http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/AnnaBanana Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:37:59 GMT Reviews by AnnaBanana http://www.viewpoints.com/Lean-Cuisine-Baked-Chicken-Florentine-review-4add1 In my pleasant crusade to try all the Lean Cuisine products, I am gradually coming to the ones which I had saved for the last because I didn't really expect to like them all that much.  A shining example of this is Lean Cuisine Baked Chicken Florentine, a veritable symphony of white meat chicken in a creamy spinach and Parmesan sauce with carrots and yellow peppers.  I measure the success of dishes I try according to my own personal "YUM" meter -- how carefully I try to scrape up every delicious bit when I've finished eating.  In the case of Lean Cuisine Baked Chicken Florentine, I not only scraped up every bit of goodness that I could but ... if I had not been a civilized mature woman ... I might have actually LICKED the dish itself.  It was THAT good. — STATS: — This lovely "Comfort Classics" selection is a single serving containing only 200 calories with 70 calories from fat.  There are eight total grams, two grams saturated fat, zero trans... Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:37:59 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Lean-Cuisine-Baked-Chicken-Florentine-review-4add1 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Fresh-Frozen-or-Canned-Fish-which-are-good-for-us-review-c37a4 A few days ago a review I wrote about Bumble Bee Albacore Tuna caused a few twitters of concern because I mentioned that I had heard that albacore was not safe to eat more than once in a while.  Well, I have good news tonight ... according to "Right Bite" (a "Seafood Wallet Card" which Peapod enclosed with my last purchase of fish), it turns out that some albacore tuna is perfectly safe to eat.  It all depends on where it has been swimming and how it is marketed.  According to "Right Bite", all fish are divided into three parts ... Best Choices, Good Alternatives and Avoid.  Best Choices: — All farmed Abalone, Arctic Char, Clams Mussels, Oysters, Bay Scallops, Sturgeon, and Rainbow Trout; U.S. farmed Barramundi, Catfish, Tilapia; either farmed or wild Striped Bass.  Also included are Cod (Alaska longline), Crab Dungeness (Stone), Halibut (Pacific), Lake Whitefish (Trap net), Spiny Lobster U.S.), Pollock (Alaska wild), Sablefish/Black... Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:40:42 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Fresh-Frozen-or-Canned-Fish-which-are-good-for-us-review-c37a4 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Newmans-Own-Lighten-Up-Raspberry-and-Walnut-Dressing-review-951f2 Every so often, a company you can trust pitches you a new idea but you fumble the catch and that great new product just lies there at your feet unable to perform.  For the last two months I have been moving around a bottle of Newman's Own "Lighten Up" Raspberry & Walnut Dressing which I had bought during a terrific Peapod promotion.  Actually possessing this great new product was just half the battle, now I had to figure out what to DO with it.  The answer became obvious as the great summer fruits of the season began to tumble in.  Any kind of fruit salad works beautifully with this "Lighten Up" variety.  Once I tasted how good it was, I found that it could make almost anything taste better. — STATS: — Two tablespoons are considered to be a single serving which contains 70 calories with 45 calories from fat.  There are five grams total fat, half a gram saturated fat, zero cholesterol, 120 mg. sodium, seven grams total carbs, zero... Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:56:04 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Newmans-Own-Lighten-Up-Raspberry-and-Walnut-Dressing-review-951f2 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Fresh-Watermelon-review-05194 Sometimes,the simple things are the best.  God knew that when He created the watermelon, which was probably one of His finer efforts.  It was left to the rest of us to breed and develop different variations of the plant, sophisticated ways of getting this wonderful fruit to market, and sense enough to appreciate it.  Most people have spent a great deal of their lives loving that watermelon growing on the vine and it looks like we knew what we were doing.  This beautiful dark pink fruit is not only loaded with lycopene (a valuable anti-cancer weapon) but also a key compound credited with helping skin's healing and regenerative processes.  — STATS: — A single serving -- one whole cup! -- of watermelon contains only 46.2 calories with 2.1 calories from fat.  There are .2 grams of total fat, zero each saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, 1.5 mg. sodium, 172.5 grams potassium, 11.6 grams total carbs, .6 grams dietary fiber, 9.6... Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:32:40 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Fresh-Watermelon-review-05194 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Brownberry-Whole-Grains-Oatnut-Bread-review-8e661 Ah, the infinite variety and boundless cornucopia of great whole grain breads!  My latest experiment was Brownberry Whole Grains Oatnut Bread, a delicious loaf baked from dough which contained among other things whole wheat flour, oats, sugar, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds.  It remained moist and flavorful down to the last slice. — STATS: — One slice represents a single serving which contains 120 calories with 25 calories from fat.  There are two and a half grams total fat, zero each saturated and trans fats, one gram each polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, zero cholesterol, 240 mg. sodium, 22 grams total carbs, two grams dietary fiber, and four grams each sugars and protein.  Also present are 4% (D.V.) each Calcium and Niacin, 6% each Thiamin and Folic Acid, 8% Iron, and 2% Riboflavin. — TASTE TIP: — The rich, mildly sweet flavor of this bread is the perfect complement to spicy or salty spreads and fillings.  Here's a... Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:03:25 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Brownberry-Whole-Grains-Oatnut-Bread-review-8e661 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Yoplait-Light-Fat-Free-Yogurt-Blueberry-Patch-review-df5c4 As previously reported, I have taken great delight in my Yoplait-related adventures.  Now comes another signpost up ahead ... Yoplait Light Fat Free Yogurt in various flavors which is 70 calories less than the Original version.  Reprobate that I am, I must say that I still like Yoplait Original and Yoplait Whips! better but this fat free stuff is also delicious and the stats aren't bad either. — STATS: — A 6-ounce cup is one serving which contains 100 calories with zero calories from fat.  It follows that there are zero each total, saturated, and trans fat, less than five mg. cholesterol, 85 mg. sodium, 250 mg. potassium, 19 grams total carbs, 14 grams sugars, and five grams protein.  Also present are 15% (D.V.) each Vitamin A and Phosphorus, and 20% each Calcium and Vitamin D.  One cup of Yoplait Light Fat Free Yogurt represents a "diet exchange" of one skim milk. — TASTE TIP: — Although I like the other versions of... Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:34:53 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Yoplait-Light-Fat-Free-Yogurt-Blueberry-Patch-review-df5c4 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/True-Lemon--147944-review-5ee33 The truth, and nothing but the truth, is that Grand Brands, Inc. have come up with a great idea -- crystalized citrus juice better known as True Lemon, True Lime, and True Orange.  These products basically consist of taste -- a great flavoring idea not only for water but for various cooking venues also ... sprinkled over hot baked fish, roast chicken, or steamed veggies.  — STATS: — True Lemon, True Lime, and True Orange really contain nothing but good taste.  These powders are packaged in packets which come 32 to a box.  Each packet is a serving which contains zero each calories, fat, sodium, protein, and less than one gram carb plus 25% Vitamin C!  Maltodextrin and lactose are used as all-natural bulking ingredients to aid in the flowability of these products but these two additives combined amount to less than half a gram in each packet.  (See TrueLemon.com for more information.)  These products... Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:26:47 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/True-Lemon--147944-review-5ee33 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Edys-No-Sugar-Added-Frozen-Fruit-Bars-review-f6190 Here we are, wading through another long hot summer, and you know what THAT means -- YES, no matter how disciplined about treats you may be, there are going to be times late in the evening when you will yearn for a frosty, frozen treat ... and NO, sometimes a nice bottle of icy water just won't be enough.  For times like that, someone has created Edy's Fat-Free Fruit Bars with No Sugar Added.  Remember those double Popsicles we used to buy when we were kids -- the ones with two sticks which you could split with a friend?  Well one of these Edy's Fruit Bars is like half of a double Popsicle only much better, more like a serving of richly flavored fruit sorbet molded and frozen on a convenient stick.  The package I purchased cost $3.99 (on sale) and contained a dozen fruit bars -- four each of Strawberry, Tangerine and Raspberry flavor. — STATS: — These bars are made with real fruit or fruit components (concentrates, etc).  Each bar is a... Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:44:12 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Edys-No-Sugar-Added-Frozen-Fruit-Bars-review-f6190 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Stouffers-Lean-Cuisine-Chicken-Fettuccini-review-99e23 Life has a way of changing from day to day.  