The local unit of Dream Dinners is serving up a low-fat, heart-healthy menu for January.

Laura Stephens and Liz Davenport operate the local franchise.

America is fighting the “battle of the bulge” and many are looking for convenient, healthy options to replace the fast food that often appears when people are rushed, they said.

Dream Dinners, the originator of the innovative, meal assembly concept, offers a healthy alternative to those “not so healthy” choices people are faced with every day, it was stated.

In January, Dream Dinners’ menu will consist of many items (over two thirds) falling within their “Light and Lean” category which means they contain less than 350 calories and many have 10 grams of fat or less per serving.

“Dream Dinners takes yours, and your family’s health and nutrition seriously, making every effort to use ingredients that are low in trans-fat, saturated fat and cholesterol,” said Cindy Farricker a registered dietitian and consultant to Dream Dinners.

Dream Dinners is carrying their healthy menu requirements even further during February in honor of National Heart Month. The entire February menu features items meeting or exceeding the National Cholesterol Education Program’s (NCEP’s) Heart Healthy standards.

According to a recent publication by the NCEP, to keep your LDL and your risk for heart disease low, you should start on the Heart Healthy Diet. The Heart Healthy Diet, suitable for people ages 2 and older, is an eating plan that can help keep your blood cholesterol low and decrease your chance of developing heart disease.

Dream Dinners At-A-Glance
- Customers order any combination of dinners from a 14-dinner monthly menu.
- Most dinners are available in 6-serving and 3-serving sizes.
- The cost for 12, large dinners averages between $210 and $220, depending on location, translating into about $3 per serving and three, hassle-free meals a week.
- Menus change monthly, with most-requested items reappearing periodically.
- In addition to meat main dishes, menus often feature hearty hors d’oeuvres, a brunch casserole, a soup, a meatless dinner and a dessert.
- All recipes may be tailored to a family’s specific tastes or to accommodate dietary needs or food sensitivities.
- Dinners incorporate lowfat and nonfat ingredients, and many low-carb selections are offered.
- Nutritional information for every menu item is provided at www.dreamdinners.com.
- A national food distributor handles all food orders so that all customers receive the same consistent quality as customers in Seattle.
- Ingredients for each dinner are freshly chopped, prepped and waiting at refrigerated work stations.
- Staff cleans up after customers so customers can concentrate on meal assembly.
- Disposable baking dishes, aluminum foil, cellophane wrap and zip-top bags are included in the meal price.
- There are currently 235 Dream Dinners franchises in 33 states; the company plans to have a total of 250 stores by the end of 2006.

Customer Testimonials
- Monthly food bills decrease significantly.
- Less food is wasted.
- Weight loss occurs due to less time spent eating out.
- Confidence in cooking abilities increases.
- Entertaining friends becomes less stressful.
- Companionship in the Dream Dinners kitchen makes cooking fun.
- A tremendous selection of meals is available.
- The anxiety of meal planning and preparation is eliminated.
- Ability to effectively manage time increases.
- Even children like the taste of Dream Dinners.

Laura Stephens & Liz Davenport
HamiltonPlaceTN@dreamdinners.com
(423) 892-4223
www.dreamdinners.com