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 !

Crock pot, Dinner, Instructional, Italian, Videos

Lasagna (Crock Pot)

January 28, 2010 admin 2 Comments

Even traditional lasagna lovers like this one – and it is nice and easy to do. Start it at lunch time and have dinner ready 4 hours later. Take a look at my video below for instructions on how to layer it in your crock.

8 servings
275 calories per serving

1 lb. lean ground beef
2 c diced eggplant
1 jar Paul Newman’s marinara sauce
1/4 t red pepper flakes
¼ t garlic powder
¼ t onion powder
¼ t basil flakes
1 c water
15 oz part skim ricotta cheese
1 T chopped parsley
1/4 c Egg Beaters
1 c shredded parmesan cheese (not grated, shredded)
8 no boil lasagna noodles

Brown the ground beef in a heated skillet and drain off any fat and water. Stir in the pepper, sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, basil flakes, water, and eggplant. In a bowl combine the egg, cheeses and parsley. Place a layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a crock pot. I find my oval shaped on works the best here. Top with 2-3 noodles, nipping off the corners in order to get a nice fit. Add another layer of meat sauce and then one thick layer of the cheese mixture. Top with a final layer of noodles and then a final layer of meat sauce. Cover and cook on low 3-4 hours.

Here is a video of how to layer it up in the crock pot:

Breakfast, Kid Friendly

Peanut Butter Toast with Bananas

January 28, 2010 admin Leave a comment

I stick to a handful of breakfasts that I rotate through during the week – it’s just easier and gets you out the door quicker. This is one of my favorites and is a great nutritious breakfast. And it really keeps me filled up until lunch. Try almond butter or cashew butter instead to change it up !

1 serving
343 calories

2 slices 45 calories bread
2 T peanut butter
1/2 c banana slices

Toast bread and immediately spread peanut butter while toast is warm. Top with banana slices.

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 🙂

Instructional, Videos

VIDEO – how to fold a wrap so it doesn’t leak

January 27, 2010 admin 1 Comment

Take a look at my instructional video to learn how to fold a wrap so the contents won’t fall out the end 🙂

Appetizers, Crock pot, Dinner, Kid Friendly, Turkey

Crock Pot Appetizer Meatballs

January 26, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Though I usually serve this as a quick and easy appetizer, I sometimes double up the serving and make it a main dish meal. Adding just a few things to bottled sauce can round out the flavors and make it taste much more homemade.

8 servings
180 calories per serving (3 meatballs)

24 Shady Brook Farms turkey meatballs (Italian spiced)
1 jar Paul Newman’s marinara sauce
Garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
6 T parsley, chopped
½ c grated parmesan cheese

Place the sauce in a small pan on medium low heat. Add the garlic powder, salt and pepper, parsley and cheese. Simmer for 10 minutes.

If you are going to eat soon, pre-heat the meatballs in the microwave for 5 minutes. Then place in crock with sauce and heat on low for 1 hour. Otherwise, place meatballs in crock pot and pour the hot sauce over them. Cover and keep on low or warm setting for up to 4 hours.

Dessert, Snacks

CHOCOLATE !!!

January 26, 2010 admin Leave a comment

My guilty pleasure….2 Dove Chocolates a day. This ‘diet’ does not mean chocolate can never pass your lips again. This is not a diet, anyhow – this is a way of life and my life needs chocolate ! This whole meal plan that I have been following and sharing allows you to eat a little of everything, definitely in moderation, but a little bit of everything fits in.

I am still losing 1 or more pounds per week and over the months, it really adds up. I hope you see good results too 🙂

2 Dove Chocolates
88 calories

Lunch, Soups

Spicy Soup

January 26, 2010 admin Leave a comment

When I eat something nice and spicy, it somehow leaves me more satisfied – my mouth KNOWS it just ate ! This soup does the trick. Serve with a side of Whole Wheat Garlic Toast for a nice, complete meal.

2 servings
248 calories per serving

2 c vegetable stock or broth (Emeril’s is great !)
2 small cans Spicy V-8 juice
1 T minced onion
2 T minced celery
1/4 c celery, thinly sliced
3 T fresh celery leaves
1 1/2 c shredded carrots
1 15.5 oz. can chick peas
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
Garlic powder to taste

Mix all together in a pan and simmer 15-20 minutes. To give it more of a Mexican flair, add a bit of ground cumin and 1/4 c cilantro leaves. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Sides

Whole Wheat Garlic Toast

January 26, 2010 admin 2 Comments

This is so low cal and so satisfying. When serving next to pasta, I add a couple teaspoons of parmesan cheese. I serve this next to soups, salads, and alongside very light meals, because if I don’t have some carbs with my meal, I just don’t feel satisfied.

1 serving
50 calories per serving

1 slice 45 calories whole wheat bread
10 sprays I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray
Sprinkle of oregano flakes
1/4 t garlic powder

Spread butter on bread. Sprinkle with oregano and garlic powder. Place in toaster oven until lightly browned.

Kid Friendly, Mexican, Sides

Potato with Mexican Topping

January 25, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Serve this super filling potato with 2 T low fat sour cream for just another 40 calories. Leave out the layer of beans and this one is kid friendly.

1 serving
226 calories per serving

6 oz. potato
2 T shredded fat free cheddar cheese
10 sprays ICBINB
1/4 c black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 t taco seasoning
2 T chopped tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional – sour cream

Pierce the potato several times and microwave 8 minutes. Cool 5 minutes. Cut oval hole in the top (like you would in a pumpkin) taking care not to cut through the whole shell. Scoop out the meat of the potato and place in a bowl. Add butter spray, cheese, salt and pepper, and taco seasoning and stir to mix.

Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds and stir. Fill the potato shell with a layer of black beans, then the potato mix and microwave another 30 seconds. Sprinkle top with a few reserved beans and the chopped tomatoes. Microwave 2 minutes to heat through or stick in the oven for 5-7 minutes.