I just realized after looking through the photos of my eats today that I went a little over board on the packaged foods. I know that everything was “healthier” than traditional packaged foods, but I don’t like to think that 80% of my meals came from a package. (scary thought huh?)
Here’s how it went down:
For breakfast I was in a rush so I skipped stove top oats and nuked a packet of regular plain oats with added cinnamon and raisins. I topped the oats with TJ’s pumpkin butter and had a banana with pecan butter on the side. (Packaged item #1)
For lunch I came home to a fridge full of fresh veggies but the Kashi Harvest Bake meal I had bought over the weekend was calling my name.
This warm and spicy vegan meal has plantains with roasted sweet potato, black beans and kale. Spicy ancho sauce with pumpkin seed garnish served over Kashi seven whole grain polenta, plus amaranth. (packaged item #2)
It might not look like much, but it’s one of best frozen meals I’ve had and I’d definitely be up for purchasing it again. Although I don’t eat frozen meals a ton, when you’re in a rush or don’t feel up to cooking they are pretty convenient. So far I’ve found some that are not only organic and healthy, but also tasty. My favorite frozen meals include
- Amy’s Indian Mattar Paneer
- Amy’s Indian Palak Paneer
- Kashi Mayan Harvest Bake
- Lean Cuisine Butternut Squash Ravioli (has a LONG and scary ingredient list and it’s not organic, but it is vegetarian, cheap, and yummy nonetheless)
Moving right along. I packed a Raisin Spice Heart Thrive as a snack for the mid afternoon hunger. (packaged food #3)
I heart these.
For dinner I had all intentions of making homemade lentil soup but Isaac called on my way home from the gym and said he wanted to share a frozen pizza. I have been craving pizza for a few days now so I agreed. He bought a Rising Moon Organics grilled veggie pizza from the local organic market we like. (packaged food #4 !?!)
Too bad the pizza was nothing special. It was small (the size of our large dinner plates) and lacking in the sauce, flavor, and veggie department. I wasn’t impressed- especially when considering it cost $8.99.
I had one slice of pizza and tried to redeem myself by having a salad on the side.
The salad was delicious per the usual and included a mix of everything in the fridge- homegrown lettuce and tomatoes, cucs, broccoli, avocado, spouts, peppedew peppers, ff feta, carrots, and TJ’s goddess dressing.
Note to self: tomorrow = less packages.
- Brittany
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
WHOA that meal looks amazing! i love all of the ingredients, too. i’ll totally be on the lookout!
hope you’re having a great night <3
that salad looks amazing! YUMMM
Some days just end up a little more “boxed up” than others–yours were all pretty nutritious choices, I think!
I definitely had the Mayan Harvest Bake for lunch too! It’s my fave kashi frozen meal (though I also try to stay away from pre-packaged foods)…the plantains are LOVE.
I discovered those Thrive bars when I was a freshman looks for some health drunk munchie food in the convenience store when everyone else was pigging out on pizza and I love ‘em to this day. I’m pretty sure they saved me from gaining the freshman 15.
Some days are just so rushed they end up being processed. You do too good of a job eating healthy to even judge this day
I tried the Harvest Bake recently and it was unbelievable!!! I have since stocked up on the goods.
Ok, how cute is that cookie?
I am amazed at packaging…I am always taking out the trash or going to the recycle bin.
I read that Wal-Mart is going to come out with a “green” labeling program where they rate every product in their store based on how environmentally friendly the product is from business practices, to production, to shipping, to packaging. That way the consumer can make purchasing decisions based on the score. I think it will bring a bigger push to food/product manufacturers to clean up their acts.
I have been thinking a lot lately about frozen entrees. Since I can’t eat gluten, my healthy and fast options are really limited so I was thinking about trying a couple for the nights that I don’t feel like cooking or for the days when I don’t have time to pack lunch. Amy’s makes a ton of gluten free frozen meals and they all look pretty tasty.
I love the mayan harvest bake. I should try to replicate it on my own so it has less sodium!
I’ve heard wonderful things about that Kashi meal! On busy days, packaged eats are my best friend as sad as it sounds!
At least your packaged foods were nutritious! You could have done much worse. I love heart thrives too. The date flavor is my favorite…especially warmed up!
That totally happens sometimes, right? Even scarier is that post people don’t even think abt it.
Funny that the actual act of food blogging helped you notice when the packaged goods are taking over…powerful stuff.
I have never tried a frozen dinner. EVER. With that said, I think I might actually buy the Kashi Mayan one you had!
I have days like that too, where I find myself eating all packaged/processed food! Luckily you still chose really good ones!
At least your packaged foods were of the finest varieties. Seriously, I’ve seen some scary packaged meals in stores (Hungry Man).
The salad looks great.
oh, i’ve done that more times than i can count. no worries, less of it tomorrow!
I LOVE Heart Thrive cookies! I’ve been eating a lot of healthy packaged food lately too because I’ve been soo busy!
Your salad looks great. Yummy. It is shocking how much we rely on convenience foods. I try to avoid them as a general rule, but sometimes you have to.
Like you said-for packaged foods…you were still eating pretty well!!
And how much do you love heart thrive cookies? If you’re craving chocolate….try that flavor out! I’m obsessed. They’re especially amazing when warmed up for 15, 20 seconds in the micro! Makes them REALLY cookie-like!! Try it