Nutritious November

Mihani
Mihani Posts: 4,102 Member
Hi all! We all forgot about starting the November thread. It has been a crazy month and I'm heading into the end of the year which is always super stressful and busy so I don't know what to do with myself right now. I am going to take some time this weekend to make a few soups to freeze in portions and prep salad. I laid off my salad prepper friend. Everything is just too expensive right now and I'm trying to rein in the budget every way I can.

Other than that priorities this month are to stay healthy and not let the good habits and workouts slide because of work stress.

<3 y'all

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Replies

  • magic71755
    magic71755 Posts: 3,973 Member
    edited November 2022
    Thank you for starting November, @Mihani ...and I love that it is a NUTRITIOUS NOVEMBER! I was going to call it "Naughty" >:) November ...and then got sidetracked and did not post. YOUR idea is so much better.

    I know you are always so busy this time of year...don't let the stress of work undue all the great strides you have made. This year should be better, no? You have that new gal in the office.

    Keeping meals simple is my game plan...not too many recipes.

    today

    still black coffee @Carla_wfpb (shocking, I know)
    roasted veg tomatoes, summer squash, bell pepper
    oatmeal and my regular add-ins
    black bean tostadas
    air fried potatoes and spinach (I made 3 pounds of instant pot potatoes. Then the next day, sliced and air fry...really good)
    ninja creamy

    Been working around the house, decluttering of course. But my kitchen is clean and two nights in a row went to sleep with a shiny sink. I have that on my app: Habit Share is free and a really good app for establishing good habits...the tiny habits make all the difference!

    Habit Share app :

    https://apps.apple.com/us/app/habitshare-habit-tracker/id1048191045





  • magic71755
    magic71755 Posts: 3,973 Member
    OK...Thanksgiving is closing in on us...who wants to make this (I have watched this a million times and still have not tried to make it...so intimidated) and compare notes:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SNEly05Nmg&amp;t=539s
  • Marilynsretired
    Marilynsretired Posts: 5,530 Member
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  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,102 Member
    That looks way too complicated for me, Nanc, but it looks delightful! Good on ya sticking with the black coffee and doing some prep work to make life easier for a few days. I'm going to be doing the same on Saturday. I did a big grocery shop to make my own lentil soup, the OSG red lentil kale soup, and OSG eat your greens soup. I got some glasslock containers earlier this week and will freeze a lot. I know all of these soups freeze well. Also got lots of yummy veggies and tofu so I'm going to make a big stir-fry, quinoa, plus baked tofu to top the bowls. Should last for several dinners. Also got box lettuce and have radishes, carrots, peppers, grape tomatoes for salads.

    It has been a crazy week and I am going to be working all weekend, but I can work from home on Saturday and get cooking and laundry done, then office on Sunday.
  • magic71755
    magic71755 Posts: 3,973 Member
    edited November 2022
    Oh, I don't think it's complicated. I just think I have to make the components the day before, assemble them the day of ...and have Thanksgiving at my home with Lulu as my guest. <3

    As it stands, I am going to my sister's, and intruding on her space on Thanksgiving day will cause her too much stress. :s

    And I don't think this thing would travel well if you had nowhere to keep it warm.

    SO...I think I am going to make sides for myself ...potatoes and vegs...maybe stuffing and then use Gardein little turkey cutlets...not the roast. And then keep everything in the Hot Logics.
  • magic71755
    magic71755 Posts: 3,973 Member
    edited November 2022
    Today's menu...

    black coffee
    oatmeal and the regulars -
    roasted vegs (onion, zucchini, tomatoes, yellow bell pepper) with brown rice
    air fried potatoes (previously cooked in instant pot)...and mixed vegs -
    one small, not organic, honey crisp apple Trader Joe's does not carry organic small honey crisp apples How sad

    the end.

    have a delicious day everyone
  • SparkSpringtime69
    SparkSpringtime69 Posts: 1,225 Member
    Magic, the lentil and sweet potato parts remind me of a Shepard's Pie that's on the PCRM site - no dough or cranberry in that one though. It does look like it'll come together fairly quickly if you make the parts ahead of time. Good luck with it.
    We're planning a pasta night for Thanksgiving - my DH isn't vegetarian but doesn't like turkey.
    I just tried a Gardein Ultimate Chik'n Cutlet the other day, it was very good. I may be having it for lunch today. I haven't seen turkey ones.
    Mihani, I hope you get to do a little relaxing and de-stressing this weekend.
  • magic71755
    magic71755 Posts: 3,973 Member
    I'm wondering if ramekins would work!
    LIFVER Creme Brulee Ramekins, 8 Oz Ramekins,Small Mini Baking Ceramic Ramekins,Oven Safe Porcelain Ramekins,Ramekins & Soufflé Dishes,Stackable, Set of 6,Blue https://a.co/d/gD9xexF
  • JNettie73
    JNettie73 Posts: 1,211 Member
    Happy November!

