Invisapeeps 2.0

Desdenova · Motherhood: Sleep is for the weak!!

Healthy snacks and meals

Desdenova · Motherhood: Sleep is for the weak!!

And here's my contribution:

http://mushroominfo.com/mushroomchannel/2011/05/02/portabella-and-halloumi-burgers-from-food-for-my-family/

And today I've been baaad.

I had a small sandwich for breakfast (100 cals sandwich bread, turkey lunch meat and goat cheese) and coffee and later I had a package of chocolate chips cookies.

Lunch: Brown rice with onions, tomatoes and bell peppers sauteed on coconut oil and a kiwi.

Dinner I don't know yet, but here is were I fail, I always over eat at dinner.

I have a banana for a snack.

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

I get a lot of low-carb recipes from Low Carb Friends. It's a forum. Be aware - they are not low cal or low fat, just low carb!

One thing that I do a lot is to replace rice with shredded cauliflower. If you have a very bold, flavorful sauce, you don't miss the rice. Not gonna say you can't tell the difference, more like you don't really mind the difference. Just shred the cauliflower, put it in a microwave safe bowl with a little salt, cover and microwave until desired doneness. Don't add water - the cauliflower has plenty of water of its own. I usually do mine about 3 minutes. I did a really good chicken curry with that instead of rice, and you didn't miss the rice.

ana · Senior Member

I agree with OD. With all the replacements out there, cauliflower rice was the one I could tolerate.

Curries only need a base! Problem is dh prefers to eat them with naan! I want a low-carb recipe for that!

Instead of low carbing it all the time, I try to limit my carbs.

Most days I have a boiled egg for breakfast with black tea. Yogurt for snack. Salad with beans, cheese, nuts and/or seeds for lunch. And then a piece of fruit with cheese (a babybel or cheese string for portion control) for snack.

Dinner is easier during the warmer months. I try not to do carb-based dinners. So I limit my curries and pastas. I still have stir-fries but with no carbs or a measured amount of brown rice/quinoa/couscous. I don't love them so it's easy for me to just eat a 1/4 cup.

Most dinners are meat, veggies and salad. Snack is air-popped popcorn. But again I measure so I can control it.

Good luck!

Desdenova · Motherhood: Sleep is for the weak!!

Thanks!

I have a soft spot for cookies and sweet bread so that makes it harder.
Thanks for the tips!

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

Low Carb Crepes:
1/2 cup ricotta cheese (stats are for Part-Skim / lowfat)

4 eggs

1/4 cup flour

3 tablespoons milk

Pinch of salt

.

In a medium bowl beat the Ricotta with the eggs. Beat in the flour, salt, milk. Allow to sit for 15 minutes.

Heat an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Coat with vegetable cooking spray when hot. Pour in 2 tablespoons of batter and immediately swirl the pan to coat the entire surface in a thin layer. Allow to cook, without turning, until completely done. The top should be no longer shiny and when you touch it it’s not wet. The bottom will be have a very slight golden color. If it’s too dark, lower the heat.

(If you are a new crepe-maker, these can be next to impossible to flip and they don’t need to be.) Gently loosen the edges with a spatula and slide out of the pan onto a plate. Very lightly spray the top with vegetable spray – this way you can stack them on top of each other.

Lightly coat the pan with cooking spray before each crepe. Proceed with above directions until batter is gone. Allow the crepes to cool to room temperature and then wrap the plate tightly with plastic wrap. These keep well in the fridge – unfilled – for several days.

Since these are so moist, letting them sit uncovered for a half hour or so will help them get that dry, ‘lacy’ edge.

Makes approx 12 crepes.

Per Crepe: Calories 57; Protein 4 g; Fat 3 g; Carb 6 g; Sugar 1 g; Sodium 35 mg

The trick is you DON'T want them golden-brown. Then they taste sort of old and dry. Flip them as as soon as possible.

