Weekly Meal Prep - Greek Chicken Bowls

One thing that I've learned along the way in this journey is the importance of planning.  We've all heard the saying "Fail to plan, plan to fail" and I find this to be so true - especially when it comes to not only planning but actually preparing my lunches in advance.  Since I work from home I don't need to actually pack my lunches, but just having everything ready to grab, put together and eat makes a huge difference in my success each week!!  

This was an idea I originally got from eazypeazymealz.com and I just made a few slight adjustments for my own preferences here!! 

INGREDIENTS

Greek Chicken
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 5 oz each)
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tbsp minced garlic
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp dried oregano
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
sea salt and pepper to taste


Cucumber Salad
2 English cucumbers, sliced
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried oregano


Tzatziki Sauce
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 English cucumber, shredded
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 tbsp dill weed
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
Salt and pepper to taste


The Rest
3 cups cooked brown rice
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup red onion slices


INSTRUCTIONS
1) In a large freezer ziplock bag, combine olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, greek yogurt and salt and pepper. Massage to mix.
2) Add chicken into the bag.
3) Massage to make sure chicken is fully covered and marinate for at least 20 minutes, up to 12 hours.
4) Drain the chicken from the marinade, discarding the marinade.
5) In a skillet, heat some olive oil over medium-high heat.
6) Add chicken when it is hot, and cook, flipping part way through. Cook approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Cooking time depends on thickness and size of the chicken. Cook until internal temp is 165 degrees.
5) Remove from pan, and let cool.
6) Once cool, cut into bite sized pieces.
7) Meanwhile, make cucumber salad by chunking the cucumbers, and tossing in a bowl with the lemon juice, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and oregano. Set aside
8) Make tzatziki sauce by combining the Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill weed, lemon juice, lemon zest in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper.
9) Refrigerate while assembling your bowls.
10) Cook brown rice according to package directions. When finished cooking, divide between meal prep containers, 1/2 cup in each container, halve cherry tomatoes, and mix with red onion slices. Divide amongst the bowls.
11) Top with chicken, cucumber salad, and some tzatziki sauce.
12) Keep for 3- 5 days in airtight container, serve cold!

Quinoa Salad

QUINOA SALAD

(Makes 6 servings, 1 cup per serving)

Another one of the favourite things to make on a Sunday and enjoy all week!

Ingredients
1 cup quinoa, uncooked 

1 medium tomato, finely chopped 

2 cucumbers, finely chopped 

1 medium red bell pepper, seeded & finely chopped 

2 tbsp red onion, finely chopped 

1/2 cup parsley or cilantro, finely chopped 

10 Kalamata olives, pitted & cut in halves 

1 lemon or lime, juice of
1 tbsp olive oil 

2 tsp cumin 

1 tsp black pepper 

1 tbsp garlic powder


Directions 

Cook quinoa al dente. Use ratio of 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water (you can use less water for firmer quinoa if desired). 

Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed 

Add all ingredients to a large salad bowl and gently mix just enough to combine. 

Optional: make dressing separately by whisking together olive oil, lemon (lime) juice, cumin, black pepper and garlic powder in a small bowl.

Serve cold.

Tuna Salad

TUNA SALAD

Prep time: 15 mins Total time: 15 mins Serves: 2 servings, 1/2 salad per serving

This 21 Day Fix approved tuna salad is quick to prepare, and makes a satisfying lunch or light supper. Pair with greens & chopped veggies, or even a sprouted grain tortilla for a perfect lunchbox meal!

Ingredients 

2 cans (5 oz each can) chunk light tuna, packed in water, drained 

1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil 

1 Tbsp dijon mustard (sugar free) 

1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped 

2 Tbsp chopped fresh tarragon (or herb of choice)


Instructions 

Combine tuna, oil, mustard, bell pepper, and herbs in a medium bowl. 

Mix well.

Vegetable Egg Cups

VEGETABLE EGG CUPS 

(Makes 6 servings - 2 cups per serving)

I love to make these at the beginning of the week for a quick snack or breakfast on the go! They are high protein so very satisfying and a great way to sneak some veggies in!

INGREDIENTS
12 Large Eggs 

1 Cup Chopped Spinach

1 Cup Chopped Bell Peppers 

1 Cup Chopped Mushrooms 

Sea Salt and Pepper to Taste 

2 Green Onions, Thinly Sliced 

12 Tbsp. Homemade Salsa

INSTRUCTIONS 

Pre-heat the oven to 375. 

Crack eggs into a large mixing bowl with salt & pepper and any other salt-free seasonings you like and whisk until fully combined.

