Feeling burnt out? Do you feel like you’re on the sugar and caffeine hamster wheel? How do you break that cycle?

The answer can be as simple as meal prep. You’ve read it a million times and it always looks easy and we have good intentions. The question is, how do you actually put a system in place and set yourself up for success?

Prepping will save you stress from the daily work grind.

• Select your recipes.
• Lay out your work-week. Will you be eating in the office or at restaurants? If you’re eating at restaurants. Don’t bother prepping a meal for that day. Maybe you need to pack a snack instead.
• Make your grocery list. Don’t have time to go to the grocery store? Sign up for a CSA or a local grocery delivery service. (I use Shipt.)
• Clean and prep your meals on a particular day. A lot of people do it on Sunday.
• Buy containers that are easy to pack and clean. I prefer glass. Although they are heavier, they can go from the freezer, to frig, to microwave. Glass jars are great for layering salads.
• Put together a few days at a time. Stack them in the refrigerator so you can easily grab one in the morning on your way out the door.
• If you are having a green smoothie to power pack your day, place all the ingredients that you can in a sandwich bag the night before. You can easily toss them in the blender the next morning. Looking for a more satisfying smoothie? Add some plant based protein powder.
• Pack snacks, such as raw almonds, hummus and veggies, homemade trail mix, apple and almond butter, etc.
• Plants do have protein. They also have fiber that will sustain you, balance blood sugar and give you radiant skin.
• Cut back on the fancy coffee drinks or maybe down size. Do you really need that Venti? Or is it a habit?
• Batch cook. Cook a few chicken breasts, quinoa and lentils, instead of just one serving. You will now have a protein option prepped for work meals.

Dawn Hamilton is a double certified raw food chef, health coach, yoga instructor, and founder of Encompassing You. Dawn’s goal is to help clients recognize and interrupt unhealthy eating and lifestyle patterns that are not serving them well.