So we have put together a list of "Quick and Healthy" products, or maybe they are just "Healthier." So now it is up to you not to have a big bacon hamburger with the smoothie or a fat marbled steak to wash down the pita bread.

Stacy's Soy Crisps

Get the name straight: "Pitachips.com" and don't spell it wrong. These are made from a basis of low fat soy flour. The texture is unusual and the first chew seems strange, but after that it's heaven to snack without guilt/ ok, maybe minimal guilt. The Buttery Caramel Baked Soy Chips have only 4 grams of sugar per serving, (I think I'll brush my teeth after eating.) while the White Cheddar and the Sweet BBQ have none. Let me give you one hint: if this is your first time eating the soy crisps then put one in your mouth, but don't chew yet. Place the open bag over you nose and then breathe in the nose while chewing down hard. Yeah Baby!!! Soy heaven!!!

Van's All Natural Premium Hearty Oats Waffles

These are "Gourmet Waffles" that will keep you going to the freezer and looking for a seat by the window. The waffles contain no cholesterol and no trans fat but are packed with antioxidants, calcium, and some Omega-3. If given a choice, choose life, read a label and pick healthy. They come in three flavors: Berry Boost with berry bits, Maple Fusion with maple bits, and Oat's N' Honey with bits of oats and honey. These waffles are all delicious. The Van Dam family invented the Belgian waffle, so while everyone was feeling good eating the ice cream, it was the waffle that was making them healthy.

Chimes Ginger Chews

The tin, the taste, the chewy consistency all add up to a new tasting "candy". For the long drive, a natural perk, for the long school day, a boost; when a little extra something is needed, dream of East Java, Indonesia. Dream of a volcano, dream of a lifestyle that is intense in the little things. Then pick up this little Peppermint thing, hold it in your mouth and avoid the chew. Hold out for as long as you can, then, give in, chew it! It disappears with a little pepper-like spot lingering for the experience. The Peanut Butter is heavy up front with the ginger burn at the back. I feel more alert already. Ginger do your stuff!

Tumaro's Gourmet Tortillas

If it can be done with tortillas, Tumaro's has done it. Low fat, low in carbs, multi grain and healthy with taste. Some even explode with flavor. The directions should say "This tortilla should be with your ID card, taped to your chest, because when your head explodes someone can call your mommy." Like the Chipotle Chili and Peppers Tortillas, these are flavorful before you bite into them! Smell the bag! The Honey Wheat adds the right timber to enhance the same old peanut butter and jelly nut, but this time, make it into a tight roll, put in the refrigerator and 20 minutes later eat it like hot dog. And when you're ready, when you're really ready, Tumaro's has created 92% fat free, low sodium, no cholesterol, no trans fat, whole grain FLATBREADS. Yes, flatbreads made with Solae Brand Soy Protein. A new world has opened up. We're in the 21 Century, eat like it!

Quaker Chewy 90 Calorie Granola Bars

It's not often that a company puts out a better product that could blow away the original. The Quaker Chewy 90 Calorie Granola Bars are a major improvement, with no loss of taste or chewing consistency. The low fat is just a bonus. In fact, it's also a cheap snack, so there are two bonuses. What about the instant oatmeal? Well, the Quaker folks are not just sitting around on their oats. They did some research and found that people like to chew. Since the sound of the teeth crunching the food appears to be psychologically relaxing, like the repetition in a children's song, they invented wheat Crunchy Clusters to add to the oatmeal. Now breakfast can be noisy again and the wheels on the bus go round and round.

Lightfull Satiety Smoothie

The container with the happy lady juggling on the front contains a smoothie that does one main thing: satisfies hunger for a longer time. At only 90 calories, no wonder the lady is happy. Lightfull Satiety Smoothies are high in fiber and protein that help the body "stop eating" by feeling full. They implied this is a women's drink, but I am going to knock it back in front of the whole office and I will not shrink from the experience. First I am going to try the Caf? Latte. Mmm. There that wasn't bad. My voice isn't squeaky. My nails aren't growing long. But I do feel big and full sized in the bust, just less hungry.

