Food Review

During this weight loss journey of mine Lean Cuisine is a big part of it.  That is what I usually have for lunch.  Its easy, usually filling, and a quick no brainer when I have to think of what to eat. 

This week I tried something new.  Lean Cuisine's Stuffed Cabbage with mashed potatoes. 

I don't know what made me pick it up other than to try something new.  Well, it was actually good.  The cabbage was light, tender and not at all "cabbagy" tasting.  The sauce was hard to pin down, kindof like a mixture between a marinara and a ketchup.  It was nice though,  a little sweet.  The entire thing was stuffed with a tender beef/pork/rice mixture.  It was really good.  It had a good texture and flavor, but not strong.  Also, the potatoes were good.  Anything that allows me to eat mashed potatoes is a win in my book.

Total points was 5, so that also makes it a win for lunch. 

Awesome Soup

In my attempt to get "back on the wagon" I was watching Hungry Girl the other day. She shared a soup recipe that was so easy I had to try it. I've made it twice and it is really yummy. So I'll share it with you. (You can find her recipe on her website here)

1 1/2 lbs. raw boneless skinless lean chicken breasts, halved
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1 small onion, finely diced
2 carrots, chopped
2 cups dry coleslaw mix
Two 14.5-oz. cans (about 3 1/2 cups) fat-free chicken broth (or one carton)
One 15-oz. can cannellini (white kidney) beans, drained and rinsed
One 14.5-oz. can stewed tomatoes (not drained)
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 tsp. fresh thyme
1 bay leaf

Okay, you seriously just dump all this stuff in a crock pot and cook it on high from 4 to 6 hours. She has a fancy crock-pot that works in 4 hours, mine, on the other hand, took 6. Once it's done you take the chicken breasts out, shred them and put them back in the pot. Remove the bay leaf or be sure you don't put it into someone's bowl.

I didn't have stewed tomatoes the last time I made the recipe so I used canned tomatos seasoned with basil and oregano (Italian kind) and it was still good. I couldn't tell a difference. Each serving is around one cup and is 3 points. I would say for me I'd eat two cups but still 6 points for a main meal is great.

My whole family enjoyed this, too! Served with a crunchy baguette (not for me) and a little Parmesan (again not for me) sprinkled on top and it's a great meal for a cold day! Enjoy!

It has to be easy.

I am a very low maintenance kind of girl.  Not that I am low maintenance, but I want everything else to be low maintenance.  I've found (made up) a great breakfast recipie that keeps me satisfied most of the morning and has very low points, two to be exact.  It is for a smoothie but I've found I hate messing with my blender.

You see, at one time in my life I fancied myself a gourmet cook.  And while I lacked the skills to be one, by golly, I was going to have the tools!  So, you'll find my kitchen chock full of Breville, Kitchen-Aid and All-Clad cookware and appliances.  So, in that line of thinking I also have a blender that, if called upon to do so, could shred a two by four block.  It is big, bulky and of all dumb things to buy, a glass pitcher.  I find that dragging it out day after day, washing it day after day is not my idea of low maintenance.  So....

I bought a magic bullet.  This little machine really is easy for my breakfast smoothies.  It has self contained cups, quick on and off, easily washed/rinsed blades.  It has everything I need to help with my breakfasts (which I am finding is the hardest meal to manage).

I haven't put all of its' abilities to the test but for my breakfasts, it's awesome!

Here's the simple recipe I use. 
1/2 C Skim Milk
1/2 C Lowfat Plain Yogurt
and then any kind of fruit you want.  (fruit has no points you see).

Blend, add a straw and drink up.  If you add frozen fruit you can also have a lovely sorbet for an afternoon snack.