Amnesty thread -- good place to ask questions

millbot · Sep 5, 2008

As I recall, SS posted this image of Mr. Tofu, which I snagged for my avatar. <img alt="" src="http://i36.tinypic.com/oqjgw9.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"> 
Then OM created Sponge Bob Tofu Pants, and I switched to that as my avatar instead: <img alt="" src="http://i35.tinypic.com/xdiadd.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"> 
I think the "boy" part came from my underage status at the time. 
I have nothing against tofu, I'm just not in the habit of eating it.

Labduck · Sep 5, 2008

Soundie, do you have a Trader Joe's nearby? Lots and lots of healthy prepared meals just waiting to be taken home and devoured. And I also love their Red Curry Sauce over steamed rice with some sauteed chicken (or whatever...) thrown in.

Tamster · Sep 5, 2008

I used to like tofu, until I got pg, craved some chinese food, got it with tofu, brought home, opened the boxes and gagged on the smell of it all. That was almost 9 yrs ago and I've STILL not been able to stomach tofu since.

Opie · Sep 5, 2008

Hey, Tamster, DW had a similar experience with chocolate 15 years ago preggers with DD.

Tamster · Sep 5, 2008

okay - chocolate is just tragic. absolutely tragic. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/cry.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Crying or Very sad"> 
speaking of - - I had some of the new wild cherry M&M's last night. SOOOOO good!!!

ksrunr · Sep 5, 2008

Tamster - I must have been pg too <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

Spareribs · Sep 5, 2008

Soundie, when I do a lot of traveling I also do what MS suggests, make big bulk meals that are easy to defrost/reheat during the week. Stews, casseroles, etc. Do you eat chicken and fish? Pot au feu, gumbo, etc would be ideal. Then on the meal day you just reheat and make some rice. One of the nice things about such meals is that you don't have to be an accomplished chef to make them. Most stews are so straightforward that anyone can do them. 
If the kids eat fish, that is the simplest entree to prepare. You might start with orange roughy. One fillet of about half a pound is a very large portion. Slap it on a sprayed piece of foil on a baking pan and toss it in the oven at 400. It's done in no more than 20 minutes. You can top it with s and p. and any of the seafood toppings you find in the store. Wild salmon fillet is also the most nutritious (not farm-raised). Double check for bones. Kids go nuts if there are bones. Cook it the same way, just for ease. By this I mean you could grill it or panfry it but you have to watch it. Baking means toss it in the oven and get a glass of wine. Hope that helps. Spareribs

Econo · Sep 5, 2008

Pork chops with honey & dijon mustard: 
Put honey & dijon mustard on pork chops, then grill them. 
Nachos for dinner or happy runner guests: 
Put refried beans, black beans, canned (drained) corn, salsa and grated cheese in a saucepan and heat it up. Serve with tortilla chips & lime slices and an ice cold beer.

evanflein · Sep 5, 2008

I tend to cook like SR a lot I think... in the summer we grill a lot of salmon on a cedar plank (but that's not quick). 
Something that helps me is to buy in bulk if possible. Sometimes a store here will do a "loss leader" kind of thing and offer Foster Farms whole chicken at 67 cents a pound (a ridiculously low price for here), and even up to 99 cents is a deal for me. I'll buy several... I've roasted 5 at a time. Eat one for dinner on night #1, and pull off all the meat from the others. Cut into bite sized chunks and freeze in 2-3 cup portions in a quart sized freezer bag. Then you've got the base for all sorts of things on the run... pasta with veggies, herbs and chicken, casseroles, chicken tacos (my kids love these), various other things and it makes life easy. It helps to remember to take it out of the freezer the night before, but if not, that's what microwaves on defrost setting are for! 
(and on weekends I'll make chicken stock out of the carcasses to use for making soup, rice, etc) 
Make big batches of brown rice (will your kids eat that? Mine won't...) and freeze in 2-3 cup containers. I also make batches of jasmine rice (DS1 loves that), and freeze in 1-2 cup containers. This way your starchy side is all ready to go, just thaw and heat in microwave. 
Also, I shun too much sodium if possible, but Campbell's Healthy Request soups can make a quick sauce or base for various things. Zatarain's rice mixes can be found in "reduced sodium" versions (which are still too high) and I add extra rice/water to reduce the per-serving sodium even more. The jambalaya mix is great with some of that frozen chicken and/or shrimp. 
S&W (and other brands) makes a "no salt added" diced tomato in cans that is great to add to almost anything (including the jambalaya mix above). The Italian style is good too and about 190 mg sodium/serving. 
Another vote for "Breakfast for Dinner," my kids love it. Omelets can be filled up with stuff to make a good dinner. 
Hope that helps. I never have enough time in the evening, so always looking for shortcuts.

