I need help :(

[Kimmiepie]

Okay, here's the deal...

I cook all the meals from scratch (except for the rare time we go out or order in). We eat as much organic as possible and we use a good quality raw milk.
Here are my problems:

1. I have mono. Cooking from scratch is hard some days and I have a really hard time keeping up with it. I've even considered picking up fast food regularly just to keep me from having to cook so much. Then I come to my senses and realize that it will only make me feel worse physically.

2. CARBS!! I love carbs. I can't get enough. Meats and vegetables just don't "fill" me and sound good to me. I've been gaining weight lately because everything I'm making has a ton of carbs. Especially breakfast....quick breads, muffins, pancakes, ocassionally cereal. Lunch usually has some sort of bread item or latkes. Dinner lately has been lots of pastas etc. I know this isn't helping me get well, but I'm at a loss.
I don't like eggs (except for in things) and I just can't make myself like to eat more veggies and fruits. I've found some amazing food blogs and I always find myself gravitating towards the carby recipes.

3. We're on a budget...and unfortunately it's a lot cheaper to buy flour than it is to buy a bunch of veggies and fruits. We do buy them of course, but not as much as we should.

I guess I'm just looking for advice on good healthy meals that will help me get away from the carbs. ESPECIALLY breakfast and snacks!!! It would also have to not cost too much (our ideal budget is $450 a month including the raw milk which we buy seperately, and including paper towels etc. Going to $500 wouldn't kill us, but is not preferred. ) for our family of six. Also, the fact that I'm sick...easier meals and things that would help me heal would be great.

Lots to ask. Sorry. And thanks!!!!!!!!!

[425lisamarie]

Not a lot of time here but what about stuffed potatoes? My family loves when I do potato bar style. I bake potatoes, then cut and squeeze them open put on plates. Then everyone goes down the counter and puts whatever toppings they want on. i personally love lentil chili on mine with lots of onions.

Speaking of chili you can make a big pot of that and freeze some for later time. I do more rice/potato carbs than bread/pasta

If you don't like the idea of meat and veggies, how bout roast chicken and a veggie gratin type dish? like cauliflower with a white sauce/cheese, same with spinach. You can always make two of things and freeze one. Do you like salad? Cheese, nuts, fruit and that kind of thing make it seem like more of a meal. I make dinner salads often by using leftover meat, with some nuts and or cheese/fruit.

Shepherd's pie of all kinds is always good and cheap. Ground meat and you can use frozen veggies even. I always make it when I make mashed potatoes. I make them one night with dinner as a side dish then couple days later in shepherd's pi e

Make a big batch of bean dip, like hummus or white bean dip (more an italian thing, like with olive oil, garlic, white beans, oregano) and use veggies for dipping or rice crackers.

[lil_earthmomma]

I've had mono, and it's HORRIBLE.

Ok mama, you need low maintenence meals that are low carb? I am grain free low carb so this should help a little:

low Carb easy Breakfast ideas:

Baked Egg Cups:

Place a slice of ham/turkey/chicken/roastbeef etc, or a gutted tomato/pepper in greased muffin tray holes. Crack an egg in each, a drizzle of cream, some spinach if you like, crumbled bacon if you like and some shredded cheese on top. Bake at 350 until whites are set.

Breakfast Casserole:

1 cubed butternut squash
meat of choice (sausage, bacon, ham, chicken, beef whatever you like really)
veggies (my faves in this are red and yellow pepper, broccoli and spinach)
1/2 block cream cheese
1 diced onion
4 cloves minced garlic
1 dozen eggs
1/2 cup salsa
1 cup shredded cheese
sour cream

Sautee onions, garlic and veg add cream cheese and salsa and allow to melt. put in baking dish. Mix in butternut squash, and 3/4 cup of shredded cheese. Pour the eggs over everything and top with remaining 1/4 cup of cheese. Bake at 350 until solid.

(This could all be done the night before or frozen ahead of time!)

Frittatas and quiches are other good make ahead low carb options. I make a crust out of minced mushrooms that's really yummy.

Lunch:

Soup! You can make large batches so less work for you.

planned leftovers from dinners.

Must run, will post more later if you like.

[Kimmiepie]

Originally Posted by lil_earthmomma

I've had mono, and it's HORRIBLE.

Ok mama, you need low maintenence meals that are low carb? I am grain free low carb so this should help a little:

low Carb easy Breakfast ideas:

Baked Egg Cups:

Place a slice of ham/turkey/chicken/roastbeef etc, or a gutted tomato/pepper in greased muffin tray holes. Crack an egg in each, a drizzle of cream, some spinach if you like, crumbled bacon if you like and some shredded cheese on top. Bake at 350 until whites are set.

Breakfast Casserole:

1 cubed butternut squash
meat of choice (sausage, bacon, ham, chicken, beef whatever you like really)
veggies (my faves in this are red and yellow pepper, broccoli and spinach)
1/2 block cream cheese
1 diced onion
4 cloves minced garlic
1 dozen eggs
1/2 cup salsa
1 cup shredded cheese
sour cream

Sautee onions, garlic and veg add cream cheese and salsa and allow to melt. put in baking dish. Mix in butternut squash, and 3/4 cup of shredded cheese. Pour the eggs over everything and top with remaining 1/4 cup of cheese. Bake at 350 until solid.

(This could all be done the night before or frozen ahead of time!)

Frittatas and quiches are other good make ahead low carb options. I make a crust out of minced mushrooms that's really yummy.

Lunch:

Soup! You can make large batches so less work for you.

planned leftovers from dinners.

Must run, will post more later if you like.

