My Meal Planning Routine - September Whole30
Happy Monday + Day 8 of my SeptemberWhole30!! Last week, a few of my personal training clients asked me how do I plan + prep my weekly meals so that got me thinking about sharing with all of you. Now this has worked with me with my current work schedule but this can totally be adjusted for what works best for you.
On Fridays, I spend some time reviewing my fridge + pantry to take inventory of what I have on hand - this is important so you don’t end up with 3 bottle of @tessemaes ranch or @chosenfoods mayo (I know I’ll use them so not mad about it but think about a random ingredient you may not use as much + to prevent waste).
After that, I look through my favorite @whole30 cookbooks + blogs like @therealfoodrds @paleorunningmomma + any IG posts I bookmarked. There’s always a new recipe to try + I love trying new recipes. Just wait until we’re in the new house with the kitchen island of my dreams!! So many recipes + fun to come!
Then, I open Google Sheets to my current meal plan + plug in the recipes I selected to see what else is needed. I always pick a meal prep breakfast like buffalo chicken egg bake + a crock pot/ instant pot recipe for protein like shredded chicken or pork or meal like chili or beef stew. I try to pick recipes that Eric will also enjoy. Then I add in a big salad for lunches that I can too with protein. I mix + match until the week is filled before making my list.
I’m always adding to my list as I use up things during the week. As I’m reviewing the recipes, I’ll add to the list the ingredients I know that I don’t have or that will be used up. I try to finish the list Friday night so that Saturday I can head to the store. I like breaking this process up so it doesn’t feel as much of a chore + makes it a plan that I can stick to.
On Saturday, I head to the store. I change up where I go depending on what I need. I personally prefer the meat selection + club pack veggies at Wegmans. I really like their thin sliced chicken breasts + pork chops since I cannot for the life of me make them even. I also go to Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, + Giant that are near me, as well as order from Thrive Market+ have delivered to my house. With the current situation of the world, I may not find every ingredient that I need or a particular brand, but that’s ok. I try to find the best substitute or check at another store if possible - I don’t have a car so if I’m working, I’ll stop at Trader Joe’s near my gym or wait until I can plan to use the car with my fiancé. I usually spend about an hour at the store + mostly shopping the perimeter of the store, stocking up on all the proteins, veggies, fruits, + herbs. I unpack everything once I get home + double check I grabbed everything + place away. If I have the time, I’ll start prepping + making sure if I’m using any frozen protein source that it’s out + defrosting in the fridge. If not, I hit that up on Sunday.
On Sunday, I grab my coffee + get my recipes out. I try to start with a clean kitchen + clean up as I go along. That way it doesn’t get out of hand + I have the tools that I need. First recipe is the crock pot recipe. I turn on the tunes or a podcast + get ready for some fun in the kitchen. I throw the crock pot ingredients in then move on to the breakfast bake. Sometimes I’ll eat this for breakfast if I don’t anything leftover from the previous week/ weekend or I make a simple scramble or hash.
After that, I chop up veggies that will get roasted for sides + for the salad. If I know I’m super short on time, I’ll get the precut veggies + fruit, but not all the time since they can be expensive. I’ll get cut mango because I always mess that up + end up with one bite and cauliflower rice because I know it will end up as a huge mess. If you’re not sure how to properly cut produce, there are tons of blog posts + you tubes showing you how.
I go through all the recipes for Monday, Tuesday, + Wednesday prepped + ready to go so that all I need to do is dump into the pain on that day or have them portioned out in glass tubberwear. I try to do a second round of meal prep on Wednesday or Thursday due to my schedule so there’s fresh options for the weekend. I repeat the recipe search Friday for the next week.
I hope this shows a little insight on how I plan my weeks during my Whole30 + really all the time. After years of trying different methods, this is the best way for me so that I don’t feel overwhelmed + actually stick to it.
Let me know if you want more on the Whole30 + recaps of my weeks. Would love to share how my third round goes!
Enjoy your week!!
~Hallie
