Frugal TV Dinners?

[Contrary Housewife]

RE: snacks and baked goods... maybe you can find a whole wheat muffin recipe, add some fresh fruit like blueberries (which are a low sugar fruit) and some of your nuts, maybe use some applesauce for more fiber and flavor.

Do you think you could have cocoa nibs? They are the part of the cocoa plant that chocolate comes from, they taste like dark unsweetened chocolate. While they are kind of bitter by themselves (no sugar or other additives in them) I have found that when baked in muffins they soften up and taste almost like chocolate chips. Cocoa Nibs Nutrition Information | LIVESTRONG.COM

It's tough when you're on a diet that restricts foods, because you're looking at food and thinking "I can't have that, or that , or that...". Then you start feeling that there is "nothing" you can eat. I have found it better to look at what you CAN eat, make a list, and work off that to create new meals. Luckily for you there is so much fresh produce this time of year.

[peanut]

You people are wonderful! Thank-you so much for all the ideas. I love this place! I'm going to revisit my OAMC cooking and see if I can downsize some healthy meals for the freezer. There must be healthy OAMC meals somewhere on-line. I'll check out the Michelina meals too...as a back up, and see what they cost here and what they consist of.

I have lots of dried fruit in the house...for baking! I never think to snack on it. Well, why not?! And the nuts. I keep forgetting about them. I just find this particular diet/lifestyle change (that's how I'm supposed to think of it. ) very restrictive.

I am hoping once I am totally switched to my new meds that the craving for sweets will subside. It has some already and I'm half on and half off the new drug. We'll see...

[Spirit Deer]

Try to get your husband onboard with the new lifestyle changes, too. It's next to impossible to avoid the bad stuff if it's in the house all the time. It's the same as an alcoholic trying to stop drinking while having his drinking buddies offering him beers.

[peanut]

I'll agree to that!!!

[Ceashels]

Lots of great information in this thread. I'll need to go back and re-read some of the posts. I like the South Beach and hope to get back on the plan soon. It does incorporate a lot of veggies though so I'm thinking as soon as my garden starts producing it will be a bit easier.

My Mom has taught me to poach chicken first then it can be seared in a hot pan for color, crispness and flavor while still being moist inside. It should help keep the meats moist after freezing since the juices are not cooked out of the meat. Just remember to simmer.. not boil... ask me how I know that.

There are some plastic containers out on the market that are divided ... Rubbermade has some nice sturdy ones. But I have found that things take different times to heat up so I prefer having individual portions that I can put on a plate first then heat up, (meat would go in first for a minute/s then I'd add the veggies/rice for the rest of the cooking).

Have you tried diluting your tea more so it is less acidic? I tend to use 1 teabag/per quart just for flavoring.

[peanut]

Thanks Ceashels. No I haven't tried diluting the tea. Good idea!

I've lost 4.5 lbs. since last week. That is a good sign! Hopefully I'll go lower...by about 30 lbs.! by the end of summer.