Meal Prep Hacks for Busy Women Who Want to Eat Well Without Stress

Let’s have some real talk about meal prep for a minute.

I used to think meal prep meant spending my entire Sunday stuck in the kitchen, covered in Tupperware lids and chopping onions until I didn’t even want to eat anymore. 🙃

But thankfully, I’ve learned it doesn’t have to be that way.

Meal prep can be simple, flexible, and a massive stress-saver — especially if you’re working toward fat loss, strength goals, or trying to balance hormones in midlife (aka navigating that magical combo of cravings, fatigue, and not knowing what your body wants from you anymore).

Let’s break it down.

Why Meal Prep Actually Matters (Especially in Midlife)

Here’s the thing: the less you have to think about food during the week, the easier it is to eat in a way that supports your goals.

And when you're trying to build muscle, lose fat, or just feel good in your clothes again — that matters.

Meal prep helps you:

• ✅ Stay consistent with energy (no more afternoon crashes and emergency snack runs)

• ✅ Hit your macros — in other words, get the right balance of protein, carbs, and healthy fats your body needs to feel good, build muscle, and burn fat

• ✅ Reduce decision fatigue — so you’re not staring into the fridge at 6pm thinking, “Ugh. Now what?”

My Favorite Meal Prep Hacks (That I Actually Use)

You do not need a spreadsheet or 17 matching containers to meal prep. You just need a few go-to strategies that make eating well easier during the week.

Here are my top hacks — real-life approved:

1. Prep protein first.

Grill, roast, or slow cook 2–3 types of protein at the start of the week. Think: shredded chicken, ground turkey, salmon filets. Mix and match with veggies, wraps, bowls, salads — done.

2. Wash and chop your veggies.

You don’t have to cook them all — just prep them. Have them ready to roast, stir-fry, or toss into salads or omelets. Trust me, future you will be grateful.

3. Make one big breakfast option.

Try overnight oats, egg muffins, or Greek yogurt parfait jars. Breakfast on autopilot = one less thing to think about in the morning.

4. Snack boxes are your friend.

Pull together a couple of grab-and-go high-protein snack packs. Cottage cheese cups, beef sticks, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, protein bars — done.

5. Don’t overcomplicate it.

You don’t need to prep every single meal. If you have 2–3 meals and a few staples ready, that’s a win. Progress > perfection.

Meal Prep Is an Act of Self-Respect, Not Restriction

I know a lot of women who have a love/hate relationship with food prep.
They want to eat well, but they don’t want their life to revolve around it. And that’s exactly why a simple meal prep system is such a game-changer.

It’s not about control. It’s about having options that support your body, your goals, and your energy — especially when life gets busy.

Meal prep is just one way you can show up for yourself. Not with perfection, but with preparation.

Want Help Making This a Habit? I’ve Got You.

Inside the FASTer Way program, I teach women how to make simple, sustainable nutrition work — with macro tracking that isn’t overwhelming and meal prep that makes life easier (not more complicated).

If you’re ready to finally have a system that helps you feel energized, strong, and confident all summer long…

👉 Join my next coaching group — we’re keeping it real, keeping it doable, and yes... keeping it delicious.

Bridging the Gap: How I Use Protein Powder to Boost Strength, Energy, and Fat Loss

If you are trying to build strength, feel more energized, or lose stubborn fat, especially around midlife, getting enough protein is a game-changer. But let’s be honest — hitting your protein goals every day can feel overwhelming, even when you know how important it is.

That is exactly why I use protein powder. It is not about replacing real food or chasing a quick fix. It is about bridging the gap when real life gets busy and a high-protein meal just is not happening.

For women in midlife, protein becomes even more critical. It supports lean muscle growth, balances hormones, stabilizes blood sugar, and helps keep cravings at bay. Without enough protein, you are not just missing a number — you are missing out on real, lasting results.

So how much protein should you aim for?
While everyone's needs are a little different, a good general target for midlife women is about 100–120 grams of protein per day, depending on your size, goals, and activity level.
At each meal, that usually looks like 25–30 grams of protein to help keep blood sugar steady, support muscle maintenance, and keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Over the years, I have found a few simple ways to make protein powder part of my everyday life. Here are three of my favorite go-to options:

1. Quick Protein Shake:
The classic. I blend protein powder with almond milk, a handful of frozen blueberries, a little spinach, and sometimes a scoop of flax or chia seeds for extra fiber. It is my go-to when I am not really hungry or don't feel like cooking.

2. No-Bake Protein Bars:
Perfect for busy weeks. I mix protein powder with oats, a little nut butter, honey, and mini chocolate chips, press it into a pan, and cut into bars. They feel like a treat but keep me fueled between meals.

3. Protein Pancakes:
These feel like a weekend splurge but are packed with nutrients. I mix protein powder with a mashed banana, an egg, and a splash of almond milk to make a simple batter. Top with a little almond butter or berries and it is the perfect balance of comfort and fuel.

4. Protein Ice Cream:
This one has been a game-changer for my sweet tooth. With just a few simple ingredients and a blender, you can make creamy, delicious ice cream that fits your goals without the sugar crash. It is an easy way to hit your protein target while feeling like you are treating yourself.

