Lean Cuisine: Deep Dish margharita pizza

Part of Stouffer's Lean Cusine casual eating classics menu. A single serving pizza with chunky tomatoes, garlic, basil, and tomato sauce with extra virgin olive oil. Pizza usually has lots of cheese, thus, lots of fat. Doing pizza the low-fat way is tough. If you look at the picture on the box, the pizza shows lots of cheese. That is deceptive, there isn't very much cheese on the pizza, and what cheese there was, wasn't evenly spread out. There is lots of crust (it is deep dish afterall) a reasonable amount of tomato sauce and diced tomatos, aand a little bit of cheese. The box said to put it in for 2:30 to 3:30, but for an extra crispy crust, put it in for an extra 30 seconds. I like crispy, so I cooked it for 3:30, which ended up drying the crust out (but it was crispy) I probably should have cooked it a little less. (lesson learned). The pizza itself was decent, you wouldn't confuse it for pizza parlor pizza, or even pizza delivery, it still has lots of calories for what you get, with a 25% coming from fat. If you really crave pizza, this could fit the bill, but I wouldn't make it part of my regular menu. (320 calories; 9g fat; 48g carbs; 14g protein; 23% sodium; 6 weight watchers points)

Mauna Loa: Maui Onion and Garlic Macadamias

Macadamia nuts coated with a garlic and onion seasoning. I like macadamia nuts, however, they have a fairly subtle flavor that is easily overwhelmed by whatever they are paired with. Garlic and onion can both be strong, so I was worried that I wouldn't be able to taste the Macadamias at all. Suprisingly, they the garlic and onion doesn't quite overwhelm the macadamia taste. I can't decide if I like them or not, but I do know that I like the unflavored macadamia nuts better. If you really like garlic or just want to try something unique, then give these a shot, otherwise, I would stay with normal macadamia nuts. (200 calories; 4g carb; 2g protein; 7% sodium; per quarter cup serving [28g])

Lean Cuisine: Grilled chicken caesar

One of Stouffer's Lean Cuisine cafe classics bowl. Grilled white meat chicken with broccoli and garlic flavored radiatore pasta in a parmesan-ceasar sauce. Different than most because it comes in a bowl, not a tray, but it cooks like any other tv dinner. The chicken is good, tender and very chickeny. The sauce complements but doesn't overpower it. The pasta was right to the edge of overcooked, but wasn't. Again, the light sauce goes well with it. Broccoli came out crisp, not overdone or soggy. All the part came together well. Overall, a nice microwave meal. (240 calories; 7g fat; 25g carbs; 18g protein 29% sodium)

Glad Corn: A-Maizing Corn Snack (original flavor)

It isn't often you find a snack that is simple (only three ingredients) but still has a unique and interesting flavor. It is even less often that you like that flavor. This snack fits the bill. It is partially popped corn kernels that have been cooked in oil. That isn't the most flattering description, I know, but it really tastes good. I'm not the type of person that picks through the unpopped popcorn at the bottom of the bowl either. I also don't care for corn-nuts. Each bite is salty and crunchy without being too hard. The only real downside is the corn shells can get caught in your teeth, much like popcorn. Glad Corn makes other flaovors too but I haven't tried them yet. (140 calories; 6g fat; 2g protein; 19g carbs; 7% sodium; per 1 ounce [one third cup] serving)

Snyder's: Jalapeno Cheddar Pretzel Sandwiches

Thin cicular pumpernickel pretzels with Jalapeno Cheddar cheese spread, By Snyder's of Hanover. The pretzels are great, the thin strands of pretzel are crisp, without being hard. the pumpernickel is a nice change from your normal pretzel. If they sold these pretzel wafers on their own I would probably get them. The cheese spread is about hte same as what you get in any snack, nothing distinctive, but pretyt good. There is just the slightest bit if spiciness, I would prefer more. Overall, good, because of the pretzel, it would be better if it were a bit spicier. (140 calories; 7g fat; 17g carbs; 3g protien; 8% sodium; per 1 ounce, or eight sandwiches)

Eating Right: Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce

Eating Right is Safeway's house brand of healthier food. This microwave meal has white meat chicken and pasta with a creamy mushroom sauce and bits of red bell pepper mixed in. There wasn't enough chicken in the dish, and although it had a good flavor, I found it every so slightly tough. The noodles game out good, not overcooked or stuck together. The sauce was a bit thin and didn't have much flavor and the mushrooms tasted like standard canned mushrooms. Mix all this together and you get a bland and forgettable entree, though not one with any glaring problems. Not a tv dinner I would get again. (290 calories; 7g fat; 36g carbs; 21g protein; 18% sodium; 6 weight watchers points)

