Connecticut in Style

A Connecticut-based lifestyle blog. Celebrate life in style.™

  • Home
  • Hello
  • Fashion + Beauty
    • Career
    • Celebrations
    • Date Night
    • Everyday
    • Girl’s Night Out
  • Travel
    • Insider’s Guide to Lake George
    • Miami Beach Restaurant Guide
    • Tips for Traveling with Kids
  • Home Tours
    • Architects + Designers
    • Exteriors
    • Gardens
    • Interiors
  • RECIPES
    • Appetizers
    • Cocktails + Drinks
    • Comfort Food
    • Desserts + Sweets
    • Salads
  • Series
    • Craft + DIY
    • Entertaining
    • Favorite Things
    • Personal Posts
  • Event Calendar

A Smart & Healthy Lunch

January 18, 2016Food and Drink Salads

Trader Joe's Broccoli Slaw and Kale Salad with Chicken Meat

{Trader Joe’s Broccoli Slaw and Kale Salad with Grilled Chicken}

I’d like to introduce you to my latest lunch addiction. Meet Trader Joe’s $3.99 Broccoli Slaw and Kale Salad with Grilled Chicken. It is a bright and colorful salad that covers a lot of important food groups – and it is dee-lish-ous! Usually, I don’t purchase prepared meals to bring home. I grew up in a home where we shopped daily for food and made everything from scratch. And for the most part, I still cook that way. I do have a few exceptions. The first exception occurred years ago and it was in the way of Mrs. Smith’s Apple Pie. I was pressed for time one Saturday when I was preparing to host dinner for friends and didn’t have a dessert. My sister had recently regaled Mrs. Smith’s Apple pie and I decided to give it a try. Let me tell you that I have never made apple pie again. That pie is ridiculously good. The key is to serve it warm with vanilla ice cream. You end up with a spoonful of warm, soft, sweet apples and a buttery, crispy and slightly salty crust, wrapped up with semi-soft vanilla cream. It’s heaven on earth. I immediately changed my thinking about prepared foods and my motto became “If someone else can make it better than I can, I’m buying it.”

TJ salad

Back to this salad that contains broccoli slaw blend (broccoli, carrot, red cabbage), grilled chicken breast, kale, dried cranberries and roasted sunflower seeds and has joined the exception list. Why? Because it is delicious, healthy, inexpensive and the amount of time that I save because someone else has made it – makes it a no brainer. Just think of how long it would take to shop for all the ingredients, cook the chicken and shred the veggies. It is one of those “prepared food” lunches that I feel really good about because it’s smart and so convenient to grab and go.

TJ's Broccoli Slaw and Kale Salad packaged

TJ salad with sunflower seedsWhen I realized that this lunch was going to become a regular part of my weekly meal plan, I scrutinized the nutrition label. I did have a “whoa!” moment when I read that the salad dressing (packed in its own container) made up half the total calories. Never one for smothering my food with condiments, I simply use half the amount of salad dressing and it’s perfect. It’s enough to elevate the flavors but not mask it. All in, it comes to about 390 calories. I don’t count calories per se, but I know I need to stick to 1,800 – 2,000 a day and I aim for 500 per meal and a glass of wine or Blue Moon beer with dinner.

TJ salad with dressing

TJ salad 1

TJ salad 2

TJs salad in refrigerator

TJ's Broccoli Slaw and Kale Salad front label

Trader Joe's Broccoli Slaw and Kale Salad with Chicken Meat

Related

Read Entire Post Leave a Comment

Share this post...Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin

About Sarah

FOLLOW ALONG

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Bloglovin
  • LinkedIn

Search the Blog

MEET SARAH

Sarah O'Brien, Connecticut in Style

FOUNDER & EDITOR

DIY Hoop Wreaths

DIY Hoop Wreaths

Click on the image to learn how to make these beautiful hoop wreaths

INSTAGRAM @ctinstyle



Visit my floral design studio, Fresh Flower Bar

Introducing the Fresh Flower Bar

Click on the photo to order flowers for all occasions!

Never miss a post!

SIGN UP BELOW TO GET UPDATES SENT RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX

CLICK HERE TO

CLICK HERE TO

Sarah’s Quarantined Reading List

Popular Now

  • Most Viewed
    • Home
    • Hello
    • Event Calendar
    • Contact
    Follow on Instagram

    NEVER MISS A POST!

    Sign up below to get updates sent right to your inbox

    Copyright © 2021 · Connecticut in Style. Sarah OBrien. All Rights Reserved. Site Design by Ready to Blog Designs

    Copyright © 2021 · Connecticut in Style on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in