06/21/2026
Hello everyone, and welcome to Lifestyle Influencer! I'm Lela Love Lee, and today I'm taking you behind the scenes of my monthly meal prep routine. This video is sponsored by the Chef Preserve Vacuum Sealer, and I'll share my link at the end of this video and in the description below.
If you've watched any of my previous videos, then you already know I love bringing a little bit of organization, comfort, and home-cooked magic into our lives. Many of these simple domestic skills were passed down through generations, and they've become one of my favorite ways to save time, reduce waste, and make life easier.
My meal prep process starts by laying everything out and allowing my meats to fully defrost. Once thawed, I clean, sort, season, and portion everything before vacuum sealing it for the freezer. While I do prep some vegetables and side dishes, such as ravioli and other freezer-friendly items, the majority of my focus is on proteins because they form the foundation of most of our meals.
After cleaning the meat, I separate my poultry and begin seasoning. When preparing chicken wings, I remove the small tip section of the wing. While many people discard it, I like to save those pieces. They can be seasoned and boiled to create a flavorful broth, dehydrated and ground into seasoning powder, or used to make homemade stock. Nothing goes to waste in my kitchen.
A quick tip: when separating wing sections, I like to think of the wing as a pistol. Pull it back, find the joint, and cut at about a 45-degree angle. It makes the process quick, easy, and clean.
The seasonings I use change throughout the year depending on the season, the recipe, and how I plan to cook each item. Some meats get a simple blend for versatility, while others are fully seasoned and ready for the grill, oven, or slow cooker.
Once everything is portioned, seasoned, and weighed, I vacuum seal each package. What you're seeing here is approximately four weeks' worth of meals for two people. Of course, if we have company, it may not last quite as long, and I may need to restock sooner.
One of my favorite tricks is vacuum sealing portions with seasonings already included. That way, when it's time to cook, I already have the beginnings of a flavorful brine, marinade, or broth waiting for me. It cuts down on prep time and makes weeknight dinners so much easier.
The finished result is an organized freezer where everything has its place. I know exactly what I have, what I need, and what meals I can make at a glance. These bags are reusable, washable, and resealable, although I'll definitely be ordering more because I plan to use them for fruits, vegetables, and even pantry storage.
If you're looking for a simple way to save time, reduce food waste, stretch your grocery budget, and make meal planning less stressful, I highly recommend giving vacuum sealing a try.
Thank you so much for watching. Don't forget to check out the Chef Preserve Vacuum Sealer link below and at the end of this video. Until next time, I'm Lela Love Lee, helping you create a little more luxury and a lot less stress in everyday life. https://amzn.to/4w7SLbX
