If you are new to this blog of mine, you may be unaware that I do not cook. In fact, I can get quite cranky when a lean cuisine asks me to stir halfway through. That requires that I vent the lean cuisine, put it in for 4 minutes, sit down for 4 minutes, get back up, walk to the microwave, stir around the broccoli and noodles, put it back in the microwave for 2 minutes, sit back down for 2 minutes, wait for it to cool for 5 minutes, then get back up, get it out of the microwave, then sit back down to eat it.
WHEW!
I will not stir you, lean cuisine, you do not need it. You are fine without the stirring. Get to the point Sarah... Well everyone (my mom) always tries to tell me that my $2.00 lean cuisine is more expensive, than if I just started cooking. Fine, you're wrong. I'm going to take my three favorite lean cuisine meals and break down the cost of the lean cuisine vs. cooking the meal myself.
Also, here are some important reasons I will be arguing in favor of Lean Cuisine:
Cooking sucks
I'm a terrible cook
I don't know what most of the terms mean
I'm not sure how to cut garlic up without stinking for 3 days
I will not eat left overs, not because I'm picky, I just forget about them until it's too late.
I don't want to stand in the kitchen for that long. I want to plop on the couch and not move.
Cost of Lean Cuisine - $2.99 Serves One
Real Simple Ingredient Price- Serves 4
Olive Oil - $9.49
Pound of Pizza Dough- $5.40
Marinara Sauce- $4.75
Fresh Mozzarella- $5.55
Parmesan- $4.00
Salt- $1.00
Black Pepper- $3.00
Fresh Basil - $0.50
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Grand Total = $33.69 or $8.42 PER SERVING
Whelp, looks like lean cuisine pizza wins round 1.
Cheese lasagna and Chicken Lean Cuisine = $2.99 Serves 1
Lasagna and Baked Chicken- Serves 12
Lean Ground Beef - $2.99
Whole Wheat Lasagna Noodles- $2.24
Spaghetti Sauce- $5.80
Fat free Cottage Cheese- $1.99
Frozen spinach- $2.18
8 egg whites- $3.30
Mushrooms- $3.65
Mozzarella Cheese- $4.29
Bread Crumbs- $1.78
Parmesan Cheese- $4.00
Salt- $1.00
Chicken tenders- $12 for 12
Pesto- $5.39
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Grand Total = $50.61 or $4.22 per serving
Close, but no cigar Lasagna and Baked Chicken from scratch, lean cuisine wins! Plus, do you really think I would eat this 12 meals in a row? No.
Chicken Enchilada Suiza Lean Cuisine = $2.39 serves 1
Chicken Enchilada Suiza Recipe, serves 4
8 corn tortillas- $4.34
salsa verde- $7.74 (2 cans)
reduced fat sour cream- $2.24
cilantro- $0.78
8oz chicken breast- $6.67
swiss cheese shredded- $4.13
roasted red peppers- $6.49
diced tomato- $3.19
scallion- $0.20
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Grand total = $35.78 or $8.95 per serving
I rest my case.
**as this article went to press, it was noted that
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And because it is apparently giveaway week here at Venus Trapped in Mars, here is a giveaway that needs no introduction.... (UM, ONE THOUSAND DANG DOLLARS)
Winner will be announced on Wednesday, August 14th. International readers may enter, but the prize will be sent in the form of a $1,000 visa gift card in American dollars. ALL ENTRIES WILL BE VERIFIED.