EmmDee · Guru

This is so awesome, thanks for posting this. I haven't done great today and since I am at mom's for the funeral and she always has sweets around, it has only gotten worse. I keep forgetting about the cauliflower thing. I've had mashed cauliflower before and enjoyed it.

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

I put a recipe on the recipe thread for Crispy Chicken Thighs with Brussel Sprouts .That is really good. If you've only had boiled or steamed sprouts and hated them, I strongly urge you to try roasting them. Roasted, they are one of my favorite veggies.

RichardInTN · I believe in I.D.I.C.

I need to lose some weight too... but it ain't gonna happen. My schedule is just too screwed up for "regular" eating, so I do a LOT of "fast food".

EmmDee · Guru

I need to just forget the fact that DH doesn't like many veggies and just make them for myself.

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

One thing I do is hide veggies in ground beef. I shred 3 small zucchini (the smaller the better), and mix with 1 lb of ground meat. I double the seasonings of the recipe. Seriously, you won't even notice it's there.

ana · Senior Member

My mom used to hide a tonne of veggies in pasta sauce and pizza sauce because of my picky brother. Once blended, you can't even tell. :D

kinalikamom · Senior Member

I love this thread...I'm glad I finally opened it. Up until now I avoided doing it because I felt I didn't need any more guilt. Surprise! Actual things to put to use! I plan on trying the shredded cauliflower TODAY!

thanks!

Aurora · Senior Member

ana wrote:
I agree with OD. With all the replacements out there, cauliflower rice was the one I could tolerate.

Curries only need a base! Problem is dh prefers to eat them with naan! I want a low-carb recipe for that!

Instead of low carbing it all the time, I try to limit my carbs.

Most days I have a boiled egg for breakfast with black tea. Yogurt for snack. Salad with beans, cheese, nuts and/or seeds for lunch. And then a piece of fruit with cheese (a babybel or cheese string for portion control) for snack.

Dinner is easier during the warmer months. I try not to do carb-based dinners. So I limit my curries and pastas. I still have stir-fries but with no carbs or a measured amount of brown rice/quinoa/couscous. I don't love them so it's easy for me to just eat a 1/4 cup.

Most dinners are meat, veggies and salad. Snack is air-popped popcorn. But again I measure so I can control it.

Good luck!

Ana, do you have any recipes for lentil daal? Merry had it at an Indian restaurant and my googlefu is failing me because she hates the ones I have tried.

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

Another low-carb thing I love is lettuce wraps. I've done them with Asian, Greek and Mexican flavors. I also did fish tacos, but with a lettuce cup instead of a taco shell.

iluvsuomi1989 · Senior Member

I am of absolutely no help--I had a donut for breakfast today.

Desdenova · Motherhood: Sleep is for the weak!!

Hahahaha about the donut suomi!

I've been good today I had my morning sandwich (the 100 cal bread) and coffee, I wanted to have some cookies but my diet buddy here at work said NO!

And for lunch I have some spinach salad and fish :D

I'm making a list of things that I can have for breakfast and snacks, so far I have:

Snacks
- Jicama
- Cucumber
- Bell pepper stripes, maybe with humus I don't know how carb heavy it is
- Lunch meat roll ups, with cheese
- Laughing cow cheese
- Broccoli with lemon and salt

Breakfast
- Microwave eggs and sausage
- Tortillaless breakfast burrito
- Cheese and sausage skewers

And I think that's all I have for now

ETA change crab to carb lol

-- Edited by Desdenova on Wednesday 14th of May 2014 11:28:43 AM

kinalikamom · Senior Member

Tried the shredded cauliflower and Ophelia is right...it isn't an exact substitute for rice but definitely an acceptable substitute! Used it with a spicy chili-like dish DH makes a lot.

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

I think hummus is not strictly "low carb" but it is good for you. Healthy carbs.

Do you like boiled peanuts? Those are great. Especially b/c you have to take time to shell them, so that really slows down the eating.

Desdenova · Motherhood: Sleep is for the weak!!

