The Kitchen Tools That Helped Me Drop Inches (Meal Prep Made So Easy!)

If you want to drop 1–2 pant sizes, tone up, and feel confident and strong this summer—you don’t need to start another extreme diet.

You need a better plan for your food—and tools that make sticking with it actually feel easy.

If you’re anything like me, you want to eat well, feel energized, and follow through on your healthy habits, but you definitely don’t want to spend your whole life in the kitchen to make it happen.

In this season of life—empty nester, full schedule, hormones doing their thing—I’ve learned that food needs to be simple, satisfying, and streamlined.

That doesn’t mean boring. And it definitely doesn’t mean giving up home-cooked meals. It just means that the tools I use in my kitchen need to work—and work well.

Quick heads up! This post contains a few affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through one of them, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). I only share products I truly use and love—like the Caraway pieces below that have made my kitchen feel calm, organized, and easy to navigate.

Want to see the simple system I use to keep meal prep realistic and results-focused?

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE →

Grab my 222 Method Guide for an easy framework that takes the guesswork out of what to prep each week.

The Kitchen Tools That Helped Me Drop Inches

Caraway = My Secret Weapon for Making Meal Prep Simple

I didn’t tear apart my kitchen. I didn’t do a dramatic pantry makeover. But I did start using tools that make meal prep easier, faster, and honestly… a little more fun.

Let me introduce you to my go-to favorites from Caraway—the non-toxic brand that’s made cooking feel like less of a chore and more like self-care.

The Cookware That Changed the Game

I started with Caraway’s non-toxic ceramic cookware and instantly fell in love. These pans:

• Cook evenly (no hot spots or burnt eggs)

• Wipe clean in seconds (yes, even after roasting veggies)

• Are completely free of toxic coatings

• Still look gorgeous on my stovetop after months of daily use (hello, gold handles)

In this stage of life, I’m not interested in scrubbing pans at 9PM—or wondering what mystery coating is flaking into my food and messing with my hormones. I want to cook clean, feel good, and move on with my evening. That’s exactly what these pans help me do.

Containers That Actually Work (and Make You Feel Like You’ve Got Your Life Together)

I’m all about the prep once, eat well all week lifestyle. 

But let’s be honest—my old food storage situation? It wasn’t helping. 

I had:

• Lids that never matched

• Containers that leaked

• A fridge full of “mystery meals” I prepped with good intentions but forgot to label

• And plastic I didn’t totally trust, especially knowing what I know now about hormones and toxins

So I finally treated myself to Caraway’s ceramic and glass food storage containers, and y’all… game. changed.

Here’s why I’m obsessed: 

✔ Batch-cook chicken, salmon, veggies—whatever I’m into that week

✔ See everything in the fridge at a glance (so nothing goes to waste)

✔ Keep meals fresh without questionable plastic

✔ And yes—actually want to eat what I prepped because it looks clean, colorful, and pulled-together

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about removing friction/excuses so I can follow through on the habits that make me feel good. These containers help me do that. They make it easier to stay on track without overthinking every single day.

And let’s be honest… there’s something deeply satisfying about opening the fridge and not being immediately overwhelmed.

And the Utensils? Love. Every. One.

I also grabbed their Caraway Wooden Utensil Set—and I use them every single day. They’re sturdy, easy to clean, and come with a sleek holder that keeps everything neat and accessible. No more rummaging through a drawer for the one spatula I actually like.

Sneak Peek: Caraway’s New Glass Pantry Containers 😍

Okay, here’s the real tea:

I got early access to Caraway’s newest product launch—glass pantry storage containers—and y’all, I’m already obsessed.

They’re:

• Clear (so you can actually see what you have)

• Airtight (so things stay fresh)

• Stackable (for the small pantry girls)

• And way too pretty to hide behind closed doors

I’ve started using them for oats, protein powder, nuts, and my morning coffee stash—and now, opening my pantry doesn’t stress me out. It feels simple. Organized. Peaceful. (Which is exactly what I need when I’m hungry and short on time.)

You Don’t Need a Whole New Kitchen—Just Better Tools

Here’s what I know:

If you’re in your 40s or 50s and trying to stay consistent with your food and fitness goals, your environment matters.

When your tools make life easier, you’re more likely to follow through. When meal prep feels doable, you’re more likely to eat in a way that makes you feel good.

Caraway has helped me stay consistent with food—not by being perfect, but by making it easier to stick with the habits that work for my body and my lifestyle.

If you want to simplify food prep, ditch the toxic stuff, and feel a little more put-together in the kitchen—this is your nudge.

Sometimes it really is the little things—like a great pan or a matching set of containers—that help you keep showing up for yourself. If no one’s told you lately—you’re doing great. Cheering for you! 

Ready for real results, support, and a strategy designed for your midlife body?

💛 Join me in my next round of the Midlife Metabolism Reset—a 6-week program built for women who are ready to feel strong, energized, and confident again.

xo, tammi