Uh, not really—but, so far, eating is not taking a beating!
This morning I awoke to lots of banging. (I don’t have to say it, do I?)
I was initially pretty choleric—and bitter towards the construction workers making all the noise—because it was 7 a.m., and I’d slept for approximately 4 hours.
Insomnia is a pretty logical byproduct of taking unmeasured swigs of this all day.
Woops.
My bitterness subsided once I realized that, in the midst of demolishing my kitchen and waking me from my beauty sleep, the construction workers were blasting Miley and gleefully singing along. Needless to say, I have a newfound respect for—and desire to be friends with—my new housemates.
But let’s rewind to Wednesday morning’s DayQuil chugging.
After realizing I was pretty sick, I decided to have a breakfast (of sorts) in bed, alongside my orange shots.
Cafe con leche de almendras
And a Clif Z-bar—pictured on my stomach, not a black backdrop.
I almost never eat bars, but I was so lazy yesterday morning. And all I wanted to do was stay in bed and blog-read. And so I did.
For two hours.
The only thing to pry me from the warmth of my comforter and the food porn of your blogs was the doorbell.
SO worth getting out of bed.
An enormously generous package from the Newman’s Own Organics Fairy, a.k.a. Sally. Thank you so much! I can’t wait to dig into ze goods—particularly the pretzels, dried fruit and Fig Newman’s.
I was oddly tempted to empty the contents onto my floor and bask in a bed of Newman’s Own goodies for a Hug-a-Carb photo shoot. I didn’t, but the temptation is still sort of lingering…
Organically excited, I decided to make my sickly self a real breakfast. (My appetite is rarely affected when I get sick. I feel like I’m the only person whose ability to eat normally is never inhibited by illness. Coughing, sneezing, chills and a fever? Psssh. I cannot be tamed. How’s your appetite when you get sick?)
I decided to make something super simple that I’ve been wanting to try since seeing it on Lindsey’s blog.
Breakfast sushi!!
3/4 pear & almond butter rolled in a whole wheat wrap; doused in cinnamon. 
This was delicious, and I definitely anticipate a few encores throughout Microwave Madness Month. Why is finger food infinitely more enjoyable than utensil-mandated food?
A little later, back in bed, I enjoyed another utensil-free food: my last honey crisp!
Yea, I told you there would be a downgrade in food presentation. Gone are the days of photogenic cinnamon-sprinkled and nut butter-drizzled slices, made possible by kitchen-y bliss. Tear.
Lunch was my D.I.Y. Egg Salad Sandwich, with a slight twist.
On top of the mayo layer, I added a little Dijon mustard.
Egg whites galore.
I didn’t think it was possible to elevate the egg-whitey excellence of this sandwich—but the Dijon addition was brilliant.
Another anticipated encore.
Remember when I grilled five zucchinis, but warned you they wouldn’t last long? By yesterday evening, that once-full-to-the-brim container looked like this.
While coming up with a dinner plan, I polished off my dear verde cheetahs.
Just as I was suffering a bout of dinner-block, Kev Thug delivered 5 glorious containers of greens!
I told him I was worried I wouldn’t get enough veggie-action throughout this kitchen-less month since I eat so many salads, and chopping/washing lettuce is not so doable. So, being the nutritionally-considerate cutie that he is, he came through with enough pre-packaged salad to tide me over for the next week. Bueno!
He also bought a ton of pre-cooked chicken—which I gladly utilized as my protein source for a hangry dinner ensalada.
I rolled several ounces of diced chicken in a bowl of Sabra’s Greek Olive hummus, and then I broiled the pieces (in the toaster oven, of course) for about 7 minutes.
I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed chicken so much. It was so flavorful. I ate about half the amount I prepared before throwing it onto my salad—simply because I couldn’t stop myself!
The remainders played in an integral role in an enormous Greek ensalada.
