Busy Girl’s Guide to Eating Healthy

I was originally going to just highlight my new favorite cookbook for this post, but I thought it would be more fun to talk about how I am able to maintain a pretty healthy diet on a not-at-all chill schedule. Here I’ll give you my list of steps to take this weekend to start fresh on Monday with delicious, healthy meals for the week.

Simplify at least one meal per day.

So many people have the (completely wrong) idea that they have to have an elaborate breakfast to start their day off right. While this may certainly be key for some people, it definitely is not for me. My breakfast almost every day? A banana with peanut butter. It’s delicious and gives me the protein I need to make it to lunch. For office days, Jif To-Gos are amazing.

Get a stockpile of recipes.

Even though I do like the idea of cookbooks, I have to be honest that I almost never use them. I am way more likely to find something on Pinterest and make it than I am to find a great recipe in a cookbook, despite having several of them. If Pinterest is your jam, create a board specifically for foods like look good to you and, as you make them, move them over to another “Tried and True” board. It’s so easy to lose track of what you’ve made that having them all in one spot is key.

I was shopping with a friend on Black Friday and picked up a copy of Skinnytaste’s One and Done cookbook. I thought the food looked good, but have a hard and fast rule to buy NOTHING for myself between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Well, I couldn’t stop thinking about the cookbook and, when I got a gift card for my birthday in mid-December, immediately purchased it.

And, oh my gosh, you guys. I am so glad I did.

I kid you not when I say that I am working my way through the cookbook and have yet to make something from it that I do not absolutely love. The whole schtick is that, for every recipe, you only need to dirty one thing, whether it be your slow cooker, Instant Pot, Air Fryer (more on this later. I adore mine), sheet pan or dutch oven. One and done. Get it?

Here are a few of my favorite recipes, but there are many, many more in the cookbook. My mom and sister also have copies of One and Done, and we’re constantly sharing our favorites with each other!

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets: I’ve never been a hoarder of Chick Fil A sauce until this little gem of a recipe came in to my life. I often make enough nuggets for 2-3 meals and use my stockpile of CFA sauce to eat with them. Make some grilled veggies to eat on the side, and you’re good to go for a delicious and healthy meal!

Navy Bean Bacon Soup:Literally the only reason I made this is because I just happened to have all the ingredients on hand. If I’m being totally honest, I didn’t have high hopes for it.. And oohhhh myyy gosh. It’s decadent, and you feel like you’re eating the most caloric thing ever. False. I cannot even being to express how insanely delicious this is. A small thing to note is that the recipe does not call for enough salt, so make sure you add some extra.

Make in bulk and, if possible, freeze.

My freezer is my favorite and is absolute key for busy, single girl (well, non-married) cooking. Invest in some mason jars as well as some plastic lids, and you won’t be sorry. When you make soup, simply let it cool, portion it in to mason jars, and freeze. Air fried nuggets can also be frozen in freezer bags after they’re fully cooked and cooled.

Plan Ahead

I know, that’s the most annoying advice ever because busy people don’t always have TIME to plan ahead. So, at the very least, plan your grocery list ahead of time. Think of what pairs well with your soups (half sandwich? salad? veggies?) and get that. What you do not want is running to Panera because nothing you bought for lunch sounds good.

Log Log Log!

I’m fairly new to the idea of logging food, water and exercise, but am so glad I’m on the train. I downloaded My Fitness Pal and, sorry if I’m a little late to this party, love the accountability it provides.

There you have it, friends! Spend this weekend planning ahead for next week to end January strong. Have a fantastic weekend and I’ll be back on next week with some more great tips! Happy Friday!