New Year Meal Prep

 

Meal Prep - Save Time & Stay Organised

 

When life gets busy, meal prepping can be a lifesaver. It’s a simple way to save time, reduce food waste, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. At Shelf Life, we believe an organised kitchen leads to an organised life, so here’s how you can get started with meal prepping, plus a comforting chicken soup recipe to kick things off.

 

Why Meal Prep?

 

Meal prepping is more than just a trendy buzzword. Here’s why it works:

1. Time-Saving: Prepping meals in advance means less time spent in the kitchen during busy weekdays.

2. Cost-Effective: Avoid the temptation of expensive takeout by having ready-to-eat meals at home.

3. Healthier Choices: Plan and portion your meals to ensure they align with your nutritional goals.

4. Stress-Free Evenings: No more last-minute scrambling to figure out dinner.

 

How to Start Meal Prepping

1. Plan Your Meals

Dedicate 10-15 minutes to map out your meals for the week. Think about recipes that share common ingredients to make shopping easier. 

The Taming Twins website is amazing for recipe inspo - https://www.tamingtwins.com

2. Get Organised

Invest in quality storage solutions like Shelf Life’s bamboo glass jars for dry ingredients or refillable personalised bottles for sauces and oils.

3. Set Aside Time

Pick a day (usually Sunday or Monday) to cook and prep for the week ahead.

4. Label Everything

Label jars, containers, and bottles with the name and date to keep track of freshness.

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul

 

This hearty, healthy chicken soup is perfect for meal prepping. It stores well and can be enjoyed throughout the week.

 

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 3 medium carrots, sliced

• 2 celery stalks, chopped

• 1 cup of shredded cooked chicken breast

• 1 cup of uncooked pasta or rice (optional)

• 1.5 litres chicken stock

• 1 bay leaf

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh parsley for garnish

 

Method

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent.

2. Stir in carrots and celery, cooking for another 5 minutes.

3. Add chicken stock, bay leaf, and cooked chicken. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

4. If using pasta or rice, add it to the pot and cook until tender (around 8-10 minutes).

5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, remove the bay leaf, and garnish with fresh parsley.

6. Allow to cool before portioning into individual containers or jars.

 

Tips for Soup Storage

• Store your soup in airtight containers or jars in the fridge for up to 4 days.

• Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Simply thaw and reheat for a quick, warm meal.

• Use Shelf Life’s custom-labelled jars to portion soup perfectly and add an aesthetic touch to your fridge or freezer.

 

Meal prepping doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small with one or two recipes a week, and you’ll quickly see how it transforms your routine. An organised kitchen really is a happy place, and with the right tools and mindset, meal prepping can become a habit you’ll love.