January Blur: A Week at Graze (Plus Meal Prep Wins & TikTok Inspiration)
Umm, where did January even go? I swear I blinked and suddenly we're almost halfway through the month. Like, didn't we just finish recovering from the holidays? (And by recovering I mean finally taking down the Christmas decorations that were definitely still up until last weekend... don't judge me.)
You guys know how January typically goes in the catering world, right? It's basically the Sahara Desert of bookings. Everyone's broke from the holidays, doing their whole "new year new me" thing (which usually involves NOT ordering grazing tables, unfortunately for my bank account), and generally hibernating until February when they remember food exists again. I always prepare myself mentally for January being the month where I reorganize my spice cabinet seventeen times and deep-clean equipment that doesn't really need deep-cleaning just to feel productive.
Now here's where I'm getting ambitious for next week since I have nothing better to do. I've been falling down the TikTok rabbit hole (again) and there are SO many viral meal prep recipes that look actually doable. Like that girl who makes those little egg muffin cups with different veggie combinations? Genius. Or those overnight oat jars that somehow look like dessert but are apparently healthy? I need that energy for our clients. There's also this whole trend of "girl dinner" style grazing boards that are basically fancy snack plates, and honestly that feels very on-brand for someone who literally runs a grazing business. I'm thinking next Sunday we might test those viral protein balls (the ones with dates and almond butter that everyone swears taste like cookie dough). Worst case scenario, we fail spectacularly and pivot to plan B, best case, our clients get beautiful, nutritious add-ons all week. (Let's be real, it'll probably be somewhere in the middle, but a girl can dream!)
Looking ahead, I'm trying to channel this meal prep energy into February planning because apparently that's what responsible business owners do? (Still figuring out this whole "planning ahead" thing, but we're getting there!)
Also, for the record, I’m definitely not just sitting around bored when January gets a little funky for catering. I’m still cooking my face off and I make lunch for my son’s school next door every day except Wednesdays (shoutout to those tiny monsters), so my apron is very much on. Would a month-ahead meal prep schedule help? 1000%. My poor manager tries so hard to make me commit and I’m like, “yes, totally, put me down for… vibes?” Someday I’ll be that organized person. Today is not that day. We’re trying!
January has been such a good reminder that when I actually take care of the basics like feeding myself real food instead of surviving on coffee and whatever's left over from catering prep, everything else runs so much smoother. It's wild how revolutionary eating actual meals can be for your brain function and energy levels. Who knew? But seriously, if you're local to Chelmsford and want to skip the meal prep chaos entirely, let us know! We’ve got you covered with fun, delicious options that don't require you to spend your Sunday chopping vegetables for three hours. Though honestly, there's something therapeutic about the whole process when you're not rushing... might have to make this a regular thing. Here's to February being just as beautifully chaotic but with better snacks!
XX,
Abby
Song of the day: Of Monsters and Men-Crystals