Mustang Sally · Sep 5, 2008

In our house, anything that is prepared in one pan is affectionately known as "slop." This is my favourite slop, which is good on the spot and also freezes well, gaining character as it festers: In a deep frying pan that preferably has a lid and is safe for the oven Cook up desired meat (Ground beef, ground turkey, chicken etc.) with ½ a sliced onion. Once cooked, add to the pan: 1 or 2 peppers of your color choice 2 chopped tomatoes or 2 tins of diced or stewed etc. 1 tin kidney beans (I drain off ½ the juice) 1 cup of rice About ½ to ¾ cup of water – it really depends on how much juice you got out of the tomatoes and kidney beans. Add spice: Garlic, salt, pepper, chili powder, touch of sugar, cumin, whatever your heart desires. Bring to a boil. Put the lid on, simmer on low for about 20-30 minutes. You can stir occasionally. Once it’s done, it’s in it’s freezable state. If you want to eat it – I would sprinkle corn chips on top, and cheese and broil for a few minutes. Also yummy to add salsa and sour cream….

Spareribs · Sep 5, 2008

While we are on food here, and this is a terrific part of the thread, let me offer a story and an additional question for the group. I never used to eat breakfast. I am too wired in the morning to ever want breakfast. But since the surgery I have forced myself to sit down and eat it, and I started with Total and berries. So as you might guess, I started losing weight, as eating a sensible breakfast will do that for you because it increases your metabolism. (I also moved from eating leftovers from last night's dinner for lunch, to having just a bowl of soup.) 
But now I'm at the point where I am starting to get used to breakfast and enjoy it. Which brings me to wondering what would be a great breakfast? I know many of you eat healthy breakfasts, such as oatmeal etc. What do you consider the best breakfast, taking into consideration nutrition and taste? Bacon and eggs don't count here; fruit is more than welcome. What do you guys eat? Spareribs

evanflein · Sep 5, 2008

I think Breakfast is one of my favorite meals. I go to bed thinking about it! I have a bowl of Kashi GoLean cereal, with Fiber One on top, and sprinkled with either a nut/seed/dried fruit trail mix type thing that I make, OR raisins and GoLean Crunch. Skim or 1% milk. If I have fresh fruit like blueberries or strawberries, I use that instead of raisins. I figure the total calories is 400 -450, but a really good start to the day. 
Whole Wheat seedy bagels with crunchy peanut butter and a banana is another favorite. 
Oatmeal with raisins, a little brown or turbinado sugar and milk. Yum. Always eat too much of it though. Scotch-cut oatmeal is the best (I love chewy/crunchy stuff) 
Blueberry pancakes with an egg over-medium with diced mango and real maple syrup on weekends! (ok, so not chewy/crunchy, but the fruit combo is perfect and I love runny eggs!)

Mrs. Labduck · Sep 5, 2008

Soundie - this one's easy, yummy, and minimal cleanup if you use a foil lined baking pan sprayed with Pam. 
Baked Chicken Dijon 
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 
Country Style Dijon Mustard 
Chopped Red Onion 
Shredded Cheese (swiss, cheddar, whatever you like) 
Spread some mustard on top of the chicken breasts, then sprinkle with some red onion chunks and top with the shredded cheese. 
Bake at 350 for 20 min.

