Quick, easy, but healthy dinners?

[Reds]

So I think I need to start fixing meals again...but how? And more importantly, what?

I have a DH who won't eat veggies besides corn and potatoes, so I rarely fix myself veggies.

Last night I made cheesy chicken and noodles. (mac and cheese with cut up cooked chicken breast mixed in). Tastes good, is quick and relatively easy, but I know it's not the healthiest.

Nor is a stouffer's lasagna, which proved to be very very tastey.

I suppose I could spend an afternoon making batches of such foods as meatloaf and lasagna like mom does sometimes...

Any ideas?
Keep in mind: MUST BE EASY or I. Won't. Do. It.

[DorothyB]

After my cooking session last weekend - and being able to reap the fruits of it already - I think that you would be happy with the results. The chicken vermacelli was pretty easy - easier if you buy pre-cooked chicken from the deli. The only real time consuming part was chopping onions, bell pepper & the red peppery things.

Easy veggies that I like and are "healthier" - I buy a small box of brocolli w/ low fat cheese sauce and a small bag (14 oz?) of brocolli or broc & cauliflower. Boil the bag, steam the veggies and then mix - gives it some sauce flavor, but not much. Probably would be even better with some grated sharp cheddar on top. You could put in fridge and have a serving with the meal a few times.

I buy salmon from Sam's - a bag of individually wrapped pieces. Defrost, slice in half so thinner, put a little teriyaki sauce on both sides and grill (I use my George Foreman so not sure if you would get the same yummy results in the oven or maybe cook in a pan).

The black bean lasagna isn't too hard, but does take a bit of time. It's much healthier than Stouffer's - and would be more so if I can find low fat pepper jack cheese and choose a different sauce. We got the "meat" which I'm guessing is higher fat than regular or mushroom. Not sure if your DH would eat it, but maybe if you didn't tell him it was healthy?

[Deleted]

I don't have any words of wisdom for cooking, since I do most of mine from memory and just what seems right, BUT, if you like veggies and your DH doesn't, get some of those single serving steam packets. Granted, they don't have a huge selection yet, but that would get you your veggies without having to open a great big bag or box. They're EASY too, just pop in the micro and open the pouch, no water gooshing out or anything.

[Sheryl]

I have a bunch of very easy healthy recipes. There is even a thread over on the equifit board that is pinned to the top that are all pretty easy and pretty healthy. If you are looking for something specific I am sure somebody has recipes to suit the need!

Here are some VERY easy ideas:

start with chicken breast, season and broil or bake OR marinade. I have several tasty recipes that fit that bill. I really like the marinade option since it guaranteed tender that way.

Start with a really good fish fillet, season and broil or bake.

You could try varying the sides - how about a baked sweet potato instead of regular for a change? Maybe serve a healthy premade vegetable soup to get the veggie serving in (beware of campbells and similar as they tend to be very salty and not as healthy)? How about mixed veggies (buy a frozen package) that has corn PLUS other veggies in it? You know, V8 counts as a veggie serving. There is a spicy V8 that goes good in some recipes.
Tomatos in a good pasta sauce is also a veggie.
In general, I think that fresh veggies are best, but frozen ones aren't bad. I also think that good quality soups, and salads are great ways to get veggies in. Even carrot stix and a lowfat dip count as a veggie serving. I also like to sneak veggies into casseroles. Did you know that there are a couple of cookbooks out there that are all about disguising veggies so non veggie eaters will eat them?
It is hard for me to relate to because I love vegetables and fruits, but eating veggies doesn't have to mean a big pile of lima beans (which I detest) they can be served in a lot of different forms. I think the reason that some people hate veggies is because they grew up on canned smushy gross pale colored overcooked veggies and have a mindset that they will always taste that way.

I also have several really good crockpot recipes. They are so nice because they are ready when you come home. My favorites are the variety of "mexican" ones, we serve with no fat corn tortillas, salsa and fat free salsa and it is healthy and yummy.

[snaffle]

I think it is high time that Dh grows up.
Fix what you want to fix for supper and if he doesnt want to eat the veggies..
too bad.

[Newfygirl]

Yep! What Snaffle said. Same thing goes for kids - but they have to try the veggies...9 times out of 10 they like them. If they don't like it I let them put cheese on it.