Category Archives: Lunch

Italian, Kid Friendly, Lunch, Sandwiches

Meatball Parmesan in a Pita

February 10, 2010 admin Leave a comment

I like my meatballs very spicy, so I add a good amount of red pepper flakes to this one. Prep time is 5 minutes – that’s it !

1 serving
365 calories per serving

1 whole wheat pita (140 calorie version)
3 vegetable meatballs
1 T shredded parmesan cheese (shredded, not grated)
3 T marinara sauce
Spices to taste: pepper, oregano flakes, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder

Slit open the pita. Slice meatballs in thirds and heat meatballs, spices and sauce for 30 seconds in the microwave. Fill the pita with the meatballs, sauce and cheese.

Chicken, Lunch, Mexican

Chicken and Bean Quesadillas

February 8, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This is one of those really filling quesadillas. Between the whole wheat wrap, the beans, chicken, AND cheese, it really makes for a great lunch. The salsa verde is a nice twist, but if you don’t like the taste, feel free to substitute regular salsa 🙂

2 servings
358 calories per serving

1 c cooked shredded or diced chicken breast (Perdue Shortcuts are a great time saver!)
1/3 c salsa verde, divided
1/2 c black beans
1/2 c kidney beans
2 9 inch whole wheat tortillas (80 calorie version)
1/2 c shredded low fat Mexican blend or cheddar cheese
Pam
Extra salsa verde for dipping (at only 10 calories for 2 tablespoons, don’t be shy !)

Combine cooked chicken and half the salsa verde in a skillet and heat through . Combine beans and the other half of the salsa, lightly mashing some of the beans with a fork. Microwave for 30 seconds to heat. Spread the bean mix over each tortilla and then the chicken mix and then sprinkle with 1/4 c cheese. Fold in half. Spray skillet with Pam and heat to medium high. Add quesadillas and cook 2-3 minutes each side or until lightly browned. Serve with additional salsa.

Lunch, Pork, Sandwiches

Ham Sandwich

February 6, 2010 admin Leave a comment

The cucumbers really make this a juicy sandwich without having to use any mustard or mayo. But if you can’t live without them, no worries, there are plenty of calories to spare in this satisfying lunch sandwich.

1 serving
240 calories per serving

2 slices 45 calories wheat bread
5 slices lean deli ham
1 slice low fat swiss cheese (70 calories)
1 slice tomato
5 very thin slices cucumber

Make a sandwich and enjoy 🙂

Chicken, FiberGourmet, Italian, Lunch

Pesto Chicken Salad

February 5, 2010 admin Leave a comment

I make this one up the night before and let refrigerate overnight. The pesto and cheese make a rich sauce and all the flavors here just combine really well.

1 serving
288 calories per serving

1/4 c cooked FiberGourmet* pasta (regular whole wheat pasta will certainly do, it will just raise the calorie count)
1 T pesto
3 oz. diced cooked chicken (Perdue Shortcuts)
1 c halved grape tomatoes
3/4 c shredded carrots
2 T shredded parmesan

Mix all together and refrigerate a couple of hours before eating.

*FiberGourmet is this awesome pasta that has way fewer calories than even whole wheat pasta and other specialty pastas. I buy it online at Amazon and use it in soups, salads, dinner sides, mac and cheese, etc. By using it instead of other types, I can really increase the amount I can eat and that’s good because I LOVE PASTA !! 🙂

Lunch, Mediterranean, Sandwiches

Greek BLT

February 3, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Look at all that cheese, and bacon ! This is great as a breakfast or lunch. There’s lots of strong flavors here but they combine well together.

1 serving
340 calories per serving

1 whole wheat English muffin
2 T black olive spread (tapenade) – or just chopped black olives
1 wedge Laughing Cow Light cheese, regular flavor
1/4 c sliced cucumber
3 sundried tomatoes diced up
3 large romaine leaves
2 slices cooked turkey bacon

Toast muffin. Spread cheese on both sides. Spread olive tapendade on one half. Pile up the rest of the stuff and dig in 🙂

Fish, Lunch

Shrimp Cocktail Lunch

February 2, 2010 admin Leave a comment

When you are using shrimp in a shrimp cocktail, splurge and get them at a fish market or a food market that has a good fish department – they are just fresher and better suited to cocktail. I like my cocktail sauce very zesty – if you cannot find a spicy enough one at the food store or fish market, just stir in some extra prepared horseradish.

1 serving
179 calories per serving

4 large shrimp, cleaned and cooked
4 T cocktail sauce
1/2 lemon, cut in wedges

2 c field greens
1/2 c sliced cucumber
2 T low fat dressing

Spritz the shrimp with lemon and put on a plate with cocktail sauce for dipping.

Mix cucumber, salad and dressing.

This one is satisfying, packed with protein, yet so low fat and low cal that you can have an extra latte today 🙂

Chicken, Dinner, Lunch

Healthy Buffalo Chicken

February 1, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This is a great appetizer or lunch portion – for dinner, add a nice salad or fruit mix on the side.

4 servings
230 calories per serving

1 lb. chicken tenders cut in half
1/2 t cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
3 T cayenne pepper sauce (Frank’s Hot Sauce)
1 T water
1 T buttery spread, melted
1/3 c low fat sour cream
1/4 c crumbled blue cheese
2 T low fat mayonnaise
2 T skim milk
1/4 t Worcestershire sauce
Carrot and celery slices

Preheat broiler. Spray baking sheet with Pam. Toss chicken with cayenne pepper and 1/4 t salt. Place chicken on pan and broil 6 inches from heat for 5 minutes. Microwave cayenne sauce, water and butter 10 seconds. Brush onto chicken and broil 2 minutes longer, then flip chicken, coat with more sauce and broil another minute or until chicken is done.

Make dip by combining sour cream, cheese, mayonnaise, milk and Worcestershire. Serve chicken with dip, carrots and celery sticks.

Chicken, Lunch, Soups

Creamy Chicken Soup

February 1, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This is a filling, creamy soup packed with iron – get your Popeye on ! Serve with whole wheat garlic toast for a great lunch meal.

3 servings
262 calories per serving

4 oz. dry cheese tortellini
8 oz. fat free chicken broth
1 can reduced fat cream of chicken soup
5 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed
4 oz diced cooked chicken (Purdue Shortcuts strips save time here)
1 c skim milk
1 c water
Salt and pepper to taste

Boil water and cook tortellini according to instructions. Heat all other ingredients and bring to boil and heat thoroughly. Add tortellini. Heat for another few minutes.

Eating Out, Lunch, Mexican

Taco Bell Fresco Menu

January 29, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Taco Bell has a new menu section called their FRESCO menu – several items 400 Calories or Less !!

I finally had to give it a try – some days you just don’t have time to cook lunch and there are few places to get a decent meal that is under 400 calories. My expectations were high because I.LOVE.TACO BELL. I know, I know … but I can’t help it – their tacos are just so good 🙂

So here’s what my husband and I got for lunch:

Me:

1 Fresco Crunchy Taco – 150 calories
1 Fresco Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco – 170 calories

Him:

1 Fresco Crunchy Taco – 150 calories
1 Fresco Burrito Supreme Steak – 330 calories

And the consensus is…….

2 thumbs up 🙂 The tacos are minus some cheese, but other than that, they are pretty much the normal Taco Bell fare. These will definitely stay on the list for a quick meal that fits into the 400 calorie plan !

Lunch, Mexican

Bean Burritos

January 27, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This is another one of those very versatile lunches – swap out the black beans for refried beans, the red peppers for green peppers, the cumin for chili powder – and you have a whole different beast ! Just be sure to microwave the wraps for 15 seconds so that they are nice and pliable and don’t break when you are wrapping the contents.

4 servings
207 calories per serving

15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed, then mashed
1/2 t ground cumin
4 whole wheat tortillas (80 calorie version)
1 c chopped tomato
1 c chopped red bell pepper
1 c salsa
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix beans with cumin, salt, pepper and chopped red peppers. Microwave 1 minute to heat. Spread over tortillas. Sprinkle with salsa and tomato. Roll up and enjoy. Take a look at my instructional video to learn how to fold a wrap so the contents won’t fall out the end 🙂