Posts: 7,783
6/13/12 5:45 P

I DO A LOT OF CREATIVE COOKING - JUST MAKE IT UP AS I GO. WHEN I DO USE A RECIPE IT IS USUALLY FROM PINTEREST AND I ADAPT IT FOR LESS FAT AND CALORIES. I AM VERY GOOD AT ADAPTING.

current weight: 218.0

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200

SparkPoints: (104,700)
Fitness Minutes: (136,680)
Posts: 22,236
6/12/12 9:41 P

There are only two of us and we're retired. Neither are big eaters. I
have used SP recipes & got recipes from our women where I go
to church services. I try to make things that are healthy, but simple.
DH & I don't always like the same foods.

104,700 SparkPoints

Posts: 3,239
6/12/12 3:30 P

I'll try the ones I have the ingredients for and they do turn out to be easy and taste good too

Dar

May Minutes: 350

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1100

SparkPoints: (6,682)
Fitness Minutes: (2,117)
Posts: 82
6/12/12 12:09 P

It really depends for me. Mostly this site, but I do have the cook book but haven't had the time to really look through it! :)

SparkPoints: (2,952)
Fitness Minutes: (1,800)
Posts: 226
6/12/12 11:43 A

I plan menus on Sunday, before I go to the grocery store. I start by considering the weather (do I want to turn on the oven in this heat?), what's on sale, and what I have on hand. I usually ask my husband for ideas, and he's usually no help at all. I also consider any special events.

So, okay, now I'm thinking something like: It's going to be super hot this week, I have hamburger in the freezer that I ought to use up, chicken's on sale, and I have a meeting Wednesday night.

So, I need either something really fast or a crockpot meal on Wednesday. And salads or stove-top meals will work better than something I have to bake. And I want a chicken meal, a ground beef meal, and maybe a couple of vegetarian meals to round it out.

Then I just start browsing recipes, either in cookbooks or on line, looking for recipes that fit my week and sound good. I write the days of the week on a piece of paper, and as I find recipes I write them next to the day, along with the cookbook and page number. I have a separate piece of paper that I use for my grocery list, and as I look over the recipe, I write down any ingredients I'll need to buy.

I also have some stand-by's for when I just can't think of what to make--stir fry is always good.

I post the menu on the fridge when I'm done.

This sounds way more complicated than it really is.

SparkPoints: (1,624)
Fitness Minutes: (2,040)
Posts: 11
6/12/12 10:35 A

I have not taken advantage of online reciepes. I need to figure out how to plan weekly menus for my family. Any Ideas? Kathy

Posts: 781
6/12/12 9:54 A

I use both the SP cookbook and emails. In addition I use recipes from Dr Oz's website and healthy living books and magazines from my town library.

Both my husband and I are trying to eat better to be healthier. It's easier for me because I am not a picky eater.

However my husband is more resistant to change and really questions any new idea I may come across especially with a new food that he is unfamiliar with.

Its a challenge for me and very frustrating! So I am always on the look out for tasty recipes to try to get in more healthy food into him!

May Minutes: 445

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SparkPoints: (2,952)
Fitness Minutes: (1,800)
Posts: 226
6/12/12 9:18 A

I don't have the book, but I have made many Spark recipes.

Posts: 6,457
6/12/12 2:16 A

I seldom use Sp reciepes Some of ingredents are unknown to me or hard to find in a small town in England. I get ideas of what will work and adapt some recipes. irene

SparkPoints: (40,717)
Fitness Minutes: (32,134)
Posts: 6,354
6/12/12 12:53 A

Do you use the recipes found on the site or use Chef Megs cook book? or some place else?
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I like the Spark Cook Book but have tried some of the ones that are e mailed each day.