Sweet potato chicken salad
For having a husband who flies planes for a living, I don’t really love flying. I see it as a necessary evil, and while I don’t have full-blown panic attacks or anything like that, it’s not my favorite thing. With every sound I’m convinced that something will happen, and each flight usually involves at least 1800 “Hail, Mary” prayers. When I flew back from LA a month or so ago, the woman next to me was chatting about her Disney conference, the turbulence was awful, and the entire time I was white-knuckling the arm rest hoping we wouldn’t go down.
Flying internationally is a liiiiiitle different than domestic. We flew Lufthansa, and the longest flight (Atlanta to Germany) was as comfortable as they could possibly make it. Free movies and TV, Wi-Fi access, hot meals (which were surprisingly delicious) and complimentary cocktails/wine.
At one point, a flight attendant was walking down the aisle with two bottles of wine saying “White or red? White or red?” It was pretty glorious. While our flights to Italy were awesome, the flights back were all very turbulent with the storms. The Pilot was trying to sleep so I couldn’t keep asking him what was happening, so my Zen mantra was just thinking about how excited I was to see Livi. It definitely worked… and seeing her after our trip was the best thing ever.
This morning, she’s been full of energy, dancing and singing, full of snuggles, and we hopped back into our routine of story time at the library, followed by a green juice. I’m also pretty sure she’s grown 4 inches since we’ve been gone!
For me, her nap time consisted of starting to tackle laundry mountain, Googling “Italian espresso maker” (not gonna happen haha) and my first foray back in the kitchen.
A salad. I’m ready for your surprised face 😉
This combo has always been one of my favorites: rotisserie chicken, greens, balsamic, goat cheese and boiled sweet potato.
Veggie friends: this is also fantastic with crumbled seasoned tempeh!
I used the “I heart kale” salad mix, along with some lemon-herb rotisserie chicken:
Topped with chopped, boiled sweet potato (boiled for 7-10 minutes, until you can piece with a fork but isn’t mushy)
A crumble of goat cheese,
drizzle of olive oil and balsamic
salt and pepper.
For dessert: some Paleo bread with fig jam + coffee 🙂
I’m excited for family dinner tonight and a quick gym workout. Hope you have a wonderful day!
xo
Gina
Flying: love it or loathe it?
Any new amazing salad combos?
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“At one point, a flight attendant was walking down the aisle with two bottles of wine saying “White or red? White or red?” <—- Amazing. That would definitely help me get through a long flight! 🙂
Seriously? ATL to Germany with free wine! That would make a long flight a lot shorter for me.
Flying used to freak me out, but when I had to travel a lot for work I got used to it. But when we flew to London for our babymoon, hubby booked us the seats that convert to little beds. It was like in the “Sex and the City” movie where they were like mini-rooms almost. The flight was almost too short 😉
I have not tried the sweet potato in a salad! I have a ‘tater and kale in the fridge, might need to rock something new for dinner tonight!
This salad looks incredible! The “white or red” question is enough to make me book a flight right now, thats awesome!
Your comment about the flight attendant and the red or white wine made me laugh. haha
I have been copying a common salad I see on menus lately:
mixed greens
gorgonzola
pear slices/chunks
walnuts
chicken (when I have it around but definitely not needed)
Sometimes I add just a little drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. I am obsessed with this combo!
Complimentary wine on a flight!?! That sounds amazing!!
Complimentary wine on a flight!?! That sounds amazing!!
Flying: I hate it! I was an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force, and I still white knuckle and pray ever time I fly. I know how safe it is, how nothing will statistically happen, and I understand the moving parts inside the aircraft, but I still freak out at take off, turbulence, and landing.
I’m with you, I hate to fly (although I used to LOVE it as a child).
Favorite salad combo lately? Spinach with egg whites, parmesan cheese, carrots and bals. vinaigrette. It’s weird, but I’m in love.
that sounds awesome!
Your salad looks amazing! Definitely going on my list of things to make. I also hate flying. I’ve had to do it a bit more for work and I’ve found if I sing a song to myself during takeoff it’s a little more manageable.
that salad looks like Fall!
Flying indeed freaks me out a bit – but that salad with sweet potato looks amazing. I think I may have to go to the grocery now!
Jay
I have to say I love flying, but I have only been on a plane 6 times. I wish I got out more often haha!
I am with you……….I don’t love flying…………I mean the take off is kind of a rush……….but I can’t really deal with being in a seat/unable to focus on reading/don’t have access to music-need noise cancelling headphones…………ugh. I like getting to my destination…….and good flight attendants……ha.
I feel exactly like you! My husband plays basketball internationally, so he is ALWAYS flying and is fine with it…me, not so much. I get exactly like you, not a full blown anxiety or panic attack, but every time there is turbulence or some bumpy air…I sweat! I think I’ve gotten worse over the years. I’ve flown internationally at least 2 times a year, and it hasn’t gotten better! haha
I hate flying. I’ve gotten better as I’ve gotten older, but the longer I go between trips that involve flying, the less I want to do it again. I wish teleportation was an option!
That salad looks fantastic, by the way. Sweet potato and goat cheese were meant for each other.
I don’t mind flying that much. I’ve definitely gotten a little more anxious (and developed motion sickness somewhere along the way) about it since having my son, though. My best flight experience by far was on South African Airlines. The snacks were hoagie sandwiches and desserts! Along with our blankets and pillows, we got lavender-scented eye masks and mint socks to keep our circulation going. They were so comfortable I brought them home and wore them for months around the house during the winter 🙂 LAN is also a pretty good airline. We’ve traveled with them quite a bit since we go visit family in South America fairly often!
