TV Bennett Lifestyles

Meal Prep

*Please note I am not in any way a registered dietitian, this is only advice that you can choose to follow or not*

As in we are prepping meals for future consumption. Whether this be for an easier week while juggling life or for weightloss/gain preperation, cooking meals and prepping may seem a bit intimidating. Don’t get me started on when we’re first starting out, I know it appeared to be quite the task to me. But now it’s apart of my lifestyle, needless to say I’ve simplified it so it doesn’t discourage me from my ultimate goal.

People’s perception of losing weight is to mainly have a very bland diet and have absolutely nothing that makes the saliva glands well salivate, lol. I’ve had people tell me they are only eating salads and cutting out the meat, not doing dressing, going on water fast, going vegan, becoming vegetarian ect and it’s all because as a society we are lost. We have no idea what to put in our bodies nor how much of it to consume.

People will literally eat like a rabbit and wonder why they get bored, have no energy, have unimaginable cravings and totally crash and burn either before they have reached this diet’s end or make it through the end to only go right back to old habits the minute it’s over and I mean as in going to an all you can eat buffet to celebrate at 10 pound weight loss victory to only put back on 12 pounds within the next 2 to 3 weeks. Yes this used to be me so I know and understand 1st hand.

When I 1st started my fitness journey, I remember thinking to myself “eating clean” is no carbs, no seasoning, no juice, no dressing, no fruits because of the simple sugars etc. I felt defeated already and always found myself hungry within a few hours of a so called meal which usually lead to “yo yo” dieting. Anyone with me so far???

I won’t continue to babble on, just going to give some tips on a bit easier, tastier meal prep ideas. Some people prep all 3 meals including snacks and some are comfortable with doing just lunch and/or dinner etc. You have to figure out which one you are. I choose Sundays as my 1st prep day and I prepped for 3 days at a time for freshness purposes. Of course I am aware of my personal calorie intake for that particular week as you should be as well.

Choose either one protein or meats and season it 2 different ways or choose 2 different proteins or meats. Season your meats and zip lock bag them now throw them in the fridge to marinate.

Choose your carbohydrate whether it be sweet potatoes, red skin potatoes, pasta or rice. Season it to your liking and portion out serving sizes which you can find on the food packaging.

Choose your vegetable, season and also portion out serving sizes. I for one Love❤ the sheet Pan method. Cover sheet pan with foil, dump your marinated meats, potatoes and veggies on the pan and pop it in the oven on 325ﾟso everything cooks evenly. Bam! Done! Portion in separate containers, store in fridge for the next 3 days, throw away foil, sit down and relax because you my friend have just had a very successful easy clean up meal prep Sunday😁 Happy Prepping!

By: Tiffany Bennett

Below are some ideas: Tomato basil chicken with green beans.

Grilled fish with citrus basil, zucchini and squash and avocado scoops.

Ham and cheese lettuce wraps, salad, 1/4 of a chocolate bar and broccoli.

White rice, spicy shrimp and a tomato and avocado salad with green onion and cilantro.

Yearning to Starve

We acquired a 5 month old puppy exactly 13 days ago. When my wife brought him home he was frail, cautious and wore a worried look in his eyes. He was tiny, I could count his ribs with just one glance, his thin coat sinking between each dip down to where his waistline almost disappeared. He was one of five other puppies, the smallest and most timid of the litter so naturally he was somewhat bullied and pushed to the side by his sliblings, especially during feeding times.

Instantly I was mesmerized by his appearance and related my childhood to his current hardship. I should have known from this relation that ED ‘aka’ my Eating Disorder would come to frolic with my thoughts, whispering negative commentary about my already small but healthy frame. Only a few hours had passed before I was measuring my waistline with my index and thumb while searching for any imperfections within my reflection. For a split second I looked upon this starved puppy with envious eyes, just as I did my roommate while being in-patient the 5th time for this STUPID EATING DISORDER years ago. In my teen years and early twenties I was more bulimic than anorexic, yet I yearned so desperately to have the control of which an anorexic possessed.

With days passing, these thoughts lingered… I begin to slip away inside myself, going through an array of emotions and feeling lost but mostly angry at the fact of still having these issues after being in recovery for so long. Something so simple, so innocent could trigger the rise of my personal beast.

In my twisted, diseased mind “ED” has me convinced Visible Bones is the equivalence of beauty, control and discipline. BUT I KNOW BETTER NOW! Visible Bones are also signs your body is weak, malnourished, unloved, you’re NOT in control and “ED” will never allow you to feel beautiful.

I tell myself everyday I am beautiful, Strong, healthy and alive. To be healthy, we cannot fear food, we have to embrace it but in a healthier manner. I have been in recovery for 4 years and I still struggle with body image. The only difference now is I actually LOVE myself, this 4 letter word changed my entire mindset, which automatically put me in the position to be in control of ME and allowed God to shine his light upon my life❤

By: Tiffany V Bennett