And now I'm tired

So with all the medical crap looming in our future Kitty and I decided to get back into Meal Prep Sunday.  This means that you cook enough for the week on one day and just heat up as you go.  Rather than re-invent the wheel I'm just going to point you here for the basics:

http://www.mealprephaven.com/blog-1/2015/9/21/meal-prepping-101-for-beginners

And here for lots of great ideas:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MealPrepSunday/

Wedon't use divided containers, just big rectangles like these:

https://ziploc.com/en/products/containers/rectangle/containers-large-rectangle

Because were heathens who don't use sauces so we don't care if our food touches or not.

The whole point of this is to eat healthier foods in pre-measured portions for calorie control and better nutrition.  It's impossible to say I don't want to cook because I have cramps/feel sick/was in a late doctors appointment and it's too much work/takes too long so let's get takeout when all you have to do is throw something healthy in the microwave.  The downside is food boredom, when you keep eating the same flavors and textures over and over again.  This can be cured with a small salad, different sauce, new side or by deliberately eating something else once a week.  Better to be deliberate than to default to Taco Bell, even if crunchwraps are really tasty.

So today I cooked:

• 5 lb chicken
• 2 yams
• 4 red potatoes
• 3 heads broccoli
• 1 cauliflower
• 1 lb Brussels sprouts 
• 1 lb parsnips
• 2 lbs carrots
• 2 lb butternut squash
• 1/2 acorn squash

This made four nights of dinners for the two of us.  I also prepped:

• 2 bell peppers
• 10 carrots
• 1 cucumber
• 1 head of broccoli

Which I put in boxes for Kitty's lunch.  She makes her own hummus to take with those.  And I measured out my ricotta cheese, which is my high protein afternoon snack.  On Friday I made 20 egg burritos for Kitty's breakfast.   Tomorrow I'll cook another 2.5 lbs of chicken for my lunch for the week, and on Tuesday I'll make 20 burritos for me.  Kitty likes them spicy, I do not.

How to get tender, juicy, boneless/skinless from the crock-pot?  Here's what I do.

If you're starting with fresh breasts brine them.

https://www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/5804-brining-meat

If you're starting with frozen check the package.  If they say they've been "enhanced with" or contain chicken broth or a sodium solution they're already brined, just defrost them.  When they're either brined or defrosted pat them dry, place them in a single layer in your crock-pot, and cook on high for three hours.  Then store in your fridge in the juice.  That last bit is important because they're like sponges, and will be dry if you don't give them something to absorb.  I cook a batch at the beginning of the week and toss 112 grams into my salads for lunch.

Here's the basic idea for breakfast burritos

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2015/10/01/save-time-and-money-with-make-ahead-breakfast-burritos/

I don't use sausage, but I do put a spoon full of salsa in each one.  Also, use the big tortillas.  Don't try to save money or calories by buying the fajita or soft taco size.  You want the ones that say burrito or wrap or large.  About the size of a dinner plate at least.  All you will do is frustrate your ass if you try to use the smaller ones.

So after all of this today I'm taking tomorrow off.  I'm going to wash my hair, meet with my therapist, and catch up on my knitting.  For I am woefully behind on my knitting

Where am I

• Kitty pillow - On track
• Rose pillow - On track
• Love Paw pillow - 4 days behind
• Granny's Heart pillow - 5 days behind
• Geometric Heart pillow - 7 days behind

Yeah, I know.  Tomorrow I want to catch up at least two days on the Love Paw pillow and at least not have everything else get any worse.

I have another variation of Spencer and alien princesses kicking around in my head.  If I finish A Home at Last and Least Expected first would anyone like to read more sci-fi?

Off to knit more.