need healthy recipe ideas!! getting bored of usual stuff..

ok, so my mom is getting frustrated because she doesnt know what to cook for me anymore. i get upset when she makes things that i see as fatty, but she doesnt. for example, the other night i asked her what was for dinner and she said chicken pot pies.. and i was so mad because they're so bad for you but so tempting. yet she tried to convince me they were healthy and say "the gravy isnt even that bad, its only flour..." then i tuned her out. i feel like im limited to certain meals, and i need to spice it up! but still have it be low cal. i'm trying to lose 10 pounds by november 22 so please help! im sick of Boca burgers, chicken, fish, porkchops, salad.... HELP! btw, i dont eat red meat, and the only pork i eat is porkchops and the occasional piece of ham.. no bacon or sausage. i've looked at the recipies on the site, but i havent tried any yet. i just joined this website yesterday, so i wanna know whats good  ! !!

oh my goodness!!!  you should try having a salad day with your friends at lunch!! (but not that one that nobody likes.) it makes a salad so much more fun!!!

:D

haha ilu mary =D

but yeah it does help when everyone around is being healthy too, cuz i dont feel like the little health freak while everyone else pigs out. *ahem* ALYSSA!

for those of you who dont know, alyssa's lunch usually consists of either a chocolate bar, reeses cups, triscuits, or nothing. and yet she doesnt get fat. sure shes not toned, but COME ON WHERE IS THE JUSTICE HERE

it doesnt help that she doesnt give a hoot what she eats, and always says shes "eating better lately". stfu! she does it jsut to try to impress us because we're health conscious. its f'in annoying!

anywho, about them recipies..

my word, that girl confuses me.

"Anyone want my chips?"

Alyssa: "OH me!"

hehe x]

You aren't limited to anything!!!! Almost anything that you like you can find a good substitute.

A couple things I like that are low-cal:

White Chicken Chili (they have mix packets by the regular chili)...think chicken breast chunks, beans, any veggies you like. So filling, so low cal.

Homemade chicken soup.....again, chicken breasts onions carrots corn....tomatoes even and chicken broth. Want it even more filling? Boil a serving of pasta and add it to your bowl of soup, chicken noodle soup!!!

Even the things your mom makes, if you take her recipe and add it into the recipe analyzer, you can tell how much you CAN eat without going over your calories. Just add a big salad on the side, or lots of veggies (fresh or steamed) and it will help fill you up.

If you see a recipie on here that sounds good, try it....you might like it!!!

I like taking a bit of brown rice and topping it with diced tomatoes, sauteed onions/bell peppers, a bit of dice mango (I know it sounds weird but it's great) and pureed black beans. You can toss in some chicken breast if you want, as well. Top with some salsa. It's delicious, super filling and healthy.

Would fast and easy make things more interesting?  Try this.

Dump a jar of salsa (at least 2 cups) into a saute pan and heat it to simmering.  Place 4 boneless pieces of chicken on top and spoon some salsa over them. 
Put a lid on, turn the heat down to low, and simmer until the chicken is done.  How long it takes will depend on how thick the meat is.

Serve with either a corn tortilla or some brown rice, and a salad. 

This can also be done with pork chops or firm, white fish (cod, halibut, etc)

I love pot pies too, there are several lower fat/calorie version on weightwatchers websites

Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

Servings =6 Ingredients

• 2 serving(s) butter-flavor cooking spray
• 1 tsp butter
• 1 small onion(s), chopped
• 2 cup(s) mushroom(s), sliced
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme, crushed
• 1/2 tsp table salt, or more to taste
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 cup(s) frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 cup(s) canned chicken broth
• 3 cup(s) cooked chicken breast, chopped
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk, divided
• 4 roll(s) reduced-fat crescent roll dough, unrolled

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat a 10-inch round shallow baking dish with cooking spray.
  
  
• Coat a large pot with cooking spray. Add butter and melt over medium heat. Add onion and mushrooms and cook, until tender, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Stir in paprika, thyme, salt and pepper. Add vegetables, broth and chicken. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
  
  
• In a small cup, combine flour and 1/4 cup of evaporated milk; stir into chicken mixture. Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup of evaporated milk and cook until mixture is slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes more.
  
  
• Spoon chicken mixture into prepared baking dish. Unroll crescent rolls and arrange dough around inside edge of baking dish to form a border (there will be a hole in the middle). Bake until rolls are golden brown and filling is bubbly, about 15 minutes. Cut into 6 pieces and serve.

Notes

• Make this recipe to your family's taste with different frozen vegetable blends such as an Asian mix or bell pepper and onion strips.

