Look at my Diary? I want healthy alternatives. Please :]

Verity1111

So I already have bothered you guys a lot for help with Protein (which by the way has topped the hundreds two days in a row so thank you! :]) and calorie count, but now I want help with processed foods. I am prepared to have everyone gasp, shake their head, and even shed a few tears when they read my food diary. While I make no promises of completely shutting out pre-made food because, well, I like cheese, I need the protein and can not make them myself, I want to shut out a lot of it. I asked if my bread was okay on my profile. I chose one with no high fructose corn syrup or added color. I chose a fruit spread by smuckers with just strawberries, water, & sugar in the ingredients and PB2, which I was told here is good, which says it just has peanuts, water, & salt. Is this better than the previous squeezy jellies, regular bread, & peanut butter I used to buy, I mean is it an OK start? I also chose a fat free cheese to up my protein. I know cheese is processed, but like I said I love it and I don't know how to make it. I rarely eat snacks and when I ate the potato chips I only ate .3 of a small bag because they were bought for me by someone else. I took my sandwich that usually consisted of cheese and mayo (like 5tbs of mayo lol) and swapped that for a boiled egg with tomato lettuce and a laughing cow wedge. I just want to know if this is an okay improvement and what else I can do slowly/next? What alternatives are there to what I eat now that I may not know exist? :]

P.S. I was told about beans today (dry ones?) and I just started watching my protein and macros yesterday. Well, I watched them previously, but in the manner one would watch television. lol

Quannicab

Everyday is new chance for you to improve by learning from your actions the day before.

I would recommend Healthy Life Bread 100% Whole Wheat Bread. It only has 35 calories per slice.
http://www.healthylifebread.com/pages/original/100-whole-wheat-bread.php

If possible, cut out chips all together. Calories wasted on chips could be used on more vegetables & fruit. Do you take vitamins or drink protein shakes? If not I would strongly recommend doing so.

You have to find what works for you. I feel as though I am improving daily even if I go over my calorie count, I just workout harder later that day to burn more calories.

Portion Control is the key & exercise is the key.

Verity1111

Everyday is new chance for you to improve by learning from your actions the day before.

I would recommend Healthy Life Bread 100% Whole Wheat Bread. It only has 35 calories per slice.
http://www.healthylifebread.com/pages/original/100-whole-wheat-bread.php

If possible, cut out chips all together. Calories wasted on chips could be used on more vegetables & fruit. Do you take vitamins or drink protein shakes? If not I would strongly recommend doing so.

You have to find what works for you. I feel as though I am improving daily even if I go over my calorie count, I just workout harder later that day to burn more calories.

Portion Control is the key & exercise is the key.

I used to use healthy life actually! LOL I traded it for this new one because it had more protein, but it is still 100% whole grain :]
45 calories, but worth it because I need the protein. Thank you though that bread is yummy Lol.

We don't really have a blender..lol I bought a bunch of protein powder and I realized I don't know how to use one. I think we have an old blender maybe on top of our fridge getting dusty, but Im not sure what setting to use so Ill look that up. I went to make one the other day but my husband moved my protein powder. It is a soy based one from whole foods. I tried to just put it in soy milk and drink it and I gagged cuz it was nasty. It is less that I won't eat more calories to add veggies and fruit because I often dont even count my veggies and now that I lowered my calories I dont get hungry so I have to force myself to reach my limit usually. I just can't afford a lot of vegetable. We don't have a car and when we go to the nearby store (1mile) it is $4 for tomatoes, $1.50 for one avocado, $4 or $5 for mushrooms (like 2 or 3 caps) and the one cheap thing is bananas, which were $1.51 for a bunch the other day lol I can surely cut out chips though :] I basically have except I eat natural tortilla chips instead of tortillas sometimes because I won't touch plain beans most times. They make me want to well you know lol I'm not a fan unless they're with something, chips or in goolash, which I love. My mom bought the potato chips for me so I spread them out over a few days and gave some to our baby instead. That was huge for me because I can eat a family sized bag in one sitting or two and that is because I am addicted to them for the most part. Thank you for the advice and I will look up some ideas for protein shakes, but I'm not sure yet how to make one.

B_Mindful

Thank you for the advice and I will look up some ideas for protein shakes, but I'm not sure yet how to make one.

