Monday, February 1, 2010

. . . More like BROKE all the THYME!

So, every Saturday after Weight Watchers I drive by this store called Frozen in Thyme. Well, THIS Saturday I decided to stop, pop in, and scope it out. According to Frozen in Thyme, they specialize in "solving the dinner dilemma for families, food lovers, and busy professionals."  In addition, Frozen in Thyme claims to offer simple, cost effective I beg to differ meal solutions to help  families balance their budget and time. 

After peeking at the prices, Frozen in Thyme may need to change their name to Broke All The Thyme!As a single mom "ballin on a budget" I found nothing cost effective about paying $30.00 for chicken picatta that serves 4-6. $30 BUCKS... and I still need to add a side dish. Check this out, a side of broccoli...$6.00 BUCKS!! I can buy a bag of broccoli for a dollar. Cost effective? You be the judge:
  • French Onion Soup (Serves 4-6)...$22.50
  • Amaretto Shrimp (Serves 4-6)...$29.00
  • Baked Tortellini in Vodka Sauce (Serves 4-6)...$21.00
  • Asiago Chicken Burgers (Serves 4-6)...$24.50
 Hey folks, just ignore me right now. I switched to hater mode to write this post. Truth be told, if my finances allowed for such an extravagance, I prefer to buy prepared meals rather than cook the meals myself. One can dream...until my finances multiply, I shall wait for my weight loss fairy godmother to appear, and grant my wish to receive a lifetime of prepared gourmet meals delivered to my home.  

While I wait for my weight loss fairy godmother to arrive, I opt for the next best thing, Mom's-Mealz-on-Wheelz program.  Basically, Mom's-Mealz-on-Wheelz consists of my Mom preparing  some fabulous, free cost effective culinary creations.  After my Mom lovingly prepares the meals, I roll on over to her house in my wheelz to pick up my meals.

On the menu this week:
 Chicken Tortilla Soup courtesy of TJ from TJ's Test Kitchen.

The Whole Enchilada Chicken Soup From HUNGRY GIRL Email.

PER SERVING (1 cup): 105 calories, 1.75g fat, 641mg sodium, 12.5g carbs, 2g fiber, 4g sugars, 11g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

Ingredients:
3 cups fat-free chicken broth (*My mom made her own chicken broth.)
1 1/4 cups finely chopped celery
1/2 cup diced sweet yellow onion
3 cups green enchilada sauce
One 15-oz. can pure pumpkin
10 oz. cooked boneless skinless lean chicken breast, chopped or shredded
1 cup frozen white (or yellow) corn
Optional: dash hot sauce, or more to taste
Optional toppings: shredded fat-free cheddar cheese, crushed baked tortilla chips

Directions:
In a large pot, bring broth to a low boil on the stove. Add celery and onion, and simmer for about 5 minutes, until slightly tender.

Stir in enchilada sauce and pumpkin. Once soup returns to a low boil, add chicken and corn, and mix well. Cook for an additional 3 - 5 minutes, until soup is heated throughout.

Add a dash or more hot sauce.  Serve and, top with shredded cheese and/or crushed chips. If you love Chili's Enchilada Soup, then you'll love this thick and hearty soup!

MAKES 9 SERVINGS




Mealz-on-Wheelz always keeps beans in stock:

Tonight I paired some pinto beans (2 pts.) with a quick and easy soft chicken taco made from some leftover chicken my Mom gave me:

Last week Mealz-on-Wheelz offered pinto AND black beans, garden fresh produce, and a rotisserie chicken:

I picked up 3 bags each of freezer friendly vegetable soup and beans.
Pinto-n-Brown Rice
Vegetable Soup
Rotisserie Chicken
Gardenfresh veggies!!
All of this culinary fabulosity comes at a cost...the cost of a 1/4 tank of gas. Now, that's what I call COST EFFECTIVE!

14 comments:

  1. Dang! I wish I had that mealz on wheelz program in my area!

    Congrats on your awesome weight loss SITStah!

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  2. Oh I second Stacy's wish!

    Your meals look totally yummm!

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  3. Trina if you lived closer to me I would beg you to let me pay you to make food for my family! Your dinners look SO GOOD!

    I will agree those meals looked pricey to me too...I am "cheap". Plus for 30$ we could go OUT. Who wants to spend $30 to eat in!

    I am getting way way better at the REDI-SET! I have learned while using it and some of your info on it has helped!

    Keep on Keepin on! You ROCK!

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  4. I agree with JodiKris, Id pay you to cook my families meals as well. They all look sooo yummy! I agree with you as well, even if I were well to do.......I would NOT shop at a place like Frozen in Thyme. Their prices are ridiculous!

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  5. LOL!! You are too funny girl! I say stick with your mom's Mealz-on-Wheelz program, they look delicious and I bet they taste way better than those $30.00 dinners, lol.

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  6. Girl, if I lived closer to you, I'd cook for you! Although I think my food might fall outside your parameters (I don't count cals, I have to watch carbs). A girlfriend and I looked into starting a similar business to help busy moms give their families a quality, healthy, fresh meal, and unfortunately... "cost effective" doesn't go with that business plan unless you're working for free, or using really cheap ingredients.

    That said, you're hysterical and I love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You should get that program as a franchise.
    Great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  8. That cracks me up, and the soup looks awesome. I love the enchilada soup at Chilis, but I KNOW it isn't healthy. I'll have to try this version.

    We have one of those meal places here, but it isn't nearly as expensive. You get 12 entrees that serve six for like $200 something. And the food is awesome. Me and a friend split it one time. I like it because then I don't have to think about what I'm going to fix, and it comes with automatic portion control.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Holy cow! Those prices are outrageous! Besides, I am guessing that your homemade stuff is worlds better anyway!

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  10. AGH... I get so HONGRY... everytime I visit!! Love your boys dancing! And your looking pretty hot yourself, looks like you had fun with the girls!

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  11. No family could afford prices like that! Don't feel bad. Your meals look good. I just made a chicken in rice soup yesterday. It was so good and it made a ton. We had leftovers tonight and I have too more servings for lunches...yum!

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  12. Holy cow, those are crazy prices!! Your mom rocks!

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  13. WHOA! That Frozen in Thyme place must be out of their MINDS! That's crazy expensive for that stuff!

    The pics of the food... YUM, I'm seriously hungry now :)

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  14. I made that enchilada soup tonight for dinner. It was so good! Thanks for the recipe. And since I am also on WW, it was nice to know the points value.

    It was super easy to make and so yummy!

    ReplyDelete

First off all, THANKS for stopping by and for those of you following...THANKS for following AND indulging my MADNESS. Please feel free to holla back or provide your 2¢. I WILL TRY to respond to ALL comments via email. AGAIN THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT!

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