So I know last week was really the first full work week of the new year but it felt like we were all just getting our sea legs back. This week, I feel like I’m finally getting back in the groove. If for no other reason than that I have about a million meetings scheduled.

We already talked about how I’m not making any new year’s resolutions, but I will say that I have been trying to save more money lately. At the end of the year, we noticed how much we mindlessly spend on eating out, coffee and buying random things at the store that you truly do not need. I’m trying to focus on the whole quality over quantity mindset these days and figure if I can save a little here and there then I can splurge on the good stuff. But really,my main life goal should be to harness the willpower to walk into the drugstore for paper towels and walk out with just that. No lipsticks, candy, magazines, random face wash or coloring books for the kids necessary.

Until I figure out how to make the latter happen, I’m doing what I can by eating at home more often and bringing my lunch to the office whenever possible. Even if it’s only once or twice a week. Honestly, I don’t think about it when it’s just $10 here and there but then at the end of the week, you notice how much it all adds up. Not to mention, it’s not the healthiest option the majority of the time.

Recently, Healthy Choice asked me to try out a couple of its new morning, as well as vegan and vegetarian power bowls, which fit the bill when it comes to saving money and getting a good meal that won’t make you feel like you need a nap afterwards. Plus Drew has been on this whole KETO kick (I dabble but am certainly not committed to the lifestyle) so he was into trying them out too.

In all honesty, it had been a while since I’d tried a Healthy Choice meal. They used to be my JAM in college and post-grad when I was much more committed, for obvious reasons, to bringing my lunch everyday. The large part of me is happy those days are behind me but I also wish I could incorporate some of those strong penny-pincher skills back into my everyday. Twenty-two year old Danielle really knew how to stretch a dollar.

Anyways, back to the bowls. I tried the morning Pesto & Egg White Scramble when I was working from home last week. I know a lot of people are doing the whole fasting thing lately but I have a hard time skipping breakfast when I work out the night/afternoon before. I’m way too hungry to wait until noon but I also don’t want something super heavy. This was the perfect way to meet in the middle. It was really filling and included a ton of healthy options in the bowl – including veggies, quinoa, beans and farro. After eating it, I didn’t feel sluggish or like I’d over eaten. While I had it for breakfast, it would be just as good for lunch.

I am glad that I had this one at home though, since I added a little hot sauce and some s+p to make it my own.

The other one I tried was the Cauliflower Curry Power Bowl. First off, cauliflower is so hot right now. They’re putting it in everything. Thankfully I’m cool with that. I mean, it’s better than kale (don’t @ me if you’re a kale aficionado). Second, if you’re a vegan or vegetarian, these are a great option since I know it’s hard to find on-the-go options that fit the bill and don’t cost a fortune. This one was delish and included lentils, chard, kale and spinach service on top of brown rice, quinoa and barley. Super filling and I didn’t automatically want something sweet afterwards (my normal achilles heel).  The only downside is that the person using the microwave after you might not love the curry part. Oh well.

Another fun fact about these: the bowl is biodegradable and made of a plant-based fiber. Ever since seeing this 60 Minutes story on plastics and the Great Ocean Garbage Patch, I’ve noticed how much plastic is EVERYWHERE. Not to get all earthy-crunchy or anything but it is kind of nuts how much plastic everyone individually uses per day, so every little bit helps.

In all honesty, I was really pleasantly surprised with both of these options. I figured they would have the same generic taste as most frozen meals and it definitely wasn’t the case with these. I’ve already picked up a couple of the other options to try out in my quest to be mildly more healthy while saving that money. More than anything though, it’s nice to be able to pick up a healthy, fast option without having to do a ton of meal prep or advanced planning. I wish I was meal plan girl but I’m just not. I can barely take care of things in the minute, let alone get really ahead of things.

These allow me to he healthy while still being a total procrastinator. So all my fellow ladies just trying to do all the things, these are a good option for you. And if you want to just go ahead and add them to your Kroger cart, I got you. Just click here. Done and done.

Photos by Tabitha Booth