Only yesterday I was living it up with a steak dinner from Applebee's and finishing off with a petite slice of their Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake but today, here I am again -- continuing to wade through those great Lean Cuisine products I stocked up on during the last sale.  Lean Cuisine Chicken Fettuccini may not be a girls-night-out festive treat but it is delicious in its own way.  This entree contains chunks of roasted white meat chicken and pasta in an Alfredo sauce which has been seasoned with what appears to be finely chopped basil. — STATS: — A 9-1/4 oz. package holds a single serving which contains 270 calories with 50 calories from fat.  There are six grams total fat, three grams saturated fat, zero trans fat, one gram polyunsaturated fat, two grams monounsaturated fat, 40 mg. cholesterol, 690 mg. sodium, 520 mg. potassium, 32 grams total carbs, zero dietary fiber, six grams sugars, 22 grams... Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:08:56 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Stouffers-Lean-Cuisine-Chicken-Fettuccini-review-99e23 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Applebees-Chocolate-Raspberry-Layer-Cake-review-c9a04 For my neighbor Cathy and I, the week which we have just passed through was a dark and sometimes frustrating valley of muggy weather, wierd mechanical failures, plumbing problems and a mysterious invasion of ANTS -- so even though neither of us is employed in a 9 to 5 job, we were glad to see Friday come in hopes that next week will be better.  We spent the afternoon driving around, doing a few errands, and capped off with dinner to take home from Applebee's.  It just so happened that we parked by a door which said "Car Side" but we assumed that that was the entrance we would use to get to the take-out queue.  Imagine our surprise when -- as we were unbuckling our seat belts -- a young waitress came bounding out to the car and handed us in menus!  — What a luxury!  Of course, there are times when it is nice to spend a few minutes in a restaurant but definitely there is also something to be said for being able to peruse one's menu in the privacy of... Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:45:48 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Applebees-Chocolate-Raspberry-Layer-Cake-review-c9a04 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Lean-Cuisine-Vegetable-Eggroll-review-fb136 It took me a little effort to get my mind around the idea of a meatless eggroll.  Sometimes it pays to keep an open mind, though, as was borne out by my experience with Lean Cuisine Vegetable Eggroll with rice and an Asian-style ginger and orange sauce.  The tasty, crusty roll (filled with a mixture of good things including finely chopped celery, carrots, broccoli, onions, and rice) was served up on a generous bed of more rice mixed with peas, carrots, and red peppers along with a  garnish of ginger and orange sauce which was a real inspiration and complemented the rest of the dish delightfully. — STATS: — The 9 oz. package holds one serving which contains 310 calories with only 45 calories from fat.  There are five grams total fat, one gram saturated fat, zero trans fat, two grams polyunsaturated fat, one and a half grams monounsaturated fat, only five mg. cholesterol, 630 mg. sodium, 240 mg. potassium, 60 grams total carbs, three grams... Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:36:44 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Lean-Cuisine-Vegetable-Eggroll-review-fb136 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Stonyfield-Farm-fat-free-yogurt-review-321e2 Feeling a little adventurous, I decided to venture into untapped (by me, at least) yogurt possibilities.  So it came to pass that I just spooned down a 6-oz. cup of Stonyfield Farm Organic Fat Free Black Cherry Yogurt with Fruit on the Bottom.  I was impressed with this product which is probably truer to yogurt in its original concept and is made with six active cultures and no artificial sweeteners.  — STATS: — The contents of a 6-oz. cup is considered to be a single serving containing 120 calories with none from fat.  There are zero each total, saturated and trans fat, likewise zero cholestrol, 110 mg. sodium, 24 grams total carbs, two grams dietary fiber, 23 grams sugars, seven grams protein, to say nothing of 25% (D.V.) Calcium and 20% Vitamin D. — TASTE TIP: — Regarding the Black Cherry Fruit on the Bottom flavor, my advice is to be sure the yogurt and fruit are really mixed well together for best flavor and... Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:13:14 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Stonyfield-Farm-fat-free-yogurt-review-321e2 AnnaBanana 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Lean-Cuisine-Cheese-Lasagna-with-Lightly-Breaded-Chicken-Breast-review-bb831 Sometimes you have to venture into the not-so-familiar and take a chance, even if it is to try something billed by Stouffer's as a "Comfort Classic".  While I was familiar with lasagna, Lean Cuisine Cheese Lasagna with Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Scaloppini was something new.  I had no idea what "scaloppini" meant but, whatever it is, I can recommend it now.  The meat was nice and tender, the sauce flavorful, and the pasta was perfection. — STATS: — The contents of a 10 oz. package is one serving which contains 280 calories with 70 calories from fat.  There are eight grams total fat, two grams saturated fat, zero trans fat, two grams polyunsaturated fat, two and a half grams monounsaturated fat, 30 mg. cholesterol, 580 mg. sodium, 660 mg. potassium, 34 grams total carbs, five grams dietary fiber, eight grams sugars, and 19 grams protein.  Add to all that 10% (D.V.) each Vitamin A and Vitamin C, 15% Calcium, and 8% Iron. — TASTE TIP:... Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:24:42 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Lean-Cuisine-Cheese-Lasagna-with-Lightly-Breaded-Chicken-Breast-review-bb831 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Lean-Cuisine-Beef-Portabello-review-ecea4 Lost in the crowd of great Lean Cuisine entrees and dinners, it wouldn't be surprising if we began to get the roast beef or steak contestants mixed up and so I have to point out that Lean Cuisine Beef Portabello (Roasted beef with mushrooms and red skin whipped potatoes) is not the same as, i.e. Lean Cuisine Steak Tips Portabello (which I covered in another review).  I heartily recommend the Beef Portabello with its succulent tender meat, flavorful gravy, and mashed potatoes.  — STATS: — Each 9 oz. package is one serving which contains 220 calories with 50 calories from fat.  There are six grams total fat, two and a half grams saturated fat, zero trans fat, one gram polyunsaturated fat, two grams monounsaturated fat, 30 mg. cholesterol, 640 mg. sodium, 1,100 mg. potassium, 25 grams total carbs, three grams dietary fiber, six grams sugars, and 16 grams protein.  In addition, there are 4% (D.V.) each Vitamin A and Vitamin C, 6% Calcium, and 8%... Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:08:10 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Lean-Cuisine-Beef-Portabello-review-ecea4 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Lean-Cuisine-Chicken-Chow-Mein-review-6d937 I was overjoyed to encounter not only another Lean Cuisine sale but also a few that I haven't tried before.  I know by this time that we can count on the folks at Stouffer's to load these Lean Cuisine entrees up with prime meats but they really outdid themselves when it came to Lean Cuisine Chicken Chow Mein which contains not only lovely tender chunks of white meat but also great vegetables (even water chestnuts!) and a mound of fluffy white rice. — STATS: — The contents of a 9 oz. package is a single serving which contains 260 calories with only 35 calories from fat.  There are four grams total fat, one gram saturated fat, zero trans fat, one and a half grams each polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, 25 mg. cholesterol, 550 mg. sodium, 380 mg. potassium, 41 grams total carbs, three grams each dietary fiber and sugars, and 14 grams protein.  How about that 45% (D.V.) Vitamin A and 6% each Vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron! — TASTE TIP: — This... Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:16:19 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Lean-Cuisine-Chicken-Chow-Mein-review-6d937 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Yoplait-Whips-review-07498 You have probably already noticed that I am enthusiastic about food, but I've tasted something now that has given a whole new dimension to the word "enthusiastic."  Let me put it this way, if I had a thousand dollars just to spend on a truly spectacular dessert, it would be hard for me to find anything more enjoyable than Yoplait Whips.  I chose the "Peaches 'N Cream" flavor and I can't remember when I have tasted anything this delightful.  It took a couple bites to get used to the texture, which is light and foamy and perhaps resembles a fancy mousse (a type of dessert I have never tried, believe it or not!) — STATS: — The contents of a 4-oz. cup is considered to be a single serving which contains 140 calories with only 20 calories from fat.  There are two and a half grams total fat, two grams saturated fat, zero trans fat, 10 mg. cholesterol, 75 mg. sodium, 180 mg. potassium, 25 grams total carbs, 21 grams sugars, and five grams protein.  What a... Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:52:43 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Yoplait-Whips-review-07498 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/South-Beach-Living-Peanut-Butter-Cookies-review-5f291 Since they had been on sale, I experimented with another type of healthy alternative treat from Kraft ... South Beach Living Peanut Butter Cookies.  Although I would never mistake these for the peanut butter cookies from Cheryl's or Mrs. Fields, they are delicious in their own way and much better for anyone, whether they are watching their weight or not. — STATS: — There are six packets containing two cookies each in a box.  Each packet is a single serving consisting of 100 calories with 45 calories from fat.  There are five grams total fat, a half a gram saturated fat, zero trans fat, one and a half grams polyunsaturated fat, three grams monounsaturated fat, zero cholesterol, 150 mg. sodium, 65 mg. potassium, 15 grams total carbs, four grams dietary fiber, three grams each sugars, sugar alcohol, and protein, and 2% (D.V.) each Calcium and Iron. — TASTE TIP: — By themselves, a packet of two South Beach Living Peanut Butter Cookies may... Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:54:32 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/South-Beach-Living-Peanut-Butter-Cookies-review-5f291 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/South-Beach-Diet-Oatmeal-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies-review-8f852 After a month or more of unaccustomed good eating behavior, I decided to "kick over the traces" a little and indulge myself.  (I probably would have caved sooner if I had known that the folks at Kraft were experimenting with cookies for us South Beach gourmets!)   Before I go any further, I have to admit that ... after a month or more of doing the right thing ... it was probably true that ANY cookie was going to taste special.  Even so, South Beach Living Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are a nice treat -- blessed with delicious flavor and a texture which is crisp but chewy (unlike some other low-fat cookies I have tried which were so hard that they could have been bounced off a wall and come back intact.)  — STATS: — The cookies are wrapped in individual packets of two (six packets to a box).  Each packet is considered to be one serving which contains 100 calories with 45 calories from fat.  There are five grams total fat, one gram... Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:24:28 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/South-Beach-Diet-Oatmeal-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies-review-8f852 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Kashi-Five-Cheese-Tomato-Pizza-review-7d990 Last week's Kashi sale involved not only entrees but their pizzas as well, inspiring me to  splurge a little and go for one I hadn't tried before.  Kashi Five Cheese Tomato Pizza consists of tomatoes and five signature cheeses (Mozzarella, white and yellow Cheddar, Asiago and Parmesan) nestled in tomato basil sauce on stone-fired Kashi 7 Whole Grains & Sesame with Flax Seed Crust.  As in the case of Kashi Mushroom Trio and Spinach Pizza, the crust made of flours milled from the seven grains is extremely thin, not much thicker than a Saltine cracker.  There is nothing small about the taste, however, and I wish products like this were reasonably priced enough that we could buy more of them, whether on sale or not. — STATS: — I estimate this pizza to be around nine inches wide.  A third of that is considered to be a single serving containing 290 calories with 80 calories from fat.  There are nine grams total fat,... Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:49:41 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Kashi-Five-Cheese-Tomato-Pizza-review-7d990 AnnaBanana 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Aleve-Caplets-100-review-7be75 Remember how, when you were a little kid and suffered some sort of minor injury, your Mom could fix it up and make it "feel all better?"  Well, Mom may not be here to do that for you anymore but Bayer Healthcare, LLC. is worried about our twinges and has provided a great product ... Aleve Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer.  This week, Drugstore.com is having a sale on this product (I chose 100 Caplets for $7.99) and I can tell you from past experience that this stuff really works to alleviate a variety of pains and discomforts which afflict many people.  In my case, getting old enough to retire and do what I want has also involved the onset of minor pains of arthritis which means that sometimes doing what I want results in a few eye-opening twinges or difficulty moving around or going up or down stairs when I get home.  On those occasions, Aleve has been my best friend. — STATS: — The active ingredient in each Caplet (capsule-shaped... Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:57:40 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Aleve-Caplets-100-review-7be75 AnnaBanana 5