In the mix: approx. 39339248 fist-fulls of mixed greens, celery, green bell pepper, roasted red peppers, red onion, oil-cured olives, feta and the best chicken ever.
Drizzled with my new favorite balsamic-alternative:
Mmmmm.
The superstar bites included hummus chicken, olives and feta. So gratuitously Greek 
.
On the side, I had a green bell pepper, halved and filled with deliciousness.
By deliciousness, I mean my new favorite salsa:
This was stunningly spicy and flawlessly flavorful.
Topped off with a hummus happy trail!
Again, another approved (and encouraged) staple for kitchen-free month!
Dessert was really out of the ordinary for me. A.K.A. it wasn’t popcorn.
Another weird thing about the way I respond to sickness: I convince myself that really hot and really cold foods/drinks make me feel better. This usually means a lot of tea-chugging and uncharacteristically frequent ice cream consumption.
Last night, I got my hot and cold in during dessert.
Black and white cookie? I wish No.
No Pudge Brownie with vanilla fro-yo!
As I’ve said, I’m not a chocolate person. No Pudge brownies are the only ones I really enjoy. I think this is because I undercook them (so they are sort of pudding-ish) and prepare them with plain Greek yogurt (opposed to the vanilla yogurt called for in the directions). You have to use about double the suggested 1 tbsp. of yogurt (for the single serving preparation) since Greek yogurt is so much thicker—but I love it because the brownies come out really tangy and creamy. Maybe a devout brownie-lover wouldn’t like my method—but this is the only way I like my brownies!
The hot and cold combo was on-point, and, as usual, I convinced myself that it made me feel better.
This remedy didn’t prevail to sideline today’s sickly symptoms. So, I’m off to continue my green tea treatment.
Hope you’re all warm and toasty on this torrential Thursday!
-Sarah
47 Comments
October 15, 2009 at 6:23 pm
OK 1. I’d pretty much go nuts without a kitchen. No, I did go nuts when I was rendered mostly kitchen-less for a couple weeks. 2. Glad you liked the “breakfast sushi” (finger food is the best!) andddd 3. I LOVE Newman’s Own Organics (and Sally!). I made a killer berry almond granola with their dried berry blend they sent me. Must go buy more!
Feel better!
October 15, 2009 at 6:47 pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE Newmans Own pretzel sticks and spelt rounds! Awesome, enjoy your goodies.
Your breakfast sushi is the cutest thing ever, good idea!
October 15, 2009 at 6:47 pm
When I’m sick, I do not want to eat, let alone put effort into the appearance. Kudos to you on that!
October 15, 2009 at 7:02 pm
I enjoy no pudge brownies, too!
October 15, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Feed a cold starve the flu!
I love the idea of hummus chicken! Can’t wait to try it! Are you bychance going to do a giveaway with all those Newman’s goodies?
October 15, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I forgot about no pudge brownies!! I used to make them all the time!! I did the single serving method and always undercooked mine too!
October 15, 2009 at 7:10 pm
UGH I’m sorry you’re been so sickie! I do the same thing with Dayquil… and then the Nyquil. They’re evil… they totally know they’re getting you hooked on both at the same time (but I do it anyway
).
Genius idea with the hummus. I wonder how baked shrimp would be?
Feel better!
October 15, 2009 at 7:12 pm
I am totally hiring your kitchen crew. I hope they were singing along to Party in the USA!
Hummus rolled chicken=brilliant. I’d like to try it subbed with tofu!
October 15, 2009 at 7:14 pm
My god, that’s a huge pack of Newman’s products.
DayQ will do that for you! Just make sure you stay within the recommended range to keep Tylenol levels in range.
That Greek salad and brownie looks so good right now. Getting hungry again…
October 15, 2009 at 7:16 pm
that breakfast sushi wrap…BRILLIANT! looks so good, such creative yummy eats!
agreed,finger food is so fun
have a great night!
xo
maya
October 15, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I have such newman’s own jealousy right now. I say GOOD JOB considering the lack of a kitchen. And that breakfast sushi – I will eat that tomorrow. No question.
