What's on your Menu today (CROCK POT RECIPE & PHOTO FRIDAY) RNYers/VSGers?

I am so trying out this recipe!  yummo..

the only thing I ever make in my crock pot is chili, so I'm looking forward to seeing everyone else's recipes!

Got back home late last night.  It is WONDERFUL being home after being away for almost a month!!  My bed feels great and it was so great to see my husband and cats again!!

this weekend I need to grocery shop big time (my husband ate TJ's microwavable dinners while I was away - I'm surprised he could even tackle that - the guy is majorly kitchen impaired!!).   I also need to make a couple of things for this week - maybe soup or ??   I also need to start on sealing the grout and stone in my shower (boo!!!)

big news - I somehow managed to lose 10 lbs while I was away!  At 17 months out?  I was eating the same number of calories (1000-1200 a day).  I wasn't sitting behind a desk 8-10 hours a day, so that might be part of it, but it would only account for a fraction of it.  Hmmm.  I'll monitor it over the next few days - it could be I was eating less sodium or carbs or something (meaning a lot of it might be due to water level...)

B:  Chobani pumpkin yogurt with added protein powder, 1 T Kashi Crunch granola

S:  coffee with half & half, protein shake

L:  not sure - I'll be out running around - I always have a protein bar with me in case I can't find anything bariatric-friendly

D:  cod with ginger-miso sauce, vegetables

probably another Greek yogurt

Hey all

A tree dropped down the street so apparently that means my internet crashed. So I'm working offsite today. so irritated.

QOTD: I don't have one offhand, but my favorite thing to cook recently is ribs in my instant pot. I'm sure this can be adapted to slow cooker also. I use a low sugar rub on them, box of beef or chicken stock, spices, salt, pepper and cook them down. I finish them on the grill or in the oven on broil.

This weekend is appearing to be a crazy one. tomorrow I have a make and take aromatherapy class at the yoga place, DH is coming also. the leader is bringing a million aromatherapy oils and we can mix up our own roller ball and spray for $10! so excited. I'm going to be selling my aromatherapy pendants and bracelets there so I need to finish them up tonight! also have 5 k race tomorrow at 5pm where zombies chase you. It should be funny and I'm going by myself so I will try to take pics!

Yesterday I went grocery store shopping after work and I decided that besides the absolute basics the next month, I'm not buying ANYTHING else!! the pantry so overfull! I don't know why but I have all this food- I think it might be a coping issue- i never wanted to 'run out' of food before when I was heavy and I eat so much less. So the goal will be to use what is in the freezer, pantry to cook and only buy essentials from now on.

Oh, I found walden farms calorie free peanut butter at kroger yesterday. it tastes pretty gross but it is calorie free. wondering if I can pair it with pb2 and it would taste normal? not sure but willing to give it a try. maybe mixed in a cooked muffin it would be good or a shake?

will try to upload pics later today.

menu-

B: egg white grill chickfila no muffin/decaf/milk

S: mission 1 bar (as I'm out today)

D: turkey tacos (no tortillas for me)

Calorie free peanut butter? Wow! My guilty pleasure this time of year is licking spoonfuls of chunky fresh peanut butter. 

I make a lower fat version by mixing regular oil-drained organic peanut butter with pb2 and water - then I've learned to freeze it and defrost just what I need. 

I too have an overstuffed freezer and pantry... I still buy and prepare way too much food . 

3 am today - leftover pumpkin salad with peanut sauce one bowl

between yesterday and this morning - 3 ( count me yikes! ) skinny cow ice milk sandwiches ( I went a little nuts cuz haven't had any for a while)

one tablespoon chunky peanut butter

todays menu - maybe an Indian buffet later or Chinese 

generally when I eat a buffet it's a one- meal day ( it's actually more practical to weigh and take it out cuz I can eat off of it several times ) 

Possibly some left over Peruvian chicken stew with yucca cilantro and chickpeas. 

I'm the proud new owner of an instant pot and it is AWESOME! 

You and Arun are adorable. I am at a conference breakfast was all carbs... do I went to the restaurant and got 2 eggs and bacon for '$15. Ugh

have no idea if food... 

crockpot pot roast: sprinkle one packet Lipton onion soup mix over meat. Pour over 1 cup red wine and one cup beef broth. Cook low 8 hours thicken juice if desired after. Tastes better after sits or next day. I do not add veggies. 

I love my crock pot, I use it all of the time!

Un Stuffed Cabbage rolls

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped shallots
1 pounds ground beef or ground turkey or ground chicken
1 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
16 ounces marinara sauce
1/2 head cauliflower or 2 cups riced cauliflower
2 1/2 cups beef broth, low sodium
1/2 large cabbage or 4 to 5 cups sliced

Instructions
Heat olive oil and garlic on medium high heat.
Add onions and shallots and coo****il softened.
Add ground beef and coo****il browned and no longer pink.
Add seasonings to beef and marinara sauce.
Add the riced cauliflower to the beef mixture and stir until coated.
Pour the beef into the crock pot.
Pour beef broth into crock pot and add cabbage.
Stir to combine everything.
Cook on high 3 hours or low 6 hours. If you don't have a crock pot, simply
cook ground beef in a dutch oven or heavy soup pot, follow recipe and simmer on low,
covered for about an hour until cabbage is tender.

menu

Breakfast 

Petite Carrots, 0.6 oz
Fat Free Chicken Gravy, 1/4 cuo
Chicken, 2 oz
Lunch
Ball Park Franks 1
Mustard, 1 tbs
Dinner
"mac and cheese"(cauliflower)
Hamburg, 2 oz
Snacks
Quest Protein Powder - Salted Carmel, 1 scoop


Totals cal 572 carbs 22 pro 64

I can't wait to try this recipe!!

I made regular cabbage rolls with riced cauliflower for a family potluck a couple of years ago. My mom is very resistant to trying anything different.  She was adamant that she wasn't going to even try them.  I'm not sure why she went aheat with it, but she loved them! Even my youngest who barely eats veggies ate them and really liked them. I need to do these again.  The unstuffed idea is great!

Good Morning

I lurk here each day to enjoy the input from everyone, but rarely post.

I love chili, and with the small amounts we eat, need all the flavor I can get.

This one is hot, but I love it.

I also add liquid smoke and raw cocoa powder (Something I do to every chili)

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 medium red onion, chopped and divided
• 4 tbsp minced garlic
• 3 large ribs of celery, diced
• ¼ cup pickled jalapeno slices
• 6 oz can tomato paste
• 14.5 oz can tomatoes and green chilies
• 14.5 oz can stewed tomatoes with Mexican seasoning
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 4 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tbsp cumin, mounded
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp cayenne
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions

1. Heat slow cooker on low setting.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef, half of the onions, 2 Tbs. minced garlic, and salt and pepper. Once the beef is browned, drain excess grease from pan.
3. Transfer ground beef mixture to slow cooker.  Add remaining onions, garlic, celery, jalapenos, tomato paste, tomatoes and chilies (with liquid), stewed tomatoes (with liquid), Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, black pepper, and bay leaf.
4. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.  Cook on low 6-8 hours.

Notes

Per Serving: 1 Cup | Calories: 137 | Fat: 5g | Protein: 16g | Net Carbs: 4.7g