Easy. A scoop or two of that protein powder, half a banana (freeze it first to make the shake extra frosty) and about a cup or so of a liquid -- could be water, or milk or juice. Throw it in the blender (have you found it yet?) and turn it on high until everything is smooth. If you don't have a banana, try some other frozen fruit. If you don't have that, just the powder and liquid. If you can't find the blender, you can get a manual 'shaker' (usually at the grocery store where they have utensils and stuff).

Here's a really fun smoothie flowchart. It might give you some ideas: http://www.eatingrules.com/2010/08/the-smoothie-flowchart/

I thought your diary looked pretty good. I'd lose the potato chips and sub in some veggies, maybe. Does your grocery store have them frozen? Might be cheaper.

GuybrushThreepw00d

I'm slightly surprised that as a vegetarian your not eating more fresh fruit and veg.
Not being a veggie myself, I don't feel well placed to advise... perhaps more wholegrain rice and pasta with fresh veg and cut down on the bread and cheese..?

Verity1111

Thank you for the advice and I will look up some ideas for protein shakes, but I'm not sure yet how to make one.

Easy. A scoop or two of that protein powder, half a banana (freeze it first to make the shake extra frosty) and about a cup or so of a liquid -- could be water, or milk or juice. Throw it in the blender (have you found it yet?) and turn it on high until everything is smooth. If you don't have a banana, try some other frozen fruit. If you don't have that, just the powder and liquid. If you can't find the blender, you can get a manual 'shaker' (usually at the grocery store where they have utensils and stuff).

Here's a really fun smoothie flowchart. It might give you some ideas: http://www.eatingrules.com/2010/08/the-smoothie-flowchart/

I thought your diary looked pretty good. I'd lose the potato chips and sub in some veggies, maybe. Does your grocery store have them frozen? Might be cheaper.

I found it ! It was where I thought on the fridge and my husband is home in 2 hrs so I could have him help find the protein powder he hid from me somehow. lol. The blender could use a nice cleaning so I'd need a bit to do that. I could try frozen, but I think they're the same (like $3.50-$5 per bag). I buy my broccoli frozen and I can get that cheap maybe $2.50 or $3 and if I get a ride and go to Aldi I have more vegetables lol. I don't think I've ever seen a manual shaker, but it won't work for a banana will it? I love green bananas and I can get those pretty low priced. I need to pick up some more Soy milk as I don't like real milk. Thank you for the link! I look online for recipes, but a lot of time they don't look too appetizing and what not. That is really fun and adorable to work with too (flowchart) I love it!

Verity1111

I'm slightly surprised that as a vegetarian your not eating more fresh fruit and veg.
Not being a veggie myself, I don't feel well placed to advise... perhaps more wholegrain rice and pasta with fresh veg and cut down on the bread and cheese..?

I'm a vegetarian for animal rights/humane reasons, not as much health reasons. I love my health and all that of course, but that was not my reason. You can advice either way! Ideas are ideas no matter where they stem from and I like brown rice, but I don't know what to do with it. I have some brown rice actually and I can buy whole grain rice if that is not what it is (I'm not sure). Someone was talking about all this weird rice dish stuff and I didn't understand half of the words. I have no idea how to make a curry, for example. I just asked the other day about fresh mushrooms as I can't stand them uncooked and I'm not sure if I've ever had them cooked or not. I don't normally eat this much bread and actually was eating no bread, but I upped my intake so I would get more protein. I also LOVE cheese, so I can lower it, but not get rid of it. Lol. I would literally be depressed without cheese. I love it. lol. The issue is that I can't eat a lot of eggs either because of the cholesterol and egg whites in a carton are $6 or more per and we make not even $800 per month for four people. I know people are going to say "If you don't know how to make it, look it up" and I have slowly, but I don't come from a family of home made food, just about ever. When we do make home made food it is fattening, like yummy potato salad (my fav), stuffing, mashed potatoes with eggs and a whole stick of butter, etc. I think the only semi healthy thing we make is Goulash and even that has canned beans instead of fresh ones because it needs the juice. The other issue is my husband because he doesn't eat a lot of vegetables and we like the opposite fruits because he eats melon and I don't, but I eat berries and he won't. My husband is a vegetarian too, but he doesn't eat many vegetables. The most I get him to eat is corn, which he loves, mashed potatoes if I push it and very little, and of course I can force feed him most green veggies sometimes and he willingly takes it, but I can tell it is "forced" because it makes him miserable. lol. The stuff he will eat and like is cucumber, tomato, and lettuce if it has dressing (cucumber without it) and carrots if ranch dressing is there as dip. I will eat the carrots if there is cheddar cheese involved (cubes/sticks) on the side, but only with the whole fat ranch, so there goes that idea. I can eat cucumber, tomato, and lettuce, but I need vegetarian chik'n too or that won't work. lol

