This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Lean Cuisine, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #HonestlyGood #ad http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.
It is Tuesday. In our house, that means that I am home for exactly 15 minutes between the hours of 5am and 8:30pm. Those 15 minutes have to be filled with all of the following:
– changing out of my work clothes
– ensuring my daughter is ready for gymnastics {dressed, fed, hair pulled back, water bottle full, etc}
– eating dinner
Clearly, with all that and such limited time, I have no time to really make a dinner. However, with my focus on cleaner, healthier eating, I don’t want to end up in the drive thru line every Tuesday either. That’s where the newest meals from Lean Cuisine, #HonestlyGood meals, come in. I am able to get a delicious meal that I know is healthy and made with 100% all natural, wholesome ingredients cooked in 5 minutes.
I was running errands on the weekend one day and saw these new meals in freezer section of Target. The Pineapple Black Pepper Beef and Pomegranate Chicken flavors immediately caught my eye. So, I grabbed them and tossed them into my cart knowing I would thank myself for this come the following Tuesday and Thursday {oh yeah, my schedule is the same on Thursdays…15 minutes at home}.
On Tuesday, I grabbed my meal out of the fridge and ripped open the package while trying to fill a water bottle and convince my daughter that she needed to wear pants over her gymnastics leotard.The main ingredients went in for 3 minutes giving me just enough time to throw on some comfy clothes. Then, I poured my sauce on before heating it for another 2 minutes…the perfect amount of time to pull a 6 year old’s hair back into the required gymnastics pony tail.
I have a rule in my house: No matter how busy we are…food goes on a plate. I think there is something psychological about it but eating food off of a plate makes the meal seem more real and less rushed. Do you see that? Real pineapple bits inside the rice. They were so good.
I am seriously amazed at the bright color of the beans and how fresh they tasted. Most of the time, the vegetables for my microwaveable meals have come out a dingy green color.
I managed to eat my entire meal and still get out of the door on time with my belly full and no food guilt in sight thanks to my smart choices. I repeated the whole thing on Thursday with the Pomengranate Chicken and now these meals are on my must buy list from the store so I know I will get a good meal on gymnastics days. I’m anxious to try all six varities to find my favorites.
Oh, another thing I can feel good about {in addition to my shrinking waist thanks to my smart choices like this one}: Lean Cuisine is working together with farmers to donate a portion of the vegetables grown for these #HonestlyGood meals to local communities. I eat well and so do other in my community. That is a win-win in my book.
Debra says
They look like healthy dishes with a good sized portion – which is often my biggest complaint about meals like this (well, there’s also the sodium levels which are always so high!). Looks like a great dinner alternative when you’re on the go with events and kid activities!
Debra recently posted…Using My Noodle – Shirataki Noodles Veggie Stir Fry Recipe
Shannah Coe says
The portions were perfect. I think they really did a great job when they created this line of meals.
amy @ one artsy mama says
Yum! I love Lean Cuisine. I tried the pomegranate chicken and it is SO good!
amy @ one artsy mama recently posted…Crafty Chaos: Etch-a-Sketch Chalkboard Project
Shannah Coe says
That one was really good. I liked the pineapple beef too.
Mary Ellen says
Love these, buy them often for a quick meal when I don’t feel like cooking.
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Shannah Coe says
These are definitely great options when you need a meal in a pinch.
Trisha D. says
I love your rule about everything going on a plate. I think that’s something we need to practice in our home. We already make sure that when we’re home together that we sit down at the dinner table and eat.
I had no idea that Lean Cuisine was showing communities love by donating vegetables. How amazing!!
Thanks for sharing!!
Trisha D. Black and White Obsession
Trisha D. recently posted…How to Throw a Last Minute Party, Part 3: Budget and Checklist (Freebie)
Shannah Coe says
I think putting it on a plate makes such a difference in the way your approach a meal. My husband thinks I am little nuts because he would rather limit the number of dirty dishes.
Ashley B. says
It is so nice to see “freezer meals” progressing! I’ve actually been hearing a lot of buzz around Lean Cuisine Honestly Good, so instead of skipping the frozen foods section the next time I shop, I’m going to pick one of these meals up and give them a try 🙂
Ashley B. recently posted…Asking for a Personal Favor Today.
Shannah Coe says
Definitely give these a try. They are so much better than a lot frozen meals out there.
Kallee says
This look like amazing dishes. I love that they they are healthy, yet quick and so many wonderful choices of “adult” flavors”
Shannah Coe says
These are definitely on my go to list now for busy nights or when I need a lunch at the office. The flavors are wonderful!
Dee says
WOW! These actually look really great! I haven’t had lunch yet…drool…
Dee recently posted…Pampers Helped Me Give The Gift Of Sleep
Shannah Coe says
They are so delicious {and would make a perfect lunch}!
Shauna says
That rice looks amazing… wow… all of it looks great! Thanks for sharing
Shannah Coe says
I loved the whole grains in the rice part. Definitely delicious.
