Planning to Succeed in the Kitchen

As a mother, I’ve tried lots of strategies to organize my kitchen for my family to have a good experience at home. It’s been an adventure – we all like to munch on different things at different times of the day. With our schedules all over the place, eating together could sometimes be challenging (which is why Friday night dinners were nonnegotiable).

One of the many foodie things I’ve learned about my family is that they will eat fruit and vegetables if they are washed, cut, and placed in the fridge, ready to go. I even label the pantry shelves so they can find items at a glance. And all this prep helps me too! Meal prep is a simple, yet essential part of our routines, so let’s all master this shortcut to quick and healthy snacking with little stress.

I must say that when I’m organized with my meals, it’s honestly a game changer for eating timely and healthy. All it takes is some mindful planning at your desk, grocery shopping with your list in hand, and setting aside some time in your kitchen to prep and you’re good for a few days. And of course, one of the best feelings is looking at a clean and organized fridge or pantry. It calms the mind and gets you in a healthy groove to eat well and cook more efficiently.

Grocery List
Glad Gallon Bags, Sandwich Bags, Freezer Bags
Stasher Silicone Reusable Food Bags
Lunchskins Reusable Storage Bags
Freshman Reusable Bags
Snapware Airtight Glass Containers with Lids – my favorite
Pyrex Glass Containers with Lids – another favorite
FineDine Airtight Glass Food Storage Containers with Lids
Rubbermaid Glass Containers with Lids
OXO Good Grips Storage Glass Containers with Lids
Corningware French Ceramic Bakeware
Nummyware Glass Containers with Bamboo Lids/Silicone Seals
Mason Jars (Amazon, hardware store, Michael’s, etc.) – a favorite

I love mason jars - they keep food fresh and ready to go!

Easy-Peasy Recipes

Grab and Go Veggie Sticks and/or Salad

Enjoy Crudités on the go: carrot and celery sticks are typically dipped in a vinaigrette, hummus, or yogurt, or salad in a jar.

You can add the dip (in a separate container) on the vegetables or salad in the mason jar. It makes for an easy, delicious, all-encompassing snack. And it’s perfect for when you’re rushing out the door.

Roasted Vegetables

-Sweet, purple, red potatoes
-Purple potatoes
-Red potatoes
-Broccoli
-Salt and pepper
-Fresh lemon juice
-Olive oil
-2 sprigs of rosemary (remove stems)
-1 tsp garlic powder
-1 tsp oregano

Place parchment paper on top of a baking pan, cut the veggies into 1-inch pieces, and apply oil and seasonings. Toss everything in a bowl, then roast at 420° for 30 minutes.

Slow-Cooked Chicken and Veggies

Prepare this dish in the morning and you’ll have yourself a meal for late lunch or dinner. You can even go vegan and leave out the chicken. The beauty of a slow cooker is that you can leave it unattended as it is cooking, but please keep it in a safe location on your kitchen counter.

-2 chicken breasts cut into cubes (optional)
-1 chopped onion
-1 clove of garlic
-Black beans, rinsed and drained
-Red beans, rinsed and drained
-Tomatoes cut into cubes
-½ tsp paprika
-½ tsp cumin
-¼ chili powder
-½ tsp oregano
-Salt and pepper

Place all the ingredients in the slow cooker (or Crock-Pot), then add enough water or broth to cover them – don’t over water, which will slow down the cooking time. When it’s time to eat you want to eat!

So many options: oats, rice, granola, chia, berries, nuts, seeds

Energizing Breakfast Oat Cereal

This recipe is grassroots! No measuring – get creative and trust your eyes (and palate) as you combine your favorite ingredients. You are the boss in your kitchen – take charge! Make a lot and place in a cylindrical glass jar so you can see how gorgeous this recipe looks.

-Rolled oats
-Coconut sugar or monk sugar
-Chia seeds
-Nuts or seeds
-Raisins or cranberries
-Cinnamon
-Salt
-Hemp seeds
-berries

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, then add a cup of oats and the milk of your choice and stir. For a breakfast treat, add some into a mason jar with milk, stir, and place in the fridge overnight – take out in the morning, add berries and enjoy!

Genia’s Spoon Me Tips

I recommend using glass storage containers with lids or well-sealed bags to keep food fresh in the fridge and freezer. You should also defrost what you want the next day in the fridge the night before. For more tips on food storage and safety, visit FoodSafety.gov.

Make a grocery list in advance, and always remember to take it with you when you go shopping. You can even just type one into your phone – we never leave home without it, right?

Prepped with love,
Genia