One of the things I struggle with, is that sometimes a perfectly created Zone meal just doesn't leave me satisfied, or I'm hungry shortly after. I'd like to hear from others what one of your most satisfying meals is, in terms of "yum, that was so tasty and my mouth is happy" as well as keeping you in the Zone for the recommended 4-6 hours.

Here's my one sure-fire meal, that I've had from day one (about a year ago).

Breakfast - Scrambled Eggs and Oatmeal
1 block steel cut oats
2 blocks frozen blueberries
6 blocks peanut butter
sprinkle a little stevia on it, pop in the microwave for 1.5 min, stir up

chop up some low carb veggies like mushrooms, onions, peppers and fry in a non-stick pan
Add 2 blocks egg whites and 1 block no fat ham (or turkey bacon) and scramble
Season as you like (I use cajun seasoning)

I have this at least 2-3 times a week, and I am satisfied, and STAY satisfied for 4 hours.

What's yours?

Mine.. .

Any meal of ZoneFast 1-2-3 food, as long as I don't add legumes to it, though hummus works fine.

As for classic Zones meals, it's definitely my Brownie Batter Smoothie. I worked on it a long time to fine tune it to work just right of rme. Here's the recipe along with some hints:

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SUE'S BROWNIE BATTER SMOOTHIE

I'll add some specifics about the brands I like best in it for flavor and consistency, but no special brands are needed. It's a 3P, 2C, 5 F meal.

(tweaked to meet my needs of 3P, 2C, 5F, and to include inflammation lowering ingredients)

Ingredients:

1/5 frozen organic (OG) banana

1 generous block frozen OG dark cherries, about 1/3 cup or 12 big cherries (I use Cascadian Farms, Trader Joe's or Columbia River Organic's, because I can't stay in the Zone as well with other other brands of cherries.)

1 huge heaping T raw cacao (chocolate) powder, about 1/8 cup (not dutched, which means not treated with alkali)

3 blocks Zone Protein Powder (3 scoops)

1/2+ tsp. turmeric (refer to info in The Anti-Inflammation Zone)

a very generous amount of cinnamon (cinnamon stimulates the efficiency of insulin)

a scant 1 tsp. alcohol free glycerin based almond flavoring

1/8 to 1/4 cup of chocolate soy milk, just to help it blend better (I use "West Soy Unsweetened Chocolate Soy Milk" because it has barely has 1g insulin stimulating C to each P block)

1T extra virgin olive oil




Directions:


Blend with an immersion blender, or process is a small food processor. Makes one very thick and delicious chocolaty breakfast and keeps me in the Zone very well (I'm carb sensitive). Sometimes I'll also add a tablespoon or two of plain yogurt.

You can also divide it into thirds thirds and freeze to eat for quick snacks (that makes three 1 block snacks with the same drop a carb and add fat adjustment).


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Enjoy!


__________________________________________



sue

Lost 100 lbs 15 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil. ZoneFast 1-2-3 is the best!

Consultant of Zone Labs

Certified Zone Affiliate

View my Zone Fast 1-2-3 meal photos here: http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...3%20Meals/

View my classic Zone meal photos here: http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...4/?start=0

Xee,

I really enjoy my version of "Cincinnati Chili and Spaghetti" using spaghetti squash. It is tasty, lots of spices melding together! It does the trick, holds me for at least 4 hours.

I just tried another meal yesterday and was very impressed by the flavors and the ability to stay in the Zone. I posted it in my recipe thread, but will put it here:

CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD
Ingredients:
2 oz cooked chicken breast, cubed
1 red pepper
chopped onion (to taste)
1/4 cup chickpeas
1/2 cup grapes, halved
1/3 cup greek yogurt (check label for exact amounts, this was a 1-block protein serving for the brand that I used)
dash of olive oil (can also try it with some walnuts)
Seasoning: cinnamon, cumin, curry powder, turmeric

Add the chicken, red pepper, chickpeas and grapes to a serving bowl and mix. In another small bowl, add the yogurt and the seasonings, mix thoroughly. Add yogurt mixture to the chicken mixture.

