Starting the Year Off Right With Lean Cuisine & Skinny Cow
It’s a new year. Many of us have resolutions or goals to focus on eating healthier and living a healthier lifestyle. Working out, getting to the gym more or just doing something else that you enjoy to stay active, making healthier choices when it comes to what you eat, are all important things to consider if you wish to truly get healthier in the coming year. This is something I’ve been working on for awhile now, not just in the new year. It is definitely a work in progress and isn’t always easy, but it is worth every effort to keep on going.
One of the biggest obstacles for me is finding an easy, fast, but still healthy lunch option as most of the time I have to leave early for work in the morning and I have a short lunch period at school, so I don’t have a lot of time to sit around to make anything from scratch that would be super healthy.
So off to Sam’s club I went to do some shopping for some low calorie options to help me get the year started off right. I knew they would have a good selection of fresh or frozen meals to choose from and offer a great price by buying in bulk.
I arrived on a VERY VERY busy Saturday morning after being at the barn and helping to take care of the horses. There were a lot of shoppers out stocking up for the Super Bowl, which was the next day on Sunday! It was not hard at all to find the frozen section of the store as you can see. It was totally lit up and visible from the very front of the store.
Samples galore were out for the occasion to grab shoppers attention to buy their appetizers and side dishes for the big game. Everything from sliders, potato skins, meats and cheeses, taquitos, pulled pork, cookies, cheesecake, salsas and guacamole were out to sample for the taking.
There were many different items to choose from, Italian, Mexican, Asian meals, you name it, it was there! I found out that the Lean Cuisine meals and Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches were on sale! Not only that, but they were low calorie items, just what I was looking for! These would be fast and easy to make at school, and they are low calorie, healthy options, so I was sold!
The Asian Flavor 6-pack was just $9.98 ($1.66 per meal!) and the Italian Favorites 4-pack was only $6.98 ($1.75 per meal!) Not only was I going to be saving calories, I was saving money too! My waistline and wallet would be happy with that.
That calls for some dessert, don’t you think?
I managed to snake my way over to the Sam’s Club ice cream section through the crowds of people and found this amazing display of ice cream heaven! What caught my eye the most was the Skinny Cow and it’s beautiful packaging! How clever of them to create their boxes so that when stacked together they make a whole Skinny Cow! Not just that, but I could not pass up the incredible price for the Skinny Cow vanilla and cookies-n-cream ice cream sandwiches. Through February it has a discounted price of only $8.98 (was $9.98) for TWENTY, yes 20 ice cream sandwiches! That’s only $0.45 per sandwich! Topped by the fact that they are only 150 calories per serving…. you have to love that! NOW I have room to even add a healthy side dish to my meal!
Off I went to go buy a few extra things to make a side dish with and to top my Skinny Cow off with!
Here’s everything I ended up buying. I also bought some fresh broccoli, bananas, and dried cranberries to create a tasty side dish and to go with my Skinny Cow at Dessert time!
When I arrived home, I could not wait to get started on my side dish to go along with the main course and the skinny cow, as they are both so low calorie I am able to indulge in a delicious low calorie side dish as well and still not be eating too much!
I decided on making a delicious, low calorie, yet still healthy Broccoli and Bacon Salad!
Broccoli & Bacon Salad Recipe
This healthy side dish is one of my favorites since you can change it up and add what you like (or take out what you don’t like). You really can’t go wrong with this! If something sounds tasty to you that would go well with broccoli, it probably will, and it will be delightful! I wanted something sweet, but not too sweet, and also was a bit salty. So this was a great option for me to make to go along with my healthy meal!
Ingredients
*4 cups broccoli
*Jicama (as much or as little as you like, I ended up using 1/2 of the jicama that I bought)
*green onions to taste (I put a very tiny bit in mine)
*6 slices of Turkey Bacon crumbled up into tiny bits (for that salty flavor I was craving)
*6 tbsp dried cranberries (for that SWEET flavor I was craving)
*4 tbsp almonds
*2 garlic cloves, minced
*4 tbsp Feta Cheese (you can add more or less, or not at all if you’d prefer)
*1/4 cup reduced-fat mayo
* 1/2 cup fat free greek yogurt (plain)
*1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
*1 tbsp brown sugar
* 1 tbsp honey
Directions:
To Make the Dressing:
1. Whisk the mayo, apple cider vinegar, greek yogurt, brown sugar, garlic, and honey into a large bowl.
For the Salad:
1. Chop up and mix the broccoli, jicama, dried cranberries, turkey bacon, green onions, feta cheese and sliced almonds.
Then mix the dressing and salad together, and let your taste buds enjoy all the wonderful flavors!
