Eating Well During Busy Times: My Go-To Strategy for Staying Nourished

March has been a whirlwind! Between my daughters Sweet 16, basketball playoffs, dance competition season kicking off, grad meetings, and everything else life entails, there has been little time to plan fancy meals. But in the middle of all the chaos, one thing I refuse to let slide is how my family nourishes and fuels our bodies.

When life gets busy, many people default to convenience foods, takeout, or skipping meals altogether. There have been many moments of sheer exhaustion that had us bringing home a Safeway chicken or picking up pizza. And let's be honest; there will be again! But I’ve found that preparing ahead and focusing on my year of the year; NOURISH, keeps me on task to keep my family healthy. So what's my secret? I scrapped meal prepping and switched to INGREDIENT PREP!

Instead of stressing over what to cook each night, I take a little time at the start of the week to prep key ingredients. Chopping veggies, grilling chicken, cooking a batch of quinoa, or making a simple dressing means that healthy meals come together quickly—even on the busiest days.

Rather than planning rigid meals, I prep versatile ingredients that I can mix and match throughout the week. It’s a flexible, stress-free way to ensure my family eats well, no matter how packed our schedules get.

Here are the main reasons ingredient prep works for my family.

1. Flexibility – No need to follow a strict meal plan. Prepped ingredients allow me to create quick, nourishing meals that fit our schedule.

2. Saves Time – No more starting from scratch when everyone is hungry and patience is low.

3. Reduces Stress – Having nourishing options ready means I make better choices, even on hectic days.

   
   

   
   

Here’s a sample of my ingredient prep for the week and how I turn those ingredients into simple, delicious meals:

Ingredients Prepped:

• Grilled chicken

• Cooked quinoa

• Roasted sweet potatoes

• Chopped bell peppers and cucumbers

• Hard-boiled eggs

• A simple homemade dressing

Meal Ideas:

• Lunch Bowl: Quinoa + grilled chicken + bell peppers + cucumbers + dressing

• Wraps: Chicken + roasted sweet potatoes + greens + dressing in a whole-grain wrap

• Quick Breakfast: Hard-boiled egg + fruit + a handful of nuts

• Simple Dinner: Chicken + roasted sweet potatoes + steamed veggies

If you’re feeling overwhelmed but want to stay on track with eating well, start small. Prep a few staples you love and build from there. Even 20-30 minutes of ingredient prep can set you up for success and make a huge difference in how you eat during the week. Your future self will thank you!

Here's another example of foods to prep for the week.

And here's how I turn those ingredients in quick and healthy meals.