How to eat healthy when you're always busy

Hey!

"I want to eat healthy, but I'm just too busy!"

If I had a dollar for every time someone said this to me, I could probably buy a small island by now.

I get it. Between work, kids, errands, and everything else, cooking feels like one more impossible thing on your endless to-do list.

Here's the truth though: I'm busy too.

I run two Instagram accounts with 520k+ followers, answer hundreds of DMs daily, create recipes, write emails (like this one!), and still need to feed my family every single day.

So how do I make it work?

I had to completely change my approach to healthy eating. No more elaborate meal plans or 2-hour Sunday prep sessions.

Here's my "busy person" system:

Step 1: Think in building blocks, not complete meals Instead of planning "Tuesday: Chicken teriyaki with rice and steamed broccoli," I think:

• Protein: Chicken thighs (bake a bunch Sunday)

• Carb: Rice (make in rice cooker)

• Veggie: Whatever I can roast quickly or buy pre-cut

Mix and match throughout the week. Less planning, more flexibility.

Step 2: Use the "15-minute rule" If a recipe takes longer than 15 minutes of active cooking time, I skip it. I'm not standing over a stove for an hour on a Tuesday night.

Step 3: Batch the boring stuff

• Wash all lettuce when I get home from grocery shopping

• Cook extra protein and use it 2-3 ways

• Pre-chop onions and store them in the fridge

• Make overnight oats for the whole week

The result? Healthy meals happen even when life is chaos, because I'm not starting from scratch every single time.

Real talk: The biggest game-changer was having go-to recipes that I could make without thinking.

When I'm exhausted and tempted to order takeout, I need meals that are so simple I can make them on autopilot.

That's exactly why I created my lunch collection - 30 recipes designed for real life. No fancy ingredients, no complicated steps, just good food you can actually make when you're busy.

Things like mason jar salads you can prep in 10 minutes, grain bowls that use leftovers, and wraps that travel well. Meals that work with your schedule, not against it.

What's your biggest "busy eating" challenge? No time to cook? No time to shop? Too tired to think about food? Hit reply and tell me - I've probably been there too!

Keep it simple (and keep feeding yourself well)! Sarah

P.S. - My #1 busy person hack? I keep cooked quinoa in my fridge at all times. Add it to salads, soups, or eat it with whatever protein and veggie I have. Instant healthy meal base!