Now that my side dish was complete, it’s time to get the main course (Lean Cuisine’s Spaghetti with meatballs) and my Skinny Cow dessert ready!
Ta-Da!! Lunch is ready (or dinner)!! I decided to try out the Spaghetti with Meatballs Lean Cuisine from the Italian Favorites Value Pack. I was very impressed that there were NO preservatives in the Lean Cuisines. All the nutrition information is highlighted on the front of the box and more details can be found on the back of the box. You can either microwave or bake them in the oven. I decided to bake mine in the oven. Again I was impressed with the outcome. The noodles weren’t too hard and stiff or too soggy. The meatballs were also just right. Not something you would exactly expect from a frozen meal! For my Skinny Cow dessert I decided to dress it up into a fun sundae! I added some fresh berries, bananas, and just a tiny bit of whipped cream and chocolate sauce! It was absolutely amazing! I think it’s now my new favorite dessert to make at home. 😉
A beautiful display of the Broccoli & Bacon Salad, the Lean Cuisine Spaghetti & Meatballs, and the Skinny Cow Sundae!
Are you hungry yet? If you are, then head on over to your local Sam’s Club and get your own! 😉 You can also connect with Lean Cuisine and Skinny Cow at the links below:
Lean Cuisine on Twitter & Facebook
Skinny Cow: on Twitter & Facebook
To see more of my shopping fun check out my Google+ Album for this fun shop!
Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and Nestle Lean Cuisine and Skinny Cow #cbias #SocialFabric All thoughts & opinions are my own.
Yum! Sounds like the perfect way to keep on track with healthy eating. I’m all about Skinny Cow, but that broccoli salad looks amazing.
Carolyn West recently posted..I Am The Tortoise
Thanks Carolyn! The broccoli salad tastes pretty amazing too! 😉 We need to have a SoCal Lady Blogger Pot Luck sometime so we can share all of these amazing dishes with each other. 🙂
I love Lean Cuisine for a quick lunch. I’ve never had Skinny Cow products, though. As for the broccoli and bacon salad, that looks delicious!
Trianna recently posted..Eff them All {An Ode to my Sister}
Yum, I love Skinny Cow!:)
Mary recently posted..Some Favorite Songs of a Dear Friend….
Well come on over girly and we can make some Skinny Cow Sundaes!! 😉
I love Skinny Cow. We don’t have many varieties in Canada, but once a month I head across the border to stock up. My teenager loves Lean Cuisine and I always have some in my freezer for him in case I am not able to make him dinner.
Bibi @ Bibi’s Culinary Journey recently posted..Heiße Liebe or Hot Love Dessert
Oh, that Broccoli salad looks incredible =) YUM. And you did a great job with the dessert too by adding in the strawberries. I want to eat it right up. I’m such a fan of Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches!
Jamie recently posted..Tips for Taking Photos at the Aquarium
Next time we have a pot-luck I’ll have to make that then and maybe we can have skinny cow sundaes for dessert! Or will be a new go-to dessert for us on our next river trip!!! <3
I don’t really eat packaged foods like Lean Cuisine… but I may indulge in a Skinny Cow from time to time!!
Alexis Grace recently posted..Lanvin Spring 2013 Ad Campaign
We have Skinny Cow every now and again.
amber whitehead recently posted..World Nutella Day Cookies #Recipe
I want to come eat at your house! Seriously! You are serving up some of my absolute favorites! I love Lean Cuisine and Skinny Cow! And that salad looks amazing! Yum! I’m going to Sam’s Club this week, Will definitely have to check out the skinny cow while I’m there.
Amber Edwards recently posted..Save my Sanity! How to Have Happy Kids & Happy Mom with Lego YouTube Channel! #LEGO #spon
LOL Thanks! Yes, for sure check out the Skinny Cow while you’re there! 😉
That looks pretty appetizing and all done in a matter of minutes…. Hmmmm! 🙂 Great share!
I like how even though you are eating packaged processed foods, that you incorporate fresh veges too. If you do need convenience, you can supplement with fresh salads.
The love the healthy alternative. The broccoli salad looks great and the meals look delicious too. I have been wanting to try the Skinny Cow, I really need to:)
April recently posted..STATE PARK-NATURE STUDY
I love Skinny Cow. Their ice-cream is so good, you’d never even know if was “diet” food!
Nikki recently posted..Tips for Staying in Touch With Your Inner Child
Love the pictures! Love the beautiful presentation of food. Loved the story! You are good!! 🙂 I’ve never heard of Skinny Cow, but now will look for it!