GuybrushThreepw00d

If you're trying to get more protein, i can definitely recommend Greek yoghurt.
5 bean chili's are also pretty good

lyttlewon

You know, you can make your own cheese. It isn't hard. Paneer is super amazing:

http://www.sharmispassions.com/2012/09/how-to-make-paneer-at-home-homemade-paneer.html

You can make things like this:

http://www.kothiyavunu.com/2009/12/panner-butter-masala-panner-makhani.html

Just sub coconut milk for cream, or you can use milk.

Curries are not difficult. You just layer the flavors. You add spices to your fat, cook to release the oils, add the sauces and veggies, simmer, serve. I make Indian food at least once a week. I use butter but some people just use coconut oil. If you don't recognize the words, just Google them. For example Kasuri Methi is fenugreek and garam masala is just the name of a spice mix.

kelly_e_montana

I use old fashioned egg whites. Separate them from the yolks. They're cheap that way! I've never bought liquid egg whites in a carton. I love extra firm tofu too. I use it in stir fries or use it as a burrito or casserole ingredient.

Also, yes, I would definitely try to include some additional veggies and fruits. Iceberg lettuce is quite low on the totem pole of veggies, as it doesn't have a lot of nutrients. Spinach would be a better alternative. I'm not sure where you live, but it's super easy to grow a window box garden of leaf lettuces and/or spinach and you have fresh stuff all throughout the warm season! I mean it's phenomenally easy and fun for kids! Buy frozen veggies on sale. Fresh baby carrots are often on sale, as are bananas, grapes, and apples. What I do is go around and see what's in season and on sale, and buy that! Or, I hit the farmers' market.

kelly_e_montana

P.S. I know you don't like vegetables. I didn't either. But I re-framed them in my mind from something "icky" to an efficient source of fuel for my body that makes me feel better, prevents diseases, and keeps me fuller. You just have to decide you're going to eat them. Simple as that. You're no longer eating for fun; you're eating for fuel (especially if you are on a limited budget).

Verity1111

I use old fashioned egg whites. Separate them from the yolks. They're cheap that way! I've never bought liquid egg whites in a carton. I love extra firm tofu too. I use it in stir fries or use it as a burrito or casserole ingredient.

Also, yes, I would definitely try to include some additional veggies and fruits. Iceberg lettuce is quite low on the totem pole of veggies, as it doesn't have a lot of nutrients. Spinach would be a better alternative. I'm not sure where you live, but it's super easy to grow a window box garden of leaf lettuces and/or spinach and you have fresh stuff all throughout the warm season! I mean it's phenomenally easy and fun for kids! Buy frozen veggies on sale. Fresh baby carrots are often on sale, as are bananas, grapes, and apples. What I do is go around and see what's in season and on sale, and buy that! Or, I hit the farmers' market.

I live in Chicago. Not sure what a farmers market is. Is that like in the country where people sell stuff or? I'll just google that too. lol

Verity1111

P.S. I know you don't like vegetables. I didn't either. But I re-framed them in my mind from something "icky" to an efficient source of fuel for my body that makes me feel better, prevents diseases, and keeps me fuller. You just have to decide you're going to eat them. Simple as that. You're no longer eating for fun; you're eating for fuel (especially if you are on a limited budget).

