Grocery List---please help

I'm a in-a-rut-permanently sort of person, so I'm not the best one to answer this, but I was happy a couple of weeks ago to find Jimmy Dean D-lights breakfast sandwiches. They are 240-280 depending on which one you get, whole grain, egg whites lean (er) ham or sausage- and is a nice change from my oatmeal and raisin breakfast I have everyday. Are you able to view your friends' food journals on here? You could see what they have been eating. I've also been buying plain Greek yogurt, mixing it with a splenda packet and a 1/2 cup of blueberries... that was good, too. Pork--chops, tenderloin or roasts are a favorite around here for dinner. We are boring

You can look on the Dr Oz site and he has a grocery list on there, or its 100 items you should have in your home.

I find that being a weekend warrior(doing a bunch of cooking at one time to have during the week) is a good thing for people that may not have time or the desire to cook during the week.

Boneless skinless chicken breast is very versatile. You can actually cook several breasts at once and eat during the week, either on salads, in wraps, or reheated. For a meat eater, cooking up a london broil and slicing it thin also works to keep in the frig for a few days

I also bake several sweet potatoes at once and keep them in the frig to reheat during the week.

Frozen vegetables can be reheated in minutes in the microwave.

I love ground turkey patted out into "hamburger steaks." Season with salt, pepper, and onion powder and when they're done add a can of 98% fat free cream of mushroom as gravy to the pan. Tastes like the real thing!! Nahm nahm nahm num num...woo good stuff!

I found this website via someone on here. The recipes are simple and soooo yummy. Tonight we are having spinach lasagna rolls

Www.skinnytaste.com

I get a lot of my ideas from www.tasteofhome.com - great recipe site that offers tons of ways to search for recipes (by meal, healthy, time it takes to cook the meal, etc). I typically get 75% of my recipes from that site.

I use www.e-mealz.com, they have different meal plans and include a grocery list for you every week. It is only $5 a month. My family loves it.

I'm boring for breakfast.....McDonalds....either oatmeal with no brown sugar or egg mcmuffin if they don't have the other. I'm going to experiment with Quinoa for breakfast at some point.

Lunches I do Trader Joes frozen meals under 400 calories.....usually Lamb Vindaloo, chicken verde burrito, eggplant parmesan, chicken tikka masala, paneer tikka masala, etc. And a snack from the cafeteria....usually a little cup of chicken salad.

Dinners I have so easy, low cal go to's (usually under 500 calories):

Meatball subs (classico pasta sauce--60 cal, S. Rosen brat and sausage roll--160 cal, turkey meatballs from Target (6)--130 cal)
Tostadas (2 tostada shells--120 cal, 1 serving black beans mashed with a little water/salt for texture--100 cal, ground turkey with taco seasoning--120 cal for low fat or up to 160 cal for higher, lettuce--15 cal, salsa (2TBSP)--20 cal and sometimes I use 1/2 an avacado because I like it--104 cal)
Pork roast with marinade, instant mashed potatoes, corn/peas (under 500 cal....just search for the pork roast).
Pork chops
Rotisserie chicken or whole chicken cooked in crockpot (low 7.5 hours just put in and put whatever seasoning you want on top--I do Italian seasoning sprinkled on)
Easy Vegetarian Chili (from www.3fatchicks.com under recipes--makes 8-2 Cup servings) around 330 cals
BBQ Pork Roast (with bun just over 500 calories)--crock pot, 2 lb pork roast, 1 bottle BBQ sauce, cook on low 7 hours and then shred and mix in with juice.
Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf (www.allrecipes.com and look it up).

so my grocery list is
Whole Chicken, rotisserie chicken, ground turkey, black beans, salsa, tostada shells, lettuce, frozen veggies, pork roast, pork chops, peppers, onions, quinoa.

I also do meal planning so I plan what I eat for the week and only buy for my menu that week. Quinoa and black beans are just a staple, always have turkey meatballs in the freezer cuz the kids love them and buy weekly.

Someone mentioned this already but I will expand. If you have a Trader Joe's nearby, they have tons of good take-and-go options or frozen meal options. Their ready made, individual salads are fantastic (watch the dressing on some). They also have some great hot-cereal options in the frozen food aisle that are individual, microwavable servings.

Also check-out www.hungrygirl.com. (Ignore the "girl" part). She does a great job of presenting low-cal options and new grocery store finds.

I think it depends on whether you like to cook and be creative or not.

I like to cook, and try new recipes. I use this website called allrecipes.com You can add recipes to your box and pick the ones you want to cook and it will create a shopping list for you.

If you just want some simple ideas, look at healthy things you like and plan for those.

I like, eggs, oatmeal and sandwich rounds with crunchy peanut butter for breakfast.
For my oatmeal, I get istant quick cooking, add 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1T ground flaxseed and some sweetened coconut flakes.
For eggs, I make a sandwich using one whole egg, one egg white (microwaved in a microwave cooker made in the USA :bigsmile: that I bought at Walmart for 5 bucks) on a bagel flat and a slice of cheese.
Toast an Arnolds rye sandwich round with crunchy peanut butter.
All with my morning coffee.

For lunch
Sandwich any kind on a sandwich round.
A big salad with leftover meat from last nights dinner.
Lean cuisine or WW meal.

DInner, Chicken, steak, fish, pork etc. sometimes stir fried, ususally baked or broiled.
Steamed rice and a green veggie.

For snacks
I do cottage cheese and fruits,
hummus and carrots,
chabani yogurt with granola or ground flax seed.
Special k meal bars.

Just found this one on sparkpeople.com. Think this might be on menu soon!

Pan Chicken Parmesan

Calories: 283.5
Fat: 11.5g
Carbohydrates: 4.4g
Protein: 38.9g

Ingredients
4, 5oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4, .slices of mozzarella cheese
1/2 c Prego Traditional Italian Sauce
Salt/ Pepper/ Garlic Powder
1Tbs Olive Oil
Dried Rosemary Leaves
Ground Oregano
Dried Basil
Directions
-Season chicken with salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste.
-Heat skillet with 1tbs olive oil
-Cook chicken till done and transfer to a baking dish.
-cover each chicken breast with 1/8c Prego Sauce, 1 slice of cheese and dashes of herbs.
-bake in countertop oven, broiler or regular oven till cheese is melted and slightly browned.

Number of Servings: 4

I use boca or morning star farms chicken patties (vegetarian) to make a chicken parm, and they are wonderful. All you have to do is put them in the oven and about 5 minutes before they are done, spoon some sauce over them and a slice of cheese. Easy peasy and healthier (for me since cholesterol in animal is an issue for me)