First Day Back at Work: Lunch Box Meals are Back Again

Lunchbox contents from top to bottom, left to right:  Protein snack bar, Crystal Lite individual pack, Protein shake, Cold Sesame Noodle Salad with Peanuts and Parsley, fresh pitted cherries, zuchinni sticks, baby carrots.

Last night was my first night back at work at the hospital (respiratory therapy) in right at three months.  For the two people I haven't whined to I had a knee injury followed by an incredibly long diagnosis journey, followed by surgery exactly five weeks ago.  Last night was my first night back on the job and it was a doozy.  But such is life. Right now my life revolves around Aspercreme and ice packs.

Since I'm also back to wanting to take good, healthy meals to get me through my shifts rather than go to the cafeteria...I know. You'd think a hospital cafeteria would focus on only extremely nutritious food but the sad fact is no one would buy it. We have a nice salad bar and they do serve a poached fish several times a week but I wasn't consistently seeing or buying what I should be eating so, like a lot of people, I brown bag it. Or in my case, I cute little Japanese bento box it.

IF I can find foods that are fast, satisfying, and pretty in my fridge. Otherwise, it's a challenge.

Last night's lunch fulfilled all three.  The cold sesame udon noodle salad was inspired by Sher, at What Did You Eat's Spicy Sesame Noodles with Peanuts and Basil. That photo looks so inviting to me that I had to make it even if I didn't have all the ingredients in the cupboard.  Real creativity in the kitchen, mine at least, is brought on by cravings, a skimpy pantry, and an unwillingness to go to the grocery for one or two items.  So my Sesame Noodle Salad with Peanuts and Parsley sved my day. Or dinner. Depends on how you look at it.

The best part was the entire lunch took less than fifteen minutes to prepare and I was on my way.  It's all about a little juggling. While the noodles boiled, I prepared the vegetables for the salad and the rest of the veggies in the lunchbox.  By the time the noodles were cooked, everything was packed, the dressing for the salad was made, and all I had to do was toss it all together and scoop it into the bento.  You can't beat that with a stick, like my grandmother always said. Have no idea what it means but it feels right for this case.

My lunchbox noodle salad is my entry this week in Ruth of Once Upon a Feast's weekly Presto Pasta Nights event. Check her blog Friday to see all the pasta dishes being served up this week.

Sesame Noodle Salad with Peanuts and Parsley (for Two)

recipe by Glenna Anderson Muse

1 bundle udon noodles (enough for two)

1 small carrot, cut in to thin slivers

1 2" portion of zuchinni, cut into thin slivers

2 Tbsp Peanuts, chopped

Handful of flat-leafed parsley leaves

1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds

For dressing, whisk together:

1 Tbsp walnut oil

1 Tbsp Sesame oil

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp Chinese five spice

2 Tbsp Soy Sauce

1 Tbsp sugar

Salt to taste

I could have added some chinese hot chili sauce but my stomach has been a little rocky lately so I left it out.

Directions:

1. Cook udon to package directions. Rinse in cold water.  Drain.

2. Toss with dressing and rest of ingredients. Chill.

Comments

[Kalyn]

I'm thinking this salad would taste great! Be careful with your knee and don't overdo it! (I know, you're laughing, but try.)

[Anonymous Therapist]

At the hospital where I work there's a small fast food restaurant. If that wasn't bad enough, the hospital cafeteria tends to focus heavily on salted meat and not so much on vegetables or...you know...nutrition.

[Deborah]

That is the perfect salad to pack for lunch!! I am lucky enough to get to go home for lunch each day, but I am constantly struggling to find things to put in my husband's lunch. You can only have so many sandwiches....I'll have to make this for him as a nice surprise!!

[Muse in the Kitchen]

I've got a respite from packing lunches (summer holidays for the kids!), but I'm bookmarking your noodle salad dish. Both my teens despise sandwiches AND they hate their school cafeteria food - recipes like noodle salad are pure gems for me.

Belle

[Ruth]

Do try to take it easy on the new knees - I know...easier said than done.

Thanks for sharing a great looking lunch with Presto Pasta Nights. Check back for the roundup on Friday.

[MyKitchenInHalfCups]

That's a really fantastic looking lunch/dinner. The kind of thing you could probably make co-workers really feel bad sitting next to with their cafeteria food.

[Katiez]

Love your 'lunch box' and the lunch inside looks pretty good, too!

The last U.S. hospital I was in had a McDonald's.... IN the hospital!

[foodierachel]

I had eyed that same sesame noodle salad, on "What did you eat". Tell me how it turns out!

[Alisha]

I've been looking at purchasing several bento boxes for the upcoming school year for the kids lunches... this just proves my point. It's easier to serve them a good HEALTHY lunch when you have something cute to put it in. :-)

I saw the same noodle salad on Sher's blog and it did look delicious! Glad you came up with one too .. next it must be my turn, huh? I'm almost looking forward to being home from vacation so I can cook again.

[Julie]

Glenna, I love looking in your lunchbox everything looks so good and healthy.
Glad you are doing better.

[sher]

Hey, how about that! Glad you liked the sesame noodles. They are great. Now--if they would let you have more time to eat a lunch on the job. I think you go days without a break at all! Love that lunchbox!

[Glenna]

Kalyn--thanks! Last night was much better than the night before. Yay! I might survive after all.

Anonymous Therapist--I can relate. I will say mine poaches fish a couple of times a week and they actually do a good job with it but overall it's heavy on the heavy entrees and overcooked vegetables. There's no excuse for that in a hospital.

Deborah--I agree. You have to have a variety and "real" food or you burn out.

Muse--thank you! I don't blame them for getting bored. I'm not a big sandwich eater either.

Ruth--Thanks for having me!

Tanna--ha! Funny you said that because several of us sat together and I liked what Ihad much better than anything from the cafeteria.

Katie--Isn't that nuts? My gym also went to fast food for their deli. At first I was like "Ya gotta be kiddin' me" until I found out it's Subway. That makes sense actually.

Rachel --The salad is great. I'll be making it again. Hey, next time I might even follow Sher's directions. :-)

Alisha--very cool about the lunch boxes. I do think it makes a difference. It really keeps me limited for my diet but I still have plenty of food and it's so attractive to look at. Eye appeal. It is important.

Julie--thank you!

Sher--LOL! From your lips to God's ears. Some days get a little out of hand.

[Cynthia]

That's a very healthy lunch box. Hope you had a good first day back at work.

[Glenna]

Thanks Cynthia. I did . It's still a bit rough but I love being back at work.

[Biggie @ Lunch in a Box]

Ooh, sesame noodles! I love those -- great warm weather dish, too. Good for you for making this in less than fifteen minutes! Speed bentos are my thing too.

[Auntie Miranda]

Looks great. Same parsley? Mine's still good, too. How long have we had it now?

[Glenna]

Biggie--Totally agree. Perfect for summer.

Miranda--yep! Still going strong. it's been about 3 weeks, hasn't it?

[Kate]

MMmmmm. I want the noodles. I don't have anything on that list at home, but I bet I can fake something. Yum.

[Glenna]

Kate--LOL! See? That's the beauty of it. It doesn't have to be exact!

[Kristeen]

New viewer! love the lunch box idea..too great way to keep it cool on hot summer days..and information and insights!

[Glenna]

Kristeen--Thanks so much!