Staples - What we keep around for quick and easy meals
So if you're going to make a new 'system' work, especially one which - you believe - is going to add to the daily workload, you need to know what to keep around to make things easier and faster. Right?
We understand that. Life is, after all, about habits. Develop bad ones and we all know what happens. Develop good ones and life can be a better place.
So what does that have to do with 'staples', you ask? Everyone has 'things' they keep in stock. Stuff you have in your cupboard, your fridge, and your freezer that are always at your fingertips to 'throw together' that quick meal. After all, nobody likes to spend half the day in the kitchen - 'slaving over a hot stove'. Okay, there some crazies that do that for fun; but most of us would rather be doing other things. So we rush into the kitchen, grab the 'stuff' in our pantry or fridge, and in a flash we have a meal we can consume. Is it a healthy meal? That depends entirely on your choices as to what's on hand.
And that is what this section is all about. Choose the right things to have on hand, and whatever meals you choose to prepare will be healthier.
We understand that. Life is, after all, about habits. Develop bad ones and we all know what happens. Develop good ones and life can be a better place.
So what does that have to do with 'staples', you ask? Everyone has 'things' they keep in stock. Stuff you have in your cupboard, your fridge, and your freezer that are always at your fingertips to 'throw together' that quick meal. After all, nobody likes to spend half the day in the kitchen - 'slaving over a hot stove'. Okay, there some crazies that do that for fun; but most of us would rather be doing other things. So we rush into the kitchen, grab the 'stuff' in our pantry or fridge, and in a flash we have a meal we can consume. Is it a healthy meal? That depends entirely on your choices as to what's on hand.
And that is what this section is all about. Choose the right things to have on hand, and whatever meals you choose to prepare will be healthier.
Freezer/Fridge Staples
Foster Farms Grilled Chicken Strips - These are great for quick meals, as they are already cooked and the uses is seemingly endless - defrost go! SO much healthier than the breaded 'chicken nugget' products. See Ron's chicken recipes: |
Kirkland 50-70 Cooked Tail-off Shrimp (any brand will do) . Great for lunches and snacks. If you are often in a hurry and need a quick pick me up - keep 11 of these babies thawed (that's 1 serving) and keep Doe's Cocktail Sauce made up in the fridge ... Grab, dunk and go! |
Quinoa & Kale - we buy it at Costco - Surprisingly delicious and we really love using it as a 'hash' for breakfast - see Ron's Sunny Side Up! w/Quinoa 'hash' recipe! |
Kirkland Pecorino Romano Cheese - FABULOUS choice! We have a Rotary Cheese Grater we use to dust fresh Romano on dishes and then occasionally we use a Steel Grater for a true shredded cheese when we want the full serving: 1/4-cup = WW Points 0 - rarely do we ever get a full serving between us, let alone individually which is why this is such as excellent choice. |
Queso Quesadilla Shredded Cheese - I can only find it at Safeway under the brand Marcela Valladolid, but I'm sure there are other brands out there. This is my choice to replace mozzarella when I need a great melting cheese for dishes like pizza and lasagna. It cuts the fat and calorie content of these types of dishes by half. Check out Doe's FABULOUS Spinach and Feta Veggie Pizza recipe for a great use of this cheese.
Mozzarella for 1/4 of a cup = 170 calories/4 WW points
vs.
Queso Quesadilla 1/4 cup = 80 calories/2 WW points
Mozzarella for 1/4 of a cup = 170 calories/4 WW points
vs.
Queso Quesadilla 1/4 cup = 80 calories/2 WW points