The Chinese Influence

When I am in China and eating out with friends, it is just like eating at a potluck.  They want me to feel welcome so they order or cook food as if it were a festival meal.   A month ago when I was in Beijing, my friends (with whom I exercise in the park) invited me to a farewell lunch.  I do not speak Chinese and they do not speak English, so I told my friend who was interpreting I only needed a couple of dishes because I don’t want to gain weight.  We ended up with eight big plates of food for just the four of us!  But I learned they have a wonderful salad, which was one of the dishes.  It is a very fresh salad with over seven vegetables.  Not only is it colorful, it is delicious.  I depend on this salad for events when so much food is served.

Why the Asian Chicken Salad Works

Last week, I attended a weeklong storytelling seminar sponsored by the Timpanogos Storytelling Institute.  We stayed in a beautiful cabin above Sundance, Utah, for the week.  The food was fantastic but my favorite was the Asian Salad brought by Karen Acerson.  It was just like the one I order when I’m in China.

The Recipe: Simple, Flexible, and Delicious

For Thanksgiving dinner, I requested to bring the Asian Salad.  For the first time I did not gain a pound at Thanksgiving dinner!  It worked like a charm.  My plate looked like a paint pallet.  Around the outside, I took very small portions of each of the dishes served and then I filled the middle of my plate with the Asian salad.  I ate very slowly and by the time the meal was over, I had not eaten so much I felt stuffed like a turkey.  My plate had been filled with food and I was happy and satisfied with my meal.  The best thing was I did not have that heavy hangover feeling I often do when I have a big thanksgiving meal.  WOW!!! It worked!

I have decided that this holiday, I am going to take the Asian salad to every potluck dinner I attend. Pretty, delicious, healthy food to enjoy with good friends, and not a pound to gain!

Here is the recipe and best thing is you do not have to measure anything. You can even leave out items if you do not have them or add other that you would like, just go slow when you add a high calorie item such as nuts or dried fruit.

Thomas_asiansalad600

Asian Chicken Salad:

  • Ingredients
    • Vegetables & Fruits:
      • Celery (diced)
      • Colored peppers (diced)
      • Green onions (diced)
      • Carrots (shredded)
      • Cabbage (shredded)
      • Romaine lettuce (shredded)
      • Mandarin oranges (drained)
      • Water chestnuts (sliced)
    • Protein & Toppings:
      • Lean chicken (cubed)
      • Toasted slivered almonds
      • Fresh cilantro (chopped)
    • Dressing:
      • Paul Newman’s Lite Sesame Ginger Dressing (35 calories per 2 tablespoons)
  • Instructions
    • Step 1: Prepare all vegetables and fruits (dice, shred, or slice as needed).
    • Step 2: Cube the lean chicken into bite-sized pieces.
    • Step 3: Combine all vegetables, fruits, chicken, cilantro, and almonds in a large salad bowl.
    • Step 4: Drizzle with Paul Newman’s Lite Sesame Ginger Dressing to taste. Toss everything together until well mixed.
    • Step 5: Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Take this simple, easy and delicious salad to get you though those high calorie potluck and dinners that await you this holiday.

Tip The Scales In Your Favor

Learn about the small steps that make a big difference in your health, weight, and happiness.