Stress Free Meal Prepping with Ball Canning

Thank you, Ball® home canning, for sponsoring this post! As always, all thoughts and opinions are truly my own. 

This year has been a complete doozy! Due to the pandemic, our schedules and routines have changed, and we’re learning to adjust to a “new normal.” Even though things have been very challenging, I’m excited to share that Ball home canning products has launched the Made For Small Business Fund to help provide small businesses with funding, growth, and community support.

More about the Made For More Small Business Fund

For years, small businesses have been at the heart of Ball brand home canning products. During this pandemic, many of those small businesses have faced several challenges which is why the makers of Ball brand home canning products are offering some much-need support and awarding 10 small businesses a $10,000 small business grant! The program is open to U.S.-based for-profit small businesses that have 99 or less employees, and that use Ball brand home canning jars and lids in some aspect of their business. To enter, visit www.freshpreserving.com/madeformore. The entry period is open from Dec. 15, 2020 to Jan. 31, 2021, with public voting to take place from Feb. 15 to Mar. 10, 2021.

As a small business owner, I understand the impact that a pandemic can have on a business. At the beginning of the pandemic, my workload began to decrease which meant that I was bringing in a lot less money. I tried not stress over this, but I couldn’t help it because my income was needed to help support my family. 

After months, of worrying, I finally made the decision to focus on the positive things, such as my family’s health and existence. I even started doing things to make my life more organized, such as meal prepping.

Back when things were normal, I would meal prep every week. It helped my week run extremely smoothly and eliminated a lot of unnecessary stress. My favorite way to meal prep is to use Ball brand home canning jars to because they help to keep my food nice and fresh!

Whether you’re a beginner or canning pro, Ball brand home canning has everything that you need. I always keep several of the Ball brand home canning jars on hand because they are extremely versatile! I’ve used them to make jam, make pickles, preserve veggies, and to keep my meals fresh! 

A few of my favorite things to meal prep are salads, overnight oats, and nuts. By prepping my breakfast, lunch and snacks ahead of time, I’m able to focus on other important things such as virtual learning with my kids.

When prepping my meals, I like to start with my salads. Jar salads are amazing and they remain fresh until you’re ready to eat them.  And if you completely despise soggy lettuce like I do, then you should definitely try jar salads! The lettuce is added at the very top so you don’t have to worry about it getting touched by all the dressing and entering the dreaded mush zone. When it’s time to enjoy your salad, just grab it out of the fridge and shake it out into a bowl.  Super easy!

Next, I prep my overnight oats, which is extremely easy. All you need is ½ cup rolled oats, a scoop of your favorite protein powder, fruit, and milk. Place all of your ingredients into the jar, seal, and place in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy it. You can enjoy them straight out of the fridge, or you can choose to heat them up and enjoy them warm.

The last thing I meal prep are my snacks because they take very little effort to put together. I usually use the smaller jars to pack a few nuts or cheese, and that’s it!

I’m so grateful for my Ball brand home canning products, and I’m even more grateful for their generosity towards small businesses during this time. For more information on the Made For More Small Business Fund and details on how to enter, visit www.freshpreserving.com/madeformore.