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If you’re looking for ways to eat healthier, it all starts with meal preparation. Being more prepared when hunger strikes or you’re on-the-go can turn your entire diet upside-down (in a good way).
If you’re not used to meal prepping or you’d like to improve your “skills” at meal preparation, here are some tips:
Invest In Quality Storage Containers Of All Sizes
Resist the urge to just “use the dishes you have” with some plastic wrap or aluminum foil on top for meal prep. You want sturdy storage containers (ideally made out of glass), and you want every one to have its own durable lid as well. This allows you to go faster during your preparation and to stack your dishes once they’re ready for the fridge or freezer.
Designate A “Meal Prep Day.”
To keep yourself on track every week, designate a specific day for meal preparation. Start by making a list of all the foods you want to prepare. Next, make a grocery list of what you’ll need for each meal.
Once you've finished your grocery shopping, make sure your kitchen is nice and clean and all your dishes are done. Put on a movie or a podcast to make the time go faster, get out your storage containers, and start cooking and prepping!
Don’t Make More Than You’ll Eat In A Week
You might be tempted to create meals for the entire month, but resist this urge. It's better to stick with the week ahead to ensure that everything remains fresh and enticing.
Choose Foods That Save Well
Whether you plan to store the food you've prepped in the refrigerator or the freezer, make sure you choose the right types of foods. That is, keep in mind that sandwiches and wraps won't store very well in the refrigerator (the bread or wrap tends to get soggy). Salads, meat and rice/pasta dishes, and soups tend to store better.
Similarly, only some foods (such as lasagna or certain soups) store well in the freezer.
Start making delicious meals of your own in your brand-new Phoenix apartment! Floor plans in our Phoenix apartments are currently available. Call our office today to learn more!
The post 4 Meal Prep Tips to Make Your Life Easier appeared first on Element Deer Valley Blog.
]]>The post Tips for Perfect Mason Jar Salads appeared first on Element Deer Valley Blog.
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Mason jar salads have many benefits. They can take the boredom out of your lunchtime routine, they're packed with nutrient-dense foods, and they can give you the opportunity to use your lunch hour for a brisk walk or a yoga class.
Here are some tips for prepping your vegetables and packing a mason jar to keep salads fresh for up to seven days when you start with market fresh ingredients. So pull out the jars and let the cutting and layering begin!
Prep Tips
- 32-ounce mason jars are preferred over the 16-ounce size because it's easier to fill and easier to dump out.
- Mason jars seal tighter so delicate salads stay fresher, longer and won't absorb odors which plastic may.
- If you don't have mason jars, any glass jar with lids that fit tightly will do the trick.
- Squirt lime or lemon juice on avocado before packing to keep it's fresh color, texture, and taste.
Layering Tips
- Layering is the key to crisp lettuce and great taste, making it crucial to put the 1-4 tablespoons of salad dressing at the bottom
- First, add the heartier veggies like carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, peppers, red onion, etc.
- Softer veggies are next — so add a mix of beans, zucchini, corn, mushrooms, asparagus, and sprouts
- For a more filling salad, add a grain or pasta layer — brown rice, orzo, couscous, quinoa are great choices
- Your protein layer will usually be cubed or crumbled cheese, diced roasted chicken, shrimp, or boiled eggs.
- The final, top layer is lettuce, nuts, and seeds – far away from the dressing to stay crispy and crunchy.
3 Unique Mason Jar Salad Combinations
Taco Salad in a Jar – Crisp corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, and romaine lettuce make a great base for a Mexican-inspired salad from Delish.com
Mediterranean Jar Salad – Epicurious brings the Mediterranean diet to an easy to assemble mason jar version of a Greek salad featuring tomatoes, orzo, olives, red onion, and cucumber; and salty crumbles of feta cheese.
Shrimp and Feta Salad – This unique salad will gather your favorites into a refreshing summer-time feast, including savory thyme, cooked shrimp, and chopped avocado.
Martha Stewart Salad Dressing – Explore this list of easy and tasty salad dressings that will kick your mason jar salads into high gear. Just a few ingredients are shaken in a jar and added to the bottom of mason jar salads.
Looking for a new apartment home in Phoenix, Arizona. Element at Deer Valley features a wide choice of floor plans from studio to four-bedroom apartments. Enjoy making your own mason jar salad creations in our lovely, designer kitchens that feature stainless steel appliances and professional flooring.
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