Peanut Ginger Chicken Stir Fry

Servings=4 Ingredients

• 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 1/2 tbsp fresh lime juice, or juice from 1 lime
• 1 tsp chili sauce
• 2 tsp unpacked brown sugar
• 1 tbsp peanut butter, crunchy, unsalted
• 1 cup(s) water
• 1 tbsp water
• 2 tsp canola oil
• 3 medium garlic clove(s), minced
• 2 tbsp ginger root, minced
• 12 oz chicken breast (cubed)
• 1 large onion(s), chopped
• 1 medium sweet red pepper(s), chopped
• 2 cup(s) broccoli, florettes
• 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp basil, chopped
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 cup(s) bean sprouts

Instructions

• Whisk together soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, chili sauce, brown sugar, peanut butter and 1 cup of water until smooth. Separately, mix cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water; set aside.
  
  
• In a large nonstick skillet or wok, heat canola oil over medium-high heat. Cook garlic and ginger until browned, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Remove garlic and ginger from skillet and set aside.
  
  
• Add chicken and cook until done, stirring constantly. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  
  
• Add onion and pepper; cook until onions just start to brown, about 2 minutes. Add broccoli and cook 2 minutes more.
  
  
• Reduce heat to medium and add sauce and garlic mixture. Cook until broccoli is crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes more.
  
  
• Add chicken, cilantro, basil, bean sprouts and cornstarch mixture. Cook until sauce thickens slightly, about 1 minute more. Serve.

I make a DELICIOUS chicken pot pie that is "diet friendly."  You cook up your boneless, skinless chicken in some Pam, cut it into chunks, and set aside.  Then saute some garlic, onion, baby carrot, diced celery, and fresh broccoli flowerettes in Pam and a little fat free chicken broth.  When they are nice and tender, I mix them with the chicken and a couple of cans of Campbell's Healthy Request (fat free/low fat) Cream of Chicken soup.  Then I pour that into a deep dish pie crust (my only "indulgence" in the WHOLE recipe) and bake it at 350 for about 30 minutes.  (You may want to pre-bake the crust for 10 or 15 minutes so it starts to crisp before adding the pot pie filling.)  OR you could pour the pot pie filling into a corningware baking dish WITHOUT a crust and mix up a little "thin" bisquick to top it with for an upper "crust" - again, the only "indulgent" part of the pie!!  

My entire family LOVES this recipe and with it being fall, it's PERFECT comfort food without the guilt!!

Original Post by clairelaine:

Would fast and easy make things more interesting?  Try this.

Dump a jar of salsa (at least 2 cups) into a saute pan and heat it to simmering.  Place 4 boneless pieces of chicken on top and spoon some salsa over them. 
Put a lid on, turn the heat down to low, and simmer until the chicken is done.  How long it takes will depend on how thick the meat is.

Serve with either a corn tortilla or some brown rice, and a salad. 

This can also be done with pork chops or firm, white fish (cod, halibut, etc)

 I am so making this, this weekend. I may use salmon instead of chicken or pork chops. mmm it deff. spices up the mexican food rather than just tacos or fajitas. probably could add some low fat cheese to it.

a low-fat chilli is so easy to make: just make it veggie by adding more beans and use tofu instead of meat.  if the pople in your family are afraid of tofu, youc an use ground chicken or turkey.

i'm a huge fan of the stir fry: make it low fat by using a non-stick cooking spray and a teensy bit of sesame oil (1/2 tsp to a 1tsp will give you the flavour without all the fat).  it can be eaten as it, or served on rice.

lenyil dahl: cook a cup of lentils with veggies (carrots, leek, onions, garlic, and a can of pure pumpkin puree) with some stock/water in your largest pot.  when the lentils start to come part, blend with hand blender (or stick in a regular one), add curry powder (and salt to taste).  voila!

curries in general, are like stir fries, btu with curry powder instead of soy sauce and sesame oil.  you can also make coconut milk ones with thai curry paste (using the light corry milk).  depends on who you talk to, but coconut fat is good for you (depdsn on who you talk to.,a s i said.  you sort of have to figure it out for yourself, but remember you DO need fat for nice hair, nails, and skin)

fajitas/burritos, with all the fixings: just use no oil in the cooking and instead of using a tortilla, serve on some salad.

however, the thing that ahs worked for me is to experiement with ingredients and spices i like.  everything i'Ve made has been good so far!  and btw: welcome to the site!

instead of looking for recipes, try adding some cooking techniques. that way you always have an idea.

Try this website:eating well.

It is great for vegetarians and the like especially.

My variation on a "burrito".

Dr. Praegers Tex Mex veggie burger (they have other flavors).

Heated on a skillet 3 minutes per side on medium-high. To keep it from sticking dam a small piece of paper towl in oil, and wipe the pan with it where burger will be.

