Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

I needed some healthy lunches to take on the go to kids sporting events so I came up with this.   You can add or substitute with your favorite IC friendly vegetables.  It's so versatile!

Ingredients:

1 Can Chickpeas

Orange Bell Pepper, chopped (red would also go well, but I'm really into orange right now)

Cucumber, chopped

Fresh Parsley, chopped

Feta Cheese

Drizzle Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper (use with caution, can be problematic)

Onion Powder

Garlic Powder

Directions:

Drain and rinse 1 can of chickpeas and add to mixing bowl.   Add vegetables, Cheese, Parsley, Olive Oil and Seasonings to taste.   Refrigerate.    Eat as is or serve with crackers.

Chicken Pita Wrap

I have started picking up a rotisserie chicken every week.  I  shred the chicken and keep in a container ready to add to salads or quick sandwiches throughout the week.  I'm trying to incorporate more protein and color (aka: fruits and vegetables) into my diet, so I came up with this and really liked it.   Very filling!  You can always add or subtract additional vegetables that you like, but I used what I had on hand.   My measurements below are not exact.  I just added what felt right at the time in my heart.  💓

Ingredients:

1/2 Pita Wrap (could always use a whole one)

1/2 Cup shredded Rotisserie Chicken 

1/3 Cup Cottage Cheese

Chopped Cucumber

Chopped Celery

Chopped Red Bell Pepper

Season heavily with: Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Dill

Directions:

Mix all ingredients but Pita in a small bowl.   Spread on Pita.   Serve with side of your choice, I chose blueberries and it was the perfect compliment!

Cucumber sandwiches

I literally just finished this sandwich and am so excited about it I had to come post it right away!   These sandwiches are all over the IC boards and yet I had never tried them because I thought they sounded boring.   But trust me, they're not!!  The crunch of the toasted bread combined with the freshness of the cucumbers along with the yummy-ness of cream cheese makes this simple combination effortlessly brilliant!!   I'm so excited to have a new easy, healthy, and delicious lunch option.   So much so in fact, I'm having this again tonight for dinner.   YUM!

Ingredients:
2 slices of bread
1/2 cucumber, sliced thinly
2 Tbsp cream cheese

Directions:
Toast bread.   While bread is toasting, slice the cucumber.   Spread cream cheese on each slice of bread.   Add the cucumbers.   Enjoy!

Spring Salad with Chicken & Pear Dressing

Who says Spring Salad's are only for the Spring?  This is my favorite salad right now and I can't get enough.   It's really easy to throw together and you could always add more veggies if you like more complex flavors.  I eat my salads pretty simple.

Ingredients:
1 chicken breast baked and shredded
Prepackaged Spring Salad Mix (I use Marketside Organic from Walmart)
Chopped Almonds
Feta Cheese
Pear Salad Dressing
1 pear
1-2 Tbsp honey

Directions:
Cut the pear into slices and saute in olive oil about 3 minutes.   When pear is done cooking, smother in honey.  Combine all ingredients

Publish Post

above using as little or as much as you like.  


 

IC Alternative to PB&J... AB&B

Sigh.  I sure miss my PB&J's and today I just couldn't take it anymore... so I came up with this alternative.  It definitely cured my hankering!!    I buy my Almond Butter & Blueberry Jam online here because I haven't found a friendly Blueberry Jam in my area and don't like the Almond Butter from Wal-Mart.  The one I get is better than peanut butter... yes, I said it... and so much healthier for you anyways.

 

Ingredients:
Nature's Own Thin Siced Bagel, plain (or regular sandwich bread would work)
Zinke Orchards Almond Butter
Blueberry Jam

Directions:
Toast the bagel.   Spread Almond Butter & Blueberry Jam on top.   Enjoy!!!

Tuna Patties

Yum-yum!  These met the sisters approval and isn't too tuna-y tasting.