I like vegetables. I just can't afford them usually. I will eat nearly any vegetable if it is cooked nicely. I love broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber is okay, tomato I can eat constantly (yes its a fruit, so is cucumber but still lol), avocado (fruit) I could eat all day every day, potatoes, lettuce is okay, peppers, onions, and spinach only if it is in a dip or in something with red sauce and cheese. I like most things, it is just I like them certain ways. :] I'm picky about how my food is cooked for some reason. I just hate that we don't have a better store in walking distance and we have an Aldi that is, but it is a little far for me to take the kids right now since it is so cold outside.

sarahslim100

For protein- tofu is super filling. You dont need protein shakes. Talked to a perspnal trainer and he said moat people he knows on them put the weight back on after stopping a food diary. Eating real foods helps you do a lifestyle change. I agree with others; too much cheese.
If i were you i would look at brekkie first and make sure thats super healthy. Ie. No processed food here but toast or low sugar high fibre cereal. Getting into a good brekkie habit is the best thing ive ever done for myself in terms of healthy choices.

cgfol1

I'm slightly surprised that as a vegetarian your not eating more fresh fruit and veg.
Not being a veggie myself, I don't feel well placed to advise... perhaps more wholegrain rice and pasta with fresh veg and cut down on the bread and cheese..?

I'm a vegetarian for animal rights/humane reasons, not as much health reasons. I love my health and all that of course, but that was not my reason. You can advice either way! Ideas are ideas no matter where they stem from and I like brown rice, but I don't know what to do with it. I have some brown rice actually and I can buy whole grain rice if that is not what it is (I'm not sure). Someone was talking about all this weird rice dish stuff and I didn't understand half of the words. I have no idea how to make a curry, for example. I just asked the other day about fresh mushrooms as I can't stand them uncooked and I'm not sure if I've ever had them cooked or not. I don't normally eat this much bread and actually was eating no bread, but I upped my intake so I would get more protein. I also LOVE cheese, so I can lower it, but not get rid of it. Lol. I would literally be depressed without cheese. I love it. lol. The issue is that I can't eat a lot of eggs either because of the cholesterol and egg whites in a carton are $6 or more per and we make not even $800 per month for four people. I know people are going to say "If you don't know how to make it, look it up" and I have slowly, but I don't come from a family of home made food, just about ever. When we do make home made food it is fattening, like yummy potato salad (my fav), stuffing, mashed potatoes with eggs and a whole stick of butter, etc. I think the only semi healthy thing we make is Goulash and even that has canned beans instead of fresh ones because it needs the juice. The other issue is my husband because he doesn't eat a lot of vegetables and we like the opposite fruits because he eats melon and I don't, but I eat berries and he won't. My husband is a vegetarian too, but he doesn't eat many vegetables. The most I get him to eat is corn, which he loves, mashed potatoes if I push it and very little, and of course I can force feed him most green veggies sometimes and he willingly takes it, but I can tell it is "forced" because it makes him miserable. lol. The stuff he will eat and like is cucumber, tomato, and lettuce if it has dressing (cucumber without it) and carrots if ranch dressing is there as dip. I will eat the carrots if there is cheddar cheese involved (cubes/sticks) on the side, but only with the whole fat ranch, so there goes that idea. I can eat cucumber, tomato, and lettuce, but I need vegetarian chik'n too or that won't work. lol

The 'I dont know what to do with rice...dont know how to cook a curry' just stood out to me
There are a tonne of websites which have easy recipes for you to follow which all include clean recipes with lots of vegies and are not at all time consuming, they just take a bit of prep.

Here are a few -
http://healthrecipes.com/rice_recipes.htm
http://www.taste.com.au/search-recipes/?q=rice+recipes
http://www.eatingwell.com/search/apachesolr_search/rice
http://skinnyjns4me.blogspot.com.au/p/food.html#uds-search-results

And specifically -
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/chicken_curry_with_rice.html
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/4834/healthy+fried+rice
http://www.secretsofhealthyeating.com/lentil-rice.html
http://www.recipage.com/recipe.php?ri=6027999
http://ohsheglows.com/2010/12/29/spicy-rainbow-rice-and-bean-salad/

And remember, if you are picky about ingredients dont add them or add something you like. Cooking can be so simple

Verity1111

I'm slightly surprised that as a vegetarian your not eating more fresh fruit and veg.
Not being a veggie myself, I don't feel well placed to advise... perhaps more wholegrain rice and pasta with fresh veg and cut down on the bread and cheese..?