October 15, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Sickness does not stand in the way of my appetite either. As evidenced by the fact that I ate about 5 pieces of cake over the weekend while hacking up my left lung.
October 15, 2009 at 7:51 pm
i have yet to try newman organics anything and i’m SO jealous of your new stash!! hummus happy trail = too funny!
October 15, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Stay healthy, my little microwaving wonder. Love the hot and cold combo. I usually do that with like, hmm…cool greek yogurt + warmed up apple. Or something like that, haha!
Lucky you with that Newman’s Own package…their honey wheat (?) pretzels are amazing!!!! Enjoy.
Get well soon.
October 15, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Good to see that being kitchen free is working out!
Your dessert looks soooo good to me right now! I haven’t had low-pudge brownies in a while
October 15, 2009 at 8:28 pm
no pudge brownies are seriously the greatest. hope you feel better soon!
October 15, 2009 at 8:30 pm
I have never had no pudge…but I loved your comment the other day on my blog about going to spain and trying to explain vanilla only to the natives. I got a good LOL from that one
Love your peppers n salsa n hummus action there dear Sarah!
And feel better too!!!
xoxo
October 15, 2009 at 8:36 pm
girl, you know how to eat!! love the food.
hurray for fun packages!!
hope you feel better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 15, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Hope you feel better soon!
I like No Pudge Brownies too. Yum.
October 15, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Wow, you’re surviving very well with no kitchen. I’m impressed!
October 15, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Sick or not, I’m always a hungry beast!! Eat up those Newman’s goodies! The Hermits are delish!
Peppers and salsa are just meant to be! Love that you added hummus, that’s like taking it to the next level. Getting wild over here!
FEEL BETTER
October 15, 2009 at 8:49 pm
i LOOOOOOVE hard-boiled egg-whites. that sandwich looks AMAZE! bet it would be great with a generous shmear of hummus
October 15, 2009 at 8:50 pm
DON’T GET SICK! IT’S NOT ALLOWED! I love your kitchen-free eats. I knew you’d be creative enough to make it work.
Hummus chicken looks great. I need to try that.
October 15, 2009 at 9:10 pm
You’ll be glad to know you are expanding my Spanish vocab! Actually it’s kinda dumb, didn’t know the meaning of “almendras” so went and looked it up on my favourite translating site (wordref – how could do without you!) and of course realised that almonds would make a lot more sense than my guess of soy…. lol!
Yummy looking dinner too
Get better soon
Jem
October 15, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Oh senorita! Still feeling sick, huh? I’m sorry! But you know what? You not having a kitchen is the equivalent to me having a kitchen. Holy smokes! You are still makin’ some good lookin’ meals! I loved the unspoken TWSS comment at the beginning of your post. You are hilarious! And does Sally from Newman’s Own have an email? Dang! That’s a lot of samples! She hooked you up, girlie! And forgive me, but your green pepper looked like something else…but yo se que tus abuelos are reading…hahahha!
October 15, 2009 at 9:47 pm
OMG at that newmans own package. I love their products, I wish the newmans fairy would send me a lovely git like that!
Love the bfast sushi!! It’s my current fav way to eat my breakfast tortillas!
That egg sammie looks divine!!
October 15, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Looks like your doing pretty well so far for being kitchen-less. I mostly eat without a kitchen too since my kitchen is part of the “patient/family house” that I am the resident manager of. I’ll tell you it can be done! And that breakfast sushi is sooo cute
October 15, 2009 at 10:42 pm
I feel your pain – when my kitchen was renovated, my make-shift kitchen was too in the family room. Our pantry was on wheels, and I had to eat off of paper plates and styrofoam bowls…sad but true. You’ll make it through – a month is nothing! And plus, it looks as if you are doing just fine on the food end already…breakfast sushi = genius!
