Thursday, June 10, 2010

Overwhelmed



Surrounded by unopened boxes, what am I doing right now? Blogging, of course. When in need of distraction - what could be better?

For some reason this move has been harder than the last two. I am having a very difficult time throwing out food that was in storage for two years. With so many hungry - it seems such a travesty. But without knowing what is spoiled and what is not, most of it is going. The temperatures in Minnesota are extreme, leaving even canned goods suspect. The boxes remain stacked next to the pantry. They've been there a week so far.

On top of a move, we will have company tonight and tomorrow night. My nephew is graduating high school and family will be here from out of town. I need to make a cabbage salad - an absolute favorite of my family, and requested by my sister:

Fume Chicken Salad

1/2 head cabbage, shredded
4 green onions, chopped
2 TBL sesame seeds, toasted
1/2 C slivered almonds, toasted
1 chicken breast (marinated in teriyacki sauce) - cooked, cooled, sliced thinly
1 pkg Top Ramen noodles (without seasoning), crumbled

Dressing

1/2 C canola oil
3 TBL rice vinegar (I always use more)
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt or soy sauce
1/2 pkg dry mixture from soup

Just before serving, break up dry Ramen noodles; add dressing and toss.

I always double this recipe, as it goes that fast!

My brother just called for directions to my house. Eek!

27 comments:

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Mmmm, that salad sounds absolutely divine...If you serve that to your brother, I'm sure he won't even notice the boxes ;-) Moving is sooo hard...my thoughts and heart are with you...with I could help...but I'm afraid that by the time I got there, you'd be done :-) Wishing you ALL the best!!! Love, Janine XO

R. J. said...

Sounds like a good recipe. I'll try it.

Brian Miller said...

mmm...the recipe sounds good...maybe if you made enough of it you could call it an unboxing party and have them help! smiles.

Lori said...

Wow! You've moved! To Minnesota? I live in Minnesota!

I am so far behind since I've been mia for these past few months..I am thankful for this opportunity to stop by and visit. I had so hoped to play catch up but soon realized I will never catch up. :) I have moved so many times and remember all too well the unpacking. Eventually it does get done. :)

I have made this salad before but have never thought of adding the chicken. Yummy! I will have to try that.

God willing I will be back to visit you soon! XX Lori

karen said...

Here you are overwhelmed with moving...and offering us your wonderful recipe for cabbage salad. How nice of you. And I think I've had this salad...it's awesome.
I see what you mean about throwing out food when so many are in need. It's refreshing to hear that someone actually cares about that.
Thanks for the recipe. Hope you have a productive day.

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Stuck inside today with lots of swimmers in, reading and catching up on all my blog buddies. Glad that you were able to find a good spot to lease for a bit. Hope all goes well as you begin your sifting process on waht is a treasure and what can go. Having alraedy down-sized, I can tell you, it will be a stroll down memeory lane and you will keep things in the first go through that you will later discard. Have fun!

pam said...

Moving and company and you still manage to make a great salad. Impressive!

Kathy G said...

I completely understand blogging when you have a lot to do :-)

Unknown said...

I am back from a trip to PA and onto blogging again, so returned here to see what was up with you...I can so much relate to all your "moving" experiences....recipe sounds good. I donated so much to the Women's clothes closet when we moved to MN from CA, then I donated more as I toned up and lost weight in MN. It is fascinating what we accumulate. Be thankful you have the blog diversion--I didn't have that when we were moving! It might have helped. Carry on you will make it!

Cloudia said...

Hang in there!



Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

I'm coming to your place for dinner - and to help you unpack!

Marguerite said...

That salad looks fab! Thanks for sharing! It took me months to unpack, when I moved. It'll all get done, sooner or later. Meanwhile enjoy your company!

Gemel said...

Moving is always unsettling, just go with it, the body has to adjust to all that is happening, so much to do, so little time(?)
Cooking is always a way for me to calm myself and merge with the new, seems like you do the same.

Just be, all is wonderful....

Pat said...

We make a very similar salad. When we toast the sesame seeds, we throw in the almonds AND the noodles.

Just take one room at a time. Set small goals. You can do this.

Throw the food out. Don't feel any guilt. Better to throw it out than poison the homeless, right?

Joanna Jenkins said...

This is one of my very favorite chicken salad recipes EVER! now I know what I'm having for dinner tomorrow night.

Thanks,
jj

California Girl said...

Had the same issues during our Dec move. Threw out alot of food about which I was concerned.

Perhaps the move is harder this time because you're a bit older? I say that with all due respect. It was incredibly hard for us. We were dumb enough to do it ourselves. Never again!

Marlene said...

Moving is always very hard for me and overwhelming..the unpacking the strangeness of the new home..Those boxes..I used to just stare and not know where to start..Best wishes in your new home..I did not know it was MN?? I will try the salad..never had it..sounds easy fast and tasty my type! xo Marlene

The Good Cook said...

Nancy - I know how you feel about throwing food away. I recently went through our emergency camping supplies (don't ask) and threw away canned goods. It's very hard - but necessary when expiration dates or storage is suspect. Make a donation to your local food pantry to take the burn off the guilt.

That chicken salad sounds interesting! My sister makes a cabbage salad with Ramen noodles that is really good - now I'm going to have to make your version with chicken - YUM!

DJan said...

It will get better... but not without a lot of work. The salad sounds good, Nancy. Hope you give yourself permission to rest a little.

Anonymous said...

sounds exhausting to move, but i always love it for some reason, just something about having a new start. That salad sounds yummy i will have to try it!

Delwyn said...

Hi nancy

throw it out....and give thanks for the good food you have...


Thank you for this recipe. I have something similar but it came at the perfect time. I was just wondering how to use a cold chicken in the fridge..

Happy days unpacking

Anonymous said...

The salad sounds fabulous... I hope you had/are having a great time with your family... will look forward to the stories :))

Nancy said...

Thanks everyone for your support. I know I'm lacking in visiting all of you - which I hope to remedy soon! But for the record the move was from Tahoe (our temporary home) to Reno with our things coming out of storage in Minnesota (after two years). I know - confusing!

GYPSYWOMAN said...

yes, definitely, we should all come over and have a box unpacking party and each bring a "box" lunch for 4 plus drinks - what time is good for you? ;)

i've moved so many times, it's just like another day but the whole packing thing is really not my cup of tea in the grand scheme of the move - i love the move just not the associated necessity of packing -

sending you lots of energetic and caring thoughts!!! have a great day - and thanks so much for such a neat recipe!

Reya Mellicker said...

Oh man. I'm going to be in this same condition in a month. Yikes!! May order prevail over chaos.

Hilary said...

That sounds absolutely delicious. I hope you relaxed long enough to enjoy dinner.

~JarieLyn~ said...

Mmm Mmm good. Boy, does that salad sound tasty. I am so hungry right now. I'm having a colonoscopy tomorrow so no food for me today. Your recipe and the photo is making me salivate and the growls in my stomach are reaching high levels of noise volume.