Hi xee -- thanks for starting this thread -- it's a great one!

For your breakfast, it's seems to be about 3P/3.5C/6F ... is that right? I'm definitely going to try it, I may just half the PB.

Laurie

Hi Laurie, the 6 blocks of peanut butter is providing the 3 blocks of fat you add to meals and the 3 blocks of missing fat in the the fat free egg whites and ham. If you were to drop 3 blocks of peanut butter without adding 3 more blocks of another monounsaturated fat you would not have the minimum fat needed for Zone balance.

ah, ok -- I see that now -- thanks!

Thanks everyone! Keep bringing them on. I need some inspiration to keep on track.

Sue: I've tried your Brownie Batter Smoothie, and do love it!

And yes, I prefer classic recipes, as I don't have access to Zone foods.

Laurie: Sue has it right about the fat. I don't bother "counting" the small amount of mushrooms I put in my egg, but you certainly can!

Cran: Thanks for the recipes! I love chili.

I dug up my chili recipe from my recipe thread... hope that makes it easy to find!

Cincinnati Style Chili and Spaghetti (Squash)

One large onion, chopped finely
18 oz ground meat (should be equal to 12 protein blocks)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, or
1/2 oz grated unsweetened chocolate
1 1/2 cups tomato puree (can sub tomato sauce)
1 tbsp worchestershire sauce
1 tbsp cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
4 cups cooked spaghetti squash
toppings (see below)

Saute onion and brown the ground meat. I usually figure in the fat based on what is in the meat, and then add more to the pan, if needed. Add all seasonings while meat is browning. Basically, I just add everything in order, and let it simmer. It should simmer for 1 1/2 hours, but I eat it sooner than that!

Place one cup of spaghetti squash onto plate or large bowl, and then ladle the chili over the top.

Two-way: chili and spaghetti
Three-way: add shredded cheddar cheese
Four-way: add chopped onions
Five-way: add beans (recipe calls for kidney beans, but I prefer black beans)

If you make it without the toppings, then it is 2C-3P-3F block meal. However, you can make it up by adding a block of beans, or you can have fruit on the side for dessert.

<div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Cranberrycat on 09/04/2010 10:21 AM

I dug up my chili recipe from my recipe thread... hope that makes it easy to find!

Cincinnati Style Chili and Spaghetti (Squash)

One large onion, chopped finely
18 oz ground meat (should be equal to 12 protein blocks)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, or
1/2 oz grated unsweetened chocolate
1 1/2 cups tomato puree (can sub tomato sauce)
1 tbsp worchestershire sauce
1 tbsp cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
4 cups cooked spaghetti squash
toppings (see below)

Saute onion and brown the ground meat. I usually figure in the fat based on what is in the meat, and then add more to the pan, if needed. Add all seasonings while meat is browning. Basically, I just add everything in order, and let it simmer. It should simmer for 1 1/2 hours, but I eat it sooner than that!

Place one cup of spaghetti squash onto plate or large bowl, and then ladle the chili over the top.

Two-way: chili and spaghetti
Three-way: add shredded cheddar cheese
Four-way: add chopped onions
Five-way: add beans (recipe calls for kidney beans, but I prefer black beans)

If you make it without the toppings, then it is 2C-3P-3F block meal. However, you can make it up by adding a block of beans, or you can have fruit on the side for dessert. </div>

Cranberrycat, I tried this, and it's delicious! Also, I'd never cooked spaghetti squash before, and I just love the texture and taste. What was your reason for including chocolate in this recipe?

I adapted this recipe from a recipe that I found online. It includes chocolate in the ingredients. I have seen multiple recipes for Cincinnati Chili and many of them include chocolate. I just love the unique combination of flavors in this chili!

It's really delicious--and just as good as leftovers! The cinnamon taste with meat was a little too strong for me, so I'll reduce that next time, but otherwise, I loved it. Thanks.