Healthier Options for Meals? Any Ideas?!
I would really like for my family to eat healthier!. I hate all these processed food that contains sooooo much sodium and other junk that isn't good for us!. I want to cook healthier meals for my family without spending all day cooking!. All Natural foods are great but hard to find and often expensive! Help! I know there are other families out there eating healthy, What's your secret!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
I was in this same situation about 3 months ago! I have a daughter that cannot consume tons of sodium as she has a health problem so I was looking for a natural alternative to taco seasoning and gravy and canned soup and box mac & cheese, you know all the stuff we love to eat but the stuff that contains loads of sodium! I found Wildtree Products!. They have changed my life! I am not only a Independent Culinary Consultant through them now, but I use these products exclusively!. We eat healthy and have cut our grocery bill by 50%, no lie! They offer Culinary Blends, Infused Grapeseed Oils, Dressings and Sauces that are natural containing no additives, preservatives, MSG or food dyes, they make cooking quicker, easier and healthy!. I now make healthy meals that are delectable! Nobody believes that I can make Shrimp Scampi at home that tastes great in under 20 minutes and pay less for my whole family to eat it than for one dish at a restaurant! This stuff it awesome! Feel free to contact me if you might be interested in looking at a catalog, I'll email it to you! Good luck on your search to find more healthy options, it's great to see people who want to take charge of what there family is actually consuming! Www@FoodAQ@Com
I make batches of soup and put them in glad containers and freeze them!. So even if your tired there is always something healthy to nuke in the microwave for dinner!.
Soup isn't hard get a base broth of chicken, beef or vegetables then add whatever you have on hand potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, broccoli, etc!. Cook until the carrots are tender they take the longest to cook!. Ladle the soup into the individual containers and freeze!. They can last for months that way!. When unfrozen add the seasoning for individual tastes!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Soup isn't hard get a base broth of chicken, beef or vegetables then add whatever you have on hand potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, broccoli, etc!. Cook until the carrots are tender they take the longest to cook!. Ladle the soup into the individual containers and freeze!. They can last for months that way!. When unfrozen add the seasoning for individual tastes!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
You can eat healthier options by buying leaner cuts of meat, 95% lean ground beef instead of 85%, organic vegetables, fresh fruit (instead of canned/frozen), whole grain wheat bread instead of white bread, skim milk instead of whole milk, 100 calorie snack packs instead of big bags of chips, trail mix for snacks, Special K cereal instead of sugary cereals like Fruit Loops and Apple Jacks!.!. etc!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
~eat what's in season (usually cheaper)
~shop frozen fruits and veggies (picked/frozen at peak of ripeness, usually no sauces or additives)
~any fresh meat is fine; avoid cured/smoked meats for sodium content, avoid lunch meats
~pasta, rice, couscous, and potatoes are all inherently lowfat and cheap
~basically, shop along the outer walls of the grocery store!
~use leftovers wisely; it's like eating for free!
~while roasting 1 chicken for supper, go ahead and roast a second one!. pick meat off it, make stock w/ bones, and use meat in other dishes (can be frozen until needed)Www@FoodAQ@Com
~shop frozen fruits and veggies (picked/frozen at peak of ripeness, usually no sauces or additives)
~any fresh meat is fine; avoid cured/smoked meats for sodium content, avoid lunch meats
~pasta, rice, couscous, and potatoes are all inherently lowfat and cheap
~basically, shop along the outer walls of the grocery store!
~use leftovers wisely; it's like eating for free!
~while roasting 1 chicken for supper, go ahead and roast a second one!. pick meat off it, make stock w/ bones, and use meat in other dishes (can be frozen until needed)Www@FoodAQ@Com
To make healthy I choose organic vegetables & fruits to eat, and change the meat with vegetarian food, and try to cook only for the healthy food, you can read some articles for healthy foods and vegetarian at Www@FoodAQ@Com
ok here is our secret we get alot of veggies, and we also try to not eat so much red meat!. Another thing that you can do is drink Soy milk instead of regular milk!. I use to drink Soy milk and felt a whole lot better after drinking the soy milk and not the regular milk!. also another way to stay healthy is by drinking alot of water and try not to eat so much sweets or anything that has alot of sodium in it or junk in it!. there is so much processed foods out there now you gotta be careful!. If you was to get some Organic yes it is expensive but this way you know you are not hurting the family any!. Nuts are also another good thing and also having fruit is a good way as well!. Like if you wanted to make Garlic Mashed Potatoes and spinach try to stay away from the butter as much as possible and anything of too much starch is not good and also too much cholesterol is dangerous for your body as well!. Here is a recipe i found on Rachael Ray's Website and I love to learn about her stuff!. Another thing you can do is use weightwatchers as a way to help you as well I have a friend that has lost over 65 pounds on the Weightwatchers plan and you really got to be careful about the other stuff that you put into your body!. Do 3 of Fasting with just water and then 3 weeks with just Fish, Turkey, Chicken, Fruits, Veggies and Nuts and see how big of a difference it will be in your body!. God's Blessings here is a good recipe!. Ingredients2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
2 pounds ground turkey breast
2 medium onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped or grated
2 jalape?o peppers, seeded and chopped
2 green bell peppers, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons chili powder (about 3 palmfuls)
1 tablespoon cumin (1 palmful)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1/4 cup tomato paste
Salt and ground black pepper
1 bottle beer, preferably an India Pale Ale (if you don’t want to use beer, use more stock or water)
2 cups chicken stock
3 tablespoons honey
Grape seed, safflower or peanut oil, whichever you prefer, enough to go half an inch up the sides of your pan
12 fresh okra, thinly sliced by hand, mandoline or food processor slicing attachment
Zest and juice of 2 limes
PreparationIn a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, add two turns of the pan of EVOO!. Cook the ground turkey until brown, about 5 minutes!. Add in the onions, garlic and peppers, and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5-6 minutes!. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, tomato paste, salt and ground black pepper, and cook about 1 minute!. Add in the beer, chicken stock and honey and bring up to a bubble!. Simmer for about 15 minutes!.
