
Meal Prep Monday Podcast™
Meal Prep Monday Podcast™ brings you 10 minutes of actionable meal prep advice, helping you answer the dreaded "What's for Dinner?" question with ease. Host Allison Schaaf is a personal chef, dietitian, mom and founder of meal planning website PrepDish.com. Listen along as she teaches you how to save time, money & energy through meal prep. Her healthy gluten free, paleo & keto meal plans have helped thousands! And in this podcast, she's sharing all of her time saving tips and tricks with you! Tune in every Monday to up your mealplan and mealprep game!
Latest episodes

Jan 8, 2024 • 28min
How Eating MORE Could Help You Lose Weight with Nutritionist Aimee Gallo | EP#204
In episode 204, Prep Dish founder Allison Schaaf welcomes nutritionist and health coach guest Aimee Gallo to discuss how eating more protein could help you lose weight and keep it off. Aimee Gallo is founder of Vibrance Nutrition and Fitness and is a practicing nutritionist and health coach focussed in the fields of metabolic health and weight loss, along with food intolerance and sports nutrition. She loves helping to find out what will work for her clients in a sustainable way. Aimee featured a post entitled “Eat More, Lose Weight” on her blog, in which she explains that people whose health goals include losing weight need to, in fact, eat more protein. She unpacks the science behind this, noting that protein prevents muscle loss, which is the key to metabolism. The other key nutrient in the weight loss equation is produce, which provides micronutrients that assist in optimum metabolic health. At every meal, Aimee recommends asking yourself these two questions: “Where is my protein?” and “where is my produce?” She also suggests focusing on what you’re moving toward, rather than avoiding, as this is much more inspiring and sustainable in your health journey. A third possible focus for losing weight might also include making sure you’re consuming enough calories. Aimee has found that some clients she works with may have lost weight but plateaued. In these cases, it’s often a bite-by-bite, bit-by-bit approach of increasing portion sizes for both protein and produce that helps clients reach their optimal goals. Looking to incorporate protein into your diet? For the month of January, Prep Dish has created Super Fast, Protein Boost meal plans that make getting 30g of protein at meals (even breakfast!) both easy and delicious. Go to PrepDish.com/MPM to get 2 weeks of Prep Dish for free, including these Protein Boost meal plans! Connect with Allison: PrepDish.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prepdish/ Get your FREE mealplan at PrepDish.com/podcast OR text the word mealprep to 33777 Resources mentioned in this podcast: Get your free trial at prepdish.com/mpm for two weeks of free meal plans! Contigo travel mug: https://www.amazon.com/Contigo-AUTOSEAL-Vaccuum-Insulated-Stainless-Travel/dp/B00JE352NO/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1G9X3XF5VW0SZ&keywords=Contigo%2Btravel%2Bmug&qid=1703096648&sprefix=contigo%2Btravel%2Bmug%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-2&th=1 Eat More, Lose Weight?!?! https://vibrancenutrition.com/eat-more-lose-weight/ Vibrance Nutrition and Fitness: https://vibrancenutrition.com/

Jan 1, 2024 • 13min
Special Bonus Menus: Introducing High Protein Diet Recipes with Prep Dish | EP#203
In episode 203, Allison Schaaf, founder of Prep Dish, talks about a month-long focus on protein and introduces some special new January bonus menus packed with high protein diet recipes. There has been a lot of discussion recently about the health benefits of increased protein in our diets. Working off of advice from Dr. Gabrielle Lyon’s Forever Strong and Dr. Attia’s book Outlive, along with feedback from the Prep Dish community, Allison set out to create a new Prep Dish menu bonus that focuses on protein for optimum health benefits. Allison gained inspiration from the Prep Dish Paleo Menus and utilized the ease of the Super Fast menus to create four protein-packed dinners and one sustainable, hearty breakfast meal per week. She created these menus to highlight the importance of a protein-rich diet and the result is done-for-you dinner and breakfast meal plans to enjoy all month long. There is no need to count grams of protein on your own; it’s already calculated for you! During the month of January, all Prep Dish subscribers will receive Protein Boost Bonus Menus. Now is a great time to try out Prep Dish because trial subscribers receive access to the bonus menus as well. You can look forward to two interviews this month, along with high protein breakfast and lunch ideas featured throughout the month of January on the Meal Prep Monday Podcast. Connect with Allison: PrepDish.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prepdish/ Get your FREE mealplan at PrepDish.com/podcast OR text the word mealprep to 33777 Resources mentioned in this podcast: Get your free trial at prepdish.com/mpm for two weeks of free meal plans! Forever Strong by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon https://www.amazon.com/Forever-Strong-Science-Based-Strategy-Aging/dp/1668007878/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ZFYVV0SR8TDI&keywords=Forever+strong+dr+Gabrielle+Lyon&qid=1703609050&sprefix=forever+strong+dr+gabrielle+lyon%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1 Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia https://www.amazon.com/Outlive-Longevity-Peter-Attia-MD/dp/0593236599/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3P3FQMTKMFRI5&keywords=outlive+peter+attia&qid=1703609785&sprefix=Outlive+%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1

