FitSugar

Kashi Entrées: Pesto Pasta Primavera

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 02:34:17 PDT

I've just recently tried a new product from Kashi (the company who makes those chewy granola bars I love). They are broadening their scope and have just introduced some frozen entrées to their Kashi brand, look for them in the freezer at your local health food or grocery store.

I was very excited to try one because I already have the utmost respect for anything with the Kashi name. When I looked at the back of the Pesto Pasta Primavera package, the ingredients were just what I would use if I were to make it myself: whole wheat pasta, basil, Parmesan cheese, peas, yellow carrots (yup), sweet red peppers and garlic. There wasn't anything on that list I didn't recognize, and that made me feel good.

The serving size was very filling, but because there were so many veggies, it was only 330 calories for the entire meal. Speaking of the veggies - they were actually very fresh tasting and even had a little crisp to them, so I know they weren't overcooked.

For a pasta dish, I was surprised to find out it has 12 grams of protein. It also has 7g of fiber. Out of the 11g of fat, only 2g are saturated, and there are NO trans fats. The sodium level was a little high - 790mg - but not over the top high considering you can have 2,300mg a day.

Another great thing? Since it has as many veggies as noodles, I felt energized after eating it, not exhausted like you can get with most pasta dishes.

Want to see what it really looks like? Then

It's very creamy and flavorful. The penne pasta was cooked well (some people may prefer it to be a little bit more firm) with actual cheese sprinkled on top.

It only took about 4 minutes to warm up, and couldn't have been easier to do. I would definitely recommend Kashi's Pesto Pasta Primavera for a great lunch idea. I have yet to try the other frozen entrées, but I'll let you know when I do.

Back on Track: Map Out the Week's Healthy Dinner Menu

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:45:06 PDT

After getting home from a busy day of work, especially if I hit the gym, the same question always pops into mind - what to make for dinner? Without a plan in mind, it's easy to fall back on boxed mac and cheese or Chinese takeout, which aren't the healthiest options. To prevent scrambling to whip together a not-so-healthy meal, take time to map out your dinner menu for the week. Knowing which dishes you're making will also make you more efficient in the grocery store. Here's a sample menu (complete with a grocery list) that you can follow to ensure your weekdays always end in a nutritious meal.

Monday: Salad With Grilled Chicken and Fresh Strawberries

What you'll need:

Chicken
Fresh spinach
Carrots
Cucumber
Green peppers
Broccoli
Strawberries (feel free to add other fresh or dried fruits)
Avocado
Goat cheese (optional)
Your favorite dressing

Continue reading for the rest of the week's healthy menu and grocery list.

Sheer Elegance: Ribboned Vegetable Salad

Camilla Salem — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 05:08:50 PDT

Although typically I don't veer far from my trusty green salad, there's something about Easter that makes me want to fill the table with all kinds of color. And when a gorgeous bunch of multicolored carrots appeared in my CSA box last week, I knew exactly how I wanted to enjoy them.

When vegetables are shaved (with a peeler or a mandoline), they take on an entirely new quality. Tossed in a your favorite vinaigrette, they're subtle, light, and elegant. It's a good idea to have a variety of salads to serve with different meals, and you can (and should) customize this recipe to your liking. While I stuck with cucumbers, multicolored carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, and onion, I could also see asparagus and beets adding great flavors and colors to the mix. You can also play off the ribbon concept and toss in a chiffonade of mint or basil.

For this recipe, keep on reading.

Dip This, Not That: Save Calories With These Super Bowl Swaps

Leta Shy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:08:59 PST

One of the best things about the Super Bowl? The endless spread of dips, of course. But even if you know what dips to avoid (see which healthy dips make the grade here), you could be shoveling in more calories than you think depending on the type of dippable food you choose. Before you grab another handful of chips, see how many calories you'll be consuming with our breakdown below.

Note: we calculated calories based on 10 items of each food, but these aren't necessarily serving sizes - just an easier way to compare when you're dipping into the bowl on Sunday!

10 of These . . .	Are This Many Calories
Small Baguette Slices	880
Snack Crackers	150
Plain Potato Chips	100
White Corn Tortilla Chips	150
Plain Pita Chips	93

Read on to see how many calories swapping these dippable favorites for veggies will save you.

In Season: Carrots

YumSugar — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:29:21 PST

You eat carrots regularly - but how much do you know about them? Although they can be grown year-round, all root vegetables thrive during the Winter season, protected from cooler temperatures by the earth. Carrots are known for their vibrant orange color, but there are also purple, red, yellow, and white varieties - mostly grown as novelty crops. The root itself is crunchy and sweet, while the leafy greens tend to be on the bitter side.

To learn more about carrots and discover new dishes, just keep reading

A Reader Recipe: Vegetarian Ancho Chili

Fit Community — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:07:10 PST

Here's a healthy chili recipe from FitSugar reader JuicyNoelle - it's a perfect dish for Super Bowl Sunday, which she posted in our Healthy Recipe community group.

As you start to think about your menu for the Super Bowl, consider this vegetarian ancho chili. The ancho chiles add a nice smokiness without being too hot, though you could certainly dial up the heat by adding a few more. For each chili you add, make sure to incorporate one additional cup of vegetable stock to the pot. And don’t forget the good-for-you garnishes. The addition of some crunchy bell peppers, creamy avocado, juicy corn kernels, and scallions really made this chili come together for me.

Learn more about the recipe after the break!

Creamy Swiss Chard Soup With Vegetables

Fit Community — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:09:17 PST

Creamy wintry soup can have a lot of calories, but reader JuicyNoelle slashes the fat by using cauliflower puree instead of cream in her recipe for Swiss chard soup, which she posted in our Healthy Recipe group.

I love thick and creamy vegetable soups. But I don’t always love the calories. So this week I decided to substitute heavy cream with a smooth cauliflower puree instead. If you are looking for a healthy lunch or dinner meal, give this simple soup a try.

Get the recipe after the break.

A Reader Recipe: Healthy Vegetarian Pot Pie Recipe

Fit Community — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 04:58:19 PST

This healthy pot pie recipe from FitSugar reader JuicyNoelle, looks perfect for a chilly day. She posted this recipe in our Healthy Recipe group.

One of my husband’s favorite Fall meals is a pot pie. In my feel-good interpretation of this classic comfort food, I use an abundance of veggies with a creamy white bean and rosemary puree (instead of gravy made with white flour). For my husband, I keep a touch of the rich, flaky pastry crust. But you could easily enjoy these creamy veggies over a piece of whole grain or sprouted grain toast. I like to serve these pot pies piping hot with a small salad.

Learn more about this recipe after the break!

Chicken Soup With Kale, Garlic, and Sweet Potatoes

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:47:51 PDT

We love kale but had never thought to include it in a traditional Fall staple: chicken soup! That brilliant idea comes from Fresh Tart.

My mom is recovering from major surgery here at our home. She spent the first couple of weeks in a hospital and rehab facility, where the food was...truly awful. I brought her little farmer's market treats like sliced tomatoes and strawberries, to remind her that not all food comes from boxes and cans, but man, the overall effect of feeding healing people crap food is seriously depressing.

She is glad to be here now, noshing what appeals from my endless stream of cooking, and starting to cook for herself again too. She can't eat more than a few bites of anything at a time - and all she's truly hungry for is sweets, ha - but she made herself a killer BLT yesterday, thick with a perfect tomato and a pile of freshly picked lettuce, and managed to eat half of it.

Baby steps on the road to recovery.

She also managed a few bites of this soup, which really hit the spot on a cool, fall day. I love chicken soup for its endless versatility, and of course for its soothing, healing deliciousness. I studded this version with kale, sweet potatoes, garlic, and just a spot of bacon because my mom loves bacon.

More on the soup's healing properties - and a recipe! - after the break.

Add a Halloween Twist to After-School Pita Snacks

BabyCenter — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:03:55 PDT

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts over on BabyCenter, including this creative Halloween snack post from Make and Take's Marie LeBaron.

My kids are hungry after they get home from school. They've been sitting and learning and playing for almost 6 hours in the day and are ready for more fuel when they get home. So we're always looking for fresh ideas for an after-school snack and these Jack o' Lantern Pita Snacks are hitting the spot!

Related: 5 Things I Can't Do After Kids

Ingredients:

pita bread, one per jack o' lantern
hummus spread
yellow food coloring (optional) - to help tint the hummus orange for a pumpkin
toppings: cheese, olives, mushrooms, cucumber, carrots

Gather all of your ingredients in bowls on a tray, along with a few plates for the kids, then let them get to work.

Spread a spoonful of your hummus on top of your pita bread.
Add toppings to your hummus pita bread to create a jack o' lantern face.

Let the kids get creative, but remind them that they will be eating this creation and everything on it. This is a great way to help get your kids to eat their veggies or try something new.

Happy Halloween!

More great stories from BabyCenter.com:
Woman Runs Marathon and Then Has Baby
Homemade Play Dough
Pregnancy and Body Image: Too Fat For Photos?
When a Stranger Interferes With Your Parenting