this week's healthy food prep: 10/12

single-handedly keeping pasta salad alive in mid-october

i have planned and executed A LOT of healthy food preps (you can find all of them here), but i can confidently say this was my favorite to date. all of the recipes are just so flavorful and well-rounded, nutrition-packed without sacrificing enjoyment, and simply capture my palate really well. proud of this one!

i really focused on protein and fiber this week, two areas that both contribute to how satisfied we feel after meals. the reason i do these preps is to take the stress out of healthy eating on busy days and nights. putting in the hard work now means i can simply open my fridge later and find a balanced meal. one that i didn’t have to spend time deciding on, shopping for, preparing, and cleaning up after.

at the time of writing up this post, this prep is only a few hours old. i’ve already eaten half the maple dijon harvest pasta salad myself, and i can’t stop spooning the steak double bean salad. i currently have a warmed up chocolate chip pumpkin muffin next to me as i type, with dreams of a chocolate pecan pie brownie bite before my workout tomorrow morning.

and don’t even get me started on those sweet potato turkey meatballs. the combo you didn’t know you needed (and honestly didn’t know even worked). i made them mini on purpose so i can have more of them at once LOL.

as always, menu, grocery list, and recipes below for your convenience! happy nourishing!!!!

the menu:

• chocolate chip pumpkin muffins

• maple dijon harvest pasta salad

• sweet potato turkey meatballs

• steak double bean salad

• chocolate pecan pie brownie bites

the grocery list:

note that a handful of these items are pantry staples, so you may already have them on hand and won’t need to purchase :) or if you do need to buy them, i have plenty of other recipes that call for these ingredients, so you’ll have plenty of use for your purchase!

produce:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes

• 1 bag of brussel sprouts

• 1 large bunch of kale

• 1 large bunch of fresh parsley

• 1 large bunch of fresh dill

• 2-3 large roasted red peppers (jarred), cut into small strips

• 1 small red onion

meat

• 1 package of chicken sausage (i used a spinach & feta variety)

• 1 pound ground turkey

• steak of choice (i used bison sirloin)

eggs/dairy:

• .1/2 dozen eggs

• grated parmesan

misc:

• 1 can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

• maple syrup

• creamy salted almond butter

• vanilla extract

• oat flour

• almond flour

• cinnamon

• pumpkin pie spice

• sea salt

• baking powder

• chocolate chips

• 1 pound of pasta of choice (i like a protein pasta for meal prep recipes)

• raw pumpkin seeds

• olive oil

• dijon mustard

• black pepper

• gluten free breadcrumbs

• 1 can (15oz) cooked butter beans

• 1 can (15oz) cooked cannellini beans

• 1 microwavable quinoa pack

• chocolate protein powder of choice

• cacao powder

• chocolate almond milk (or any milk of choice)

• chopped pecan pieces

and now for the fun part— recipes below :)