Hi y'all! Can you believe we are already halfway through August? I sure can't. This year is flying by! But, this time of year means one thing. It's back to school time. With school starting, so do all the extracurricular activities. With the change in schedules (and usually every family member's schedule is 100% different) is also the change in eating schedules. Today, I am sharing 5 ways to use one of my favorite tools - the muffin pan - in the kitchen for easy meal prep with some recipe ideas. The muffin pan (or tin) is a versatile tool in the kitchen. It is essential to have on hand for your meal prep days. You can make a big batch of a recipe, put them into the muffin pan and freeze. When ready to eat, you have a pre-portioned food (or convenient food hacks) ready to re-heat and head out the door. Here are some of my favorites way to use a muffin pan: 1Freezer Oatmeal MuffinsThis has been a lifechanger in my breakfast routine! You've seen my version of oatmeal muffins on Instagram. These oatmeal muffins are a great way to eat a super filling and nutritious breakfast quickly (or to take on the go with you to the office). You can also get creative with toppings and flavors that you and your family love. Plus, you can individualize them depending on your family's preferences. (Get a recipe via The kitchn) 2Mini FrittatasThis is another great make ahead breakfast that you can totally personalize for each family member. If you love omelettes, you'll love this recipe. (Get recipe via Gimme Some Oven) 3Make ahead (or leftover) SoupWith the winter months just around the corner (gasp!), having a delicious homemade soup on hand will warm you right up in no time! This is a also great way to use up vegetables in your fridge. This can be done with any soup! Try your favorites! This is also a perfect way to have homemade marinara sauce and chicken stock on hand. (Get a recipe via Super Golden Bakes). 4Family Favorite DinnerWhat is your family's favorite meal? Meatloaf? Lasagna? Tacos? Well... you can make all those ahead of time in a muffin pan. Freeze and save for those crazy busy nights. Dinner will be served super fast and it will be a hit! This is much faster (and more delicious and homemade) than hitting up the drive-through. Win-Win! (Get a recipe via Eating Well) 5Leftover Herbs & GreensI love this one! I love using fresh herbs and greens, especially this time of year. They add so much freshness and flavor to any meal. But, let's be honest - sometimes they go bad before they get used up. And I really do not like #foodwaste. This is a great way to save them and use for later - especially in the winter months. (Get recipe via Little Green Dot) What are some of your favorite ways to use a muffin pan? Share in the comments below or by #MealPlanningMethod.
christy
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Hey guys! When it comes to putting forth the effort & energy to cook, it's likely that the last thing you want to worry about it whether or not it's healthy for you. For the most part, simply cooking a meal at home vs. ordering it out is already healthier for you, but I want you to know (and try!) just how easy it is to "healthify" any meal you make at home. Try some of these simple strategies... 1PUMP UP THE PRODUCEThere’s no denying that fruits and veggies are good for us. But not all recipes embrace their awesomeness. Fix that by adding in your favorite fruit or vegetable into a dish. Or turns things up a notch by increasing the fruit or veg content by half (in some recipes you can get away with doubling it!). 2GO WHOLE GRAINI always like to preface talking about whole grains by saying that whole grains are not healthier because they’re lower in calories than their “refined” counterparts. Whole grains are healthier because they maintain much of their natural nutrition because it hasn't been stripped away during processing. So sub in whole-wheat pasta for white or go for brown jasmine rice for the fiber and more at meal time. 3SPICE IT UP! (and down) Trying going sans added sugar (and even salt) in your recipes. Load up on the spices & herbs for flavor (I love garlic, chili powder, cumin and curry). If salt is an absolute must, add just a touch as a topping to your meal. Here's a big one guys... CUT BACK ON THE FAT. Because fat (the most energy dense macronutrient) can come from a variety of sources when making a meal, such as the meat or cooking oil. Consider trying one (or all) of the following to “healthify” your meal… 4SLIM DOWN ON SIZENo matter what, you can always rely on this strategy to help you make a meal that much more nutritious! For example, if a recipe traditionally calls for ½ cup of butter, cut it in half and try just ¼ cup. Or, instead of 1 cup of shredded cheese, try just ½ cup. Start by cutting back in half and let your taste buds guide you from there. 5GO LEAN WITH YOUR PROTEINBy choosing a lower fat protein source, not only are you cutting back on the total amount of fat in your meal, you’re really reducing the amount of saturated fat (especially with plant-proteins) you consume. And saturated fats are those un-heart healthy fats that increase your lousy LDL-cholesterol. 6DOWNGRADE THE DAIRYKeep the creaminess, but cut down on the saturated fat by choosing a lower fat milk product, such as 1% milk instead of whole or reduced-fat cheese in place of regular. What’s your favorite way to healthify a meal? Tell us in the comments below!
lindsey Hi all! Happy Thursday! Jams are my jam (oh yeah, pun intended). They come in so many flavors and varieties and are super versatile. You can definitely do way more than the traditional PB&J (which is also amazing, but we'll save that for another day). Traditional jams are usually FULL of sugar. I wanted to share my way to make jam super fast, more nutritious and less sugary. How? I am glad you asked! Using chia seeds as the way to thicken the jam. Chia seeds are pretty magical. They are super versatile, super nutritious and can totally transform. Nutritionally, chia seeds are full of fiber and have omega 3's. Chia seeds plump up when mixed with a liquid and create a tapioca-esque texture. Trust me, more recipes to come with these amazing seeds. Shopping Savings Tip: Buy them in the bulk section of your grocery store. They last forever and are cheaper this way. Once I am home, I store them in a large mason jar for ease. Not only are the chia seeds super versatile, but so are these jams. These are fantastic because you can totally customize it using the fruits you love and can use either fresh or frozen fruits. To make it even more easy and versatile you can cook it on the stovetop OR in the microwave. So, really there is no reason why you shouldn't make this ASAP. PEACH CHIA SEED JAM This recipe uses fresh peaches and the stove top. INGREDIENTS:
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BLUEBERRY CHIA SEED JAM This recipe uses fresh blueberries and the microwave INGREDIENTS:
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STRAWBERRY CHIA SEED JAM This recipe uses frozen strawberries and the microwave. INGREDIENTS:
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*Note: I did not add sugar to the strawberry jam. The frozen strawberries I used already had sugar added. Check your ingredient list. Aim for only strawberries listed. My favorite way to enjoy these jams is on toast with topped with cashew cream cheese or almond butter. What are some of your favorite ways to eat jam? Let us know by sharing below or by #MealPlanningMethod.
christy P.S. Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter! Here you will receive some extra goodies from The Meal Planning Method. (Sign up on the right side of this screen.) |
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