I'm a vegetarian for animal rights/humane reasons, not as much health reasons. I love my health and all that of course, but that was not my reason. You can advice either way! Ideas are ideas no matter where they stem from and I like brown rice, but I don't know what to do with it. I have some brown rice actually and I can buy whole grain rice if that is not what it is (I'm not sure). Someone was talking about all this weird rice dish stuff and I didn't understand half of the words. I have no idea how to make a curry, for example. I just asked the other day about fresh mushrooms as I can't stand them uncooked and I'm not sure if I've ever had them cooked or not. I don't normally eat this much bread and actually was eating no bread, but I upped my intake so I would get more protein. I also LOVE cheese, so I can lower it, but not get rid of it. Lol. I would literally be depressed without cheese. I love it. lol. The issue is that I can't eat a lot of eggs either because of the cholesterol and egg whites in a carton are $6 or more per and we make not even $800 per month for four people. I know people are going to say "If you don't know how to make it, look it up" and I have slowly, but I don't come from a family of home made food, just about ever. When we do make home made food it is fattening, like yummy potato salad (my fav), stuffing, mashed potatoes with eggs and a whole stick of butter, etc. I think the only semi healthy thing we make is Goulash and even that has canned beans instead of fresh ones because it needs the juice. The other issue is my husband because he doesn't eat a lot of vegetables and we like the opposite fruits because he eats melon and I don't, but I eat berries and he won't. My husband is a vegetarian too, but he doesn't eat many vegetables. The most I get him to eat is corn, which he loves, mashed potatoes if I push it and very little, and of course I can force feed him most green veggies sometimes and he willingly takes it, but I can tell it is "forced" because it makes him miserable. lol. The stuff he will eat and like is cucumber, tomato, and lettuce if it has dressing (cucumber without it) and carrots if ranch dressing is there as dip. I will eat the carrots if there is cheddar cheese involved (cubes/sticks) on the side, but only with the whole fat ranch, so there goes that idea. I can eat cucumber, tomato, and lettuce, but I need vegetarian chik'n too or that won't work. lol

The 'I dont know what to do with rice...dont know how to cook a curry' just stood out to me
There are a tonne of websites which have easy recipes for you to follow which all include clean recipes with lots of vegies and are not at all time consuming, they just take a bit of prep.

Here are a few -
http://healthrecipes.com/rice_recipes.htm
http://www.taste.com.au/search-recipes/?q=rice+recipes
http://www.eatingwell.com/search/apachesolr_search/rice
http://skinnyjns4me.blogspot.com.au/p/food.html#uds-search-results

And specifically -
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/chicken_curry_with_rice.html
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/4834/healthy+fried+rice
http://www.secretsofhealthyeating.com/lentil-rice.html
http://www.recipage.com/recipe.php?ri=6027999
http://ohsheglows.com/2010/12/29/spicy-rainbow-rice-and-bean-salad/

And remember, if you are picky about ingredients dont add them or add something you like. Cooking can be so simple

Thank you! :] thats a lot! I never seen any of those actually. When I google it I get the same sites and they usually have 100 ingredients they dont sell at my grocery store or any stores I know of. Our store doesn't even have quinoa and I have never tried it.

SuffolkSally

The swaps you've already made sound like great steps in the right direction. Sounds like it's a mix of confidence and organisation to me. Matbe you could find a simple curry and a simple casserole recipe on one of the sites already mentioned or BBCgoodfood is one I use a lot, and set yourself to learn to cook them, to start. There are lots of easy and delicious recipes with not too many ingredients, and it's a lot easier than you think - brown rice, for instance probably comes with instructions on the packet, but it's likely to be rinse it, boil water in a pan, add rice and simmer for 25 minutes (but check because the cooking time does change a bit for different types of rice). Job done. Now if you had a nice simple homemade curry to pour over, that would be really good.

Railr0aderTony

You know i went back a few days and really everything looks pretty good, only one suggestion and it is not that big. Have you ever thought about making your own Pizza? you could really cut out a bunch of fat and sodium that way. I use flatouts to make pizza and instead of loading it up with cheese, just a sprinkle of parmasean on top makes a great flavor. But all in all you eat pretty well I would say but that is just my opinion

rainghirl

Check out the lentils thread, there are some good recipes coming up in that and they are a good source of protein. I'm also veggie and need to up my protein so will be checking out the protein shakes.

