BBQ Chicken Salad w./ Spicy Lime Salad Dressing

I've been trying to come up with something that could improve the quality of my lunch recently.  Sandwiches, a banana, and a pudding cup (or whatever), get boring after weeks of the same old thing.  I like taking a salad now and again, but that gets boring, too.  My wife has tried to up the ante on our daily lunches by getting many more fresh veggies, which puts pressure on making sure we get through them before they go to waste.  In a scenario with many, MANY packages of veggies, the best option is in fact to make a salad.  We decided to go a bit different this time around, and put a little spin on the normal "lettuce, cheese, dressing" type of salad that had become normal when packing a lunch in a hurry.

Low Sodium Sweet and Sour Chicken

                                                                                                                                                                           

Who else has procrastinated on eating healthy for the year 2013?  Well, the cold weather is almost over and the time to get in shape is running out. So lets get started on what you'll need to make some healthy sweet and sour chicken that tastes like it was fresh from the local Chinese Restaurant.  It will keep you in line with your goal of losing weight, and it's a heart healthy alternative to ordering out. Here's what you'll need:

Justin's #IndyEats Bucket List

Well here we are, another point of change....

I feel as though this is the weirdest possible way for me to announce this, but as of June, I (Justin) will be moving to the Tampa area with my wife so that she can pursue a promotion with the company she works for.  I am sad to leave Indy, as I have lived here for the last 8 years, and I will forever think of this place as my home.  Nonetheless, the opportunity for her to pursue her career, and for me to attend school for cheap (FL in-state tuition is nearly $1,200 cheaper vs. IUPUI) is just too good to pass up.  Although I am sad to leave my snowy state of IN, I am happy for the doors that this will open up for Mealightenment to expand again.

Hearty (Homemade) Beef Stew

A few weeks ago while grocery shopping, I was looking for something I could make that would not require a lot of work.  You see, recently I've found that a lot of low-grade recipes have been more my speed.  With my work schedule getting more insane, school getting a bit more tedious, and my personal picking up and leaving the city in a few months, my brain feels like it's going in a million directions.  After a day involving any of the above, the last thing I wanna do, is cook something that will require a lot of time or attention.  Thank goodness while cruising through the meat case at Marsh, I saw the thick cut beef for stews, and immediately thought Beef Stew.

Papa Roux Part 1

Everyone I know has a top three as far as restaurants go. Those places that either have the best food in the city, the best atmosphere or offers you a unique experience you can't get anywhere else... and for some reason, it feels special to you every time you go. Maybe it reminds you of the TV Show Cheers, "where everybody there knows your name." Maybe the food makes your mouth explode with flavor! Maybe every time you have been there, it has been the best social experience ever. In my opinion, Papa Roux has hit home on every one of those aspects for me! I have been going to Papa Roux for about a year and a half, and I have introduced at least 30 people to this glorious food pit stop.

Filipino Fanatic

I once saw a saying about the Philippines. It read, "Where else is it completely normal to eat 5 large meals a day?"  Trust me, it makes sense, and once you've had a taste of some Filipino favorites you will completely understand.

Growing up Filipino was always great when it came to the taste and amount of food. We used to wrap our dining table up with newspaper, dump a large box of crabs, invite family over and feast! It seemed like the delicious amounts of food would never end. That is, until I decided to move out. There are only a select few Filipino dishes that I know how to cook, so actually finding a small Filipino restaurant in Indianapolis had me more excited than a kid in a candy store.  

3 Great Suggestions for Valentine's Dinner Date

My wife and I have been together for several years.  Over that time, we've been able to eat at a few establishments in Indy for Valentine's Day.  I've had some pretty stellar experiences, and some that also weren't so great.  I've had very expensive meals (to try and impress her), and we've also considered White Castle once (but you've got to make reservations?!?!).  Regardless of service, and whatever your price range, I've got a few different restaurant suggestions that I've tried or would recommend to anyone this week, and some helpful tips to get your foot in the door for date night this Thursday.

Let's jump right in and talk about my Top 3 Places to Eat this Valentine's Day: