Coming to You Directly from the Mothership, Top of the Chocolate Milky Way

When my doctor's nurse asked me if I preferred the 'other' location for my ear exam I wasn't thinking.  I could go anywhere easily, it's New York.  But the specialist was located on the Upper East Side and it was too early in the morning for me to understand express trains and all of that.  So, I ended up 20 blocks up from my destination and about 4 lonnnnng blocks across town.  It was raining of course and so my plan of getting there early and taking a cute stroll was squashed.  Instead I was running with an umbrella like a rat through a maze.  I stuck my finger in my ear at night like the fool that I am and did some damage but apparently not permanent.  I lost some hearing, which has become a great tool at work when I want to ignore stupid people, shaming them afterwards saying I apologize I have a 'bad ear'.

After the appointment I met a friend and we were to walk through Central Park and have lunch at the Boathouse.  But spring was in a horrid mood that morning and we had a winter like drizzle with super cold temps leaving you just wanting to go inside to get warm.  We took the walk and thank God for good conversation because it was a miserable day.

But even on her worst day, Manhattan still takes my breath away.  The park, Times Square, the Village, the rich fucks on the upper East side, it's all pretty darn inspiring.

We ended up sacking the Boathouse idea and ducked into a diner on Lexington.  Diners are comforting.  They bring you hot coffee and I love the ultra efficiency, the flow they have going and do so well.  You don't realize you're on the conveyor belt until that check comes and you have about 5 minutes to get the hell out before they need the table and the bus boy starts giving you the stink eye.

New York City really is incredible and as exciting as advertised even with it's homogenized makeover.  So much is untouched or has morphed into something even more dark after they tried to clean it up, like Times Square.  That is one creepy ass place.   No where have I felt such a bad funk.  I love going there.  Funk not only moves, it can remove!

I went home and made a kitchen sink salad, which included everything I could think of including cannellini beans, carrots, eggs, tomatoes, strawberries, sweet onions, olives, baby spinach, avocado, turkey bacon.  A lot to take in.

Tear the Roof Off the Sucker!

I mentioned PathMark seems to be run by new management. Lots of cosmetic changes, light remodeling, cleaning, prices sky-rocketing on lots of items. Is this the trade off? It sure would be great to start having some trust in the relationship with that meat counter again, especially regarding the chicken. Then again, it almost feels like they need to just completely overhaul the place to make a true difference. New floors, ceilings, fixtures. Some additions are positive though. Like these huge 'bag o' greens', a mix of baby spinach, bok choi, swiss chard, etc...and get this, for $2.99! What a bargain! I add big heaps to everything from eggs, soups, beans, pastas.

Spiral pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, smoked turkey sausage, lots of greens and olive oil. Oh Yeah!

One Nation Under a Groove

Somehow this week all the food in the fridge made friends and played well together in my mouth! It was a regular swinger's party for the herbs. I put them in all the food.

I took half a value pack of chicken thighs and poached them. All these commercials for some new fast food chicken sandwich had me dreaming of a cool chicken and apple salad. Cut up chunks of that poached chicken, equal sized cubes of green apple sprinkled with lime, some of that basil and mint,crisp radishes, and red onions. A tablespoon of real mayo mixed with yogurt and lots of fresh dill, pinch of cayenne for dressing.


Then since I had all that mint, I attempted Tabbouleh with Bulgar wheat, tons of Italian parsley, mint, cold cucumber, tomato and lots of fresh lemon juice. This is invigorating and refreshing and I want to have it every day! Lemony goodness with this amazing grain that is not mushy or starchy. Bulgar even sounds strong. And would you get a load of that parsley! Four cups of parsley. Holding the dish down.... and succeeding.

The melon that didn't make it into a health shake this week was ripe and singing a sweet song of cool softness.