Come Pick Me Up, Come Take Me Out

Supporting local businesses!  Yeah, that's the ticket to indulging in take-out lunch specials on days when you could cook but you just can't bring yourself to do it.  You want to eat healthy, but you also want some indulgence.  You planned to plan ahead but you waited too long and now your stomach is making the choices.  If you cohabitate, this is a very familiar place to be.  One hopes the other will 'figure out the meal', so you wait it out and both come up with zeroes.  Grouchy and famished, decision-making can then turn dark.

This is the perfect time to surrender, admit you have no power and order out.  Of course you can still make semi-appropriate choices, like these vegetable heavy bowls (mine had glass noodles underneath, which are heavenly in their light sauce) from Yori Bowl.  Sure, I was weaker and chose the Korean fried chicken chunks in a delicious sauce while P went for the Spicy Pork.  I try not to have food regret, which is a delicate balance, because I also try not to get heavy in weight, as my short frame can't handle much extra stomach bulge or else I begin to feel constricted and lethargic.  

If your biggest problem is that you can't figure out what to eat for lunch, you must remind yourself that life is still pretty effing great.  

Don't Dream It's Over

Spaghetti Carbonara

A girl and her pasta. Pasta to women is like ponies for little girls.  I dreamed of a pasta diner that includes a slew of girly pasta dishes to delight in. I thought of a room made to look like a teen's bedroom with posters and record players, plants and colorful eccentric knick-knacks.  A place for girlfriends to chat for hours while slurping down oodles of noodles of every variety and of course a vintage dessert of the day.  I'd still love to eat at a place like that but also think a drive through pasta pick-up establishment could be awesome too.  A no nonsense biz where you could pick up a vat of piping hot pasta to-go in quart containers.  Only a few choices, but done very well.  

Any way you can get it, it's important to create a giant bowl for yourself and lavish in one of the many delicious classics.  

It's All for You

A simple Taco bowl is a great meal to make for yourself when you're feeling ill but need nourishment, something to stick to the gut and aid in restful sleep, but easy.  Spiced Ground turkey, cheesy beans with corn and hot sauce as the dressing, maybe some pickled jalapenos and sour cream over sturdy crunchy, cool lettuce brings all the textures together in a dish spicy enough to wake up your ailing taste buds, yet comforting.

Months later than this day, I watched Janet Jackson's reemergence after 7 years on the American Music Awards and she looked fabulous, age appropriate, cute as a button and her icon speech left me in tears.  She said sincerely to keep God close in whatever you do because that's where he wants to be.  I thought that was the best thing said in an award speech in ages.  She stressed hard work but more importantly that she was in it for the music, always as was her family and that fame should not be the driving force.  This year they wheeled out all the old broads, Gloria Estafan, Gwen Stefani (who also did a great job btw), Jen Lopez hosted the show and danced like she was 25, all well over 50 ladies.  And as SZA's ass and breasts tried to bust out and have their television debut, it was a reminder that the sexualization of women in all genres seems to be going backwards.  Some say by choice this time, but really? 

Sick as a Dog, What's Your Story?

A sick day dinner plate that was better than most meals I make while feeling well rested.  Roasted Briny Chicken over cheesy polenta, fresh green beans with mushrooms and sauteed cabbage with garlic.

Resting on the couch with a calm, sleeping cat is priceless, healing, zen hoodoo.

Riding to work feeling ill but still appreciating the first blooming trees of spring

Ducks on the pier reminding me to breathe and be still.