I've never had boiled peanuts, but I do like peanuts in general so it is worth the try!

RichardInTN · I believe in I.D.I.C.

Boiled peanuts are a gift from the Gods... but they have to be boiled right in VERY salty water, for long enough to make them soft inside the shell.

kinalikamom · Senior Member

I have never tasted boiled peanuts. What have I been missing? And how is it done?

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

Boiled peanuts are freaking MAGICAL OMG. They're really simple. I can't find my water to salt ratio yet, when I find it I will post it.

Ideally, you buy them from an old man wearing over alls and he's cooking them in a giant metal drum, but if you don't have one of those handy, you can use a crock pot.

RichardInTN · I believe in I.D.I.C.

My Grandmother used a 1 to 5 (salt to water) ratio.

for 5 cups of water, 1 cup of salt.

In a large stock pot, bring the water to a boil, adding in the salt as the water heats up. Once the water comes to a boil, pour in the peanuts (making sure the water covers the peanuts completely by at least an inch). Leave the water boiling for about 15 minutes, then turn down to medium and "cook" for about 3-5 hours. after 3 hours test a peanut to see if they are "ready" yet.

(a "ready" peanut can be smooshed between your finger and thumb)

ana · Senior Member

Aurora wrote:
ana wrote:
I agree with OD. With all the replacements out there, cauliflower rice was the one I could tolerate.

Curries only need a base! Problem is dh prefers to eat them with naan! I want a low-carb recipe for that!

Instead of low carbing it all the time, I try to limit my carbs.

Most days I have a boiled egg for breakfast with black tea. Yogurt for snack. Salad with beans, cheese, nuts and/or seeds for lunch. And then a piece of fruit with cheese (a babybel or cheese string for portion control) for snack.

Dinner is easier during the warmer months. I try not to do carb-based dinners. So I limit my curries and pastas. I still have stir-fries but with no carbs or a measured amount of brown rice/quinoa/couscous. I don't love them so it's easy for me to just eat a 1/4 cup.

Most dinners are meat, veggies and salad. Snack is air-popped popcorn. But again I measure so I can control it.

Good luck!

Ana, do you have any recipes for lentil daal? Merry had it at an Indian restaurant and my googlefu is failing me because she hates the ones I have tried.

I do. Do you remember what kind of dal it was? There are so many!

ana · Senior Member

Another great snack is edamame. I buy them frozen at Costco. Boil with tonnes of salt. Yummy, and high in protein, low in fat. A pretty good amount of potassium too.

EmmDee · Guru

I haven't done great again. Didn't eat breakfast, had Grandpa's funeral today, had finger sandwiches, deviled egg, pickle spear, a cookie and a small slice of cake. Once I got home I had some spicy chicken salad and a few crackers. I am debating between some gumbo I have in the freezer and some chicken stock in the freezer to make some quick soup. Oh, I also had some store brand V-8.

Tomorrow we go to San Antonio and I am planning to take some dried sausage and cheese to keep in the hotel fridge to help curb some cravings. We will be having at least one dinner in the hotel because DH will have to work remotely and I plan to pick up a couple of salads for that meal. I usually fail the most when eating out so I hope to find some yummy sounding options that will be not horrible for me.

kinalikamom · Senior Member

EmmDee, don't beat yourself up. You've been under a lot of stress and that's the hardest time to be 'good.'

Scarlett O'Hara said it best, "Tomorrow's another day." We always have tomorrow. Have a lovely time in San Antonio!

EmmDee · Guru

Thanks Kina! You are right. DH and I are corny and watch The Price Is Right most mornings that I am home as it reminds us of our childhoods. We have decided that starting next week we are going to attempt going to our apartment gym for that hour and watch it while working out. I hope that works for us and it will help motivate me as well.

RichardInTN · I believe in I.D.I.C.

I agree with kina... considering what you have been dealing with, you should give yourself a "pass" for now.

