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Stay Consistent With the 'Go-To' Meal
Food for When You're Out of Ideas
79 Comments
BANDON
7/25/2008 11:29:46 AM
hi id like to thank you for all you/r brillant tips etc etc im sixty yrs of age i need a knee replacement i have to loose three stone first but since i started following you/r tips eight or nine wks ago i have lost two stone thank you again looking forward to some more
My go-to meal is done in one skillet - brown some smoked sausage, then add red potatoes and water to cook, then add frozen green beans. I always have those ingredients on hand, It all takes about 10 minutes and I barely have to be in the kitchen to make it! Cereal and fruit is always good for dinner in a pinch too!
I measure out half a cup of dry whole wheat pasta, toss it in a pot to cook, then microwave 1/2 c of tomato sauce with 1 c of boca meatless ground beef -- the whole thing takes 10 min to cook and I only dirty one pan, one fork, one collander, and one bowl (I toss the pasta in with the tomato sauce and "ground beef" when it's all done). Best of all: it's under 300 calories and it is a TON of food! If I'm feeling ambitious, I'll toss some spinach in a skillet (with Pam), season it with green Tabasco sauce (which is EXCELLENT) and serve it on the side.
I keep plenty of canned tuna. When I need something quick, I make a tuna salad with lettuce and tomato wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla. It is quick and delicious. I also fix stir fry when I am pushed for time.
My number one go to meal is a big bag of frozen california blend veggies from our wholesale club. Add some left over chicken and broth - yummy soup in seconds!
A go-to breakfast and/or lunch for us is light english muffin with lowfat cheese melted on it. sometimes I'll add a tomato slice or a slice of healthy ham.
For quick and easy....stir fries, homemade Mac N Cheese (no boxes for me), canned soups or stews. I keep canned or jarred pasta sauces on hand for quick spaghetti.
The other night I took a package of Alfredo noodles and added a cut up cooked chicken breast and a can of mushroom pieces it was yummy and very quick to do too.
I also love to freeze leftovers when I can so those are quick meals too.
One of my go-to meals is a stirfry. I keep some mixed asian-style veggies and tortelini in the freezer and on a bad night pull them out. While the water boils for the pasta get a large saute pan ready and stirfry up the veggies. Throw in the tortelini when it is done. Toss it all with stir-fry sauce, teriaki, or soy sauce. Toss a some peanuts or almonds on top if you wish. Quick and healthy family meal.
I also do eggs, mostly at my sisters or out at dinner (cause I'm veggie so I sometimes have limited options) and I found I can "drive through" and get an asian salad w/no chicken and use 1/2 the dressing (or my own at home and then I can also add veggie burger or chicken to the salad). It's nice when I have my neice with me!
I have a staple meal of veggie burger and frozen veggies. I'm doing low carb, so this is perfect for me. I add crackers or do fake chicken (which has breading) instead of the "burger" for a starch serving. I snack on (limited portion of) almonds and edemame (green soybeans). I like popcorn, but I can only have 3-4 cups.
JMICHAELRIVERA
1/21/2008 11:44:20 AM
I'm with you, Buckeyegal. My wife makes eggs for dinner all the time. She puts a little salsa on them, heats up a corn tortilla and presto!, she has an instant meal.
JMICHAELRIVERA
1/21/2008 11:43:43 AM
I'm with you, Buckeyegal. My wife makes eggs for dinner all the time. She puts a little salsa on them, heats up a corn tortilla and presto!, she has an instant meal.
Most canned foods are yucky & oversalted, but there are a few I try to keep in stock: diced or crushed tomatoes, kidney or black beans, tuna in water. These have infinite uses for whipping up a quick, nutritious & yummy meal.
REDHOT7
1/21/2008 10:48:45 AM
I know that when veggies are clean and ready to eat, I'll go for it, but I find that micro-wave popcorn is a god send for me. It's quick, easy and filling!
CARONXANA
1/21/2008 10:46:50 AM
Get some of those Zip n Steam bags and whatever kinds of vegetables you like. Cut up all of the veggies and put into bags w/salt pepper and seasonings if you like. Then you can just throw a bag in the micro whenever you need one! Just as easy as reaching for a bag of chips when you get home, except you only have to wait 2 minutes!!! Try it!! Use the small bags for just you and the big ones for making dinner.
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