[testsherpa]

Some tricks I use:

First, for breakfasts and for snacks, I'll mix up several shaker bottles worth of instant oatmeal, yogurt, whey protein powder and maybe fruit or juice but usually water. Then I never have an excuse the rest of the week to skip breakfast or a post workout snack. I do this all at once using a large container and a hand-held immersion blender and then distribute in several 600 or 300 calorie servings for the week.

Next time you grill or broil chicken breasts, do several at a time. They'll keep in the fridge for several days and then you can cut up on some salad or brown rice (you can cook the rice in bulk and put into zip lock bags to freeze and then microwave).

We will typically make more than we need with each meal and then eat left-overs for lunch. Might be boring, but saves time.

Getting a rotisserie chicken at the supermarket or Cosco or Sams Club or wherever saves a lot of time. Peel the skin off of course. Then you can eat one meal of the chicken with some salad and maybe some bread, and then you have the chicken to throw into some whole grain pasta the next night. Cut up the left over chicken and reheat with a little chicken broth, onions and roasted red peppers (from a jar). Let the broth reduce until pretty thick and saucy. Cook some frozen veggies (usually brocolli) with the pasta, drain, combine, and you're done.

Stir fry is easy. I buy frozen stir fry veg in bulk and then fry up with chicken or tempeh if I'm going veggie that night all in one pan in about 12 minutes.

I'll sometimes cook a salmon filet covered with a bunch of veggies and onions and herbs all in one tin foil packet in the oven. Everything cooks all at once and adds a great sweetness to the fish.

You can turn left over chicken into a peanut satay by mixing up a sauce of equal parts peanut butter and water then add some lemon juice, cayenne, spices of your choice and maybe some honey. Add rice or noodles or serve grilled with salad.

I often make meals out of spinich salad (pre-washed, just empty the bag), fruit (pears, citrus or grapes) and a smoked salmon filet (again, just empty onto the salad). I might add some break if I feel like I want the carbs.