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

RichardInTN wrote:
My Grandmother used a 1 to 5 (salt to water) ratio.

for 5 cups of water, 1 cup of salt.

In a large stock pot, bring the water to a boil, adding in the salt as the water heats up. Once the water comes to a boil, pour in the peanuts (making sure the water covers the peanuts completely by at least an inch). Leave the water boiling for about 15 minutes, then turn down to medium and "cook" for about 3-5 hours. after 3 hours test a peanut to see if they are "ready" yet.

(a "ready" peanut can be smooshed between your finger and thumb)

Richard's recipe is the one I use for green peanuts. Those are fresh raw peanuts that haven't been dried. They are only available for a few months each year. I have no idea if there are any peanut farmers in your area?

If you don't have fresh raw peanuts, you can used dried. I personally can't tell much of a difference. If you use dried, soak them for at least 8 hours. They will float, so used a plate to push them into the water.

Then drain the water, use the water:salt ratio Richard suggested, and put them in the crock pot. They will take somewhere from 6 to 10 hours. You will probably need to add more water at some point, b/c the dried peanuts will soak up some of it.

Desdenova · Motherhood: Sleep is for the weak!!

Oh those peanuts sound yummy!
I'll try to make them when I find peanuts around here :D

Also the edamame, I want to try that, I've seen it but never tried it.

This is so full of good ideas thanks!!!

And yesterday I was BAD!
DH brought back home from his trip a torta for me, it was delicious :$

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

I like the boiled peanuts better than edamame. Boiled peanuts are nuttier, and edamame is more bean-like and has a sort of "green" flavor. Not bad or anything, but not NOM NOM NOM like boiled peanuts are.

www.whfoods.com/genpage.php

BTW, the recipes I and Richard gave you for boiled peanuts are for peanuts in the shell. I supposed you could boil shelled peanuts, but I've never seen it.

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

Another one is spaghetti squash. I, personally, don't care for it with tomato-based sauces, but my mom and dad love it. You can do a good lasagna type thing with it. You bake the squash at 350 for about 1 hr, then cut it open. Remove the seeds and layer the squash noodles in a baking dish with your ingredients - sausage, cheese, sauce, whatever, then bake it in the oven long enough to heat it up and let the cheese melt.

I love the spaghetti squash with creamy sauces. Somethign else I do bake the squash as above, then put teh noodles in a baking dish with blue cheese, some water or chicken buillion and some herbs (I like chives) and bake long enough to get the top a bit brown. It's also good with alfredo sauce.

jlbear71 · Veteran Member

I just made cauliflower buffalo "wings" the other day. It was very easy.

1 cup flour
1 cup water
a few dashes (personal preferences) of cayenne, white pepper, poultry seasoning, and dill
1 medium head cauliflower, cut up into "wing" size pieces
1/2 cup favorite wing sauce

Mix flour, water and spices until blended. Mix cauliflower in. Roast in preheated oven 450 for 20-25 minutes. Toss with wing sauce and roast 5 minutes more. Enjoy.

We did not toss with the wing sauce. We used it as a dipping sauce and had a little dipping sauce buffet with BBQ, buffalo and thai chili sauce. DH had blue cheese and I used creamy parmesan peppercorn since I don't like blue cheese.

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

I don't do low-carb this time of year. It's strawberry season, and peach season and corn season are right around the corner! I will do low-carb as in cutting down or eliminating pasta, bread, etc, but not fresh fruit and fresh corn!

EmmDee · Guru

I have insulin resistant PCOS so I don't have a lot of choice with the low carb unless I want to go on meds. I am going to work hard with exercise and diet to keep myself off medication. If I can lose 20 pounds, it would make a load of difference in my life. 30 pounds is my actual goal but I am going to tackle it 10 pounds at a time.

ana · Senior Member

OpheliaDev1 wrote:
I don't do low-carb this time of year. It's strawberry season, and peach season and corn season are right around the corner! I will do low-carb as in cutting down or eliminating pasta, bread, etc, but not fresh fruit and fresh corn!