    Starting weight: 270 March 2021
    Total loss to date:

    November 2022 Start Weight: 207
    November Goal Weight: 203
    Ultimate Goal Weight: TBD

    November 6:
    November 13:
    November 20:
    November 27:

    November Goals:
    Add abdominal exercises to my routine
    Add leg exercises to my routine

    I am not feeling well today. It started yesterday with a sore throat, I took a covid test and it came back negative. Today my sinuses broke and this feels like a pesky cold. I never take the time just to rest so that is what I am doing today. My eating has not been great all week. So I don't think I will be overly happy with Sunday's weigh in.

    @magic71755
    That recipe looks delicious!

    I made this recipe a few weeks ago and it was fabulous. I am going to make it again for Thanksgiving as one of the sides.

    https://wonkywonderful.com/butternut-squash-salad/

    I bet the ramekins would work. A few years ago I took a vegetarian cooking class and learned to make a cauliflower souffle. I used to make individual portions in the ramekins and serve like that. It worked really well.
  • magic71755
    magic71755 Posts: 3,973 Member
    edited November 2022
    @JNettie73 Oh goodness...that looks so good. I will print off the recipe and keep it in mind for my next work potluck. Did you serve it immediately or can it sit a bit?

    I think I will make a Friendsgiving feast at some time and make the Hot For Food Thanksgiving roast then...to be served in my home, hot out of the oven. The logistics of making it work at my sister's is giving me headaches already.

    I am going to make my own sides...just not sure what and use Gardein little tur'ky cutlets with their gravy...it is pretty good. (not the roast)

    Today's menu:

    BLACK coffee
    oatmeal
    roasted veggies with jasmine white rice
    bag of mixed veg (Bird's Eye steamables--great for work) and probably a potato with it.
    ninja creami

    Enjoy your day everyone...do make it delicious!
  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,102 Member
    Mornin' all! Trying to make a list of things I need to get done today and it's depressing me. But in a nutshell I need to do some cleaning and a couple loads of laundry. Make soups, quinoa, baked tofu, chop veggies for salads and stir-fry. Plan to make the stir-fry tonight. I am not that into the cooking these days, but it will make it easier to stay on track this week if I just get it done.

    And lots and lots of work. Probably going to dive into work first while I do laundry, and I'll get to the cooking later. I may go to the office for a while tomorrow but I'll decide in the morning. Plenty of work I can do here at home.

    Everything seems like kind of a chore lately.

    JNettie, you have lost a lot! Excellent goals for November weight loss and exercise. I hope that you are feeling better.

    Spring, pasta sounds great to me. My brother always hosts Thanksgiving and he makes a separate dish of stuffing and some mashed potatoes that are vegan. So nice of him. I usually take a side dish so I'll have to think about that. Maybe Dreena Burton's Festive Chickpea Tart. I made that some years ago and it was a big hit.

    Nanc, I don't recall how far away your sister is that you have to drive. Will your niece be in town?

    Plan for today...
    B - ezekiel english muffin with a smidge of peanut butter, sliced apple
    L - salad, soup if I get any made by lunchtime
    D - stir-fry with baked tofu and quinoa

    Making these soups (I leave out the oil):
    https://ohsheglows.com/2012/11/07/spiced-red-lentil-tomato-and-kale-soup/
    https://www.copymethat.com/r/8R0LTcXAH/oh-she-glows-eat-your-greens-detox-soup/
    My own lentil soup

    I know all of these freeze well which is important.
  • magic71755
    magic71755 Posts: 3,973 Member
    17 miles to my sister’s but I will be there about four hours before we eat.
  • magic71755
    magic71755 Posts: 3,973 Member
    This morning I roasted veggies and made rice. Used Hot Logic to keep hot at work…seriously delicious when the tomatoes mingle with the rice.

