I need help with dinners!

Ok...so here is the problem...

I have got my breakfasts and my snacks and lunches down to a T. I know exactly what I can eat and what I can't, and when the best time to eat is. However, I am at a loss for dinner. I don't want to rely on the dinky frozen smart ones everynight. I want to make fresh food that I can be accountable of the calories on. does anyone have any awesome recipes or ideas for me???

PLEASE HELP!!!!

Sat. Sep 10, 8:25am

Here are some ideas:
salad greens w/ lots of yummy veggies top it off w/ some grilled chicken breast. Yummy and low cal, fat and carbs (try making your own dressing, lot less calories)
Grilled fish (I love salmon steak w/ a few teaspoon oj, a little honey & hoison sauce, its awesome and healthy) I love broiled asapagus, clean them drizzle w/ olive oil, salt & pepper and broil for 5-7 min, depending on size of spears. Awesome!
There are so many things to make. I always make enough for leftovers, so I can have them the next night. I find that if I make out a menu for the week it works a lot better. That way I don't find myself thinking a few hours before dinner about what to make and then end up eating crap.

Saturday, September 10, 2005, 9:01 AM

Check out Dotti's Weight Loss Zone--she has HUNDREDS of recipes!
http://www.dwlz.com/

Link

Saturday, September 10, 2005, 10:39 AM

There's this company that lets you come to their chef-quality kitchen and make a week's worth of dinners in one 4-hour session on the weekend. Then during the week, you just pull out the one you want when you get home from work, pop in the oven, and voila!

I can't remember the name of the company, but I love having frozen leftovers in my fridge. I make tons of split pea soup, spinach lasagna, lentils, spanakopita, shrimp dumplings etc, etc. and then freeze the rest in individual-size servings (I live alone) so I can just pull out exactly what I need, heat it up in the microwave, and eat a home-cooked meal without having to spend any time on it when I'm starving right after work.

I'm sure there are recipes out there where you can freeze before cooking...it might make things taste better, but I've never had a problem with that (it just doesn't go completely with that company I started with).

Sunday, September 11, 2005, 5:09 PM

I love stir-fries...pick a protein (chicken, ham, shrimp, and tofu are my 4 favs), then add whatever fresh veggies you have around (peppers, snap/snow peas, onion, brocoli, frozen peas), and some sort of flavoring (teryaki, soy sauce, ginger and garlic, just garlic, curry, whatever you like). I generally make a little bit of rice (brown or wild is healthier, but sometimes I do white or jasmin) to put under the stirfry. It's so easy - just chop, cook, and eat!

As a side note, frozen veggies are basically just as healthy as fresh ones - they are often flash-frozen very, very quickly after being picked, which means all the nutrients are kept in. Also, they are generally already chopped, and sometimes cheaper and tastier (especially out of season) than fresh veggies.

Sunday, September 11, 2005, 5:15 PM

Look at pretty much any recipe for lean proteins - chicken, fish, shrimp, turkey, etc. If it calls for lots of cream, oil, or butter, it's probably no good. If it's just a little oil in a pan, you can substitute PAM for no calories. Just be sensible. Look for recipes that include lots of vegetables, especially green ones. Or, make the entree and put it on a bed of spinach instead of rice or pasta - it's really yummy!

Also, remember, a little oil or other fats isn't so bad b/c it'll keep you full longer - try for the 30-30-40 rule 30% of the calories from fat, 30% from protein, and 40% from carbs.

Epicurious.com has excellent recipes, and most are healthy or can at least be modified to seem healthy!

Monday, September 12, 2005, 8:53 AM

George Foreman Grill

I love using my George! It's easy and quick. Trying cooking chicken tenders on it - then add a little bbq sauce (with the lid up) for the last minute. Or buy some lean ground beef and make a burger - you don't need a bun, just the burger, ketchup, pickles - and then I slice up some red pepper or grill some asparagus on the stove - anything that is long and lean and resembles a french fry! (haha)

Or use tasty (low cal) bread - 2% cheese slices - and make a grilled cheese on the George. You can even throw in a couple slices of turkey and make a turkey melt! no need to use butter on the outside of the bread - just using the george is good enough!

of course - steaming veggies along with the chicken or sandwiches.

Are you near a Trader Joe's? They have frozen rice that heat up in 3 minutes - and it's 2 servings. Very nice way to add to some of the stirfry ideas from up above. And I've had good luck saving the 2nd serving for the next day - just put it in a bowl, cover w/ plastic wrap and reheat the next day.

good luck!

Monday, September 12, 2005, 1:28 PM

dinner recipes with known cal

try Cooking Light. very inspiring low cal dishes. (has all nutrition info for each recipe). there is a magazine/website and books at the library

Monday, September 12, 2005, 1:55 PM

so true... I get cooking light mag every month. most months they have quick easy receipes that are haelthy and very tasty. Sometimes I modify them but everything i have cooked comes out good.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005, 11:38 AM

On Cooking Light, you don't even have to get a subscription...there are more recipes per magazine that you will ever get through. Picking one up every few months (maybe when the seasons change for a variation in ingredients) will do the trick. Good luck.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005, 11:48 AM

For easy , healthy dinners I have chicken breasts in my freezer and I will either marinade them in lemon juice w/ spices or put salsa on them and stir fry, broil, ect. Then I will have a side of either corn on the cob, ect. Adding something like a small cup of rice to the side of the chicken will help keep you full!

Tuesday, September 13, 2005, 1:32 PM

Dream Dinners

One of those 'kitchen' places you can go to prepare your own dinners is called Dream Dinners www.dreamdinners.com... you can make a month's worth of food in 2 hours (all the main entrees anyway)... then tuck them in your freezer for later. They provide you the nutritional information - even the weight watchers points if that's your thing. It's great for people on the move, and smaller families... or just people that'd rather cook out of the house!! :)

Link

Wednesday, September 14, 2005, 9:27 AM

Smart Ones + Green Salad + Salsa= Awesome Salad

For an absolutely no stress, no fuss, delicious dinner, get the Santa Fe Rice and Beans Smart Ones, a bag of lettuce and salsa. Toss it together. Healthy dinner in literally no time and filling!!!

Friday, September 16, 2005, 2:18 PM

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