Smart Ones: Angel Hair marinara

One of Weight Watcher's Smart Ones "classic favorites" microwave meals. Lots of thin angel hair pasta with tomato sauce (or as they call it delicious marinara sauce, emphasis theirs) with spinach and yellow and green zucchini. Cooking went smoothly, you have to stir it part way through. The chunks of squash are good-sized and athough more would be nice, there was a minimally sufficient number of them. As is often the case with tv dinners, the squash was overcooked. Not totally mushy, but nowhere near crisp. There is lots of pasta, it is nice and thin, and didn't come out overcooked or hopelessly stuck together. The tomato sauce was good, it had good tomato flavor and wasn't acidic tasting like you sometimes find. Overall the separate elements went well together and the dish was better than just the sum of its parts. It only has 4 weight watchers points which is suprising given the amount of pasta it has in it. (230 calories; 4g fat; 40g carbs; 9g protein; 27% sodium; 4 weight watchers points)

Mini Oreo: Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Like regular Oreos, only smaller. crisp chocolate cookies with creamy white filling. The smaller size gives a different taste to the cookie. There is much more cookie and less filling. Wether or not this is a good thing depends on your perspective. If you liek the cookie part, this is a great thing. If double-stuff oreos are your bag, then these are not for you. I also think they are less fun, there isn't much point to taking them apart and eating the filling first. Personally, I like the filling, so I am going to stick to the full-sized oreos.

Smart Ones: Tuna Noodle Gratin

One of Weight Watchers' Smart Ones classic favorites microwave meals. Chunks of albacore tuna and linguini in a creamy sauce topped with toasted breadcrumbs. The thick layer of breadcrumbs may have been toasted to start with, but by the time the microwave is done with them, they are soggy. The sauce is creamy and pleasant. It would be better if it were just the slightest bit thicker. The chunks of tuna are small, hardly chunks, but firm and tuna-like. There are peas and celery slices mixed in. You can taste the pepper, which keeps the dish from being too mild. The salt content is a bit high at 33% of the recommended daily value. This TV dinner met met my expectations. It isn't outstanding, but it is pretty good, and a nice change of pace from the standard chicken and beef microwave entrees. (250 calories; 4.5g fat; 37g carbs; 14g protein; 33% sodium; 5 weight watchers points)

Smart Ones: Broccoli and Cheddar Roasted Potatoes

One of Weight Watchers Smart Ones Classic Favorites microwave meals. Roasted russet potatoes topped with broccoli and cheddar cheese sauce. There was a lot of cheese sauce, which is good. Cheese sauce will cover up minor problems. The sauce was good, cheesy and not to thick or too thin. It sticks to the potatoes and brocolli just enough. The potatoes were a bit dry, but the cheese sauce takes care of that. The brocoli was good, a little bit crispy, not soggy at all. I was disappointed though that the picture show the brocoli being mostly tops, but mine was almost entirely stems. The entree comes pretty well mixed together and it is pretty good overall. One thing to note, it isn't vegetarian. Even though there are no chunks meat, it is made with chicken and beef stock. (220 calories; 6g fat; 34g carbs; 9g protein; 20% sodium, 4 weight watchers points)

No Pudge: Fudge Brownie Mix

No Pudge makes a fat-free brownie mix that you just add yogurt to and cook. The brownies come out a little bit cake-like, more-so than most brownies, but still more brownie than cake. They are also delicious, you wouldn't guess they have no fat in them. They are rich, chocolatey and a little chewy. You have to be careful not to confuse fat-free with low calorie. These have just as many calories as normal brownies. Each serving is a 2x2.66 inch square and has 120 calories. Of course, if you don't use fat-free yogurt the end result will have some fat. (120 calories; 0g fat; 28g carbs; 2g protein; 8% sodium)

California Tortilla: Tacos

California Tortilla is a small chain of restaurants in Maryland specializing in burritos. They have many non-traditional burritos as well as salads and tacos. One selling point is that they have at least 30 different hot sauces you can put on your food. I tried the tacos, I ordered one chicken and one beef taco. A warm flour tortilla filled with Monterey jack cheese, lettuce and fresh salsa, and of course, the meat of your choice. The beef taco was ground beef with taco seasonings. It was reasonable but not outstanding. The same can be said for the chicken. Overall they are decent tacos, but they were lacking the spark that would make them unique.