I'm with you. I will cut out processed food but fruits and vegetables? Nu-uh!

EmmDee · Guru

We were out of town this weekend in San Antonio and we did just ok eating wise. Nothing fantastic but I did manage to get some veggies in while keeping a close eye on carbs plus I walked probably 10+ miles minimum over the past few days.

Desdenova · Motherhood: Sleep is for the weak!!

I was bad this weekend we had pizza for lunch both days :P

But today I brought breakfast, lunch AND snacks from home. All low carb.
I had lunch meat rolls filled with avocado and a dash of salt and pepper for breakfast and coffee.
Fajitas will be lunch, I put 3 bell pepper in there for 2 people, so that'll do.
And snacks are half a cucumber, and 2 laughing cow cheese pieces.

Dinner will be interesting, because I have no idea what I'll do, but so far it feels good.
Now I'll put all of these in my fitness pal.

EmmDee · Guru

I want to like cucumber, I really do but I haven't made it there. I think I need to find a seasoning to add to it that will help. I can tolerate with a tad of dressing but don't like the texture it creates. I think if I can find something to sprinkle on sliced cucumber that is not salt it may be better. I was just thinking maybe even dried ranch dressing packet seasoning. I will consider this.

I like the idea of the lunch meat and avocado rolls, I may need to steal that one.

Desdenova · Motherhood: Sleep is for the weak!!

I usually add lemon juice and salt to my cucumbers.

One thing you can try is this:

It adds a GREAT kick to any fruit you added it to. We use it for cucumbers, jicama, mango, apples and watermelon.

ETA: The rolls where very very good! I feel satisfied and they were yummy.

-- Edited by Desdenova on Monday 19th of May 2014 10:18:47 AM

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

Blech. I hate cucumbers! My grandpa said that hogs didn't eat cucumbers, and if a hog wouldn't eat it then he wouldn't eat it! (Of coursse, hogs actually do eat cucumbers, but when I quote my grandpa I automatically win.)

ana · Senior Member

Huh. I love cucumbers! I remember eating a plate of cucumbers for lunch a lot growing up. No wonder I was so skinny! I wish I could be full and satisfied with a plate of cucumbers now!

Try sprinkling sumac on cucumbers. It's a Lebanese herb that has a lemony flavour.

I love cucumber salad with thin slices of cucumber and onions and tzatiki.

EmmDee · Guru

For me it is the combo of wet cucumbers and a creamy dressing that just doesn't seem right to me. I admit to having weird texture related food issues. I was also thinking adding some hot spice to it may be the answer. I have a diabetic cookbook that I am using for inspiration for good carb-protein balance meals.

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

I have never tried this, but I have seen recipes for "apple" cobbler that replace the apple with cucumber.

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

Coconut flour is a really good low-carb ingredient. It definitely tastes coconutty, so I don't use when having coconutty flavor would be weird. But it makes good pancakes, muffins, etc. And I made some good low-carb cookies that used coconut flour, no-sugar peanut butter and a little low-carb sweetener.

Again, low carb doesn't always equal low calorie!

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

Oh, and chayote squash is a really good low-carb potato substitute. YOu can put it in a pot roast and it works really well. And Des, they should be available near you. I have to go to a Mexican grocery to get my chayote squash.

EmmDee · Guru

I definitely get that low carb /= low calorie but it is my main focus. It has been interesting learning about how my body reacts to carbs and why it makes sense that I gained weight/could not lose when I was eating things that would be considered "healthy" choices for many. Really, carb-protein balance is far more important than actual low carb for me.

Desdenova · Motherhood: Sleep is for the weak!!

Oh I love chayote!!!
Just boiled with lemon and salt it's yummy!!!

My mom used to make it with tune fish in a pot with a little bit of tomato sauce and onions, it was a cheap meal but very filling and tasty! I'll have to use chayote for snacks as well.