Thank you!!!! Yes, I would love more when you get a chance.

[lil_earthmomma]

Low Carb snacks:

Nuts
hard boiled eggs
devilled eggs
beef/bison jerky (check for sugar or make your own!)
cheese, meat, veggies with dip
fruit as a snack (yes carbs, but lets not get crazy here! )
green smoothies with coconut milk or heavy cream
pork rinds


I've been making pumpkin pudding lately, very scrummy!


You love to bake? How bout almond butter brownies? http://www.elanaspantry.com/brownies/

I've been loving baking with coconut flour, but there are also quite a few recipes out there without any flour.

[Kimmiepie]

Thank you again!! Can you tell me more about this pumpkin pudding?

[Messac888]

Family of six? Us too! Low carb? Me too! (I don't digest them very well- I should specify I don't digest flour very well.) I don't have mono (sorry that you do) but I am often pressed for time so I have begun looking for quick ways to keep my energy up and my family fed. (I also eat a fairly high-fat diet to keep my moods in check but that can be altered for your own lifestyle.) I eat bean burritos for breakfast. Skip the cereal and milk- high carb, not filling, not satisfying. Sometimes I'll saute a bunch of onion and peppers to go along as a side dish. Sometimes I'll have leftover chicken from the night before with a slice or two of cheese on the side if the nursing baby will allow it. (She's dairy-sensitive.) I love eggs but I find that many people who don't like eggs actually just don't like the flavor of the yolks, not the entire egg. I second the notion of a fritatta. I saute some mushrooms, red and green peppers, onions, and broccoli, add in a mixture of beaten eggs and about a teaspoon of dijon mustard and add in some frozen shredded hashed brown potatoes, bake until done, top with cheese if you like. Yummy, and I always make extra so I can toss leftovers into a skillet and heat them up for breakfast again the next day or two. You can always use only egg whites (I do this for my dh who needs to watch his cholesterol but doesn't; I watch it for him and he doesn't even notice).

I understand that cooking from scratch is a challenge right now, but what about partially instead of entirely? You know, make rice in a rice cooker and open up a can of beans instead of soaking and boiling them? Heat the beans in a skillet (rinse them first to get rid of excess salt) and add a tbsp of cumin and a little onion, then add a drained can of diced tomatoes and heat through. Put the beans on the cooked rice and top with cheese or sour cream or both. Quick, easy, nutritious, and lets you rest instead of standing there cooking the whole time. Look for the quickest route to your goals right now. I understand considering fast food but that doesn't help anyone except the fast food industry- and your goal is to get your health back without starving the family, right?

I have become close friends with my toaster oven since the baby was born. I toss in a couple bean burritos (not from scratch but there's no reason you couldn't make a ton and freeze them, therefore with the same result and less additives than the store-bought ones) and get on with my day. The food cooks itself and I get things done in the meantime. In my postpartum time I generally eat a lot of Amy's frozen stuff, probably 3-4 times in a week. High in salt, yes, but helpful in a pinch. Lastly, don't neglect the crockpot!!! You can toss a bunch of stuff in and come back hours later to a fully cooked, healthy meal. Good luck with all of this and I hope you heal up soon!

[lotus.blossom]

What about lightening up the baked goods? If you made popovers or a dutch baby pancake there is less flour and more eggs so less carbs

smoothies!? especially green ones. A bag of spinach isn't too expensive and if you buy bananas and freeze them, theres your base. you can throw some water and OJ consentrate in there and its yummy!

I'm not a big soup person but I love coconut chicken soup. I could eat it all day. I find that coconut milk makes most soups better. (you can even use up the extra coconut milk in your smoothie)

[lil_earthmomma]

Pumpkin "pudding" (I just do this by feel, so play around with it!)

Can pureed pumpkin
ginger
cinnamon
nutmeg
cloves
1 cup heavy cream
8 egg yolks
capfull of vanilla

Throw the pumpkin in a pot, add spices to taste and some cream (usually around a cup) whisk and allow to heat up. I add a drizzle of maple syrup for sweetness. Add the vanilla.

Add the egg yolks and stir over medium heat till it thickens. Make sure not to let the eggs curdle!

I've also done it as a custard where you mix everything together and let it bake in the oven. Very yummy as well!

Serve warm with toasted pecans and raisins etc or chilled with whipped cream on top.

[Kimmiepie]

Thank you all soooo much! These are all great suggestions. My main problem is that I *crave* the baked goods. I'm not sure why (def not pregnant), but it's just my thing and I want to crave fruits and veggies instead.

Next time we go shopping I'm going to get ingredients for things you all have suggested and hope that I love them!

[Zenzero]

Just wanted to say that when I am eating lots of carbs/baked goods/bread etc I crave them too and can't get enough but if I manage to break the cycle for just a day or too and really up the fat I am eating I don't want them anymore and feel satisfied eating a lot less because the fat fills me up more than carbs ever could!

Go easy on yourself and take some shortcuts if you need to. Good luck!

[Zenzero]

Just wanted to say that when I am eating lots of carbs/baked goods/bread etc I crave them too and can't get enough but if I manage to break the cycle for just a day or too and really up the fat I am eating I don't want them anymore and feel satisfied eating a lot less because the fat fills me up more than carbs ever could!

Go easy on yourself and do take some (healthy!) shortcuts if you need to. Good luck!

[californiajenn]

You're craving the carbs because you are addicted. If you cut out gluten/grain type carbs, you'll lose the cravings after a couple weeks. I had to go gluten-free and it was hell for after a few days. Now, I don't even like them anymore and it's only been a couple of months.

[Kimmiepie]

Oh this is going to be hard.