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!
janetha @ meals and moves says
ahhh i love CPK! what a cool idea to not gorge yourself on a whole pizza.. not that i have ever done that.. no.. not me…
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Corn in guacamole.. now that’s different! That pizza looks delicious.
My favorite store is Whole Foods, where I buy just about everything, haha. But our closest one is 75 miles away, so I settle for the smaller natural stores that are local. Not as much selection, but they tide me over. 🙂
RAZ says
My favorite store is Old Navy. I just love the sale rack. I bought a blouse and 2 pairs of pants yesterday and it came to under $17. I also love Trader Joe’s and any kitchen gadget store.
Danica, as a quick estimate of PP if you know the calories just round the number up or down to the nearest number ending in zero than knock off the zero and divide what’s left by 4. It saves a lot of time and avoids having to use the WW calculator all the time.
Noura says
@RAZ, that’s interesting. I’d never heard it before. It really works?
We finally got a CPK her & I’ve only been once, though I did like it. We also, for years, have had a Louisiana Pizza Kitchen. Good stuff!
Big party today celebrating my husband becoming a citizen! BBQ’ing chik breasts & veggies (trying the grilled romaine too!) & boiling crawfish! Yum.
Gail H. says
Never been to Crate & Barrel, really? Try their on-line store….lots of good deals! We just tried the little wedge salad from CPK’s new menu last week, and it was really good! Those cupcake balls look amazing…I applaud your willpower, I would have eaten them all!
Erin says
I also am annoyed about how CPK does their nutrition information–it’s very misleading and it’s annoying for people who try to follow WW. I emailed them and got a response that made it clear that they hadn’t actually read my email. I emailed back and never heard anything. 🙁
Claudia DellaRipa says
I love, love, love their ASPARAGUS AND ARUGULA SALAD. I have been getting it since they put out the small cravings menu. I am glad it’s only 5 points. I mean I wish it was less but there isn’t quite that much there that is low in points. IF I do go out to eat during the week it’s only once and it’s good to know some value of points. I found out that the Grilled Vegetable salad there is 12 points!!!!! No way!
Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) says
Sounds like you all had a great day! I love CPK’s salads and pizza’s. You’re so right, their dough is something special. It’s def hard to make a bad choice there! My favorite stores are Trader Joe’s , Henry’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, Crate & Barrel, Target, Nordstrom & Lulu….
Roz says
I love the idea of the small plates. Tough to find w w values with the nutritional info provided, but still….at least its a start. I guess. Sounds like it was a really fun day (love the flea market and antiquing – can’t wait for the outdoor markets in the summer) Have a great rest of the weekend Danica!!
BroccoliHut says
I used to love CPK–I even requested that my birthday dinner be held there one year. I really love their hummus and their grilled vegetable salad.
Stacey says
I love TJ’s and Target. I could buy so much in Target if my pocketbook would let me!! I just went to a new Whole Foods that I saw about 30 minutes away from me, OMG that place was incredible. I have to go back there when I have more time. It was amazing. I found the lemon curd there that was 1 pt for 1 tbsp. Some pop chips which I can’t buy anymore because I want to eat the whole bag. I also found some yummy hummus and some carrots to go with them. I was lucky I was limited on time or I seriously could have bought so much stuff I didn’t need! lol