Want some of my favorite protein ice cream recipes?
I've got a FREE guide you can grab here: Get the Protein Ice Cream Guide

The truth is, fitting in enough protein does not have to be complicated or stressful. It just takes a few smart habits that work with your life, not against it. And when you get it right, you will feel the difference — more strength, more energy, and better results without extreme measures.

If you are ready to make nutrition simple, sustainable, and effective, you are going to love how we approach it in my coaching program.

How ‘Healthy’ Eating Kept Me Stuck

For years, I thought I was doing it right.

I was buying all the things the packaging told me to: low-fat yogurts, high-fiber protein bars, gluten-free snacks. I skipped meals, sipped green smoothies, and tried every “clean” eating trend I could find.

And still… I felt stuck.

Tired. Bloated. Gaining weight despite doing all the “healthy” things. I kept wondering:
What is wrong with me?

The truth?

It wasn’t me. It was the outdated advice I was following and the ultra-processed “health” foods that were silently sabotaging my progress.

💡 Here’s what I wish I had known:

Gluten-free doesn’t mean better.
It just means it’s free of gluten. And often full of fillers, starches, and sugar to make up for it. Many GF snacks spike blood sugar and leave you even more fatigued.

Low-fat foods = high-sugar traps.
When fat is removed, flavor has to come from somewhere. That “light” yogurt? It might have more sugar than a donut. And without fat, your hormones (especially estrogen and progesterone) can’t function well.

Protein bars are not meals. 

They’re often glorified candy bars with a sprinkle of protein powder. I was eating them on-the-go, thinking I was fueling myself, but I was just feeding cravings and crashes.

Once I started learning how to actually support my midlife body - through whole foods, protein, healthy fats, and fiber from real sources - everything started to click.

More energy. Better sleep. Fewer cravings. And finally…progress on the scale that didn’t require starving or overexercising.

Want to try this for yourself?

Start with something simple: brunch.

I have a free Brunch Recipe Guide packed with satisfying, hormone-friendly ideas to help you feel full, fueled, and happy (no food guilt required). It’s perfect for Easter weekend - or any weekend, really.

💌 Just click here to download the guide today!

 

Is a Weighted Vest the Missing Piece in Your Fitness Routine?

If you're someone who’s already committed to getting your steps in or taking recovery days seriously, you might be wondering: Do I really need to add a weighted vest to my walks?

The short answer: maybe not need, but if you're in your 40s or 50s and focused on body composition, energy, and preserving lean muscle, a weighted vest could be a game-changer.

I’ve had several of my own clients ask if they’re worth it, and here’s what I think. When used on Active Recovery days, a weighted vest adds just enough resistance to increase calorie burn and encourage strength-building, without compromising your recovery. Think of it as a way to get a bit more out of what you’re already doing.

What my clients love most:

• It boosts calorie burn during lower-intensity movement (hello, smarter fat burn)
• It improves core engagement and posture during walks or chores
• It creates a muscle-preserving, bone-loading effect that supports metabolism and long-term strength

For midlife women, this matters more than ever. Hormonal changes in our 40s and 50s often lead to muscle loss and decreased bone density. Carrying even a small amount of extra weight during movement helps counteract that, without needing to spend more time in the gym.

If you’re new to this, start with just 5 pounds. You’ll feel the difference, but it won’t slow you down. The goal isn’t to turn your walk into a workout, but to help your body work a little smarter while still recovering.

So lace up those sneakers, clip on your vest (or don’t...this still works beautifully without one), and head outside. Every small choice like this adds up, especially when your body is craving balance, not burnout.

The #1 Grocery Swap for Midlife Weight Loss (You’ll Wish You Did Sooner)

If you’ve been doing all the “right” things...eating healthy, working out, tracking macros...but still feel stuck with stubborn weight, sluggish energy, or inflammation, it’s time to take a closer look at your grocery cart. One of the biggest culprits hiding in your everyday foods? Seed oils.

These highly processed oils (like soybean, canola, and sunflower oil) sneak into everything from salad dressings to so-called “healthy” snacks, wreaking havoc on your metabolism, hormones, and overall health. For midlife women, this is especially frustrating because hormone shifts already make fat loss trickier. The last thing we need is something actively working against us.

Seed oils are loaded with omega-6 fatty acids, which, in excess, contribute to chronic inflammation, making it harder to lose weight, recover from workouts, and feel your best. They can also disrupt insulin sensitivity, leading to energy crashes and cravings. If you’ve been feeling constantly bloated, puffy, or just “off,” your body might be waving a red flag.

Ditching seed oils doesn’t mean giving up delicious food. Instead, swap them for stable, hormone-friendly fats like:

• Extra virgin olive oil for salad dressings and cooking
• Avocado oil for high-heat cooking
• Grass-fed butter or ghee for rich, satisfying flavor

Not only will these swaps support your metabolism, but they’ll also help balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and keep you feeling full and satisfied...without the blood sugar rollercoaster.

Small swaps add up, and this one is a game-changer. If you’re tired of spinning your wheels with weight loss and energy dips, start here. Next time you’re at the store, flip those labels and swap the seed oils for fats that actually fuel your body. Your hormones (and waistline) will thank you.