Teenager Cooking?

Question

Half the week I am at my dad's house & the other half I am at my mom's. At my dad's house my step-mom always cooks dinner for us. For the last couple of years, my mom has stopped cooking and just heats a TV dinner, picks up something at a food place, or orders something. I am also a vegetarian, so my options are limited.

I am pretty sick of having dinner consist of just Ramen Noodles, Mac n' Cheese, Peanut Butter & Banana, or a TV dinner. So, what are some good ideas that I could make for myself at the store, and that are healthier? I don't have a lot of time to cook, but I am willing to cook for myself! =]

I love squash, broccoli, carrots, cucumber, and any fruits! =]

Thanks for all the help! =D

Answer 1

If you (or your mom) have a wok you should give stir frying a try. It's really easy, and you can add whatever you want to it. Just heat up the wok, add a bit of oil, and then you can throw all of your vegies in and fry them up. It cooks pretty fast. You can also experiment with lots of different sauces. Asian cooking is easy and great for vegetarians! Good luck!

Answer 2

Ok, quick recipe for Broccoli!

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice

Shopping List:
Rotisserie Chicken-cooked
Package of broccoli heads
Box of rice
Package of shredded cheddar cheese

Make rice according to instructions on the box. When it is cooking, cut up the chicken, and steam the broccoli. When the rice is done, place it in a large serving bowl. After the broccoli is done, put on top of the rice. Sprinkle cheese on top of broccoli. Heat up the chicken, and toss all the ingredients together. Eat with yummy refrigerated cresents.

Good luck and happy eating!

Answer 3

Remember- beans, grains, nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables. It is surprising how filling and fulfilling a salad can be. It is the easiest and healthiest thing to make. You can put whatever you want in it, experiment, practice different cutting techniques. I love dried berries, fruit, nuts, seeds and sweet, healthy dressings on mine.

Also, eating a big salad for dinner will gradually clean out your system, therefore helping to eliminate cravings for things like macaroni and cheese, etc.

If you like cow cheese and milk, try to find raw and organic. Raw is hard to find and is actually illegal to sell for human consumption, even though it is 100 times healthier than pasteurized and homogenized milk. You can find it being sold as pet food.from local farms or at Whole Foods. Health food stores can probably get it for you. It is more expensive of course, but a good habit to get into. Some Publixes and health food stores regularly carry raw, orqanic cheese now.

Sometimes I eat lots of fruit for dinner and then end up making some kind of whole grain hot cereal if I am still hungry. You can add what you like and experiment-nuts, seeds, agave nectar, honey, fruit, even a raw egg if you are still eating them (stirred up in the hot cereal).

Steamed vegetables with marinated and cooked tofu or seitan. Baked squash with honey glaze, stuffed with..? Have a big bowl of beans with spiced, cooked, greens. Experiment with spices on food. You can add veggies to whole grain pastas with ready made organic sauces in jars. Easy and much better than mac and cheese.

It is so much better eating with others if possible. Get together with other vegetarians and eat together whenever you can. Cook outside. You can use grills at parks or the beach or get a little propane stove. You could even start a veg support group or potluck type thing for fun to meet other people.

You should try to always have good quality organic dried beans, grains, nuts, seeds, and other staple foods that you need like bread, pasta and peanut butter, fruit and vegetables.

That is about the extent of my knowledge- hope it helps!

Answer 4

If you are willing to cook for yourself, there are great vegetarian recipes here:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Everyday-Cooking/Vegetarian/Main.aspx

Right now it doesn't seem like you are getting a balanced diet; the Ramen is on the top 10 lists of foods never to eat (sorry, can't find the site, but you could google it)

Both Ramen and M&C are heavy on the sodium... of all 3 the PB&B sounds the healthiest, but you do need fresh foods.

I really applaude your trying to eat healthier, good for you!

Answer 5

Good for you! Once you know how to cook, the possibilities are endless!

Before you go to school, you can put on a crock pot full of dry beans (red, white, navy, pinto, etc.). Add lots of water, season w/ a chopped up onion (or onion powder) and garlic and good stuff. Put on lid, set on LOW for probably 8-10 hours. Eat this w/ steamed rice (follow label directions) and put some small containers of it in the freezer for nights your mom wants meat delivered.

You may also investigate the meat substitutes, like Wham! (ham-like) and so on. Very flavorful, and you can slap a sandwich together pretty quickly.

Answer 6

Have you thought about
A] asking if you could go to the store with the parent/step-parent you're staying with,
B] picking out the things you both or all like

C] AND THEN surprising everyone - including yourself with the things you make?

C 1] OR do the above and ask for help and suggestions while you're shopping and making the food.

How about salads? They are easy to make AND don't require much time.

Thanks for asking your Q! I enjoyed answering it!

VTY,
Ron Berue
Yes, that is my real last name!

Answer 7

There are some wonderful frozen starter crock pot meals in the frozen section. It would be a filling healthy meal for you...Put in the pot with your choice of meat, and leave till you get home from school.

Answer 8

broccoli salad, caprese sandwiches, caprese salad, baked potatoes with broccoli and cheese, broccoli slaw ( you can buy it pre bagged) tossed with sesame ginger dressing for an asian flair