To start us off, our first meal is the Hangover Salad. I made this salad the day after my company holiday party. I was feeling tired, dehydrated, and unmotivated to go into work the next day after seeing various co-workers drunkenly make out with other co-workers. I probably left before the real drama started (think Real World meets 90210) but after eating all the holiday food and drinking the spirits, the Hangover Salad was born (makes 1 serving...so multiply if you have other mouths to feed) to help me get through that Friday after:

Hangover Salad

• 1/2 large tomato, chopped
  
• small cucumber, semi-peeled,
• 1/2 can chickpeas
• small chicken breast* cut into pieces
• a slice of red onion, chopped
• (my dressing recco) ~ 3T Kraft light caesar dressing (http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/Products/ProductInfoDisplay.aspx?SiteId=1&Product=2100065474) or some light savory dressing

Mix all ingredients together and serve or take for lunch... Health benefits:

• (depending on portions used and dressing amount) ~300-400 calories per serving
• tomato - vitamin K and lycopene, which is a great antioxidant (wonderful for helping repair cells and protiens after a night of drinking)
  
• cucumber - low in calories and high in water content so you feel full on less food
• chicken breast - (portion should be about the size of palm of your hand) Loaded with protein so that you feel sated and helps burn fat
• onion - rich in chromium which helps regulate insulin as well as quercetin, an antioxidant
• chickpeas - rich in fiber and protein which help regulate digestion and satiety

If you have Qs, comments, or want to know more about me, please email me at: LunchLadyCynthia@gmail.com
 
*about the chicken breast: I like to know what I am putting in my body and how it was cooked since many frozen pre-cooked meals are processed and have preservatives. So, I buy Target's (http://www.target.com/) and cook ~4 breasts at a time... add some worsteshire, salt, crushed red pepper after you defrost the breasts to add flavor

*you can also substitue the chicken for vegetarian and vegan options...I like morning star farms chicken tenders (http://www.morningstarfarms.com/product_detail.aspx?family=365&id=321) but there are plenty other options Let me know how the salad turned out and I hope that you find comfort in my healthy recipes! more to come...