Meal Planning Ideas

Prep, Glorious Prep!

~ Midwest Storyteller

I fully disclose that as a Certified Lifestyle Coach I do, at times, receive monetary compensation as such. See The Fine Print on the “About Me” page of this blog.

Have you made peace with the fact that life is full of surprises?  That, I believe, is a great step we all must take if we’re going to reach any measure of maturity.  Going with the flow, rolling with the punches – whatever you choose to call it – we may as well face up to it – anything can happen and on any given day, it usually does. 

I’ll tell the whole story soon, but you’ve probably already gathered that we had an unexpected Christmas surprise of the ugly, scary variety.  The preparations for the big event came to a screaming halt.  The duck was in the oven.  The homemade orange sauce simmered on the stove.  The “Happy Birthday, Jesus” cupcakes awaited their frosting.  Then came “the thing” and the call to 9-1-1 and the responders who hauled my Smuffy out the front door and into the ambulance.

None of those special preparations mattered anymore.  Pookie turned the oven off and threw things into the fridge.  I found shoes and a sweater, hopped into the front of the ambulance and what was to have been our family Christmas celebration turned into hour after hour of uncertainty and prayer in the emergency room.

On the way to the hospital, I called some close friends for prayer and asked them to call others.  Then, a thought occurred to me.  How long would this ordeal last?  I would go without food or water before I would leave Smuffy’s side and I might get shaky or not be able to think straight if this went on and on.  I remembered something I had made up ahead and called Pookie, asking her to bring me the container of Chocolate Berry Boost Bars (a THM “S” treat) I had in the fridge and a big cup of water.  If I needed sustenance, I’d have fuel that was protein filled and be able to hydrate myself and stay right by his side rather than wander around looking for a vending machine full of sugar-laden junk.

Home from the hospital, I needed to give Smuffy extra care and set my phone alarm to give him meds every three hours around the clock.  He needed food and I needed food and (wouldn’t you know it?) I started getting sick.

I have never been so glad to be a food prepper in my life!  I’ve always done some prepping, but eating according to the THM plan has really honed my skills.  Rather than scrounging for junk, over-cooked and sodium loaded canned soup or boxes with frozen dinners, I was able to warm up whichever homemade, nutritious meals I had prepped ahead and frozen.  Although we wouldn’t have been excited about the flavors in anything, this was a lifesaver! 

We were able to have Egg Roll in a Bowl, Sweet Potato Oat Soup, Sunny Southwest Trimmy Bisque and more, just by taking it out of the freezer and reheating it.  We didn’t have to impose on Pookie to come by and do cooking marathons or to do endless drive-throughs.  She had enough Florence Nightingale duties to perform and she did them cheerfully.

I’ve learned to love to prep ahead because of the time, stress and mess it saves, but early on, I questioned myself a lot.  Why would someone who is supposed to be an empty-nester need to be doing all this?  Now, however, I’ve had a strong reminder of how anything can happen – and will – and how valuable this practice can be when it does.

It’s a new year and if you’ve had that gnawing feeling that you really could improve in this area, check out some of my earlier helps, such as make-ahead packets here.

Soups are one of the greatest prep-ahead meals.  Make a big pot, have it for your meal and immediately dip it up into containers to freeze.  I like to save my large containers from Fage 0% Fat Greek Yogurt, my very favorite yogurt in the world.  This way, all my containers are the same and all the lids fit interchangeable and the 33.5 ounces is just right to thaw out and serve up for a meal for Smuffy, Lil’ Snookie and myself with some leftover.  I also do a few single-serve containers for times when that’s all I need to thaw.

Prepping Soups to Freeze www.midweststoryteller.com

Here is how I prep and label soup to freeze.  You may think you’ll remember what’s in that container, but don’t count on it!  I use the super-sticky full-adhesive post-it notes to write the name of the soup and whether or not it’s an “S” (satisfying) or “E” (energizing) meal so I can easily plan what I’m having on the side. This Sunny Southwest Trimmy Bisque from the “Trim Healthy Table” cookbook is one of our favorites and Smuffy asks for it.

Trim Healthy Mama has not only helped us to eat healthier and lose weight, it has helped to mature me so much in the area of planning ahead for taking care of my family when they need it most.

You probably don’t need a resolution or a goal for this year as those tend to be abandoned pretty quick due to their loftiness.  What you might really need is a turn-a-round.  How about just going in a new direction in a healthier, better way and taking one step at a time?

If you need support in your journey to better health and weight loss, head to the Contact page and let me know.  I’ll give you all the info on group sessions which I conduct locally in person on a weekly basis.  Private coaching can be done in person or by phone.  Share with friends and let’s see how many are ready to get Trim & Healthy!

