Hi again, All! I named this post after the Kwik-E Mart on the Simpsons. Actually this post has nothing to do with the Simpsons, it's not about bacon (drool), doughnuts, or even beer. But it is about convenience.
If you are on the Zone diet, you are most likely preparing your own meals and snacks, and possibly transporting this food with you to work or on your lengthy outings. While it is possible to get some Zone-friendly meals while you are out and about, such as a McDonald's salad topped with grilled chicken, I highly recommend buying a good set of tupperware containers and putting together your own meals and snacks. Controlling your portions yourself, not to mention purchasing the freshest, highest quality food you can afford, is definitely worth the hassle of making your own.
So today's blog is about finding those conveniently packaged and proportioned products that make life just a tad bit easier for the Zone dieter.
One such product, available at Costco's, is Trident frozen salmon burgers. Made from wild Alaskan salmon, high in Omega 3 fish oils, these burgers have absolutely no added filler such as bread crumbs or wheat flour. They are flavored with only natural ingredients, including lemon juice and garlic powder. Each burger contains a perfect 3 blocks of protein. You can fry them up in a little olive oil for about 10 minutes or even microwave (for a mushier outcome). These make a quick and easy lunch when you run out of leftovers!
Another easy choice is the Jenni-O turkey burger, also found frozen at your local supermarket. I prefer the seasoned variety which contains tiny specks of veggies and a little cheese for flavoring. Again, these are perfectly portioned with 3 blocks of protein each. They are raw, so need to be cooked through before serving, but they cook quickly on the stovetop in a little olive oil.
Of course, everyone already knows that hummus is available, pre-made, in every grocery store. However, most of the major brands contain preservatives. I am very picky about my hummus, I can taste those icky preservatives in there, so often I just make it myself. But Trader Joe's own brand contains ZERO preservatives and is quite tasty! I recommend it for those who want a convenient snack of a high quality for a decent price. (And no, Trader Joe's is not paying me a dime for my opinions! I WISH!) Remember you can spread 1 Tablespoon of hummus on a one ounce slice of turkey breast for a 1 block snack. (Turkey contains 1 block of protein, hummus contains 1 block carbs and 1 block fat.)
Another convenience item worth mentioning again is peeled baby carrots. I always call these things "baby" carrots, so I was shocked the other day to look at the bag and realize that is NOT their actual, official title. Nonetheless, they are so convenient and easy to use. You can throw a half cup into a ziplock bag and tote them with you for 1 block of healthy carbs in your lunch or for a snack. You can chop them up and toss them into a salad, a stir fry, a stew, or a soup (with no washing or peeling!). You can roast them whole with a spritzing of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and ground cumin. Delicious warm or at room temperature!
Pre-washed salad greens make salad-making so simple. Organic baby spinach leaves are my favorite. (Are these things really called "baby" spinach? Or am I just fantasizing that all my vegetables are infants?) You can use this in a salad, of course, but also in a soup, a stir-fry, even in a smoothie!
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, Hanover makes veggies that can be microwaved (and thus steamed) right in their bag. I enjoy their petite brussels sprouts which cook in just 5 minutes. Green Giant also makes a boxed green beans with almonds. Check the labels carefully. The one I recommend has no added fat or sauce (besides the fat in the nuts!) and is just seasoned with salt.
And for dessert? How about a lovely piece of fruit? An apple or an orange is easy to transport and each contains 2 blocks of carbs. And frozen, unsweetened raspberries make a delicious breakfast smoothie. Start with 1 cup lowfat milk. Add 2 cups frozen raspberries. Blend well. (You may have to add some water.) Then add a half scoop or about 1 Tablespoon chocolate flavored protein powder for another 14 grams of whey protein. Voila! A 3 block breakfast shake. This is perfect before a workout as it is quickly digested.
If you discover another conveniently packaged and portioned item which fits perfectly into the Zone diet, I would love to hear about it! Please share your finds under our comments section.
If you are on the Zone diet, you are most likely preparing your own meals and snacks, and possibly transporting this food with you to work or on your lengthy outings. While it is possible to get some Zone-friendly meals while you are out and about, such as a McDonald's salad topped with grilled chicken, I highly recommend buying a good set of tupperware containers and putting together your own meals and snacks. Controlling your portions yourself, not to mention purchasing the freshest, highest quality food you can afford, is definitely worth the hassle of making your own.
So today's blog is about finding those conveniently packaged and proportioned products that make life just a tad bit easier for the Zone dieter.
One such product, available at Costco's, is Trident frozen salmon burgers. Made from wild Alaskan salmon, high in Omega 3 fish oils, these burgers have absolutely no added filler such as bread crumbs or wheat flour. They are flavored with only natural ingredients, including lemon juice and garlic powder. Each burger contains a perfect 3 blocks of protein. You can fry them up in a little olive oil for about 10 minutes or even microwave (for a mushier outcome). These make a quick and easy lunch when you run out of leftovers!
Another easy choice is the Jenni-O turkey burger, also found frozen at your local supermarket. I prefer the seasoned variety which contains tiny specks of veggies and a little cheese for flavoring. Again, these are perfectly portioned with 3 blocks of protein each. They are raw, so need to be cooked through before serving, but they cook quickly on the stovetop in a little olive oil.
Of course, everyone already knows that hummus is available, pre-made, in every grocery store. However, most of the major brands contain preservatives. I am very picky about my hummus, I can taste those icky preservatives in there, so often I just make it myself. But Trader Joe's own brand contains ZERO preservatives and is quite tasty! I recommend it for those who want a convenient snack of a high quality for a decent price. (And no, Trader Joe's is not paying me a dime for my opinions! I WISH!) Remember you can spread 1 Tablespoon of hummus on a one ounce slice of turkey breast for a 1 block snack. (Turkey contains 1 block of protein, hummus contains 1 block carbs and 1 block fat.)
Another convenience item worth mentioning again is peeled baby carrots. I always call these things "baby" carrots, so I was shocked the other day to look at the bag and realize that is NOT their actual, official title. Nonetheless, they are so convenient and easy to use. You can throw a half cup into a ziplock bag and tote them with you for 1 block of healthy carbs in your lunch or for a snack. You can chop them up and toss them into a salad, a stir fry, a stew, or a soup (with no washing or peeling!). You can roast them whole with a spritzing of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and ground cumin. Delicious warm or at room temperature!
Pre-washed salad greens make salad-making so simple. Organic baby spinach leaves are my favorite. (Are these things really called "baby" spinach? Or am I just fantasizing that all my vegetables are infants?) You can use this in a salad, of course, but also in a soup, a stir-fry, even in a smoothie!
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, Hanover makes veggies that can be microwaved (and thus steamed) right in their bag. I enjoy their petite brussels sprouts which cook in just 5 minutes. Green Giant also makes a boxed green beans with almonds. Check the labels carefully. The one I recommend has no added fat or sauce (besides the fat in the nuts!) and is just seasoned with salt.
And for dessert? How about a lovely piece of fruit? An apple or an orange is easy to transport and each contains 2 blocks of carbs. And frozen, unsweetened raspberries make a delicious breakfast smoothie. Start with 1 cup lowfat milk. Add 2 cups frozen raspberries. Blend well. (You may have to add some water.) Then add a half scoop or about 1 Tablespoon chocolate flavored protein powder for another 14 grams of whey protein. Voila! A 3 block breakfast shake. This is perfect before a workout as it is quickly digested.
If you discover another conveniently packaged and portioned item which fits perfectly into the Zone diet, I would love to hear about it! Please share your finds under our comments section.
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