Meal Prep Wins: February Recipe Experiments + My Favorite Lunch Hack

At the start of the year, I set a personal challenge: try one new recipe every week. I’m happy to report—I’m still on track!

One unexpected twist in this journey? Lunch meal prepping. It’s become a necessity, thanks to some office construction that’s made parking a bit of a mess.

Last year, I often grabbed lunch out, but now, stepping out means risking my parking spot—which isn’t worth the hassle. With the lot in chaos, the only way to snag a decent space is to show up either early in the morning or exactly at noon. So, to avoid the lunchtime scramble, I’ve shifted to packing my meals. And honestly? It’s been a game-changer.

After a month of prepping, I’m finding that creating balanced, easy-to-pack lunches is becoming second nature. I’m also learning what keeps well and what actually gets me excited to open my lunch container. Spoiler: not everything does.

Recipes I Tried in February

  • Week 1: Chickpea Pasta Salad & Tomato, Peach and Basil Salad

  • Week 2: Skillet Pesto Green and White Beans

    • This dish was originally prepped with the Skillet Pesto Chicken.

  • Week 3: Cup O’Zoodle with Beef (my personal favorite!)

  • Week 4: Cinnamon Spiced Brussel Sprouts (I love brussel sprouts!)

 

Recipe Highlight: Cup O’ Zoodle

Think instant noodles, but fresh and customizable. This one was perfect for meal prep—just pour hot water over spiralized zucchini, broth paste, and pre-chopped veggies, and lunch is served. I’ll definitely be making this one again.

 

Final Thoughts

While lunch prep started out as a challenge, it’s slowly turning into one of my favorite routines. I’m eating better, saving money, and honestly—it’s kinda fun. Can’t wait to see what recipes March brings!

*This collection of recipes was discovered while browsing magazines! Oh, see how I did in January.

LifestyleJocelin VillarrealComment