Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Learning to Cook

I've been with my hubby since we were both 15 years old. We got married when I was 25 and worked for as a Marketing assistant. My husband owned his own Roofing Company and we both worked long and crazy hours. So I've never been one to cook alot. It has just always been easier and faster to eat out. He has never seemed to mind. But I do try to make a good home cooked meal for him once in awhile. However all that's about to change and I'm scared to death. We are moving on April 1st to a house that's in a Lake community way out in the boonies. So, I will have to no choice other than to cook at home every day. At least during the week anyways. And like I said before, I don't cook that much. And the things I do make are easy dishes. I've always made Spaghetti because it's so easy and cheap. I've made Meat Loaf and Lasagna, Tacos and Burritos, etc. But now that I have totally changed the way I eat, I really need to expand my culinary skills. But where do I even start? I'm not even sure if I know how to make anything that isn't loaded with fat or way too many calories. I know that I need to stick to lean cuts of meat and try to grill it. But what can I make to go with the meats? Like I've never really made an actual "healthy" meal by myself and I'm terrorified! But I have the rest of this month to start getting together more healthy recipes. So if anyone has any suggestions, PLEASE feel free to comment and send them to me.  :)

5 comments:

  1. Our "go-to" side dish with our meats is usually some kind of sauteed or stir-fried vegetable(s). One way we cook this is to cut up an onion, a couple yellow squash, and possibly carrots. Heat a couple tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet and then cook the vegetables until desired firmness (or lack of firmness, ha). Of course, add whatever seasoning you want. We usually do kosher salt and pepper, sometimes throw in lime juice (especially if it's only onions we're sauteeing).

    Another way we like to cook vegetables is just by using the frozen bags. The kind we get has cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots. We usually add an onion, just cos we put onion in everything. Same concept though... cook in a skillet with olive oil and season as desired. It really doesn't take long AT ALL and the frozen vegetables are easy to just grab out of the freezer and get cookin'! Another thing we like to do with the frozen vegetables is cut up some chicken breast and cook it beforehand and then cook the vegetables with it, add some soy sauce as it's cooking, and then when it's almost done add in some stir fry sauce (the soy sauce and stir fry sauce are available in low sodium). Makes a yummy chicken stir fry!

    There are a couple of other recipes I'd love to share with you, but this comment's long enough. Do you have an email address? I can send them to you that way!

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  2. I really like the EFL (Eating-for-Life) cook book. Its simple to follow and includes pics of the food before cooked (in packaging) and after- I've been buying books a lot on Amazon & you could prob find one there.

    If I do veggies I like blanching green beans in boling watter and then cooling in cold water so they are cooked but crisp, then a dash of salt & pepper and their good to go. I also use a lot of the frozen veggie & microwavable bags which are great in a time crunch.

    I'm preparing for a move in the next few months too but its into a bigger city... instead of the country life! :) The driving will def be out of my comfort zone!

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  3. New cook books??? Food network??

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  4. My email address is:
    chubeechick@gmail.com

    Please feel free to email me Kacie Christine! :)
    And Thanks by the way for the ideas. They sound great!

    And thanks L.Reese~ You gave me some great ideas to start with. Good luck with your move too!!!!

    T~ I don't really have time for TV so I never get to watch the Food Network. But maybe after the move I will have more "me" time!!!!! :)

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  5. I love Quiche-I make two at a time and freeze one.

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