Monday, March 28, 2011

Eat. Live. Be. and Please Forgive My Absence

A quick note on where I've been:  Unfortunately I wasn't away somewhere fun for spring break!   A few weeks ago I got disturbing results from routine blood work which surprised me since I thought that I was the picture of health.  I felt and still feel just fine.  I've been tested for everything under the sun from Celiac Disease to Wilson's disease - all negative.  The specialist said that she is convinced that a supplement that I was taking is the root of the problem...  she is hoping that it will be out of my system and everything will normalize within two months.  I will have levels checked again in two weeks and pray that what she suspects is the case.  

On a more cheerful note, I did have my daughters home over the last couple of weeks - which I loved!  Despite my busy work schedule and all of the medical appointments, we did take a whole day off together to shop and of course eat!  I miss them both already...

This week's Eat. Live. Be. topic is Go-To Lunches

Nine times out of ten my lunch is dinner leftovers.  I like to make extra and wrap it right away so it is ready for lunch the next day.  I also love soups and stews in the wintertime.  In the summer, I prefer salads and tomato sandwiches!  I can't wait for big ripe Jersey tomatoes - *drool*.  I really don't like cold cuts; therefore my sandwiches are usually comprised of chicken, tuna, or are vegetarian.  For an all-ready option, I love Buck's tuna salad and the cranberry tuna salad from Whole Foods - a little pricey but delicious - still way less expensive than the cafeteria at work! 



Today's lunch was Grilled Balsamic Chicken with Sauteed Onions, Blue Cheese and Arugula on Ciabatta - delicious!  The chicken is marinated in white balsamic and topped with herbs de Provence.  I grilled the chicken and sauteed the onions last night.  I heated the chicken and the onions at lunchtime, added sliced blue cheese and topped it with arugula.  What a fabulous lunch!  So good!

I adapted this recipe from Bon Appetit.

Marinate boneless, skinless chicken breasts for at least two hours.

For the marinade:

1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. fresh ground pepper

Remove the chicken from the marinade and sprinkle it with herbs de Provence.  Grill the chicken until cooked through.  Serve with sauteed onions, sliced blue cheese and arugula on a ciabatta roll.  Enjoy!

11 comments:

  1. I do pack up dinner for lunches (and I do like cold cuts but not daily - too much sodium), That balsamic chicken would make my day - adore the combination. Here hoping that the culprit is the supplement. Negative test results can be frustrating but also relieving.

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  2. Hi Jen- sorry to hear about the blood work- I'll say a prayer!!

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  3. Sending you best wishes. I dread blood tests! That slice of blue cheese is calling to me...this looks fabulous.

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  4. Gosh, I hope everything turns out alright. Those kinds of scares can be frightening. that yummy-looking sandwich would make me feel just great!

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  5. Sending some positive energy your way...hope this is just a fluke and your next test is much better! That sandwich looks amazing...and now I am hungry!
    ♥, Susan

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  6. That is a gorgeous sandwich! I agree with the above poster...the blue cheese is calling my name too!

    I do exactly the same with my lunches - pack them at night using our dinner leftovers. Saves so much time in the morning.

    Sending good vibes your way....

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  7. Jen,
    What was the supplement you were taking that caused your blood tests to come back questionable?
    If you feel good, then you are probably GOOD! So don't worry and keep eating healthy! Hope all is well. I've missed your posts. That sandwich has my name all over it!
    Stacey

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  8. I'm so sorry to hear about your blood results! I will send good vibes your way that everything clears up :)

    I'm also totally digging this lunch sandwich. I'm always stuck on what to eat for lunch.

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  9. Oh Jen, what a fright. The good thing is you feel fine and that is the best sign. I am saying a prayer that your tests will come back perfect in a couple weeks.

    Missed you!

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  10. Thinking about you Jen and wondering how you are doing? ♥♥♥
    Susan

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