Healthy Choice Portabella Spinach Parmesan

It's not that I haven't been eating microwavable meals; it's that I'm a lazy-ass who hasn't blogged about them. Some have been good; others, well...



Calories: 270
WW Points: 5

Their description: Wholesome whole-grain penne pasta with baby portabella mushrooms and iron-rich spinach delivers 15% of your daily vitamin A.

At first glance: I've been saving this, partly because I wasn't craving it, and partly because I knew it was going to be crap. My husband bought me this one. Hey, aren't baby portabella mushrooms just button mushrooms?

Upon closer inspection: It can't taste as bad as it looks, right? Right.....?

Taste: This may just be the nastiest thing I've ever put in my mouth, and that's quite the feat, let me tell you. I like mushrooms just fine, and spinach too, for that matter, but this is just revolting. There's this almost bitter taste in the background, coupled with something I sure hope is lemon juice (just checked the ingredients list -- it is -- thank goodness). I don't taste cheese. The specks of red pepper don't save this one. I had a few bites too many in an effort to try to find something redeeming about this meal, and all I came up with is a sour stomach. I guess they can definitely tout this as "diet food," as I certainly didn't want to eat anything for a long time after consuming this piece of crap.

Overall rating: 0. I really wanted to give it a 1, but even the pasta was soggy. Blegh, Healthy Choice. Blegh.

Lean Cuisine Roasted Honey Chicken

Calories: 280
WW Points: 5

Their description: Roasted chicken in a sweet honey sauce with snap peas, yellow beans and whole wheat pilaf.

At first glance: The chicken looks like chicken. The sauce is orange. I bet brown rice would be better.

Upon closer inspection: That's the flattest orzo I've ever seen. There are five good-sized pieces of chicken. What's with all the beans? Are those onions or mushrooms mixed in with everything? My toddler wants all the carrots. Wait, are those lentils? What the heck?

Taste: I'm not a fan of whole wheat pasta, and now I'm really not a fan of whole wheat pasta. I was right; brown rice would have been way better. I'm guessing the lentils were for added fiber, and I love lentils, but not in this. I also like beans, but again, not in this. The chicken was good, as were the carrots (at least, the ones my kid let me have) and the snap peas. Oh, and those little things mixed in were indeed onions. The sauce was sweet and slightly spicy. But I guess the pasta and lentils did their job; I'm pretty full, amazingly enough. I just don't see how they can call this "Spa Cuisine." Give me a break.

Overall rating: 6 -- it has promise; with brown rice I probably would have given it an 8.