All last year I worried about calories, and this year, as I've mentioned before, I've been shifting toward quality of food. It's tough to make that switch!
I've been eating a serving of almonds daily. They're supposed to reduce your LDL, plus they're a good protein and fat. I've been getting in more olive oil, Promise, etc. My fat percentage was really low, and I'm aiming to get 30% now. It's still tough, but I'm in the high 20s now.
The protein bit is more difficult. I like beef. There, I said it. Not supposed to eat a lot of beef because of saturated fat. So I eat 93% ground beef, and lower-fat beef. Chicken? Well, chicken is chicken. I could live the rest of my life, never eat another piece, and never miss it. So we've been eating a lot of chicken. Boring!!! lol
We went shopping tonight and bought salmon, fish, some pork cuts that are pretty lean. I've got tuna, cottage cheese, ground beef and loads of chicken. We also bought beans. We have egg night once or twice a week. That's actually cheap and easy. I have omelets or scrambled with one or two real eggs and some Egg Beaters. Everyone makes their eggs the way they like them.
Chicken is the best bang for the nutritional buck, though. I don't have many chicken recipes. Those I do have I enjoy, but DH--not so much. Anyone have any good chicken recipes they want to share? We both scoff at the idea of using chicken in Mexican food. That's beef territory!
So we're desperately trying to improve our protein. Any ideas?
Had I tried to do this last year, I would have failed. Small changes have worked for me (us) very well. When I started this blog, I used to have "I Can Do That's" that I'd post each week. I got away from posting those, but I still do them: Find something to improve, something little, and do it! It all adds up.
ah chicken....lol.
ReplyDeleteum, I am food challenged. I did do this thing with bread crumbs parm cheese and oregano, garlic powder adn onion power, salt and pepper once that was pretty amazing.
your supposed to put a thin coat of lf mayo on top, then mix all that other stuff together and dip your skinless boneless chicken breast in it...I'll be danged if it didn't taste kind of smoked.
pretty good.
you can try it, I didn't patent it.
small changes are good.
keep up the good work jo.
I should be help but Im not in that Im so flipping easy and boring.
ReplyDeletegrilled steamed with veggies and lottsa brag liquid aminos sprayed on baked with veggies....
Im easy :)
MizFit
Jo - I like protein shakes -
ReplyDeleteNot all natural, but you know, they do the job!
I get mine at Netrition in 10 pound box - about one a year!
I get vanilla - so I can add flavors as each day changes!
grind the chicken and then brown it. You would be shocked at how good it can be in mexican food. We love chicken enchalidas (sp) I know you are trying to limit fat intake, go to receipes.com and see what you can come up with. We add lots of spices and marinades, but every once in a while I feel like I am growing chicken feathers too!! hehehe!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I used to complain that all my mom ever cooked was CHICKEN 100 different ways, and now I find that it is the meat that I fix for myself about 85% of the time, lol. Life's funny like that.
ReplyDeletePlease email me and give me your mailing address. I've got a recipe book I'm going to send you...I think it's called 365 ways to cook chicken, or something to that affect. Surely you can find a few things in there to your liking!
I love chicken, and beef. I'm am a meativore. With your disdain for chicken in mexican food lol, I doubt my chicken fajitas would do it for you, but really they're soooo good!!!
ReplyDeleteChicken does get quite boring lol, good thing you're bringing in fish (delish, good for you, and excellently low cal!), I'm financially stuck with a hamburger diet right now so I'd oooze for some chicken or fish!
Have you tried making chicken fried rice?
We do chicken fajitas, chicken enchiladas, chicken stir fry, chicken with speg sauce, parm cheese and fat free mozzarella cheese, chicken pasta...just to name a few! I know you said no chicken in Mexican food, but my hubby is Hispanic and truth be told, they use chicken MORE than beef! It really is good, once you train your taste buds not to expect the beef. :-)
ReplyDeleteHere's a fave for my family (yes, mexican): Crockpot chicken salsa
ReplyDeletehttp://www.workitmom.com/bloggers/orderingdisorder/2008/01/10/when-you-have-no-timecrockpot-chicken-salsa/
Also, my kids like a modified chicken piccata: Skinless boneless chicken breasts rinsed, dipped in flour. Spray pan/skillet with Pam. Brown chicken breasts and then turn over. Pour over some fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons) and a little white wine if you have it.
