Just looking for some new meal ideas

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/inskydiamonds

Some of these are low cal, some not so much.

Here is a recipe I make quite often ... easy to change up and I usually have all the ingrediants in my house. You may have to cook it longer depending on the kind of beans/lentils you use. Not sure if you can see this link or not... but its through my facebook. You can add me on there - Amber Mercer Baumgart.

http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=1402720890&notes_tab=app_2347471856#!/note.php?note_id=141169605926246

Here is a go to recipe I have discovered... I can make it out of stuff that I have around the house easily. We don't put chilies in, but you can. Also, we substitute kidney beans with lentils, black beans, or any kind of bean you want. If you use dried lentils you have to use the extra water stated below. Otherwise, it is just 1/2 cup of water for canned/soaked beans.



http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Texas-Style-Skillet



1 pound extra lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 bag of dried Lentils
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained (no salt added)
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
2 1/2 cup water
1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons dried cilantro flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Shredded cheddar cheese, salsa and minced fresh cilantro
Tortilla chips - Garden of Eaten Low Sodium
Directions

In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the lentils, tomatoes, chilies, rice, water and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; covered and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve in the skillet or transfer to a shallow serving dish. Sprinkle with toppings of your choice. Serve with tortilla chips. Yield: 6 servings.

If you are on Facebook, you can go to my business fan page called Amanda's Tasty Plates and there is a section of Low Cal/Low Fat meal recipes.
One of my favorites, if you like Tuna, is 1-5 oz. can of chunk light white tuna in water drained. Add 1 Tbsp of Light Mayo, 2 tsp of spicy brown mustard, and 1 tbsp of sweet relish. Serve it on a low carb, low fat whole wheat tortilla with tomato and lettuce and it is delicious.

Simple dinners my husband and I make include grilled chicken or shrimp with brown rice or whole wheat pasta.

You can make it with or without pasta sauce. Bertolli has organic pasta sauce that is phenomenal. I don't even have to add any seasoning, unless I want to make a spicier dish. Whole wheat consists of complex carbs, which are much better than simple carbs found in white pasta. I learned that in my college nutrition class.

Another great dish is using chicken or shrimp and mixing it with the frozen steamers vegetables. It creates a stir fry type dish. Just add seasoning and some low sodium soy sauce. :flowerforyou:

* Black bean-tacos. Whole-wheat taco shells with spinach...warm the canned black-beans up in a bowl or pan with some cheese add seasoning ex..Cumin,taco seasoning,salsa, fat-free sour cream.... Very tasty and good for you.

This is one of my very favorites.....saute peppers, onions, mushrooms and any other veggie and italian chicken or turkey sausage. I usually have a plain sweet potato with it! very filling and quick!:smile