Phase 1 week 3?

[smith2667]

So, I think I want to stay on phase 1 one more week. Not because I am scared, but because I think one more week will cement the way of eating. I don't have cravings, but it is more of a change of mindset to stop mindlessly snacking and going through drive thrus.

But, I do need a little help. I need to fix a couple of meals (not soup) that can freeze and I can heat up for dinner.

I thought about making a chili and putting it over spaghetti squash (to get the feeling of noodles). Or making my own spaghetti sauce with low fat hamburger meat.

Ideas?

[Chris55]

Cooking ahead is a great way to make sure you have some go-to meals for busy weeknights. There are plenty of chili recipes on the recipe board here (along with Burdle's bean recipes!). You can even make white bean chicken or turkey chili.

I make an eggplant lasagna. I slice the eggplant, salt it, and let it drain for about 30 min. to get out the bitterness. Then rinse, pat dry, and roast slices on a cookie sheet drizzled with olive oil until they're golden brown. Then I use them in place of lasagna noodles. I usually roast them when I have the oven going for something else and then just put them in a container in the fridge until I have time to assemble my lasagna.

I like to stuff large veggies like peppers or portabella mushrooms with SB friendly ingredients. One of my favorite dishes in the world is a spinach/feta pie like spanikopita, but I make the filling and stuff it into a pepper or mushroom instead. I use cooked spinach (frozen and defrosted is fine), lf feta, a little cottage cheese sometimes. Stuff the veggie and bake, then freeze.

You can also use lean ground beef or turkey with ethnic spices of your choice - Asian, Mexican, etc. and use the filling in lettuce wraps instead of some kind of starchy wrap. Or use to stuff into a veggie. If you add minced veggies to the filling, it will add to your required veggies for that meal. Freeze filling in small containers.

[smith2667]

@Chris55---I love the lasagna idea. I think that sounds great!! I like the idea of stuffed peppers too. Thanks!

[Kimboroni]

You know, the first week of p2 really isn't all that different from p1. You're still eating all of the veggies and everything-- you're just adding one food daily to what you're already eating. You can still work on that solid foundation-- it doesn't go away.

[smith2667]

I know I know. Ok, so maybe a little scared. I've lost 4.4 lbs in two weeks. I'm good. I want just one more week (plus I forgot my book with the meal plans at school.)

Can I fix my own tomato sauce and have it with spaghetti sauce though?