A Good For You Lunch

I often get off track when trying to eat healthy while balancing an intense work/social life.  If there is one thing I have learned on my journey, it’s that it can be difficult to create delicious, good for you meals on the go. 

Today, I have a delicious and easy recipe for lunch on the go.  You can easily make this the night before and simply put it together at lunchtime.  Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps substitutes crisp lettuce in place of tortillas  -- ultimately creating a good for you wrap featuring Swanson Premium Chunk Chicken and crunchy vegetables tossed in an Asian-sesame dressing.   I hope you enjoy the recipe!

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps 

From Campbell’s Kitchen®

Prep: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 can (12.5 ounces)* Swanson® Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

2 medium carrots, shredded (about 1 cup)

3/4 cup diced red pepper

4 green onions, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)

1/4 cup reduced fat Asian-style sesame salad dressing

6 large Bibb or iceberg lettuce leaves

Directions:

1.     Stir the chicken, carrots, pepper, onions and dressing in a medium bowl.

2.     Divide the chicken mixture among the lettuce leaves. Fold the lettuce leaves around the filling and serve immediately.

P.S. To make this even easier to eat while on the go – consider chopping up the lettuce and eating this as a chopped salad!  You get the same taste in a less messy and more travel friendly format!

Best, and until next time, Kaitlin!

Tailgating!

Have you ever been to a tailgate party?  It usually entails a lot of food, some friendly taunting and trash talking from fans and, of course, the game!  Every year, I will typically throw two or three football tailgate parties for my friends.  I usually serve the typical football food items: chips and salsa, BCD, pizza, quesadillas… 

Since we know throwing a party is a bit overwhelming, here at Swanson® (where I work), we created an easy and delicious tailgate menu that anyone can throw together on Sunday morning.  Our tailgate menu can be downloaded right from Campbell’s Kitchen®. Whether you’re cooking for the whole team or just the offensive line, these dishes are guaranteed to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites!

Here is a quick list of recipes you will find in the Swanson Quick and Easy Tailgate Menu:

·      Frank’s® RedHot® Buffalo Chicken Dip

·      Chicken Nachos

·      Sweet & Spicy Chicken Wings

·      Lighter Chicken Quesadillas

·      Easy Meatball Parm Hero

·      Chocolate Goldfish Pretzel Clusters

What are you waiting for?! Download the Swanson Tailgate Menu today!

Save Money and Shop Smart

If there is one thing I have gotten really good at after college, it is how to shop smart.  Not only am I able to find the best deals when shopping, I would also call myself a master of eating healthy on a budget.

Today, I would like to share with you one of my favorite, good for you, weeknight dinners, Quick Chicken Stir-Fry.  This recipe will be featured in local Sunday papers across the country this coming weekend, so make sure you look for it in the coupon section. It will also have a great offer on Swanson Premium Chunk Chicken!

Once you are able to get your coupon, then it’s off to the grocery store to shop.  Here are a few great tips from Campbell’s Kitchen® (www.campbellskitchen.com) on Smart Shopping:

•  Make a shopping list and stick with it! Type up a master grocery list of foods in the supermarket you typically purchase. Then each week print out the list and circle what you need.  
• Organize your food list based on the MyPyramid food categories. This helps ensure that your grocery cart has a healthy balance of food.  
• Read labels! Compare nutrition labels between brands and varieties of your favorite foods to make choices that best meet your family’s needs.
• Don’t shop when you are hungry! Eat a small meal or healthy snack before you shop. This will help you stick to your list and reduce impulse purchases.

If you would like more great tips about smart shopping, visit the Campbell’s Kitchen’s Smart Shopping section. It’s a great place to learn about eating and shopping healthy.

Quick Chicken & Vegetable Stir-Fry 

From Campbell’s Kitchen

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Cost per recipe: $8.01
Makes: 4 servings (about 1 cup and 1 cup rice each)


Ingredients:

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 3/4 cups Swanson® Chicken Stock  

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

4 cups cut-up vegetables *

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (12.5 ounces)** Swanson® Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

4 cups hot cooked rice

Directions:

1.     Stir the cornstarch, stock, and soy in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth.

2.     Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetables and cook until they're tender-crisp. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

3.     Stir the cornstarch mixture in the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium. Cook and stir until the mixture boils and thickens. Stir in the chicken and cook until the mixture is heated through. Serve the chicken mixture over the rice.

RECIPE TIPS

  *Use a combination of broccoli flowerets, sliced carrots and green or red pepper strips.

**Or 3 cans (4.5 ounces each)

Just a reminder, in case anyone forgot, I’m fortunate enough to work with Swanson Chicken, which is why I have love to share all these delicious recipes, great tips and money saving offers!

Best, and until next time, Kaitlin!