A random recipe

Since my surgeries, I’ve craved protein so much I feel like a lion lurking near the waterhole. Right after I got out of the hospital, I primarily satiated this craving by eating eggs every day for breakfast and sometimes for dinner, as well. It’s a good thing I’ve never had high cholesterol levels in my blood! Now that I’ve worked my way up to a high fiber diet, I’m usually eating Cheerios for breakfast and, over the course of the day, it’s hard to get both the fiber I need and the excessive amount of protein that I still crave.

I’m a strong believer in the idea that if a little is good, then a bucketful is terrific. The American philosopher Robert Anson Heinlein said to take big bites, that moderation was for monks. Nevertheless, I’m trying to lose weight and eat healthier. I’ve created a dinner salad that is big enough for a hearty eater while still high in fiber and protein. In short, it’s my kind of meal. I serve it in a pretty Polish ceramic pie plate, so it feels special. I feel very full after one of these salads, yet it soothes my craving for protein. And it’s got half of my daily requirement for fiber. That works for me (and please pardon the suppressed burp).

Costco Salad - so called as I get almost all of the ingredients at my favorite warehouse
4 cups Salad mix - I use Earthbound Farms Organic Spring Mix
1/4 rotisserie chicken breast, skin removed and cubed - Costco’s are delicious and inexpensive
2 hard boiled eggs, cubed
1/2 cup shelled organic edamame
1/3 package Tasty Bites chunky chickpeas (with garlic, ginger and aromatic spices)
Hannah Tzatziki Yogurt dip, as needed - I use about 4 tablespoons.

I grow my own tomatoes and peppers, which I add, liberally, but this varies by what is ripe today.

Place a bed of salad mix in your dish, then layer the rest of the ingredients on the greens. Top with tzatziki.

Nutritional data: 575 calories, 25.5 gm fat, 10.1 gm saturated fat, 41 gm protein, 43 gm carbs, 12.5 gm fiber, 3 gm sugar

Try it out and tell me if you like it, too.