Hairbrained Quick-Tips: Meal Prep for Salon Success

If your aim is to eat healthier, trying out some simple meal prep ideas is a great place to start. That’s because for many stylists, the biggest healthy-eating challenge has to do with making last-minute decisions about food. When you’re hungry and exhausted from a busy day spent standing on your feet, you’re less likely to make choices that nourish your body.

Here, Katrina Beede Nguyen shares her quick-tips for mastering the meal-prep game, in a snap, so you can keep going strong in the salon all week long.  “Have fun with your flavor combinations and it will help to keep your in-salon meals fresh and satisfying, plus it will keep you fueled with wholesome energy,” Nguyen says. 

Ingredients:

Chicken with Marinade 

  • Three organic chicken breasts
  • Minced garlic
  • Lemon
  • Avocado oil
  • One Tbsp. raw honey
  • Himalayan sea salt
  • Coconut amino acids

Mixed Green Salad

  • Organic sliced cucumber
  • Chopped red onion
  • Frozen spiralized zucchini, thawed
  • Frozen spiralized carrots, thawed  
  • Pre-riced cauliflower

Dressing

  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • One Tbsp. tarragon
  • Pink Himalayan salt

Tip 1: Place the chicken in a shallow bowl and coat it with salt, pepper and quick-marinade. Set aside for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.

Tip 2: Heat a large pan over medium heat, and coat evenly with one tablespoon of coconut oil. Place the chicken breasts in the pan and allow them to Brown on both sides, cooking thoroughly (about 4 to 5 min each side). Turn the burner off and allow the chicken to rest. 

Tip 3: Using a separate pan, heat one tablespoon of coconut oil over medium to high heat. Add the riced cauliflower, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until slightly browned about five-six minutes; move into a bowl.

Tip 4: Cook spiralized zucchini over medium high heat for one-two minutes (until just-tender). Transfer to a bowl, and repeat, cooking the spiralized carrots for five minutes.

Tip 5: Using bento boxes, build your lunches using the prepped items from tips two-four. You can create a variety of flavor combinations, using chicken as your anchor-protein. 

Some possible combinations include:

  • Chicken + cauliflower rice + mixed greens with red onions + cucumber and dressing
  • Chicken + carrot and zucchini spirals + cauliflower rice + raspberries and blueberries
  • Chicken + spiralized carrots + cauliflower rice + banana

For daily fitness and nutrition related tips, plus inspiration, follow Katrina on Hairbrained, Facebook and Instagram @ DVLPMNT_LIFESTYLE

About: Founded by two like-minded hairdressers: Photographer and hairdresser, Randy Taylor, plus world-renowned educator and platform artist, Gerard Scarpaci. Both share a deep love for the industries professionals and the craft alike. www.hairbrained.me @hairbrained_official