    Pictures below

  • magic71755
    magic71755 Posts: 3,973 Member
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  • magic71755
    magic71755 Posts: 3,973 Member
    edited November 2022
    Sorry the pictures came out so big. That Hot Logic* is amazing. Perfect for teachers, office peeps, people traveling (they have a converter thingy for the car). Hot Logic is having a sale now...with different sizes. If you go to the website* be sure click on SALE...and see the sale code at the beginning for you leave the home page.

    I will use that to keep all my dishes hot for TG and not have interrupted the big FAT food bonanza in the kitchen...cept for outlet usage.

    :p

    * https://hotlogic.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwtp2bBhAGEiwAOZZTuOwffczsZC8M-eMGB5IsGwn_iIBnukraeCbPDb_IfKkXB3KfhuojNBoCsKoQAvD_BwE
  • SparkSpringtime69
    SparkSpringtime69 Posts: 1,225 Member
    edited November 2022
    JNettie, I hope you're feeling better.
    Mihani, my sister (back in Jersey) always made a separate stuffing for me, her usual one had sausage in it.
    Magic, LOL at the "FAT food bonanza" description :D
  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,102 Member
    Checking in from my phone. My internet went down yesterday early afternoon and they aren't coming to fix it until tomorrow after work. I had to go to the office today since I can't work without internet! More later when I'm connected again. We had a lot of high winds yesterday so I think something happened to the line.
  • Marilynsretired
    Marilynsretired Posts: 5,530 Member
    edited November 2022

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  • magic71755
    magic71755 Posts: 3,973 Member
    edited November 2022
    Today's menu

    black coffee
    1/2 & 1/2 plate air fried potatoes and steamable mixed veg
    roasted veg and jasmine rice
    green salad
    apple
    ninja creami

    12 hours day but then my weekend.

    Do make your day delish, everyone!

    Hope you get your internet back soon, @Mihani
  • magic71755
    magic71755 Posts: 3,973 Member
    I forgot my potatoes! :'(:'(
  • Marilynsretired
    Marilynsretired Posts: 5,530 Member
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  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,102 Member
    Yum your plan sounds delicious, Nanc, but oh no! Forgetting the potatoes isn't good. Hopefully you had enough to keep you going today.

    Rough day at work, but at least I have internet back at home. I have a project to work on tonight so that's good.

    I did get all my cooking done over the weekend. Three batches of soup so there are 14 containers in the freezer and no excuse not to have a good meal over the next few weeks if I don't have time to cook. Then I'll do another big soup prep day. The next few days are quinoa and stir-fry veggies with baked tofu, and salads, and maybe smoothies or oatmeal if I want breakfast.

    Okay better get back to work here.
  • JNettie73
    JNettie73 Posts: 1,211 Member
    Starting weight: 270 March 2021
    Total loss to date: 63.6

    November 2022 Start Weight: 207.2
    November Goal Weight: 203
    Ultimate Goal Weight: TBD

    November 6: 206.4
    November 13:
    November 20:
    November 27:

    Good morning everyone. I had a rough few days eating and exercise wise. It wasn't so much of what I was eating but more of how much I was eating and snacking. I tried but couldn't seem to get my eating under control. I found myself struggling to get my exercise in. I couldn't do step aerobics at all so I stuck with my bike. I also have not touched my weights in days or started on any of my new goals. I believe it was all related to me not feeling well. Anyhow I was actually surprised when I got on the scale and saw a slight loss! I truly don't know how I managed that but I will gladly embrace it.

    Last night for dinner I made pineapple rice and sauteed peppers and onion. I sauteed in water and only added a small amount of salt and pepper. The veggies came out very flavorful. My daughter loved dinner and asked me to make it again. Today I am going to make some squash gnocchi. I bought a hubbard squash because it looked fun. I have never heard of one before. I am curious how this will turn out. I hope it is delicious. I also decided while I was at it I would cut up my large blue pumpkin I had on the porch to make extra gnocchi then freeze some. Sadly my pumpkin began to rot, we have been having some unusually warm temperatures this time of year for my area. That was a disappointment. I wish I had realized and cooked it sooner. I was curious to try blue pumpkin.

    @magic71755
    I did serve it immediately though we had a leftovers. They tasted just as good when I reheated them. You have to let me know what you think of it when you try it. I hope you like it just as much as we do.

    I have never heard of hot logic before. I am intrigued.

