At least I didn't eat meat after midnight. The second that ball dropped, and Jenny McCarthy started making out with random servicemen, I grabbed the hummus and salsa for good and held on tight. Even when my friend's husband offered me meatball after meatball, I persevered like a crack addict who knows that the next hit will kill her.
Then I went to bed.
But the mushrooms were amazing and the hummus and salsa that my date brought were awesome. It's not that I didn't ultimately have options, it's just...you know what, forget it. That was last year's problem.
But the mushrooms were amazing and the hummus and salsa that my date brought were awesome. It's not that I didn't ultimately have options, it's just...you know what, forget it. That was last year's problem.
This morning, when I woke up -- completely not hungover and laughing at the fact that #WaffleHouse trending on Twitter -- I resolved to set the day right. I was going to use the Bayberry burn-time today to go through the cookbook, and figure out what I wanted to do with the things I had on hand and making the list of the few little things that I might need to round it all out.
Since it's New Year's Day, I figured the Southern-Style Beans and Rice Soup (pg. 155, 8pp if 4 servings; 5 if 6) would be perfect. There would be black eyed peas for the start of the year, and the collard greens would be mixed into the broth, and it would be a perfect way to ease into the taste of a vegetable that, despite my southern upbringing, completely intimidates me.
Long story short, though, I couldn't find any black eyed peas. Though I usually pick them up during Christmas week, that didn't happen this year. And, let's just say that finding them on New Year's Day itself is a damn near-impossible prospect. Oh forget the "near" part, it's downright not happening.
Oh well, the collard greens will keep for another day. It's just an eye-opener though because I'm finding that I really don't have a clue what to do when things go south. In the past, if I couldn't find what I needed for the recipe I was planning, I'd look at the basket, think through the contents of my fridge, and shift gears accordingly. Trouble is, in the past, there were no restrictions. Now that there are, it's a bit like showing up for a softball game and being told that you're going to play regulation football on the field instead.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the first thing Alice encounters after she hits the rabbit hole is the DRINK ME bottle and the EAT ME cake. Despite what happened to her after she followed the instructions, it would be nice to have signage like that, at least during these early days.
I know it'll get easier. I hope that one day soon, I'll be standing at the grocers or the market, not seeing the ingredient I want and being able to adjust accordingly. I just need to remind myself that not everything comes as easily as others. Case in point: I'm a marathoner now, but I wasn't always. When I first decided to take up running, I was thirty lbs overweight and slow as a drunk penguin. It also took me three days to recover from a half. I kept with it, though, and five years later, I think nothing of busting out a decently-paced half marathon distance after work and showing up at the office the next day.
But until I get to that point, I'll be eternally grateful for marinara sauce, salads, and pre-mixed vegan Indian. :)
Since it's New Year's Day, I figured the Southern-Style Beans and Rice Soup (pg. 155, 8pp if 4 servings; 5 if 6) would be perfect. There would be black eyed peas for the start of the year, and the collard greens would be mixed into the broth, and it would be a perfect way to ease into the taste of a vegetable that, despite my southern upbringing, completely intimidates me.
Long story short, though, I couldn't find any black eyed peas. Though I usually pick them up during Christmas week, that didn't happen this year. And, let's just say that finding them on New Year's Day itself is a damn near-impossible prospect. Oh forget the "near" part, it's downright not happening.
Oh well, the collard greens will keep for another day. It's just an eye-opener though because I'm finding that I really don't have a clue what to do when things go south. In the past, if I couldn't find what I needed for the recipe I was planning, I'd look at the basket, think through the contents of my fridge, and shift gears accordingly. Trouble is, in the past, there were no restrictions. Now that there are, it's a bit like showing up for a softball game and being told that you're going to play regulation football on the field instead.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the first thing Alice encounters after she hits the rabbit hole is the DRINK ME bottle and the EAT ME cake. Despite what happened to her after she followed the instructions, it would be nice to have signage like that, at least during these early days.
I know it'll get easier. I hope that one day soon, I'll be standing at the grocers or the market, not seeing the ingredient I want and being able to adjust accordingly. I just need to remind myself that not everything comes as easily as others. Case in point: I'm a marathoner now, but I wasn't always. When I first decided to take up running, I was thirty lbs overweight and slow as a drunk penguin. It also took me three days to recover from a half. I kept with it, though, and five years later, I think nothing of busting out a decently-paced half marathon distance after work and showing up at the office the next day.
But until I get to that point, I'll be eternally grateful for marinara sauce, salads, and pre-mixed vegan Indian. :)
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