Daily Post--1/16/08

If I am cooking smaller amounts I always cook on low, and I plan my left overs. If you make a roast for dinner with veggies in the crockpot one night you can have shredded beef tacos for dinner the next. Whole roasted chicken one night, chicken and veggie casserole the next.

Most days my family and I eat the same meal. I do all the cooking so I can make little modifications if necessary (like leaving the pasta or rice out of mine) but the main part of the meal will be the same. But I'm one of the lucky ones, I haven't had any issues with foods. If I'm not using the crockpot, I choose tender cuts of meat (like turkey tenderloin and pork tenderloin).

It really depends on what their eating... Some nights by the time we get home we need something quick and easy and I will fix them corndogs and I will heat a low carb wrap. The next night we may bake chicken and sides and I eat with them.

I have a wonderful husband. Since I have had surgery he is in charge of his own meals most nights. He has gotten good at cooking and usually makes enough for a couple of nights of leftovers. When I do cook for us both it is usually chili, soup or we grill out. He also does the grocery shopping. I'm a lucky woman!!!!

I love to cook and have many meals that I can serve the family and keep them happy with just a tweak or two for me. Crockpot Chicken Stroganoff Chicken cut into chunks, in crock pot with packet of beef strogaoff seasoning, cook on low all day. About 10 minutes before serving stir in frozen green peas and turn off heat, (the green peas get to dark and mush if you cook them all day) also boil whole wheat noodles when you put in the peas, we like the rotini or penne with. I eat the chicken and peas with just a few pasta tossed in, the family likes to eat theirs over the pasta. Easy Peay! Almost homemade chicken tacos. for the nights you dont have time to cook Get a whole roasted chicken (walmart has them so does my commissary) its hot and cooked for you already. Carb balance tortillas, avacado, cheese salsa and shredded lettuce. Side of beans (can of pinto beans with half a can of rotel (tomatos and green chilis) bring to a boil. For me it is a taco salad, for everyone else it is soft tacos. It is really fast and easy and much better for you then eating out. I put the beans and rotel on my salad and mix sourcream with my salsa for dressing, I usually forgo the cheese, I cant tell the difference so I dont add the calories and fat. It takes 10 minutes to get this on the table, I have gotten the chicken a day ahead and just microwaved it to rewarm it. I found no sugar added baked beans, were going to try them with ribs cooked in the crock pot. Dry cooked no water, just basted with sauce. They should be fall off the bone tender. I hope the beans are good, I will let you know.

where did you find no sugar baked beans? brand? and how did they work out? inquiring minds are waiting for answers! thx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I generally eat whatever I cook for my kids, less any carbs they might be having (pasta, rice, bread). I have tried to really focus our meals on the protein and veggies, both for my benefit and for theirs. If they are having pizza or pasta, I will generally have a salad with protein, such as grilled chicken or shrimp.

I'm the one who cooks in my family, so I typically only cook one meal. They need to eat better to! I just leave the starchy stuff off my plate. The easiest meals are probably done in the crockpot but I usually forget to put it on early enough. Our favorite though is the ricotta bake with some ground beef at the bottom. Thinking of making it with chicken at the bottom. we will see how it turns out!

It's just me and my hubby at home and he is trying to lose weight also so it's really not a problem. I cook one meal and limit my serving to the protein and tiny bit of the other. My husband eats it all but has cut down on portion size. We are doing great. If I am not hungry or doing the 5 day pouch test, I just make him something simple and easy that he would like and I do whatever I need to do....protein shake or whatever. Jolene

I use the crock pot alot. Mexican Chicken or chili, or ham and bean soup, potatoe chowder...works for us. I cant tolerate many meats, so I use the broiler a lot for hubby,,steaks or chops. Hes trying to cut back too, so we are using some of the South Beach Diet tricks, It seems to work. Blessings betsy