I just wanted to share something that has really worked for me since being banded. I'm very busy (like most of you, I'm sure) and really don't have time to cook, which usually translates to fast food. But I decided that planning was the key to weight loss, so what I do is plan 7 of my favorite healthy meals each month. I make all of them when I get the chance (usually on Sunday afternoons) and then I portion them out into bandster portions. I use my Suck 'n Seal (can't remember the real name of the machine) and usually get about 8 portions out of each dish. I stick them all in the freezer and for each meal I'll just boil the bags straight from the freezer for about 10 minutes - it's just as good as the day I made it. I have to boil because I hate the taste of reheated meat and boiling doesn't produce that reheated taste. If I'm bringing my lunch to work I'll stick a "frozen dinner" in the fridge the evening before and then it's defrosted the next day. It doesn't keep that freezer taste because the air has been sucked out of them.

When I just want plain moist chicken for salads I'll take a sealed piece of chicken (usually frozen) and boil it right in the bag. It cooks quickly, it tastes good because it's cooked in its own juices, and it's moist.

This process has enabled me to stick to a healthy diet (sans that terrible month of December) and save a lot of time and energy. I just keep salad items, sweet potatoes, and broccoli on hand for side dishes. This way you have a mostly preservative-free collection of dinners. I like to buy frozen dinners as well, but they often have a lot of preservatives that I feel are just making us fatter. I've built up my frozen dinner selection so much that I could probably eat for 2 months without going shopping, plus it's my favorite food. Did I mention this was a budget saver as well?

Great idea! Thanks for sharing.

What a great idea! I will definitely give it a try when I can actually eat food again...thanks for sharing!

Emily

I do things like that too -- you definately need to think ahead for weightloss. If you don't you end up going for the destructive foods b/c they are easier, and they are there. When I cook I almost always make extra, or make 2 and put one in the freezer. I don't have a suck & seal like puddin' pie (I'm jealous) but ziplocks do OK. Everynight at dinner time I plan what is for dinner the next night (did I mention my possible obsession with food -- you don't go over 250 lbs without at least a tad of it!) While I'm in the kitchen I take out what is for dinner the next night to defrost. Planning ahead definately enables you to eat better, and once you're cooking, making 2 meatloafs doesn't take any longer than making one so it's a real time saver. All you have to do is make sure you pre buy enough ingredients -- again planning ahead! It sounds like alot of work to be so "organized" ahead of time, but once you start it, it's actually easier than running out to the store all the time etc and SAVES time rather than costing it!

I love it..!!

What usually happens to me is all that food goes to waste as I eat junk anyway..

I am doing it right now.. I had this huge Soup made to utilize as broth, mushies and hearty soup and so far I am not following my plan to freeze and heat it and use it..

(the soup is non potatoe and lower carb and low fat)

grr

Thank you for the ideas! Planning is my biggest downfall. I do plan what's for dinner for most nights of the week, but sometimes things just happen and all bets are off. I don't enjoy cooking much, but do it because I have a family to feed. It's a chore for me! Our big freezer broke (only 2 years old from Sears!!!!) So we have to pay to get it fixed and we've been putting it off. I miss having the extra chicken etc. in there.

I never know what you can cook ahead and freeze, if it'll be good reheated. That's where I stand there scratching my head in wonder! I've printed your ideas, thanks!

Read your idea when you first posted....

I love this idea. I have one of those suck and seal deal thingys but mine won't seal right. I have been using the same concept though with good Tupperware (not the cheapy stuff).

Thanks for sharing your idea!