BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Low Carb Processed Food

I don't use steamer bags. Where do you find those in the grocery store. I have a tupperware steamer that is worth the $$$$. (old oval not round one) May still find some on Ebay. Looks like terra cotta. Great for asparagus.

I'm with Megan. I love fresh fruit and veggies and buy them regularly, but once in a while, I cave into processed foods when lazy.

Even with freshly made pizza is just a phone call away, I like to buy frozen pizza. It's cheap and I like the crunchy crusts. Other than that, I don't buy a whole lot of processed foods (do frozen peas count?)

My downfall is buying more fresh vegetables and fruit than I can eat before they go bad. I have to remind myself that I live down the street from the store and can pick up fresh stuff daily or every other day.

I can't believe it, we are completely out of the steamer bags, I just went to check the freezer to tell you what they are.

We find them in the freezer section of the supermarket. They are single-serving bags and you just pop them into the microwave. They self-vent, self-steam and all you do is cut them open when they're done and they are great!

I'll write them up when we get some more.

Reading my grandmother's diary, she used to go grocery shopping EVERY DAY. She'd talk into town and pick up some meat or some veggies or whatever. Can you imagine that lifestyle?

Ziploc makes steamer bags

I used to always only eat fresh, local food. I was a foster mom and my boys had been malnourished and neglected, so I bought them only the absolute best. Shortly after they left us, I separated from my partner of 8 years. I didn't feel like cooking anymore so for at least 2 years now I've been eating total [censored]- all packaged and easy. I'll never be one to do a low carb diet but I could stand to do a little more cooking and a little less packages of this or that 'cause I'm lazy.

Lisa, here in The Netherlands my neighbors on both sides grocery shop every day. Their refrigerators are only 27 inches high and either slip under the counter or have a microwave sitting on top of them.

I am a completely spoiled American abroad and have 2 American style refrigerators in my kitchen - for the freezer space. I shop once or twice a week on my bike.

That bike is too cute Susan.

Kimmie, thank you. Notice all the yellow on the bike - so cars will watch out for me coming ...

About processed food. We eat pasta about once every two weeks. That's it for processed food. Year round I keep frozen peas in the freezer to add as is to salads and as a vegie side dish. Otherwise I pick vegies in season and use my Revere Ware steamer insert pan to cook to al dente.

I had read somewhere that seniors should have half their small dinner plate in vegies, 1/4 protein, 1/4 carbs (potatoes or rice). I try to stick to that for our dinners.

I like a tossed salad for lunch that includes garbanzo beans or shredded cheese or left over chicken.

For breakfast - 1/2 slice of whole grain french toast plus the remaining egg/milk mixture scrambled.

I find I don't need as many calories as when I was younger and running around all the time.

Plus juice and fruit at other times if hungry.

Wow Susan that is amazing that there are still people who grocery shop daily! Can they walk down to the local store? Or do they stop on the way home from work?

Yes definitely we should all eat lots of veggies! They are SO good for you.

I think it's so great that you bike around, what fun exercise!

Susan, how cool too be able to ride your bike to the grocery store. I live in a small town but the road I would have to ride down in affectionately call "the drag strip" by the local residents. (as in drag racing) I would either be run over or scared to death.