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Interior and Cover Designer: Francesca Pacchini
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Photography 2020 Andrew Purcell, front cover and all interior images; Darren Muir, back cover
ISBN: Print 978-1-64611-661-4
eBook 978-1-64611-662-1
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CONTENTS
Hi there! Im Michelle. Im a former fitness competitor, mom of five, and author of The Bodybuilding Meal Prep Cookbook . As a busy professional and on-the-go mom, I love a good, nutritious, hassle-free lunch. My guess is that if youve picked up this book, you do, too. Throughout the next 10 weeks, Ill be your guide as you learn to prepare healthy, portable, and totally doable midday meals.
Ill be honest: When it comes to preparing a workday lunch, Ive been through it allfrom soggy salads and sandwiches to the soup spills that have disgraced my lunch box. But, by the same token, when I havent made myself something sustaining to eat during the day, Ive ended up regretting it. No one wants to sit through an afternoon meeting with hangry Michelle! In short, I realized that what I eat for lunch matters, and Ive learned a lot from trial and error. Luckily, you get to benefit from my experience and avoid the mistakes I first made when I began my meal prep journey.
Ive seen firsthand that, by implementing a few basic formulas, this process reaps major dividends. With just a little time pregaming in the kitchen, Im able to set myself up for success with nutritious, grab-and-go meals that keep me filled throughout the weekand you can do the same.
After all, a balanced lunch isnt just nice to have in theory. Eating well in the middle of the day boosts mood, provides energy, maintains steady blood sugar, and keeps your appetite from getting out of control so you dont binge at dinner or overindulge at happy hour. But many of us dont get the lunches we want or really need.
While you may be fortunate enough to have a workplace cafeteria or be next door to endless fast food or restaurant chains, these institutions arent easy on the walletnor are they usually the greatest purveyors of healthy, appetizing fare. Plus, they can eat up your lunch break pretty quickly. Especially for those in the nine-to-five grind, lunch may be the one time during your day that you get a break to reconnect with yourself and tune in to your body.
So I propose we both save you some time and cash, and bust that ham-and-cheese, same-old-salad or whatever-leftovers-I-can-rummage-up rut and reimagine that workweek lunch. As you make your way through this book, my hope is that youll learn through experience that prepping your weeks lunches isnt as daunting as it may seem.
Ten preset plans for weekly meals will guide you through more than two months of healthy midday eating. Plus, youll find bonus lunch recipes for extra variety and snack recipes that are perfect for the workday. These bonus recipes can help you create lunches beyond the original 10 weeks. By the end, youll have all the tools you need to continue the meal prep process on your own. Or, if you prefer, you can easily cycle back through the recipes provided.
Ready to actually feel excited to open your lunch box each day? Lets dive in!
The Midday Meal, Reimagined
Meal Prep: Its Whats for Lunch!
Youve probably heard that meal prep is the domain of only healthy food bloggers, calorie-counters, or bodybuilders. But Im here to tell you it works for regular people looking for a simple answer to lunch, too! Setting aside a chunk of time at the beginning of the week (or, really, whenever works for you) allows you to face the workweek with far less stress.
Prepping your lunches takes the guesswork out of your lunch break. No more wondering how or where youre going to get a bite when you have only a brief window of time. No more grabbing whatever uninspiring leftovers your fridge coughs up at 7:00 a.m. and no more downing calorie-laden restaurant meals you didnt really want.
In fact, planning and prepping your lunches is a surefire way to feed yourself healthy, nutritious meals chosen by you , not a chef or catering queen. Plus, these homemade meals are guaranteed to save you tons of time and cost less than anything youd pick up on the go. Now you have more time to watch Netflix, socialize, chill with your family, cuddle with your dog, or do some housework (ick).
