While many turn to restrictive diets and exhausting exercise regimes in a bid to lose weight, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Nikola Green, a Victorian mother-of-two, has lost 17 kilograms over the past three years, has shed 115 centimetres from her body and is the fittest she has ever been.
Her secret? Elaborate weekly meal prep sessions.
While many turn to restrictive diets and exhausting exercise regimes in a bid to lose weight, this doesn’t have to be the case
Nikola Green, a Victorian mother-of-two, has lost 17 kilograms over the past three years, has shed 115 centimetres from her body and is the fittest she has ever been
Her secret? Elaborate weekly meal prep sessions
The 33-year-old’s impressive Healthy Mummy cook ups have not only seen her transform her body, but save her $150 per week on groceries.
‘I’m consuming 2,200 calories a day and saving money on groceries,’ she said.
Ms Green has picked up some handy budget tips along the way and has wowed fans online with her ability to snap up bargains and cook up more than 60 meals for around $3 a bowl.
The 33-year-old’s impressive Healthy Mummy cook ups have not only seen her transform her body, but save her $150 per week on groceries
‘I’m consuming 2,200 calories a day and saving money on groceries,’ she said
Ms Green said to save on healthy groceries she is always sure to ‘shop around’ by comparing supermarket catalogues and online prices and always bulks out her meals with veggies, lentils and chickpeas.
‘That way you require less meat, which can save you big bucks,’ she said.
Ms Green also swaps expensive proteins for alternatives and will often swap a recipe that requires prawn chicken or a meat that is on special at the supermarket.
‘Ensure that you utilise everything in your pantry, fridge and freezer first and make friends with your freezer – be sure to store items in there that are close to their use by date. Think Greek yoghurt, spinach, berries, meats and stock,’ she added.
Ms Green said to save on healthy groceries she is always sure to ‘shop around’ by comparing supermarket catalogues and online prices and always bulks out her meals with veggies, lentils and chickpeas
The thrifty mum also buys in bulk, never shops when hungry and has a ‘meatless Monday’ every week
The thrifty mum also buys in bulk, never shops when hungry and has a ‘meatless Monday’ every week.
‘Meat is expensive. I recommend allocating one day a week to meatless meals. I promise this will save you big bucks,’ she said.
Ms Green wowed foodies everywhere when she cooked up 68 healthy dinners, lunches and snacks in just four hours – and each of them came in at only $2.90 per serve.
Ms Green wowed foodies everywhere when she cooked up 68 healthy dinners, lunches and snacks in just four hours – and each of them came in at only $2.90 per serve
Ms Green, who spent just $200 on groceries for the cook, documented the entire process in pictures and shared her top tips for those wishing to give it a go
Ms Green, who spent just $200 on groceries for the cook, documented the entire process in pictures and shared her top tips for those wishing to give it a go.
‘I like to cook more than one thing at a time as it saves time,’ Ms Green told Healthy Mummy.
‘I use all four stove top elements plus an electric wok and electric frying pan. I made 68 meals and I froze some.’
‘I use all four stove top elements plus an electric wok and electric frying pan. I made 68 meals and I froze some,’ she said
Menu items included devilled sausages, chilli con carne, red curry, laksa and San Choy Bow
Ms Green wasn’t just cooking for herself either, with the thrifty mother saying her four-year-old twin boys also eat the meals she makes.
‘I find it helps them eat their meals if they’ve been involved in the process. A lot of the meals I’ve made here are for their lunches,’ she added.
And while some may think meal prepped meals involve boring veggie bowls or tiny portions, this is certainly not the case in Ms Green’s kitchen.
Menu items included devilled sausages, chilli con carne, red curry, laksa and San Choy Bow.
Also on the menu was chicken and brown rice soup and korma with noodles – each of the recipes from the Healthy Mummy recipe hub where she follows programs and recipes to maintain her weight.
In addition to healthy recipes, she also works out at home by following a DVD workout program
In addition to healthy recipes, she also works out at home by following a DVD workout program.
Ms Green has made a name for herself in the meal prepping community and urges all mothers to give it a go.
‘The first time can be a little overwhelming but when you’re sitting down to that healthy meal you grabbed out of the freezer instead of eating takeaway it will all be worth it,’ she said.