Meal Prep: 2 meals done 8 ways!!!

One of the biggest complaints I get from people is... they don't know what to eat!!  Cut out the cereal, sandwiches, and pasta, and they feel like they are left with next-to-zero options.  Let me give you some help on this topic.  

I love me some food!  I mean truly, LOVE.  I am ok with eating the same things over and over again because I've got goals, and sometimes in order to stay on top of those goals with my health and nutrition, I keep it simple by sticking to the same foods.  But I also love to change it up.  I love coming up with creative and delicious recipes that keep me not only feeling great but make me feel like a created a small piece of fine-dining in my very own kitchen.  Healthy nutrition choices are not as difficult as it may seem.  I PROMISE.  Meal prepping is HUGE when it comes to sticking to your goals.  It's true what they say.  "Fail to plan and plan to fail."  How many times have you gone to the grocery store starving, grab a few chocolate chip Lara Bars and the next thing you know, you've eaten 3 of them!!  Having a plan for your meals throughout the day will save you from making poor food choices.  

I am going to provide you with 2 recipes, and show you how you can turn that into 8 different meals!! 

 

Turkey Taco Meat

This one is super simple.  Cook up 2 lbs of ground turkey and add as much taco seasoning as you want.

Taco Seasoning:

1 Tablespoon chili powder

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Meal 1:  Breakfast Hash

Saute some veggies!! I like to use zucchini, red and green bell peppers, and onion.  Then mix it with egg whites and the turkey taco meat.  Top it off with some salsa and goat cheese.  Delicious!

Meal 2:  Taco Salad

Spinach or romaine, bell peppers, tomatoes, black beans, avocado, taco meat.  I top it off with Ranch yogurt dressing.  

Meal 3:  Tacos!!

Stuff some corn tortillas with the taco meat and whatever toppings you like.  Add a side of cauliflower rice to make this meal complete. 

Meal 4:  Soup

Onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

Bell pepper, chopped 

10 ounce can of rotel tomatoes with green chiles

4.5 ounces canned green chilies

1 can of black beans

8 ounce tomato sauce

2 cups chicken broth 

Few tablespoons of taco seasoning

Few tablespoons of lime juice 

Cook onion, bell pepper, and garlic in pot with a small amount of olive oil.  Once onions are translucent, add the rest on the ingredients.  

Meat Sauce

2 lbs ground meat (chicken, turkey, or beef)

1 yellow onion

1 red bell pepper

1 green bell pepper

3 garlic cloves 

2 (14 ounce) cans of tomato sauce

1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes

6 ounce can tomato paste 

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Salt and pepper, to taste 

In a large pan over medium heat, cook onions, bell peppers, and garlic until onions are translucent.  Add meat and cook until brown.  When meat is almost done, add spices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes. Cook for about 10 minutes.  

Meal 5:  Spaghetti (squash) and meat sauce

This meat sauce is delicious on top of spaghetti squash.  I poke the spaghetti squash a few times with a fork and then cook it in the microwave, approximately 10 minutes, depending on size. Top off the spaghetti squash with meat sauce and parmesan.  Yum!!

Meal 6:  Sweet potato hash

Roast up some diced sweet potatoes.  Then mix it in with the meat sauce. 

Meal 7:  Meat sauce over roasted veggies

Line a large baking pan with aluminum foil and cooking spray, and roast up some broccoli and cauliflower florets.  Pour meat sauce over a bed of the roasted veggies.

Meal 8:  Put a fried egg on it!!

Super simple.  Put meat sauce over a bed of spinach.  Top if off with a couple fried eggs. 

There you go!!  Prep 2 different meals and with a few extra ingredients, easily turn it into 8!!  

Make a realistic plan and it really is as simple as that.  Cooking foods in bulk allows you to have flexibility with the way you want to prepare your meals.  

If you'd like help with your own personal nutrition plan, that's what I'm here for!  Check out my different Programs and send any questions over to danielle.elizondo@gmail.com