When I started this project, I thought it would just be about food; about saving a bit of money, eating a little healthier, and maybe trying a few new recipes along the way. Although as the weeks went on, I realized it was about a lot more than that, it became a process of self-discipline, of finding routines, and of learning what works for me, not just in the kitchen, but in life, and building habits for both my wife and I.

Starting From Scratch

The beginning wasn’t easy. Meal prepping had always been something I wanted to try, but getting started felt overwhelming. Those first few weeks were a bit of an investment, both in terms of money and energy. I had to buy sauces, spices, and other ingredients I didn’t already have in our pantry. Once I got past the initial setup, something shifted, I began to reuse ingredients, cut down on waste, and even found a rhythm in how my partner and I planned our meals. Our first meal prep costed us $116.23, and our last one only costed us $32.00. We weren’t just cooking, my partner and I were building habits.

Finding Inspiration

One of the most surprising parts of this journey was how much time I spent exploring different sources of inspiration. I browsed through blogs, scrolled Instagram, and often fell down the rabbit hole of TikTok and Facebook Reels. Although, I never followed just one creator, instead, I followed my curiosity which led to the development of my wife and I’s shared folder called “Let’s Eat”. If a meal looked interesting, we logged it and gave it a shot. Some were hits, others misses, however, each one helped me refine what I liked and how I liked to learn.

At one point, I even turned to AI—asking ChatGPT for meal ideas, grocery lists, and ways to stay organized. It was one of those small decisions that made a big difference. Being able to go to the grocery store with an organized list kept me on track when I felt stuck and helped me realize that I didn’t have to do it all on my own.

Some notable pages include:

Summaries provided to you by ChatGPT

Carleigh Bodrug : the creator of PlantYou, a platform dedicated to making plant-based eating accessible, sustainable, and enjoyable. Her mission is to help people incorporate more plants into their diets through approachable recipes and practical tips.

Tom Walsh : a content creator who specializes in transforming indulgent and nostalgic dishes into healthier, macro-friendly meals. His focus is on making nutritious eating enjoyable and sustainable by reimagining comfort foods with a healthier twist.

The Lessons I Learned

 

Looking back, there were a few key things that made all the difference:

• Having videos that listed ingredients in captions
• Laying everything out beforehand
• Clearing space before I started
•  Prepping ingredients ahead of time

  

• Investing in good containers

And just as importantly, I learned what not to do:

•  Starting with a messy kitchen
•  Digging through clutter to find ingredients
•  Cooking with a sink full of dishes
•  Following videos that didn’t list ingredients
•  Using cheap containers that didn’t hold up

These small things, which might seem trivial, shaped my experience – either adding stress or helping things flow smoothly.

The Challenge of Filming

One unexpected hurdle was filming myself while I cooked. I thought it would be a fun way to document the journey, but it ended up being

one of the most challenging parts. It slowed me down, distracted me from the process, and honestly made cooking feel more like a performance than a practice. That said, it gave me a real appreciation for content creators who do this daily because their videos make it look effortless, but I now understand just how much effort, editing, and equipment must go into it.

Looking Forward

If I could do it again, I might skip the camera and just be present with the cooking. I found that I enjoyed the process more when I could focus on the food itself rather than the way it looked on screen.

Through this experience, I’ve done more than save money or eat healthier—I’ve learned how to be more intentional. I’ve figured out how to choose recipes that fit me, how to shop with purpose, and how to create systems that work in real life, not just on paper.

I also discovered how helpful technology can be when used well—AI made things more manageable and reminded me that support is always within reach, even if it comes from a chatbot.

Meal prepping has become more than a class project, it’s a habit I want to continue – a way to take care of myself and my wife in small, meaningful ways. Even with all the mess-ups, the clutter, and the occasional disaster dinner, I’ve learned a lot about cooking, planning, and just managing life a bit more smoothly in the midst of what sometimes feels like chaos.