Healthy Choice Pumpkin Squash Ravioli

I don't know about you, but I am really craving fall. There are so many reasons why its my favorite season.  Crisp weather and crisp leaves. Cold nights and hot pumpkin lattes. Sweaters, and scarves, and boots! And of course Halloween and my birthday! While I love that the summer brings foods filled with coconut, I just can't wait for fall to bring my beloved pumpkin.

As you know, I have really been enjoying cooking in my new kitchen, but that doesn't mean that I am abandoning my love of frozen meals. I love how quick and easy they are, especially for foods that I don't have the skills to make, like pumpkin ravioli. I love pumpkin ravioli. I think it is probably my second favorite food. This Healthy Choice Pumpkin Squash Ravioli was the perfect frozen meal to hit the spot while I am craving fall in the summer.



I saw this box in the freezer section and instantly snatched it up when I saw "pumpkin" on the box. Then I hugged it for a while, which made me incredibly cold, and then I finally noticed the box: 100% natural, 280 calories, and vegetarian! Yep, I knew this was coming home with me.





There wasn't just pumpkin filled raviolis in the box, but squash, apples, and green beans, all in a butter-sage sauce. This filled the kitchen with that perfect fall pumpkin flavor, sweet and full of spice.





Each ravioli was filled with pumpkin spice flavor, and the sauce was buttery and fragrant. I loved the chunky apples and squash, and the green beans gave it a fresh veggie taste. Each forkful was a little, savory, pumpkin pie.

Now after eating this, I really can't wait for fall. Oh, October, hurry up!

Do you love fall as much as I do? What is your favorite seasonal food?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Dr. Praeger's Spinach Pancakes

Hey everyone! First of all I wanted to start off by saying that this is my 100th post! *Throws confetti*

Second of all, today is my very best friend in the whole world's birthday, Sara! *Throws even more confetti* We have been friends for 16 years and I am so happy that we have been friends for so long. We have shared so many amazing memories and she is always there for me if I need help. She even created my lovely blog banner! Happy birthday Sara, I hope you have a wonderful day filled with happiness! :)

Now on the the food.

I am going to show you a product that I have loved for years: Dr. Praeger's Spinach Pancakes.  Dr. Praeger makes all kinds of pancakes from spinach, to broccoli, and even sweet potato. They even have ones in dinosaur shapes so the kids can have fun while eating veggies!



I love the simple ingredients in these and the fact that there is no cholesterol or fat!  But of course what I love most is the convenience and the taste.



These are amazing and flavorful little patties. I love spinach so much and I love that I can enjoy a pancake made of spinach. They are so delicious and fluffy and taste fresh off the pan coming out of the microwave.



My favorite way to enjoy these is on top of some toast with garlic sprinkled on top, but there is something amazing about enjoying them on their own too to really appreciate how amazing they are!

Have you tried any of the Dr. Praeger's Pancakes? Which ones do you want to try?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Amy's Not Just for Kids Meals-Baked Ziti

Hey everyone, I hope you are all having a great week. I have been spending my time packing for my big move to Virginia, taking my kitty to the vet, and Bikrim yoga.  I just started taking classes and I am really liking it.  Bikram yoga is a set of 26 poses and 2 breathing exercises done in a 105 degree room! It is really intense but it leaves you feeling great. I suggest that everyone goes out and tries it!

Anyway, on to the food!  Taking yoga is making me want to make good food choices.  I actually read that taking yoga decreases your cravings for junk food! I wanted to show you another Amy's meal that is fun and delicious: Not Just for Kids Meals-Baked Ziti.





I completely LOVE that these are vegan and gluten free! Its such a great feeling knowing that I can have pasta with cheese and bread and it not to have any animal products or gluten in it.  These might be aimed for kids, but like the box says, its not just for kids. Anyone can enjoy a healthy, vegan, gluten free dinner. Of course, if you have kids this is a great meal for them too.  It has small portions which are good for small bellies, and the inside of the box has games and puzzles!



The baked ziti meal comes with ziti, vegan cheese, tomato sauce, broccoli, focaccia, and a apple crumb dessert. It is the perfect little meal from the bread, to the main course, and even the desert.  It reminds me of those Kid Cuisine meals, but a thousand times better for you!  The pasta and sauce tastes great and the broccoli tastes fresh.  I usually am not a fan of vegan cheese, but this one is really good.  It doesn't have a strong cheese flavor, but it melts really well. The focaccia was really flavorful and its great for scooping up the sauce that's left over in the dish. The apple dessert is hot and sweet. I love the apple cinnamon flavor and the crumb top is perfect!

