Weekly meal preparation essentials streamlining your routine

Weekly meal preparation essentials streamlining your routine

Preparing for the New School Year: Essential Meal Prep Supplies for Healthier Eating

As the new school year approaches, many families are looking for ways to eat healthier and save money on takeout. One solution is meal prep, and we've compiled a list of essential supplies to help you get started.

Vegetable Preparation

The Mueller Pro-Series V Blade Veggie Chopper is a versatile gadget that can help you quickly chop, slice, and spiralize vegetables for salads, soups, stews, and more.

Chicken Preparation

The YOYOUTH Chicken Shredder Tool is a useful tool for shredding chicken breasts for soups, burritos, and more, saving you time in the kitchen.

Food Storage Containers

There are various food storage container options for meal prep, including Mason jars, glass dishes, and containers suitable for freezing meals. The MCIRCO Food Storage Containers with Snap-Locking Lids are suitable for meal prep, but details about their specific features are not provided. IDEATECH offers reusable silicone food storage bags that are leakproof, dishwasher-safe, and BPA-free.

For freezer-safe meal prep containers, consider the following top recommendations:

Tempered Glass Containers with Plastic Lids (e.g., Pyrex 12-Piece Set) These are excellent for freezer storage, reheating (microwave and oven-safe if you remove lids and avoid thermal shock), and are BPA-free. Glass won’t stain or retain odors from soups or sauces. The only caution is that plastic lids can crack or deform after many dishwasher cycles, which might risk leaks with liquids. They nest efficiently for storage but are less ideal for transport with liquids due to possible lid issues.

BPA-Free Plastic Containers with Airtight Twist-Top Lids (e.g., 16-oz 6-pack from Walmart) Made from durable PP-5 plastic, these are specifically designed for freezer and refrigerator storage, and their airtight twist lids ensure leak-proof sealing, perfect for liquids like soups and stews. They are dishwasher and microwave safe (remove lids before heating) and stackable for space-saving. The plastic material resists stains and odors, making them very practical for meal prep.

Silicone Freezer Molds with Lids Useful for portioning and freezing smaller batches of soups, sauces, or stews, these trays can go from freezer to oven, providing convenience for reheating. Silicone is flexible and freezer-safe, making it easy to pop out frozen portions.

Glass Food Storage Containers from Various Brands Similar to Pyrex, other glass containers are also dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe. They are excellent for meal prep that involves storing hot or cold soups and sauces without staining or holding odors.

When choosing food storage containers, look for containers labeled "freezer-safe" and "BPA-free." Choose airtight, leak-proof lids, especially important for liquids. Consider your reheating method: glass is oven-safe (with precautions), plastic mostly microwave-safe (without lids). Size options matter – smaller containers can freeze individual portions conveniently. Easy cleaning: glass resists staining better, plastic may retain odors but washes easily.

Lastly, the Meal Prep supplies list includes a YoYouth Chicken Shredder Tool, a Crock-Pot Electric Lunch Box, and a Mueller Pro-Series V Blade Veggie Chopper. The Crock-Pot Electric Lunch Box is a mini Crock-Pot ideal for hot lunches at the office, with dishwasher-safe food container and lid. It has a 20-ounce size suitable for one person's meal. A 12-pack of 32-ounce Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Lids are reusable and BPA-free, perfect for prepping salads, oatmeal, smoothies, and more. The Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Lids come in a 12-pack and are suitable for various meal prep purposes, such as salads, oatmeal, and smoothies.

Xomoo Silicone Freezer Tray With Lid is suitable for freezing soups, stews, sauces, and other liquid-based foods.

By investing in these essential meal prep supplies, you can save time, eat healthier, and spend less on takeout. Happy meal prepping!

[1] Tempered Glass Containers with Plastic Lids [2] BPA-Free Plastic Containers with Airtight Twist-Top Lids [4] Silicone Freezer Molds with Lids [5] Glass Food Storage Containers from Various Brands

1. For a more diverse home-and-garden lifestyle, consider adding a Mueller Pro-Series V Blade Veggie Chopper to your cooking essentials, helping you quickly chop vegetables for various food-and-drink recipes.
2. By introducing art into your life, you can create an invigorating backdrop for your healthier meals prepared with the YoYouth Chicken Shredder Tool.
3. To ensure a healthier environment, opt for BPA-free food storage containers like the MCIRCO Food Storage Containers with Snap-Locking Lids or the IDEATECH reusable silicone food storage bags, both secure solutions for storing leftovers.
4. To further embrace the lifestyle of efficient meal prep, you may want to invest in Glass Food Storage Containers from various brands, an excellent choice for storing soups, stews, and sauces without staining or holding odors.

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