HEALTHY MEAL PREP IDEAS FOR THE WEEK | + Horl knife sharpener

[@mediterraneanminutes]

BREAKING NEWS JULY 2024… if you are looking for a follow-up to this video and a 30-day plan you can follow as well as track your progress, I just published my first book… Every Day Mediterranean, a 30-day Kick-Start Plan and Tracking Journal. You can grab your copy today on Amazon from this link: a.co/d/ehohsJ3

[@ganymededarling]

I love this channel. Congrats on your first sponsorship!

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Thanks gm darling! I’m pretty excited that I can show off a favorite kitchen tool and help a small dedicated company at the same time. All good! Cheers, Caroline

[@mmps18]

Ahh a sponsor! Congratulations!!! I'm so happy seeing your channel flourish ❤ such a wholesome and soothing and helpful part of KZbin

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Hi Maya - Thanks so much for all the support you’ve provided since the beginning. It’s always nice to hear from you, cheering me on. I hope you and the baby are enjoying springtime in Michigan! Cheers, Caroline

[@teriwalls3993]

More please ❤

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Hi Teri! You read my mind… seems like it’s about time for a fall meal prep, so I’ll get on it! Cheers, Caroline

[@sandramorton5510]

Glad I had just finished dinner, every dish looked yummy. Always looking for dressings, thank you.

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Funny you should say that, Sandra. I’m shooting another salad dressing video tomorrow so stay tuned! Cheers, Caroline

[@starlynnnance5495]

I love this channel!

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Thanks, Starlynn! I'm so glad to hear it. Welcome to the channel, glad you are along for the healthy journey! Cheers, Caroline

[@nooshi6698]

I love your channel. The food looks amazing. Thank you for this video.

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Hola Nooshi! Welcome to the channel and thanks for taking the time to tell me you enjoy it! Cheers, Caroline

[@kathyhaynes6818]

I really appreciate this video! Thank you so much!

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Hi Kathy, thanks so much for taking the time to send me such a nice comment. I hope this video helps you enjoy the fabulous spring weather were finally enjoying and all the great spring veggies that go with it. Cheers, Caroline

[@cynthiamorrison695]

Oh I love this! So very easy and I think it will please everyone! Thanks!

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Gosh, Cynthia, thanks for saying so. And I sure hope you’re right! Meal prep videos are pretty tough for me to put together so it means a lot to hear you say it’s valuable. Cheers, Caroline

[@deendrew36]

Congrats on the sponsorship! That actually looks like a super handy tool and I will check it out!

[@mediterraneanminutes]

HI Drew and thanks thanks thanks for your nice message. I'm pretty excited about it especially since I loved the sharpener long before I ever contacted the company so it is easy to recommend it with complete confidence...and it's pretty cool tool too! Cheers, Caroline

[@theresewillis5584]

Thank you!!!!

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Hi Therese and you are totally welcome! Thanks for chiming in…Cheers, Caroline

[@sharronleman5768]

I don’t have a pressure cooker or an instant pot. I hope I’m not the only one where a stove top recipe would be helpful. Thanks.

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Hi Sharron and great question. You’re totally right about making sure the recipes suit everybody’s kitchen tools. Many times when we haven’t planned in advance, I’ll make white or brown rice and just use a pot on the stove top and it works just as well. Roughly speaking, 1 cup rice, 2 cups water, pinch of salt, bring it to a boil, turn it down to a simmer, cover it and check on it in about 15 minutes. If you see little holes like craters forming all over the top and the water is pretty much gone, just turn off the heat, let it rest for a minute or two and you should be good to go! Hope this helps! Cheers, Caroline

[@deboraho6779]

Thank you for this latest video! Both informative and entertaining! I’m really enjoying your channel! 🤗👍🏼

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Hi Deborah and thanks thanks for your kind comment. It really gives me a boost to know all the hard work to put these videos together can help! Cheers, Caroline

[@Hayley-b3l]

Just found your channel and loving it x

[@VanyaKrumova]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@mediterraneanminutes]

You are too too nice, and thanks thanks thanks for helping me boost the channel with all your views! Cheers, Caroline

[@janebotkins5202]

Great video Caroline! I’ve never really meal prepped before, but it sure does interest me after seeing your video. Everything just looks so fresh and good and easy to put together. I’m going to work on this a bit!