While the chili is cooking, heat a high-sided sauté pan over medium heat with half an inch of oil!. The oil is ready when rapid bubbles form around the bottom of a wooden utensil handle when it is inserted into the oil!. When properly heated, carefully add the okra into the oil and fry until crispy and tender, about 2-3 minutes!. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt!.
Serve the chili topped with fried okra!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
2 pounds ground turkey breast
2 medium onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped or grated
2 jalape?o peppers, seeded and chopped
2 green bell peppers, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons chili powder (about 3 palmfuls)
1 tablespoon cumin (1 palmful)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1/4 cup tomato paste
Salt and ground black pepper
1 bottle beer, preferably an India Pale Ale (if you don’t want to use beer, use more stock or water)
2 cups chicken stock
3 tablespoons honey
Grape seed, safflower or peanut oil, whichever you prefer, enough to go half an inch up the sides of your pan
12 fresh okra, thinly sliced by hand, mandoline or food processor slicing attachment
Zest and juice of 2 limes
PreparationIn a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, add two turns of the pan of EVOO!. Cook the ground turkey until brown, about 5 minutes!. Add in the onions, garlic and peppers, and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5-6 minutes!. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, tomato paste, salt and ground black pepper, and cook about 1 minute!. Add in the beer, chicken stock and honey and bring up to a bubble!. Simmer for about 15 minutes!.
While the chili is cooking, heat a high-sided sauté pan over medium heat with half an inch of oil!. The oil is ready when rapid bubbles form around the bottom of a wooden utensil handle when it is inserted into the oil!. When properly heated, carefully add the okra into the oil and fry until crispy and tender, about 2-3 minutes!. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt!.
Serve the chili topped with fried okra!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
For the colder months, make things like chili, pasta sauce, and stews, and then freeze portions for leftovers!. Make it early Sunday morning and let it cook all day!. You can put it in a crock-pot and essentially leave it alone to cook!. Food network has a vast array of recipes online; for things like stews, you can get away with your tougher cuts of meat as cooking something for a long time at a low temperature will break down the muscle fibres!.
A few other tips (I'm a bachelor, but like everyone else, I'm tyring to be smart with money and yet, eat healthier):
-Before you go to the grocery store, map out what you're going to make in meals for the week!. It will help you save money from not buying things you don't need!. Whatever you make, be sure to make enough for leftovers and/or lunches!. When I'm in the office I bring my own lunch 80% of the time (figure I'm saving at least $40-$80 per month at a minimum)!.
-When I go to the grocery store, I always start in the fruits and vegetables section and then go to the meats section!. I'll usually go with what's on sale and looks good!.
-If High Fructose Corn Syrup is one of the first five ingredients, I don't buy it (that's a Dr!. Oz rule, not mine)!.
-Fresh herbs are great for seasoning, and good for you!. Plus, your food tastes a lot better!.
-Instead of using ground beef for making tacos, burgers, etc!.!.!.use ground turkey instead!. It's a lot leaner (just season it a tad more)!.
-Instead of regular buns/bread, buy whole wheat/whole grain!. Much healthier!.
-Read the food labels of anything you buy!.
-If you live in a warmer climate, use that grill!. It's a very healthy yet quick way to cook (a gas grill can get hot in very little time, and runs on propane which is cheap)!. If you're in a colder climate and desiring to grill in the winter!.!.!.use the broiler option in your oven!.
-A crock pot is a great way to cook things for a long time without needing to be around!. I've cooked a pot roast many times in a crock pot; put it in at 8am for 10 hours!.!.!.come home at 6pm and dinner's basically ready!. Add some carrots, potatoes, and other root vegetables, and you're basically coming home to a great-smelling dinner that's ready!.
Good luck!. If a 35-year old bachelor can do this, so can you!
Www@FoodAQ@Com
A few other tips (I'm a bachelor, but like everyone else, I'm tyring to be smart with money and yet, eat healthier):
-Before you go to the grocery store, map out what you're going to make in meals for the week!. It will help you save money from not buying things you don't need!. Whatever you make, be sure to make enough for leftovers and/or lunches!. When I'm in the office I bring my own lunch 80% of the time (figure I'm saving at least $40-$80 per month at a minimum)!.
-When I go to the grocery store, I always start in the fruits and vegetables section and then go to the meats section!. I'll usually go with what's on sale and looks good!.
-If High Fructose Corn Syrup is one of the first five ingredients, I don't buy it (that's a Dr!. Oz rule, not mine)!.
-Fresh herbs are great for seasoning, and good for you!. Plus, your food tastes a lot better!.
-Instead of using ground beef for making tacos, burgers, etc!.!.!.use ground turkey instead!. It's a lot leaner (just season it a tad more)!.
-Instead of regular buns/bread, buy whole wheat/whole grain!. Much healthier!.
-Read the food labels of anything you buy!.
-If you live in a warmer climate, use that grill!. It's a very healthy yet quick way to cook (a gas grill can get hot in very little time, and runs on propane which is cheap)!. If you're in a colder climate and desiring to grill in the winter!.!.!.use the broiler option in your oven!.
-A crock pot is a great way to cook things for a long time without needing to be around!. I've cooked a pot roast many times in a crock pot; put it in at 8am for 10 hours!.!.!.come home at 6pm and dinner's basically ready!. Add some carrots, potatoes, and other root vegetables, and you're basically coming home to a great-smelling dinner that's ready!.
Good luck!. If a 35-year old bachelor can do this, so can you!
Www@FoodAQ@Com