Making it ahead — my meal plan for Ottawa (and then some)!

In the year and a half since I've been vegetarian and six months since I've been vegan, the one thing I've learned more than anything is that group excursions involving food are a huge chore.

When we get lunch catered at work (a few times a month during production) my co-workers usually have their hearts set on something awesome, meaty and cheesy. Then they glance over at me and very sweetly say, "Oh, but we have to find something Bree-friendly."

Being the only vegan in a medium-sized department makes me feel more than a bit guilty sometimes. Though I obviously advocate for veganism, I usually end up bowing out and going to the Freshii down the road to grab something. It ends up becoming a little inconvenient because I can't always eat the most healthy choices (okay, I'd never call Freshii unhealthy... but sometimes it's more like Taco Bell)!

Because I work full-time in Toronto and then usually head off to Whitby for the night, I end up having to pre-make a lot of my dinners and lunches. I didn't mind this when I had my own place, but while I'm temporarily living in my parents' house it's a little inconvenient. I sometimes take my Magic Bullet into the basement so I can pre-blend my morning smoothies at night without waking anybody up (including their dog and cat, or my cranky cat Benny).

I'll admit, sometimes the "make it ahead!" method takes some of the magic out of cooking — I love sitting down to a "reward" after slaving away in the kitchen. But the convenience is definitely a plus.

This weekend I'm heading off to Ottawa with the team. Competition days will be long so it'd be wise to keep some food with me. Fortunately, I have a plan!

I'm going to take with me two jars of juice, two smoothies, two jars of overnight oats, and a tray of home-made Clif bars. Maybe, if I'm not too tired after making all that, a jar of tex-mex dip!

Is it maybe a bit over-ambitious? Oh, undoubtedly. But being over-ambitious has gotten me where I am. Thursday night is cookin' time — better get a good playlist and take my bullet to the basement!