The chicken salad sandwich gets a healthy, 21 Day Fix makeover using protein-packed greek yogurt instead of mayo, pecans and fruit all in a whole wheat pita pocket. A delicious on-the-go lunch that you can hold in one hand!
As I write this, my 3-year-old is having a tantrum. Maybe you’re wondering what about. Maybe not. Truth be told, I fall into the latter category. I have no idea what it’s about and I kind of don’t care. Is that terrible? She didn’t sleep very well last night, so she’s having one of those days where every little thing sets her off (earlier I glanced in her direction and she yelled, “Don’t LOOK at meeee!!”, then stomped off to her room) and honestly, if I stopped what I was doing every time she had a freak-out on a day like this, I’d never get anything done. Ever.
But it’s days like this when everything feels chaotic and I have a laundry list of things to do that I’ll find myself thinking thoughts like, “Maybe I’ll skip my workout today and do a double tomorrow.” or “Maybe I’ll get it in later.” BTW, I don’t have time for doubles and I NEVER get it in later. It sounds like a reasonable argument though, right? Because tomorrow will be the day I do doubles. Even though I’ve never been able to convince myself to do them before.
I feel great after a workout!
I’ll be disappointed or even irritated with myself the rest of the day.
This same work out next week won’t be as good as it could have been. I might even be sore when I normally wouldn’t.
I’ll miss out on the sense of accomplishment that comes after a workout.
I won’t have the same amount of energy for the rest of my day that I have when I work out.
“I wish I wouldn’t have made time for that workout.” – said no one EVER. Some days are tough, believe me, I get it. They’re tough for me, too. All you can do is your best to get that workout in and you’ll never regret it. Anyway, with the wailing of my child, that was on my mind so I thought I’d share. I’ll step down from the pulpit now, promise!
So, speaking of promises (you’re welcome for that amazing segue, btw), I promised you a recipe, didn’t I?! How about a delicious lunch that you can make ahead, hold in one hand and is savory, creamy, crunchy and sweet?
It’s so easy to get stuck eating one or two things for our lunches (I’m looking at you, Salad with tuna, egg and balsamic vinaigrette!) when they’re easy and/or convenient, but as Buffy the Vampire slayer once said, “Variety is the spice of fun!” so to that end, here’s my fixified Waldorf Chicken Salad Pita Pocket!
You will not miss the mayo in this chicken salad! Honestly, I was skeptical, but thought I’d try it out to see how it went with just the yogurt and it was SO GOOD!! All of the flavors and textures go so well together and it really reminds me of Arby’s Chicken Salad Market District Sandwich. The best part (to me anyway) is that it’s like a sandwich but only uses half of a yellow (a carb, for my non-fixers). If you made a regular sandwich, it would use two yellows (which, for a lot of people, is all they get in a day!) Maybe I could say the word “sandwich” just one more time. Sandwich. Ok, I’m done. Enjoy!
*You can make the chicken salad ahead on your prep day and then just fill your pita with the chicken mixture and the spinach right before you’re going to eat it. Yum!
Made this for lunch today with some leftover chicken. Threw together in just a few minutes and was absolutely delicious! I doubled the apple and grapes because I struggle to get my purple containers in. I never would have known This was made with yogurt instead of mayo. Made a ton. Had it in a wrap, and on a salad. This will likely be made weekly!
Yay! I’m so glad! I know what you mean, I was skeptical about making it without mayo and then I tried it and loved it 🙂 So happy you did too!!
Wich ingredient would count for 1/2 blue container?
Thanks for all your good recipes.
The pecans are the 1/2 blue. 🙂 Thanks for trying my recipes, Joey!
Thanks, Katy! I love ranch too! I’ll have to get back to you on the whole wheat pita bread… I’m out of town right now and I can’t remember the name of the brand that I use! We get ours at Meijer and since they only carry one brand at my store I never paid too much attention to the name of it (it might actually be the stores brand.) I’ve found that most stores carry different brands – there doesn’t really seem to be a “name brand” that you can get at multiple places. I’ve never gotten one that I haven’t liked though, so just see what your store has and I’m sure it’ll be great!