Another Date Night Special!

I love coming up with special meals that taste wonderful and fit into the program. Diet food doesn't all have to be boring old grilled chicken breast with salad

Tonight's recipe inspiration came from Goodfood, one of the meal box delivery services I occasionally order from. Not all their recipes will fit into the Nutrisystem program, but if you are careful choosing you can try some really fantastic foods. The flavours in this dish blend together perfectly, and I don't even like kale, to be honest with you. I'd highly recommend this recipe! It might not be picturesque, but it's delicious.

Shrimp with Toasted Couscous & Black Garlic Aioli (Flex Meals):

10oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 yellow onion, diced
2 cups kale, chopped roughly
1 Portobello mushroom, cut into 1/2" thick slices
1 clove of black garlic (you can substitute regular if you can't obtain black)
1 tbsp. white wine vinegar
2 tbsp. tomato paste
1 cup cooked toasted pearl couscous
2 tbsp. plain Greek yogurt
fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Spanish seasoning blend (or make your own with turmeric, onion powder, paprika, garlic, rosemary, and a dash of Cayenne pepper)

Before you cook the couscous, toast it in a large, dry pan until it turns golden brown (2-4 minutes). Place the toasted couscous in a pot of salted boiling water until tender. Drain, and set aside. Mince the black garlic finely, and mix it with the Greek yogurt, and set aside for flavours to blend. Spray your pan with cooking spray, and add the mushroom slices. Sprinkle the seasoning blend onto the shrimp, and add them to the pan. Add the onions and kale, and cook until the kale starts to wilt and the shrimp are opaque and cooked throughout. Add the tomato paste and vinegar, and stir frequently until the sauce is well blended.

Place 1/2 cup of cooked couscous on each plate. Top with 1/2 the shrimp and vegetable mixture, and sprinkle with parsley. Top with a dollop of the black garlic aioli. Makes two servings.

Believe it or not, this fantastic flavourful dish counts as a Nutrisystem lunch entrée plus 2 vegetables. The vinegar and tomato paste are free foods, and so is the Greek yogurt (in this amount). If you want to spend an extra, I'd recommend using a tsp of garlic infused olive oil to cook the shrimp and vegetables, but it is not necessary.

While kale is often bitter, the wonderful taste of the black garlic aioli really cuts that and works well with the Spanish style flavours. If you try this dish, I'd love to hear how you like it!

Out With The Old...

With all the new additions, Nutrisystem is quietly discontinuing a few more items. A few of them surprise me, and I'll definitely be sorry to see them go! I hope we have a few more new ones coming soon to help make up for it.

The list of items they sent out to be discontinued includes the following:

Cheese Tortellini
Chicken Vegetable Stir Fry
Garlic Parmesan Snack A Rounds
Hickory Smoke Flavored Beef Patty
Italian Herb Flatbread Pizza
Salt & Vinegar Snack A Rounds
Stuffed Apple Pie
Whole Grain Soft Pretzel

If any of these are your favourites, I would try to place an order immediately so that you can grab the remaining stock before it's gone!

I have to admit that a few of them surprise me. The Italian Herb Flatbread pizza, I think is far the superior of the two shelf stable pizzas. It looks larger and tastes better than the Thick Crust Pizza, in my opinion. But I'm not the one seeing sales and cost figures, so I am sure Nutrisystem has a better idea of what they are doing.

I'm also surprised to see so many of the savory snacks be removed. While I have a sweet tooth, I know that not everyone does, and the variety of salty items gave more choice to the snack options. Especially the soft pretzel- I thought that was pretty cool and fun to jazz up. I will miss it. I liked the apple pie, too, but fortunately I still have a few of those in the freezer.

I hope that more new items will be added soon to compensate, because that is a lot of items that have been removed lately!

More New Items!

Don't forget to check the menu before your next auto delivery ships! Nutrisystem has released some further new items, which I'm excited to try.

I was really, really happy when I saw that Nutrisystem has brought back a pancake mix. If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I made a ton of recipes using their Pancake Mix in 2010. It is so versatile and can be used for much more than pancakes! Definitely check out my recipe file for some creative ideas. While I haven't yet tried the new High Protein Pancake Mix, I'm looking forward to making my Cheesy Egg & Bacon Biscuits with it!

I love the Nutrisystem Granola Cereal, so I'm expecting good things from this entree as well. One of my favourite ways to use the Granola is to put it over sugar free apple pie filling with some cinnamon (don't forget to add 1/2 Powerfuel elsewhere to your day if you do this- it's considered part of the entree and is required!!), which counts as an extra (10-35 calories). I suspect that Apple Cinnamon Granola Cereal will be even more perfect for this use! I don't drink milk, but I think this will likely also go well in yogurt and I can't wait to try it.

I like toffee, and I also like the Harvest Nut Bar, so I am betting I will also like this Toffee Nut Bar. I'm curious as to how different it will be, since the Harvest Nut Bar is already very sweet. Guess I will find out shortly!

This Garlic Cheese Flatbread is a shelf stable lunch entree, and it comes from the South Beach Diet program. If you didn't know, Nutrisystem and South Beach are owned by the same company. While the macros in the two programs are different, both do focus on the glycemic index and building a healthy balance of fats, protein, and carbs. I've been curious to try some of the South Beach entrees myself, and I actually recently placed an order for some when they were 50% off. I appear to have jumped the gun though since they are now available from Nutrisystem! This particular entree doesn't get great reviews, but I'm curious to try it anyway. I always say to give everything a chance because you never know what you will like. We all have different tastes, after all!

I love seafood, but I was a little surprised to see the Shrimp & Chicken Stir Fry on the menu since shrimp is so expensive. I wonder how small they are, or how few you get in the portion. Either way though, I am looking forward to giving it a try.

I will admit that I found this dinner entree to be a bit of a surprise as well. Nutrisystem already has two chili options that are quite good, why would they add in another? Adding veggies is already a relatively simple thing for us once we have the base entree. It makes me speculate that perhaps they plan to discontinue the Vegetariam Chili in favour of this Chockful of Veggie Chili, but who knows? I don't plan to order this one personally since I think the shelf stable options are good enough for me, but I'm interested in hearing how other people like it.

Again, I wonder how different these Nacho Puffs are from the current Cheese Puffs, which I love. I have liked both versions of the Cheese Puffs, both the big ones that look like cheesies, and the little ones. Does this new item mean that the Cheese Puffs are now on the chopping block? I hope not. There are a few of these on my next order for comparison purposes!

I am not the biggest fan of marshmallow, but I plan to try at least one of these S'mores Pies just to see how they taste. If the marshmallow taste isn't so prominent, then maybe I'll enjoy it. I do like the Stuffed Apple Pie so this one could be a winner as well.

What have you tried of the new menu items, and what are you hoping to try? Are there new ideas you would like Nutrisystem to create or bring back?

Love the Loaded Potato!

I see so many comments on the Nutrisystem Facebook group about people who dislike the Loaded Potato. I can understand that the idea of having mashed potatoes for lunch sounds unappealing. After all, mashed potatoes sounds like a side dish, right? But if you let those creative juices start flowing, you'll realize that this entrée can be made into so many different meals! It's a great way to keep your meals changed up and keep things fresh.

The easiest way of all to eat these is to prepare as directed (although I still recommend using boiling water and then covering rather than preparing in the microwave!), and then just eat them as a side dish with your favourite Powerfuel. I often enjoy this with a 100 calorie piece of salmon (save your morning PF for this!), or 3oz of grilled chicken. Add a salad or some roasted vegetables, and your plate looks like a regular lunch.

Want to get a little fancier? Try my Baked Crab Florets or Crab Cakes. Want a picnic favourite? Have you tried making Potato Salad? Want a nice bowl of rich soup for lunch? Try my Clam Chowder or Creamy Potato Soup. If you're looking up recipes I've made with the Loaded Potato, don't forget to check my blog tags for the Cheesy Homestyle Potatoes, which was the previous name for a very similar entrée that Nutrisystem offered in the past.

And speaking of soup, I decided to do a second version of my Potato Leek Soup to bring the recipe up to date with the new Nutrisystem program requirements, since things have changed since 2011. It is so rich and full of flavour, and I think you'll find it a satisfying choice on a brisk fall day. It also makes a huge portion, so it will help keep the hungries away!

