Operation Healthy Eating

So, hubby is having some eating issues...well the eating he can do...it's WHAT he's eating that isn't the good thing.  He has two types of kidney stones and he has a hiatus hernia and now...a bit of high cholesterol.  The poor guy basically can't eat anything but fruits and vegetables...which to me is okay, but give that to a guy EVERY DAY and he's bound to get sick of it. 

He met with a dietitian last week and was given A LOT of literature.  He took in what she said but really, it should have been ME at that appointment.  I have to change everything: the way I cook and the way I grocery shop.  He needs to watch his sodium intake (a max of 2300 mg daily) and watch his calcium intake (a max of 1000 mg daily) and watch pretty much everything else.  What he can eat to control the high cholesterol, he can't eat because he's leaking uric acid (the kidney stones) and everything ends up being canceled out, which is why, basically after reading everything, he can only eat fruits and vegetables (oh, and 2 oz of meat daily).  I have to start looking at labels on everything I buy...anything that has more than 140 mg of sodium per serving STAYS ON THE SHELF...
After his appointment, the dietitian told him if he forgets everything she said to remember this: NO PEPSI and NO SNACKING AT NIGHT...we'll see how that goes...I'm okay with switching to the healthier eating, but my Pepsi, not sure if I can give that up COMPLETELY yet but I will try...I have been pretty good lately putting lemon slices in my water (I hate water).

The big thing that he (we) have to change is the sodium for sure.  I'm not one to put salt on my food but he is...which will come to a stop.  We (I) cannot buy any pre-packaged foods (hey, sometimes Sidekicks are just a quicker alternative)...any mixes really which brings me to this:

WHAT THE HECK AM I SUPPOSE TO MAKE FOR SUPPERS??

I do not want to have to make different meals for each of us, so I guess we'll all start the healthy eating.  We aren't bad eaters (but we do like the occasional McDonalds...okay, AT LEAST once a week)...but seriously - Day 1 and I am already running out of ideas for suppers.

Last night I had to go to the grocery store after work (another DOWN side of healthy eating - when you live in a small town, you don't have access to a store with fresh produce, so I think we'll be stopping at the grocery store EVERY night now) and picked up some fresh fruit and veggies.

The menu was pork chops (plain for him and mine had Sweet Chili Thai sauce...mmm) with a salad.  I made a salad bar. I mixed Romaine and Boston lettuce with some baby spinach in one bowl.  I then cut up my veggies and placed in little bowls (onions, cucumbers, celery, orange peppers and broccoli) and we just placed what we wanted in our own salad...it made it FUN for Maddy.  

The next issue about healthy eating is $IT'S EXPENSIVE$.  When I went and got those veggies mentioned above and 2 different dressings (and some strawberries and bananas), it cost me $45 bucks...geez.

I did however buy something that I have NEVER tried (or cooked) - a spaghetti squash.  I read the directions on the squash and it says to bake it to soften the skin then cut it lengthwise, bake again and then shred it with a fork...THEN WHAT?? I have no idea how you are suppose to eat this?  Anyone have any ideas and remember, no salt, no nothing basically.

Anyways if anyone has any yummy recipes, I am willing to try anything...pass them along to me cuz I have no idea how to eat healthy...I just eat what I want, when I want (I am lucky to have good metabolism and I don't gain a pound).

I really feel for those who have tried to go on diets and stuff and never see through, I totally see why...it's hard work!