Level 1 - Day 52

Another Hectic Day!

Several times a year, I reserve a week to do nothing but create new card designs for my Sugar Notes greeting card line.  I started yesterday, and will continue for the next couple of days.

Consequently, I'm late getting my blog out today.  And, I'll probably be late tomorrow, too.  I also got rid of all of my mother's leftover sweet treats by sending them to work with my husband.  He put them in the break room and reported that they were all gone by 10:00!

So, we're back in the swing of things by getting rid of all temptations.  Whew!  It feels so good.

Breakfast - Quaker puffed wheat cereal and non-fat milk.

AM Snack - Grapes.

Lunch - Leftover Lamb and Feta Burgers and the Roasted Eggplant Relish from yesterday.  I love these burgers!  If you don't care for feta cheese, you probably won't like them because it's very prominent in the burger.

PM Snack - Natural beef jerky (1 ounce).

Dinner - Grilled Chicken with Tuscan Artichoke Pate (from SS web site) and Broccoli Soup (from SS web site).

This was such a fancy dish.  I felt like I was eating at a gourmet restaurant and probably should have lit some candles to set a better mood.  But, I didn't know it would be so delicious.  The artichoke pate really takes plain old chicken to a new level.

To acquire this lovely presentation, you place some artichoke pate on each plate.  Then, place a chicken breast on top of the pate and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme. 

If you don't care for artichokes, try this recipe because you use canned artichoke bottoms, then add chicken stock and fresh lemon juice.  Bring to a boil and then simmer for 10 minutes.  Next, remove the artichokes and put in a blender along with EVOO, sea salt, and pepper.  Puree until smooth.  NOTE:  I added a little of the broth as the recipe was a little vauge about this step.

The broccoli soup was fast and easy to prepare.  And it tasted just like steamed broccoli but only in liquid form.  It had a very light flavor which complimented the chicken quite nicely.  I highly recommend both dishes.