Hello there,

I am new to this site & these boards.  Found you while on my other site: www.sparkpeople.com               I've been with them since Aug. 08, trying to get the weight off, and they are very helpful for me.            

I am also a member of TOPS, (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), since Nov. 2003.  They are a huge help          to me and millions of others, worldwide!!!

I just need healthier things I can fix from a package, once~in~awhile.  Sometimes I am not up to          cooking in the evenings, so it's just easier to open a box, it's just not usually very healthy!                  My DH & I need to lose weight, but I am struggling with it more than he, because I don't work,          (outside the home), so my only exercise is doing the housekeeping & walking the neighborhood.               I get very bored with that and of course, just quit!!  So, if anybody on this site has any helpful           hints for me to get healthier foods from pre~packaged, I would be forever grateful!

THANKS,

MUCH lOVE, MANY BLESSINGS,

Rita51Ann

Hi Rita,

DON'T Quit!! Hang in there. Sorry I don't have any pre-packaged ideas for you. Just about all of it is not good for one losing weight.

I have lost over 70 pounds the last 3 years, doing it the old-fashioned way. I started slowly by

: drinking more water, up to 3 liters a day,

: I eat two salads a day-with lunch and dinner

: eat more fruits

: allow myself one cheating day(Friday) where I don't go overboard, but don't worry about what I eat.

: I also stay home(all kids grown and gone) and yes it does get boring at times. My husband and I walk alot here in San Diego(lots of hills). To add interest for me I started using a pedometer and keep track of my miles walked. You need to walk at least 15-20 miles per week to lose weight(can be done without changing eating habits, but best to change).

I have several maps that I mark off the miles with. I have "walked" to Santa Cruz(about 500 miles), round trip from San Diego and through Arizona(over 1200 miles). To add the interest I circle cities that I might want to stop at(for the future when I drive there LOL) and go to the library and "research" that city or town. I had teased my son about moving to Bumble Bee, AZ only to find out it's a ghost town. Cute web site;-) In researching Santa Barbara(on the way to Santa Cruz) come to find out Santa Barbara has tons of places to walk. Soooo, someday I hope to go to these cities and get more walking in.

Keep at it. My only suggestion as far as cooking is this: my husband and both love to cook and always make extra to freeze. For him to take to work for lunch and to heat up for dinner on those nights neither one of us feels like cooking.

In His Grace,

Jill

Hi,

I lost 45 pounds since this January.  This is how i did it.

Spice it up and change what you eat so you don't get bored.

Stir fry chicken breast and frozen veggies with microwave Uncle Ben brown rice.  I use kikkoman stir fry sauce.  This makes two meals.

Nutritious foods that are high in nutrients and low in fat and sugar (no sugar, if possible).

Substituting sugar and oil (partially, depends on the recipe) by using applesauce and pureed fruits in baked goods.

Eating veggies as the main dish and lean meats (including beans), fish and chicken (very little red meat) as a side dish.

Eating whole wheat rice, pasta and breads is good as a side dish or as part of the main dish, as long as it is not high in fat, but is high in fiber. Lots of times, breads and pasta will say its wheat when it isn't whole wheat; something to watch out for.

I love pizza, so Fridays I reward myself with a Digourno pizza for one, super easy, microwave for 3 minutes.

I made a binder, with plastic sheet pocket protector page with index pages (salads, meats, side dishes, desserts, etc.).  I’d try the recipe, if it’s good, it stays, if not, its tossed.
__

Pre-packaged food ideas:

BAKE A CAKE FOR TWO
Use this formula to make two cakes out of one two-layer box.

1 3/4 cups cake mix (from a two-layer size box of cake mix)
2/3 cup water
1/4 cup oil
1 egg (or egg substitute)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine ingredients in an ungreased 8 or 9-inch pan and beat with fork until well blended. Spread batter evenly in the pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
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Tasty, High fiber, black beans and brown rice

can of S&W Caribbean Black beans (has Red Bell Pepper, Anaheim Chili Peppers,Diced Onion & Lime, Juice in Caribbean Sauce)

can of mexican stewed tomatoes (has green pepper and onion)

chili paste (tablespoon of Huy Fong Sambal Oelek, Chili Paste)

1/4 tsp garlic power

Uncle Ben's Brown Rice (Microwave in bag)

Drain juice from cans and add 1-2 tablespoons cornstarch, mix

Add beans, tomatoes, chili paste, garlic powder in medium pot and cook till bubbling. Add cornstarch mixture, stir till the sauce comes out clear and thickens up. 

Meanwhile, microwave brown rice for 90 seconds. Place beans mixture on top or mix together. This makes 2 servings.

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I use this recipe as a mayonnaise substitute in Betty Crocker "Suddenly Salad".

Salad Starter (This is like the Hummus, that people like to eat)

1 cup canned cannellini beans, rinsed well and drained at least 15 minutes (see note)

1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/4 tsp garlic powder)

1 packet of the ranch dressing (or the one that come with rach and bacon suddenly salad)

1-1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 milk (I use non fat milk)

Combine beans, garlic, and olive oil in the bowl of food processor and pulse until mixture starts to become creamy. (If beans are really soft you can mash them with a fork.)

Scrape bean mixture into a medium bowl.

NOTE: Great Northern or navy beans may be substituted for cannellini beans.

Use as the base for pasta salad that calls for mayonnaise.

----

I make up a bunch of these and freeze these in rolls, so cook off a little at a time.

CAKE MIX COOKIES

1 package of cake mix (any flavor)
1 large egg
1/4 cup of oil
1/4 cup of water
1 cup of chopped nuts, raisins, oatmeal, coconut, chocolate chips, M&M'S® etc. (anything you like in cookies)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cake mix, egg, oil, and water. Beat until well blended. Stir in remaining ingredient (s).

Drop by teaspoon about 1 inch apart onto greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes or until done. Makes about 4 dozen.