Jenny @ MyLittleMe says
They look good! Most microwave meals seriously do not look that appetizing.
Jenny @ MyLittleMe recently posted…Best Toys for Kids 2013 – My Favorite!
Shannah Coe says
This is definitely one of the first that I have had that looked that good!
Jessica @Bkeepsushonest says
That looks delicious and quick!
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Shannah Coe says
They are both quick and delicious! 🙂
Jennifer B says
These look so delicious and make dinner a breeze! I will have to check them out!
Jennifer B recently posted…Chewy Monster Cookies
Shannah Coe says
Definitely give them a try. They are delicious meals that cook super fast.
Emerald says
quick, healthy and delicious everything a frozen meal should be.
Emerald recently posted…Beauty 101: Brought To You By Q-Tips
Shannah Coe says
Exactly! We were so pleased with the quality.
Malia says
That looks really good. It actually looks like a home cooked meal!
Malia recently posted…Say NO to GMO, It’s National Non-GMO Month + PROBAR Giveaway
Shannah Coe says
Thanks! My husband was so surprised because he thought I had actually cooked dinner!
Theresa says
Your photos are amazing!
Theresa recently posted…The Good Wife – Hitting the Fan
Shannah Coe says
Thank you! I really appreciate the compliment.
Amy Lynn Desrosiers says
Wow, these look like homemade gourmet meals!
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Shannah Coe says
I totally agree. I would have never guessed something that nice looking could come from a microwave.
Steph @ The Silly Pearl says
Looks delicious…what yummy flavors!
Steph @ The Silly Pearl recently posted…Project Inspire{d} Link Party–Four Fabulous Fall Projects and Recipes
Shannah Coe says
Both of these were delicious. I love the pineapple pieces in the beef one.
Virginia @thatbaldchick says
It looks honestly delish!
Virginia @thatbaldchick recently posted…Pumpkin Spice Latte Sandwich Cookies #GreatTaste
Shannah Coe says
It is definitely delicious. I loved the whole grains and fresh vegetables.
Francine @ Teresa's Family Cleaning says
Always good to have these around for crazy busy nights
Shannah Coe says
Yep. I now keep a few of these in our freezer for gymnastics nights or other busy evenings.
Stacie @ The Divine Miss Mommy says
Ok those look AMAZING! I love Lean Cuisine but haven’t tried some of the newer flavors.
Stacie @ The Divine Miss Mommy recently posted…5 Reasons to Take a Fall Vacation
Shannah Coe says
Definitely try the newer flavors! They are delicious.
Shanna says
That looks really good! And easy!
Shanna recently posted…Slow and Smoky with the Arby’s Smokehouse Brisket Sandwich
Shannah Coe says
Doesn’t it look delicious?! I love that it is done in 5 minutes!
Emily @ The Benson Street says
I’ve loved lean cuisine in the past, need to try some of these new kinds!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
That actually looks way better than I thought it would for a frozen meal. I’ve not seen this new part of the line in stores yet, but I’m going to look!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell recently posted…Discover Halloween!
Shannah Coe says
Doesn’t it look amazing?! I was a little surprised when it came out of the microwave and looked so delicious.
Kathy Penney @ Sparkles And A Stove says
I’m going to have to keep this in mind for a busy night go to! Great pics!
Kathy Penney @ Sparkles And A Stove recently posted…Halloween Crafts for Kids: Thumbprint Spider Pumpkins
Shannah Coe says
Definitely consider putting a few in your freezer. They are life savers on a busy night.
Danielle @ We Have It All says
I’ll need to pick some of these up, I haven’t had them in a long time. And I love your rule about putting food on a plate. Great idea.
Shannah Coe says
I hadn’t had many of the Lean Cuisines in awhile either. The flavor of these was so delicious and I loved how fast they cooked.
Trice says
I love lean Cuisine…. they are my lunch just about every day. I have seen these new meals in the store but have not tried them yet… Looks like a new favorite.
Trice recently posted…Potassium Rich Foods | Top 20 Foods for your Diet
Casandra says
That came out of a microwave? Holy cow have I been living under a rock! Those look delicious and like someone spent all day cooking! You know what I’m looking for in the freezer next time I go shopping. These would be perfect lunches to take to school!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
I wanted to try the Pomegranate Chicken one but my local store was out! It must be good if it’s so popular that it’s gone 🙂 I’ll keep looking 🙂 Stopping by from blog boost.
James Peterson says
If something tastes better than you expected, you could use the word wow to express your surprise. If you say something tastes amazing, you’re saying it tastes even better than great or really good.
ragiwe says
If something tastes better than you expected, you could use the word wow to express your surprise. If you say something tastes amazing, you’re saying it tastes even better than great or really good.
Suraj Roy says
Amazing writing.. I really enjoyed your writing. Will make it tomorrow. Thanks buddy 🙂
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