Eggplant...Lasagna

Very simple Lunch today.

I took a eggplant and cut the ends off. Then cut the eggplant across. In rounds. I put a tiny bit of sea salt on the rounds (lightly) and let the egg plant sit in a colander for about 30 minutes. It makes the eggplant less bitter.

Then I poured all natural Tomato sauce in the bottom of my pan. And layered the egg plant with sauce and eggplant. And sprinkled mozzarella cheese. I added basil, parsley, oregano. And after the eggplant had cooked about 30 minutes. I put whole slices of mozzarella on top about 3 slices And sprinkled grated Parmesan cheese and broiled it till the top was brown.

And we grilled some onions and bell peppers for the top after it was cooked. And ate a nice salad. I know this looks like alot of cheese but I want to say this would be my higher calorie meal for the day. I'm watching my cheese intake. We are eating plain good ole veggies also. I hope to eventually eat more vegan.

I could have made eggplant with the bread crumbs but this was yummy without. No noodles.  In the future i plan to make eggplant similar to this with a spinach feta filling. When I put the cheese on this dish i mainly put it on the top. And added more sauce than cheese. I don't know I feel Little guilty if i drown veggies in to much cheese. But this was our higher calorie meal for the day.

I cheated and used Ragu all natural sauce but in the future Jerry and I plan to start making our own sauces. This dish could have had grilled mushrooms, shredded carrots, any veggies really. We just made it simple. :)  If  Patience eats a meal like this we do call it Lasagna but as in the past we always tell her it was made with veggies instead of noodles. She understands the difference. And most of the time it is "Patience approved" ;)

This meal was more economical than a traditional lasagna. I think a lot of times people will say Yikes A Eggplant is $3.00 but in the long run eating veggies does not cost more. It is easy to be intimated but if you plan your meals eating healthy is more economical. Plus No guilt.

In the past I would have spent a good 25 dollars on a meat meal with noodles. And we would have felt sleepy afterwards after eating the noodles.

My dh made us lunch, Tofu

Shredded Cabbage, carrots, onions, celery, cauliflower, Broccoli. And Tofu.

I never thought i would like tofu but it wasn't bad. With added seasomgs. Chili powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes. Jerry ate the tofu steaks and really did not care to much for them.  In the future we will just dice them.

We plan to eat more tofu instead of meat.

Chicken and peppers And Salad

No it isnt cottage cheese it is Jerry's Home made Salad Dressing with alittle feta cheese.
Orange bell peppers and onions.  Yes it looks like a huge amount of food for lunch.
But Dr. G's food plan is a No fail. Veggie/protein for lunch.

Like I said alot of days Jerry will eat only vegtable salad. So I hope this recipe does not offend anyone who does not eat meat. We did get some tofu at the store and plan to start cooking that also. Jerry does a very labor type job so he wanted chicken.

I just feel so sad when I hear people say: It costs to much to eat healthy. Nope, you buy a bag of apples, almonds, and any other fruit you have all your snacks for the week.
Even if you cannot afford a fancy meal, make it simple. Then when you have alittle extra make a special meal once a week. It's all about health and Simplicity in cooking.

Philly Cheese Grilled chicken

Grilled chicken, bell pepper, onion, salad : carrots, baby spinach, cucumber
broccoli. With a small amount of cheese.
Yes that's alot of food!!! But Jerry continues to lose weight.

Lunch

Jerry's salad

Look how big this looks

from the Man who was 330 now down to 163!!!!

Lettuce, chicken, carrots celery, tomatoe

And lots of water.

Jerry does not eat meat everyday for lunch. Alot of days we will have a huge plate of veggies.  Anyway grilled chicken, tuna, fish always ok. Yesterday we had a picnic in the car. Just him and I  we had some errands to run. Anyway we went to Walmart bought a veggie plate Raw veggies and ate pineapple slices for a sweet. It was so good. And enough. Jerry had pita bread with his.

I loved our lunch and I felt good about eating healthy.

Please stop losing weight Jerry.. LOL