Lesson 1
Planning and Inventory
How to create a meal plan that focuses on mix-and-match components.
Strategic selection
Avoid the trap of cooking five different full meals. Instead, choose two proteins, two grains, and three vegetables. This modular approach allows for endless combinations.
The grocery list
Categorise your list to match the supermarket layout. Only buy what you have space to store. A common mistake is buying bulk fresh herbs that wilt; stick to hardier greens like kale or roasted root vegetables that stand up to storage.
Worked example
For a week, pick roasted chicken thighs, cooked quinoa, and roasted broccoli. By seasoning them neutrally, you can turn them into a salad on Monday, a wrap on Tuesday, and a grain bowl on Wednesday. This strategy reduces the decision fatigue that often leads to ordering expensive takeout, ensuring you actually use the ingredients you purchase during your shop.