Two ideas:
Freezer-friendly recipes, thanks to Prevention.com;
Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly: Healthy Low-Fat Recipes for Your Slow-Cooker. I use this cookbook all the time.
Even though I work at home, I use my slow-cooker (aka Crock Pot) several times a week. I buy frozen chicken tenderloins and throw them in still frozen and decide what to do with them when it's close to dinner-time. (Throw in salsa, and you have taco fixings, for instance.)
What's your favorite easy and healthy recipe?
Thanks for posting the prevention link - that is going to be so useful!
Posted by: Sabs | January 05, 2009 at 03:48 AM
Love my crock pot! Also love the plastic bag liners you can use so there's no mess to clean. I just tried frozen chicken breasts in it yesterday for the first time. They turned out tender and juicy. I used a recipe with chopped onions, a few garlic cloves, Italian dressing and BBQ sauce. Shredded the chicken and served over split baked potatoes. Not real healthy, but I wanted to see how the chicken would cook up. I'll be watching here for some healthy ideas!
The only problem I have with the crock pot is that the house smells so good and my son can't stop asking when dinner will be ready!
Posted by: Happy Hag | January 05, 2009 at 06:18 AM
My favorite easy thing is Talipia in parchment paper.
I quick thaw the talapia in a ziplock in warm water, and prep the "packets" while it thaws.
I slice zucchini, and add one or more other veggies (carrots, marinated artichoke hearts, onion) for flavor.) I arrange about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of veggies in the center of a piece of parchment, lay two Talapia filets on top and lightly drizzle with olive oil then sprinkle with seasonings or lemon juice and pepper. Loosely fold up to seal and tie with string. Place in a 400 degree oven for about 15-20 minutes depending on how filled your packets are and how many you are doing at the same time.
On the side I usually serve the pre-shredded cabbage slaw that we season with a vinegar and oil based (low sugar) dressing...my favorite being the honey dijon vinegrette.
Even most of my kids eat this!
Posted by: Sandy McCann | January 05, 2009 at 07:13 AM
hey girl!! looks like we are both in the same boat!! starting off the new year trying to lose that gosh darn extra weight. i am hoping for 40 pounds this year!! I .WILL.LOSE.40.LBS.THIS.YEAR. lol best wishes!!
Posted by: jsprik | January 05, 2009 at 08:53 AM
I am actually looking to get a crock pot! I find that they are awesome! Good luck finding recipes.
Posted by: Sharon | January 05, 2009 at 12:11 PM
I would offer not so much a recipe as a resource. Penzeys spices. They have the best quality spices I have ever used. Prices are comprable to sad grocery store spices. They have many spice mixes (both with and without salt)and they do not have msg (which causes problems for many besides me.) Their mixes easily allow me to add flavor without adding lots of calories (BBQ rub adds fewer calories than store bought sauce) If you have a Penzey's store in your area, check it out. Just smelling all the different kinds of cinnamon make it worth the trip. Their website (www.penzeys.com)has detailed ingredient lists for all of their mixes and also has recipes.
Posted by: somebodys mother | January 05, 2009 at 12:35 PM
I would love to hear more about slow cookers, I have one, but I only know how to make pot roast. So, you just put frozen chicken in it, no water or anything?
Posted by: amy | January 05, 2009 at 04:58 PM
Yes, you just dump the frozen chicken in. I buy tenderloins, usually, but you can also do the same with frozen chicken breasts. I cook on high for an hour or so, then switch it to low if I have a long enough cooking time.
No need to add liquid. I also cook pot roasts the same way: just plop it in there, no searing or liquid. Oh, and you can also cook a whole chicken the same way. That's a very cheap way to get chicken, too--sometimes I find it for 79 cents a pound.
After the meat cooks, I add sauce or whatever, then cook on low another hour. A Crock Pot is very forgiving.
Posted by: Melodee | January 05, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Vegetarian chili: one can of Bush's Chili Magic, one can of black beans, and one can of diced tomatoes. Quick and healthy!
Posted by: Melissa | January 06, 2009 at 12:50 PM
I just ate two handfuls of cheetos and 8 trader joe's chocolate covered orange sticks. Why? Oh Why? I watched a little bit of Oprah yesterday talking about her weight and the big question is -- why am I doing this to myself? I know I like to sneak snacks when the kids aren't looking, it's like a little me time when I'm home with them, but I definitely binged before kids too. I think I eat to feel in control, but it just makes me feel sick.
Posted by: amy | January 06, 2009 at 05:50 PM