We did a " What's for breakfast" so while I'm prepping for dinner tonight I figured why not get some ideas from others. I have always loved cooking. I come from a big Italian family on one side and a down home country cooking grandmother on the other so I had no choice but to learn to cook. One of my few fears I had about having the surgery was that I would no longer be able to cook like I'm use to. The first few months after surgery I couldn't due to the recovery and dietary limitations but now that I'm fully healed and am "one" with my sleeve I'm back and better than ever. Cooking is even more fun for me now because I get to experiment and make recipes that are still delicious but have a healthy spin on them. As an example, tonight I have a new turkey marinade I'm trying out. I have included the marinade for those who might want to try it. I switched the vegetable oil out for olive oil, I used Splenda brown sugar apposed to the real and lite soy sauce. We will have roasted beets & Brussel spouts with a Asian side salad. I roast my vegetable with light olive oil and I will make my own Asian dressing. This whole dinner is really simple, it's high in protein and gives you plenty of veggies. It doesn't have to cost a fortune to eat healthy. I may have spent 15 bucks on the whole meal. This will make two meals for my family of 4. So what do you eat for dinner? Any favorite recipes? If you have pictures share! I'm a picture girl! I'm also a fan of recipes that don't require me to leave the country to find. Simplicity is my friend.

I love when my hubby makes chicken packets on the grill. Just take aluminum foil to fold into a packet fill with chicken and any kinda veggies you like. Add whatever kind of seasoning you like roll it shut and put on the grill. Make the packets for each person. I like that it can be made different for anyone and easy clean up.

@@starrspunn We do that too! It's getting too cold for me to be outside now but as soon as summer comes back around we will be right back at it.

Tonight at my house...souvlaki. Basically pork tenderloin marinated in lemon, olive oil and fresh oregano. I will slice it, skewer it, and put it on the grill. Serve it up with a green salad and tzatziki sauce( yogurt, garlic and cucumber....Yum!

Usually I would serve it with rice (pre-op) but tonight maybe sweet potato.

@@mmincinci I have never heard of that but it sounds delicious! You will have to come back and post a pic if you're able! I love tzatziki sauce! I use to buy it all the time when I was close to a Trader Joe's. Do you make your own?

Since surgery I make easy dishes in the crockpot. I love i can get it all prepared in the AM and then come home in PM and dinner is done. I made chicken breasts last night, just added some chicken broth, tomatoes, and cream of mushroom Soup, and done in 6 hours on low. Made rice, but not for me, and add spinach, or Beans sometimes, last night were some beans. Another recipe I like, chopped turkey meat, brown meat, add tomatoes, black beans and you make tacos, for me just the meat without the tacos, side salad, easy fast. I love to try new things, healthy of course.

@@sbg224 I've been using my crockpot a lot lately too. Must be the weather. It's very convenient. I've never made any of the things you make but I will.

Hello Elode,

I have made my own but not tonight. Bought from Jungle Jim's in Fairfield ,Ohio, the best International grocer around. Souvlaki is Greek and back in the day I worked at a Greek restaurant while in college and learned to make some cool dishes.

I love pork tenderloin.

Chicken Parmesan (unbreaded) with linguine (for Son) and green beans.

@@magtart I switched from real spaghetti and started using spaghetti squash instead. The family really likes it and it's good for you!

Last night I made an "unstuffed" stuffed cabbage skillet with this recipe: http://www.diaryofarecipecollector.com/one-pot-cabbage-casserole.html. I subbed 93% lean ground turkey for the ground beef and quinoa for the rice... but I did add about a 1/2 cup more cheese than the recipe called for... because, you know, cheese. Quite tasty and filling!

A 1/2 cup serving is 200 calories, 11 grams carbs, 10 grams fat, 16 grams Protein, and 2 grams Fiber.

Edited October 17, 201510 yr by lauraellen80

@@lauraellen80 Did your quinoa turn out soft? I've never had it turn out soft but maybe it's not suppose too?

I forgot to add I'm not grilling my turkey, it's too cold. I will be baking it.

How do you cook your squash?

@@magtart I switched from real spaghetti and started using spaghetti squash instead. The family really likes it and it's good for you!

I just bought one today to use later in the week. I served myself 1 oz. of the cooked Pasta and couldn't finish it after eating the chicken.

Hello Elode,

I have made my own but not tonight. Bought from Jungle Jim's in Fairfield ,Ohio, the best International grocer around. Souvlaki is Greek and back in the day I worked at a Greek restaurant while in college and learned to make some cool dishes.

I love pork tenderloin.

Hey!!!! I live in Mason!!! I love Jungle Jims!!