Healthy Quick Menu Idea's

[slazio]

I am in the midst of planning my menu out for the next week, and I am kind of limited with the recipes I can make. I have been getting home later in the evening and have no motivation to spend an hour in the kitchen and eating at 8.

I have been making lots of soup and having them ready in the crockpot, but I do need some simple healthy recipes that are a little more solid. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Also I am having out of town guest come in this weekend, one of them is a diabetic, and I really want to stear clear of the sugars and carbs. I am looking for breakfast idea's or other main dish meals.

I really appreciate your help.

Sara

[Kismet]

I don't have any specific ideas for you, but whenever I'm having a difficult time deciding what to cook, I check out the weekly menu threads. Lots of good ideas there!

[luckylori]

What about making some chili? Then another night you could have hotdogs the great Southern style...with chili and slaw, or chili & onions. Another use would be to make a taco salad with it. Get some bagged salad. I usually make a dressing of light sour cream mixed with salsa, and serve it with baked chips.
Pasta dishes are always fast...carbonara can be done in less than half an hour. I do an oriechetta dish with sausage and broccoli that's very fast also.
Hmmm, on the breakfast issue...what about omelets?

[swquilts]

YOu might want to invest in CL's Superfast Suppers or Weight Watchers Cook It Quick. I don't get home until 6pm and I truly dislike eating late and still having to clean up the mess.

Crockpots help a lot too!

[KathrynY]

Burritos, or quesadillas! Use your own ideas for fillings, or here's our favorite easy combination:

8 - reduced fat flour tortillas
1 - 15 oz can black beans, rinsed & drained
1 - 10 oz can diced tomatoes & green chilis
Handful (or two!) reduced fat Mexican cheese blend
2 grilled cubanelle peppers (or other sauteed or grilled bell peppers), chopped into bite sized pieces
Handful of chopped fresh cilantro

Mix ingredients beans through cilantro together in a large mixing bowl. Coat 9 x 13" baking dish with cooking spray (I use 2 - 8" square foil pans). Fill flour tortillas each with 1/8th of bean/tomato/cheese mixture, wrap up and set in baking dish seam side down. Cover with foil and heat at 350F until warmed, about 30 minutes. Serve with a tossed salad or some seasoned corn and you're all set.

Another suggestion - marinate and grill some boneless chicken breasts to have on hand to toss with pasta and veggies, or put in salads. Grilled chicken freezes well, and defrosts in no time. Here's a good marinade:

Lemon-Pepper Broiled Chicken Breasts
from 365 Easy Low-Calorie Recipes

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon coarsely cracked pepper
1/2 teaspoon sugar
4 - 7 ounce chicken breast halves, skinned
4 lemon wedges

Abbreviated instructions: Combine first 6 ingredients in medium bowl, add chicken breasts. Marinate at room temperature, turning once or twice, 30 to 60 minutes.
Broil or grill as desired. Serve with lemon wedges.