Recipe Week in Review Pt. 1 (2024)

Well folks, I am one week back in to my P90x regimen, and I am pleased to say I've dropped 4 pounds. What I am even more excited about is the fact that (unlike last time) I have found some GREAT recipes to keep me and my husband happy!

Some background: The last time we did P90x (about a year ago), I was quasi-suicidal because I. LOVE. FOOD. and we were eating the same bland and boring meals day after day:

Teriyaki marinaded grilled chicken, chipotle marinated grilled chicken, hawaiian marinated grilled chicken, BBQ marinated grilled chicken, lemon pepper marinated grilled chicken, STEAK.... rinse and repeat.

Throw in the normal rotation of green beans, broccoli, salad, green beans, broccoli, salad.... etc etc... I was miserable. BUT, I was seeing GREAT results.

So, the question became, could I stay motivated again through that boring weekly menu? Well, I don't have to! Thanks to Pinterest!!!!!

As promised in a previous post, I tried out a ton of new recipes this past week, and some of them were HUGE successes. So over the next few days I'll be reviewing the good, the bad, and the ugly of our first week of P90x.

Today: Monterrey Chicken & Salad, Buffalo Turkey Lettuce Wraps, and Tomato Basil Cheddar Soup.

Monterrey Chicken & Salad

Recipe Week in Review Pt. 1 (1)

This was actually two separate recipes that I combined because the ingredients were similar. Because I have so many new recipes to tell you about in these posts, I am just going to link you to the originals and let you know about any changes I made instead of typing them all out.

Salad Original Recipe

I would give this meal about a 6/10 (though my husband liked it more than I did). With some alterations, I think it could be put into normal rotation.

Modifications:

1. The only modification I made to the chicken was the use of real turkey bacon bits instead of traditional bacon bits.

2. As far as the salad, I obviously omitted the chicken from my salad, and just served it along the Monterrey Chicken.

3. Also, I used Walden Farms Calorie Free, Carb Free Ranch dressing to cut down on the "bad stuff." Walden Farms makes delicious healthy dressings... we usually buy the Bacon Ranch, but they were sold out last week. You can find the dressings at almost all grocery stores.

Recipe Week in Review Pt. 1 (2)

4. I omitted the corn and tortilla chips from the salad for obvious reasons. To be honest, the salad didn't need the extra ingredients... the black beans were plenty filling.

What I'd Do Next Time:

1. More BBQ sauce.... Maybe about an additional tablespoon per chicken breast... just to amp up the flavor a bit more. Since I used thick breasts, the chicken toppings made for a few great bites and a few bland ones.... adding the sauce should solve that problem.

Buffalo Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Recipe Week in Review Pt. 1 (3)

TEN!!!!!!!!!! TEN!!!!!!!!!!! TEN!!!!!!!!!!! I was so blown away by this easy recipe! My husband, the king of the wing, who was extremely critical when I placed turkey wrapped in lettuce in front of him, liked it more and more with every bite. We really could have doubled this recipe.... We were practically licking the bowl!

Modifications:

My only modification was the fact that I used romaine lettuce instead of iceberg..... simply because I like it better!

What I'd do Next Time:

I'd do absolutely nothing different. This is a recipe I'd eat even if I wasn't dieting!

Tomato Basil Cheddar Soup

Recipe Week in Review Pt. 1 (4)

Inspired by Yard House's out of this world tomato bisque, I searched for a healthy, yet creamy, tomato soup. This one used Greek Yogurt instead of heavy cream. Boy oh boy was I impressed! I'd give it a solid 9/10! My husband was out of town for this meal, but my mother loved the soup as much as I did, and asked me for the recipe for herself.

Modifications:

1. I only had three 15 oz. cans of diced tomatoes on hand, so I actually used a little less than the recipe called for. I'd never have known the difference.... it was plenty tomato-y!

2. I used Splenda in lieu of sugar

**NOTE: I used an immersion blender for this soup. I avoid putting soups in the food processor at all costs because it always makes a huge mess, and though the recipe said it was not necessary to blend the soup, I absolutely think it is!

What I'd do next time:

Again, I wouldn't change anything about the way I made this recipe. It was VERY good, and very filling! I served it alongside an apple walnut salad, which I'll be reviewing later in the week, so stay tuned!

Recipe Week in Review Pt. 1 (2024)

FAQs

Is ChatGPT good for meal planning? ›

ChatGPT can be an incredibly helpful tool for gathering meal ideas, creating grocery lists, and adding more nutrient-dense foods to your life,” Miranda Galati, MHSc, RD, founder of Real Life Nutritionist, told Health.

How long does it take to meal prep for a week? ›

How Long Does it Take to Meal Prep? This depends on how many meals you're making and how many people you're cooking for. A week of lunches and dinners for two adults can take about 2 hours. Add breakfast or a really diverse menu and you could make it to 3 hours.

Can you lose weight on factor 75? ›

Factor offers high protein, low carb, and low calorie meal plans, any of which could be good options if you're looking to lose weight. But whether or not you lose weight with Factor meals also depends on things like your exercise routine, lifestyle, and what else you're putting on your plate.

How to get ChatGPT to make meal plan? ›

Ask ChatGPT for Ideas:

You can start a conversation like this: - "I have these ingredients: [list your ingredients]. What can I make with them?" - "I want to make a meal using [specific ingredient].

Can you use ChatGPT as a nutritionist? ›

While ChatGPT may be able to provide general nutrition advice, it lacks accuracy when there are medical conditions involved—especially when there is more than one condition present. It also cannot integrate the emotional side of eating and health, which are important components of overall health and well-being.

Can I use ChatGPT to lose weight? ›

Take caution if you use ChatGPT for diet advice, meal planning. Brown points out that ChatGPT can also help come up with meal ideas and meal plans. However, Brown said to take caution if relying solely on ChatGPT for nutritional and weight loss advice.

Is it safe to meal prep for 7 days? ›

Meal-prepped soups and stews can last up to four days in the fridge. Chicken and rice can last up to five days in the fridge. Meal prep salads can last up to three days in the fridge. Meal prep food can also be stored in the freezer.

How many cups of rice to meal prep for a week? ›

This depends on how many meals you are prepping for. As a rule of thumb, one cup of uncooked white rice yields 3 cups cooked. One cup of uncooked brown rice yields 2 cups cooked. If you are prepping 5 meals, we recommend cooking 2 ½ cups of brown rice.

Is meal prep for 5 days healthy? ›

One important note though: as long as you cook meals properly, food will be perfectly safe to eat within seven days. However, by day five, it might not be as tasty. If there's one number to remember from this cheat sheet, it's four. Most meals are good (safe AND tasty) in the fridge for up to four days.

Why is there so much fat in factor meals? ›

While the company caters to a range of diets, many of the meals are categorized as keto, which means they have a higher fat content. Factor advises members to choose plant-based meals if they're looking for lower-fat options.

Does turmeric really burn fat? ›

Compared with the participants who took a placebo, participants who consumed curcumin experienced a significant decrease in body weight, body fat, waistline and hip circumference, and BMI. Researchers concluded that curcumin is well-tolerated and promotes weight management in overweight people.

Is Factor owned by HelloFresh? ›

Is Factor Meals part of HelloFresh? Factor Meals was acquired by HelloFresh in 2020. Although they're owned by the same company, the subscription services are separate.

How to get 500 calories per meal? ›

25 Deliciously Simple 500 Calorie Meals
  1. Vegan Tofu Stir Fry. ...
  2. Sesame Ginger Tempeh. ...
  3. Tofu and Cabbage Stir Fry. ...
  4. Tomato and Mozzarella Salad. ...
  5. Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs. ...
  6. Strawberry Spinach Salad. ...
  7. Spinach, Orange, Strawberry, and Chicken Salad. ...
  8. Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables and Pearl Pasta Salad.
Aug 2, 2023

How to lose 5 pounds in a month meal plan? ›

Eating to Lose 5 Pounds in a Month

Use low-fat milk instead of sugared creamer in your coffee, opt for water instead of soda and choose fruit instead of cookies for dessert. Make your meals consist of whole, unprocessed foods; when you're hungry, serve yourself extra helpings of fresh vegetables.

How to make a 2500 calorie diet? ›

Starting the day with breakfast including eggs, oats, cheese, whole grain toast are good options. Snacking on whey protein shakes, fruits and nuts are recommended. During lunch, one can indulge in lean meats and lots of vegetables. Supper could include shakes, fruits, protein-packed chips or bagel with cream cheese.

Can a chatbot create meal plans? ›

Here are some of the top AI assistants and apps that can help with meal planning: Mealime – This app builds custom meal plans based on your food preferences, nutritional needs, and diet. It also generates grocery lists and cooking instructions.

What should be avoided in planning meals? ›

The 7 Most Common Mistakes People Make When Meal Planning
  • Mistake #1: Leaving everything for the last minute. ...
  • Mistake #2: Taking on too much. ...
  • Mistake #3: Having a disorganized shopping list. ...
  • Mistake #4: Selecting overly ambitious recipes. ...
  • Mistake #5: Not planning for enough food.

What is 403030 meal plan? ›

The theory behind the Zone diet is all in the numbers: 40-30-30. Zone dieters balance their meals and snacks so that their calories come from a mix of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein and 30 percent “friendly” fats.

Which meal plan is the healthiest? ›

“It's not surprising that the Mediterranean diet ranked number one,” says Jackie Newgent , a registered dietitian, Forbes Health Advisory Board member and panelist for our best diets ranking.

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