Just getting started, lunch & veggie suggestions Topic

JunieMoon326 04/01/11
Hello Everyone,
I am new this week to MyNetDiary, and really counting on the app/website/community being the support I need to achieve my goal healthier lifestyle!
I love to cook, and I love good food. Over the years I have found many great recipes within Weight Watchers Cookbooks, Cooking Light & Light Cooking Magazines. Trying new recipes is my absolute fav, I get bored way to easily with the same old day after day. I welcome the chance to share recipes, ideas and support with everyone on this team. Lunch is difficult for me, in that I would prefer something quick and simple. And veggies, have never been a favorite of mine in general, although I eat more and more all the time. I would love it if you could share any of your suggestions to get me started.

Slhoupis 07/19/11 replied to JunieMoon326
Unfortunately I don't have any great ideas for you but you said you have many great recipes to share. I am looking for easy to prepare ahead dinner items. I am home for lunch and would like to get a lot ready then. My husband is kinda picky but likes proteins and salads, not huge on the veggies himself. Anything you could recommend would be helpful. Thanks! Look forward to losing with you. I had a baby 3 weeks ago and am in the worst shape of my life!

Xgeneration 08/10/11
Hi JulieMoon and Everyone!

What I found works is some recipes at the Eating Well site, dishes under 400. http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/quick_healthy_low_calorie_recipes_menus

My plan is low cal meals and by that I mean I can eat under 400cal meals (usually around 200-300 cal) and not go into the starvation mode. I like vegan and meat dishes. For my meat meals I've discovered Bison meat is high in protein, fiber, iron and very lean. It's pricey but in my opinion tasty.

My recipes are usually on the exotic side. I made a delicious Bison Burger that is made with the following:

Lemon/Ginger Paste:
Coconut oil (120 cal per tbsp)
Lemongrass (grated 1/2 cup)
Ginger (grated 1/2 cup)
Garlic (crushed 2 cloves)
This paste when done will dilute the amount of coconut oil with the fibers making it round out to 72 cal per Tbsp.

Add prepared past for flavoring (1/2 tsp or more according to amount of meat used. To your patty. Bison Meat is 168 Cal per 100g.

Grill this "CARD DECK" sized patty on a pan sprayed with organic coconut spray by Spectrium (which contains 0 cal).

Eat it with lettuce, sliced tomato, (light mayo 1 tbsp = 50cal). Flax Bread by Alvarado St. Bakery Brand(50 cal per slice).

Total Calorie count for this lunch is approximately 336 calories. You can do ground Turkey Thigh meat too.

I've made small (1.5" long) Vietnamese spring rolls with this recipe too and with that it's 35 cal per roll.

Eat well and Best Wishes

-Nina :)

Xgeneration 08/10/11
I forgot to add it cooking with coconut oil (spray or sparing tsp) helps kick star metabolism and you can also add substitute a meat for Vegan Tempeh which is 230cal for a whole pack (2 servings per pack).

Wouterra 04/01/12
I generally make quick salads to bring to work for lunch. I find it quick and easy. I mix up what I put on them and find a lot of inspiration for veggies to add from this blog: http://saladpride.blogspot.com/

My standard is 3c. mixed greens, 1/2 a bell pepper diced, 1/2 cucumber sliced, several tbsp. nutritional yeast, 2 tbsp. chopped raw pumpkin seeds.

I mix it up based on leftover veggies or flavors I want, I try to make my own salad dressings and usually have a few flavors on hand to work with any combo.
This gets me though until dinner with a small snack either before or after. My snack is usually and apple or pear with no sugar sunflower seed butter.

I eat mostly vegan and avoid sugar and processed foods. I love weight watchers recipes, and also the books Everyday happy Herbivore and Appetite for Reduction. Both books are mostly quick and easy vegan recipes.

ThisIsMe 07/03/12
I just made a great lunch I wanted to share - it was so easy and healthy and packed with veggies. I took a veggie peeler and peeled up a whole zucchini into strands, then added in some raw chopped kale. Tossed it with some heated up store bought tomato sauce and topped it with an over easy egg.
I usually have issues thinking I can't cook healthily and also tasty, but maybe that will change!

Shenanagins85 07/11/12 replied to ThisIsMe
Whenever I'm looking for healthy cooking inspiration I go to thaws sites:

Skinnytaste.com - I LOVE THIS SITE! She has everything on here, and gives you all the breakdowns. Also if you are WW person, she gives both old and new points.

Thefitcook.net- also yummy treats. If you are new to cooking healthy, steps are broken down with pictures as well.

Kiramori 07/12/12 replied to Shenanagins85
Thanks for sharing those sites!

Just getting started, lunch & veggie suggestions