Quick, Easy and Yummy

For something a little different today I have decided to share my go-to, quick, easy and yummy vegetables.  Normally I am all about fresh vegetables, however there are times when I just want something easy as a side dish. Something quick, to grab for a lunch that isn't a yogurt and that will take me 4 minutes or less to create a hot delicious small meal.  Now for those of you that will condemn me for using frozen vegetables, I encourage you to come spend a day in my life.  I do try, on as many occasions as possible, to stick with fresh (and even local) produce and dairy, however at times it is just not feasible; or I would prefer to spend the time playing Angry Birds with Linc.  I would also like to point out that at least we are still eating vegetables and not Big Macs!!  In my opinion these are a win-win!

What are they you ask?  I just like to build the suspense :-) (over vegetables no less).  Green Giant boxes!  Specifically the Teriyaki Vegetables and the Antioxidant Blend.

The third box is Brian's Vegetable Medley - contains potatoes and comes
in around 150 calories for the box.  Also yummy!

I have a membership to both Sam's Club and BJ's, which is the best place to buy things such as frozen vegetables.  I have to admit that I have never purchased these particular blends from Sam's Club, I seem to get them exclusively at BJ's.  Now don't let the front of the box fool you - as it did me the first time around - they are 40-50 calories PER SERVING, not box.  That being said, in both cases the entire box - if you are eating one as a meal - is only 100 calories.  

Antioxidant Blend on the left and the Teriyaki Vegetables on the right.
(Who is proud of me that I got the left/right correct?! - first try and all!!)

The antioxidant blend is a nice mixture of broccoli, peppers and carrots in a garlic-herb infused olive oil seasoning.  It is not to heavy, as some olive oil infusions can be, and is the perfect accompaniment to virtually any meal - at least in my opinion.  It also tastes well with the addition of some chicken breast.  I mix 4 oz of precooked boneless skinless chicken breast into the vegetables when they come out of the microwave and I have a very filling 210 calorie lunch!  

The teriyaki vegetables is a blend of broccoli, carrots and cauliflower in a teriyaki sauce.  Again the sauce is not to heavy, though I do find that at times there is too much sauce.  I have found that this box goes wonderfully with rice (where that extra sauce might just come in handy).  One cup of brown rice, drop the veggies on it and poof - instant 250 calorie DELICIOUS meal.  

I use frozen broccoli florets in a lot of recipes, but these boxes come out of the microwave ready to eat and perfectly seasoned.  At about $0.92 per box I can't go wrong!  (We buy them at BJ's.  There are 6 boxes per pack and they are $5.49/pack.)  

Now I have certainly tried to "make my own" frozen veggie packs.  I either do not have the flash freeze down, or they come out WAY to sauce heavy.  Until I perfect my own vegetable packs, I will be purchasing these for a quick, easy and yummy side or lunch!  

What do you guys think?  Anyone else have a favorite "quick, easy and yummy"?