I'm saved! Finally found a good combo!!

[Jewel]

Those of you that have been supporting my weird, restricted eating plan probably know that I'm sick to death of eating the same meal four or five times per day. Can't eat processed, salt, sugar, oil, dairy, or foods ending in 'R' (kidding). I've been struggling along for the past week and a half trying to find something that I could transport to work for those four meals that wasn't the same thing day after day...2 oz chicken or turkey with 1 cup of asparagus, green beans, or broccoli. There are only so many spices you can put on that combo to make it interesting.
At home for dinner I eat Roasted Broccoli, but that's not easily done at work, and it doesn't reheat that well.

Most people have said just eat green salads with my chicken or turkey mixed in? I've never been a salad fan. I have a weird problem with textures of foods, and even though it's the least nutritional value, the only lettuce I can get down is iceberg. I really don't like raw veggies at all! Someone on this board said that Balsamic Vinegar was great in salad dressing. I've had a bottle for three years, but I've only used it for cooking. The guy that runs the program I'm on suggested mixing Balsamic Vinegar and lemon juice for a salad dressing...and boy, was he RIGHT! I was amazed at the flavor! No oil, no calories, no salt, no sugar, just GOOD! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

For the first time in my life I ate two salads today at work with my smoked turkey on top, and my new dressing mixed in. It was cool, refreshing, almost no calories, and IT WASN'T ASPARAGUS OR GREEN BEANS!!! I can survive the next two and a half weeks now, with no problems whatsoever. Now I have to find some more 'crisp' veggies that I can put on this iceberg/carrot/red cabbage bagged salad mix I stocked up on. Wonder if I'd like radishes?

Anyway, everyone, thanks for all the ideas and support! I'm saved! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[funnybone]

Congrats!! I love Balsamic vinegar, and Raspberry Balsamic vinegar is great too. It's my fave way to dress a salad - one of those, lemon and a touch of EV olive oil (but just a touch).

[Kelli Kerrigan]

Jewel,
So glad that things are going well for you. I am also glad that you are trying new things and finding out that you like them. Sometimes being on a restricted diet can open up a person's taste buds. I think because I had been on a diet at a young age that I never developed a love for lots of 'bad' things.....either that or I was a grazing animal in a past life!
I never used oil in my dressings...try mixing some dijon mustard with your 'new' dressing. It really is good and lets the flavor of the vegi come alive.
Here's to the taste buds awakening!!!

[makedah]

Congrats Jewel. Can you tell me the ratio of balsamic vinegar to lemon juice in your dressing? I bought a bottle of balsamic vinegar (whole foods brand) recently and want to make use of it. I used it in the basil vinaigrette chicken and salad from Jan/Feb 2001.

[Jewel]

Originally posted by makedah:
Can you tell me the ratio of balsamic vinegar to lemon juice in your dressing?

Honey, I wish I knew!! I didn't really measure, and that's going to make it harder to make next time! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif I poured about a cup of Balsamic Vinegar into an old soy sauce bottle that still had the shaker hole top, and then poured about an inch or two of bottled 'Real Lemon' juice into it and shook it up a bit. When I have to remake a bottle I'm going to start out with just a bit of lemon juice and do the taste thing. It's a lot easier to add it then take it away! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

And Kelli I would love to add the Dijon Mustard but I can't...that dreaded sodium! Maybe when I get off this plan I'll give it a try! Thanks! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif