Finding the time to fix healthy meals to reach your goal

[camracrazy]

I admit that I struggle with this. I'm not a great cook as it is.

We have something every night except Friday and Saturday. Wednesday our church has supper there so we usually go to that, but you never know if what they fix is healthy or not.

Unfortunately the timing between when my DH gets home from work and the activities makes it hard to have supper early, and by the time we are done no one wants to wait for a meal to be fixed. My DH says he doesn't care for the texture of most foods cooked in the crockpot (although I am trying the crockpot for baked potatoes for the first time tonight). I feel weird about leaving the oven on while we are gone.

I have a 6 qt. crockpot, a tiny crockpot (more meant for keeping dips warm) a George Forman type grill, and my stove/oven for cooking. I know if I watched my diet better the last few pounds I want to loose would slip off. Any ideas for quick, healthy suppers that everyone will eat?

[RosemaryS-F]

Originally Posted by camracrazy

I admit that I struggle with this. I'm not a great cook as it is.

We have something every night except Friday and Saturday. Wednesday our church has supper there so we usually go to that, but you never know if what they fix is healthy or not.

Unfortunately the timing between when my DH gets home from work and the activities makes it hard to have supper early, and by the time we are done no one wants to wait for a meal to be fixed. My DH says he doesn't care for the texture of most foods cooked in the crockpot (although I am trying the crockpot for baked potatoes for the first time tonight). I feel weird about leaving the oven on while we are gone.

I have a 6 qt. crockpot, a tiny crockpot (more meant for keeping dips warm) a George Forman type grill, and my stove/oven for cooking. I know if I watched my diet better the last few pounds I want to loose would slip off. Any ideas for quick, healthy suppers that everyone will eat?

What have you been trying to make in the crockpot? That's the weirdest (sorry) complaint I've ever heard about crockpots! I stick everything in there when I am pressed for time. Lentil soup, split pea soup, turkey chili, etc. Just don't try to put pasta or rice or plain chicken breast in there, especially not for too long.

[avendesora]

A rice cooker with a timer has worked well for us. Set it in the morning, and dinner's done right at 5:30. Broccoli steams in a microwave (or stovetop) in well under five minutes. Top with butter, salt, and garlic powder, and it's good. Lots of meats can be pan-fried quickly, too.

Looking for low-fat high-fiber instead? Lentil soup freezes beautifully. Just pull it out of the freezer the night before, and it heats relatively quickly when you're home. There's lots of soups and chilis that can be made in bulk and then frozen.

Scrambled eggs on toast are fast. Serve with crudites - faster than salad.

Choosing smaller portions for yourself doesn't take any extra time. My husband lost 30 lbs 2 years ago, with the only rule "No seconds."

I'm sure others have lots of good ideas too.

Aven

[lotus.blossom]

Have a neverending salad bowl! It will take some prep ahead of time but I'm sure you can find a block of time to do that. Prep a big bowl of greens and toss in things that won't make it wilt. Peppers, cukes (maybe with the seeds cut out) cherry tomatoes, baby carrots. Then when you are ready to eat, toss in some avocado, nuts, or a scoop of cottage cheese (I do this instead of dressing), some leftover meat, crumbled cheese, a handful of pasta. Its a great base to any meal!

I have been tring to prep my meals in the morning or afternoon when I have more time. I'll throw a meatloaf together, or a quiche, or marinate a piece of meat and then its ready to pop in the oven when dinnertime hits (and the kids are cranky and clingy)