Hey everyone! Thank you all for the emails and messages checking in on me ~ I love you all ~ seriously. For the first time in almost 5 years of blogging, I ended up taking an unplanned mini break. It is sometimes challenging to put your whole life out there for the world to see, yet, still be able to balance it out and keep some things confidential. As some of you know, I have been working to try to find a balance to have time to post while balancing my job and life. This week was the first week I’ve just said, I can’t do it all and at the end of the day, I decided to do what was best for me mentally. I think sometimes as much as I missed being here each day to chat with you all, I needed that break ~ to enjoy life, to ponder a few things and get through a few challenges thrown my way.
I am sorry for not popping in to at least say – hey, I’ll be back in a few days after I get through a few things. What I can say is I am ready to hit the ground running and get back into my routine. You all are totally one of the things I look forward to every single day ~ I have fun sharing, keeping myself accountable (even on not so great days) and more importantly reading all your comments as you share your lives too.
So enough with the sappy stuff ~ Let’s get on with a few highlights from this week! Yes, you can laugh….the picture taking never stopped….LOL
This week definitely involved a few repeats….as, in I probably should move on and have something else for breakfast, but, I am still completely and totally addicted to Healthy Egg Rolls
Then again, when something is this good, why stop (even if I’ve been eating these for almost 7 months now!)
About that salad I teased you all with on Sunday for lunches this week on my last post. One of my fabulous readers recommended I check out Trader Joe’s Bistro Salad and re-create it.
This is my version ~ raw kale, edamame, cranberries, yellow bell pepper & tomatoes for color…..
A perfectly hard boiled egg for a little protein staying power….
Topped with toasted almost slivers and a lemon balsamic vinaigrette I made for the dressing. I will work on adding this recipe to my recipe page soon.
I pack my lunches up every night by piling them on the table with my snacks, then, putting them in the fridge just like this. It makes packing lunches in the morning go incredibly fast.
The next two days, I decided to toss the kale with the dressing in the AM so it would soften a bit by the time I had it for lunch. I actually think this salad tastes better this way because raw kale is pretty green like….as my co-workers put it ~ hard core healthy like 
I discovered a new to me sandwich I wish never existed! My boss always orders from Safeway the same sandwich ~ a Smoked Turkey Chipotle…..One day this week I decided to try it.
Holy Wow!! Toasted cheesy bread with chipotle sauce (think like a milder sriracha) topped with smoked turkey, melted pepper jack cheese, lettuce and tomato……I could totally eat the whole thing…..
But, I told myself if I did that I couldn’t have any of the BBQ chips we bought. It was so hard to give away half of that sandwich, but, I can pretty much never resist chips!
Snacks this week were pretty much the same with a few of the usuals….
And a couple “unusuals” ~ The Bosses wife made these homemade oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip cookies for the office…..Yum!
I bought this new to Trader Joe’s Breakfast Trek Mix ~ I should’ve calc’d the points+ first. However, I was totally sold on it after reading it has salty roasted almonds, dried cranberries, yogurt chips and granola bites. It’s tasty, but, clocks in at 6 points+ for the entire bag.
Let me just tell you all I have The Best Husband in the world. He got his “inner chef” on and made dinner for us almost all week (we did have Panera last night).
Each dinner included a delicious simple salad topped with balsamic vinaigrette.
Boneless BBQ Ribs (sliced pork loin in rib shapes) topped with his “secret” BBQ sauce….
Grilled Asparagus….
All together with the Healthy Potato Salad that I made up for us.
Dinner #2….I love that he got “fancy” with a folded napkin
Spaghetti with homemade pasta sauce ~ he used 96% lean ground beef, but, that is the only part he shared – the rest is a “secret” haha! Fun Fact ~ this spaghetti is the first meal he ever made for me when dating….it totally won me over.
He topped the week off by putting this card under my bowl ~ LOVE!!!
And yes, he totally found a way to give me another rainbow with all those little smiley face he put on the card and made me laugh remembering The Rainbow Story.
I will work at catching up on your emails, comments, etc. this weekend.
Happy Weekend All!
Glad your spirits have been lifted, Danica. I have found a preferred green for me and the husband… Chard. Not as wimpy…lol, as spinach and not as hardy as kale.
Taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do for your life and your sanity. Glad you are listening to your body, your head and your heart!
Glad that you know we’re all out here rooting for you in good times and bad. Welcome back!
I shop at Safeway but never thought of ordering sandwiches there. That looks amazing!
Hi Danica! I’ve thought of you many times this week. Hope all is well. That card from your Husband was the best! Have a great weekend.
Missed you Danica! Welcome back to blogging 🙂
Hi Danica, This the first time I have sent a reply but like all the others that follow you I look forward to your interesting pictures and good info. That being said one does have to step back sometimes and take a break now and then. Keep up the great work you do make a difference! Nan
Danica – glad you’re back. Try the massaged kale salad technique. Slice into strips, put in bowl with a little salt and massage with fingers for TWO minutes. The kale melts down to beautiful dark green tenderness. It keeps in a closed ziplock for about a week for ready salads. Terrific. Google “massaged kale salads” for many variations
Your husband is the sweetest!!
I think having your husband waiting for you at the end of the rainbow will give you the strength to get through any tough week! I, like you, have a husband who adores me and I am thankful for that each and every day! Thanks for sharing with us!
So GLAD you are back! We have missed you! Taking care of yourself is what is most important….cant help others if you are not healthy! 🙂
Have a GREAT weekend! Look forward to hearing more from you next week.
My goodness Danica! I seriously think you must have the greatest husband in the world. He is such a sweetheart! I hope you are having a good weekend and that this upcoming weeks goes a whole lot better for you. Take care of yourself first!
I am always amazed at how you (and others) blog daily with your full time jobs and private lives. I’m glad you took the time you needed and also glad you are back. Your husband is awesome and should give classes to husbands to be lol.
D – we all need a break. Although we missed you, we certainly understand your need to tune out now and again. You just changed jobs, went on a long trip, etc. and have had a lot going on in your life. How wonderful that a constant in your life is your special hubby. I will follow you regardless of how often you blog.
Kale salad is nice if you blanche the kale in boiling water for about 30 seconds then immerse it in cold water. It takes away the toughness and still tastes amazing. you can do up a big batch of it and keep it in the fridge.
Your husband’s funny with his “secret” recipes. I hope he never writes a cookbook. Haha.
I love that you are just like me – if it ain’t broke, why fix it… AKA: If it tastes so delicious, why bother mixing it up! LOL!! I have literally been eating the same dinner nightly (except when I go out of course) for like the past 2 years! Ah ha ha!
I am a lurker. I have your page bookmarked and will come visit every 4th or 5th day. So glad to see you took a break for yourself. Sometimes, you just need to 🙂
Your husband is so sweet!! 🙂
I like the bistro salad idea. Just wanna say – I’ve joined a Biggest Winner competition at my job, have started working out 3 days a week and feel the best I have since I was 18. I know I can count on you for something healthy, easy, and good – I am a full time student, worker, wife and mom, so easy, healthy and tasty is something I am always on the look out for!