I’m just going to out myself: I don’t like to meal prep.
I don’t do Pinterest-perfect meal plans. I don’t map out every bite my family will eat for the next 7 days. I don’t thrive on the structure of traditional meal prepping, the recipes, the portions, the multiplying for a whole household, the containers, the fridge Tetris.
Sure, I love watching those meal prep videos on social media, but honestly? All that prep makes my brain hurt. It turns feeding my family into a chore instead of a joy. And the worst part? After all that effort, someone inevitably says, “Eh… I’m not eating that.” Or my other favorite: “There’s nothing to eat in here.”
So What's My Strategy?
Instead of trying to make 21 complete dishes ahead of time, I batch cook a few proteins and prep a rainbow of vegetables. Then, I use those building blocks to “assemble” meals on the fly - salads, stir-fries, bowls, burritos, you name it. I steam rice in chicken stock or broth, same for quinoa, and leave it on the counter warm until it’s gone.
What started as an attempt to be efficient by cooking once a week has now become our lifestyle. We call it The Assembly and I’m the Chief Assembler.
Why This Works for Us
My preference is to eat at home because I know exactly what I’m putting into my body. That alone makes me feel good. I feel calm and clear knowing there’s clean, nourishing food in the fridge ready to go either as-is or with a little remix.
In a hurry? No problem! There’s something quick and satisfying that isn’t junk.
Got more time? Even better. We get creative and turn those ingredients into something incredible.
Want to join the clean food, time-saving, not-boring revolution? Welcome to the team of Assemblers.
Here’s How It Usually Looks
Proteins
- Ground beef (or bison), grilled chicken, or turkey patties
- Cooked in bulk, seasoned simply—salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
Vegetables
- Roasted potatoes with onions
- Chopped raw salad veggies (cucumber, tomato, carrots, red cabbage)
- Roasted sweet potatoes, zucchini, eggplant
- Bell peppers, sliced and ready to go
Why This Works for Me (and Might for You)
This method checks every PaceWell box:
- Fueling: I’m eating whole, nutrient-dense food that actually makes me feel good.
- Moving: With food ready, I have more energy and time to move when it feels right.
- Recovering: I avoid the 5 p.m. “What’s for dinner?” panic. My nervous system thanks me.
- Learning: I keep tweaking this system based on what works for my body and week.
- Experiencing: I enjoy my meals more because I’m not racing or stressing. Cooking and assembling to music? Extra movement and joy.
This isn’t about perfection! It’s about reducing chaos and creating ease. And that’s the heart of PaceWell.
Give It a Shot!
5 Assembly Ideas from This Week
- Warm Salad Bowl: Romaine, roasted potatoes, ground beef, bell peppers, cucumber, olive oil & vinegar
- Simple Burrito Night: Sautéed veggies, turkey, avocado, tortilla—done
- Stir Fry Remix: Whatever veggies are left, tossed with coconut aminos and leftover chicken
- Egg Bowl: Roasted veggies + scrambled eggs + salsa = brunch or dinner
- Snacky Plate: Chopped veggies, hummus, olives, meatball bites
Final Thoughts: Ditch the Plan, Find Your Rhythm
If traditional “meal prep” stresses you out, maybe you don’t need a stricter plan. Maybe you just need your own version of The Assembly.
Try it. Make it yours.
Listen to your InnerPace™.
And if all else fails, dinner can totally be roasted sweet potatoes, salad scraps, and leftover meatballs.
Ask me how I know.
