I’m adding a new job title to my repertoire…personal chef! (This is not an April Fool’s joke!) The job title list for me now includes blogger, author, personal trainer, yoga teacher, group exercise instructor, CrossFit coach, marketing and communications manager and personal chef. After all, I am a gemini and we’re said to be “jacks of all trades.”
Here’s how the new gig went down…knowing my love for cooking, one of my fellow trainers at the gym asked if I might be interested in preparing weekly meals for one of his clients who was busy and needed help with home cooking and healthy eating. I’m going to have a big opening in my schedule once I turn in my final book draft next month (side note…I turned in the first draft today!!!!!!!!!!!!) so I said yes!
Cooking was the passion that made me start blogging 6 years ago with my first recipe blog, Bakin’ and Eggs. As I’ve shared before, my dad is an extremely talented self-taught chef and he’s been my inspiration for learning to cook and loving the kitchen. I used to play in the kitchen ALL THE TIME (baking and cooking projects galore) but I’ve gotten out of the habit since I’ve been so focused on career development. Yes, I still enjoy cooking at home after a long day but there’s not a lot of time to play and try new recipes. I’m super excited about this opportunity to give me an outlet for that.
The way this is going to work is that I’ll be doing all of the shopping and prepping meals for the week every Monday. I started this Monday! I did most of the shopping at Trader Joes with a few miscellaneous items from Harris Teeter. Here’s a list of what I prepared:
– 4 ready to go smoothie packs for the freezer
– 2 lunch salads topped with flank steak
– A big batch of spicy black bean soup
– Snacks including hummus, apples, strawberries, bars, etc.
– Four dinners + some leftover portions
Here are the visuals!
Island Pork Tenderloin with roasted butternut squash and roasted brussels sprouts.
Balsamic chicken with brown rice and broccolini.
Flank steak with roasted potatoes and asparagus.
Tequila lime chicken with brown rice and cilantro lime broccoli slaw.
Salads with romaine, feta, tomatoes, red peppers, pecans, flank steak and balsamic vinaigrette.
Here’s the stocked fridge with all of my notes on what everything is. It was an AWESOME six hours of work. I was totally in the zone and focused. I was totally checked out and didn’t even think about social media, blogs, work, etc.
And the best thing about it? I had this handsome fellow to keep me company through it all. Sweet boy!
I’m so excited about this new opportunity and can’t wait to share recipes and experiences with all of you!
