Please help! Suggestions needed!

[dealic]

So my diet is crappy. I love to eat whole, healthy, non-processed foods, but due to circumstances, over the last few months I haven't been able to do this. I feel terrible, and my immune system is shot. I am constantly ill.

So I need recommendations. I am going shopping today and want to get some really healthy, tasty meals to kick start my return to healthy eating and kick start my immune system. Preferably hot foods because I freeze in the winter and relatively quick to make or can be made ahead because I work shift work and eat a lot on the go.

Thank you!

[willowbelle]

How about a bunch of ingredients to make soup. You will need to make it, but most of the work involves simmering it on the stove. Plus, you can make a huge batch and bring it to work all week. I would recommend a lot of veggies like carrots, celery, spinach, kale, sweet potatoes etc. You should also add some beans for protein. Any beans can be used and you can use either dried beans (soaked overnight) or canned beans. It's up to you. You could also add some whole wheat pasta or barley to make the soup heartier. The great thing about soup is tht you can make it so many different ways depending on food choices (vegetarian, vegan, omni, etc.) and/or food intolerances. The possibilities are endless. There is lentil soup, black bean soup, split pea soup, stews, vegetable soup and even your basic chicken noodle soup. MMMMMMMM...I think I'm going to have to make a pot of soup now.

Another option is to make a large batch of homemade pasta sauce loaded with veggies such as carrots and kale. It you don't like the chunks, you can puree the sauce in the blender and have a nutrient packed sauce to use throughout the week. You can use it on pasts, pizza, etc. This is a great way to add nutrients to your diet.

This is what I have for you right now. DD is in the other room fighting a sinus infection that she got from the flu, and she needs some fresh fruit. I'll post other ideas as I think of them.

[dealic]

I was thinking soup. Its my favourite food and I can do lots with it. But that pasta sauce idea sounds great too! Thank you! I've never used kale though. Something to consider. My coworkers have recently discovered kale chips and make them all the time but I don't know how to cook with them. Must look that up.

[lil_earthmomma]

I second the soup idea!!!

Also, green smoothies!!!

[willowbelle]

Green smoothies are definitely a good choice. You can put so many good things into them. What about chili. If you eat meat, some good beef (I use grass fed) or turkey would be great. If not, a veggie chili is always wonderful. You can pack it with good veggies and eat it throughout the week. Curries are another good option. Make a big batch of curry at the beginning of the week and a pot of brown rice and eat it throughout the week.

I know you asked for warm foods, but I always love salads. I try to pack them full of good greens, other veggies and some protein. My favorite tight now is baby greens, blue cheese crumbles, walnuts, apple or pear chunks and a reapberry vinagrette dressing. The great thing about salads is that you can throw them together and munch on them for days (just leave the dressing off). Make sure you use something other than iceberg lettuce as it has no real nutritional value. Another cold food option that I like is hummus. I make a batch at the beginning of the week, stock up on cut veggies and whole wheat pita bread and multi grain crackers (Kashi 7 grain are my favorite pre-made crackers) and then I have it to eat throughout the week.

Since I work full time (once my part-time maternity leave ends in a month), I like to have foods that are quick and easy to eat for lunch at work and in the evenings. I have become good friends with my crockpot which I think will help me have more time with my family in the evenings while still eating healthy, unprocessed foods.