The Trim Healthy Mama Plan is a great way to boost your immune system and we all need that right now, don’t we?  Leave a comment and let me know some of the simple ways you like to prep ahead for the busy days and the unexpected change in plans

I’m so thankful to the Lord for answering the multitude of prayers for Smuffy that arrived at His throne on Christmas Day. Smuffy and I are filled with hope for the year ahead and gratefulness that we are still together!  I’m so happy to have him back with me, healed and whole, and I’m happy to be a prepper!

How’s That Workin’ For ‘Ya?

~ Midwest Storyteller
Food Freedom with Coach Barb www.midweststoryteller.com

I fully disclose that as a Certified Lifestyle Coach I do, at times, receive monetary compensation as such. See The Fine Print on the “About Me” page of this blog.

Here we are, Dear Readers, over halfway through January 2021.  So far, I’d venture to guess that most of you who sighed with relief at midnight on December 31, 2020 are just a shade disappointed.

Having mentored people with their health for years and being an avid observer of human nature, I think all we have to do is turn on the news lately and within thirty seconds we’ve decided we’ve had our fill of human nature.

In January, you’ve probably observed a common occurrence in either your own life or someone else’s.  We muddle along through the holidays, stressed and for most of us, over-blessed, promising ourselves that, come January 1st, things will be different.  “Enough of this nonsense”, you say, vowing to lose weight, get organized, take better care of yourself, serve your community more, keep in closer contact with the ones you love – the list goes on and on, doesn’t it?

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again – I can’t fathom why they ever designated January 1st as the beginning of the new year!  It makes no sense, at least for the Northern Hemisphere.  Just when the Good Lord offered us hibernation time and a nice, long rest, the calendar screams at us to jump up, get going and conquer the world and all our shortcomings.  Oh, please!

Would anyone like to join my movement to have the new year moved to the first day of spring so that we could all get a little more excited about it?  I know, I know, it’s a brilliant idea!  That’s probably why people in high places never thought of it.

Anyhow, here we are and we seem to be stuck with it for now.  This brings me back to my original question:  “How’s that workin’ for ‘ya?

One thing I stress in lifestyle coaching through Trim Healthy Mama is the concept of “tip-toeing in”.  I would far rather see someone read a couple of chapters in the Trim Healthy Mama Plan book then choose three simple recipes to fit the plan that they can make in the coming week than I would to see them do a complete pantry makeover, call a family meeting on how things will change and then wear themselves out making sure every bite that goes into their mouth is perfect!

Speaking of perfect bites, let me pause to point out that “sticking to plan” with THM does not equal suffering, as evidenced by this beauty I made last week! 

THM Philly Cheese Meatloaf

“Loaded Philly Cheese Meatloaf”, page 216 Trim Healthy Table, declared by Smuffy to be the best meatloaf I’ve ever fed him.

Here’s a little nugget to chew on.  Repentance is better than goals.  Goals involve setting a bar and then trying to measure up to it.  Repentance simply involves realizing the road you are traveling is headed in the wrong direction, then turning around and going the opposite way – to a better place.  (See how I did that – I’m so clever – note the heading of this blog.)

I want you to feel blessed today and not condemned.  If you’re halfway through January and all those new leaves you vowed to turn over are still stuck together, just take a deep breath, take another step on the right path and find joy on the way to a better place.  Then, perhaps when someone asks, “How’s that workin’ for ‘ya?”, you won’t have to hang your head and sigh.

If you’re wanting to make your journey with Trim Healthy Mama joyful, choose three recipes that fit the plan and make those this week.  Ask yourself some questions about the rest of your meals and snacks and make sensible tweaks.  Let 2021 take you to a better place step by step.

I like to make out a menu plan on weekends, but I only plan out four items.  I enjoy my “pleasant ruts”, so I already know what breakfasts will probably consist of.  I share complete weekly menus in my coaching sessions, but I’ve been on the plan long enough that lots of meals are “freestyle” now.

I thought you might like to see what a recent plan included.  We have our main meal at lunch because that’s what Smuffy prefers and supper is freestyle.  You’ll have your own plan for your own household.

I take it for granted that each of these main dishes will be served up with quick-fix non-starchy veggies, salads and other sides and that snacks are ready to grab.

If you need support in your journey, head to the Contact Me page and let me know.  I’ll give you all the info on group sessions and private coaching, which can be done in person or by phone.  Share with friends and let’s see how many are ready to get Trim & Healthy!

For info on getting started and a few questions you can ask yourself about getting started, click here. For coaching pricing, click here.

It’s a great way to come out of social distancing a better person.

Have the events of the last several months caused you to re-think how you are fueling your body so that you can build your immune system?  Leave a comment and tell me your thoughts.