Dec 25, 2023 • 8min
Merry Christmas! What’s Ahead for the Meal Prep Monday Podcast in 2024 | EP#202
In episode 202, Allison Schaaf, founder of Prep Dish, wishes you a happy holiday and discusses some of the content you can look forward to on the Meal Prep Monday Podcast in the upcoming year. Listeners can look forward to interviews with special guests who are subject matter experts in different health and nutrition-related fields. The Meal Prep Monday Podcast will also dive into some similar topics as a mini series relating to the interview content. Allison, who appreciates the benefits of batching tasks for work, managing her family’s schedules, meal prep, and other healthy habits, used a batching approach to conduct her interviews with podcast guests for the upcoming year. This concept is particularly helpful in a busy season of life because the approach creates a definitive start and end date for the task at hand. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Connect with Allison: PrepDish.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prepdish/ Get your FREE mealplan at PrepDish.com/podcast OR text the word mealprep to 33777 Resources mentioned in this podcast: Get your free trial at prepdish.com/mpm for two weeks of free meal plans! Podcast topic suggestions or ideas: info@prepdish.com

Dec 18, 2023 • 11min
Pet Update at Our House - Could the New Guy Be the Best Family Pet? | EP#201
There’s a new pet at the Schaaf house! Find out who the latest animal is in episode 201, where founder of Prep Dish and small hobby farm owner Allison Schaaf shares about her current menagerie and reveals whether their newest addition could possibly be the best family pet. Connect with Allison: PrepDish.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prepdish/ Get your FREE mealplan at PrepDish.com/podcast OR text the word mealprep to 33777 Resources mentioned in this podcast: Get your free trial at prepdish.com/mpm for two weeks of free meal plans! Backyard Chickens: https://prepdish.com/podcast-show-notes/ep28/ How We Got Our Pet Goat: https://prepdish.com/podcast-show-notes/ep104/ Our Beekeeping Adventures: https://prepdish.com/podcast-show-notes/ep98/

Dec 11, 2023 • 10min
Journaling Items Gift Idea - My One Line a Day Practice | EP#200
In episode 200, founder of Prep Dish Allison Schaaf discusses her experience with the One Line a Day Journal and suggests a unique and meaningful gift idea for your wish list, or to give to others! Allison shares insight into her nearly daily practice over the past five years with the One Line a Day Journal, which is a treasured gift she received from a friend. The journal offers enough room to write about one sentence for each day in the year, and is structured so that you can see what was written on that same day from years prior. Allison has enjoyed the ability to peek into previous entries from the same day and see how far she’s come. She’s learned how much of her life really is seasonal, like certain family visits year over year being scheduled on the same weekend as the year before. The One Line a Day Journal allows writers to document things like weather, milestones with the kids or at work, and special birthday celebrations with friends and family. Allison highly recommends this journal as a gift idea to give to someone, or to ask as a gift for yourself. The gift could also be embellished with a nice pen set if your price point is on the higher side. Other journaling items she recommends are The Artist’s Way and The 5 Minute Journal. Connect with Allison: PrepDish.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prepdish/ Get your FREE mealplan at PrepDish.com/podcast OR text the word mealprep to 33777 Resources mentioned in this podcast: Get your free trial at prepdish.com/mpm for two weeks of free meal plans! One Line a Day Journal: https://www.amazon.com/One-Line-Day-Five-Year-Memory/dp/0811870197/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=10WXZTZJ98SZ8&keywords=one+line+a+day+journal&qid=1701313040&sprefix=one+line+a+day+journal%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-4 The Artist’s Way: https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-Starter-Kit/dp/1585429287/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=3JS846XMM46D5&keywords=the+artists+way&qid=1701313154&sprefix=the+artist%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-4 The Five Minute Journal: https://www.amazon.com/Intelligent-Change-Mindfulness-Reflection-Affirmations/dp/0991846206/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=J9KW4W6KQZFR&keywords=5+minute+journal&qid=1701313206&sprefix=5+minute+%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-4 Best Laid Plans Podcast with Sarah Hart-Unger: https://theshubox.com/best-laid-plans-podcast

Dec 4, 2023 • 12min
Simple Prep Tips - Preparing for the Holidays | EP#199
Join Prep Dish founder Allison Schaaf for episode 199 as she shares some of her favorite easy prep tips about preparing for the holidays. As we head into the beginning of December, it can feel like we’re already in the thick of holiday season, but there is still a lot we can do to prepare ahead and make time together with friends and family more relaxing, enjoyable, and easy. Allison recommends focusing on these key categories for the month ahead as well as daily schedules: Food Prep: not only preparing menus for upcoming events and gatherings, but paying special attention to your regular weekly meals goes a long way this time of year. Planning and preparing some freezer meals for simple heat-and-eat crock pot dishes later in the month ensures you’ll have nourishing food ready for your family during busy weeks. Calendar Prep: taking a look at the month ahead as a whole, as well as the details of daily plans, can prevent stress and ensure you and your family aren’t overextended or overscheduled. You can even block off unscheduled time! Family Traditions: being intentional and taking the time to include special activities year over year that everyone enjoys is a meaningful way to schedule time during the holidays. This might mean reviewing some traditions, and also setting aside materials, time, and energy to ensure the customs remain a significant part of your month. Connect with Allison: PrepDish.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prepdish/ Get your FREE mealplan at PrepDish.com/podcast OR text the word mealprep to 33777 Resources mentioned in this podcast: Get your free trial at prepdish.com/mpm for two weeks of free meal plans! Holiday e-cookbook: https://prepdish.com/shop/ Entertainment Bundle: https://prepdish.com/shop/