I never thought of putting sweet potato on my salad before! Looks good. I don’t mind flying but if I didn’t have to do it, I wouldn’t. I’m fine as long as there is no turbulence. 🙂
I’m just like you when I fly! We fly Southwest often, and I always seem to get squished in the middle seat and separated from my family, which I hate because there’s no one to talk to when I get nervous! I did recently learn from a flight attendant that flying over the desert heat makes it even more turbulent, so at least now I feel like it’s not just the plane about to go down 🙂
Wow that sounds like one delish salad! I can not wait to see more photos from your trip! I have never been to Italy, still trying to conquer Asia! My fav salad combo right now is green apple, grapes, kale + spinach, chicken with pepper and cukes all massaged in LEMON juice, so simple but so FRESH! Lots of love your way C
I’m definitely a nervous flier. I used to be fine when I was younger, but somehow as I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten a lot more nervous. I want to get over it (or at least be able to hide it convincingly) so I don’t pass it on to my kids in the future!
I usually bake my sweet potatoes – I’ll have to try boiling them since it is so much faster!
I love goat cheese and sweet potatoes! always a good combo. I must make this salad 🙂
I’ve only taken one international flight & it was by far the best flight I’ve ever taken. Alitalia airlines into Rome. Complimentary spirits, free movie, meals for everyone which included a baby bel cheese round, pillow, blanket. I felt like royalty in coach. On the way home my husband & I were lucky enough to have 3 seats to ourselves so we stretched out. I feel like the flight attendants were more forgiving. They didn’t mind if you stood for awhile to stretch your legs as I am a person who does not sit much.
I love international flights with wine 🙂 When we mobilized to Australia last year, Qantas upgraded our tickets to first class. Not only did they give us bottles of wine to take home with us (true story), everyone gets these matching full piece, grey pyjamas and face masks to wear! We couldn’t stop laughing as the flight attendants were going around, tucking in full grown businessmen in their little PJs.
I used to be a Flight Attendant, so I love flying. It is especially nice to be on the side of the customer after years of serving the passengers 🙂
I was flying with Swissair and we had free wine, champagne and predinner drinks like campari, bloody mary, gin tonic etc. – our passengers definitely got spoiled and I loved it 🙂
I love flying! Even when it’s really turbulent- it feels like an amusement ride.
My flight to London (from Canada) also had free tv/movies and free wine. Definitely a much better way to fly than without those little extra touches 🙂
I hate flying too! Every little bump makes me freak out.
Love the look of this salad though. Anything with sweet potato in it is a winner for me!
I’m interested in how the Pilot handles flying as a passenger? I’m sure as an expert it would be helpful to know exactly what each sound meant, etc, but I wonder how that affects the whole experience for him. Just curious 🙂
he doesn’t seem to mind it– he’s usually sleeping haha
I love flying…if it is a direct flight. I HATE layovers. Not sure why, but I despise them. That salad sounds so simple and delicious. I will need to try it asap!
LOVE flying! I love looking out the window. Which is really odd because I’m afraid of heights.
I definitely want to try this salad, what would be a better cheese choice? I’m not a goat cheese fan.
My salad of choice lately is spinach with spicy breakfast potatoes reheated and topped with honey mustard vinaigrette.
Also loving cucumber, tomato salad with cottage cheese, freshly ground pepper and sunflower seeds.
do you like feta? that would be awesome, too 🙂
I don’t mind flying at all; I just hate the airport part of it. This is the second post of the blogs I follow involving sweet potato on a salad, and I love it! Over the weekend I had a similar salad for the first time ever (frankly, I haven’t eaten that much sweet potato in my day), and now I’m addicted. I pretty much want one at every meal!
I normally really enjoy flying, I like airports and people watching. When we hit turbulence it is not fun though.
I flew Lufthansa in May over to Germany, and it was easily the best international and domestic flight I’ve ever taken. The food, the wine, the warm face wipes, top notch for sure! Good choice!
i had no idea flying could be that awesome haha!
Buy a moka pot! It’s the best way to make espresso and is way cheaper than a big appliance. It goes on the stovetop, and once you get the hang of it, it’s really easy and SO delicious!
You should def try this type of salad, only with roasted butternut squash and a bit of arugula mixed in. To die for!
Oooh, Paleo bread recipe? It sounds so yummy! And that salad looks beautiful! I’m trying to catch up on your Italy posts right now. How exciting!!! 🙂
Do you make your Paleo bread with Almond meal or almond flour? Trying to find almond flour has proved difficult.
i use almond meal (from trader joe’s) and it works great
I love sweet potatoes, but the husband gets a little tired of them all the time. I recently used a lima bean salad as a topper for my salad greens. Recipe -> http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/lamb-kebabs-with-lima-bean-salad-00000000050988/index.html
I hate flying too and I’m just like you when on a plane. In fact, I just wrote a post on my own blog about that last week! I’m getting ready to go to Florida in a few months and already starting to get nervous.
I literally lol from your description of you flying because it sounded exactly like me. I know as soon as we take off i will be sweating and white knuckling the seat until I feel absolutely no bumps in the air! They say it is safer than flying but I still like these 2 feet on still ground 🙂
haha! glad to know i have a flying twin out there 😉 it’s even worse when tom is with me because the whole time i’m asking him what’s happening