You can poach (boil) some chicken breasts and chop up meat to add to green salads, pita sandwiches. Or make healthy chicken salad. My favorite has chopped chicken, light mayo, curry powder, chopped celery and red grapes. Yum!
Good luck!
So so true! It is a hard switch in the ol' brain to go from calorie counting, to quality! I have learned that a calorie is NOT a calorie.. lol! It's nutritional density, versus non-nutritionally dense food. Ooooh yes!
ReplyDeleteWay to go with your switch overs, Jo!! I love meat too!! Love it mucho!! :)
Cubed chicken (cooked), 1/2-3/4 of a block of cream cheese (fat free), 1 can of cream of chicken, 1 can of cream of mushroom, 2 bags of boil in bag rice. Mix all together and put in a casserole dish and cook at 350 for 45 minutes. You can sub chicken and cream of chicken for shrimp and cream of shrimp.
ReplyDeleteAfter 45 min, sprinkle grated cheese and put in the oven (turn oven off) to melt.
If you have boneless skinless frozen chicken....sprinkle your favorite seasoning on it and put it under a high broiler for 15 minutes, then turn down to 400 for another 15-20 minutes. Simple. Done. If you have a meat thermometer...check to be sure it is about 165 degrees and not much more than that when you take it out...else it will be tough and hard to chew.
ReplyDeleteIf you have chicken with bones and skin....spray with some light oil then add your favorite seasoning....and stick it in the oven at 375 for about 45 minutes (not frozen, tho..defrost it). Done. Ditto with meat thermometer.
I made a soup for lunch yesterday with leftover roasted chicken that took about 15 minutes. I sauteed onions in olive oil for about 5 minutes than put in a bunch of kale that I chopped up small and stirred that around with the onions and oil until it was a little bit soft. Then I added a bit of garlic, about 8 cups of chicken broth, about 3 cups of left over chicken from last night, some dried chili peppers for some zing, some turmeric, and some salt and let it come to a simmer. Done. And....yum! My kids would NEVER eat that...but I will...for lunches this week. A good way to get protein and veggies into a meal.
BTW, lots of info that saturated fat is NOT the villian folks have made it out to me. The true villian is actually white sugar and flour..and especially high fructose corn syrup.
I'm like you - I like beef so I eat even though I have a million reasons not to, and chicken doesn't interest me much. But - honey - do you have a slow cooker? Slow cook it with some wine and onions and other flavorful vegetables perhaps. Ever been to allrecipes.com? I actually went there for my meal plan this week to find a dinner using chicken. I typed in chicken, wine, onions, and slow-cooker and got a recipe that I decided to use. The slow-cooker and the liquids makes the chicken SOOO juicy and tender.
ReplyDeleteI have a healthy food blog that has several chicken recipes on it...just type chicken in the search box!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lobsterandfishsticks.com
Bah. Don't diss the chicken! Its so versatile...
ReplyDeleteI just made fajitas with turkey :P are you looking down on me Jo?
Fajitas
Curry.
Stirfry.
Roast dinner.
Chicken kiev.
...traigo
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José
ramón...
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI just stopped by to let you know that I nominated you and your blog for the "Creative Writers" award.
Your welcome to come on over to my blog at any time to snag your award...:)
Lisa
Glad you asked the chicken question. I've just found several new ideas! I'm always looking for new recipes. :)
ReplyDeletedo you like indian food at all? lots of grocery stores sell the sauce packets and you just simmer the chicken in the sauce for a while and serve over the rice of your choice. SO GOOD! Chicken Tikka Masala is a good, neutral but flavorful sauce. Try it! (I'm on an indian food kick right now for some reason...)
ReplyDelete