Tag: #MealPrepIdeas

Meal Prepping Before My Knee Replacement: Crack Chicken, Pork BBQ & Beef & Sausage Queso Bake

Lisa Kidd

Sometimes life gives you a good reason to get a little extra organized in the kitchen.

For me, that reason is knee replacement surgery.

August 17th, I went in for my knee replacement, and while I certainly was a little nervous about what lied ahead, I was trying to focus on the things I could do to make the recovery period a little easier.

One of those things?

Meal prep!

❤️ Cooking for the One Who Will Be Taking Care of Me

My husband is going to be taking care of me while I recover, so I wanted to make sure he wouldn’t have to worry about cooking every single meal.

That meant it was time to put on my apron and get to work!

I decided to make several meals that could be refrigerated or frozen and easily reheated later.

And, of course, I didn’t stop at one recipe.

I ended up making three different meals!

🍗 My Twist on Viral Crack Chicken

First up was my version of the ever-popular Crack Chicken.

I love recipes like this because they’re comforting, flavorful, and perfect for making ahead.

I portioned mine into freezer bags so we can pull out individual meals when we need them.

🐷 Pork BBQ

Next came Pork BBQ.

This is another one of those meals that works beautifully for meal prep. It’s easy to portion out, freezes well, and gives us another option when we don’t feel like eating the same thing day after day.

🧀 Beef & Sausage Queso Bake

And because apparently I wasn’t done cooking yet, I also made my Beef & Sausage Queso Bake!

This is one of my favorite hearty, protein-packed comfort-food-style recipes.

Between the three meals, I ended up with enough food to help keep us going for a couple of weeks.

And honestly?

That makes me feel so much better going into surgery.

🥰 A Little Meal Prep Is a Lot of Love

There’s something special about preparing food for someone you love.

My husband is going to be taking care of me while I recover, and preparing these meals is one small way I can take care of him, too.

I’m hoping that having meals ready in the freezer will mean less stress for both of us while I focus on healing.

This video is a little different from my normal recipe videos because I’m sharing more of the real-life side of Bariatric Living—the good, the challenging, the preparation, and everything in between.

So if you’d like to see what I made and spend a little time with me in my kitchen before surgery, be sure to check out the video.

❤️ Follow Along With Bariatric Living with Lisa

For high-protein, low-carb and sugar-free recipes, bariatric-friendly ideas, meal prep, lifestyle, and plenty of real-life kitchen adventures, make sure you’re following Bariatric Living with Lisa!

Cooking with Chris: Easy Rotisserie Chicken Stir-Fry

Lisa Kidd

One of my favorite things about this new Cooking with Chris series is showing just how simple home cooking can be.

In this episode, Chris and I turned leftover rotisserie chicken into a quick stir-fry dinner packed with colorful vegetables and protein. This is one of those easy meals that feels wholesome, tastes amazing, and helps make the most of what you already have.

The combination of bell peppers, broccoli, frozen mixed vegetables, and tender chicken makes this recipe super versatile. The homemade stir-fry sauce adds just the right balance of savory, sweet, and a little warmth from the ginger.

For the bariatric lifestyle, this recipe works beautifully because you can:

  • focus on the chicken first for protein
  • load up on the veggies
  • serve over cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option
  • use it for meal prep leftovers

It’s budget-friendly, family-friendly, and beginner-friendly—which made it the perfect recipe for Chris to learn.

I hope this inspires you to turn simple ingredients into something delicious for your family too.

High Protein Sugar-Free Blueberry Muffins (Easy 3-Ingredient Recipe)

Lisa Kidd

If you’re looking for an easy, high-protein recipe that actually tastes amazing, you have to try these blueberry muffins.

I found a version of this recipe going viral and knew I had to make it bariatric-friendly—and let me tell you, this one is a keeper. These muffins are soft, packed with blueberries, and have just the right amount of sweetness without any added sugar.

What I love most is how simple this recipe is. You only need three main ingredients, and it comes together in minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 1 box Pillsbury Zero Sugar Yellow Cake Mix
  • 1 (5.3 oz) Oikos Triple Zero Blueberry Greek Yogurt
  • 1 (11 oz) Member’s Mark Vanilla Protein Shake
  • 1 pint fresh blueberries

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 325°F. In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, yogurt, and protein shake until smooth. Gently fold in the blueberries.

Spray a cupcake tin with cooking spray and use an ice cream scoop to evenly portion the batter. Bake for 19 minutes or until set.

This recipe makes 19 muffins and is perfect for meal prep!

Final Thoughts:
These have quickly become one of my favorite go-to recipes. They’re easy, delicious, and perfect for a high-protein lifestyle after bariatric surgery.

Easy Protein Overnight Oats (Bariatric-Friendly Meal Prep Breakfast)

Lisa Kidd

If you’re looking for a simple, high-protein breakfast that fits into a bariatric lifestyle, these Protein Overnight Oats are one of the easiest meal prep options you can make.

In just a few minutes, you can prep multiple breakfasts for the week with zero cooking required. I made four bowls at once — two vanilla and two chocolate — so my mornings are already handled.

This recipe is great for busy schedules, post-op routines, and anyone trying to stay consistent with protein-forward meals.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup quick oats
  • 1/2 cup protein shake (Nurri Vanilla or Fairlife Chocolate — or your favorite)
  • 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients to a bowl or container.
  2. Mix well until fully combined.
  3. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  4. Grab, stir, and enjoy in the morning.

Why this works for bariatric lifestyles

  • Prioritizes protein first
  • Easy portion control
  • No morning prep required
  • Keeps you full and satisfied
  • Great texture and flavor options

Make a batch ahead of time and rotate flavors to keep breakfast from getting boring.

Vanilla or chocolate… which one are you reaching for first?