Potato Leek Soup (Lunch):

1 pkg Nutrisystem Loaded Potato
1 leek, chopped
2 cups no sodium chicken broth
pepper, garlic to taste
1/2 tbsp. bacon bits (optional)
1/2 tbsp. low fat shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Spray a small pot with Pam spray, and sautee your leeks over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until they start to soften. If they start to stick to the pan, add a tiny bit of the chicken broth. Add the pepper and garlic. While you are cooking the leeks, prepare the Loaded Potato with boiling water and cover until it sets. When leeks are tender, add the chicken broth to the pan and turn the heat up to high. When the soup is bubbling, add the Loaded Potato and stir well to make it smooth and creamy.

Serve in a large bowl, as this is a generous portion! If desired, add the cheese and bacon bits as garnish.

This soup is so flavourful and delicious, quick and easy to make, and fits right into your Nutrisystem program. Count this entire large bowl as a Nutrisystem lunch entrée, 2 veggie servings, a free food (the broth), and if you use the cheese and bacon it would count as one extra total (the cheese is 14 calories, the bacon bits are 15 calories).

Bon appetit!

Bulk It Up!

I really enjoy eggplant, and fortunately it's one of Nutrisystem's unlimited non starchy veggies. I've made lots of flex meals with eggplant before, since it's a great pasta substitute. If you haven't tried my Eggplant Rollatini, I definitely suggest giving it a try.

If you don't feel like putting that much work into a flex meal, though, I think you'll find that this stuffed eggplant recipe is very bulky for those hungry days, and also tastes delicious.

Lasagna Stuffed Eggplant (Dinner):

1 eggplant, thinly sliced into long pieces
1 Nutrisystem Lasagna with Meat Sauce or Vegetable Lasagna
1/3 cup no sodium tomato sauce (35 calories or less total)
diced mushrooms, onions, bell pepper (or your favourite veggies)
1/2 oz shredded cheese (optional)
2 tbsp. FF ricotta cheese (optional)

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and spread out the eggplant on a baking tray. Spray lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with basil and oregano. Bake for approximately 7 minutes or until eggplant is soft and edges are starting to brown.

While eggplant is cooking, chop up the lasagna into little pieces and pour it into a bowl. Add your chopped veggies, and if you are using the ricotta, add it now. Mix everything until it is blended uniformly.

When the eggplant is ready, place a large spoonful of the filling in the base of each slice of eggplant, and roll it closed. Place into a baking dish seam side down. When all the filling is inside the eggplant slices, top with your tomato sauce. Add the shredded cheese if desired, and bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

This makes an absolutely huge meal- if you are having a day when you want to eat everything in sight, I highly recommend this dinner! This baking dish is ONE serving!!!

Count this as one Nutrisystem dinner entrée, three servings of unlimited veggies, one extra (the tomato sauce), and if you used the ricotta and shredded cheese, count one Powerfuel.

You could try this with any of the other pasta dishes, minced up. Try it with the Penne Bolognese or the Rotini with Meatballs and let me know how you like it!

Creative Powerfuels

While food's primary purpose is for sustenance, it's no secret that many of us eat with our eyes and enjoy food as a pleasure and not just fuel. The more creative recipes you can come up with, the less likely you are to want to go off plan!

Are you getting bored with cheese sticks and hard boiled eggs for your morning Powerfuel? Try this creative idea- filling, delicious, simple, and it feels gourmet!


Hasselbeck Caprese Salad (Powerfuel):

2 fresh Roma tomatoes, whole
1 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
6 fresh basil leaves
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Wash your tomatoes thoroughly, and slice the top end off where the stem was. Slice your mozzarella cheese into 6 thin slices. Tear each basil leaf in half.

Turn your tomato sideways, and make three cuts evenly spaced through the tomato but do not cut all the way through! Repeat with the second tomato. In each of the little "pockets", place a slice of cheese and a basil leaf. Drizzle 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar over each tomato, and enjoy!