Ingredients:
1 Can Tuna (Make sure ingredient list is Tuna & Water only)
2 English Muffins (I use Nature's Own, it has no preservatives)
1 Egg
5 Saltine Crackers, crushed
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Dried Parsley
Olive Oil
Sliced White American Cheese

Directions:
Drain Tuna.  In a bowl add Tuna, Egg, and Crackers.  Sprinkle with Onion, Garlic Powder,  & Parsley (more or less per your taste).   Form into 2 patties.   Grill in Olive Oil on Stove top until golden brown on each side.  While grilling, toast English Muffin.  Add Cheese to patty during last minute of grilling until melted.   Add the patty to the English Muffin.   I eat with Lays Wavy Chips.

Yields 2 patties. 

Spinach & Broccoli Salad with Homemade Croutons

The biggest challenge I had in making salads after diagnosed with IC was Salad Dressing and Croutons... the two best parts of a salad!!   I read a lot about using Cottage Cheese as a salad dressing on IC message boards, but admittedly had an unnatural fear of Cottage Cheese.  Something about the curds really freaked me out.   So the first time I made a salad dressing I took Cottage Cheese, Dill, Onion Powder and put it in the blender to smooth out the curds.   It was delicious!!  And now that I've been eating Cottage Cheese for a while, I have gotten over my fear of the curds and can eat it without blending first.

Making Homemade Croutons is so much easier than I thought and just as good.   I literally made these the same time I made my salad and then just stuck them in the freezer to cool them off for about a minute before adding them to my salad.

In making a salad, salad dressing, or croutons... the only thing that holds you back is your own imagination (or in my case,  fear!).  Play with vegetables and friendly spices to find something you like.   Here's one of my favorites.  Not many ingredients, but was all that I had in my refrigerator today.   And as I sit here now, my belly is smiling because it was quite tasty and I feel good knowing I had a healthy lunch!

Ingredients:
For Croutons-
1 slice of Bread (I use the heel), cubed
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 Tsp Dried Parsley
For Salad-
2 Cups packed fresh Spinach
1 Cup Broccoli, chopped
1 Tsp Dill (more or less per your taste)
For Dressing-
1/4 Cup small curd low-fat Cottage Cheese

Directions:
For Croutons-
Preheat oven 475.  Pour Olive Oil, Garlic, and Parsley in a small bowl.  Mix Bread squares in the mixture.   Place on a cookie sheet and bake about 5 minutes.  
For Salad-
In a bowl, mix together spinach and chopped Broccoli.    Top with Cottage Cheese, Croutons, and sprinkle with Dill.

Pesto Mini-Pizza's

These always sound good to me.   I make them when I'm wanting something hot & fast for lunch or a light dinner.   The hubby loves them too!

Ingredients:
Natures Own Plain English Muffin or Pepperidge Farm Deli Flat (both work well)
2-3 Tbsp IC Friendly Pesto
1-2 Tbsp chopped Yellow Onion
1-2 Tbsp chopped Red Bell Pepper
1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese
Sprinkle Garlic Powder
Sprinkle  Parsley

Directions:
Preheat Oven to 375.  Spread Pesto on Muffin or Flats.  Add Onion, Bell Pepper, Mozzarella Cheese.   Sprinkle with Garlic Powder and Parsley (for color).    Cook in oven until cheese is melted (about 5-8 minutes).   Turn oven to Broil and cook another minute or two until cheese browns slightly.

Sarah's Chicken Salad

I got this recipe from a good friend who also has Interstitial Cystitis.  It is one of my favorites and I make it all the time.   The original recipe calls for a full brick (8oz) of cream cheese, but I reduced it to save on calories.    It can be served on sandwich, in a tortilla, or with crackers (my fav!).

Ingredients:
2, 5 ounce cans (or 1 large) Valley Fresh 100% Natural White Chicken in Water
1/3 Large Cucumber diced into small squares
1 Cup Blueberries
1/2 Cup Green Onions
4 ounces Original Cream Cheese (Brick not tub due to the preservatives in the tub kind)

Directions:
Drain the water from the cans of chicken very well and place in a bowl.  Add the Cream Cheese and mix with large wooden spoon until spread evenly (takes a while).  Add the Cucumber, Blueberries, Green Onion and stir.  Enjoy!