(Part 3) Top products from r/1200isplenty

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit this (only a bit) but, uhhh, I love Ikea's children's dinnerware? Perfect size for most of my meals, easy to store, comes in fun colors. And cheap.

Yes! I adore broccoli. I have 3-4 bags frozen broccoli in my freezer at any one time for veg emergencies, and love getting it fresh to dice up into salads. When I steam it, I love to put a bunch of one or a combo of these three seasonings on top (white cheddar, ranch, or garlic parm). Takes it to the NEXT level! https://www.amazon.com/Kernel-Seasons-Popcorn-Seasoning-Parmesan/dp/B00DBC0ZRC/ref=sr_1_15_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1519161572

Nice quick and easy lunch, love it! If you also like Vietnamese pho, you should also check these out. I get them at the international grocer near me, but as you can see, you can order them off amazon too. Of course this instant pho is nowhere near as awesome as the real deal, but you can't beat it for a super cheap and easy likeness. I also hook mine up with an egg, but I just crack it in there and let poach during the last minute in the microwave. Also, the whole pack is only 194 calories plus the 78 calories for a large egg: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043OQUVC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HaskDbYTWG4FK

I've got this guy.

It's super basic, no batteries or anything like that, but I like that. It's compact, the bowl inverts for storage. It's super easy to clean. The only downside is since it is mechanical instead of analog, you have to think a bit more to figure out if it's not a perfect gram or ounce.

I have this one in white, but I think most grocery or superstores will have basic digital ones that are pretty much the same. Use them enough and you'll understand why you need the pull out display. Also do your future self a favor and buy backup batteries lol

I am fond of these tortillas. They are about $4 a pack in my neck of the woods.

My favorite dipper is cucumber for low cal. Carrots are great too. I also drink a lot of sugar free hot chocolate. It's only 25 calories a mug.

What kinds of cooking methods do you have access to? Slow cooker? Oven?

Overall, I cannot recommend this book enough, to vegetarians and meat eaters alike. There are a few recipes in there that are naturally lower calorie - the rest are very easy to make low-cal (by swapping ingredients, bulking up with veg, or cutting portion size) For example, there are Corn and Poblano Hand pies in there that I have made in the past week - its a homemade pastry filled with corn, poblano peppers, pinto beans, and cheese. Following the recipe with my ingredients- each hand pie (about 6inch across) is about 315 calories, though this could easily be lessened by using less oil, more veg, less or no cheese, etc.

Without a microwave, there are many recipes (in this book and online) for quinoa salads and rice salads that have cooked veg, beans, and even dried fruit in them that are served cold and delicious!

I like to make a bunch of burritos and freeze them, so it's super easy to make a lot at once and grab one to take to work whenever I need an easy, low-cal lunch.

To make mine, I throw some chicken breasts into a slow cooker with enchilada sauce and a little can of green chiles (or your favorite salsa would work), cook on low 6-8 hours, then shred. I make "Spanish rice" by cooking rice and subbing half the water with salsa. And then I usually prep some kind of veggie, like peppers and onions or some black beans and corn (I'm actually really into pickled carrots lately).

Throw moderate amounts of each (going light on the rice) into a low-carb tortilla (I get these, 50 cal each), wrap up tight in plastic wrap, and continue until you have a pile of burritos to freeze. Just keep track of how many total calories everything is and then divide by how many burritos you made. Mine usually come out to about 250-300 cal each.

I know it does sound excessive to bring the scale with you but at one point when I was in college I felt the exact same way. I wish I would have had one to bring with me, or even measuring cups. My suggestion, besides learning to visualize how much is a cup/half cup etc, is to get a more discrete scale. Something like this. Then when your by yourself you can measure how much your school's plates and bowls weigh to be able to deduct that from the total in the future. I know it might not help if your trying to measure each ingredient on it's own and you've already made yourself a mixed plate, but say you get a bowl of broccoli or a plate full of chicken, it could be helpful.

I don't care to have a ton of random appliances or large utensils in the kitchen so I went with a julienne peeler to save space. It might take a little bit more time than a spiralizer, but it's a cinch to clean and takes up minimal drawer space. Plus it's cheaper. I'm happy with it! However it doesn't work well on oddly shaped hard veggies (like rutabaga).

http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Kitchenware-Stainless-Julienne-Vegetable/dp/B00FF75XG4

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Amazon Product | Ikea 36-piece Dinnerware Set, Assorted Colors
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Love Pho. I like this one and this one and this one

EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale, Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N07KUE/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_8U-Qwb8C7G7XF

I've beat the shit out of mine. Still good. Still accurate.