While it is heating, dice some onions and mushrooms. Once burger is "done" take it a side and sautay mushrooms and onions. Instead of oil I like to use chicken broth. Adds flavor and no calories. Once veggies are almost done put buger back in mash it and mix with veggies. Put it on toritlla. I like to use "LaFactory low Carb High Fiber" ones. On top add some sauce and diced green lettece.

Sauce:

Table spoon (or two) Greek Yogurt (I like Fage 0%)

Table spoon of Dijorn mustard

Teaspoon of Adobo sauce.

Pickled mushrooms (optional)

You can varry ammounts depending on how spicy you want it.

I don't want to be harsh, but you need to be told something.  Judging from your posts I'm going to go out on a limb here.  I'm betting you are quite young (a child actually from the immature way you talk about your friends.)  I'm also going to guess that you are not actually overweight and are driving your poor mother crazy with your demands.  If I'm wrong about this I do apologize.

Cooking for a family is hard work.  Mothers often don't have time to cater to every family member, so chip in and help her.

linsaylou, tell us what kinds of things you like to eat.  We can probably find recipes that you can share with your mother.  Offer to help her cook and clean up after cooking - be nice and share in the kitchen.  I bet if she had some good recipes and some help in the kitchen, she'd fix them.

The other thing I'm going to suggest is that you look at these websites for teens.  The tools and everything else on CC is meant for adults over the age of 18.  Use the BMI tool to determine if you actually are overweight for your age. Share these with your mother.

i know this isnt really a recipe.. but i make wraps all the time of canned tuna (no mayo) and diced up apple mixed together. SO DELICIOUS. yum. 

yeah i understand the whole mom thing.  mine likes to cook fatty stuff and buy pies, cakes, etc when i'm trying to lose weight.

it seems like your mom is the head chef in your house too.  i took care of that by eating healthy choice and smart ones frozen meals for dinner.  if you're worried about salt or preservatives or whatever, just eat one of those things a day.  it won't kill you.

salad's always good.  sandwiches too!  i get whole wheat buns (120 cals), and fill them with lean deli ham or turkey (about 60 cals), 1 oz of real cheese (80 cals) and mustard (5 cals).  i have that with baby carrots (35 cals for 10) and a small apple (60 cals).  makes a nice lunch!

stir fry is quick and easy if you wanna cook.  the possibilities are endless!

Original Post by annacabana:

yeah i understand the whole mom thing.  mine likes to cook fatty stuff and buy pies, cakes, etc when i'm trying to lose weight.

it seems like your mom is the head chef in your house too.  i took care of that by eating healthy choice and smart ones frozen meals for dinner.  if you're worried about salt or preservatives or whatever, just eat one of those things a day.  it won't kill you.

salad's always good.  sandwiches too!  i get whole wheat buns (120 cals), and fill them with lean deli ham or turkey (about 60 cals), 1 oz of real cheese (80 cals) and mustard (5 cals).  i have that with baby carrots (35 cals for 10) and a small apple (60 cals).  makes a nice lunch!

stir fry is quick and easy if you wanna cook.  the possibilities are endless!

 Have you offered to help in the kitchen to take the pressure off your mom?  Read what I wrote to linsaylou about sharing recipes and helping to cook and clean up.  Your mother has a big job.  If you read this forum, you'll find lots of healthy, easy recipes that she might enjoy making for a change.

ok, excuse me but you aren't helping. you're just making me seem like an ****. i happen to help my mom out with cleaning a lot. don't just go assuming i'm some stupid teenager that isn't capable of this, or too lazy. and yes, i am young (16), but if this website is for 18 and up why does it have a whole group for teens? and i'm not immature - the girl i was talking about isn't even really my friend anymore. so butt out if you're only going to be accusatory. the whole point of this forum was to find recipes to "share with my mother" - not to be made a fool out of.

as for you annacabana, you were quite helpful =] thank you! at least SOMEONE understands me.

Original Post by lindsaylou457:

ok, excuse me but you aren't helping. you're just making me seem like an ****. i happen to help my mom out with cleaning a lot. don't just go assuming i'm some stupid teenager that isn't capable of this, or too lazy. and yes, i am young (16), but if this website is for 18 and up why does it have a whole group for teens? and i'm not immature - the girl i was talking about isn't even really my friend anymore. so butt out if you're only going to be accusatory. the whole point of this forum was to find recipes to "share with my mother" - not to be made a fool out of.

wow, spazz much? Claire was trying to help. I think her reply was very warranted & there were a lot of good dieas in there. She's just saying what we're all thinking.
Don't post if you can only handle people agreeing with you. Your response has only made you come off as immature.