This recipe counts as 1 Powerfuel, 1 vegetable, and 1 extra.

Try some variations! Do you prefer your tomatoes cooked? Bake it at 350 degrees for 10 minutes and enjoy the cheese all gooey and melted. Are you a BLT fan? Take a combination of turkey bacon and cheddar cheese to equal 1 Powerfuel (80-120 calories combined and minimum 5g protein) and stuff your tomatoes with that! How about using ham & Swiss cheese to make a tomato melt?

What is your favourite variation?

New Menu Items!

It looks like Nutrisystem has started to release new menu items, which is great! They haven't made an announcement yet, so hopefully more items are still to roll out. Definitely check your auto delivery before it ships and have a look at what's been added. So far there's been an item or two every couple of days over the past week.

They also announced two more discontinued items, sadly, the Sesame Ginger Chicken and the Black Bean Polenta Enchilada. I was disappointed to hear this because that particular enchilada was one of my favourite frozen meals for just plain ol' heating and eating. I loved the zesty spicy flavour even if it looked absolutely nothing like on the box. The Sesame Ginger Chicken was a really great base for adding cauliflower rice and I'd save a SmartCarb to add orange segments and make a version of orange ginger chicken (kind of like what I used to do with the discontinued Nutrisystem Orange Chicken). I will definitely miss that.

But, onwards and upwards- I'm looking forward to trying these new items!

The new breakfast item is the Strawberry Baked Bar.

I haven't been all that impressed with the baked bars in general, this time around on Nutrisystem. When I did the program back in 2010-2011, I generally loved the bars. These ones, not so much. They honestly have tasted to me like cardboard with a very artificial flavouring. The Blueberry Lemon Baked Bar had my hopes up because I remembered the old Blueberry Lemon Bar, but no dice there. So I am not sure how much better this new breakfast bar will be. Granted, I do believe that the baked bars are more filling than the granola-type bars, but it's just not worth it to me when I can eat something that tastes much better. When I actually get my hands on one of these, I'll definitely write a review and let you know how I find it!

So far I haven't seen any new lunches. There is a frozen dinner which has reappeared (marked limited time only, so check it out if you're interested!)- the Pork Tenderloins.

I looked at the previous reviews, and several commenters say it is spicy, so I am looking forward to trying one of these.

It also looks like the Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Breast is back! I love the stuffed chicken breasts. They are low calorie, filling, and really makes it feel like I'm eating a "normal" dinner with my family.

So far, there are also two new snacks; the Chocolate Lovers' Cake Mug Mix and the Confetti Cake Mug Mix.

I'm really hoping that this one will be reminiscent of the old Microwave Chocolate Cake Mix. I loved making that one into Lava Cake with the Nutrichocolates! That made a deliciously decadent meal. I know that the mixes are a little more work than just heating and eating, but any time you get a mix item like this it opens up so many possibilities to customize a dessert to make it your own. I'm imagining this one as dessert puffs, maybe with a raspberry in the centre, or making a filling out of cream cheese. I think I'm going to have a lot of fun playing with it!

This one looks like a lot of fun, too. I'm not quite sure what I want to do with it yet, but I'm sure I'll get some ideas. If nothing else, it looks like a great birthday treat- or an Unbirthday treat since it doesn't have to be a special occasion to eat cake!

Is there a discontinued item that you wish Nutrisystem would bring back? I really miss the Caramel Popcorn- omg that was delicious! And the Beef Taco was my all time favourite Nutrisystem dinner. I know tacos aren't difficult to flex well, but this made it easy and delicious to have one of my favourite meals. The Vegetable Fajita was not the most attractive looking meal, but it was so yummy and the most filling dinner. Nutrisystem really does tend to do the Mexican style entrees very well- I miss the Chicken Quesadilla, too! And what about the shelf stable dinner Macaroni & Cheese instant cups- OMG Kraft dinner or Hamburger Helper if you picked the one with beef! Don't forget some of the amazing snacks like the Nacho Crisps, Chocolate Crunch Bar, and the Chocolatey Rainbow Delights! There have been so many meals that I have really enjoyed and would happily keep buying!

What new items are you hoping that Nutrisystem will release or bring back?