Atkins Recipes for Real People

All of my favorite recipes come from this book. Now, there are some very elegant recipes in this book. And they sound delicious, don't get me wrong. But, when it's 5:30pm and everyone is just getting home from work and school, I personally don't have time to make Loin of Lamb with Horseradish Cream, Salad Nicoise, and Raspberry Rapture Ice Cream. I want something quick and easy to cook. And, something quick and easy to clean up! Cook, Eat, Exercise, and then relax with a good movie!

Breakfast

Soft/Hard Boiled Eggs

Place a small pot on stove top and fill place eggs inside. Fill with water until the eggs are covered about 1/2 inch. Bring to boil, and boil for about five minutes. Turn off heat and let sit for a few minutes. Once cool, peel eggs, and serve how you like. I usually make these the night before, or on Sunday I'll make enough for the week. You can cut up the eggs and sprinkle with salt and pepper to your liking. Serve with a few slices of cheese and deli meat on the side. I usually have a glass of iced decaf tea or ice water, but you can have decaf coffee.

Lunch

Ole! Burgers

Melt up to 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan on the stove top. Mix together: 1 lb ground beef, a few drops Tabasco sauce, pinch each of cumin, chili powder and garlic powder. Form into hamburger patties and saute on stove top for 4-5 minutes on each side, depending on the size of your burgers. Top with cheese, if you wish. This is a good make-ahead dish too. Use Atkins' recipe for Vinegar and Sugar Free Ketchup: 2 cups tomato paste, 1/2 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup water, pinch salt, 1 teaspoon oregano, dash each of cumin, nutmeg, garlic powder, and pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Snacks

Toasted Nuts

You can do this over the weekend, for snacks during the workweek. Melt a teaspoon of butter in a pan on the stove top, and toss in 1/2 cup of nuts, any kind you wish (almonds, pecans, walnuts, pine nuts). Saute until slightly brown and place on paper towels to absorb any excess oils. Use a larger pan to make larger amounts, and multiply by the number of servings you want. For example, if you want 7 servings--one for each day of the week--use up to 7 teaspoons of butter and 3 1/2 cups of nuts. You don't have to use so much butter if you don't want.

Dinner

Spareribs, Salad, Popsicles

I marinate spareribs in the fridge in my favorite sauce from the book. When I get home from work, I have hubby turn on the grill and grill them for a few minutes on each side. While he's doing that, I make one of the salads from the book--they're all pretty easy to make. I make a big container of dressing on the weekend, so that's ready to go. And, on the weekend, I pour some sugar free kool-aid into ice trays (you can buy neatly shaped Popsicle trays at most stores) so that dessert is ready to go also. Easy meal in about 30 minutes or less, and it's easy to clean up. We clean up together, then we go for our walk together.

I hope this helps you in your search for a healthy body. It is possible to be healthy and still have time for other things. You just have to save the really timely recipes for the special occasions. Happy Atkins' Living!

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