Smart Ones Pasta Primavera Review

I'll be trying to make this a quick post. If you've been reading you know that lately I've been watching the girls, well, I may or may not be watching them tomorrow; it's unconfirmed, so I'm getting this post done early just in case. 

I'll get straight to point and tell you what I had for breakfast this morning. I was delighted to be able to enjoy a pineapple smoothie for breakfast. We've had a fairly warm couple of days and it was refreshing. It's 64 degrees outside right now and I'm roasting.

For lunch I tried a Weight Watchers Smart Ones Pasta Primavera.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 255g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 250 Calories from Fat 35

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 4g 6%

Saturated Fat 2g 9%

Monosaturated Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 5mg 2%

Sodium 610mg 25%

Total Carbohydrate 41g 14%

Dietary Fiber 4g 17%

Sugars 4g

Protein 11g

Vitamin A 15%

Vitamin C 10%

Calcium 15%

Iron 10%

* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.

I also had a leftover crab cake to go with the pasta.  

The pasta looked very good with a light creamy sauce and colorful veggies( broccoli, carrots, & red bell pepper). I thought it would be a perfect accompaniment for my crab cake and it was.

I really liked the pasta, but thought that the sauce was slightly bland for my taste. I added a little Parmesan cheese to the top along with a sprinkle of black pepper, which gave the pasta the boost it needed, of course it also boosted the calories, etc. a bit. I gave it 4 stars and would definitely buy this again.

Feeling a bit sleepy all day and knowing I had Zumba later, I made some half caf. coffee which I'd intended to make earlier this morning and never got around to it. I added a little peppermint cocoa mix and some mint syrup to my coffee. It was so good, I poured another cup, but then realized I was a bit jittery from having drank the first cup. I pawned the second cup off on Lucas. I didn't want to waste it, but knew better than to drink it.

Before Zumba, I had dinner, an Amy's enchilada verde with black beans & rice with veggies.

This is one of my favorite frozen dinners. I love the spinach enchilada and the salsa verde. It isn't the most appetizing looking meal I've ever seen, but it is definitely tasty.

 

We had an awesome workout at Zumba. We did 4 songs back to back with weights. We also did songs without weights, thankfully, but normally we alternate between songs with weights and songs without. I'm hoping I won't be feeling it in the morning. I do think I will sleep good. 

I rode with the a/c blowing in the car on the way home. I was sweaty and it felt good. When I got home I was ready for a snack. I had a Chobani Greek Lemon Yogurt.

It wasn't enough. I also had some crackers with light cream cheese and pickles. These were very good and I could have eaten a few more, but didn't.

Not sure why, but I thought I'd also post a picture of the little Christmas tree, I had let Lexi decorate. I also have a larger tree which I still haven't decorated. I really liked the colors of the little tree, but I don't have decorations for the big tree to match. I'd basically picked the bright colors for Lexi. I thought she would like them, but after seeing it, I like them too.

Ok, so it's late and I may be watching tots tomorrow, so I'd better get some sleep. Have a great night/day!!!

Stuffed Shells Before Zumba

An early post, an early morning, and hopefully a restful night. I went to bed early last night. I slept pretty good. I got up this morning feeling as though I was fairly rested. I had an Asiago cheese bagel for breakfast with cream cheese. By the time I got to eat it, it has lost some of it appeal. That's is the problem with photographing your food before you eat. A toasted bagel doesn't stay warm long and once you spread on the cream cheese the crispiness starts to disappear. It almost seemed un-toasted by the time I ate it. I try to be quick, but I'm not always quick enough.  

This was the failed part of my lunch. I'd attempt to fix sweet potato fries in my toaster oven. I got sidetracked and apparently my toaster oven was set too high or for too long. Whatever the problem, the fries were overdone. Even the ones that weren't burned were rather crunchy. I was looking forward to these. I did nibble on a few off the edge that weren't too hard.

I made another black bean pineapple quesadilla instead. I'd just planned to do half with the fries, but since it didn't work out, I went with the whole quesadilla.

Another stuffed quesadilla. It was a good lunch, even without the fries.

My afternoon snack was a little cranberry orange relish in a cup. I told you, I could eat the stuff with a spoon, although alone, I would prefer a little less sugar.

My pre-dinner snack was a few pumpkin spice kisses. One is impossible for me.

Lucas fixed frozen stuffed shells for dinner in pasta sauce. He did them in the microwave, so that I could have some before Zumba. I had a salad of iceberg, carrot, broccoli, and garlic Caesar dressing.

The shells weren't bad, but I have come to the conclusion that all the cheese in frozen stuff pasta isn't quite as good as homemade. It lacks the chewiness of real melted cheese.

We had a good night at Zumba. We're doing a few Christmas songs and some of our regulars. After Zumba I had some peanut butter pretzels.

...plus half a gala apple.

Now I'm off to get ready for bed. I might even have a few minutes for reading. Have a great night/day!!!

Using Up The Last Of This And That

Totally sidetracked this morning. I need a computer that will only access what I need to blog. Having access to the rest of the internet is really distracting for me, plus the fact that I usually watch America Now & Rachael Ray while I blog isn't necessarily helpful.

For breakfast yesterday, I decided to have French toast with syrup.

 

It was pretty good, but I prefer light syrup and I'm more of a waffle person. What's your pick, waffles, pancakes, or French toast?

I had pasta with vodka sauce sprinkled with shredded Italian blend cheese, mixed vegetables, and a Nature's Own multigrain sandwich round from the freezer, toasted for lunch. The pasta was a mixture of cheese tortellini and penne pasta. The mixed vegetables were picked from a stir fry variety with added Caesar dressing and Parmesan cheese.

You've gotta be creative with what you have sometimes. Hopefully it works out and this time it did.

Afternoon coffee was good. Allergies have my sinus' sort messed especially yesterday. I find that something hot and slightly caffeinated brings some relief. I had 1 cup with just a little powdered cream and the last of my coconut sugar and another 1/2 cup with powdered creamer, a little mint syrup, and a bit of mint flavored cocoa mix, just to finish off the last in a package of the cocoa mix. Waste not, want not, right?

Before Zumba I had tomato soup and peanut butter on a toasted Arnold's 100% whole wheat sandwich thin from the freezer.

The thin sandwich breads are so good, even after being frozen. I individually wrapped them in waxed paper before freezing and place them in freezer bags, so that I can grab one from the bag anytime I want. They thaw really quickly or you can defrost in the microwave or toast in the toaster. The crust is my favorite part of bread and with these you get more.

.....and yes tomato soup and a peanut butter sandwiches are a preferred combo.

We had an awesome workout at Zumba. We usually alternate between songs with weights and songs without, but last night we did 4 or 5 songs in a row with weights. The room was chilly when we got there, but the weights really took the chill off. Unfortunately we won't be having Zumba class for the next two weeks due to BBQ sales and other church events, which is one small disadvantage to free or cheap classes which are not held in a gym, studio, etc., but it is nice that there are classes offered for those who can't afford the extra expense of regular classes.

My after Zumba snack(s) were a cup of Chobani Greek Pineapple Yogurt....

....and popcorn. I was extremely hungry after Zumba. I guess the soup & sandwich were enough to stay with me. I found a couple of packages of popcorn in the back of my cabinet which had been forgotten. I decided to have one. I didn't eat the whole bag, but I think I could have. I just wish popcorn was hull-less(?). I love it, but hate the hulls.

Getting sidetrack has caused me to be late again. Sorry. Now I'm off to get ready for an unexpected GDO. Happy Friday and also Happy Veterans Day!!!

My Favorite Store Bought Sandwich Bread

Another early post, since I'll be busy tomorrow morning, I'm getting this one out tonight. 

I started off the day with a fruit & yogurt cereal bowl. I used Dannon Strawberry yogurt on the bottom, which I topped with cornflakes, Kellogg's Fiber Plus Berry Yogurt Crunch, Cheerios, Chunks of apple, walnuts, and dried cranberries for color.

I normally add ground flax, but I totally forgot it this morning. Also my apple was peeled which I don't normally do. I like the apple peel, but the girls don't and this was the other half of an apple that we peeled for the girls.

I also don't usually mix everything up, but Lucas does and this morning, I thought I'd try it his way. I discovered that the cereal gets a bit softened after mixing everything. My way it stays crunchy to the last bite. How you eat it, would depend on whether or not you like it crunchy or a little less crunchy. How do you like yours? I like it either way.

I also had coffee this morning.

I had a gingerbread cookie with cup of coffee #2, my reward for having gotten a good bit of cleaning done today while I had no little ones to look after. I didn't get as much done as I would have liked, but I still consider it to have been a productive day.

This is lunch, a MSF grillers prime veggie burger on an Arnold's 100% whole wheat sandwich thin with spinach, white American cheese, chopped onion, pickles, ketchup, mayo, and a side of onion rings. I like how it looks on my red plate.

 

I used ketchup for my onion rings too. They just aren't the same without ketchup.

This was a great lunch. The burger was my favorite part. It was one of those things that you just want more of or as Dale's Grand Dad used to say, "It tasted like another one".

Before Zumba I had dinner. I had another sandwich thin with peanut butter and a bowl of tomato soup. I really like these sandwich thins. I like to toast them slightly. With the peanut butter it reminded me of a soft cracker, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I really like the thin sandwich buns, either the Arnold sandwich thins or the Nature's Own Sandwich rounds, both are very good. Homemade bread may be the best, but as store bought bread goes, these are my favorite.

I had a little dutch apple snack mix after Zumba with a few walnuts thrown in at the last minute. Tonight was one of those nights when Zumba kicked my butt. Actually my butt was sort of kicked before Zumba. By dinner time my day's supply of energy was nearly drained.

Now I'm out of here. Off to get ready for bed and hopefully sleep better than last night. Have a great night/day!!!

Birds Eye Steamfresh Roasted Red Potatoes Review

It's quiet this morning. It's nice. Yesterday morning was rather hectic. I didn't manage to get breakfast before the girls got here. They hadn't had breakfast yet either. We all munched on apple slices, yogurt, and French toast sticks. I had syrup to go with the sticks, but we didn't use it. Mary also had part of a banana and she and Lexi both also shared a cinnamon waffle. Lexi's favorite part was the strawberry yogurt in a cup.

Lunch was late and I'd munched on a few cheerios with Mary earlier, so I just had my leftover Manicotti with spinach. Spinach is my favorite vegetable for lasagna, etc.

 I also had another piece of pumpkin nut roll to eat, which I'd brought home for Lucas because I was thinking he liked it, he doesn't. It was just a small piece. Luckily Dale ate the larger one. I thought sure Lucas would eat it. He does like cream cheese and spice cake and there are no raisins or other offensive ingredients. What's not to like? His loss, my gain, literally.

For dinner I had a Bird's Eye Steamfresh bag of Roasted Red Potatoes in Chive Butter Sauce.

 

Nutrition Facts

Steamfresh® Chef's Favorites™ - Lightly Sauced Roasted Red Potatoes with Chive Butter Sauce

Serving Size:	1cup(158 grams)
Calories	89.05
Sodium	285.52 mg
Total Fat	0.86 g
Saturated	0.47 g
Total Carbs	18.34 g
Dietary Fiber	1.76 g
Sugars	1.4 g
Trans	0.01 g
Protein	1.92 g
Cholesterol	1.24 mg
Vitamin A	1%
Calcium	1%
Vitamin C	0%
Iron	20%

Ingredients: Roasted Red Potatoes, Sauce [Water, Butter (Cream, Salt), Sugar, Salt, Food Starch-Modified, Chives, Natural Butter Flavor (Maltodextrin, Modified Butter Oil, Salt, Dehydrated Butter, Guar Gum, Sodium Bicarbonate, Annatto and Turmeric for Color)], Beta Carotene (For Color), Onions

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs

                                                                                                                                 

There's enough for 2 servings in a bag. I gave Lucas part of them and had the rest with green beans. The whole day was busy or rushed and I didn't get too elaborate with anything. The potatoes were very good. There's also onion in the potatoes. I loved the buttery sauce and the fact that it's low in fat. I added a pinch of salt and some black pepper. My favorite part is the potato skins. The potatoes cooked up perfectly. I really like the steamer bags, one less dish to wash, not to mention, they have a great vegetarian selection. I just have to make sure to read the ingredient label to make sure there's no chicken fat, etc. slipped in somewhere. I gave the potatoes 5 stars. Yummy!!

After dinner I was off to Zumba. I was pretty chilly when I got there. I kept my fleece jacket on for the first few songs. Luckily all that moving doesn't take long to warm you up. It was a good workout. We did some old songs and some new ones. My favorite are the ab songs, sort of easy, but yet very effective and fun as well.

I had a gingerbread cookie as my after Zumba snack.

I dressed him up with cream cheese and covered him in raisins, dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Lucas doesn't like these either. What is wrong with that boy?

I finished up early last night, so that I could get some reading in. I'm not even half way through the book, but I have a back up plan. I can get the paper book from the library. I did stay up rather late even though I went to bed early. I got to an interesting part in the book and just kept reading.

Since we had Zumba last night and we did a new cool down song, I'm posting a video for a song that can be used for a warm up or cool down. It's not the song we did, but I really like this song and I love that someone has created a routine to go with it.

Now I'm going to go and try to get a few things done that I haven't gotten to do lately plus read a little. Happy Wednesday!!!

Zumba Glow Party

Rushing around this morning, trying to get ready for the girls, who are suppose to be here later. I like to get everything out of the way, so that it's baby proof and I have nothing that needs done while they are here. I've also gotten sidetracked repeatedly.

Yesterday I had the other half of my trail mix bagel spread with light cream cheese and topped with Raspberry Supreme Nut mix and half a Gala apple on the side. I promise I didn't have a bagel this morning, so you won't have to look at one tomorrow.

Lucas and I planned to go and get my glow bracelets, necklace, etc. for the Zumba glow party yesterday, so I grabbed a bite to eat before leaving. I had the other half of my GV vegetarian vegetable soup with a slice of hot cornbread, buttered. Ya know everything's better with Blue Bonnet on it.

Yummy!!

I found my glow accessories at the Dollar Tree, just $1 per pack, good deal! For just $5 I got the kids eat a glow wand for Halloween and another pack to share with a necklace, earrings, and 2 bracelets, plus a similar pack for myself and two hoop necklaces. I may go back and get them some hoop necklaces. They also had masks that glow which might be nice.

When I got back I had a yogurt cereal parfait with Dannon Peach yogurt and some Kellogg's Fiber Plus Berry Yogurt Crunch cereal. What a mouthful, I mean the name. This cereal tastes rather sweet and really holds it's crunch. Great for topping yogurt.

BTW this is a juice glass. It looks huge in the photo next to that small spoon. I also need to practice my parfait making. As you can tell, I'm not that good at it.

I was running late after running for glow stuff. I still had to make dinner, eat and get ready for Zumba. I made a recipe I found for Easy Mexican Rice, which was pretty easy, but somewhat time consuming, in that the rice had to cook for 45 minutes first. I would have used instant brown rice, but I had some regular brown rice, I needed to use up anyway.

It turned out pretty good and was fairly simple to make with just rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and beans, which could be any kind you like. I used kidney beans and had a few tortilla chips on the side.

I also topped it with a little finely shredded sharp white cheddar. After eating I was off to our Zumba glow party. Yay!!!

We had a ball at Zumba, everyone wearing their glow jewelry. We had some black lights and some red lights. Our white clothes didn't show up as well due to lack of enough black lights, but we did have a good time dancin' in the dark. I didn't get any pictures at the zumba glow party because it was rather dark and I assumed the pictures wouldn't be good, but I did find a video that sort of shows what it was like. It was really fun and a great idea for partying at Halloween or anytime really. I think kids would really love it.


After zumba I had another little cup of my rice & beans.

I'm late getting this posted with all that's been going on. I really need to figure out some short cuts. Anyone with blogging tips, I'd love to hear them. Thanks. Happy Wednesday!!!