I love this little meal, its perfect for when you want a complete dinner without all the cooking.  While I'm all grown up, I am a kid at heart and I love feeling like a kid again with these meals.  These are perfect for kids and adults of any age!

Have you tried the Baked Ziti Not Just for Kids Meals? Will you be buying these for yourself, or a kid you know?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Stouffer's Macaroni & Cheese with Broccoli

Hey everyone! I hope everyone's been enjoying the spring time! I personally can't wait until its over.  June is just around the corner, and even though it wont be summer until the 21st, when I think of June, I think of summer time!

Even though its warming up, I can enjoy the classing comfort food, mac & cheese, any time of the year. While mac & cheese has always been a favorite of mine, I remember about 10 years ago my brother and I were making dinner and we decided on mac & cheese.  We bought frozen mac & cheese, and then he added some steamed peas to the mix. I loved it! From then on I could never have just plain mac & cheese, it needed to have veggies in it! It really took it to the next level, from that comforting kids food, to a grown up, vegetarian, meal!

When I spotted Stouffer's Macaroni & Cheese with Broccoli, it instantly became a stable in my freezer!







This mac & cheese is super cheesy, with a strong cheddar flavor.  The taste of the broccoli really cuts the cheesy flavor, and compliments it perfectly. Nothing better than broccoli cheddar!



I'm not the only one that loves this macaroni & cheese with broccoli...



My cat, Muffin, is always stealing bites when I make it for dinner! After I'm all done (and she's had a few nibbles) she loves to lick the plate clean! I love getting to share food with my kitty.

Do you love mac & cheese as much as I do? What's your favorite comfort food?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Amy's Broccoli and Cheese in a Pocket

Hello everyone and May the 4th be with you :-P

I love sharing Amy's food with you guys because it is always all natural and organic, which I love.  It is great to find a frozen food to feel good about!  This one combines veggies, and hot melty cheese, what's not to love?

Amy's Veggie Loaf

Hello everyone! I hope you have all been enjoying the nice warm weather, I know that I have! Although I do have to say I'm happy that April is almost over and May is on its way! I hate how much rain April brings. Usually right about now I am planning my move to the desert...You know, until summer hits and then I plan my move to Alaska.

Today I have an Amy's meal that I consider the substitute teacher of Amy's frozen meals. When I first became a vegetarian, many years ago, one of the very first Amy's frozen meals I found was the veggie Salisbury steak. Salisbury steak is another food that I never ate as a meat eater, but have eaten the veggie version.  I remembered how good it was, and how my mom used to microwave it to me and serve me in my room back at our first house.  I ate it for years..until one day I couldn't find it in the supermarkets anymore.  However, right about the time the Salisbury steak disappeared, the veggie loaf made its debut. I decided to give it a try, and while it wasn't exactly like the steak, it was still very good, and I knew I had found its substitute.





The Veggie Loaf reminds me of those classic 1950's TV dinners.  It comes with a veggie loaf made of lentils and other vegetables covered in a really tasty veggie gravy, mashed potatoes, and a mix of peas and corn.  I love mixing the gravy with the mashed potatoes and pretending I'm an all-American meat eater.  I have never actually had real gravy on mashed potatoes!





This meal really reminds me of my grandma's cooking, because she always used healthy ingredients..and a lot of lentils!  I always feel good after eating this really healthy meal, full of protein and veggies, but I like pretending that its bad for you! :-P

Have you tried Amy's Veggie Loaf?  Do you like vegetarian meat loafs?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Amy's Bowls Broccoli & Cheddar Bake

Hey everyone! Today I have another Amy's meal to show you!





Amy's has been making these bowls for quite a while, from mac and cheese with tofu, to pasta and peas in tomato sauce.  However the Amy's Bowls Broccoli & Cheddar Bake are a new addition to the bowl family. Since it's Amy's they are of course organic and vegetarian, and on top of that, the Broccoli & Cheddar bake is gluten free too!







I love the flavor of these bowls. The cheese is a nice sharp cheddar flavor, and of course broccoli pairs perfectly with cheddar.  The bread crumbs on top are the perfect touch to make these bowls taste like they came right out of the oven.  The pasta tastes great too, you can't even tell that it's gluten free!