The person above me suggests home made pizza, this a really good idea - they are easy to make and you can make a whole batch of bases and freeze them. I think you can freeze the dough too.

Cheese omelette is a good way to get protein from cheese and egg - we keep chickens so I also eat a lot of eggs. And eat as much fresh veg and fruit as you can.

GuybrushThreepw00d

Sweet potato roasted with cinnamon and nutmeg, ratatouille, spinach and ricotta lasagna...
Also, nothing wrong with protein shakes, but I wouldn't use them if I wasn't lifting weight as they aren't a meal substitute... Just a great way of getting a bucketload of protein into you.

Verity1111

You know i went back a few days and really everything looks pretty good, only one suggestion and it is not that big. Have you ever thought about making your own Pizza? you could really cut out a bunch of fat and sodium that way. I use flatouts to make pizza and instead of loading it up with cheese, just a sprinkle of parmasean on top makes a great flavor. But all in all you eat pretty well I would say but that is just my opinion

Yea I didn't plan on pizza last night or today! It was because I forgot to buy some stuff at the store lol I was going to make spaghetti with vegetarian meatballs so my protein was lower than expected. stupid pizza lol Thank you! I love homemade pizza :]

Verity1111

Sweet potato roasted with cinnamon and nutmeg, ratatouille, spinach and ricotta lasagna...
Also, nothing wrong with protein shakes, but I wouldn't use them if I wasn't lifting weight as they aren't a meal substitute... Just a great way of getting a bucketload of protein into you.

You just made me really hungry lol ratatouille I have always wanted to try! :]

Verity1111

@ SuffolkSally That is a nice idea lol I could try a curry maybe if I can find the ingredients to one. I probably need to specify "SIMPLE" curry Lol not just curry!

@ rainghirl I just recently started to add cheese to my eggs because I used to hate it! My parents used to buy that cling wrapped american cheese blegh I cant stand it lol I need more natural cheese OR at least higher quality deli style cheese for some reason. I just dont like the squishy single wrapped type.

PaprikaPrincess

Beans are super easy and I know Aldi's has a nice selection. I use dry ones. My favorite way to make black beans is to turn them into sweet potato & black bean burritos. Cook 2 sweet potatoes in the microwave, cut in half and mash up the middles in a bowl with a bit of chili powder. Spread the sweet potatoes in a tortilla and then top with black beans and a bit of cheese. I also add lettuce, tomato and salsa.

If you have any ethnic markets (asian, middle east, etc.) they usually have a good selection of vegetables and fruits and protein sources especially tofu.

divalivious

Perhaps venturing to the library and checking out a few vegetarian cookbooks if looking on line isnt working for you.
Check with community centers for any cooking/ healthy eating courses or such things.
Look on grocery store websites for recipes or in store free help sessions if they are in your area.
Look online for vegan forums then you can talk to like minded people who deal with being vegan on a budget.
Check your local area for vegan support group type thing where maybe once a month they get together and improve their vegan lifestyle. Guide you to where is great spots to shop.
Are you able to see a dietician/nutritionist they would be able to definitely help you with.

Think you need to sit down and figure out what veggies you like and learn when they are in season. So that your buying them when they are cheap in your area. You might find that fresh isnt the option in the winter that frozen is cheaper.

Looking at making stuff will safe you calories and well is just healthier overall your controlling what is going in it. You dont have to jump 100% into home cooking but definitely look at some of your fav things and maybe rethink making it on your own. Start with 1 recipe maybe a week then as you get more confidence 2 a week. Before you know it your whipping up food like no bodies business.

You wont find a farmers market in your area around this time. In the spring, summer and early fall you will be able to find them. Its just farmers getting together to sell what they are growing. Usually produce (lettuce, onions, peppers, corn, root veggies, fruit, etc) there might be some home baking, and some arts n crafts stuff depending on the market. Not sure in a big city if you would have to venture out of the city or if they would bring the farmers to you.

fun_b

You know i went back a few days and really everything looks pretty good, only one suggestion and it is not that big. Have you ever thought about making your own Pizza? you could really cut out a bunch of fat and sodium that way. I use flatouts to make pizza and instead of loading it up with cheese, just a sprinkle of parmasean on top makes a great flavor. But all in all you eat pretty well I would say but that is just my opinion

