I don’t know about you, but after a long day at work the last thing, I want to do is figure out what to cook. Let’s ditch the daily frustrations and chaos surrounding “what’s for dinner” and sprinkle a little magic called meal prepping into our lives.

Meal prepping is a helpful tool in organizing your Camden kitchen, shopping smarter, and making cooking simple, clean and fun.

Organize Your Kitchen Like a Pro

• Declutter-

  • Toss expired items, donate duplicate gadgets and consolidate your daily muse kitchenware. Keep only what you use on regularly. Say goodbye to the garlic press or avocado slicer you have never used.

• Invest-

  • I recommend investing in clear containers for your meal prep. Use stackable, see-through containers to keep your prepped food visible and easily accessible. I have to say, my cabinets look amazing with all matching containers.

• Meal Prep Zones-

  • Zones help you stay organized and know what you have in the pantry. Separate food into “zones” that make sense for what you use the most. Label anything with dates and the type of food it is. This helps with using food within its expiration date.

Organized Kitchen with Zones at Camden Sotelo

How to Plan for Simple and Clean Cooking

• Always Start small-

  • The concept of meal prepping can be a bit overwhelming, but the outcome is so beneficial. Pick 2-3 base recipes you love or gravitate towards, and rotate them. Have a list of basic proteins, carbs and vegetables to go off of.

• Pick a Prep Day or Days-

  • I tend to prepare my weekly meals each Sunday as a reset to the week. You can split the weekly prep up if you choose, and consider Sunday and Wednesday to refresh and re-season your meals.

• Create a Meal Plan-

  • You can create a weekly meal plan yourself, or you can get assistance from a personal trainer. Cookbooks, recipe videos, or one-pot and sheet-pan recipes will be your go-to! Less mess and more flavor with less clean up. I highly recommend cleaning as you go, or this can be the most overwhelming part.

  • I prefer to prep my meals fully constructed. I do not want to have to worry about anything when I grab my lunchbox at work or get home from a long day. Just grab, heat and go! Some recommend that you prep components of full meals- separately.

  • Example: Cook chicken, quinoa, and green beans separately to use with three different dressings or sauces.

Spacious Kitchen, Perfect for Meal Prepping at Camden Chandler

Meal Prepping on a Budget

• Make a Prep List-

  • Meal prep can sound costly; however, I find it cost effective because I shop less often. I tend to buy more “bulk” components to avoid shopping each week. If you have your weekly prep list, review your newly organized kitchen,and you will know exactly what or how much you need for your prep.

• Shop Smart-

  • There are amazing places to get groceries on a budget. Places like Aldi, Trader Joes, Costco or Sam’s Club offer lower-priced essentials in bulk. Also, some have dupes for higher priced products with the same ingredients (WIN!). Many Camden communities have these grocery stores right around the corner.

  • Farmers markets, seasonal shopping and online orders can be great for more specialized or unique products. You can find great deals on what is in season or support a local business!

Ready to Cook in this Kitchen at Camden Old Town Scottsdale!

Meal prepping isn’t always about fitness goals or weight loss. Meal prep will simplify parts of your life and help save you money. Do what makes sense for your schedule and lifestyle. Turn your Camden kitchen into a chef’s sanctuary with organization, good food and prepped memories!

Schedule your tour today to find the kitchen of your dreams and get to prepping!