Has anyone tried the Salad Additions from Lean Cuisine, if so what do you think? I tried them and loved them, but I went to one website and so many people are bashing them. I thought they were good.

My main issue with them is the addition of color additives, sugar and they're high in sodium. Plus, I don't eat meat. But, health wise probably the main problem is what I mentioned about the additives.

The other problem to me is the cost. I can create those same additions, from scratch,with less additives and cost. But, having said all that, if you like them, and are okay with the nutritional issues and it helps you stick to your plan, who can ever say you're wrong?

Hmmm I haven't tried the Salad Additions - I think from what I see there that I'd be likely to steam edamame myself and use that, vs using one of their mixes. I'd prefer to use bits of fresh rotisserie chicken left over from dinner the night before; for me frozen chicken just isn't appealing. But we're all different! We all have different needs and different ways of getting salad into us.

Breakfast was my EAS shake, lunch was my Very Veggie with olives cheese and Italian dressing. What are you guys having?

My life has been so busy recently, I barely have time to fix dinner many nights.I think the rotissere chicken and fresh veggies sound amazing. Many of my current committments end in June - I will have finished preparing and presenting three training classes, my term will end as president of DCSHRM, and I will have finished studying and taken the PHR... then I can get back to my writing and marketing the way I have in my plans and start cooking healthy from scratch again.

Stephanie, I definitely agree it depends on one's circumstances. I have bought fresh, but it usually spoiled before I use it or before I used all of it - then it just became a costly waste.

For right now, the "cheating" by buying pre-packaged,over fresh lettuce serves two needs - it stops me from running across the street and grabbing a burger for lunch because it's convenient. Second, I've eaten more veggies this past week then I ever have.

All in good time... :-)

Dianne -

We just buy the rotisserie chicken pre-done at WalMart, steam some brussels sprouts in a bag, and are ready in 2 minutes. So this is completely "brainless" - I recommend it!

I'm having a very veggie salad with colby cheese, olives, and light Italian dressing. What are you guys having tonight?

Hi Lisa. Tonight I made an Atkins recipe casserole. It was ham, broccoli, mozzarella cheese, green onions, and a whole bunch of eggs. We really liked it. We are eating Atkins right now so I am on the prowl for recipes. I'm a little tired of salad.

Lisa, I didn't like brussel sprouts before, but my kids did so I started eating them more. I really like them now. This does sound like a quick and easy meal.

Terri, that sounds yummy!

Given my recent stomach issues, I thought I would try a food that isn't too bad on the "return trip" so I tried a celery stick and a couple of carrots.

After a LOT of setbacks, my family agreed to go low-carb. We watched a video suggested by our former personal trainer (yes, we actually had one but for only a month!); it was called, "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" and I highly recommend it, too. Very inspiring, although he recommends a vegan--and not just low-carb--diet.

Anyway, we're off on our low-carb lifestyle. Last night, I made a warm lentil salad with oven-roasted veggies. Boiled and drained lentils. Chopped zucchini, onion, tomato, garlic cloves, green bell pepper, cauliflower, and mushrooms. Tossed with olive oil. Roasted until slightly carmelized. Mixed in the lentils and tossed with a homemade dressing of fresh lemon juice, olive oil, tomato juice, herbs, salt, pepper and a touch of honey. Served on Romaine lettuce leaves.

My DH and son did not miss the meat. I realized that instead of the dressing, I could add all of this into a small pot of chicken broth and make a delicious lentil and roasted vegetable soup.