I also use flatbreads and square wraps and only put a little bit of cheese with puree. It taste amazing and is only 300 calories. I still eat out for Pizza but not as often as before.

gaboudreau

you should look up some recipes on the food network. they have some programs that have budget type meals or 5 ingredients or less etc. It sounds like you have a family, so for their sake it's probably a good plan to learn more cooking skills so they can learn from you what it sounds like you didn't learn from your mom, and that programming has lots of tutorials and ideas for just that. There must be a bus or train service close to you in a major city like Chicago..leave the kids with the husband and make a short shopping list of things you can't get close to home and take the bus once a month or something to pick them up. I know people that do that all the time because they don't drive or have a car. If there's a will there's a way. It's great that you have a computer and internet. It's a great learning tool..it sounds like you are trying to eat healthier, so keep growing and opening up to new, low cost, healthy options. Vegetables can be "hidden" a lot into foods so you aren't just eating a big pile of something you are not fond of..there are even websites on how to do that, based for kids, but what the heck..cut them up small and throw them into recipes.

rainghirl

Yeah those processed slices are pretty awful, but children often like them which maybe why your parents bought it. You should be able to get decent hard cheeses - the stronger flavoured cheese you get the less of it you need too, so that helps cut down on fat. Also soft cheese is higher in fat than hard.

The highest protein cheese I've found so far though is Feta cheese, should be able to get it at an Italian/Greek delis same with the hard cheddar style cheeses. I would think there might be a few of those in Chicago.

deepbreaths_strongmoves

I love how sincere you are with your questions!! I'm glad that you're getting your protein in as of now. I tend to stay away from protein powders because I rather eat other food (but that's just me) on occasion I will use my boyfriends stuff. It's great for after a hard workout! I get my protein through chicken, eggs, greek yogurt, and veggies. After looking through a few days of your food I would recommend adding more fruits/veggies. Spinach and edamame are high in protein and delicious. I could eat an entire bag of steamed edamame with some sea salt and olive oil, in fact I have before I like to get frozen veggies, the steam fresh ones, so they don't go bad and I can just pop them in microwave and have veggies on hand with whatever meal I'm having. Steamed sweet potatoes are excellent. I also use low-sodium tomato juice as a snack, it took me awhile to get used to that... That's my suggestion though, more veggies and fruit.

eileenchristine

I use protein powder in my smoothies. Got a blender for $3 at a yard sale, works ok. Not the greatest but ok. I don't have smoothies that often now that it is cold outside.

Thinking bout putting protein powder in my oatmeal. I usually use Better Oats pkg, add a bit of oat bran, and use original almond milk (which is a bit sweet) instead of water. I rarely eat meat. I will have to think of the powder, could blend it with my milk before adding.

Don't like chicken. Do eat alot of beans, lentils.........and...... Cheese! I know cheese is not good for me, its high in fat and sodium. I try to limit myself to 1 oz a day. I do have fish once in a while. Miss the fish selection from east coast! Not much fish here in Iowa!

I do seem to get enough protein. Have 2 eggs most days, kinda boring, but they fill me up and are easy. Got some cooking now with fresh mushroom and spinach.

When I snack I usually have fresh fruit or a balance bar. I like my balance bars for late and night and I think I am hungry. Probably not the best choice but certainly not the worse!

Namaste

B_Mindful

I googled 'easy cheap vegetarian recipes' and found a bunch of sites. This one jumped out at me: http://www.cheapandsimpleveganrecipes.com/ I think it might be just what you're looking for.

I've been giving some thought to your situation, and I think the very best thing you could do is learn as much about cooking from scratch as possible. Why not set yourself a challenge: learn one new technique every week. One week you could learn how to cook dried beans. They can be frozen in 2 cup portions (include some of the cooking liquid) and it's just like having a can of beans -- only it costs less and has less sodium. The next week you can try making your own yogurt or paneer. Or master cooking whole grains (barley, brown rice, oats, etc) -- they can also be frozen in portions for quick meals. You could learn to make your own bread! Pitas and tortillas might be a good place to start. Take your time and build your skills. Teach your children, and have them help you if they are old enough.

Send me a PM if you have any specific questions about cooking from scratch. I've been doing it for years!