I am not sure where to put this question, but I was hoping for some suggestions on products that will help cooking be easier and healthier.

I prefer products that can be used in the microwave or on the counter- not stove- and are easy to clean.

I am looking for your opinion on steamers, George Forman products, things that travel well, anything that has made your life easier and more healthy.

I am almost 7 weeks post op and doing well. I love my new healthy eating style (love steamed veggies and seafood) and want to keep going. Help a gal out?

You know what would be great? To have a section on product suggestions and reviews that are band friendly.

Edited February 7, 200917 yr by als74

I don't have many suggestions yet as I'm a week out. I've been looking for this info also. I'm seriously thinking about doing bunches of research on this and on restaurants that will "be nice to us" and starting a website. Not really to start as a money maker but maybe break even and get some good info out there.

I have spent hours in the grocery store during the past couple of weeks scouring labels, etc.

If you set it up, let me know. I will shoot you any info I find along the way my journey. It would be great to start something like that for people banded like us. It is one thing to read product reviews by people, but to have it reviewed by banded people would add some credibility.

I have the Magic Bullet countertop chopper/blender/juicer, and it is really great (you may have seen the infomercials, they are on all the time!). It makes it really quick and easy to eat good and healthy at home, just by making it super fast to chop up veggies and put a quick healthy meal together. Plus it comes with a nice little recipe book that has a lot of healthy options.

Plus, it's easy to clean (can go right in the dishwasher).

I have talked to some other people who had the bullet. They said they burn out quickly, but are so great they go buy another one right away. I don't have that kind of money. How did you bullet hold up?

I bought my bullet used on craigslist (it was practically new, only used twice) so I got it at a good price. So far, its holding up fine. The instructions say never to run it more than 60 sec at a time or the motor will burn out, so I try to be gentle with it...but stuff like that always seems to break alot sooner than they "promise" on the infomercials!

I have to say, craigslist is an awesome place to find stuff like that--at least for me, living in Chicago. I've found so much great stuff on that site. Do you live in/around a major city? If so, I'd check it out if you haven't before.

The best discovery so far for me....the stuffed chicken breast from Sam's Club.

They have the broccoli and cheese and the cordon bleu and they are 300 and 320 calories. I wish I had known how good they are before....they do have to be baked in an oven for 35 minutes, but it is worth it.

Anyone have a good microwave steamer?

I can tell you without a doubt the best thing for me post-surgery has been my crockpot. Meat is very difficult for me but an excellent source of protein. Meat cooked in the crock pot all day is soft, moist and easy to eat. Best meal so far, Chicken thighs in the crockpot, dump a jar of salsa on top and let cook all day. Once cooked add some mashed potatoes or ranch style beans (another good source of protein) and your good. There will also be plenty to pack up some containers for lunch the next few days.

So far I have a couple of good ideas, but I am still looking for more. Anyone else with some good products? Or know a place I can get help in finding some?

I have a crock pot, but limited counter space.

I'm being banded on March 13th, but I will weigh in on the useful kitchen products I just started using the Rocket Grill & I LOVE it. No mess. No bother. No cleanup like the George Foreman. You do have to purchase parchment bags to cook your food in, but I reuse them 3 or 4 times. I've done chicken breasts, veggies, pork tenderloins, turkey sandwhiches, even (to my deep shame) ... bacon.

Everthing comes out juicy, evenly cooked, and tasty. Check them out on-line.

I have heard that some people were going to try parchment paper in their George Foreman to see if that can avoid the mess. No idea how well it worked, but it seems like it should.

Gorton's, Trusted Since 1849

Gorton's Salmon Filets--^that's a link to their website w/nutritional info, I can't make my link correctly and it's doing my head in.

It's in the freezer section and is very simple to make.

I use Ziploc steamer bags for steamed veggies. They go right in the microwave and steam your veggies in no time. The veggie and microwave times are on the bag. I like cauliflower - it's 4 minutes and then I put "I can't believe it's not butter" spray (0 calories) on it and it is really good.

My crockpot is out on the kitchen bench cooking away at least 3 x per week. It is so easy to make huge quantities of healthy meals in it and freeze them. I never waste vegetables, I make so much soup, its a GREAT way to get your vegies in every day. Meat cooks beautifully moist, I make curries all the time, I love it.

Melbourne has a temperate climate and we have a big 6 burner BBQ right outside our sliding door from the family room, its all under cover. So most nights that we eat meat, I BBQ it, no fat added. I love the barbie and here I can use it all year round.

I have a very simple mandolin slicer too - great for many many salads. I make things like coleslaw and broccoli slaw with low fat dressings once or twice a week, Doug and I can just grab a portion for lunch.