Budget Friendly, Gluten Free Lentil Soup with Rice

If you're in a relationship and anything like me... then you probably find it incredibly hard to cook a meal just for yourself.  Right?  

My husband was not present for dinner tonight.  I was alone in the kitchen with the blessing of a full refrigerator and no idea what to cook.  Then I decided it was the perfect time to test drive a new recipe using gluten free soup.

Progresso offers a gluten free Lentil soup and it's found in the regular soup aisle at the grocery store.  Thank goodness for inexpensive, wheat free soup options.  I've had a difficult time finding any regular soup without wheat flour.

Tonight, I decided to cook some rice and see where the creativity took me.

Lentil Soup with Rice
- 19 oz. can of Progresso Lentil Soup
- 1 cup of jasmine rice
- 1/2 medium sweet onion, minced or finely chopped
- 1/2 green pepper, minced or finely chopped
- 1 TBSP of Penzey's Pasta Sprinkle or Basil & Thyme
- Optional:  3-6 shakes of crushed red pepper or a few pinches of chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the soup in a microwaveable bowl with the veggies and seasoning.  Bring rice to a boil in a sauce pan over high heat, reduce the heat to low and stir occasionally until tender.  Pour the soup over a portion of rice.  Serve and enjoy.

Personalize this recipe with your favorite vegetables:  tomato, mushroom, jalapeno, fresh basil and more.  The choice is yours!  There is no limit.

It's the simplest recipe with a ton of perks.  

► 1 can of Progresso Lentil Soup = 160 calories per 1 cup

► Divide the can of Lentil Soup into thirds - 1 for dinner that night, 1 for your lunch the next day and 1 for your significant others lunch.

► Depending on your part of the country, 1 can of soup costs approximately $1.50 to $2.  1 cup of rice will cost you about $0.50.  Add a few veggies and the meal is still under $5.

► Lentils are packed with nutrients that your body will appreciate.  According to Wikipedia, lentils are a legume with high protein, fiber, vitamin B and iron.

► Time Saver Alert!!  The best perk is that I was able to make 3 meals or portions in under 10 minutes.


Copyright 2012 Hint of Thyme.  All rights reserved.

Resolutions Beyond The New Year - Low Cal Food

For those of you that are starting a new workout or diet plan on January 1st... this post contains 3 excellent diet foods that you are sure to love.

I am a firm believer in making lifestyle changes instead of jumping on the latest "diet trend".  I also believe that you should exercise and choose a diet/lifestyle plan that fits you best.  Some people choose to count carbs, cut out high fats or join a gym.  Personally, I have been counting calories and doing an interactive workout plan at home.

As part of my recent lifestyle change, I am happy to share low-cal foods that I love.  Be sure to pick these up on your next grocery trip.


Skinny Cow - Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream
Calories = 150
Weight = 5.8 oz
Price = $1.22

I am the typical woman and sometimes get a craving for chocolate.  I ate this small container in 2 sittings.  This made for a great low-cal desert.  Assorted flavors are available.

 

Skinny Cow

Weight Watchers White Cheddar Cheese Wedges
Calories = 1 wedge, 30 calories
Weight = 4 oz container
Price = $2.25

This is a great low-cal snack for those mid-day cravings.  Pair with Reduced Fat Wheat Thins (16 Pieces = 130 calories).  I do not participate in Weight Watchers but they do have a lot of food options that work with a low-cal diet.

 

Weight Watchers

Lean Cuisine - Fajita-Style Chicken Spring Rolls
Calories = 3 rolls, 200 cal
Price = $2.00

I really like eating the spring rolls for lunch.  The box comes with 2 servings of spring rolls and 2 heat jackets.  So it can provide you lunch for 2 days.  Pair with an apple, veggies and/or a yogurt.  It makes for a great low-cal lunch and will keep you satisfied for the afternoon!

 

Lean Cuisine

I wish you all a very happy and healthy new year!




Copyright 2011 A Hint of Thyme. All rights reserved.

* Images taken by Mara D.

Low-Cal Eating: 3 Quick Tips and Recipes

I recently started a new workout plan with "NBC's Biggest Loser Workout" for Wii.  Forecasting even a small weight loss goal or trying different exercises has been less than exciting, as I have suffered from severe chronic back pain for more than a decade.  It's true that a body in motion stays in motion... so I picked up the Wii workout on a whim.  It has been fantastic thus far.  And I love that it's interactive.

One of the many features of the Biggest Loser Workout includes short video tips for exercising, lifestyle and diet.  I decided that I'd share some of the healthy eating tips with my devoted readers.  The lunch and dinner option came straight from the brain of this lady.  I cannot claim to be an expert on low-calorie diets, but I am working on gaining more knowledge.

Low Calorie Snack:

Cinnamon Apples - 70 calories
- 1 medium sweet apple (recommend Gala or Macintosh)
- 1/4 TBSP cinnamon
- 1/2 TBSP water
- 1 teaspoon sugar (or sweetener)

Chop the apple into bite size pieces and place into a microwavable bowl.  Add the water, cinnamon and very small amount of sugar or sweetener.  Stir.  Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes.  Delicious and nutritious!

Low Calorie Lunch:

Hummus and Turkey Sandwich - Approx. 230 Calories
- Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins (100 Calories)
- 3 pieces of turkey lunch meat
- Leafy greens or lettuce
- 2 TBSP of hummus (I have been enjoying the Sabra Spicy Hummus)

I'm not sure that this requires much instruction.  If you don't know how to assemble a sandwich... we have bigger problems.

Low Calorie Dinner:

Balsamic Dill Salad with Tuna - Approx. 300 Calories
- 1 can of tuna
- 1.5-2 cup of leafy greens or lettuce
- 1/4 medium sweet onion, julianed
- 1/2 fresh tomato, julianed
- 1 tsp of dried dill
- 1/2 TBSP balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper

Combine together in a bowl and enjoy!  It tastes great and was filling too.  Not satisfied yet?  Add a yogurt or the apple snack from above.


Thank you for taking the time to read some of my healthy eating tips and recipes.  If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to email them to me directly at hintofthyme@gmail.com.  I wish you all happy, healthy eating!  Have a great week.



We could all use a hint of more time!
Copyright 2011 A Hint of Thyme.  All rights reserved.