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Hi Jane. My next meal prep video will explain everything I learned (and all the mistakes I made) in this bumpy road to meal prep but I hope this one helps you get started. I’ll admit planning in advance is not my strong suit, I’m more of a “what’s in the fridge” as the answer to “what’s for dinner?” kind of gal. So my advice is just start a little at a time, even one dish, eat half - freeze half will get you half way there! Cheers, Caroline

[@phillipsmom6252]

Yummy 😋

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Thankey! Cheers, Caroline

[@teresakilleen7087]

I'm really enjoying watching the simple meals made with whole foods. Late-night eating is a no-no, so what's my best option if I'm hungry before bed? Thanks kindly

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Excellent question, Teresa. You could try a banana…it might help you sleep. And warm herbal tea is another option before 8pm to avoid having to get up in the middle of the night. Or see if you can gradually get used to eating less at night and a bigger breakfast which would be your best option. Giving your body a 12-hour break from eating (like sotpping at 8pm and starting at 8am) is pretty helpful too. Cheers, Caroline

[@georgemcclellan7350]

Great video and congrats on the sponsorship, That sharpener looks pretty interesting but how do you use it? Do you plan to demo it sometime in the future? Please

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Thanks for joining in the conversaiton and great question. And yes, I do plen to when I get the new model so stay tuned! Cheers, Caroline

[@plantlady65]

Do you have a recipe for your lemon garlic chicken please.

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Hi Carol - So sorry I'm a bit behind on my new project of preparing recipes for the website that you will be able to print out. Please give me until the weekend and I promise it will be done! Cheers, Caroline

[@reginalancaster5626]

Loving your videos and I am anxious to start on the Mediterranean way of eating! Can you tell me how long you cook your grains in the instapot? Thank you!

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Hi Regina - Of course, it depend on your cooker and the type of rice you are cooking so it’s pretty hard for me to say. I have a Breville (Sage) brand and whole grain rice usually takes about 15 minutes at full pressure. But that varies if I’m using black rice or farro or whole grain Spanish. Sorry I can’t be more help on this one. I guess it will be experiment time! Cheers, Caroline

[@reginalancaster5626]

Thank you, Caroline. I will do some experimenting. Have been watching a lot of your videos trying to learn and cook the Mediterranean way. It looks like a very healthy lifestyle. @@mediterraneanminutes

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Thanks, Regina.@@reginalancaster5626 It’s great to know the videos have been helpful! Cheers, Caroline

[@virginiacervantes7988]

👍🌸

[@jilllampley6742]

Do u store dressing in the refrigerator?

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Hi Jill and yes, I do. I just have to remember to take it out of the fridge a few minutes before I want to use it because the oil gets pretty thick! Cheers, Caroline

[@susanhaynes4502]

I have to start cooking better for my husband and myself. We are 65. Thank you

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Hi Susan and welcome to my channel. I’m 67 so I know that anytime is a good time to start eating healthier. Best of luck with it and thanks for joining me on this healthy journey! Cheers, Caroline

[@pennykeller3048]

Can a Mediterranean diet be expensive? I live on food stamps and fruits and vegetables can be high. What can I do?

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Hi Penny, you've raised a really good question and one that affects lots of my channel viewers especially these days when the costs of groceries seems to be going up faster than just about anything. You can follow the Mediterranean diet on a budget. Core protein options like beans and legumes are very budget-friendly. Fruits and veggies can be high priced but watch for those bargain bins where the grocery store wants to move out imperfect, slightly blemished produce or ripe-and-ready produce that needs to be sold before it's dated, try to focus too on produce that will be lower in price when in season and there's plenty of it. If you have the option to buy dry goods like rice and beans in bulk instead of canned, the price is usually a lot less too. Frozen ingredients are also sometimes less expensive so keep your eye out for those and if your local farmer's market accepts the WIC program or other food stamp programs, you might find some healthy options. I hope these ideas help a little with a very challenging problem, but I know when you're committed, you can do it! Best of luck, Caroline

[@marilyngray2954]

Please, go slower or provide recipes

[@mediterraneanminutes]

Hi Marilyn! Great point and I'm working on a new project to supply printable recipes on my website. The ones for this video should be up and available by this weekend, I promise! Sorry I'm a little late with it but it's a new part of supporting the videos and taking more time than I guessed it would. I really appreciate your patience while I scramble to get it done! Cheers, Caroline