keep your diet real

There is something about an egg salad sangwich that makes me want to play bingo…

My Nan and Gramp, who lived in South Florida, played a lot of bingo. When my brother and I would visit them during the winter, they would take us to play bingo with them. Bingo is no joke in South Florida. If you have never played bingo at a retirement center with a room full of senior citizens, I would recommend trying it at least once in your life. It is really something to marvel at. These people mean business. There’s no time for polite conversation, “Oh, hi Mrs. Wilkens. How are you enjoying the beautiful weather?” No. Learn from my mistakes. Keep your trap shut or you will be sneered at and shunned. Whatever you do, don’t win… especially if the prize is cash! One time I won $12 and was called a “whippersnapper”. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term, “whippersnapper” is basically a swear word in retirement communities.

Anyway, back to the sangwich. My Gramp, who had a strong New England accent, used to say “sangwich” instead of sandwich. Sangwiches are better than sandwiches. It’s a fact. My brother and I ate egg salad sangwiches after a grueling night of bingo. It’s a simple sangwich but there is something about the combination of ingredients that recharged us and built our morale. If you do play bingo, I suggest taking along some egg salad. You might need it.

Ingredients

• 6 eggs (hardboiled, cooled and chopped)
• 1 small onion (diced)
• 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise (I like real mayo but you can use a lower fat version if you prefer)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• ½ avocado (thinly sliced)
• 1 vine ripened tomato (sliced)
• 1 cup sprouts
• A few thin slices of red onion
• Whole wheat bread (or bread of choice …100% whole wheat is generally a healthier option)

Directions

1. Hardboil the eggs (cook eggs for 5 minutes in boiling water and then allow eggs to sit for 10 additional minutes in the hot water before removing from the shell)
2. Once the eggs have cooled (about 10-15 minutes) chop them with an egg slicer or a knife and place in a large bowl
3. Dice the onion and add to the eggs
4. Add the mayo and salt and pepper
5. Stir mixture with spoon
6. Layer a scoop of egg salad on the bread, followed by tomato, sprouts, and red onion
7. Serve with a side of sliced carrots or another raw veggie. Makes 4 sandwiches
8. Play bingo

Have you ever been called a “whippersnapper”?