The elimination phase of the AIP can be overwhelming, and can leave you feeling lost and confused. I get it. I’ve been there. I totally understand! And guess what? With the right help and advice, it doesn't have to feel like a chore! One of the best things you can do to make it through this phase is meal prep! At the beginning of each week, I would go through my pantry, fridge and freezer (after clearing out the things that were not on the approved list), take inventory of what I had in stock, and start browsing several (OK...maybe more than several...) food blogs to find recipes that worked for me and my family. My family definitely found some favorites! I tend to make modifications to each recipe in general, based on what my husband can eat (he has some strange allergies) and what I know my kids will or will not eat. Below are some of our family favorites, and even though I’m out of the elimination phase, I still make these on a regular basis!

Butternut squash and apple soup - by Unbound Wellness

This soup is delicious, and perfect on a cold winter day! I love that it is dairy free, and I typically leave out the leeks and turmeric and it still tastes wonderful. After allowing the squash and apples to simmer in the bone broth until soft, I pour it into my Ninja Blender to puree the mixture. It works great! Then, I usually add full fat coconut milk to give it a creamier texture.  Always a fan favorite at our house during the cooler months of the year!

Total Time: this soup typically takes me about 1 hour to 1.5 hours to make, due to peeling the squash and apples. I usually double it so I have leftovers.

Chicken pot pie soup - by A Clean Plate

Another favorite of mine and my older daughter’s is this Chicken Pot Pie Soup, by A Clean Plate. It tastes so good, especially when you’re not feeling well. It’s also super easy to make, though does require a fair amount of chopping with the chicken, carrots, celery and asparagus. However, I highly recommend the chopping, as I’ve tried to save time with some of the veggies (like baby carrots) and it didn’t come out as well. My daughter had a harder time eating it, to say the least. Still, this is a great recipe when you’re in the elimination phase!

Total Time: about 40 minutes

Orange chicken with broccoli

OK, so I’ll be honest…I have two Orange Chicken recipes that I absolutely love! Sometimes I pick one over the other, sometimes I combine them, depending on how “extra” I’m feeling that day. Both are fairly easy to make, and both taste Amazing! My husband loves Chinese food, and these are his favorite recipes that I make. We usually eat the orange chicken with steamed broccoli and rice, but during the elimination phase I used cauliflower rice and it still tasted great (my husband, who is not known for eating his veggies, even said it tasted great with the orange chicken and sauce…success!!).

Gluten Free Orange Chicken - by Heal Me Delicious

This recipe calls for ground chicken, but I have also made it with chopped chicken or chicken that has been diced. The flavor is fantastic, especially with the grated orange zest directly in the sauce.

Total Time: about 20-30 minutes

Orange Chicken Meal Prep - by Unbound Wellness

This recipe feels similar to a typical orange chicken from a restaurant, in that you coat the diced chicken in arrowroot flour and spices before cooking in a pan, to give it that “breaded chicken” texture. With this recipe, I have made it with the sauce over the chicken (as the recipe calls for), but I have also made the sauce on the side and served it separately. My kids don’t always want the orange sauce, and sometimes they just eat the nuggets, so this tends to be easier for our family, but do whatever works best for you!

Total Time: about 35-40 minutes

PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps - by Unbound Wellness

What can I say, other than these are SO GOOD! A great light and easy meal that the whole family loves. It’s also easy to modify, and Unbound Wellness does a fantastic job of letting you know which ingredients to leave out if you’re following AIP. These lettuce wraps are delicious!

Total Time: about 30-40 minutes

Egg Roll in a Bowl - by Unbound Wellness

This recipe is a great way to get the flavors you miss in traditional Asian cuisine that is nourishing and filling! The flavors are great, it’s easy to make, and it is great for leftovers or if you are meal planning/prepping. This blog has some great recipes overall, and they do a great job at letting you know which ingredients to omit if you have restrictions!

Total Time: about 30-40 minutes

AIP Master Scones - by Eat Beautiful

Oh My Goodness. These scones are exactly what you’ve been missing if you’re in the elimination phase (or even if you’re not, but you’re gluten-free, daily-free, nut-free, etc). They are so so yummy, and my kids LOVE them. Heck, I LOVE them. If you’ve been doing the elimination phase for any length of time, you know how hard it is to find good AIP versions of baked goods. Let me tell you, this recipe is the PERFECT alternative. The scones are soft and crumbly, they have the right amount of sweetness, and you can add other flavors, like orange zest or chocolate chips, to meet your needs. They are wonderful with a cup of hot tea or coffee!

Total Time: about 40 minutes 

AIP Pop Tarts - by Our Grain Free Life

Sometimes, you just want to bite into something that creates a sense of nostalgia, without all the added sugars, dyes and other crazy ingredients. Enter the AIP Pop Tart. I have to say, this isn’t exactly like the original, but it’s close enough that I’ve made them several times, with different fillings, and my kids have really enjoyed eating them (can you say hello to quadrupling the recipe?!). They are pretty simple to make, and are a great snack to have on hand, especially if you are in a hurry. Definitely worth it, I’d say! I’ve made them with a blueberry jam, and a homemade pumpkin butter in the fall, and they were amazing!

Total Time: depending on how many you are making and the size of each Pop Tart, about 40-50 minutes 

AIP Chicken Nuggets - by The CastAway Kitchen

I found this recipe while trying to figure out something else I could do with chicken besides grilling or baking it for the 100th time. This recipe is great in that it has different flavors and textures, which is a great switch up to a key protein! I eventually got away from putting it all in the processor, and started coating the chicken chunks in the dry ingredients mixture, which actually worked better for our family. I have made it both ways, and both are great! I also really enjoy the sauce that goes with this recipe, which is saying A LOT because I am NOT a sauce person!

Total Time: about 30-35 minutes

AIP Crispy Fish Tacos - by Wicked Spatula

This might be one of the best “Fried Fish” recipes I’ve found that is AIP approved, and let me tell you, I’ve tried a ton. My husband comes from a part of the country where “Friday Night Fish Fry” is a real thing, and not to be messed with, by any means. It took a lot of trial and error to find a recipe that he actually enjoyed, that didn’t turn to mush right away after it started cooling, and that didn’t taste bland. This recipe covered all those bases! The hard part about using the alternative flours and starches is that they start becoming mushy as they sit after cooking, but this recipe actually manages to hold its own for the duration of dinner! I do have to say, definitely don't skip adding the sparkling water...this ingredient really helps give the coating or breading that crispy, flaky feel! I really enjoy this recipe, and my kids love having “Cod the Fish” for dinner! Sidenote: I don't usually make the grapefruit salsa in this recipe because my family isn't fond of the flavor, so I can't give any reliable opinion on that part of the process! 

Total Time: Due to having to thaw the fish if it’s frozen, it can take several hours, however, cook time is about 20-30 minutes, depending on the number of fish filets

Easy Baked Peaches - by 50 Shades of Avocado

This recipe is extremely simple and perfect for that after dinner sweet tooth! My husband LOVES this recipe, and has asked me to make it frequently through the peach season. It also tastes wonderful with coconut cream or ice cream (once dairy is added back in, or for those in the house that are not on the AIP). I highly recommend this recipe!!

Total Time: about 35-40 minutes