DOLE and READY MADE SALAD KITS!!!!

all of them are under 500 cals some are under 300 cals!!!

these salad kits are great for dinners and lunches!

my favorite is the Light Caeser by DOLE and the whole bag is 270 cals!!!

Then there is the Santa Fe caeser. it is 375 cals. : )

I've been making some really good foil 'pockets' in the electric roaster to cut down on heat from the over. I make 3 or 4 to have for lunch or dinner during the week.

Double layer foil and fill with chopped onion, mushrooms, yellow squash, zucchini and about 3 oz chopper chicken breast. Season to your liking. I just use s&p and a tsp of ICBINB. Roast for about an hour. These are very low calorie and absolutely delicious.

For lunch I like to bring things that are easy to grab...

Cajun Turkey Sandwich:
3 oz Boars Head Cajun Turkey lunchmeat (90 cal)
2 slices whole wheat bread (135 cal)

Polly-O 2% String Cheese (70 cal)
Cup of Mandarin Oranges (40-90 cal depending on brand and what liquid they're packed in)


Or I like me some pepperoni...
2 wheat thins flat bread garlic and basil (60 cal)
7 slices pepperoni (70 cal)
minute rice, brown rice (150 cal)
Mandarins in orange gel (100 cal) the extra sugar from the gelatin is so worth it for the yum factor.

you could always add in a few more slices of pepperoni and go for a healthier fruit option.

~Katy

Wonderful thread and ideas! thank you!
Keep it up :))

Does this really help with Metabolism?? I need some massive help w/ waking mine up!!

Thanks so much for posting...Can't wait to try it!!

mac n cheese with cauliflower (or without)
 

I've been craving baked mac n cheese for a few weeks. I am a lover of pasta, and have pasta a few times a week with dinner. I like Ronzoni Smart Pasta and Barilla 51% wheat pasta.

I've been looking for mac n cheese diet friendly recipes and saw several that add cauliflower to reduce the pasta, stretch the dish for larger families, and make it healthier by introducing a veg. Today while grocery shopping, I didn't have a recipe with me, so I decided I would just cave and make Kraft mac n cheese (the powdery stuff) add cooked cauliflower and bake it. HOWEVER, they have a new product in a pouch, not a box, labeled "HOMESTYLE" that comes with bread crumb topping and can be baked. You add butter and 2% milk. It was on sale, 2 for ... whatever the reasonable price was.

Instead of 2 tblsp. of butter I used 1, and skim milk not 2%. As prepared per the package, it makes four 1 cup servings, at 340 calories. That reduction/substitution made it a smidge less. Then, I added 2 cups of cooked fresh cauliflower before baking, sprinkled the top w/black pepper, Lawrey's garlic salt & paprika. OMG, it was absolutely delicious. I had 1/4th of the casserole, with stewed tomatoes on the side and left over sirloin. The mac n cheese n cauliflower was so absolutely delicious, filling and satisfying that I didn't feel compelled to eat any more of it because it really hit the spot.

If you're craving it, I highly recommend it. Tasted baked/homemade and it was definitely lightened up calorically.

Wow! Thanks.
 

Lots of really great ideas here!!! Thank you all.

I also found a blog that I really like that has meals that are 150 to 200 or so calories. Thought some folks here might like this as well. (This is not a site that is selling anything...just a blog of someone who is on a diet like the rest of us and sharing her recipes!)

150caloriemeals.blogspot.com

Anyone ever seen/tried these little lunch packs called "Go Picnic"? I just found them a few weeks ago at my local Super Target. They're usually between 3-400 calories, shelf stable, usually cracker/cheese/meat/trail mix or dried fruits/1 bite dessert. Most everything is organic, HFCS free, etc etc. They're maybe a little expensive for what they are (I bought them for $4 each), but they make a heckuva last minute life saver to keep in a desk at work or a bag for school or whatever. I'm kind of a fan, I try to keep 1 or two on hand at work for lazy days. Anyone else tried them? Thoughts?

littlebiskit- I love the GoPicnics! I buy them on Amazon- they are slightly cheaper and if you sign up for automatic delivery, shipping is free and there's a little bit of a discount. You can also buy them from the gopicnic website and if you sign up for their list they often have discounts. They are sometimes a bit small, but they feel like a real treat! They have a bunch of different kinds online. The only one I've tried that I didn't like was the salmon spread one. The salami and cheese one is probably my favorite, and the beef nuggets are sort of weird but pretty good, too! Definitely something I keep my pantry stocked with (also good to keep one in the car for emergencies)! I'm a student, so stuff I can take to school that isn't messy and that I can eat between classes without too much fuss is awesome!

1 pita - 200
1/2 cup marinara sauce - 90
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese - 80
veggies - like 10-30
bake
about 400

2 cups salad mix - 25
1 oz pre cooked grilled chicken microwaved - 100
1/4 cup pre cooked fajita veggies microwaved - 10
1/4 cup mexican shredded cheese - 100
2 tbsp salsa - 15
mix
250

1 1/2 cups dry egg noodles (cook them, measure them dry though) - 330
fresh veggies - 15
sprinkle shredded cheese - 50
395

My new favorite garnish/side dish!!!

Pan Fried Curry Chickpeas

1 can chickpeas/garbanzo beans
1 tbs curry powder
1 tsp turmeric
1 tbs garlic powder
1 tbs canola or olive oil
pinch of seasoned salt

Heat oil in pan on high heat until very hot. add seasoning and chickpeas, fry until chickpeas are brown with dark brown spots and crispy (some will split open or "pop.")

These are great on top of a salad, as a side dish, on top of steamed veggies, mixed in with tuna or on brown rice if you can stand the carbs. Loaded with fiber, protein, and good fats.

Nutrition info: 1 serving (1/2 cup)

213 calories
6.1 grams fat (good fat!)
362.7 mg sodium
7.4 g fiber
7.4 g protein

Nice Ideas
 

Very nice to beable to see what ideas you gals have tried.

Thank you. I am new in here of Yesterday January 25th/2012

so surfing around. This is a ral nice site. My friend recomended it.




:carrot:

I can't cook since I live in a hotel and only have access to a microwave so I find myself depending very heavily on healthy tv dinners. My favorites are Smart Ones Three Cheese Ziti Marinara at 300 calories and Healthy Choice Steamers Roasted Beef Merlot at a mere 210. Both are so good, omnomnom!

Also on my list:

Kahiki Chicken Fried Rize - 370
Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers Ziti & Meat Sauce - 340
Green Giant Broccoli & Cheese - 150 calories per pack (2.5 servings)

here's something super quick i just picked up


Tuna Salad Sandwich
170 Cals / 4.5 g Fat

1 pkg Starkist Sandwich Ready Tuna Salad (90)
2 Slices Arnold Bakery Light Wheat Bread (80)

and i like to toast my bread. it's great for when you're pressed for time. pair it with some yogurt or fruit and it's pretty much a meal. sooo easy.

Can't go wrong with a simple chicken soup! This soup is 60 calories per cup. I usually eat two cups at a time (120 cals), which makes ample room for dessert (I had a greek yogurt parfait afterward).


3/4 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cans (or 4 cups) chicken broth
2 cups water

2 cups bean sprouts
2 cups fresh spinach
5 oz canned chicken (trust me, it'll taste okay)
5 grape tomates, chopped

1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tbs dried dill weed (optional)
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper


1. In a large pot on medium-high heat, add 3 tablespoons of chicken broth. Sautee onion and garlic in broth instead of oil until translucent.

2. Add remaining chicken broth and water to the pot.

3. Once hot, put in the bean sprouts, chicken, spinach, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Skim off any scum that comes to the top.

4. Add all spices once the broth has been cleared of scum/foam. Stir, cover, and let simmer for 20-30 minutes.

5. Enjoy!