October 15, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Enjoy your NOO! Isn’t the package absolutely amazing? My fave was the honey-wheat pretzels, and the Fig Newman’s. The ginger hermit was pretty good, too!
This reminds me…I have a tub of egg salad in the fridge…must go devour some!
October 16, 2009 at 12:52 am
sorry i was completely distracted by the fact that you were woken up by banging…deets! =) dont you expect these comments from me by now…but yea that greek ish looks amazeballs! and i swear drool with that choco thing yumz…and what bon iver song on the NM soundtrack must find out asap
xx
brud
October 16, 2009 at 1:30 am
Has DayQuil always been so expensive? I guess I haven’t bought any for a while. When I’m sick, my appetite is almost non-existent. If I do get hungry, I always want frozen yogurt.
October 16, 2009 at 4:43 am
Loving the breakfast sushi! I keep on seeing the no pudge brownies on everyone’s blogs so I will be definitely tracking those bad boys down once I get home.
October 16, 2009 at 7:25 am
That breakfast sushi looks so good
And look at all of those things on that awesome package! Jealous 
The sandwich looks great too.
October 16, 2009 at 9:07 am
hope you’re feeling better love!! for a microwave-less chica you’re doing a great job..I’m definitely stealing some of these delicious ideas to try!
October 16, 2009 at 10:35 am
I heart Newman’s!
October 16, 2009 at 10:38 am
Aren’t the Newmans people the nicest ever! I love all their products!
The picture of the pepper filled with salsa and a hummus trail…reminds me of pictures from health class or something. Hahaha.
SO sorry you’re feeling poopy! I thought of you last night when I couldn’t fall asleep. Like you, it was because of meds I’d taken earlier. Lame.
My appetite is rarely affected by anything. Other than extreme stress, that is. But I can be happy, sad, snotty–it don’t matta! I still wanna eat all da time!
I hope you have a marvelous weekend, my dear! xoxo
October 16, 2009 at 10:44 am
Hummus chicken does sound delicious! And Kev Thug is a greens pimp fo sho. Love that he hooked you up.
Sorry about the sickness. Hope it subsides soon!
October 16, 2009 at 11:35 am
Ah, Hermits!! I’ve been wanting to try those forever.
And you look like you’re doing well with just a microwave! I’m going to have to start looking here for inspiration
Have an amazzzing weekend
October 16, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Hey girl! So sorry about the not feeling good! Hope you recover fast. But guesssssssss what? You won the yoga mat! Please email me itzyskitchen at gmail dot com your address and phone number and the company will be sending you your mat!
October 16, 2009 at 12:39 pm
jackpot! that newman’s package is epic — enjoy chica! and please hug a carb so I can see yo’ face
please and thank youuuu!
p.s. tell your immune system to stop being so lame and get better soon!
October 16, 2009 at 3:16 pm
hahaha my appetite never wavers. throughout illness, sickness, seasons, nervousness – i am ALWAYS hungry. haha, i am glad to know i am not the only one
October 16, 2009 at 3:30 pm
LOVE no pudge brownies and how easy they are if you just want to microwave an individual serving! I like to undercook them as well so they’re puddingish!
October 16, 2009 at 3:59 pm
[...] Contact Kitchen-Free Is the Way to Be [...]
October 16, 2009 at 9:05 pm
“Happy trail” !! Haha, you are adorable.
And ahhh Sarah! I spy Newman’s ORANGE dark chocolate. I know you’re not a major choc fan, but you have got to break into one of those bad boys. I was lucky enough to receive a newman’s box of goodies this summer, and my mom and i went through that stack of chocolate in no time! BUT, orange dark choc was my fave!!
I hope you’re feeling better… and eating more BREAKFAST SUSHI! That sounds delicious.
Ps-construction workers + miley is hiiiilarious. Have a good fri!!
October 21, 2009 at 6:26 pm
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October 23, 2009 at 5:22 pm
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