We tend to forget that we should plan our meals along with our schedule for the week. It takes so much longer to figure out "where/what should I eat next" than it does to actually have meals ready to go. Don't leave it up to fate and hope for the best. Planning and prepping is super important to help you stay on track with your health goals, sanity, and your budget. Who needs a "Hangry" broke friend anyways? Ain't nobody got time for that!

Here are my 4 Steps to Meal Prepping Made Easy:

#1. Have Containers, will Travel! Have 4-6 containers ready to prep a one or two dishes. No need to be overwhelmed with a weeks worth of meals, just start with 4-6. That way you can plan two to four days of a lunch, snack or dinner ready to go.

#2. Pick your poison (just kidding) Pick your Protein! For example...Chicken. Get a few chicken breasts cooked and sliced up and divide among the containers. You can get precooked pieces or even crockpot or instapot meats too. Vegetarians/Vegans go for some Tofu, Tempeh or beans.

#3. Pick your sides! Choose your vegetables, a small serving of nuts or fruit and a starch such as quinoa or rice. Have these ready to go and divide among the containers.

#4. Seasonings & Spices! If you haven't added these in the mix, do it! Get creative! BBQ, Taco seasonings, Italian, Curry, Asian, Garlic, Spicy, etc. You can make six chicken meals and all choose different seasonings for each one. You can even season vegetables differently than the proteins! After that add the lids and put the meals in the fridge for later!

Easy peasy! I can get 8 meals out of a Costco Rotisserie chicken and vegetables. Each meal divided out and averaged around $2 - $2.50. Much better than my emergency fast food meal Subway salad, Chipotle bowl or poke bowl for $9+. If I'm out with friends then it would be $12+ tip at sit down restaurant.

You'll find meal prepping will save a ton of time and money in the long run! Not to mention you will know exactly what you're putting into your food and no mystery ingredients!

You'll stay on track by eating the portioned out meals and you'll never be hungry and make poor decisions because your food will always be ready to go!

The end! #NoExcuses

P.S. It takes 30 minutes MAX