This post is brought to you by Bupa
I’m often called crazy. Or asked, “how I do it all?”
There’s the whole full-time university commitment, part-time work for another great business and then running my own 2 businesses.
Not to mention exercising, playing with the puppies, seeing loved ones and enjoying *some time out.
[*some because it's rare].
And by no means am I alone in doing so much.
I do feel incredibly fortunate to be in a position to have chosen to do all that I do. And in the moments that I want to just lie down (yes we all have those!), I remind myself of this truth - I have chosen all that I do. Aside from that self-reminder, what keeps me together and underpins the house of cards that is my life is something I believe we can all derive great benefit from.
Healthy meal preparation.
For those of you that have been reading this blog for some time now, or that have perhaps taken one of my programs, you’ll be very familiar with this passion of mine. Forget the mechanics for one second; though we'll get to those too; because how far reaching these benefits of healthy meal prep are deserve to be spelt out.
Picture this: you arrive home late, it’s dark and you know there’s nothing but a shriveled-up tomato in the fridge. Perhaps you reach for the cereal box (with your whole hand Bridget Jones style), ice cream tub or takeaway menu? You’re feeling fairly sad, sorry and fed up with yourself.
Likely, this isn’t your first go at the rodeo…
By the way – we’ve all been here.
Now picture this: you arrive home late, it’s dark and you know there’s delicious, nourishing and satisfying food in the fridge. Perhaps you reach for the soup (with a spoon this time), mixed grain and vegetable salad or spaghetti bolognaise that you made on the weekend? You’re feeling calm, happy, relaxed and proud of yourself.
Healthy meal preparation doesn’t need to follow any particular script and there’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to do it.
My advice – do it the way that works for you. And if you don’t know what way that is – steal my ideas below and then make them your own.
Each week inside my fridge you’ll find a myriad of meals and bits and pieces which can, in an instant, be added to meals:
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Peeled, hard-boiled eggs
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Bircher muesli
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Cooked quinoa and/or brown rice
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Cauliflower and broccoli ‘rice’
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Baked pumpkin and/or sweet potato
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Muesli bars
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Bolognaise
You’ll also be able to find these elements in the fridge which I combine with the above or turn into something else in an instant:
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Organic chicken
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Organic lamb
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Bunches of washed herbs
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Greek yoghurt
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Fresh, seasonal veggies and fruit
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Quality cheeses – haloumi, fetta, ricotta
The latter list is great all on its own, though being able to take the organic chicken for instance, marinate it in olive oil and spices for 30 minutes and bake before serving it with the prepared baked veggies, maybe some brown rice, fresh herbs and other fresh veggies means I have a fast, easy, nourishing and healthy dinner in a flash!
It also means on those particularly tough or long days, that I have a ready-to-eat meal waiting for me. Hello spaghetti bolognaise! Healthy, easy lunches can be pulled together in a similar way whilst I’m getting my dinner ready and particularly throughout university semester’s, breakfast will be bircher muesli which is prepped in 5 minutes, sets overnight in the fridge and lasts a week!
Healthy meal preparation is really all about acknowledging #YourFutureSelf
That what you do for yourself today actually plays a large supporting role for you tomorrow and the next day. When it comes to our health, we very often forget to invest in our future selves. And despite not being the most interesting idea, it’s great to know that with quality health cover, you'll likely have more choice in the management and treatment of your health. Your current and future self can both have peace of mind!
It’s something that I never have to worry about, and that makes this house of cards life that little bit better stacked.
Get Bupa. Your future self will thank you.
#yourfutureself
