Simplify this weekend: The "go-to" meal

[Gaelen]

One of the ways that I simplify is by having a few 'go-to' meals that are always easy, usually readily available and relatively simple.

My go-to meals include:
1. the chocolate protein shake, usually oomphed up with coffee and some cinnamon
2. the low carb tortilla wrap/pizza
(as a wrap: peanut butter and a dab of no-sugar jam, egg or tuna salad, cream cheese and a dab of jam)
(as a pizza: my favorite is pesto, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, done in a grill pan on the top of the stove until the cheese gets all melty!)
3. the egg frittata, with a couple of eggs, an ounce of cheese, and whatever veggies I have at hand
4. broth with shellfish (either canned clams, mussels or oysters, or some frozen shrimp or scallops, and some slivered mushrooms, green onions)
5. The rotissiere chicken. Yep, pre-made and hot and ready at the local supermarket. When I absolutely positively have no time to cook, and want something on plan and fast...paired with some green salad or fresh tomatoes, this is at LEAST three meals.

What are the go-to meals you use to keep things simple, the things you know you don't even have to figure out counts for, the things you have always on hand and/or find yourself eating at least once a week?

[LisaS]

1) Rotiss. Chicken (sometimes just breasts) with either: a) oven roasted peppers & zucc or b) garlic cauliflower mash - the grocery store where I get the chicken is 3 mins walk so always convenient "on the spot"

2) protein shake: a) 2 scoops + 70g frozen berries or b) 2 scoops + espresso powder (sometimes + cocoa powder too)

3) Tuna Salad (mayo, sweet pickle relish, celery, green onion) with celery sticks

[Shadow]

Staples I always have on hand (and eat frequently, if not daily :lol: ):
Tuna in the pouch
Chicken breast (I buy in bulk and then cook, portion and freeze in snack bags)
Turkey breast (ditto)
Flax muffins

Other staples I keep in the freezer but eat less frequently:
Homemade protein bars
Nuts (almonds, sunflower seeds, brazil nuts)
Beef roast
Meatloaf

[Anniesnan]

definitely the rotisserie chicken - quick, easy, and good.

eggs - I always have them, always love them

frozen chicken breast - sauteed with any number of spices for completely different meals


not meals, but snacks

bacon - if I'm ravenous, but not planning on eating soon, I'll nuke up a few slices
pepperoni - with or without cheese

[Rhyme'n Reason]

My "go-to" meals--

the shake--either mocha with chocolate protein powder or Crystal Light with vanilla (thanks for all the guidance on this)
the LC wrap--typically with salami and cheese
cottage cheese and CheddarWurst
precooked chicken breasts (BumbleBee, I think) and a packaged saladRuth

[gitfiddle]

These also serve as breakfast as needed:

The ubquitous "breakfast meatloaf" that I never make the same way twice.

LC wrap with a slice of cheese and either chicken or tuna salad, sliced meat, or a blob of peanut butter.

Protein powder shake with daVinci flavoring and frozen fruit. Sometimes an egg blended in or a scoop of ricotta if it's going to be a long time until lunch. That's the best way to consume granulated lethicin and Carlson's fish oil, too. They don't distract from the flavor or texture of the shake.

I keep foil packages of chicken or tuna in my desk drawer for emergencies. They work on the road, too, but you're going to want a fork and a napkin.

[Claudette]

My to-go meals I keep at hand are:

LC bars, like EAS ones
Canned shakes
Canned chicken, tuna
eggs, I love em anyway you can think of
Whey protein powder
Hood LC milk, in chocolate/regular
In the freezer, Choubear's (previous board member) recipe for peanut butter balls, coated with cocoa powder, 7pro/1carb/each
cottage cheese
pimentos/olives/shredded cheese to make pimento or olive pimento cheese
boar's head deli luncheon products, especially sliced cheese, sliced turkey, chicken, ham or even some beef bologna

Some great ideas posted here. Thanks, Gaalen, for the LC tortilla "pizza crust" idea. I have used Carb countdown brand for "pizza" crust (at Walmart), but didn't think of tortillas.


Claudette

[Ammy]

I always have hard boiled eggs.
Also, I buy Louis Rich Turkey Bacon and cook up the entire package. We take this EVERYWHERE with us. Once it's cooked, it's like jerky, only softer (I have a bad jaw)! Just be sure to dab off the extra grease if you're taking it somewhere like camping the BWCA for 5 days with no refrigerator!

[oceanblueLA]

--Foil packets of tuna in the fridge -- what a great invention!
--Sliced turkey.
--GC Scandinavian fiber crackers -- they are amazing a thick, crunchy 2 1/2" square that has 3 grms carb, 3 grms fiber, and is only 16 calories. They save my life when I need crunch. I eat them with tuna, a bit of PB and sf J, or egg salad.
--cans of protein pudding -- delish and 20 grms pro, 1 grm carb
--jello portion packs and whipped cream
--little packs of almonds
--grilled chicken breasts -- I make up 2 batches a week so always have them ready to go for a salad or plain
--pre-cooked turkey sausage -- good for breakfast
--cartons of egg whites