Chef Boyar-Tee Meal Prep
Last night was a whirlwind of activity in my kitchen, as I decided to make my own pickles. I love pickles, and pickles are a good and healthy snack when you are craving something, you just need to watch out for the sodium. Pickles have helped me to lose about 5 lbs. within the last month because it is very healthy and has a lot of benefits. Cucumbers, which are the main ingredient in pickles, are naturally high in fiber. Fiber is essential for digestive health, promoting regular bowel movements, and aiding in digestion. Including pickles in your diet can contribute to your daily fiber intake. Pickles are also typically low in calories, making them a great option for those looking to manage their weight or calorie intake. They can be a satisfying snack or accompaniment to meals without adding significant calories. Here is the recipe and instructions that I used to make mine.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of water
2 cups of white vinegar
3 tbsp sugar
2-3 cucumbers (pickling cucumbers)
1 jalapeno per serving (optional if you like spicy)
2 bay leaves
dill
half a bulb of garlic
red pepper flakes
peppercorn
Corriander seeds
Directions:
Put 1/2 cup of water, 2 cups of white vinegar, and 3 tbsp of sugar in a pot. I added dried pepper to give it an extra spicy kick.
Bring to a boil till sugar is dissolved and remove off the heat and let cool.
Prepare your cucumbers. While my brine is cooling, I sliced my cucumbers into discs and put it into a mason jar with half a bulb of garlic, dill, chili pepper flakes, slices jalapenos, pepper corn, bay leaves, and all the other spices.
Pour the brine into the jar and shake it up a little
Enjoy! The longer it sits, the better they taste.
But last night wasn't just about pickles—it was also about meal prepping and making intentional choices for my health and well-being. I took some time to prepare a nutritious meal including Chicken drums, seasoned cucumbers, sweet potatoes, and edamame. Throughout the week I also meal prepped pork, rice, and broccoli for lunch. this ensures that I have wholesome options readily available to fuel my body and mind.
Ingredients:
4 chicken drums
seasoning of your choice
two small sweet potatoes
Frozen edamame
Directions:
Microwave edamame for 4 minutes till ready
Steam sweet potato till fork tender
Season chicken to your liking and airfry 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Flip and air fry for 375 degrees.
As I indulged in the satisfaction of my homemade pickles and prepared nutritious meals for the days ahead, I also made a conscious decision to cut back on drinking. It's a journey filled with its own set of challenges and uncertainties, but last night served as a reminder that small steps towards positive change can lead to big transformations in the long run.
In the end, last night wasn't just about pickles or meal prepping—it was about embracing the simple joys of homemade goodness, nourishing my body with wholesome food, and making mindful choices to prioritize my health and well-being (as I write this eating my ramen). My best friend and I came up with a plan to keep each other accountable and set some goals for ourselves. Keeping up with myself and my thoughts get me excited for my future. I can’t help but feel a sense of empowerment knowing that I'm taking steps towards a healthier, happier me.
