How to Prep for the Days You Have ZERO Time to Cook
Deconstructed veggie burger salad
Let me paint the picture of a typical day in the life. 5pm hits, but there are just a few more things to knock out at work to make life easier tomorrow, no big deal. Next thing you know, 6:30pm rolls around but there’s still that one thing you wanted to get done after work - run a quick errand, squeeze in a PM workout, etc. - life happens, and next thing you know, it’s 830p and you still haven’t started dinner yet. There are no groceries because you spent the weekend traveling and haven’t had time to go grocery shopping yet. In times where you’re underprepared and just don’t have time to cook, what do you do? Do you order take out? Munch on snacks and call it a night? Heat up a frozen pizza? I’ve found myself in this situation plenty of times and I have some handy tips & tricks you can use to set yourself up to stick to your health goals and not have to stress!
Level Up Your FREEZER Game
On your next shopping trip, stock up on convenient, yet clean foods! This sometimes this looks like a full meal, but for me, most times this looks like a frozen protein or frozen veggie base.
Trader Joe’s Delicious & Fast Combos from the Freezer
Chana Masala over cauliflower rice, with option to add additional protein source
Mexican cauliflower rice with pre-cut pepper & onions, topped with organic beef burger
Zoodles & shrimp
Frozen meals to have on hand if you’re really in a pinch
Primal Kitchen frozen meals - Paleo and clean ingredients!
Level Up Your PANTRY Game
Having clean options to reach for in your pantry when you’re strapped for time is key! This is the perfect place to keep healthy fats, sauces, and sides on hand. Having these stashed in your pantry makes for a quick meal to throw together when you have a frozen protein & veggie to pair with it!
Clean ranch options like Primal Kitchen or Tessemae’s
Sugar free marinara & pizza sauce, pesto
Mike’s organic curry sauce
No salt added canned organic chopped tomatoes
Tolerant Organic chickpea pasta
RightRice
Grocery Delivery — But Make It Flexible & Affordable
I always thought grocery delivery was overpriced and not worth paying an extra fee for. Plus I didn’t like that I wouldn’t be picking out my own produce. This perception changed when I started using Imperfect Foods. Their pricing is affordable, there is no minimum, and you can skip weeks in advance if you know you won’t need their service! On weekends that I travel, this has been a game-changer for me knowing that I’ll have clean groceries coming my way after I get back in town.
Outsource Healthy Meals
If you know you’re going to be short on time or resources to cook a meal at home, there are companies that offer clean meal prep options. Some brands that serve the Dallas area:
Snap Kitchen
Territory Foods
Know Your Go-To Clean Takeout Options
While home-cooked foods will always be my preferred option so I can know exactly what is in my foods, I do have pre-thought out options for the days where I don’t have the time or energy to cook for myself, or if I’m out-and-about and am not near home for dinner. This would be thought of as occasional and not a regular habit, but I’m human and sometimes getting takeout is just easier! Here are some of my favorites.
Better-For-You Takeout
Flower Child - protein & veggie sides or salad
Eatzi’s salad bar or hot bar with protein & veggie sides
Whole Foods Hot Bar - protein, veggie sides/salad, and healthy fat
Central Market - rotisserie meal with 2 veggie sides, and heathy fat
Cheap & Convenient Takeout
Chipotle - lettuce base, add veggies, protein & guac for a healthy fat
Chick-Fil-A - salad with grilled chicken & add your own dressing (I like Tessemae’s - they have to-go cups on Thrive Market)
Jimmy John’s - lettuce “unwich” sandwich of choice
Splurge Takeout in Dallas
Origin Kitchen - paleo dish
HG Supply Co. - paleo bowl
Going back to the basics and fueling your body with quality proteins, and clean-sourced veggies & healthy fats will fuel your body with the nutrients it needs to be it’s best self. But when you’re in a pinch, there are strategies you can use to elevate those nights where time time is limited or cooking is not in the cards. Fill your space with heathy options and you’ll be less brain power debating whether you should call-in greasy takeout, swing through a drive through, or heat up a frozen hot pocket. Blending a busy lifestyle with a healthy lifestyle takes time, but setting up your environment for success will pay off in the long run!
Take action! Think about what works best for your lifestyle and create your space to have health-promoting options in your freezer or pantry, or build out your “cleaner” takeout list!