    @mihani
    Thank you for your kind words. I am feeling better. Those soups sound delicious. I pinned the lentil one. I am hoping to make it sometime this week or next. G

    Glad to hear your internet is back, sorry to hear your day is rough though. I hope it gets better.

    @SparkSpringtime69
    Thank you. I am feeling much better. I just have a pesky lingering cough.

    @Marilynsretired
    You meme made me laugh. I am notorious for losing my cell phone.
  • SparkSpringtime69
    SparkSpringtime69 Posts: 1,225 Member
    edited November 2022
    Mihani, glad to hear you got your internet service back, it stinks when that goes down unexpectedly. You got a lot of cooking done!!
    JNettie, Sorry to hear about your bad days, but it looks like things turned out alright for you. The pineapple rice sounds delicious, I think I'm going to try that some day.
    Magic, the veggies look great in the Hot Logic.
    I've been doing okay with eating and exercise, but apparently not quite enough - my weight has crept up a little so I'll have to tighten things up a little.
  • Marilynsretired
    Marilynsretired Posts: 5,530 Member
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  • Marilynsretired
    Marilynsretired Posts: 5,530 Member
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  • Carla_wfpb
    Carla_wfpb Posts: 1,372 Member
    Mexi-no. We canceled our trip. It just was not working out. Joe has some tests next week to check out his heart and he is on medication to prevent the afib. Sorry, it has been a crazy few weeks and I don't remember if/when I updated you guys.

    I got some lab results back, and what has come back so far looks good. My fasting insulin was 4.9. That seems almost too good to me but I'll take it! things should be headed in the right direction overall. we are doing okay with exercise and good with food, and I think as I continue to lose weight that will also help regulate my blood sugar.

    Yesterday I went into the grocery store for a change. We've been ordering online since the pandemic started and never went back to in person because it's so easy. But. It was nice to be there and see all of the produce and pick it ourselves. Our local Safeway just updated their organic produce section and it is looking really good so I want to make sure we buy those items to keep them coming.

    yesterday & today
    millet porridge with blueberries and walnuts, almond milk
    stir fry veggies and baked tofu over greens, fresh tomatoes and peppers

  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,102 Member
    JNettie, back when the first Oh She Glows cookbook came out it was a big hit around here! I still go back to the soups often because they are so good. The red lentil kale soup is a favorite for sure and it freezes well. Glad you are feeling better.

    The pineapple rice sounds really good. I don't think I've ever seen a blue pumpkin. That's interesting I'll have to look it up.

    Spring, it's amazing how little straying it takes to gain a little. I went through menopause early, like mid 40's and it has been more of a struggle since then for sure. Have you finished your yard project?

    Marilyn, how are you feeling?

    Awww, Carla. I'm so sorry you had to cancel the trip. It is probably wise though. Need to make sure Joe is okay. Tell him your friends on the ETL group are thinking of him. Woohoo on your great lab results!

    I love millet... it's so cute and fluffy.

    I'm struggling right now. Between being sick then work stress and etc. I'm just not sticking to my plan and I've missed two weeks of classes at the gym. I have a party to go to Friday night and then I'm starting over on Saturday and really get it together. The owner at my gym said she is there for me and whatever they can do to help me re-focus on my goals they are on it. I'm going to join the wellness group that meets once a week. I love that place. They really care about the whole bundle of life not just the workouts.
  • JNettie73
    JNettie73 Posts: 1,211 Member
    @SparkSpringtime69
    Thank you. I don't do anything fancy when I make the pineapple rice. I just dice up some fresh pineapple and mix in with the rice then add salt, pepper and water then cook. Though this time I used some pineapple juice in place of some water because we had some that my husband needed for one of his meat based recipes and I wanted to use it up.

    @Carla_wfpb
    Sorry to hear the trip wasn't the right time for you and needed to be cancelled. I hope the tests go well with Joe. Congrats on your fasting number! I am happy for you. (I have to test too)

    @Mihani
    I am not familiar with that cookbook. Sorry to hear you are going through a rough time. Your gym sounds incredible. I hope you have fun at the party!

    Just wanted to share the recipe I used for the gnocchi. I made it with with the vegan sage "butter" sauce. We all loved it!

    https://thishealthykitchen.com/vegan-pumpkin-gnocchi/
  • Marilynsretired
    Marilynsretired Posts: 5,530 Member
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