Have you tried the new Broccoli & Cheese Bake Bowls?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Amy's Mexican Tofu Scramble

Hey everyone!  I wanted to show you what I had for lunch today. Yes, it's another Amy's meal.



I have mentioned before that eggs totally freak me out, and I try to avoid them as bast as I can.  I always loved scrambled eggs, and its a food a miss, not because I am a vegetarian, but just because the idea of eggs creep me out.  I was so happy when I found Amy's Tofu Scramble! Finally I get to have scrambled eggs again!  Amy's makes a few different tofu scrambles, and today I have the Mexican variety to show you.



This scramble comes with tofu on a gluten free tortilla  covered with salsa, and re-fried beans and potatoes on the side. The tofu scramble doesn't taste exactly like its eggy counter part, but it is still really tasty!  I like how there is salsa on top, but unfortunately it not spicy, so I add some hot sauce to the mix.  The re-fried beans are really flavorful, and the potatoes complete this breakfast.



It is always a great feeling being able to eat a "normal" breakfast, but still maintaining my beliefs and commitment to avoiding eggs.  I love getting lots of protein in this meal too, and of course lots of flavor!



I love this Mexican Tofu Scramble! I hope you guys try it, because I know you'll like it too!

Have you tried Amy's Mexican Tofu Scramble?  Do you like Mexican food for breakfast?

Bye from  the Veggie Side!

Stouffer's Vegetable Lasagna

Hey guys, hope everyone is doing well :)

Today I have another delicious frozen meal to show you! This one is from Stouffer's.  Stouffer's is not a vegetarian brand, and sells other frozen meals like chicken Alfredo and meat lasagna, but the couple of vegetarian items they have are really delicious  and I always keep a stash in my freezer when I'm craving a quick pasta dish.



I love the new Farmer's Harvest Vegetable Lasagna  It is made with whole grain pasta, and no preservatives.  What I love about this lasagna, compared to the Amy's lasagnas  is that it has a really nice and smooth cream sauce, instead of tomato sauce.  I'm not a huge fan of tomato sauce  its actually my least favorite pasta sauce, so it is a really nice change of pace to enjoy a lasagna that isn't so tomatoey. Its also filled with carrots, broccoli, and spinach, and then covered with a layer of bread crumbs.  This lasagna is so creamy  flavorful, and really filling!




Mmm, so good!

have you tried Stouffer's Vegetable Lasagna? What are your favorite lasagna fillings?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Amy's Shepherd's Pie

Hello everyone!  Today I have another Amy's meal to show ya.  Are you guys sick of Amy's yet? Well I hope not since I love them!  Every meal tastes amazing, and they are all organic. You can't beat that!  Here's is one of the first Amy's frozen mean I had ever tried, the shepherd's pie.  I tried it when I was very young, I remember I didn't even know what shepherd's pie was.  My dad explained to me it was lamb and veggies all cooked up with mashed potatoes on top, of course this Amy's version leaves out the lamb.

This combination of veggies in a bowl really reminds me of my grandma's cooking!  I can't say she ever made me a shepherd's pie, but just the flavorful mix of vegetables in a broth brings back memories of my grandma cooking me dinner. This meal is really comforting and hits the spot, especially on a cold winter day.

Have you tried Amy's Shepherd's Pie?  What foods remind you of your grandma's cooking?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Amy's Indian Spinach Tofu Wrap

Hello everyone!  I hope you are all having a nice weekend so far.   Today I have one of my absolute favorite Amy's wraps.  I first saw Amy's Indian Spinach Tofu Wrap in a supermarket in Pennsylvania, when I used to go to college there.  I would always stock up and buy a lot of them on each shopping trip so I knew I would have them when I wanted.  Unfortunately, once I moved back home to New York, I was sad to learn that my supermarket didn't carry them.  I even saw them in the stores when I visited my boyfriend in PA, but I couldn't bring them home since the trip was 2 hours, and they are frozen.

Then a magical day happened, when I went to a local heath food store and there they were in the freezer section!  I was filled with joy and bought lots of them, as I did back in PA.  I am so glad I found them, these wraps are so good, I couldn't think about how I would never have them again.







This is so delicious!  It is filled with spinach which I love, plus it has tofu in it too!  Pretty much my two favorite things.  Plus it is really healthy, and is filled with nutrients that are essential for vegetarians, iron in the spinach and protein in the tofu.  These are vegan, healthy, organic, but taste so amazing that you would never know it! My roommates in college would always tell me how amazing it smelled when I made it, and always wanted to try some!

