Fitness Friday: Healthy Meal Ideas for Busy Evenings
Or maybe you were suspecting that absolutely nothing has changed, except that I can’t seem to work in time to visit my personal trainer to save my life, thus, I’ve been seizing opportunities to workout whenever possible and accumulating an unprecedented amount of unused (non-refundable/non transferable) personal trainer visits. Maybe it’s just that I decided for a time that I didn’t want to fixate my thinking on those stubborn pounds and instead focus on other, more pressing matters, like what am I going to fix for dinner since my kids are playing ball four nights a week, and who in the world do I want to win American Idol now that my two favorite contestants made it to The Finale?!?!
That was a seventy-one word sentence, right there. You’re welcome.
Well, I haven’t cracked the code on my stunted metabolism, nor do I know who I want to win American Idol (though Crystal IS from my hometown!). But I DO have some yummy and healthy meal ideas when weeknights get busy but I still want to make something healthy.
1 cup whole wheat flour (you may use all whole wheat flour, if you prefer)
Skim broth until clear and add the remaining 4 cups. Bring to a boil.
Meanwhile, prepare the dumplings. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients and mix well by hand. Then cut up the butter into very small cubes, and in batches, distribute throughout the flour mixture with your hands. Add water and knead 8-10 times with your hands, until well- combined.
Roll the dough out to about 1/8 inch and cut into 1-inch squares.
This recipe serves about 6. It works well for a make-ahead recipe for reheating later in the day or even the next day. It also works well if you put it all back into the crockpot to keep warm and serve later in the day. Tastes even better the following day as leftovers.
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My second little healthy/quick meal trick is more of a side dish or a healthy snack to tide kids over until dinner, but again, one my entire family LOVES. I serve it as a side to pizza, tacos, chicken nuggets—any meal where I feel the need to add a punch of nutrition but still want to make it fun and tasty. I also give it as an after-school snack or something before bed after a late ball game game. I drink one after a hard work out or on-the-go when I don’t have time to sit down to eat.
Frozen berries ( Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries)
Banana or pineapple (these two fruits provide sweetness so you don’t need sugar)
Skim milk or non-fat vanilla yogurt
Blend and serve!
Some yummy variations:
1. Add orange juice, apple juice or grape juice instead of milk for a slushy (instead of creamy) consistency.
2. Use fresh fruit instead of frozen and add a handful of ice.
3. Use other fruit, like oranges, cantaloupe and mango.
4. Add a scoop of vanilla meal-supplement/protein powder for added vitamins.
5. Add a handful of spinach for a burst of nutrition with no added flavor. No kidding. You can’t taste it—and neither will your children.
6. Add a big spoonful of peanut butter for protein.
Of course, you can add a big spoonful of peanut butter to almost anything and make it good. But then you will add a ton of calories and start to gain weight…which brings me back to my 12-ish pounds….uuugggghhh!!!
Sorry, but I got one word for you . . . Lee!!!!! (Cause he's from my town!) 🙂
Sandy, thanks for sharing the family recipes! I'm always on the lookout for good ones to try.
I'm glad to see you still have your sense of humor. I noticed that our friend Sarah is back blogging again. 🙂
I've gained weight in the midst of all the stress in my life! It's really the first time I've been able to totally identify with people who eat emotionally. Never say never because I thought I was above it all. Yeah right!
However, I'm determined to not allow this to continue even if circumstances don't change really soon. Btw, we moved into a much smaller home and sold all of our furniture including exercise equipment. That's also part of the problem when it's already hitting 100 degrees in Phoenix already!
But no excuses. I'm going to get back.
And btw, Crystal and Lee have been my favorites since the beginning of this season of AI. But I think that Lee has slid past Crystal in the past few weeks. I'm sure both of them will have successful careers in music after this.
When are you going to try out or are you too old? I think they're coming out with one for all ages. Just a thought…
Debbie
How did you get my picture (on the right of screen)? As you can see, the Shred is doing wonders for my biceps, triceps, deltoids…
Shelly…I could vote for Lee. I'm very conflicted right now. It's going to be such a good finale.
Debbie…on the bright side, you must feel some sense of freedom since selling all those possessions??? Even a little bit more freedom?
Melanie…Don't sue me.
Thanks for the yummy meal ideas – I love a good smoothie (had a banana, pineapple and mango one this morning!)and chicken is a major staple at our house.
Brace yourself, I've NEVER seen an episode of AI. I think I'm the last person on earth that can say that.
I bet those pounds come off this summer – this is such a crazy time of year as everything wraps up…..I "slept" in til 5:45 this morning and told myself I would work out later, but alas, here I am at the computer with cookies in the oven (for an order, but still!!) Plus, I'm thinking I pulled a glute (sp?) last weekend as I am like an 80 year-old woman when I try to get out of a chair. More grace for tomorrow….sigh. Have a great weekend!!