Patak's Original Authentic Indian Foods

Indian restaurants must dislike Patak because this food is the closest thing to dining out, so why go out! I had a sampling of some of the products and found them to be tasty. In fact, I hated to stop eating and write this article. My favorite Indian side: the rice with Garlic and Cilantro, covered in the Major Grey Chutney. My mouth exploded with the flavor. The medium Sweet & Smoky Marinade over ribs had enough kick, but next I am going for the hot. The meal directions are easy, such as put a few chicken parts in a large casserole dish, add the Tangy Lemon and Cilantro cooking sauce (medium), bake at 400 degrees about 50-60 minutes and serve over rice. Short and sweet, or hot, or medium what ever you like. The Mild Curry cooking sauce is used in the same way. This is too easy. Oh, by the way, the chicken is put over yellow rice that is basically already cooked and heated in a microwave for about 90 seconds. This is a manly meal for manly men to impress a woman. Patak gets the engine started; where you go is up to you.

Annie's Home Grown Totally Natural Foods

Even though Annie won't tour east of the Continental Divide this year, her products will. The macaroni and cheese is a perfect after school snack, and for the older kids, easy to make in the microwave. The fact is that after school, the kids will love to have the Creamy Deluxe Whole Wheat Shells and extra Cheesy Cheddar, especially on a cold wintry day. For additional after school snacking there are crackers called "bunnies" in the taste of White Cheddar, Sour Cream and Onion, and even Chocolate Chip Bunny Grahams. The adults will also love it for the ease of cooking and its portable portions. The best part is that there are no hydrogenated oils or artificial flavors. Eat healthy and often.

Heartland Pasta Products American Italian Pasta Company

Multi Grain pasta is the newest way to eat whole grains. Who knew! Flavor, nutrients, and fiber are in a mama's meal. Just add a pesto sauce and maybe a larger towel to use as a napkin and then stand back, I'm ready to eat. I am the food!!! Heartland puts out familiar shapes of pasta: Spaghetti, Penne and Rotini. I also see that these folks at Heartland take the word heart, to well, heart and have gone further in the pasta production with an organic Rotini and Penne. They want us to live longer and eat more. Now that's my kind of company.

Kashi Entrees

I like the microwaveable, all natural, vegetarian dishes like the Triple Mushroom Risotto. It was moist, tasty and disappeared in a wink. (Stops the co-habitor from taking a taste.) It has lots of mushrooms with enough spices to let you know where it stands on taste.

The Pesto Pasta Primavera is also a vegetarian dish with a fair portion of pasta. The Southwest Style Chicken was also hearty on taste and chicken. The office team agreed this was a keeper and we put it on the refill list. While the salt content was a bit high, we all agreed that the grains and other combos would be back for lunch real soon.

Tzu The'

Both our requirements are met by Tzu The'. Green tea nutrition bars and a water bottle that makes tea, either hot or cold, while you are on the go. This bottle has its own infuser at the base where the dried tea is placed and then hot water is added at the top. It comes in two sizes, 20 ounce and 25 ounce. The larger being cheaper per ounce to purchase and both fit into the car cup holder. As a corollary to the drink-a-lot-of-tea rule, try a T-bar. It comes in Natural Rice and Green Tea. The kids were annoying me so I told them that the Natural Rice was really chopped up bees. I thought that would get rid of them but they loved it. I guess another one of my great ideas goes afoul. Wherever I hide the bars, the kids find them. I wonder if they come in a camouflage box.

Corazonas

These are tortilla triangles that have heart healthy elements to help build a new eating style: healthy. At the office, the gang tried the Salsa Picante. The consensus was that it was crunchy and tasty and, in general, just like the typical restaurant tortilla, although solidly on the picante side. The Jalape