On a regular basis, in the pages of Oxygen, we’ve talked about the importance of preparing your meals for the week on Sundays. Not only is it important for a clean eater, it’s essential. Especially if along with a regular gym routine, you’re also balancing a job, a family and a social life.

Now unfortunately I can’t take credit for the majority of the grocery shopping and the meal prep in our house, but I definitely support and encourage it.  On a typical Sunday, our kitchen counter usually looks like this photo.

We’ve got at least two protein sources—always chicken, sometimes fish or red meat. There’s an abundance of fruit and veggies. Lately I’ve been requesting strawberries and kiwis for topping off my oatmeal or cream of wheat and grapes for snacking (as long as they’re sweet). Our kitchen is never without rapini—a staple growing up in my Sicilian fiancé’s household. It’s full of vitamin C, beta-carotene and the antioxidant lutein. Plus avocados and nuts for our healthy fat intake. We’ve also got our vitamins out in plain view so we don’t forget to take them everyday.

Being prepared like this just starts the week off on the right note. And even if I skip a workout now and then, I can’t feel too bad because my diet has been spot on.

How about you? What clean eats go in your shopping cart these days?

– Stacy
Follow me on Twitter @stacyk1974

*Photo by Vince Rinella