Have you had these spinach and tofu wraps? Will you be going out and getting them?  How do you guys get more protein and iron in your diet?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Morning Star Hot & Spicy Sausage Patties

Good morning! Today i have a great vegetarian breakfast option to show you (just in case you haven't eaten yet).  I am talking about Morning Star Hot & Spicy Sausage Patties.  This is one of those foods that I never ate at a meat eater. Yep that's right, I never had real sausage in my life.

This actually all started when I saw Morning Star made maple sausage. Yes, MAPLE! I have heard many wonderful things from meat eaters, that maple ham and sausage are amazing.  Well I just took their word for it and moved on.  When I saw Morning Star maple sausage I bought it right away, and it was amazing! I used to buy it all the time, but unfortunately  I stopped seeing it on the shelves, instead I saw hot & spicy.  I love spicy food, so I gave it a try.  While it was not as magical as the maple flavor, it was still pretty darn good!





I can't tell you how they compare to actual spicy sausage, but I call tell you they are delicious   They have a soft center with a chewy outside and an amazing flavor, full of spice! These are great to add to any breakfast, or brinner for that matter. Sometimes I think I should use them to make sausage egg, and cheeses...but then I remember I don't eat eggs.


Yum!

If you guys can find the maple flavor, I would say pick it up right away (and a second box to send to your favorite blogger) but while you are looking, try these guys too! Especially if you like some heat with your breakfast!

Have you tried these before? If not, are you going to get some for your next breakfast (or brinner)?

Bye from the Veggie Side

Amy's Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

Hey everyone! I have a new food to show you today that I am really excited about.  You all know by now how awesome Amy;s foods are.  My favorite Amy's frozen meals would be the lasagnas.  While my favorite is the Tofu Vegetable, the cheese, and the vegetable are also great too (and don't worry, I plan on showing those to you guys eventually!).  But there's a new lasagna on the block, Amy's Roasted Vegetable Lasagna!

As always, the Amy's signature organic ingredients with no preservatives.

Unlike the other lasagnas, this one has a really good bread crumb crust which gets nice and crispy.  The vegetable flavor in this lasagna is more apparent, you can taste all the zucchini, broccoli, and all the other strong veggie flavors, so if you are a big veggie lover, this one is for you!  I'm not a huge fan of  an intense vegetable flavor, but what I love is the cheese layered in between.  It is so delicious and creamy, unlike the other lasagnas which have a more melty kind of cheese.







Over all I would chalk this up to a win, adding yet another vegetarian lasagna to the list! Take that meat lasagnas!

Will you be trying this new Amy's lasagna?

Bye from the Veggie Side! 

Chik'n Fettuccine Alfredo

Hey everyone!

One of my favorite things to do as a lazy vegetarian, is to put together meals that make me feel like a normal ole' meat eater.  Its fun to tell people that you just had chicken nuggets and fries for dinner.  With all the rudeness and questioning I get on a daily basis, its nice to still stick to my convictions, but just pretending that I don't.  It is pretty easy to do, you just need to find the right meat substitutes and food combinations.

One of my favorite "normal" people foods is chicken fettuccine Alfredo.  Its a  simple, classic dish, that is really easy to veg-ify, without adding actual veggies.  You can always start by making your own pasta and sauce, or being lazy and buying a box of pasta and a jar of sauce.  But once you have reached my laziness level, you start with frozen fettuccine Alfredo.



Stouffer's fettuccine Alfredo is not the healthiest frozen pasta out there, but the sauce is really rich and creamy, and it tastes amazing.  When I eat it on its own I love to load it with fresh ground black pepper!



In order to pretend I am eating chicken Alfredo, I turn to my trusted Boca Original Chik'n.  As i have mentioned before, on its own it has an amazing flavor that really resembles chicken.  It has the perfect amount of spices to be enjoyed on its own with a little bit of lemon juice, or added to meals to make them fake-atarian.

Just cut up some Chik'n and add them to the fettuccine Alfredo, and there you have it!  A perfect meal and makes you feel like a meat eater, with none of those pesky dead animals! I call it a win-win.





This really hits the spot when your craving regular chicken fettuccine Alfredo.  I hate when people say they can't give up meat because they don't want to only eat salads.  Well you can be a vegetarian and enjoy some chicken fettuccine Alfredo. How 'bout them apples?

Have you tried Boca Original Chik'n or Stouffer's Fettuccine Alfredo? Will you be combining them for yor next meal?

Bye from the Veggie Side!