Lunch Ideas!

milkmaid braids & new glasses!

I have a confession: I have been so goddamn busy that I don't eat lunch.

New Year's Resolutions: Update!

I have been doing yoga every day since I made my New Year's Resolutions. I've actually been doing about 45 minutes per day, instead of my minimum of 15, but I still do 15-minute sessions when I'm not feeling up to a big yoga commitment

One thing I've noticed is that lots of people who do yoga focus excessively on mastering new poses, and trying so hard to look experienced and talented at yoga. I feel like this is the opposite of what yoga is supposed to be.

Garlic: A Love Story

I love garlic. I put it in everything. I like 3 cloves on top of my pizza, 4 in my meatloaf, and 1 sautéed and added to my mac and cheese. Dishes without garlic feel lacking, now that I'm addicted. I like picking out tiny, misshapen, organic bulbs at the Farmer's Market with guttural, eastern-bloc-sounding names; I like going to my grocery store and buying super-white bulbs from a pile of garlic that looks all the same (like the daisies in Harold & Maude, anyone?), or grabbing one elephant bulb and calling it a day. I break open the papery skin  and little pods appear, waiting to be cracked with the flat side of a knife, peeled by increasingly sticky fingers, and minced into delicious submission.

It is the most magical food in the world, and there are also health benefits to eating loads of garlic:

+ Natural antibiotic
+ Prevents blood clots
+ Antioxidant
+ Acne-cure
+ Delicious*
+ Lowers bad cholesterol and blood pressure
+ Fights infections
+Anti-cancer components

*Okay, delicious is not a physical health benefit but it sure as hell benefits your mental health to eat tasty food.

So, add a clove of garlic to something new today. But make sure the person you're eating with eats it too, or they will probably hide in the other room until you've eaten and brushed your teeth. You have to be garlicky together!

source

New Year's Resolutions!

I generally do not make new year's resolutions because I am both lazy and wholly unenchanted by the idea of the new year, in general. But, this year I am making one. Making a list of new year's resolutions is sort of a resolution in itself, because making personal care goals for myself is something that I normally shirk in favor of homework, cleaning, and unnecessarily fermenting my mind in anxious thought. But I want to take care of myself, because I probably deserve it (okay so I'm not entirely convinced), even though my anxiety and depression tell me that I don't, and that there are more pressing matters to worry about than feeling happiness, or comfort. These goals are small because my aims are meant to be gradual. I, like lots of other people, fall off the self-care wagon ten times more quickly if I make my goals too lofty.

Here goes.

1. At least fifteen minutes of yoga every day (more, if able/desired)

2. Two full Nalgenes of water every day (64 ounces)

3. Do one thing to combat anxiety every day (yoga, therapy?, meditation, workbooks)

4. Eat more fruits and vegetables

5. Pack a lunch every day (cause otherwise I day-starve, then night-binge)

The last three aren't 100% self-care related, but here they are:

6. Be a better partner, every day in every way

7. Get a 4.0 for my last semester of university

8. Find a job for post-graduation, any job, that makes enough money to support myself

So those are my eight new year's resolutions. Some are big, some are small, but I can't help but think about what an act of self-care it is to even bother making such goals. Happy 2012, everyone!

Honey Pecan Banana Bread

It was so good that I didn't even get to take a picture before it was half gone! This banana bread is simple, delicious, uses lots of bananas, and doesn't use any oils/shortening -- just butter.

Garlic Fettucine Alfredo with Sautéed Greens

Let me just say that this is a quick and cheap recipe. I'd like to post again when I can make everything from scratch (well, except the fettucine; I don't have a pasta attachment for my Mixmaster yet!), but right now that's not an option, even though I'd like it to be. Another time.

Happy Holidays!

I had a wonderful long week at home, with loads of Christmas celebrations with family and delicious food and time to rest and read. Here are a few of the cooking-related gifts I received...