Awwww thanks for all the kind words Pamela!! Glad you loved my story! 😀 Definitely look for Skinny Cow, love them!
Mmm your side dish recipe had me at “Feta Cheese”! 😉 Looks so delicious!
Jenn @ Organic-Mama.ca recently posted..My thoughts on having 3 children #parenting
I love, love, love the Skinny Cow ice cream! You can’t beat the price and the taste is wonderful. Heck even when I wasn’t worried about what we were eating, I bought it. lol I have to say that I am down 65 pounds since April 2012 and Skinny Cow is in my freezer all the time. By the sounds of those prices, I definitely need to renew my Sam’s club membership though.
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Wow! That’s awesome!! Congrats! Definitely sounds like it’s time to stock up on the Skinny Cow to celebrate such an accomplishment! 😉
I wish they carried more organic options! Thanks for the recipe.
That would be awesome if they did! Your welcome, let me know if you end up making it! 😉
I will try the recipe. Looks yummy!
Let me know what you think of it if you do make it! Hope you enjoy it!!! <3
I haven’t had Skinny Cow’s for awhile. I forgot about them. I am going to try it again.
Dree Getz recently posted..Don’t Ask Dr. Google
Loved this!! Definitely copying the salad recipe! YUM!
Glad you liked it! Let me know what you think of it if you make it!! 🙂
I love the salad recipe! The next time I go to Sam’s, I’ll be sure to pick up the Skinny Cows. Of course, they will probably be gone by the time we all get home! Ha!
Danielle Royalegacy recently posted..Get Healthy and Lose Weight with ViSalus – Review & Giveaway – ends 2/24 US
HAHA hopefully they will have at least one box left of the Skinny Cows for you when you go! If you make the recipe, let me know how you liked it! 😉
The broccoli salad looks delicious!
That looks delish! You NEVER would have known it came out of a box!!
Melissa recently posted..Museum Adventures on Wordless Wednesday *LINKY*
Thanks for sharing. Broccoli salad looks great.
Great post Erin and a very good thing to start the new year. I need to try Skinny Cow.
KIM recently posted..Shari’s Berries – Who wouldn’t lOVE Choc Dipped Strawberries for Valentine’s Day!!
Thank you Kim!! Yes, for sure you gotta try the Skinny Cow!! 😉
I haven’t tried Skinny Cow yet but have been tempted so many times. Your recipe looks delicious too! Gonna have to try it
Thanks!! For sure, you have to try the Skinny Cow! hehe 😉 Also let me know if you try out the recipe!!
If it wasn’t for frozen entrees, I’m not sure I would get lunch 😉 I love lean cuisines options and that salad is a great way to make sure we stay full the nutritional way! Thanks!
LOL I know right?? 😉 I don’t think I would get lunch either without them!! Your welceome!! Thanks for reading. 🙂
Yum! Great line-up. And I love the thought of buying Skinny Cow ice cream in bulk. Mmm…. We don’t have a Sam’s Club here, but I will keep an eye out if our local Costco starts to carry them. My fingers are crossed.
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Hope they start carrying it at Costco for you, so you can enjoy some Skinny Cow goodness too!! 😉
Yummy broccoli salad! I bet it would be perfect with fish instead of bacon too 🙂 Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Your welcome! Let me know how it is with fish if you make it! I’m sure that would be just as delicious! 🙂
your salad l;ooks delicious! Lean Cuisine offers such a nice selction! I have never had Skinny Cow ice cream before, looks yumy!
You all had a feast for dinner! I love that you took already made food and added a little bit of homemade. The Lean Cuisine is perfect this way you know that you are able to give your family something healthy even if you don’t have time to cook everything from scratch.
Felissa (Two Little Cavaliers) recently posted..Pukka’s Promise The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs Review
I really love Skinny Cow, those are my favorites 🙂
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Wow, this all looks amazing! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Good luck. Changing bad food habits is hard. You can do this!
Love Lean Cuisine. Makes for a quick lunch and it is tasty compared to other frozen food options.
sandy recently posted..My View of the World
I love Skinny Cow. The candies are fantastic as well.
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You got me starving!
Nice combo for weight watching
Looks so yummy! I want to try the broccoli salad!
Healy Harpster recently posted..Easter Bunny And The Two Beautiful Girls
I always put bits of bacon with our brocolli as well. My kids love it! Yours really look enticing!
Chubskulit Rose recently posted..The Land of the Morning Calm
Your salad looks delish!
love how the recipes are way too easy and the ingredients aren’t that expensive, thanks for sharing. look yum
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