Easy Lazy/Emergency Meals?

Broil some fish/chicken lightly seasoned
Mix a pot of quinoa with low sodium veggie or chicken broth in a 1 to 1 ratio, boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes
I'm not sure if they have them where you are, but I get the pre chopped fresh produce in a plastic bag that is microwavable. Most days I actually do something with it, but on lazy days, I just nuke it in the bag and season afterwards.
This whole dinner is completed in the time it takes to cook the quinoa.

Do you also not enjoy cooking? If you just don't know how to do it, then seriously consider taking a few classes on healthy cooking. It's a way better investment than going to a restaurant and you might meet people who are also into healthy food. Restaurant food is expensive! even fast food.

I try to use my days off work to prep/cook food that I can combine throughout the week in different ways. I keep stuff in tupperware so it is ready to eat with not a lot of last minute effort.

I usually will make some or all of the following items:
-sauteed green veggies with garlic and olive oil (kale, zucchini, broccoli, etc)
-roasted boneless chicken thighs
-broiled salmon, marinaded with garlic and ginger and a little soy
-wash lettuce
-cut carrots and other veggies into sticks
-roasted yams
-roasted cauliflower
-sauteed mushrooms with garlic
-hard boil a bunch of eggs
-a vegetable soup
-turkey meatballs in fresh tomato sauce

I plan to add some kind of a whole grain pilaf thing (maybe wheat berries with caramelized onions, pine nuts, raisins, herbs) to this rotation at the suggestion of my dietician who thinks I am not eating enough grains.

These pre-prepped foods can be combined in different ways--sometimes I will make like a chicken tortilla taco for dinner with some salsa, or I can add some of the salmon to a big salad or with some soba noodles, cucumbers and cilantro make like an asian pasta salad, or just eat a yam with a pat of butter and some veggies with store-bought hummus for lunch or a snack, etc.

Another thing is that if you live near a farmer's market, get food from there because it is much tastier and you won't be going to a supermarket full of aisles of junk food.
Getting really into whole delicious natural foods can be a great way to lose weight.

I'd say a cooking class will help you, unless you really just hate to cook. Try to make it a relaxing and fun hobby/activity/interest

I think the easiest, least time consuming meal (next to a smoothie) to make is a salad! I like your idea of a chicken sausage salad. I buy a lot of salad greens every week, so I never have an excuse to not make a salad. Just wash your greens (or splurge on prewashed) add some protein (i.e. chicken sausage, pumpkin seeds, slivered almonds, smoked oysters, anchovies) & some colorful veggies (i.e. beets, peppers, onions, mushrooms, avocado, tomatoes). If you use dressing, you can put a couple of tablespoons in the bottom of some Tupperware, add your salad on top and then shake it up to dress it at lunch time.

Also, it really helps me to plan out all of my meals each week, before I go grocery shopping. Then, when I get home from grocery shopping, I take the time to portion out the food for my week's meals & snacks. If I have time, I'll even cook things like chicken, potatoes, or beets, which take a while to cook, then wrap them up so they're ready for the week. Nothing hurts my weight loss efforts more than waiting until I'm hungry to figure out what to eat!

I am the queen of lazy cooking:

Mixed frozen veggies and add a can of tuna. Throw in pan and stir until veggies are warm (or microwave).

Slim noodles, philly cheese and whatever cooked meat you have (ham, chicken etc)

Ommelette

pizza. (I love pizza lol)

just plan your day accordingly from the get go and you can fit it within your calorie goal. :drinker: