FitSugar

Seeds of Change: Lasagna Calabrese

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:30:00 -0800

I came across some new frozen entrées made by Seeds of Change. They have some unique dishes to choose from like Hanalei Vegetarian Chicken Teriyaki and Risotto Portobello di Milano, but since I'm a sucker for veggie lasagna, I decided to give that a whirl.

This one was made with eggplant and portobello mushrooms, which sounded delicious. Too bad my taste buds didn't agree. Want to see what it looks like and hear what I thought? Then read more

Serving Size	1 entrée
Calories	270
Total Fat	6g
Saturated Fat	3g
Cholesterol	15mg
Sodium	770mg
Carbs	42g
Fiber	4g
Sugar	5g
Protein	13g

I really don't know how you can screw up lasagna, but I really didn't like this at all. "Blah" was my first thought, and as I took a few more bites, I didn't even want to finish it. The eggplant was really tough and chewy and everything else was squishy. Plus there wasn't enough cheese and the tomato sauce had a weird, bitter flavor. It left a really gross taste in my mouth, so I can tell you right now, I would not buy this again. It's too bad to, because looking at the nutritional info, aside from the slightly high-sodium content, this entrée is pretty healthy. Oh well. I guess I stick to Amy's Vegetable Lasagna.

Italian Food Break Down: Numbers to Know Before You Mangia!

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 11:00:00 -0800

Who doesn't love a slice of cheese pizza, Lasagna or Anitpasto? And those Italian desserts like gelato or a cannoli - they're just so delicious, it's hard to hold back.

Each of these are based on a regular restaurant portion:

Antipasto Salad: 136 cals, 8g fat, 13g carbs
Bruschetta (1 piece with tomato and basil): 102 cals, 3g fat, 17g carbs
Chicken Cacciatore: 370 cals, 22g fat, 4g carbs
Capresse Salad: 154 cals, 11.8g fat, 4.2g carbs
Eggplant Parmigiana: 670 cals, 32g fat, 75g carbs
Fettuccine Alfredo: 780 cals, 55g fat, 53g carbs
Parmesan Garlic Bread: 259 cals, 13.4g fat, 29.2g carbs
Lasagna (meat): 400 cals, 17g fat, 36 cals
Lasagna (vegetable): 250 cals, 13g fat, 21g carbs
Manicotti (cheese and tomato): 230 cals, 14g fat, 18g carbs
Minestrone Soup: 260 cals, 6g fat, 28g carbs
Spinach and Mushroom Risotto: 219 cals, 5g fat, 37g carbs
Pizza (1 slice cheese): 222 cals, 5g fat, 35g carbs
Pizza (1 slice pepperoni): 249 cals, 7.5g fat, 35g carbs

Want to see the rest? Then read more

Ravioli: 300 cals, 12g fat, 30 carbs
Spaghetti with tomato sauce: 540 cals, 13g fat, 105g carbs
Spaghetti with meatsauce: 650 cals, 16g fat, 90g carbs
Cheese Tortellini: 530 cals, 20g fat, 74g carbs
Veal Parmigiana: 350 cals, 20g fat, 5g carbs

Dessserts:

Cannoli: 142 cals, 7.1g fat, 14.2g carbs
Almond Biscotto: 110 cals, 2.5g fat, 21g carbs
Chocolate Hazelnut Gelato: 241 cals, 16g fat, 24 carbs
Raspberry Napoleon: 243 cals, 4g fat, 34g carbs
Pasticiotti: 305 cals, 12.4g fat, 42.5g carbs
Tiramisu: 310 cals, 15g fat, 39 carbs

Food Review: Cedarlane Garden Lasagna

FitSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Cedarlane Garden Lasagna ($4.75) nearly topped the list Healthiest Supermarket Foods complied by Women's Health. Since this lasagna came so highly recommended, I had to give it a try since it's made with organic ingredients, is low fat, and contains no trans fat.

That stats are good, but want to know how it tastes? Then read more.

When I first opened the package, the meal reminded me of Amy's Vegetable Lasagna, but the positive comparison really ends there. The Cedarlane Lasagna didn't contain as much cheese, and the cheese is not your typical ricotta but nonfat cottage cheese. That must be why it contains much less fat. Unfortunately, it also contains less flavor. The tomato sauce was zesty and sweet but even though this lasagna supposedly contains zucchini, mushrooms, carrots, bell pepper, all I could taste were the big pieces of chewy spinach. If you're a fan of cooked spinach, you might like this Cedarlane lasagna. I definitely appreciate that it's low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium, but my taste buds say to stick with Amy's Vegetable lasagna.


Calories	180	310
Total Fat	3g	12g
Saturated Fat	2g	4.5g
Cholesterol	10mg	20mg
Sodium	390mg	680mg
Carbs	26g	35g
Fiber	2g	5g
Sugar	2g	5g
Protein	10g	16g

From Amy's Kitchen: Vegetable Lasagna

FitSugar — Wed, 23 May 2007 11:45:00 -0700

If you've have ever stepped into a health food store, which I'm guessing 99% of you have, chances are quite high that you've heard of Amy's Kitchen. This kitchen kicks out all sorts of tasty dishes, like: soups, pizza, burritos, mac n' cheese, pot pies, and pasta sauce.

These prepared meals and sauces are made with organic vegetables, organic pasta, and whole grains. Not only are they completely trans fat, preservative and GMO's free, they're completely vegetarian. They even use rBST hormone free cheeses, but Amy's Kitchen also makes dairy and gluten free versions of many dishes for folks with dietary intolerances to those ingredients. I must say, I am liking the attention to detail.

The frozen entrées are great in a pinch, especially if you're looking for a quick, healthy lunch. Check out this Vegetable Lasagna.

Layered between organic lasagna noodles, perfectly tender organic spinach, zucchini, and sweet carrot mingle with low fat cheeses and mix with fresh organic tomato sauce. It is a veritable vegetable party.

Want to see the nutritional info and some more pictures? Then read more


Calories	310
Total Fat	12g
Saturated Fat	4.5g
Cholesterol	20mg
Sodium	680mg
Carbs	35g
Fiber	5g
Sugar	5g
Protein	16g
Vitamin A	50%
Calcium	25%
Taste	Delicious! Very flavorful tomato sauce, pasta had good consistency - not too hard or squishy, the vegetables had great texture. The serving size was perfect. I felt satisfied, but not like I needed to unbutton my top button on my pants.

The nutritional info looks great considering this is fit for one meal. 680 mg of sodium may seem a little high, but it's recommended to have about 2,300 mg, so if you split that up between 3 meals (766 mg per meal), 680 mg isn't too much at all.

Here are some more pictures. It looks a lot different than the lasagna on the box, but I guess that's to be expected. The actual lasagna didn't have as much cheese and veggie filling, but it still tasted great!

Healthy Eating Tip: Don't Eliminate, Elaborate!

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:14 -0800

When approaching health and fitness, many of us have the mentality that less is more. While this may be a healthy perspective to avoid overeating and practice portion control, a restrictive diet can wreak havoc on your mood and leave you wondering whether there’s anything out there you can eat. Instead, alter your state of mind: rather than thinking about what foods to cut out, start to think of your daily menu as a chance to add great-tasting, healthy options. Challenge yourself to make the most of your mealtime and see just how many creative and good-for-you foods you can include in your daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner routine.

To get creative, I like to take a cue from vegan menus. Let me start by saying that I am not vegan. I love poultry and seafood, but each time I decide to dine vegan, I’m always amazed by the variety on the menu. Every item is loaded with healthful, delicious ingredients that remind me to think outside the box the next time I’m planning a meal.

To get creative meal ideas, just read more.

Craving lasagna or a baked potato? Don’t deprive yourself these treats, simply reimagine them and treat yourself to a healthier version. An eggplant stacks is a great alternative to cheesy lasagna, and using fresh herbs, crumbled tofu, and fresh red pepper means it’s loaded with bold flavors and good-for-you ingredients. A baked sweet potato is another great option – and a great way to satisfy your craving for starch. Plus they are one of the healthiest vegetables around, since they contain vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and fewer calories than your regular potatoes. Even small changes like these can be big steps toward a healthier attitude and a healthier you.

To get creative ideas from your fellow FitSugar readers, check out their healthy food swap ideas.

How to Sneak More Veggies Into Your Diet

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:50:29 -0700

Making veggies a big part of your daily diet is a must because they're low in calories, high in fiber, and contain so many beneficial nutrients. Unfortunately, we don't crave broccoli like we do a big bowl of ice cream, so here are some suggestions from FitSugar readers on ways to sneak veggies into your foods without your taste buds knowing.

UrbanBohemian says, "I like to put my own veggies in marinara sauce when I eat pasta. Also, if I have a frozen pizza, I'll do the same for that. I like to put on frozen spinach or some mushrooms."
"Sneak them in sandwiches." - fleurdelispink
"I've added pureed beets and/or spinach to muffin batter or I bet you could to cake batter too - totally unnoticeable. I know someone who added pureed spinach to brownies, same deal." - Anonymous

For more ideas keep reading

Is Bacon Really That Bad?

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:30:12 -0700

Bacon mania has swept the world, and this salty meat can now be found in tons of common dishes, such as pizza, creamy pasta, and lasagna. It has even made its way into desserts - chocolate-covered bacon, anyone? Even though a fair amount of people would call bacon their favorite food, it has a bad reputation for being unhealthy. Just how unhealthy is it really? Take this quiz to find out.

Take the quiz

5 Saltiest Meals, With a Side Order of Hypertension

FitSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Eating out is always a treat, but the problem with eating food someone else makes is that you have no idea how much sodium it's loaded with. 2,300 mg of salt (one teaspoon) is the recommended daily limit for healthy people, but if you have issues with high blood pressure, 1,500 mg is your limit. According to a study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), "Unsafe levels of sodium chloride, or salt, in chain restaurant meals increase one's chance of developing hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease." This nonprofit food safety and nutrition watchdog group wants to reveal five meals from popular restaurants that should get a ticket for their obscene sodium contents.

Red Lobster Admiral's Feast with Caesar salad, Lobster-topped mashed potato, cheddar bay biscuit, and a lemonade - 7,106 mg
Chili's Buffalo Chicken Fajitas complete with tortillas and condiments, and a Dr. Pepper - 6,916 mg
Chili's Honey-Chipotle Ribs with mashed potatoes and gravy, seasonal vegetables, and a Dr Pepper: 6,440 mg

To see the rest read more.

Olive Garden Tour of Italy (lasagna) with a breadstick, Garden Fresh salad with house dressing, and a Coca-Cola: 6,176 mg
Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana with a breadstick, Garden Fresh salad with house dressing, and raspberry lemonade: 5,735 mg

They also list five kid's meals that have high sodium content. To see those foods, check out their website.

Health Confessional: Share It and Move On

FitSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:30:00 -0700

Confessing my health and fitness slip-ups to you makes me feel human again, especially after reading your confessions. I've got a new one to make . . .

There was a little too much ole in my Cinco de Mayo celebration. I got carried away at a Mexican potluck I attended last night and am paying a pretty peso for my dining decisions today. Somehow, a few harmless chips dipped in guacamole turned into more chips and five-layer dip, a couple carnitas tacos dressed with sour cream, two helpings of cheesy Mexican lasagna, and a decadent chile-spiced brownie à la mode for good measure. And, yes, there were margaritas. As you can imagine, I rolled myself home feeling a bit ill.

So there you have it, I've told you mine, now you tell me yours. Got anything you need to get off your chest? Share your health blunders below and I promise you'll feel better. We all are human, and we all make mistakes, and we all move on.

Source

Recession Proof Your Fitness: David Kirsch's Free Ultimate Summer Slimdown

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Memorial Day comes a bit early this year, which means we have a little over three weeks to get ready for opening beach day. While you are looking for a program to tighten your abs, celebrity trainer David Kirsch knows that times are tight. After training the likes of Heidi Klum and Anne Hathaway, David is sharing his Ultimate Summer Slimdown for free. Sign up today, since the program starts tomorrow. Kirsch has created an exercise plan designed to maximize fat and calorie burning. It is rigorous, but he will also supply you with a daily dose of motivation and healthy recipes to fuel your workouts.

I received a sneak peek at the program, so learn more about it when you read more.

The first sculpting workout is 45 minutes long and works every muscle. This workout is designed to keep your heart rate up while toning and using a medicine ball, an exercise ball, and hand weights. If you don't have those exercise accessories, get creative.

The moves look fun and challenging, like this plyometric exercise that almost reads like a haiku: sumo lunge with side kick and frog jump. You are asked to combine this workout with another 45 minutes of cardio. Signing up for the challenge is one thing, but David asks that you really dedicate the next three weeks to whipping yourself in shape with his workouts, recipes, and motivation.

Speaking of recipes, check out David's turkey lasagna.

David Kirsch's Turkey Lasagna
David Kirsch's Ultimate Summer Slimdown

Ingredients

Lasagna
½ small eggplant, cut lengthwise in ¼ inch slices
Pinch freshly ground pepper
Pinch cayenne pepper
½ small zucchini, cut lengthwise in ¼ inch slices
4 ounces ground turkey breast
¼ teaspoon ground coriander
½ cup *Marinara Sauce
1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil

Marinara Sauce
1 Vidalia onion, chopped
6 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 cup chopped canned tomatoes
½ cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

Directions
Lasagna:

Preheat oven to 400 F.
Lightly coat a nonstick cookie sheet with nonfat vegetable cooking spray. Place eggplant and zucchini slices on the sheet, cover with foil, and bake for about 15 minutes or until slices are soft. Remove from oven and set aside.
Heat a skillet over medium heat and coat with nonfat vegetable cooking spray. Place ground turkey, coriander, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in the skillet and sauté until brown-approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
Lasagna assembly: Lightly spray an ovenproof baking dish with nonfat vegetable cooking spray. Alternate layers of baked eggplant, ground turkey, marinara sauce, and baked zucchini. Top with marinara sauce. Repeat the process if necessary.
Bake for 15 minutes or until heated through.
Top with chopped fresh basil.

Marinara Sauce:

Heat a medium-sized, nonstick skillet over medium heat and coat with cooking spray. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add the plum tomatoes, canned tomatoes, and basil.
Simmer gently for 15 minutes. Let it cool and refrigerate for 3-5 days, or place in freezer until ready to use.

Print recipe with images | without images

What I want to know now is, are you signing up?