That's great advice. I will definitely get the little one. Just to confirm, is the one..?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040MH642/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_qwETybPEZJXFT

I have Cooking Light's book Cooking that Counts. I've liked everything I've tried so far. It has calorie counts and suggestions for up to 1500 calorie a day diets. This is nice if you're eating with a spouse who needs more calories.

Pretty sure it's this one: https://www.amazon.com/ECOlunchbox-Three-Stainless-Steel-Container/dp/B0040MH642/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1491405597&sr=8-14&keywords=Tiffin

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

these

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This got me craving pie and I did a bit of research and I found these mini pie crusts for 100 calories each! Never tried them and I don't know if they're teeny tiny, but thought it'd be interesting to try your recipe with these! I'm going to be on the hunt for them now :D

I got this food scale, works great. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003E7AZQA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Items I use all the time:
Tubberware
Rice cooker
Spiralizer
Immersion blender
Food processor
Slow cooker

This one. Looks like it's $32 at the moment. I've had zero problems with it and it works great.

If you get it while it's warm you can sprinkle nutritional yeast ontop. It's got a mild cheesy flavor and it's good for you too. https://www.amazon.com/Bragg-Nutritional-Yeast-Seasoning-Premium/dp/B002863BIW

You can see into the book on the Amazon product page. It gives you examples of the meal plans, recipes and the index - should be enough for you to decide if it is up your alley :)

Jicama is a root veggie that is similar in texture and taste to a cross between a pear, apple, and potato.

The skin peels off effortlessly and it's easy to cut and fun to eat!

It's only 38 calories and 9carbs per 100g. I like to eat it with sliced cucumber and a sprinkling of tajin seasoning which is lime juice, salt, and chili pepper-not spicy but very flavorful.

I bought a julienne peeler off amazon for $8.00 and it works great! You can buy fancier contraptions but I say keep it simple to begin with!

Here's the one I got: Precision Kitchenware - Ultra Sharp Stainless Steel Dual Julienne & Vegetable Peeler with Cleaning Brush & Blade Guard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FF75XG4/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_xrDCxb7RBFCTT

From Costco a while ago. I haven't had it recently, need to get more.

You can get it from Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/PB2-Powdered-Peanut-Butter-Bundle/dp/B00ABKWSTA

It may seem expensive, but it goes a long way.

I used it a lot in smoothies for flavor and some extra protein. I'd imagine it would also go really well with Asian-style dishes.

I hate kitchen unitaskers, too but I bought a julienne peeler and I have no regrets. It works great for zoodles and it makes quick work of things like carrots and cucumber for kimbap! (Small amounts of brown rice all veggie/kimchi kimbap!)

I highly recommend this scale.
You can pull out the display!

http://www.amazon.com/PB2-Powdered-Peanut-Butter-Bundle/dp/B00ABKWSTA

It's peanut powder that I really wish I'd discovered sooner. Add some truvia, Splenda, or Equal to it, and it's so delicious IMO.

I use these. They fold up well, and when folded the buttons etc are covered so no risk of switching on in a bag. Only problem with them when out might be the lack of bowl/plate, but it's easy enough to use a side plate or the lid of your lunch box or whatever.

I have this food scale. It's easy to adjust, comes with its own little bowl (that you can flip over and use as a cover for when you transport it), and you don't have to rely on batteries. https://smile.amazon.com/OXO-Portable-Compact-Healthy-Portions/dp/B00L9X30BI/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=food+scale+analog&qid=1566396569&s=gateway&sr=8-4

I've got this Ozeri scale and it does the trick! It weighs up to 12 lbs and doesn't time out so quickly, which I like.

I highly recommend this oil mister for roasting vegetables. We have roasted vegetables at least five nights a week and I can't remember the last time we had to refill it. Just enough oil for good roasting, but without the added calories.

I've always liked this scale but haven't really tried anything else. It works pretty well. I bought a new one recently because the one I have that's a couple years old has been acting a little finicky (I'm assuming from getting splashed w/ water or food). I looked at the Ozeri one the other person posted but was dissuaded by a few of the negative reviews.

You could also add some Nutritional Yeast! It will make it taste like white cheddar popcorn.

If you have time at night, I recommend just making your own popcorn, it's significantly cheaper than skinny pop and fewer calories (minimal detail, but 38 kCal per cup, instead of 47). I throw these seasonings on it.

When it comes out, i just spritz it a little PAM or vinegar, then I toss in the seasoning.

https://www.amazon.com/Taj%C3%ADn-Cl%C3%A1sico-Seasoning-5-oz/dp/B0000GL6RK

Look at the reviews

Non-mobile: julienne peeler

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

Recipe from The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook by America's Test Kitchen. Online source here.

This is a 50/50 on if you think it’s awful or if it’s good.

Walden Farms, Peanut Spread Calorie-Free, 12-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X1Q1G8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sBqKDbZ7SSK65