CPK: Small Cravings

Happy WEEKEND everyone!  Today was a such a fun day of shopping, walking and eating. Before heading out I had a finger food breakfast ~ Charred Trader Joe’s Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage circles and Banana Chips (3 points+).

My FIRST Venti Iced Dirty Latte ALL WEEK ~ I missed it! (Nonfat, Decaf, Latte with 1 pump Mocha all for 4 points+).

After strolling around the Antique Fair and then being tortured walking the Flea Market, we headed over to California Pizza Kitchen.

Last year the folks over at California Pizza Kitchen gave us some “Pizza $Dough$” to try out the Small Cravings menu…Today we finally gave it a try.

I actually LOVE the concept of the Small Cravings Menu in that they are trying to give everyone smaller portions that are less than 500 calories.  You can eat these as an appetizer or order a few to share to try more  

We decided on 4 Small Plates to try and share.  My ONE COMPLAINT about their nutritional information is that they ONLY provide the SATURATED FAT, NOT the total fat grams. 

CLICK HERE for their Nutritional Information.

Therefore, the points+ are based on “approximate” TOTAL fat calculations taking into consideration the following

* 1 g of Carbs is 4 calories

* 1 g of Protein is 4 calories

* 1 g of Fat is 9 Calories

Simply take the carbs and protein x’s 4 calories to get the total calories for those two factors. Then, take the total calories less your protein/carb calories and divide that by 9 to get the total fat grams.

EXAMPLE ~ WHITE CORN GUACAMOLE AND CHIPS

Total Carbs 48g (48 x 4 = 192 calories)

Total Protein 6 g (6 x 4 = 24 calories)

Total Calories 362 calories

Total Fat (362 – 192-24)/9 = 16 g

Total Points+ 9

 

I am super proud of The Husband for not freaking out that there was corn in his guacamole.  The funny thing he said ~ I bet it really “stretches” your guacamole to add in the corn so you get more LOL.

WHITE CORN GUACAMOLE AND CHIPS

“Fresh avocado, sweet white corn, black beans, jicama, green onions, red bell pepper, cilantro and serrano peppers served with blue & white corn tortilla chips.”

The entire plate is 9 points+ ~ We both liked the crunch of the sweet corn in the guac.

ASPARAGUS AND ARUGULA SALAD

“Fresh arugula, asparagus and sun-dried tomatoes tossed in our homemade lemon-herb vinaigrette, topped with toasted almonds and shaved Parmesan cheese.”

This was by far my FAVORITE dish of the day ~ their lemon herb vinaigrette was delicious and it went well with the arugula sweet sun dried tomatoes, nutty parmesan and almonds. 

5 Points+ for the entire plate.

KOREAN BBQ STEAK TACOS

“Grilled marinated Korean steak, fresh shredded Napa cabbage, Romaine, sweet onions, scallions and fresh cilantro on corn tortillas. Topped with a spicy chili sauce.”

This is the dish I thought I would LOVE the most, but, we both agreed it was just ok as the sauce was very ginger like and slightly over powering.  I had two bites and decided it wasn’t worth it because I’d rather save my points+ for things I LOVED.

The entire plate is 12 points+.

SPICY CHICKEN TINGA QUESADILLA

“Crispy hearth-baked flour tortilla with grilled lime chicken, Queso Quesadilla and Enchilado cheeses, chipotle sauce, caramelized sweet onions, roasted red & yellow peppers, black beans and fresh cilantro. Served with our homemade ranchito sauce.”

We both LOVED this quesadilla and I would totally order it for my meal with that asparagus and arugula salad.

I think their nutrition facts on this one is missing a – on the carbs as it says only 3 g (not really possible).  I estimated it to be 30 g carbs making the entire plate is 12 points+.

There were so many things on their main menu that we both wanted to try so I let The Husband pick from there.  He ordered the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza topped with Gayle’s Sweet & Sassy BBQ Sauce (My favorite!), smoked Gouda and Mozzarella cheeses, BBQ Chicken, sliced red onions and cilantro.(30 points+ for the entire pizza and there were 8 slices).

I had 2 delicious slices for 4 points) each….I LOVE how their dough is sweet and chewy like Hawaiian Bread.

After our CPK food feast, we walked around the outdoor mall.  We both had to stop when we saw this Frosting Bake Shop!

So many interesting creations including a smashed cupcake/frosting cup and a cupcake kabob.

I LOVE their theme ~ Peace, LOVE and CUPCAKES!

The Husband ordered a couple of cake balls and a couple of cupcakes.  I actually didn’t have any room left, but, I did have a small bite to taste their cake balls.

Lemon filled and vanilla ~ he ate both of these already.

We also shopped at Crate & Barrel and I know you all will think I am crazy but I have NEVER been in that store before. I probably could have bought like one of everything but instead settled for one thing I wanted and one thing I needed.

These little square “Chinese take out box bowls” that I am pretty sure are a 1/2 cup each (need to measure) and a pasta strainer.  I always want this strainer whenever I see it on them using it on the Food Network.

We both were not really hungry for dinner so I took the easy way out making Eggwiches (5 points+)

And Fruit ~ nectarine and a plum.

NEW AT FRIENDS FOR WEIGHT LOSS

* If you LOVE lemons, chicken and mushrooms then you NEED to try this 5 points+ Lemon Chicken Picatta recipe from Shannon’s Kitchen!

Q’s

What is your FAVORITE store to shop at and what do you buy there?

Ummm, Trader Joe’s   Target (everything), NY & Co (Clothes), ANY KITCHEN GADGET store and now Crate & Barrel.  I am sure my list could go on, but, I will stop there…..

Night all!