**For me if I don’t have my stuff together and prepared every week, it is almost impossible for me to eat healthy and well-balanced meals throughout the day. The more fruits and vegetables I consume throughout the day, the more motivated I am to make a nice healthy dinner when I get home, which ultimately then gives me leftovers for the next day. It really is all an endless healthy cycle! Prep your snack, meals, and drinks and come home to make a nice dinner to have ready for your next lunch.
#1: Fresh Cut Fruits & Veggies (with hummus)
**I love having fresh fruit ready at all times. I’ll usually cut up some cucumbers and carrots (if they’re not the baby kind) and pre-portion things like grapes, strawberries or any melon. Having the fruit and vegetables in the refrigerator in either baggies or small containers to be grabbed for lunches. I also pre-portion hummus in containers to enjoy with my fresh veggies. My husband and I love hummus, so we are always looking to snack on it throughout the day! Make your own for a better value and fresher flavor!
#2: Snacks On the Run (trail mix, fresh popcorn, banana chips)
**I love having snacks ready to grab and go and it’s perfect when you have a bit of variety to pick from each day so it doesn’t get boring. I always have trail mix and nuts ready to go, but I also have dried banana chips and freshly popped popcorn to change it up a bit too. At the start of the week, I will make a good amount of popcorn to have ready for the week. I buy my own popcorn kernels in bulk from Whole Foods usually and will use my Pampered Chef popcorn maker to prepare a good size of it for the week.
Frozen Banana Chips:
**These make for a great snack in the summer!! Slice up a few ripe bananas and place them on a cookie sheet (parchment paper will work too). Sprinkle some cinnamon over them for additional flavor. Stick them in the freezer for about 2 hours and then remove from the pan and place in a Tupperware container for storage back into the freezer. They are also perfect for adding to your morning smoothies!
#3: Ready-To-Go Fresh Juices (only a few)
**Since purchasing my juicer I have found it to be a must-have within my regular routine. It’s great when I have fruit and veggies that are slightly bruised or over-ripe. Juice up different combinations to keep it exciting. This is a great way to get your fruit and veggies in for the day if you aren’t necessarily a “snacker.” Only make a few at a time to make sure they stay fresh and you are able to still get all the great nutrients the fruits and vegetables have to offer!
#4: Infused Water
**I love infusing water because it is a much easier way to make sure that I get all of my water intake for the day! I like different combinations like (watermelon and mint, cucumber and mint, orange and lemon, etc.). The possibilities are endless! Change the fruit every two-three days to assure freshness with your water.
#5: Hard-Boiled Eggs
**I always try to keep hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator because they make for an easy snack or an addition to any meal. They’re great if I am strapped for time and need something quick. You can always throw together a healthier egg salad with a mashed avocado, have a couple for your breakfast or throw on top of a salad as your protein from your meal. I usually make about six at a time in order to make sure they stay fresh in the fridge!
#6: Overnight Oats
**Breakfast for me is a must every single day, but usually, I don’t have enough time to make something fresh. Overnight oats are perfect because you can prep a bunch of them in advance and have a good variety to mix it up throughout the week. I like them cold, but I have friends who totally prefer warming it in the microwave when they are ready to eat. My favorites ingredients in the overnight oats are fresh fruit, mini chocolate chips OR a drizzle of honey, and a dollop of peanut butter.