Sans Souci · Sep 5, 2008

ksrunr, you are so obstinate. Betcha I could make you something with tofu. You'd never know and you'd love it. Yes, you would. Don't be that way with me. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"> 
BTW, didn't you say you were getting some bloodwork, cholestrol numbers, etc.? Did you? 
I'd really limit that prepared stuff. Like evan says, too much sodium and other junk. I know, it can be tough to prepare meals for fussy kids. 
One way to get fish into said fussy kids might be to wrap it inside a tortilla (watch the ingredients ... try whole wheat ones), sneak some cabbage in there, tzatziki, tomato and lots of cheese to mask the taste if they're that fussy. Hard to believe, I know, but this is my "cheater" meal where I use Jane's multigrain haddock. I think I'm just gonna come over. Maybe the kids can help me make a few things they like and put 'em in your freezer, Soundie. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

ksrunr · Sep 5, 2008

SS - you're right. IF I don't know what's in it, I'd likely eat it. But not by itself! My wife sneaks food I don't like into her ingredients. Much of my dislike for some foods (especially vegetables) is not the taste; but the texture. 
My doc and I are fast becoming not on best of terms. I wanted blood tests done b4 I went for an appointment. My wife was making the appointment and his wife/office manager wouldn't have any of it. The last time I went to see him it went like this. Nurse took bp and heart rate several times to make sure her readings were correct. Identified me as an athlete. Saw the doc for a couple minutes. Any problems? NO. Ok thanks for coming in. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> So I ask to talk to the doc directly and she says he will call. Next day they send me the instructions to go get the blood work. They've had it back for a couple weeks but haven't called me. I take that as a good sign. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> But I'll call in week or so and go see him. I've never been in his office but I was surrounded by really sick people who need to see him for serious matters and I don't want to wait around surrounded by people who might make me sick. I'll post info when I get it. Thanks for asking.

Opie · Sep 6, 2008

KS, tell the doc's staff that you want the bloodwork results faxed to you ASAP. If that doesn't work, they can fax it to your lawyer up the road here.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> I'm not being ugly, but I think you need to know those numbers before you talk to the doc about it.

mcsolar99 · Sep 6, 2008

food is near and dear to my heart! 
sound: get yourself a slow-cooker! most of the prep work takes 10 minutes, so you can get the stuff together in the morning, plop it in the cooker, cook while you're at work, and come home to a great dinner and great smelling house. there are hundreds of <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Main-Dish/Slow-Cooker/Top.aspx" target="_blank">web receipes for slow cookers.</a> 
also: i grill a family pack of chicken thighs and freeze/refrigerate for use during the week. proto loves brocolli and other steamed veggies, and that takes 2 minutes to chop and 4 minutes to microwave. oh, and get yourself a bag of muscles and/or clams you coastal dweller you... 10 min. to prep and 10 more minutes to cook... <a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-0,steamed_muscles,FF.html" target="_blank">lots of easy recipes</a> 
...much easier than cooking cactus... 
ribs: i'm a boring breakfast eater. summer time i eat cereal, milk, banana. winter time (18 dec - 13 jan in tucson) i microwave some quick oats with cashews and dried cranberries or blueberries, soy milk, banana. i don't try to think about it too much, but i'm religious about eating breakfast daily.

Tamster · Sep 6, 2008

During the work week, I'm a bad breakfast eater - I usually skip breakfast. I have a latte or a few cups of black coffee and sometimes the very bad for you poptart. I usually eat for the first time at around 10:00, after I've been up for about 4 hrs. 
The weekends are different and I'll usually have oatmeal, or my new favorite is Souci's power breakfast hot cereal. Or scrambled eggs and hashbrowns.

Sans Souci · Sep 6, 2008

Aw, Tam. I love that stuff 'cause you can change it up with different stuff from the bins at the health food store. You have to make it ahead of time and refrigerate it though; it takes about an hour! 
I usually use vanilla soy or fortified soy because it's sweet and obviates the need for sugar. 
My niece had the Simon Whitfield Breakfast at Mo:Le last weekend; an omelet with yams in it. The chef there went to Beijing as the triathlon team's personal chef (nice!) -- or maybe just Simon's chef, not quite sure. 
So omelet, toast (it was humungous) and roasted spuds with pesto. UN-real!

Econo · Sep 6, 2008

Simon Whitfield. ///swoon!///

Amnesty thread -- good place to ask questions

millbot

Labduck

Tamster

Opie

Tamster

ksrunr

Spareribs

Econo

evanflein

Mustang Sally

Spareribs

evanflein

Mrs. Labduck

Sans Souci

ksrunr

Opie

mcsolar99

Tamster

Sans Souci

Econo

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