Like you, since the 2020 went bonkers, I’m cooking much more than before. Some days it’s prepping three meals a day now not 2 (with the kids at home! It can be a lot.
And I bet you’re torn between wanting to cook something new and be more creative in the kitchen and lack of time or energy. I know how uninspiring it can be to search for recipes and scroll through Instagram or Pinterest …it’s all there but still hard to decide on a meal. It’s like searching for a movie to watch on Netflix: takes longer than watching the actual movie 🙂
A few of you enjoyed the meal menu I shared a while back, so thought I’d do the same again! The above are some meal ideas you can prep quickly and for the whole family. I stand for the kids eating what we do; it’s good to get them used to different flavours and textures and helping them to be around real food. Also, it saves you time and gives you sanity!
ONE DAY MEAL IDEAS
Here is the quick list line up: Harissa Beans on Toast, Roasted Veggie Pasta
Breakfast:
Spicy beans on toast by me! This is a beautiful, quick, and nutrient-packed recipe. It’s perfect if you want to swap your usual oatmeal or eggs for something a bit different. Your kids will love it also; add a bit less of harissa if you are worried about the spice.
Lunch:
One of the following: leftovers/salad+protein+seeds/veggie protein smoothie/sandwich/omelette
Leftovers are the best when you work from home. Zero waste and saving time!
When it comes to a salad for lunch…
- include a green leafy base and any fresh or roasted veggies you can find. Don’t make it too complex it, as you’ll get overwhelmed and lose the eagerness to do it. 2-3 vegetables will do.
- Add a simple dressing of olive oil and apple cider (and some sriracha if you like). Or go for olive oil, lemon, tahini, warm water and a bit of honey.
- For the protein, include either tofu/ tempeh, 1/2 beans, or mix 2 tbsp of brown rice with 2 tbsp of lentils. If you’re a carnivore, a good quality organic peace of animal protein is your option also.
- For a healthy dose of fat, add 1-2 tbsp of roasted nuts or seeds. Toss a handful of them on a heated dry pan and roast for 2 min or until golden.
Dinner:
Roasted Veggie Baked Pasta via The Happy Pear.
It’s quick, nourishing, and you probably will have leftovers! Pasta is one of the easiest meals you can prep, and it’s usually a foolproof meal if you are eating with kids 🙂 A nice leafy salad, with tomatoes and gherkin and a simple dressing of olive oil and cider vinegar, will do great here!
Snack:
Firstly, ask yourself: do I need a meal? Perhaps I am just thirsty instead of hungry? We sometimes eat out of habit; I always encourage my clients to challenge their current habits and eat more mindfully, so give it a go.
Aim for something with healthy fats or protein to keep you fuller for longer. Fruit or sugary snacks do not tend to activate our satiety hormone, so we often feel hungry not long after we eat them.
Chose from: fresh cut veggies (like carrots, tomatoes, peppers etc.) /nuts or seeds+small fruit/small protein smoothie/apple or seasonal fruit+nut butter/rice cracker+nut butter.
Tip: keep it simple and snack only when hungry.
Treat:
Protein date cookies, healthy and delicious!
A mindful tip:
Don’t drink calories: water+green/herbal tea are your best friends.