Pasta!!!

PASTA! Need I say more.

Ingredients (for 4 servings):
-3 servings Barilla Penne Plus
-2 containers fresh mushrooms
-1 bag of organic spinach
-4, 1/2 c servings pasta sauce (no sugar added)
-4 Italian-style chicken sausage

Total calories: 469

Open-face egg white omelet

Eggs are so versatile. And easy. They really pick up any flavor you cook them with. Here's a yummy variation:

Ingredients:
-4 egg whites
-black pepper
-1/2 c green salsa
-1/2 c refried beans
-1 serving feta

Total calories: 360

Italian Sausage & Veggie Pasta

Don't be afraid of complex carbs! See the recipe here.

Italian Chicken Crockpot

Yes, I'm a lazy cook. So I never get sick of "cooking" in the crockpot. It may not look pretty, but it's pretty tasty. Here's another crockpot creation.

Ingredients (for 4 servings):
-2 large boneless, skinless chicken breast
-1 can diced tomatoes (w/ garlic & basil)
-1/2 bag frozen broccoli
-1/2 c quinoa
-3/4 c water
-garlic powder, oregano, pepper
-1 tbsp Parmesan cheese

Cook on high 1 hour. Low for 6. Done & done!

Salad ingredients:
-Spinach
-grape tomatoes
-1 serving feta
-sliced pepperoncini
-Maple Groves Fat-Free Balsamic Vinaigrette

Total calories: 378 for chicken & salad

Tempeh & quinoa (no, this is not in a foreign language)

Two things you have to try, especially if you're vegetarian. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is a super grain (seed, actually). It's a complete protein with only 172 calories per .25 cup serving, 31 complex carbs & 6 grams of protein. It beats brown rice hands-down. Cook it just like brown rice, except only 15-2o minutes.

Tempeh is a minimally processed soy product packed with protein. It's "meatier" than tofu and low in calories. I bought a flavored version, but if you try plain, steam it first to open it up to absorb marinade or seasonings.

Ingredients:
-1 serving of sesame garlic tempeh
-2 servings Chinese frozen stir-fry vegetables
-1 serving quinoa

Total calories: 320