Nov 23, 2023 • 3min
Mealtime Blessing (Special Guest!) | EP#198
In episode 198, Allison Schaaf, founder of Prep Dish, is joined by her son, Ivan, to share with you a special mealtime blessing for this Thanksgiving and beyond. Enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving from Prep Dish to you! We are so very thankful for you, your support, and your part in the Prep Dish community. Connect with Allison: PrepDish.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prepdish/ Now through Monday November 27, get 2 months FREE with code FREE2 when you purchase our Yearly or Premium subscription - PrepDish.com/shop

Nov 20, 2023 • 7min
Happy Thanksgiving - How to Practice Gratitude Daily | EP#197
In episode 197, Allison Schaaf, founder of Prep Dish, shares a routine that she and her husband started several years ago when they discovered a wonderful way to practice gratitude daily. The Schaaf household has expanded to include two children, and Allison’s family practice of gratitude has evolved as well. The day ends with the family gathering together and sharing 2-3 appreciations about each of the other family members from the day. Sometimes sweet surprises in what the kids have remembered even pop up in this special family routine! Allison offers this gratitude practice as a wonderful way to nourish your soul, and those of each of your family members, especially in this season of Thanksgiving. She has found it truly helps everyone feel especially appreciated and loved. Happy Thanksgiving from Prep Dish to you! We are so very thankful for you, your support, and your part in the Prep Dish community. Connect with Allison: PrepDish.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prepdish/ Get your FREE mealplan at PrepDish.com/podcast OR text the word mealprep to 33777 Resources mentioned in this podcast: Get your free trial at prepdish.com/mpm for two weeks of free meal plans!

Nov 13, 2023 • 17min
Healthy Screen Time - How We Navigate a Limited-Screen Lifestyle | EP#196
In episode 196, Allison Schaaf, founder of Prep Dish, chats about her experience with healthy screen time and how she navigates a nearly screen-free environment with her young kids. One way Allison maintains a limited screen environment is that she and her husband do not have a TV in their home, which has helped eliminate the temptation to turn it on. While Allison and her family do turn to the computer for occasional help answering her sons’ big questions about the world, or to say hello on FaceTime to far-away family and friends, Allison offers several other opportunities to entertain her two young boys: CD player TonieBox for stories and music Yoto Mini for audio while traveling Time outside Creative play Artwork Reading Allison sees several benefits of this simplified, limited-screen environment for herself and her family, including that her children are very creative and use their imaginations to explore at home and outside. She also finds that it creates a somewhat quieter environment, which is helpful to her sensitivity to noise, though the usual kid sounds and music are ever present! How do you determine healthy screen time rules at your house? Connect with Allison: PrepDish.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prepdish/ Get your FREE mealplan at PrepDish.com/podcast OR text the word mealprep to 33777 Resources mentioned in this podcast: Get your free trial at prepdish.com/mpm for two weeks of free meal plans!

Nov 6, 2023 • 14min
Evening Hours and Morning Hours - Making a Daily Routine that Works for You | EP#195
In episode 195, Allison Schaaf, founder of Prep Dish, talks about recently noticing how her morning and evening routines differ and discovering what could be switched for a more productive day. She also gives tips for making a daily routine that maximizes your morning and evening hours. With the change of seasons and moving from a summer schedule into a fall and school schedule, Allison took a look at her typical morning and evening routines to see if anything needed to shift to optimize her day. Knowing her own sleep personality chronotype based on information shared by Michael Breus, Allison began an adjustment from a later sleep schedule in the summer to an earlier one once fall came around, along with updating the sleep schedule of her children. Allison shifted some of the tasks in her evening routine to morning and decided to incorporate preparation for the morning into her evening routine, such as preparing her lemon water and tea items for the morning and setting out items she’ll need to prepare the family breakfast. She encourages the idea of reevaluating what your bedtime and waking times look like during any transition from one annual season to another, or shifts in your daily schedule. Connect with Allison: PrepDish.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prepdish/ Get your FREE mealplan at PrepDish.com/podcast OR text the word mealprep to 33777 Resources mentioned in this podcast: Get your free trial at prepdish.com/mpm for two weeks of free meal plans! Sleep Chronotypes Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/michael_breus_learn_the_perfect_hormonal_time_to_sleep_eat_and_have_sex?language=en