teammate to help you find the eating plan that works for you. I frequently joke with my clients that they are dating healthy changes and I am their matchmaker - it's not about forcing your life to fit a plan, it's about finding the plan that complements your life AND helps you meet your goals and feel your best without being miserable or deprived!
.
Ready to give it a go? Click the link in my bio to schedule an in-person or video appointment!
.
#diet #dietitian #nutrition #nutritionist #wellness #health #healthy #eathealthy #loseweight #weightloss #fitness #lifestylechange #exercise #eatwell #fuel #fuelyourbody #food
Our perennial garden is expanding with a low-maint Our perennial garden is expanding with a low-maintenance veggie you plant once and harvest year after year! Click the link in my bio to visit my YouTube channel and watch the full video.
.
.
#garden #gardening #perennial #veggie #veggiegardening #veggies #asparagus #growingasparagus #health #healthy #homegrown #gardener #homestead #homesteading #wellness #nutrition #easy #eatlocal #growityourself #fiber #diet #dietitian #weightloss #healthyeating
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • Planting a Small Permaculture Orchard on our Homestead
  • How Much to Plant in Your Vegetable Garden
  • Recipe: Immune Boosting Winter Smoothie
  • Choosing an Exercise Plan you can Stick To
  • Working Toward Your Health Goals When Life is Busy or Stressful

Categories

© 2021 All rights reserved.

Log In

Forgot Password?

Not registered yet? Create an Account