Thanks all for the suggestions and support. I will buy a blender and see what I can come up with. I will also attempt the puree's. Cooking is not something that I do or enjoy I had to take the plastic off the inside trays in the oven this weekend (after 4 years in the house). My friends told me to clean the inside so I don't set off the smoke alarms. LOL
Hey Tex--I remember from a previous post that you eat out most meals (lunch and dinner) as you don't like to cook. I can see where you could get bored with veggie options at restaurants, as they are often broccoli and or squashes. A juicer sounds like a good option for now, but you may get bored with that in a couple weeks. There are definitely some easy and quick veggie recipes you could do at home that would add more variety...and you may even start to enjoy cooking for yourself which in the long-term is probably healthier than consistently eating meals out. Some suggestions:
Pan-roasted asparagus: heat some EVOO in a skillet over high heat, add asparagus and some S&P and toss to coat. Cover and cook 2 minutes, then uncover and cook another 2-3 minutes until spotty brown.
Saute some chopped bell peppers and/or spinach in a little EVOO and add to an omelet.
Kale chips: toss clean/dry kale leaves (no stems/ribs) with a little EVOO and kosher salt; spread on a baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 10-15 minutes til crispy. A lot of grocery stores sell bags of clean and chopped kale which is super convenient.
Spicy roasted broccoli: Toss broccoli florets with a little sesame oil, pinch of stevia/truvia, garlic, and ground chili paste (1-2 tsp) and roast at 450 degrees for 10 minutes (stir after 5 minutes).
I've never been a huge fan of new years resolutions- in fact I've never done one. However this year I think I need to step things up in life. I've done well on my physical self (down 26 pounds in just over 2months) so I think I need to get myself if better fiscal shape. I am puttng myself on shopping and spending probation- only stuff we NEED.
Any tips from you super thrifty people out there??
A1Tex - Good morning, well, almost noon, but I'm on vacation!! I was so sick of veggies & not a veggie person either, but then I learned how to make more of them. If you go to the recipe stickies and try a new veggie a few times a week, you will figure out what you like and new ways to make it. Roasted cauliflower is my favorite, I have it once or twice a week. I change it up with Mrs. Dash spices, garlic, and other veggies like celery and broccoli. I had never made cauliflower before!!
Mrskuby - I would say that either way you are throwing money out the window because you will be out of kitosis. I think the best way to maintain and not slide back up the scale is to do everything you can to stay on plan as often as possible. You have already decided to cheat so this is the best advice I can give you. This diet can be a pain at times, but totally worth it once you are done!! I love phase 4!
I've never been a huge fan of new years resolutions- in fact I've never done one. However this year I think I need to step things up in life. I've done well on my physical self (down 26 pounds in just over 2months) so I think I need to get myself if better fiscal shape. I am puttng myself on shopping and spending probation- only stuff we NEED.
Any tips from you super thrifty people out there??
I would highly recommend checking out Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University - there are usually local seminars and they are completely worth it. Changes your whole perspective on budgeting, spending and debt.
Hey Tex--I remember from a previous post that you eat out most meals (lunch and dinner) as you don't like to cook. I can see where you could get bored with veggie options at restaurants, as they are often broccoli and or squashes. A juicer sounds like a good option for now, but you may get bored with that in a couple weeks. There are definitely some easy and quick veggie recipes you could do at home that would add more variety...and you may even start to enjoy cooking for yourself which in the long-term is probably healthier than consistently eating meals out. Some suggestions:
Pan-roasted asparagus: heat some EVOO in a skillet over high heat, add asparagus and some S&P and toss to coat. Cover and cook 2 minutes, then uncover and cook another 2-3 minutes until spotty brown.
Saute some chopped bell peppers and/or spinach in a little EVOO and add to an omelet.
Kale chips: toss clean/dry kale leaves (no stems/ribs) with a little EVOO and kosher salt; spread on a baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 10-15 minutes til crispy. A lot of grocery stores sell bags of clean and chopped kale which is super convenient.
Spicy roasted broccoli: Toss broccoli florets with a little sesame oil, pinch of stevia/truvia, garlic, and ground chili paste (1-2 tsp) and roast at 450 degrees for 10 minutes (stir after 5 minutes).
Awesome. A friend told me about the Kale chips. They sound easy enough. So far the restaurants have been great at making things work for me. I don't mind a salad and a meat/fish protein for lunch/dinner. I'll try the blender on a few things and see how that goes to get in the other few cups of veggies.
Ok I'm a little nervous, I have been on IP for 8 weeks and have not once been OP, but yesterday was so busy with family and making dinner I did not get all my veggie's or any salad in. I don't want to slow my weight loss in any way, but by the time I thought about it I was exhausted and just went to bed.
Thank you all for your input. After reading everything and putting things into perspective, I will buy a bunch of the bars, drinks and snacks rather than the soups and puddings I have been getting. I suppose even if I don't get the veggies exactly when I am sposed to, I can at least not eat anything off plan. Might mean I eat less for a day or 2 but better than screwing myself up altogether!
You guys are great! I'll prolly be checking in for support over the weekend! LOL
Off to make my new "grocery" list! :P
Thank you all for your input. After reading everything and putting things into perspective, I will buy a bunch of the bars, drinks and snacks rather than the soups and puddings I have been getting. I suppose even if I don't get the veggies exactly when I am sposed to, I can at least not eat anything off plan. Might mean I eat less for a day or 2 but better than screwing myself up altogether!
You guys are great! I'll prolly be checking in for support over the weekend! LOL
Off to make my new "grocery" list! :P
Way to stay strong with this. Remember this is a commitment and life style change. I keep thinking of all the failed attempts I've made over the years at dieting. Don't give up on yourself and we won't either...good luck!
Thank you all for your input. After reading everything and putting things into perspective, I will buy a bunch of the bars, drinks and snacks rather than the soups and puddings I have been getting. I suppose even if I don't get the veggies exactly when I am sposed to, I can at least not eat anything off plan. Might mean I eat less for a day or 2 but better than screwing myself up altogether!
You guys are great! I'll prolly be checking in for support over the weekend! LOL
Off to make my new "grocery" list! :P
You CAN do it And we are here when you need us!!! Can't wait to celebrate your successes!!
Way to stay strong with this. Remember this is a commitment and life style change. I keep thinking of all the failed attempts I've made over the years at dieting. Don't give up on yourself and we won't either...good luck!
I hate to cook but looks like I may have to learn
Thanks Tex! I'll bet that once you've cooked a few things and had success, you'll start liking cooking better. I sugest getting as much cooking done in one afternoon as you can, then freezing everything in portions. Then all you gotta do is defrost/microwave and dinner is ready!
I eat at least half of my daily veggies raw - cucumber, celery, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, pickles. Seems to work well for me, since I like the crunch. No prep required! Then have some cooked, steamed, etc. ones with my other meal.
Kale chips: toss clean/dry kale leaves (no stems/ribs) with a little EVOO and kosher salt; spread on a baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 10-15 minutes til crispy. A lot of grocery stores sell bags of clean and chopped kale which is super convenient.
Awww man, you had to mention Kale chips... now I want some! I haven't made them in a couple weeks. I offered some kale chips to a co-worker who's doing IP a few weeks ago. He was not impressed - I told him it could be an aquired taste, though it only took me a couple tries of 'testing' to realize I loved them.
I had to take the plastic off the inside trays in the oven this weekend (after 4 years in the house). My friends told me to clean the inside so I don't set off the smoke alarms. LOL