Eating Right: Five-grain Beef and Vegetables

Eating Right is Safeway's house brand of healthier food.
This microwave meal has chunks of seasoned beef in a n asian inspired brown sauce, a whole grain rice side dish and a serving of mixed vegetables. The rice was a little gummy as whole-grain rice usually is. It is a mix of 5 different types of rice, giving it a more interesting flavor and texture. The beef was suprisingly tender, the sauce had a hint of sweetness. It was clearly a sauce, not a gravy. The vegetables were a little disapointing. There were plenty of them, and a nice mix of green beans, red and yellow bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions, but they were limp and watery. Overall this tv dinner was good. I liked that they tried something a bit different with the rice and the beef was good too. Bonus points for keeping the sodium below what most frozen meals have. (290 calories; 5g fat; 45g carbs; 15g protein; 16% sodium; 5 weight watchers points)

Eating Right: Lemongrass chicken

Eating Right is Safeway's house brand of healthier food. This microwave meal has white meat chicken in lemongrass sauce with brown rice and mixed vegetables. The chicken was good, moist and tender and well soaked with the lemongrass sauce. The brown rice was a little bit gummy, but when mixed with the lemongrass sauce was quite good. You could still taste the rice, as well as a hint of the sauce and the stickiness was gone. The vegetables were more of an accent than a serving of vegetables, there was a piece of brocolli, corn, red peppers and shreds of carrots. The flavor of the dish was very mild, I would really have liked a stronger sauce. Overall this tv dinner was decent, but didn't stand out. (230 calories; 7g fat; 26g carbs; 16g protein; 21% sodium; 5 weight watchers points)

Eating Right: Mediterranean Style Chicken

Eating Right is Safeway's house brand of healthier food. This microwave meal is tender white meat chicken, tomatoes, yellow bell peppers and zucchini with whole-wheat linguini in a flavorful sauce. The chicken is, as advertised, tender. The pasta came out good, not over cooked or anything. The bell peppers and zucchini were slightly overcooked, but not bad. There were also green and black olives in the dish. the sauce, while it did have a distinct flavor, it wasn't enough to add much to the dish. The sauce was also watery. Overally, it wasn't bad, but nothing distinctive either. They would have to improve the flavor before I would recommend this tv dinner. (230 calories; 6g fat; 30g carbs; 17g protein; 21% sodium; 4 weight watchers points)

Mountain Dew: Game Fuel

Currently in a dark, Halo3 inspired can. Mountain dew with with an invigorating blast of citrus cherry flavor. This tastes alot like Mountain Dew: Code Red, with citrus that gives it a slightly sharper flavor. If you liked Code Red, you will probably like this too. I liked this flavor, it is distinctive, it doesn't taste like other sodas (or regular mountain dew). It is of course, sweet and carbonated and has Brominated Vegetable Oil (is that a good thing?) (170 calories; 46g carbs; 9g protein; 3% sodium; per 12oz can)

Lean Cuisine: Cheese Lasagna with breaded chicken

One of Stouffers Comfort classics microwave meals. A serving of cheese lasagna with tomato sauce and a seperate compartment with thin slices of lightly breaded chicken scaloppini, also with tomato sauce. The lasagna came out pretty good, you could taste each of the ingredients, the tomato sauce was a little acidic, but not bad. I would have liked a little more ricotta cheese but there was an acceptable amount. The breading on the chicken actually had a little flavor, though it was soggy. The thinness of the chicken prevented the flavor from really showing through, but it was tender and fairly good. Another tv dinner with annoying directions (cook at 50% power for 9 to 12 minutes). Overally if you can live with the cook time, this is a pretty good meal. (280 calories; 8g fat; 34g carbs; 19g protein; 24% sodium; 6 weight watchers points)

Doritos Collisions: Hot Wings & Blue Cheese

Two different flavors of Doritos in one bag, each chip is either one flavor or the other. The blue cheese flavor was very intense, and very true to blue cheese. I wouldn't want a whol bag of the blue cheese, it would be too overwhelming. The hot wings flavor was disappointing, it was a little spicy, but didn't have much other flavor, it didn't evoke hot wings at all. Mix them together and it came out decent, the Blue cheese mellowed out and the wings added spiciness. Overall I expected more from Doritos, if the hot wings flavor were better this would have been a killer combination, but it didn't live up to my expectations. (150 calories; 8g fat; 17g carbs; 2g protein; 11% sodium)

Miss Vickie's: Jalapeno Potato Chips

Very crisp flat sliced potato chips with a spicy jalapeno flavoring. The spicyness builds and it isn't until you finish a chip that it seems spicy. after a number of seconds, the spicyness fades again (unless you keep eating them). I like the amount of crunch, the chips aren't so thin they melt, but they also aren't too thick. Aside from the jalapeno hotness, there isn't really that much flavor with these chips. Personally, I will get my high fat, high calorie snacks from a different source. (190 calories; 11g fat; 22g carbs; 2g protein; 10% sodium; per 1 and 3/8 ounce serving)

Balducci's Stores: Rotisserie Chicken

The good thing about buying a whole rotisserie chicken at the food store is that it is hot and ready to eat. I generally like them, and Balducci's version is a notch above other stores. They put herbs and spices under the skin of the chicken before cooking it. This imparts a wonderful flavor to the chicken. The chicken itself was moist and very tender. The skin was browned perfectly. I have gotten them at other stores and sometimes the wings are dried out and inedible, but not this chicken, the wings were good too. Balducci's has locations on the east coast. I went to the one in Bethesda, MD.