Snacks

Farmer Brand Roasted Peanuts

I guess if you ask me what has probably made the biggest difference for me losing weight, it has been watching my snacks. While I thought nothing of going to Starbucks and getting a tall hot chocolate with a morning bun or lemon pound cake or a Chonga bagel with two pats of butter, those calories add up very quickly. So, I made a rule for myself: eat snacks that have protein and/or fiber. That way, at least they're not just fluff.

I love Farmer Brand Roasted Peanuts. They're easy to like, but it takes a special person to love them. Sure, you might get lucky and get the perfect bag, but they're not consistent. Sometimes, it's a product of Singapore. Sometimes, Vietnam, but they are definitely Chinese-style peanuts. The nut is smaller and sweeter than American peanuts. And there's something about the experience of cracking open nuts. Anyway, rancidity is a problem with all nuts and despite the 'use by date,' even if you use them before that date, sometimes, they're not that fresh. Having said that, when you find a bag that's just right, you'll understand what love is really about. You can get these nuts at Viet Wah, ABC Supermarket, 99 Ranch, Uwajimaya. There are other varieties: dried, garlic, etc.

Apples with peanut butter

Also, good snacks are raisins or dried figs. And there's the classic apples with peanut butter. I think tart apples work best with peanut butter, but use any apple you like. I'm not an apple expert so if you are not sure, consult your local apple expert. I like fuji apples, jazz apples, gala apples, etc. As for peanut butter, I make sure that it doesn't use hydrogenated oil. This one is Maranatha creamy peanut butter. I like this one because it's organic and it's no-stir.

Celery and peanut butter is also an okay snack, but it doesn't have that much fiber compared to apples. Is that surprising?

Anyway, maybe you should think of baked goods like an ex you had children with. Okay, great, you want to have a good relationship with them, but you don't want them in your life all the time. Hear that, morning bun! It's nice to see you, but I'm with apples and peanut butter now!

Whole Wheat Pasta with Wheat Sauce

Whole Wheat Pasta with Wheat Sauce

Where would you be without easy, high protein meals? And pasta is easy, don't you think?

Whole Wheat Pasta with Wheat Sauce
4 oz. whole wheat pasta (fusilli pictured here)
4 oz. store bought vegetarian spaghetti sauce (Prego pictured here)
2.5 oz wheat gluten/seitan, minced.
parmesan cheese, shredded or grated
pepper, to taste
other herbs, to taste (dried basil, for me; oregano for you?)

Prepare pasta according to directions on the package. Here, the pasta was cooked for 11 minutes. While the pasta is cooking, warm up the sauce and mince the wheat gluten and put it in the sauce. Throw in pepper and other herbs. When the pasta is cooked, drain and put in a bowl. Pour sauce over the noodles and top with parmesan cheese. Serves 1. 24 grams of protein.

Lazy Meals

When you're feeling lazy, it's nice to know you have easy vegetarian meals you can make quickly. Sure, you can buy frozen meals, but you can make very easy, high protein meals yourself too.

Swiss Chese Sandwich on Whole Wheat with Mustard

1. Cheese sandwiches. I toast 2 slices of whole wheat bread (4 grams of protein a slice). When they're ready, I put on two slices of cheese, usually Swiss (7 grams a slice). Then, I melt the cheese in the microwave and place on the other piece of bread. I flip it over to let the steam escape and cut in half. And I eat it with a glass of milk (8 grams). Total: 30 grams of protein. Variations: add some mustard, basil or oregano.

2. Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwich: I use wheat bread (4 grams of protein) and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (4 grams of protein per tablespoon). I like blueberry jam or preserves, sometimes, strawberry or even gooseberry. I eat it with a glass of milk (8 grams of protein). If you're concerned about fat, try non-fat milk. Total: 24 grams of protein. If you prefer soymilk, go ahead. Remember, these are lazy meals and you shouldn't think too much about them.




Cottage cheese and pineapple: a classic combination.

 3. Cottage Cheese and Pineapple. I like to get Dole Pineapple Chunks. The nutritional info on the cottage cheese says there are four servings (14 grams of protein). I like to turn it into three servings. There are exactly 18 chunks of pineapple in the small tin so I divide into six chunks per serving. Total: 19 grams of protein. Not quite 27 grams of protein, but if you start to worry, you can drink a glass of milk/soymilk.

4. An omelet with toast/egg sandwich. One egg has 6 grams of protein. Total: 20 grams of protein. Add a glass of milk, 28 grams.

Anyway, these are the meals I go too when I'm feeling really lazy. I can eat three meals of the same thing before I get tired of it. And if I go into a rotation, I start to like the food again that I had grown tired of before. What are your go-to meals when you're lazy? Please let me know!