I've been eating "institutional food" for about a month now...split between...

[MiddleFingerMom]

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... the hospital and this rehab center (I believe I'm within days of getting
out). The food in each is much better than average... often very good.
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Occasionally the rehab center spikes to excellent. Saturday, they hit
"incredible".
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At lunch, the salad was grilled watermelon (I don't think it was grilled),
goat cheese and greens with a balsamic vinaigrette.
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I want that for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the duration of my stay
here!!!
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Alas...
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[hlthe2b]

1. Good for you... It shouldn't be the exception to have

healthy seasonal fresh food offerings at institutions. Unfortunately some have taken the lazy path of school systems--ridding themselves of actually cooking/prep staff and replacing with processed food offerings... Sad to say, our kids are paying the price for that "cost savings"

The salad you describe sounds delicious! (and very healthy)

[cbayer]

2. Kudos to the chef(s).

I hope you let them know.

It's not easy to cook for large groups, particularly every day and three times a day.

[MiddleFingerMom]

3. I did ask one of the nurses to relay how delighted I was with the salad!!!

[cbayer]

4. Believe me, nothing makes the kitchen staff happier than to know that the recipients are delighted.

Might be fun to request a visit back into the kitchen to meet the staff, see their set-up and just talk to them.

I know it can be mind-numbingly dull in these places at times.

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. I spent three weeks in the hospital last summer.

At first they gave me ABC food (well, it had been pulverized and not actually already been chewed but it might as well have been). When I at long last got real food, it was so so at best. I did not send my compliments to the chef. That said, I am happy to hear that you are enjoying the food. They want you to eat to recover, but then too often serve slop.

[HeiressofBickworth]

6. I've been following your trials and tribulations

for a while now. Rarely (if ever) have I seen you so delighted with something so simple as a delicious salad. Yes, we all understand your absolute thrill with TTBB, but a simple salad is extraordinary.

One wonders if the cooking staff of institutions realize that in many cases, the highlight of a patient's day is the meal. Physical therapy can be all about pain, but a well constructed meal can be pure pleasure.

Glad to hear you think you could be sprung soon. Be sure to get the salad recipe before you go. Then you can provide yourself pleasure whenever you want. (Get your mind out of the gutter!!!!!)

Best wishes.

[MiddleFingerMom]

8. I don't think there's any recipes involved, except perhaps for the vinaigrette,

,
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It had just three simple ingredients. Goat cheese and watermelon on top of greens .
Easy enough for ANYBODY of ANY cooking ability to impress the heck outta someone
with.
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Thank you for all your interesting comments and your good wishes and concerns all
throughout my journey. They have been more helpful and appreciated than you may
have imagined.
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.

[Lucinda]

7. Oh my. That sounds soo good!

May we both have healthy 2013's!
I think it's time.

[MiddleFingerMom]

9. DAMNED straight!!! Past time for both of us!

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[Fortinbras Armstrong]

10. When I was in the army in the late 1960s, I was, for a short time, a patient

At the Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Illinois (long story). I was surprised to find that, of all things, the navy bean soup was terrible.

I was transferred to the Valley Forge Army Hospital in Pennsylvania, where the food was remarkably good. And I did compliment the chef.

[MiddleFingerMom]

11. "Naval... navy bean soup was terrible"

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I was in the Army from the early-to-mid 70's and, unless you were in the bush or field, the
food served to that enormous group of people was pretty remarkable (though ESPECIALLY
so in the hospitals).
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[Fortinbras Armstrong]

12. The food at Valley Forge was fine

The navy bean soup at Great Lakes was terrible.

[japple]

13. I recently had surgery and had to spend one night in the hosp.

The clear liquids diet supper consisted of two popcicles, one container of jello, 2 cups decaf iced tea, one carbonated soft drink. Next morning, breakfast was exactly the same with decaf. coffee being substituted for the iced tea. Having just gone thru surgery for reflux, one would think they would understand that carbonated drinks were not allowed. I ate part of one popcicle (artificial banana!!!) but it was so sickeningly sweet it made me nauseous. Wonder whatever happened to beef tea and chicken broth?

When I got home, I quickly progressed to soft foods and was thrilled with homemade chicken soup and unfiltered apple juice.

[MiddleFingerMom]

14. I feel... no TASTE your pain, my friend.

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"Good food" is a relative term and I can't WAIT to get home (probably Monday -- YEEEEEHHHAAAAA!!!!!)
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[japple]

15. Hope you will be back home on Monday and get back to eating

fully seasoned, flavorful, fresh food.