Coat the muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.

Evenly divide the eggs between the 12 muffin cups (they will each be about half full)

Add veggies to the eggs in the muffin cups - each cup will be very full :)

Bake for 15 minutes - 20 minutes (a toothpick inserted into the muffin should come out clean) 

Top each egg cup with 1 tablespoon of Homemade Salsa

Kid-Approved Salad Even the Salad-Hater will Love!

Am I the only one who HATES salads?  I mean seriously.... Take a little bit of spring mix blob some dressing on there and eat it?  Like a rabbit?  no thank you.

Okay, so I made this concoction up a couple weeks ago and I'm telling you guys - I seriously could eat this every single day - even my 6 year old LOVED it! .... Yes, it contains spinach.  Yes she still ate every last bit.

Ingredients

- 3 cups Spinach (or any of your favourite greens - NO iceberg lettuce.. it has no nutritional value.)

- 1/2 medium pepper, diced

- 1/2 medium carrot, shredded

- 1/2 medium cucumber, diced

- 1/2 cup chopped jicima

- 1/2 medium tomato, chopped

- 2/3 cup quinoa, cooked

- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds, toasted

- braggs liquid soy seasoning, to taste

Dressing (Makes 10 servings, about 2 tbsp each)

- 1/2 cup olive oil

- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

- 3 tbsp lemon juice

- 3 cloves garlic, crushed

- no-salt added seasoning to taste

- 1/2 tsp dijon mustard

- 1 tbsp honey

1)  Toast the raw pumpkin seeds on medium heat until they start "popping", continue to toast for 2-3 minutes stirring frequently until they are well toasted.

2)  Mix all the veggies together in a large salad bowl

3)  Add the pumpkin seeds and cooked quinoa on top of the veggies

4)  Add a bit of the liquid soy seasoning (about 2 tsp) - to taste.

5)  Mix all the of the dressing ingredients in  a container with a lid and add about 2 tbsp to the salad, cover the container and put in the fridge to use tomorrow :)

6)  Mix everything together well and ENJOY! 

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

UNSTUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS

(inspired by "Kalyn's Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole" found on http://www.skinnytaste.com)

It was a Saturday night and I was searching for a new recipe to try... I wanted a casserole type dish that would provide leftovers for Sunday night as well, since the weekends is when I tend to fail with planning and making dinners!  I came across this recipe on skinnytaste.com and knew that I had to try it!!  I love cabbage rolls - but to not have to worry about actually "rolling" them up?  bonus! lol!  This was a real hit with my whole family - even my 6 year old daughter LOVED it... Like she was actually excited for leftovers on Sunday!  She's never excited for leftovers lol :) 

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp olive oil, divided
• 1 lb. extra lean ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped fine
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste 
• 1 large head green cabbage, coarsely chopped
• 1 can (14.5 oz.) seasoned diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 cups cooked brown rice 
• 2 cups shredded cheese (I used the mozza-cheddar)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a large glass casserole dish with non-stick spray.
2. Heat a large frying pan on medium heat; add ground beef and cook until it’s browned and cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks. Remove ground beef and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add 1 tsp olive oil, chopped onion and cook over medium heat until the onion is translucent and starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, and paprika and cook about 2 minutes more. Then add the diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, and ground beef. Add water to the pan. Simmer until it’s hot and slightly thickened, about 15-20 minutes.
4. While it simmers, cut cabbage in half, cut out the core, and remove any wilted outer leaves; chop the cabbage coarsely into 1 inch pieces.
5. Heat remaining olive oil in a large frying pan; add the cabbage and cook over medium-high heat until the cabbage is wilted and about half cooked, turning it over several times so it all wilts and cooks. Season with salt and fresh-ground black pepper.
6. When the meat and tomato sauce mixture has cooked and thickened a bit, stir in the 2 cups of cooked rice and gently combine.
7. Spray casserole dish with non-stick spray and the layer half the cabbage, half the meat mixture, remaining cabbage, and remaining meat mixture. Cover tightly with foil and bake 40 minutes, or until the mixture is just starting to bubble on the edges.
8. Remove foil and sprinkle on cheese (if using.) Bake uncovered an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and starting to slightly brown. Serve hot.

Freezer friendly if you have leftovers. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then either microwave until hot or heat in the oven in a glass dish covered with foil.

Rum Spice Shakeology

Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk beverage
1 scoop Chocolate Vegan Shakeology
1-2 drops pure rum extract
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
1 cup ice

Preparation:
1. Place coconut milk, Shakeology, extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.